Chen Zhu explained further: “Xinda is a company from Jiangching, and they’re our partners in this venture in Xiangcheng. The Xinda executives will also be attending.”
Chen Zhu’s words made the others exchange glances.
A banquet with Jiangching’s Xinda…
Jiangching.
It seemed so far out of reach.
Most people in Xiangcheng had never even considered it. Many, including Ning Xiao before, only thought about going as far as Beicheng for exams.
This banquet was very important even for Ren Qian.
It was the best opportunity to expand his network, as a group of Xinda executives would be arriving in Xiangcheng that day.
Everyone knew the importance of connections.
Neither Chen Zhu nor Ren Wanxuan thought Bai Lian would refuse.
After the incident with the Calligraphy Association, Ren Qian hadn’t spoken to Ren Wanxuan for nearly ten days, only telling her to reflect on her actions. Fortunately, the Secretary-General often comforted her.
With relations with the Ji family nearly broken, Ren Qian naturally couldn’t lower himself to approach the Ji family.
So he left this task to Ren Wanxuan.
Ren Wanxuan was very displeased about Ren Qian wanting to bring Bai Lian to the banquet, but at a time like this, she wouldn’t upset Ren Qian. She still followed his instructions to find Bai Lian.
“Are you done?” Bai Lian didn’t look at the invitation, just gripped her phone and lowered her eyes. “Then please move aside.”
“It’s your loss,” Ren Wanxuan gave Bai Lian a strange look, her mood suddenly relaxing, almost laughing out loud. “Don’t regret it later.”
Bai Lian’s patience ran out. She smiled, “A good dog doesn’t block the way.”
Ren Wanxuan’s face flushed red.
The other students in Class 8 also reacted, moving aside to clear the doorway.
Xinda’s entry into Xiangcheng was already causing a stir in business circles. The financial news channel had been talking about it all morning, and many people were making moves.
After all…
Everyone knew Xinda was from Jiangching. They must have inside information about Xiangcheng to decide to set up shop here.
Aren’t transactions in economic circles just exchanges of information asymmetry?
Chen Zhu watched Bai Lian’s retreating figure, wanting to say something but holding back. In the end, he left with Ren Wanxuan.
Ren Wanxuan reported this directly to Ren Qian.
Ren Qian held his phone, silent for a long time. “Forget it, her vision is just that limited.”
“Then,” the newly appointed administrative assistant beside Ren Qian asked, “should we still have Miss Bai’s gown made?”
Ren Qian waved his hand, “Have you collected any rare tobacco?”
His power was currently being divided, and he was planning how to regain it.
He was also figuring out how to arrange a meeting with Old Chen.
As for the Ji family matters, he could only spare one-tenth of his attention.
He couldn’t manage everything for now.
Bai Lian didn’t know about any of this.
She went to the Zhang family as usual, gave some pointers on Yan Lu’s spear techniques, then returned home.
She complained to Jiang Fuli—
[Sometimes I find you quite useful]
Teacher Jiang: [?]
Teacher Jiang: [Sometimes?]
Bai Lian raised an eyebrow, [1]
The Ji family courtyard was lively today. Besides Lansi, Ji Shaorong had finally returned. “Dad, how could you all keep such a serious matter from me?”
Ji Shaorong was referring to the incident with Shen Qing.
He frowned, having just returned to Xiangcheng to visit Ji Heng, only to hear about this.
“You were working, and besides, it wouldn’t have helped to call you back,” Ji Heng held his pipe, quite calm. “Isn’t everything fine now?”
Ji Shaorong didn’t know how dangerous the situation had been.
He thought Shen Qing’s injuries weren’t too serious.
“Next time, you should still let me know about these things.” Ji Shaorong sighed, “Even if I’m working, I can take leave to come back. They wouldn’t give me trouble over something like this.”
Bai Lian came out with her silver needles to give Lansi acupuncture.
Ji Shaorong looked at Bai Lian and quietly asked Ji Heng, “What is she doing?”
“Doing prac… ahem,” Ji Heng paused, his words automatically changing course, “Acupuncture.”
He was brief and to the point.
Ji Shaorong: “…?”
He looked at Lansi incredulously. This foreigner trusted Bai Lian that much?
The two of them, one daring to stick needles, the other daring to trust.
And Ji Heng just let Bai Lian do this?
“This Saturday, Shao Jun is moving. Did he tell you?” Ji Heng asked about important matters.
Ji Shao Jun’s neighborhood had started demolition, and Shen Qing had already found a new place closer to Qingshui Street. They were planning to move this Saturday.
Moving to a new home always needs some liveliness to warm it up.
The more people, the better.
“Mm,” Ji Shaorong would definitely go for something like this, but he was a bit surprised, “His place is actually being demolished?”
He focused on his research and didn’t pay attention to other things.
“Mm.” Ji Heng didn’t know much about it, responding vaguely.
Beside them.
After finishing Lansi’s acupuncture, Bai Lian received a call from Xu En.
