Zhang Lian's spirits were high.
He said with a smile, "I remember now, it's that photo you sent me last time, right? I have some impression, this girl surnamed Xu is sweet-looking and indeed a talent with potential. When are you arriving?"
"About half an hour," Cheng Xue replied.
Zhang Lian's laughter grew more hearty, and Cheng Xue followed suit, laughing along.
Bringing Xu Yaoyao to see Zhang Lian late at night was essentially for Zhang Lian to 'discipline' her, a well-known secret in the industry.
For a female university student with no background, the price to pay to enter the fiercely competitive entertainment industry was beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
In the eyes of Zhang Lian and others, this was even considered a virtue, the saying goes: only those who endure the bitter cold can taste the sweet plum.
"Okay, I'll wait for you," Zhang Lian said with a smile.
Cheng Xue coughed lightly, "Uh, President Zhang..."
Zhang Lian was an old hand, he knew what Cheng Xue wanted the moment she even hinted at it. He said calmly, "I understand your desire to transfer to the East China Headquarters, but it's not something that can be rushed. When the time is right, I'll propose your application to the higher-ups."
Cheng Xue was overjoyed and quickly expressed her gratitude.
Zhang Lian smiled and hung up the phone. Cheng Xue couldn't help but sigh, "President Zhang is truly a good person. Compared to other big shots in the entertainment industry, he's much better. As long as you're willing to put in the effort, you'll be rewarded."
She had dealt with other big shots in the industry, all of whom were ruthless and unforgiving. Zhang Lian was incomparable to them.
As long as Zhang Lian was pleased, she could have anything she desired.
"Little Xu, you've truly struck gold this time. You've met President Zhang, a benefactor, right from your debut. Your future is limitless."
Half an hour later.
Two cars, one after the other, drove into Linxi Mountain Villa.
Returning to Linxi Mountain Villa, Chen Jin Chao felt a bad premonition, as the place left him with a very unpleasant impression.
"Brother Jin Chao, what's wrong?" Xu Yaoyao noticed Chen Jin Chao's grim expression.
Chen Jin Chao shook his head, "Nothing, just remembered some things."
Seeing that Chen Jin Chao didn't elaborate, Xu Yaoyao didn't press further.
A few minutes later.
The two cars stopped at the entrance of a villa.
Xu Yaoyao looked at the luxurious villa before them, the lawn alone spanning two to three thousand square meters, and couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
Cheng Xue, assuming they were stunned by the villa's opulence, smiled and said, "Don't be envious. If you become the top actress in the entertainment industry in the future, you'll be able to afford such a villa too."
"Come in with me."
The two followed Cheng Xue, walking across the flat lawn to the entrance of the main villa building.
A middle-aged man was standing at the villa entrance. Seeing the group of three, he quickly descended the steps to greet them. Cheng Xue introduced them, "This is President Zhang from our Dynasty Entertainment Company."
Zhang Lian's gaze lingered on Xu Yaoyao, and he chuckled, "Not bad, not bad. She's indeed a promising talent."
"Hmm?"
"And this is..."
Zhang Lian caught sight of Chen Jin Chao standing beside them and then turned to Cheng Xue. Cheng Xue explained, "This is Xu Yaoyao's brother, Chen Jin Chao. He's accompanying her to meet President Zhang."
"Oh, I see..."
"Hello, hello."
Zhang Lian seemed a bit distracted.
He felt like he had heard the name Chen Jin Chao somewhere before, though he wasn't sure if he was misremembering.
Unable to recall, Zhang Lian invited the three into the villa for a more detailed discussion. Chen Jin Chao nodded and entered the main hall with Xu Yaoyao, sitting down on the sofa.
Zhang Lian took Xu Yaoyao's resume from Cheng Xue. His eyes immediately fell on the professions of Xu Yaoyao's parents. They were merely rural teachers, suggesting they wouldn't have a significant background.
This put his mind at ease.
Next.
Zhang Lian asked Xu Yaoyao some professional questions. Xu Yaoyao answered them fluently, demonstrating that she had done considerable preparation. This impressed Zhang Lian, "Not bad, not bad. You are indeed a talent with potential. I see you're also a cultural student from Linzhou University, with grades in the top 1% of your grade. You can definitely be called a top student, giving you an overwhelming advantage compared to those celebrities who falsely portray themselves as studious in the entertainment industry."
With beauty, a good figure, and intellect...
Zhang Lian praised her without reservation.
Cheng Xue could tell that Zhang Lian genuinely liked Xu Yaoyao and sincerely believed she was a talent with potential.
Xu Yaoyao's composed demeanor in the face of Zhang Lian's praise further delighted him.
The two parties conversed for a full hour, during which Zhang Lian repeatedly expressed his desire to make Xu Yaoyao the flagship star of Dynasty Entertainment Company.
Seeing this, Chen Jin Chao was also happy for Xu Yaoyao.
At the end.
Zhang Lian pondered, "Little Xu, there are some rather confidential matters I need to discuss with you privately. What do you think..."
Cheng Xue, standing nearby, immediately understood Zhang Lian's intentions. She promptly stood up and said to Chen Jin Chao, "Why don't we go for a walk outside and leave this place to President Zhang and Little Xu? We can come back in later."
Chen Jin Chao looked at Xu Yaoyao, seeking her opinion.
Xu Yaoyao glanced at Zhang Lian, then at Chen Jin Chao. "Brother Jin Chao, why don't you sit on the lawn outside for a while? I'll chat with President Zhang. I'll call you if anything comes up."
Chen Jin Chao hummed in agreement and got up, walking out of the living room with Cheng Xue.
The two arrived at a pavilion on the lawn outside. Cheng Xue smiled and said to Chen Jin Chao, "You don't need to worry. President Zhang has seen all sorts of girls; he won't do anything to your sister."
"That would be for the best," Chen Jin Chao replied coolly.
Cheng Xue had been observing Chen Jin Chao discreetly. She noticed that this young man was neither subservient nor arrogant when facing Zhang Lian, and his eyes always seemed to gleam with confidence.
This made her curious, who exactly was Chen Jin Chao?
Before she could ask, Chen Jin Chao took the initiative to inquire, "Manager Cheng, I'd like to learn a few things from you. I've heard that the entertainment industry is very chaotic and filled with all sorts of unspoken rules. Is this true or false?"
"Why are you asking about this?" Cheng Xue giggled.
"Just suddenly thought of it," Chen Jin Chao replied.
Cheng Xue looked directly into Chen Jin Chao's eyes, "If I said no, would you believe me?"
Chen Jin Chao blinked in surprise, then shook his head.
Cheng Xue couldn't help but laugh, "Isn't that obvious? It's not just the entertainment industry; such chaos exists in every industry. And this chaos has always existed and will continue to exist in the future."
"It's just particularly severe in the materialistic entertainment industry."
Chen Jin Chao felt uncomfortable hearing this but had to admit that Cheng Xue's words were true. He sighed, "If that's the case, how can I rest assured leaving Yaoyao to venture into the entertainment industry alone?"
Cheng Xue smiled wryly inwardly.
When she first entered the entertainment industry, even as an extra, she had an affair with the director of a crew, all for a minor supporting role. However, that director ultimately reneged on his promise, which she held a grudge for to this day. Later, after she became involved with Zhang Lian, she used some industry connections to effectively blacklist that director.
This was the scheming and intrigue of the entertainment industry.