She steeled herself, but her gaze involuntarily shifted away.
Shen Muyuan smiled, "The media always speculates wildly, don't pay it any mind. Besides, Zhi Xiu knows what kind of person Miss Jiang is best. Ting Yu, you're letting concern cloud your judgment."
His tone was gentle, his words calm, like a refreshing breeze that won people over.
Jiang Mian secretly thought, the difference between these siblings is quite significant.
"Right, right, let's not talk about this, let's discuss something else. I heard the Luo family plans to enter the overseas market share in the latter half of the year, what do you all think?" Lu Cong turned to Ji Zhixiu.
The Luo family started in the internet industry years ago, and later shifted their focus to the entertainment and film industry.
Unlike the Lu family's real estate business, the Chang family's jewelry business, and the Shen family's snack brand.
Ji Corporation, on the other hand, spanned across various industries and was a leader in its respective fields, particularly in the internet sector.
Undoubtedly, there was a competitive relationship with the Luo Corporation.
Ji Zhixiu leaned back slightly, revealing a sliver of his neck. The air conditioning was on in the private room, so he had already taken off his jacket.
He was wearing a fitted sweater in the same color as Jiang Mian's. Upon hearing the question, a hint of sternness appeared in his eyes, and he said dismissively, "He is not worthy."
The words were arrogant and presumptuous, but this man had the capital to back them up.
Chang Qin chuckled, "Indeed, the Luo family is in disarray now. I'm curious, who will they assign this plan to? Luo Fei? Or his elder brother?"
Lu Cong: "Luo Fei does have the ambition for it, and his elder brother is incapable. It's a shame that Mrs. Luo is still behind them?"
Shen Muyuan took a small sip of his wine, "Don't forget, the Luo family still has two illegitimate sons they haven't acknowledged yet."
Lu Cong clicked his tongue and shook his head, "I'm so glad my father didn't end up having two brothers for me out there."
As soon as he finished speaking, he realized something was amiss and secretly glanced at Ji Zhixiu.
The matter with Uncle Ji back then was a secret outside, and among their close circle of friends, it was tacitly understood.
The man's expression remained unchanged, with no reaction.
Chang Qin nearly spat out his wine, "If your sister hears you say that, she'll break your legs."
Lu Yu's reputation among their circle was legendary from childhood.
Everyone knew the Lu family had a beloved daughter, beautiful and elegant, but with a temperament that... it wasn't that she was ill-tempered.
It was just that with her, one could never feel needed, which left a man's pride nowhere to go.
Lu Cong immediately felt guilty; he was truly terrified of his sister.
Growing up, the person who disciplined him the most wasn't his parents, nor his second brother, but this elder sister.
Every time there was a parent-teacher meeting, it was his sister who went.
In his heart, Lu Yu held an extremely high status.
He waved his hand sheepishly, "It's fine, my sister isn't here..."
He would never say such a thing in front of his sister, unless he was looking for death.
...
Sister Ning rushed into the Night Wing office, "Mr. Ye!"
Night Wing turned around, "What is it again—"
"Look at this Weibo post," she handed him the tablet.
Southern Entertainment V: [Regarding Jiang Mian, we have an even more explosive scoop as evidence, esteemed readers, please wait.]
"All other trending topics have been removed, only this Weibo post remains. And the likes have already reached two hundred thousand, with many people watching with great interest for his revelations," Sister Ning frowned.
"How is my Weibo doing?"
"It has gained ten thousand followers. Everyone knows you are Jiang Mian's boss, and it is currently trending as well."
A cold smile flickered across Night Wing's lips, "This kind of previewed leak is either to wait for us to offer money for cooperation, or it's just for attention."
"I've already contacted this studio, and they said that taking money to resolve it won't work. They are determined to release it," Sister Ning said worriedly.
She didn't think Jiang Mian would have any dirt on her.
Even with her secret marriage to Mr. Ji, no one would dare to leak anything without Mr. Ji's instructions.
Jiang Mian's personality and conduct were the most stable among all the artists she had managed.
No agent disliked a compliant artist.
But in this circle, being clean didn't mean nothing would happen.
Night Wing: "Work overtime tonight. Let's see what they're going to release first. If they release it, we will suppress the trending topic at all costs. Also, call Liang Qiao to me."
Sister Ning nodded, "Please wait a moment, Mr. Ye."
Liang Qiao was pleasantly surprised when Night Wing sent someone to contact her after her surgery and recovery period.
Although Floraison was a small company, there were advantages to being in a small company.
At least everyone would respect her as a senior, so she readily signed the contract.
She hadn't expected the company to arrange an event for her so soon after signing the contract.
Liang Qiao was both surprised and delighted, feeling that things were falling into place naturally.
She cautiously entered Night Wing's office. Come to think of it, this was the first time she had seen the CEO since joining the company.
What kind of person was the CEO of Floraison?
Liang Qiao mused as she slowly looked up. The moment her eyes met his, they filled with surprise, "It's... you?!"
Night Wing raised an eyebrow, "It seems your memory is still good."
