Jiang Mian brought Li Zhuyi back to the company.
Sister Ning breathed a sigh of relief seeing her return unharmed. "This time it's my fault, I was actually deceived. This cooperation was initiated online by the other party, so I didn't suspect anything at first."
Even the experienced industry insider Sister Ning was fooled, which only meant the other party had made extensive preparations.
After Jiang Mian finished explaining, Sister Ning frowned and analyzed, "You aren't a top-tier celebrity with massive popularity, so who would you be hindering?"
Jiang Mian lowered her head to take a sip of tea, then spat it out with a "Pfft." Her small face scrunched up. "Sister Ning, your office tea needs to be replaced."
Sister Ning peered over and chuckled sheepishly, "As you know, our company is pretty much defunct. We don't usually use this tea, so it's gone damp, gotten damp."
She exhaled, "Jiang Mian, you're the only one in our company who's truly pulling your weight. It's just that you still don't have a representative work where you're the lead. I have very high hopes for this movie you're collaborating on with Song Xingjia."
"No matter who it is, I will absolutely not allow them to harm you."
"I've already applied to the company to invest heavily in a dedicated styling team for you. You'll be busy after the New Year, and I want to make you, a star overnight."
Jiang Mian actually didn't doubt Sister Ning's capabilities.
She knew Sister Ning hadn't always been with this company. The movie star who publicly announced her relationship on "Angel Star" was someone Sister Ning had brought up.
When the relationship was exposed, Sister Ning only found out from the trending searches. She had cleaned up quite a mess for that movie star, and the two of them had fallen out over it.
Sister Ning felt untrusted. The person she had painstakingly nurtured from scratch suddenly announced her relationship, and she only found out from the trending searches. How ridiculous was that?
And that movie star had long been fed up with Sister Ning's control. From big decisions like choosing scripts and appearing on shows, to small details like styling and accessories, there was nothing Sister Ning didn't fuss over. She was already famous and didn't need anyone dictating to her.
Later, Sister Ning came to this company and took on Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian warmed her hands on the teacup, "Thank you, Sister Ning. I understand."
She understood Sister Ning's desire. She wanted to personally nurture another movie queen and prove to everyone that she deserved to be called a "golden agent."
Jiang Mian returned to Xiushui Mountain Villa, still contemplating whether to tell Ji Zhixiu about the incident.
Given this man's abilities, she had no doubt he could find out who was behind it all.
But after finding out, what then? How would it be handled?
Two days later, Ye Yi contacted her. "The people have been apprehended. These five were involved in extortion and other crimes; they won't be out for at least ten years. However, the person behind it all bit their tongue and didn't say a word. I suspect you have an idea who it is, so be careful."
Jiang Mian: "Thank you for handling this matter."
Ye Yi chuckled lightly and immediately dished out a flirty remark, "I'm happy to be of service to you, my dear sister."
The next second, he looked at the phone he'd just hung up with a "Tsk," and muttered, "So decisive, I love it even more."
Jiang Mian temporarily put the matter aside. Those who wanted to harm her failed this time; there would surely be a second attempt. She wasn't the one who needed to rush.
...
Ji Zhilan received the news and furiously beat her bed at home. "Useless, useless, useless! These five people can't even handle one woman!"
She still didn't know the specifics of what happened. After all, who would dare visit them in prison? If she got caught, it would be a major problem.
Shen Tingyu comforted her, "It's okay. Dodging it once doesn't mean you can dodge it forever."
Ji Zhilan: "It's almost New Year. Let's talk about it after the New Year."
Shen Tingyu nodded, "That's what I'm thinking too."
Lu Residence.
Chang Qin hadn't said anything, but Lu Cong couldn't stand it.
He went home and told his mother directly that either Lu Nianning or he had to stay, and if Lu Nianning stayed, he would leave.
Before Mother Lu could respond, Lu Yu narrowed her eyes. "Don't worry, Little Brother. Sister will give you an explanation for this. Lu Nianning acts without regard for consequences, and she almost hurt Qingqing. It's not your fault."
Lu Cong felt relieved upon hearing this. His sister had always kept her word. Before Lu Yu was married, she had more say in the family than anyone.
When Auntie Lu brought Lu Nianning to the living room, she thought the Lu family had invited her for a meal.
Lu Yu saw Lu Nianning and smiled gently. "Nianning, what are your plans for the future? You're still young, you should see more of the world."
Auntie Lu thought Lu Yu was going to pay for Lu Nianning to travel. She immediately nodded, her old face cracking into a smile like a chrysanthemum. "Yes, yes, your Sister Lu Yu is right. Young ladies should go out and see more of the world."
"I wonder what kind of work Nianning likes? I can help you find something," Lu Yu asked.
Auntie Lu finally realized something was amiss. Was this… an attempt to get rid of them?
She had no children of her own and had raised Lu Nianning as her own daughter. She was also counting on Lu Nianning to take care of her in her old age, otherwise, why would she plan so meticulously for her?
Lu Nianning, to be honest, was a little afraid of Lu Yu. Although she smiled gently, she possessed a powerful aura, no less than that of a man.
She replied obediently, which was rare, "Whatever Eldest Sister arranges is fine."
Lu Yu was noncommittal about her calling her "Eldest Sister." She said calmly, "Since that's the case, Nianning can work at our Lu Corporation. I'm just not sure if Nianning can handle the hardship?"
Auntie Lu's eyes lit up. Working at Lu Corporation would be a great way to get acquainted with the company beforehand. She gave Lu Nianning a meaningful look.
Lu Nianning caught the hint and nodded, "I'll listen to Eldest Sister."
Lu Yu continued, "Our company provides room and board. It wouldn't be good for Nianning to not fit in. I think Nianning should live in the employee dormitory, wouldn't that be best? It would also prevent people from gossiping behind her back."
Lu Nianning nodded, "Okay."
Lu Yu was pleased to see her agree and smiled even more gently. "Nianning has always grown up by Great Aunt's side, so you might not be used to being away from her. I think it would be good for Great Aunt to go along and take care of Nianning? That way she'll have company."
Auntie Lu hesitated a little. If they were to live outside, she would have to spend money on food every day.
Lu Nianning nodded repeatedly, "I think it's great, I can't be without Auntie."
Lu Yu curved her lips into a smile. "Then it's settled. You can go this afternoon. I'll arrange for someone to show you around." She paused and encouraged, "Nianning has always been smart, so you should learn diligently. The company will need you in the future."
Auntie Lu felt this was a blatant hint. The thought of Lu Nianning marrying Lu Cong in the future made Auntie Lu overjoyed.
She quickly stood up, her smile uncontainable. "Good, good, good, we'll go now, we'll go pack our things right away."
After they left, Lu Cong voiced his displeasure, "Sister, what do you mean by sending Lu Nianning to the company?"
Lu Yu slowly braided her daughter's hair and smiled. "First, we get them out of the Lu family. As for the company, we'll just pick a reason to dismiss her. Competition is fierce, and Lu Nianning has no business skills. It's only a matter of time before she's out."
Lu Cong gave her a thumbs-up. "Sister, I love you the most. I almost thought you were serious about making me marry Lu Nianning."
Lu Yu gave him a playful glare. "Does she even deserve you? I just thought you'd been too accustomed to a leisurely life, so I wanted to give you something to do."
The little girl held up her toy. "Uncle is a dummy!"
Lu Yu lowered her head and sternly looked at her daughter. "You're not allowed to talk to your uncle like that. Apologize to your uncle."
The little girl pouted but obediently said, "I'm sorry, Uncle! You're the smartest! Just a little less smart than Mommy!"