"I know this is an unreasonable request, but I'm not asking for it for free. If you give me the person, I'll compensate you for any losses to the show."
Jiang Nan Fang tried to sound as sincere as possible.
"I know this is troubling you, and I'm truly sorry. Just name your price, and I'll agree to anything."
Is she this sincere?
Who is this actor that makes her say such things?
Ke Jing Yu wasn't short on money, so he didn't agree immediately.
He was filled with questions about Jiang Nan Fang.
"You'll agree to anything? Who is it?"
"To you, he's just an extra. But to me, he's very important. He's a friend who helped me before, and he doesn't want to participate in the show, so..."
Ke Jing Yu didn't believe it was that simple.
"Understood. I'll consider it and give you my answer later."
With that, he began to roll up the car window.
Jiang Nan Fang held the window to stop him.
"Mr. Ke, this is really a very small matter. There's nothing to consider. A single phone call from you can solve it..."
She knew Ke Jing Yu was very busy. If he left now and deliberately avoided her, she wouldn't know where to find him.
Moreover, she had lied and hadn't revealed the person's true identity.
If Ke Jing Yu got curious and did some digging, and found out it was Zhan Bei Jue...
She wanted to minimize the risk.
"What? I have to give you an answer right now? Is your Zhan Group so fond of strong-arming?"
"That's not what I meant, Mr. Ke. I know you're busy and I wouldn't dare to waste your time. Just make a phone call, and we'll handle the rest."
Ke Jing Yu was utterly speechless by her persistence.
He took out his phone and immediately called the vice president of the media company.
He told him to send him the contestant's information within a minute.
He wanted to see which esteemed individual Jiang Nan Fang cared about so much.
Seeing his somber expression as he looked at his phone, Jiang Nan Fang knew a change was coming.
But since she had chosen this path, she would face whatever came her way.
Soon, the information arrived.
Although it was listed under a foreign name and foreign ancestry, and the photo in the file looked very much like a foreigner,
Ke Jing Yu still spotted something amiss.
The person's eyebrows, lips, the gaze in their eyes, coupled with Jiang Nan Fang's concern,
It was hard for him not to think of Zhan Bei Jue!
He slowly moved his gaze from his phone to Jiang Nan Fang's face. A disappointed smile played on his lips.
"Jiang Nan Fang, you've disappointed me time and time again. You come to my door asking for help, and you still don't tell the truth. I really thought you were more innocent before."
"This is what you call an 'extra'? Fine, I understand."
"If you want him, you can have him. Exchange it for the Zhan Group."
"What?"
"Isn't he worth it? Do you think his life isn't valuable? Or do you think I, Ke Jing Yu, have never seen money before?"
Jiang Nan Fang knew she had offended him again and quickly tried to explain.
"Mr. Ke, I didn't mean that..."
Ke Jing Yu didn't listen.
"Or are you saying I'm old, without successors, easy to bully, and you've become addicted to bullying me?"
"..."
"There's no room for negotiation. Unless you give me the management rights of the Zhan Group as a gift. Otherwise, he's mine from now on!"
"I've said my piece. Now it's your turn to consider. Jiang Nan Fang, I'm waiting for your reply."
The car sped away. Watching its sleek rear disappear into the distance, Jiang Nan Fang felt utterly dejected.
She felt like she had overthought things and made them worse.
Ke Jing Yu hadn't noticed Zhan Bei Jue originally.
How could she possibly exchange the entire Zhan Group for him?
This was an unsolvable dilemma.
Seeing her standing alone in the sun, her face contorted with distress,
Zhan Bei Jue finally couldn't help but walk out from behind the large tree.
Suddenly, a pair of feet appeared in her vision. Jiang Nan Fang looked up, her gaze meeting his.
She was a little surprised.
"Who was that? When did you arrive?"
Actually, it was a foolish question.
He had definitely been here for a while, following her.
Zhan Bei Jue, being such an intelligent person, how could he not investigate if he had doubts about something?
"Who was that person just now?"
At this point, there was no need to hide it from him anymore.
Jiang Nan Fang told him the whole story.
To her surprise, Zhan Bei Jue chuckled after hearing it.
"It's perfectly normal. If he hadn't said that, I would have thought he was inhuman."
"As you said, I messed with his son. The revenge of taking away a child is greater than anything. It's already very civilized that I didn't have my driver run you over just now."
"Alright, don't be unhappy anymore. What's the big deal? It's just participating in a show, it's not a problem."
Jiang Nan Fang knew it wasn't a problem for him, that he had the ability.
But she just couldn't bear it.
It was too difficult. A full 100 days. She really didn't want him to go through that hardship again.
"What? You care about me? Afraid I'll get tired?"
Jiang Nan Fang felt so useless. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she nodded.
Zhan Bei Jue suddenly leaned his head closer, murmuring into her ear.
"To be honest, participating in the show is just passing time. I just need to endure that day and fill my stomach. It's not that tiring. It's less tiring than coaxing you last night."
"?!"
How could he still be in the mood to joke at a time like this?
And joke about that...
Unable to help herself, she playfully punched him. Jiang Nan Fang chided him.
"What do you mean, coaxing me? As if you yourself..."
"I was quite happy too, but I want you to be happy even more."
"..."
"Didn't I tell you before? These kinds of things are only fun when two people enjoy them together. Especially you."
"Your happiness gives me a sense of accomplishment."
Oh my goodness, big brother!
It's morning, and we're on the street! Can you be more normal?
"Alright, alright. Stop talking. I'll give you the day off tonight, okay?"
Jiang Nan Fang playfully covered his mouth.
"You've worked hard. Let me take you out to eat."
"We definitely need to eat. Eat a lot and replenish your strength. I don't want a day off."
"..."
In an instant, she was coaxed back into happiness.
Zhan Bei Jue put his arm around her and led her forward.
"The weather is so nice, and the air is good too. It's perfect for a couple like us who have just fallen in love. Would you like to show me around?"
To be honest, it did feel like they had just fallen in love.
They had never been so openly and leisurely leaning on each other, strolling through the streets.
Since the matter couldn't be resolved, she might as well let it be.
Seizing the time to enjoy life was also good.
"Okay. Anyway, we don't have anything planned for today. Let's have a date all day."
"Let's eat first. Then go shopping to buy you clothes, then watch a movie, and then go home to sleep, okay?"
Zhan Bei Jue clearly agreed with her proposal.
His eyes twinkled as he looked at her.
"Did we ever do this before?"
Jiang Nan Fang thought carefully.
"I think we did, once."
"Only once? You said we've known each other for many years, and that I've liked you since I was a child. How could it have only been once?"