Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Her Charismatic Personality
"Hello, who’s this?"
The call was from an unfamiliar number. Sang Ning politely greeted the caller.
After the greeting, an ice-cold voice came through the receiver: "Miss Sang Ning, I am the Executive Secretary of Hai Chuan Entertainment."
At that moment, Li Juezhou turned his head and glanced at Sang Ning, a trace of doubt surfacing in his mind.
He hadn’t given any orders. Why would an entertainment company under Hai Chuan take the initiative to contact Sang Ning?
Even through the phone, it was clear that the caller didn’t mean well. Sang Ning had never been inclined to give niceties to those who approached her with ill intent.
"No need to give me time to be shocked. Just say what you want to say."
The other side fell silent instantly, probably stunned.
Anyone involved in the entertainment industry would know the weight Hai Chuan Entertainment carried.
Sang Ning showed no hint of respect, and even her voice carried a slight impatience.
The caller was likely encountering someone like Sang Ning for the first time and didn’t know how to respond momentarily.
However, as an executive secretary of a major corporation, the person on the line didn’t stay silent for long, continuing with their elevated sense of authority.
"Miss Sang Ning, regarding the two statements you posted online today, I hope you will delete them immediately and apologize to Mr. Qingyue."
Sang Ning let out a snort of laughter. "And what if I don’t?"
"Then we will impose a comprehensive ban on you, including removing your eligibility to participate in Director Qin’s latest film."
Maintaining her carefree tone all along, Sang Ning annoyed the caller enough for their anger to seep into their voice.
"Then go ahead and ban me," Sang Ning replied lightly, without fear or argument. Shortly after saying this, she hung up the phone and blocked the caller’s number.
The opponent clearly did not expect Sang Ning to end the conversation so swiftly. They attempted to call again but were greeted with a message that the number couldn’t be reached.
They tried calling a few more times, only to realize they had been blocked!
On the other side of the line, the caller was furious. It was the first time someone had shown such blatant disrespect for their identity as Hai Chuan Entertainment’s executive secretary.
"What kind of garbage is Hai Chuan’s crowd?" After hanging up, Sang Ning couldn’t help but curse.
Li Juezhou’s grip on the steering wheel tightened suddenly. For reasons unclear to him, he felt like Sang Ning’s words might have included him too.
"Threatening to ban me, huh? Do I look like someone who’s easily scared?" Sang Ning was undeniably angry. It was her first time experiencing the suffocating pressure of capital, leaving her infuriated but with no outlet for her anger.
Li Juezhou didn’t look much better himself. While he was here painstakingly pursuing his girlfriend, his subordinates had the audacity to try and ban her.
"Sangsang, don’t listen to their nonsense. Ban you? Really? Hai Chuan, big as it may seem, isn’t invincible. Not to brag, but even Hai Chuan’s chairman would have to call me ’dad’ in my presence. With me backing you, you’ll be fine." Li Juezhou reassured Sang Ning, half-jokingly.
Sang Ning was surprised. "You’re so capable? Don’t tell me you’re actually the boss of Hai Chuan."
Li Juezhou nodded earnestly. "That’s right, Sangsang. You’re so smart; you got it right in one guess."
Sang Ning burst out laughing at Li Juezhou’s antics. She was aware his identity wasn’t simple, but even exaggerating had its limits.
Hai Chuan was a globally recognized company, boasting immense power. Its head had to be a much older and incredibly successful individual.
"If you’re Hai Chuan’s boss, then I’m your older sister. You’ll have to follow my lead," Sang Ning teased.
Li Juezhou quipped back, "Don’t I already follow you like a little brother?"
Sang Ning rolled her eyes in exasperation and turned her head away.
Li Juezhou suddenly felt a deep sense of powerlessness. Whenever he spoke seriously, no one chose to believe him.
He had already confessed everything to Sang Ning, leaving no room for secrets.
As for Sang Ning’s refusal to believe him, that was her own business.
This matter tonight—with just a small intervention from Li Juezhou, it could all be resolved. However, he didn’t intend to step in.
Since Sang Ning had her own principles, he would respect them.
The girl he liked was no fragile flower sheltered in a greenhouse that needed constant care.
That said, he wouldn’t abandon her entirely. If Sang Ning couldn’t handle this matter alone, he would step in to help.
In their romantic dynamic, Sang Ning had a bit too much pride. If he were merely a friend, she might accept his assistance freely.
But the moment he stepped in as her boyfriend, Sang Ning would instinctively reject it.
He wanted her to understand that his efforts to help didn’t mean she was dependent on him.
Their respective positions naturally defined that he had more power and influence than her.
Li Juezhou did not believe that using his resources to help Sang Ning thrive was inappropriate in any way.
Sang Ning possessed an unmatched inner strength. Even without external aid, she could face anything with immense resilience.
His assistance would merely reduce some of the detours she might take, so her worry about him turning her into a dependent was entirely unnecessary.
"What’s your plan?" Li Juezhou asked, his tone turning serious.
Sang Ning’s career had started gaining momentum but was still in the early stages. Facing a potential ban from Hai Chuan Entertainment posed an existential threat.
"I’ll fight them head-on. They want to silence me? I refuse to let them get their way." Sang Ning seemed determined, as if she had made up her mind to burn her bridges.
Li Juezhou furrowed his brows slightly. "If it were an ordinary company banning you, fine. But this is Hai Chuan. Hardly anyone in the industry dares to oppose them. If Hai Chuan actually bans you, it may mean you’ll never work in entertainment again."
"I know," Sang Ning responded calmly.
She had thought about everything Li Juezhou mentioned. The only reason her current company still tolerated her was because they found her controversy profitable.
However, if she truly offended Hai Chuan, her company would likely be the first to abandon her.
"But if so many people are silenced, someone has to step up and speak out. Otherwise, when will light ever illuminate the darkness in this industry?" Sang Ning’s words carried a passionate, slightly idealistic tone.
Sang Ning didn’t consider herself a saint. Most of the time, she treated her life with an easy-going attitude. But there were still values she refused to compromise.
Her goal in the entertainment industry was to build a fanbase, complete the System’s tasks, and stay alive.
Yet, if staying alive meant compromising over and over with powerful forces, she’d rather abandon the tasks now and face death head-on.
Li Juezhou’s heart stirred as though calm waters were suddenly disrupted by ripples. A deep urge to pull Sang Ning into his arms overtook him.
His Sangsang—she appeared detached, indifferent to the world, as though she didn’t care about anything or anyone.
But only he understood her fervor, her kindness.
In the beginning, his attraction to Sang Ning might have been superficial, drawn to her pretty face.
Now he was profoundly captivated by the essence of her soul.
The more time he spent with her, the more irresistible he found her fiery charm.