In early December, various industries ushered in their year-end summaries, and the Golden Pen Summit was held as scheduled.
Quan Jiu knew about the Golden Pen Summit; after all, it was the only national industry summit. Those invited were all industry magnates, making the Golden Pen Summit a highly recognized industry conference.
What surprised her was that she had been developing her career abroad, and her only reputation domestically was with the recently released "Floating Life." To be invited herself was truly a pleasant surprise.
For text workers, the Golden Pen Summit could even serve as a beacon for their creative path. One of the reasons many TV dramas, once filmed, couldn't pass review was the issue with the screenwriters; the plots didn't align with the current policy environment.
How could she miss such an opportunity to glimpse, and even suggest, future creative directions? Quan Jiu immediately replied to the organizers.
...
Time, in Quan Jiu's anticipation, quickly arrived at the day of the summit.
The top floor of A City's tallest commercial building had been transformed into a sky garden, featuring not only a meeting area but also an exchange area, a dining area, a rest area, and so on. In short, it wasn't as solemn as Quan Jiu had imagined; instead, a relaxed atmosphere permeated everywhere.
She secretly felt fortunate that she hadn't dressed too formally. Her chic tweed suit set was neither too stiff nor too flamboyant, just right.
"Miss Quan."
Quan Jiu turned her head and was slightly surprised. "Director Zhao, long time no see. Are you also invited?"
Zhao Ziwen's charming peach blossom eyes curved slightly upward: A beauty is indeed a beauty. Even though they had met before, each encounter maintained this sense of stunning beauty.
"Hello, I am Zhao Ziwen, a writer," Zhao Ziwen introduced himself with mock seriousness.
Quan Jiu covered her mouth and smiled, her exquisite face naturally and vividly coming to life, instantly making everything around her a mere backdrop.
Ling Mei glared at the woman who was even more beautiful than herself, her face showing obvious jealousy. She clutched her skirt and said sourly, "She looks like a vixen. When did she hook up with Ziwen?"
Wei Lan's eyes were filled with disdain.
Although it was a summit, just like the venue's setup, the atmosphere of the Golden Pen Summit wasn't overly formal. Perhaps they were all industry magnates with a passion for words. In any case, invited guests could bring companions.
Originally, it was always herself who accompanied Ziwen to this summit in previous years. However, two months ago, Ziwen had met another woman named Ling Mei, who was beside him – a foolish woman with some looks but little brains.
"That woman wasn't brought by Ziwen. She's definitely being kept by someone else. What right does she have to hook up with Ziwen? Shameless," Ling Mei continued to curse.
Wei Lan curved her lips into a mocking smile. Foolish woman, she didn't know that Ziwen was already losing patience. The reason Ziwen brought her today was actually to give this idiot a warning, but unfortunately, an idiot is called an idiot because she doesn't even know she's an idiot.
"In terms of looks, she is indeed stunning," Wei Lan praised sincerely.
Ling Mei glared at her contemptuously. "You, a stray dog, have the nerve to follow along. If Ziwen wanted to marry you, he would have done so years ago. Even if you cling to him desperately, you're just a tag-along. Ziwen will never marry you, so stop daydreaming."
Wei Lan smiled slightly and ignored her, turning to leave to socialize with other female companions who had also come.
"Stray dog," Ling Mei cursed again, then turned back. Seeing that Zhao Ziwen was still chatting with the vixen in front, she became even angrier.
She walked over a few steps, grabbed Zhao Ziwen's arm, glared forward with hostility, and said in a sweet voice, "Ziwen, I'm hungry. Accompany me to eat something."
Zhao Ziwen was discussing their views on future film and television content with Quan Jiu. It had to be said that although Quan Jiu had developed abroad before, she was very familiar with the domestic film and television environment, and her insights were very insightful. In just a few minutes of conversation, he had witnessed this woman's unique charm.
There were many beautiful women, but a soul connection was too difficult to find.
So when Ling Mei abruptly intruded and interrupted his conversation with the beauty, Zhao Ziwen almost couldn't suppress his anger. If it weren't for the beauty present, he would have really wanted Ling Mei to get lost immediately.
But even though he suppressed his outburst, his expression had already soured. He pulled his arm away and said, his voice gentle but cold, "Be good, go play by yourself. When I'm discussing business, don't disturb me."
Ling Mei had been pampered for the past two months and couldn't discern that this was actually a precursor to Zhao Ziwen's impatience. She still acted spoiled and willful, "No, no, accompany me. I don't know anyone here, and I'm uncomfortable alone."
Damn woman, if you don't leave, don't blame me for being impolite. Ling Mei glared fiercely at Quan Jiu.
When Quan Jiu had collaborated with Zhao Ziwen, she had also looked up his information online and knew he was a playboy with many romantic entanglements. Thus, she wisely said, "Teacher Zhao, please go ahead. I'll also look around elsewhere." She didn't come here to chat with Zhao Ziwen alone.
Seeing the beauty leave, Zhao Ziwen's expression darkened. With a hint of warning and impatience, he said, "I told you, don't disturb me when I'm busy. If you don't know anyone, then you can go back."
Unexpectedly, Ling Mei refused, her temper flaring immediately. "Are you interested in that vixen? Ziwen, I'm a woman, I know. That vixen clearly has a sugar daddy. She must have a man. Don't be fooled by her."
As she looked up information, her face grew increasingly grim. She didn't want to say another word and turned to leave.
Ling Mei immediately wanted to chase after him but was met with a cold glance from Zhao Ziwen. She looked wronged, tears streaming down her face, "You men are all like this. Once you get it, you don't cherish it. When you were chasing me, you were so thoughtful you'd even peel shrimp shells for me. Now you won't even accompany me to eat something. Are you mesmerized by that vixen?"
Zhao Ziwen looked at the curious eyes already cast around them, utterly speechless. He cared about his reputation; he could have many romantic affairs, but they couldn't be messy ones.
He pulled Ling Mei to the dining area, suppressing his impatience, and coaxed her kindly, "Since you don't know anyone, eat something here. The summit will start in a while and last for two to three hours. If you get bored, you can watch a movie."
Ling Mei remained displeased, pouting and complaining, "If I had known it would be so boring here, I wouldn't have come."
Zhao Ziwen closed his eyes and pinched his temples. "I told you long ago that there's nothing interesting here, but you insisted on coming. Since you're bored, go back after you eat. I'll call the driver to take you."
"I won't," Ling Mei hugged Zhao Ziwen's waist. "Even though it's boring, I can endure it because you are here."
"The meeting is about to begin. Please take your seats, distinguished guests," a broadcast announced from within the hall.
Zhao Ziwen quickly pushed Ling Mei's hand away and left the dining area with a few strides.
Ling Mei stomped her feet angrily. Her gaze fell on Wei Lan, who was chatting with other female companions. Suddenly, she had an idea. She wanted to see where that vixen was and who was keeping her. Then, she would just mention it to that sugar daddy, and she could surely make that vixen suffer without anyone knowing.
With this thought, Ling Mei lost her appetite and began searching everywhere in the garden. However, after searching for several rounds and her feet aching, she couldn't find the vixen.
Did she leave? Impossible. Ling Mei was not resigned. After resting for a moment, she started searching again.
Wei Lan saw all her actions and naturally guessed what she intended to do. Her thoughts turned, and she had an idea.