054 Punishment

Since Gu Yan held the press conference, the number of people registering for auditions had reached an unprecedented height. There was only one day left before the week-long registration period closed, and the first round of preliminary auditions would take place three days later. The venue for the preliminary auditions was set in Hangzhou. Regardless of which city people came from or where they had registered, everyone had to arrive in Hangzhou before the auditions began, otherwise, they would be disqualified. The tight schedule kept Gu Yan extremely busy, yet she relished such a fulfilling life.

"Alisa, which company do you plan to award the contract for hosting the preliminary auditions to?" asked her assistant, Lan Ruo. Back in the United States, decisions like this were entirely up to her, but after returning to China, Gu Yan insisted that everything must go through her approval.

"In your opinion, which companies are the most suitable at present?"

"There is no denying your influence in China; large and small talent agencies have applied to host these preliminary auditions." Lan Ruo glanced at Gu Yan’s expressionless face and continued, "Among them, Tianhong Enterprise, which has emerged strongly over the past three years, is a very good choice."

"How so?" Gu Yan tossed the documents in her hand aside and raised an eyebrow. Tianhong—could there really be such a coincidence in this world? She wanted to see what reasons her composed, steady, and astute secretary of the past three years would use to convince her.

"Your new drama, *The Most Important Person*, is set in a hotel workplace. Tianhong Enterprise happens to own a five-star luxury hotel that can serve as our shooting location. This will save us a considerable amount in funding. Although this company is relatively new, its potential is immense. Even Boss Han holds Tianhong's boss in high regard; otherwise, he wouldn't have signed Wei Hao's first drama in China over to them."

"Is that it?" That alone was not enough to persuade her.

"Actually, among the competing companies, the appearance of the Zheng Group was quite unexpected," Lan Ruo said cautiously. As the assistant, she naturally knew that the young master of the Zheng family had an extraordinary relationship with her boss.

Gu Yan remained silent, showing no reaction. She figured that Yingqi's participation in the bidding was definitely not just about getting more opportunities to interact with her.

"My investigation shows that over the past three years, the Zheng Group and Tianhong have been locked in fierce competition. Wherever Tianhong is, the Zheng Group throws all its resources into competing. Take this instance, for example: even though the Zheng Group is purely a food enterprise, they are fighting for a foothold in the film and television industry, which goes entirely against their core business." Hearing this, a little warmth returned to Gu Yan's icy heart. If she still didn't understand Yingqi's motive after this, she truly would be a fool.

"Give it to the Zheng Group."

Lan Ruo was about to say something, but thinking better of Gu Yan's attitude, she closed her mouth. Her boss’s word was always law, and whichever company got the contract wouldn't make much difference to them anyway. She believed in Alisa's undefeated myth; even a company on the verge of bankruptcy could be brought back to life by just one of her dramas.

After finishing all her tasks, Gu Yan remembered and decided to make a phone call to greet an old friend.

"Annyeonghaseyo!"

"Your Korean has gotten much better," Gu Yan said in a low voice.

"Ah—Xiao Yan, you heartless woman, you finally remember to contact me! Three years, tell me where the hell you've been. And what is this about a divorce? Others might not know, but how could I, Cai Mei, not understand you? You were someone who loved Shen Hong to the point of life and death—how could you just up and divorce him? Didn't you teach me to keep my composure..." The person on the other end of the line was clearly very excited.

"How are you? Are you doing well in Korea?"

"What do you think?" He was so dazzling, radiating infinite brilliance. Five years of guarding each other, through thick and thin, she had won his love. Yet the distance between them was more than just a step or two...

"Xiao Mei... come back to China. I can make you an overnight sensation, radiant and shining, allowing you to stand proudly by his side without having to endure gossip and idle talk."

"Haha! Xiao Yan, three years without seeing you, and you've actually become humorous," Cai Mei laughed heartily on the other end.

"Alisa is my English name." Hearing this, the laughter on the other end vanished, replaced by silence. As the lover of a top Korean artist, how could Cai Mei have never heard of that name? Even for an entertainer like Lee Min, the chance to collaborate with her was practically slim to none.

"I'm currently casting for a new drama. The story is about the workplace experiences of college graduates interning at a hotel. The three of us all studied hotel management, yet none of us ever went through this internship period." As Gu Yan spoke, she felt her nose smarting with unshed tears. "Even if it's just in a drama, let's fulfill the regrets of what we never experienced."

"Actually, Lee Min..."

"Bring him back to China with you. The male and female leads of this drama belong exclusively to the two of you. This is a promise."

"No..." Cai Mei anxiously refused. "It's fine if the male lead is him, but I won't participate." They were already embroiled in scandals; she couldn't appear on screen with him again, and even less could she selfishly ruin him.

Faced with Cai Mei's resolute attitude, Gu Yan was helpless. They truly were friends, both of them fools. They always put the person they loved first, yet in the end, the ones who got hurt the deepest were themselves.