Jian Zhou had been having someone keep a close eye on An Qiuyan during this period.
An Qiuyan's suspicion of Jiang Ling also piqued Jian Zhou's curiosity about Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling gave him the feeling of someone reborn, yet her current nature was completely at odds with her past self. She was like a creature shrouded in a vibrant, colorful mist, making it impossible to discern her true self.
There were many skilled actors in the entertainment industry, but versatile talents were few and far between.
Many famous, accomplished actors were generally proficient in only one type of role. If they were to attempt a different genre, their performances would often fall apart.
Take, for instance, the acclaimed literary heartthrob Huang Xuan. He was handsome when playing ordinary people, and his portrayals became more vivid and authentic the more down-to-earth and relatable the characters were.
However, the moment he tried to play white-collar elites or domineering CEOs in the workplace, he became excessively, sickeningly greasy.
The line, "I've fallen in love with your body and another woman's voice," spoken by him, was so nauseatingly oleaginous that it was almost unbearable to listen to, making one want to vomit.
Truly transformative actors, capable of portraying a thousand different faces, were exceedingly rare.
The reason many actors excelled at specific types of roles was precisely because the characters resembled their own personalities and traits. During their performances, there was a degree of genuine self-expression, making them naturally lively and authentic. As the saying goes, art originates from life, and Jian Zhou, knowing this, wanted to gain insight into Jiang Ling's inner self through her roles.
Thus, he watched every film Jiang Ling had starred in since her debut.
The early films were so cringe-worthy that Jian Zhou couldn't bear to watch them, even holding his nose.
The recent blockbusters from the past year or two showcased explosive acting skills, but the characters themselves were incredibly complex.
Jian Zhou attempted to connect these characters together, but the result was a muddled mess. He couldn't discern which portrayal was the most authentic representation of her.
Jiang Ling finished cracking her sunflower seeds and turned, reaching for a handful on the tea table.
Catching Jian Zhou staring intently at her, Jiang Ling broke into a radiant smile. "What's the matter? Mesmerized by my beauty? Do you want to be a little scamp and make love to me until we forget the world exists?"
Hearing her say something so shamelessly, Jian Zhou's face flushed crimson, like a boiled shrimp.
"You're a girl, why aren't you more modest?" Jian Zhou couldn't help but say.
Jiang Ling curved her lips into a smile. "How much does modesty cost per jin? Can it be eaten as food?"
"No!" Jian Zhou shook his head, truthfully answering.
"Then that settles it. Since modesty can neither be eaten nor sold, what's the point of being modest? Seize the day when life is good; I, your grandmother, prefer this kind of spontaneous freedom."
As she spoke, Jiang Ling's eyes, filled with allure, shot a glance at Jian Zhou.
"Xiao Zhou Zhou, the most important thing in life is happiness. I know why you're working as my assistant – marrying a rich woman can mean twenty years less struggle. This is a blessing many people can only dream of. I'm giving you this chance right now!"
Jiang Ling, with a coy expression, uttered the classic line of Sister Shi Liu: "Come on, don't pity me just because I'm a delicate flower; go all out!"
Jian Zhou stood up, his face a mixture of shame and anger, and quickly fled the scene.
Good heavens, how terrifying! What kind of woman is she!
"Hahaha..."
Jiang Ling's laughter contorted her face.
While Jiang Ling was provoking Jian Zhou, the drama had reached the scene where Jiang Yuyan absorbed Xiao Yu'er's inner energy.
The audience's bullet comments were flying everywhere, with most people asking why Jiang Yuyan, already possessing such high martial arts skills, didn't simply kill Xiao Yu'er with a single palm strike, but instead chose to absorb his inner energy.