“Ah Lian,” Xu En sounded cheerful and warm on the phone, “Will you come over for dinner on Saturday?”
Bai Lian methodically put away the remaining silver needles.
As she walked back to her room, she said, “I can’t. My uncle is moving on Saturday, I have to go to his place.”
Only a few close people knew about Ji Shao Jun moving.
Xu En and Ji Mulan hadn’t been notified.
Xu En hung up the phone and pressed his brow, asking his assistant, “Can we change the time for the press conference?”
The assistant was startled.
But Xu En didn’t seem to be joking.
“Mr. Xu, the time has already been set, and invitations have been sent to all our partners,” the assistant said carefully. “It’s not good to change the time at this point.”
They had chosen an auspicious date for the press conference.
Business people always believe in these things.
If they changed the time at the last minute, not only would it spoil the auspicious date, but it would also lower their credibility. There was no clear benefit for Xu Corporation.
Xu En was just asking. He was just disappointed.
How did it end up being on the same day as Ji Shao Jun’s move?
“Any news from Old Chen?” Xu En put down his phone and spoke again.
This big event in Xiangcheng’s development was Xu En’s only chance to invite Old Chen.
The assistant shook his head, “The invitation has been sent, but I heard from people at the bureau that Old Chen has something on Saturday.”
It seems Saturday really isn’t a good time. How come everyone has plans?
Xu En took off his glasses, his gaze steadily falling on the window outside. “How many people from the main family are coming?”
This…
“Four people,” the assistant looked up. “The old madam and the others don’t have time.”
Friday afternoon.
Beicheng, Time Light Media Headquarters.
Man Xi’s manager passed through the main entrance, pressed the elevator button, and went directly to the general manager’s office floor.
“Ding—”
The elevator opened.
The manager saw Man Xi and smiled, “Man Xi, did Director Wan call you?”
The drama “Da Yong” doesn’t have traditional male and female lead roles. It’s a historical drama where almost everyone is a main character.
The manager’s information was always a step ahead of others.
Other roles had been confirmed in the morning, leaving only the role of “Bai Xiangchun”.
“Looks like I should congratulate you in advance,” a cold-looking young man beside Man Xi smiled. “I need to hurry up with my song too.”
This was An Qi, a popular singer.
He was also the one who had been stirring up CP rumors with Man Xi online.
At first, both of their popularity came from these CP rumors.
This time, with Man Xi set to star in “Da Yong”, An Qi had also signed with Da Yong and was going to create a song tailored for Man Xi’s character.
Hearing this, Man Xi and her manager just smiled. Neither of them contradicted An Qi’s words. That day, Director Wan’s satisfaction with Man Xi had been obvious, so this role…
Man Xi and her manager were both confident they had it in the bag.
However, while news about other roles had been released, the crew still hadn’t called Man Xi.
“They’re saving the best for last,” the manager wasn’t worried. “Let’s wait a bit longer.”
An hour later.
The super topics for other actors had all been released, but there was still no news about Man Xi.
“Let’s wait a bit more.” The manager reassured Man Xi.
Two hours later, even the manager couldn’t sit still anymore.
He took out his phone and called someone from the “Da Yong” crew, asking why they hadn’t confirmed the actor for Bai Xiangchun yet.
“The role of Bai Xiangchun?” The crew member was also surprised, “It was confirmed long ago.”
The manager’s heart sank, sensing trouble: “We haven’t received any news about Man Xi.”
“Ah, Teacher Man Xi,” the crew member understood what was going on. He was vague, “The director gave this role to someone else.”
“Who?!” The manager’s voice almost cracked.
The next second, he realized his attitude wasn’t very good and tried to recover, “Teacher, didn’t the director praise Man Xi’s spear skills last time? Why did he suddenly change the choice? Who is it?”
He had thought of almost all the artists who had auditioned, but couldn’t think of anyone who could outshine Man Xi.
Popularity, acting skills, looks.
She wasn’t inferior to anyone.
Not to mention she had specially learned the long spear.
The crew member gave Man Xi’s side an accurate reply: “Yan Lu.”
“Yan Lu, how could it be her?!” After hanging up, the manager looked at the two people in the office, “How could she possibly get the role of Bai Xiangchun?”
With her acting skills and scandals?
The smile on Man Xi’s face gradually disappeared. She gritted her teeth, “She must have spread her legs.”
Everyone knew about Yan Lu’s scandals.
As Man Xi spoke, An Qi beside her also turned cold, “I’ll go tell my manager I won’t do the song for this role unless they change the actress.”
Meanwhile, in Xiangcheng No.1 High School.
It was evening dismissal time.
Jiang He was going to Ji Shao Jun’s place with Bai Lian tomorrow, so he was squatting early at the school gate waiting for Bai Lian.
Beside him, Ming Dongheng stood with his arms crossed, looking cool.
Seeing Bai Lian come out, Ming Dongheng lowered his hands, “Miss Bai.”
