The man before her was tall and slender. Even with sunglasses and a hat, his features were hard to discern.
The man beside him was slightly shorter, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and looked very capable. Xiao Wenqiang glanced at him a few more times, finding him somewhat familiar but unable to recall where she had seen him.
However, she no longer had time to think about other things as the effects of the drug gradually took hold. In the last moment before collapsing, she remembered politely saying, "Could you please take me to the hospital!"
Situ Chen had just finished discussing the next film project with his agent and childhood friend, Gao Shiying, with Director Wu. As they were taking the elevator down, they encountered a strange woman.
She appeared disheveled, with messy hair and blurred makeup, but her eyes were strikingly bright. The woman had seemed agitated since entering the elevator, and before the doors closed, he noticed she was being pursued.
Before the elevator even reached the first basement level, the woman said, "Could you please take me to the hospital!" and then suddenly fainted inside the elevator.
"My great movie star, is this a new trick to attract you?" Gao Shiying asked, bewildered.
Situ Chen looked at the woman lying at his feet. "Probably not. If she had this acting ability, she'd be famous by now!"
"So what do we do now? It seems like she's running from someone."
"Didn't she say it before she passed out? Take her to the hospital!"
"Are you crazy? If reporters see you taking a woman to the hospital, do you believe they won't report that you're already having a child together!"
"So you take her. I'm heading back!" Situ Chen patted his agent Gao Shiying's shoulder and stepped out first as the elevator doors opened. "Oh, and remember to stay until the girl wakes up!" He waved his hand, having washed his hands of the matter.
"Damn it!" Gao Shiying couldn't help but curse, then resignedly bent down, picked up the woman, and took her to the hospital.
When Xiao Wenqiang opened her eyes again, she found herself in a high-end private hospital room. She turned and saw the man with gold-rimmed glasses from the elevator looking at her.
"You're finally awake! The doctor said they detected gamma-hydroxybutyrate in your blood. It's quite impressive that you're still conscious. But you should be more careful with your drinks next time!" Gao Shiying couldn't help but advise.
"Gamma-hydroxybutyrate? What is that?" Xiao Wenqiang wiped her face and slowly sat up.
"It's commonly known as a 'date rape drug.' When people drink this, they become unconscious and lose control, making them susceptible to anything. Understand?"
"I understand, thank you for saving me! May I ask your name? Oh, and please leave your contact information, I'll transfer the medical fees to you later!" Xiao Wenqiang thought it was no wonder the original owner, Su Ling, couldn't escape. The timing of her own arrival was just right, allowing her to maintain consciousness for a while. Later, after her soul had fully integrated with the body, the drug's effects would have been complete. It was utterly disgusting that this Li Bokai would resort to such a drug to force Su Ling into an unspoken agreement!
Gao Shiying hadn't intended to accept payment initially. However, seeing someone leisurely drinking red wine in his social media feed, lazily inquiring about the woman's condition in such an annoying manner, a plan suddenly struck him.
"My name is Gao Shiying. This is my phone number: 13857xxxx88." He gave his name but left Situ Chen's phone number.
"Gao Shiying?" Xiao Wenqiang finally recalled. "So you're the top agent from Chenshi Entertainment!"
"Oh? You know me? I don't recall!" Gao Shiying was somewhat surprised.
"I saw you at a banquet, but I'm just an eighteenth-tier artist, so it's normal you don't remember me. My name is Su Ling, from Xingyao Entertainment. My agent is Li Bokai." Xiao Wenqiang introduced herself proactively now that she knew he was in the industry.
"Xingyao? Li Bokai doesn't have a very good reputation! So, this time you were..."
"Yes! I believe I was set up by Li Bokai. I've been under him for four years and refused to accept his arrangements for unspoken agreements. This is the fifth year, and I thought my contract was about to expire and I'd be free, but I didn't expect him to drug me..." Xiao Wenqiang's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face. She looked truly pathetic and deserving of pity.
"Actually, you have good foundations. It might be better if you switch agencies." Seeing her crying so pitifully, Gao Shiying's agent instincts kicked in.
"I want to switch too, but there's still more than half a year left on my contract. The penalty for breaking it now is a huge sum. I thought I could just endure it a bit longer, and it would be over soon."
"Sigh, that's why you young girls need to be very careful when signing contracts and entering the entertainment industry. The wrong agency team can ruin your acting career."
Although Gao Shiying felt sorry for her, he had only just met her and didn't have much insight into her acting skills or character. He could only offer advice up to a certain point.
Now that Su Ling was fully awake, Gao Shiying didn't linger and soon left the hospital. After all, he was a busy top agent. Situ, the great movie star, was scheduled to start filming in a month, and he had to handle all the preparatory work.
Xiao Wenqiang slept soundly that night and only turned on Su Ling's phone, which had been charging all night, the next day. As soon as it powered on, various message vibration alerts began incessantly. However, she ignored them and first saved the phone number Gao Shiying had left yesterday. His "Chenshi Entertainment" was a major player in the film and television industry, and Gao Shiying had also nurtured the youngest movie star in history – Situ Chen. Connecting with an agent like him could only bring benefits.
As soon as she pressed the save button, Li Bokai's incessant calls flooded in.
"Su Ling, what's going on? Where have you been all night?" Li Bokai unleashed a barrage of questions. "Do you know how angry President Song is? I spent all yesterday groveling for him!"
"Brother Kai, did you drug me yesterday?" Xiao Wenqiang asked directly.
There was a brief pause on Li Bokai's end, then he quickly shouted back in a loud voice, "What are you thinking! How could I possibly do something like that? Didn't we agree yesterday? You were supposed to wait in the private room, and I'd bring President Song over. You wouldn't have to do anything else, just drink and chat with him. If President Song is happy, wouldn't you get your role?"
"But I'm in the hospital now. The doctor found traces of 'truth serum' in my system and has already called the police!" Xiao Wenqiang applied pressure.
"Call the police? My dear lady! Don't forget you're a celebrity. News like this isn't honorable! If the police come, quickly send them away, don't get me involved, understand?"
"Brother Kai, but I didn't even eat dinner yesterday. I only drank a bottle of water from your car, how could I have been drugged? Is it really not you?"
"Su Ling, you shouldn't say things like that carelessly. Who knows if something was wrong with what you ate at lunch? Besides, drugging someone is illegal. How could I do such a thing!" Li Bokai continued to quibble. "Also, you're too unreliable. You promised to chat and dine with President Song, but suddenly your phone was off, and you disappeared. Now, do you still want good roles? Do you still want to be an actress?"
Note: Some software terms have been adapted for this novel's world.
Weishu: Similar to WeChat
Weishuo: Similar to Weibo
Golden Dragon Award: The sole and highest award in the film industry
Golden Phoenix Award: The sole and highest award in the television industry