Liang Qiao felt a little uneasy. Of course, she remembered this man.
He had stood with Jiang Mian on "Angel Star," and their relationship seemed to be quite close.
She asked cautiously, "You're the one who signed me."
Night Wing tapped the table with his finger, "If not for me, who else do you think would want you? It seems you still haven't recognized reality. Everyone in the circle knows about you and Luo Fei, and if he doesn't want you, who else would take you in?"
Liang Qiao's face turned pale.
During her wealthiest years with Luo Fei, she had considered leaving to start her own studio.
But then she thought it wouldn't be good for Luo Fei, so she hesitated.
Now that her prime time had passed, and with her lifelong focus on appearance and extravagant spending, she had little savings.
She only had two apartments and the several million yuan Luo Fei had given her...
Returning to her hometown as an ordinary person was definitely not the end she desired.
Liang Qiao looked at him with determination, "What do you want me to do, Mr. Ye?"
"It seems you're not entirely foolish."
"I know that if you were willing to sign me, you must think I still have some value. Don't worry, Luo Fei and I are completely finished."
"Was it Luo Fei who leaked the information about Jiang Mian?"
Liang Qiao fell into thought, "I'm not sure about that. I didn't hear him mention anything like that when I was at the company. However, I am certain of one thing: Luo Fei and Shen Tingyu must have reached some kind of cooperation. Shen Tingyu hates Jiang Mian to the bone."
"Stop talking nonsense," he slammed the tablet in front of her, his eyes narrowing slightly, his mood clearly displeased, "In this situation, you should know what to do."
Liang Qiao was startled by him and lowered her gaze to look at the tablet's content.
"Spend money... buy it out..."
"Do you think I don't know that? The problem is, he's determined to release it now," Night Wing said impatiently.
If money doesn't move him, it means he's being paid to do it.
"Everyone just wants to have a bit of gossip for fun. If you still want Jiang Mian to have a good reputation, it's best to find a few people in the industry to speak up for her. That's the easiest way," she said quickly.
Night Wing's gaze fell on her, and he motioned with his chin, "You, post it for me."
"Huh? Me?"
"Yes, don't dawdle. Log into your Weibo account now. You've been debuting for so long, surely you don't have less than twenty million followers on Weibo?" he said with displeasure.
"I... I do, forty million," Liang Qiao replied.
She had gained quite a bit of resources through Luo Fei and had been a top-tier traffic star. Over the years, she had indeed accumulated many fans.
"How... how should I post it?" she hesitated, holding the tablet.
"You're asking me?"
Liang Qiao trembled and lowered her head to log into her account.
A few minutes later, she handed the tablet back, "Please take a look."
Night Wing took the tablet.
Liang Qiao v: [I hope everyone can distinguish right from wrong.]
Choose to forgive her: [Are you talking about Jiang Mian?]
Boyfriend: [This has nothing to do with you, why are you speaking up for Jiang Mian?]
Kissing makes me sadder: [My wife is so righteous, stepping up to help.]
Night Wing glanced over it briefly, "Are you an idiot? You haven't even followed Jiang Mian. Who would believe it if they read this?"
Liang Qiao was scolded to the point of not daring to speak. She took back the tablet, found Jiang Mian, and followed her. Then she timidly said, "Should I tell Jiang Mian? Let her remember to follow me back."
"That's her business. Alright, you can go now," his patience was wearing thin.
Liang Qiao said nothing more and silently left the office.
...
After chatting for a while, Ji Zhixiu stood up, "We'll be leaving now."
Lu Cong looked up blankly, "You're leaving so early?"
"I promised to have dinner at my mother's place."
Shen Tingyu's head snapped up, her hands clenched into fists. Dinner... Has Jiang Mian been accepted by his family already?
How could she be so lucky?
To receive this man's favor, and also the blessings of his family!
Unwillingness flashed in her eyes, and her heart ached deeply.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh, then please give my regards to your mother for me. I'll visit her another day," Lu Cong grinned.
"Goodbye."
"Take care."
Ji Residence.
Mother Ji was playing mahjong with her friends in the living room.
She laid down an eight of bamboo, "I'm not playing anymore after this round."
Mother Lu was surprised, "You're ending so early today?"
"Yes, we've only played a few rounds."
Mother Ji smiled, and without hesitation, drew a pair, "My son is coming back today."
"Oh my, it's Zhi Xiu coming back? No wonder you're so happy. If only my Lu Cong was as ambitious and focused on his career as Zhi Xiu."
"You shouldn't say that. I like your Lu Cong too. He's always so good at pleasing elders."
Mother Lu was slightly taken aback. Usually, when she said this, Mother Ji would always say: Zhi Xiu is too focused on his career, which is why he hasn't found a woman yet. It's truly worrying.
Why wasn't she saying such things today?
She nudged her, "Aren't you looking for a partner for Zhi Xiu? How about it, have you found a suitable one?"
Mother Ji smiled, "That's his own business now. I've come to terms with it and don't want to interfere anymore."
"You never used to say this. Shuhua, why are you so open-minded today?"