“Mm.” Bai Lian grabbed Jiang He’s sleeve and waved lazily at Ming Dongheng, “You go back first, I’ll take him on the bus later. I’ll send you something in a bit.”
She was going to see Yan Lu, so she didn’t want Ming Dongheng to keep waiting here.
Bai Lian’s authority with Ming Dongheng was no less than Jiang Fuli’s now. After dropping them off at the Zhang family, Ming Dongheng left directly.
In the Zhang family’s backyard.
Zhang’s father brought a small stool for Jiang He to sit on, then went back to the front to help Zhang’s mother.
Lu Xiaohan and Wen Qi hadn’t been able to help in the front and were chased to the backyard. The two of them were watching Yan Lu practice with her spear.
Sister Xin excitedly reported the news to Bai Lian, “Miss Bai, the role is confirmed! It’s Yan Lu! It’s really Yan Lu!”
For Sister Xin, this was like a pie falling from the sky.
Top-tier team, top-tier resources.
Yan Lu was sure to become famous.
“Mm.” Bai Lian also stood to the side, watching Yan Lu practice with her spear.
She stood straight, holding her phone in one hand and adjusting Yan Lu’s posture with the other.
The setting sun fell on her delicate profile, her eyes clear and shallow, her tone lazy, with a kind of commanding presence as if everything was under her control.
Sister Xin was stunned watching her.
Until she was awakened by a phone ringtone.
It was a call from the crew, which she had just saved in the afternoon. “Ah, Director Wan, you’re saying…”
The call wasn’t long.
Just about two minutes.
After finishing the call, Sister Xin’s expression wasn’t good. She walked to a corner and called the higher-ups of Time Light Entertainment in a low voice.
Behind her, Bai Lian glanced at Sister Xin.
At Time Light Entertainment, Man Xi, An Qi, and their managers were all in the executive office.
When they received the call, the executive sighed inwardly, “An Qi has a conflict with Yan Lu, which I didn’t know before. I’ve communicated with Director Wan, and we’ll find another teacher to compose a song for Yan Lu, but… we probably won’t be able to find someone like An Qi.”
Yan Lu had no fame or strength. Even though she was playing the role of Bai Xiangchun, no well-known composer would write a song for her. In the end, they could only find an unknown composer.
In the office, An Qi’s face was expressionless.
Man Xi lowered her head and smiled sarcastically.
Sister Xin bit her lip as she hung up the phone.
This is what happens when you’re not famous.
Bai Lian reached out and lifted Yan Lu’s spear a bit, “Stay steady.”
After adjusting her posture, her tone was as lazy as ever, “What’s wrong?”
Bai Lian looked at Sister Xin, her voice also languid, her eyes drowsy. Her black pupils reflected Sister Xin’s image, like a lazy big cat, always making people feel at ease.
Sister Xin gradually calmed down, “That An Qi, he debuted with Yan Lu. Back then, Yan Lu was pretty and had a bit of fame when she debuted, so An Qi’s CP with her was very popular. But An Qi has some talent and is arrogant about it. He always looked down on Yan Lu. After Man Xi came to Time Light Entertainment, he openly liked the CP with Man Xi. His fans then mocked and ridiculed Yan Lu, calling her a leech.”
Of course, no one remembered that at the beginning, Yan Lu was more famous than An Qi.
“Ah?” Wen Qi scratched his head and lowered his voice, “Did Yan Lu first hype the CP with An Qi?”
Sister Xin didn’t know that Wen Qi was a fan of Man Xi. She nodded and continued, “This time for ‘Da Yong’, An Qi was originally supposed to write a song for the character of Bai Xiangchun. When he heard the actress was Yan Lu, he directly refused.”
Lu Xiaohan asked quietly from the side, “Can’t they find someone else?”
“Not to mention we can’t find anyone more talented than An Qi,” Sister Xin glanced at Lu Xiaohan, “The character song was agreed upon in advance. An Qi should have been preparing for a month already. We’re supposed to record the character song for promotion next month when we start filming. He’s backing out at the last minute. Who can we find in such a short time?”
“Character song?” In the silence, Bai Lian suddenly spoke up, “Are there any specific requirements?”
Sister Xin looked at Bai Lian, “No.”
“Oh,” Bai Lian nodded, her right hand holding her phone, tapping it against her left palm. In the next second, she suddenly gripped her phone tightly. She looked up, with the sunset behind her: “Then I’ll write one for her.”
Sister Xin, Lu Xiaohan, and Wen Qi were startled.
Especially Sister Xin. She instinctively looked at Bai Lian, “Miss Bai? Have you… have you written lyrics before? Studied music theory?”
She remembered that Bai Lian was a high school senior, studying science at that.
Bai Lian chuckled softly, “No, but I should be able to write it.”
She had never written modern songs, never studied modern music theory, but besides poetry, she had left behind several dozen song lyrics. As for composing—
She was the composer of “<Bai Yi Xing>”.
After a thousand years, she was finally…
Composing music again!
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