A smile blossod on Jiang Liuxu's face, clearly indicating that Shen Ying's words had struck a chord with him.
He confird, "Miss Shen, are you referring to what happened with Chang Ming that day?"
Shen Ying nodded. "I’m very grateful for the enthusiastic endorsent from Mr. Chang, my forr employer."
A salary in the millions, luxury shoes and bags worth no less than her earnings, and even after the employnt ended, he went out of his way to promote her.
Shen Ying was practically moved to tears.
The system: "……"
Jiang Liuxu, however, said, "Miss Shen’s proposal is certainly tempting, but Chang Ming’s situation is unique. He carries deep childhood trauma and psychological vulnerabilities—Shi Shi is the key to controlling his emotions."
"Only because of such special circumstances did Miss Shen find an opening to exploit."
Shen Ying looked at him in confusion. "Exactly. So, are you suggesting you have no vulnerabilities?"
Confidence radiated from Jiang Liuxu’s expression as he leaned back. "At the very least, we won’t lose our composure over a few words."
Shen Ying narrowed her eyes. "It’s just a matter of ti and intensity. Are you questioning my capabilities, Mr. Jiang?"
Jiang Liuxu chuckled. "Not at all. Miss Shen’s skills are undeniable."
Shen Ying smirked. "But you think I’ve underestimated you, that comparing you to Chang Ming is a grave misjudgnt."
"Accurate foresight is the foundation of success. Questioning my foresight is questioning my competence."
Jiang Liuxu watched her but didn’t respond.
Shen Ying shrugged. "Fair enough. Anyone buying a weapon would first verify its destructive power."
"Especially when it cos to strategic nuclear weapons."
Jiang Liuxu still didn’t take the bait. He didn’t deny this woman’s value, but he couldn’t tolerate an uncontrollable tool either.
She loved money—that was good. Money made manipulation easy.
Especially when she hadn’t yet proven her track record.
Just as he was about to speak, Shen Ying’s deanor shifted.
Gone was the lazy defiance from monts ago, replaced by a bright, lively energy.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, filled with admiration and awe—
"Liuxu, you’re amazing."
Jiang Liuxu froze. These were the exact words Yu Shishi often said to him.
He was a renowned genius in the dical field, having published groundbreaking papers in his teens that corrected historical misconceptions. Research derived from his theories had since benefited countless patients.
Born into privilege, his family owned one of the largest dical conglorates in the country.
His résumé was impeccable—any single honor from it was beyond the reach of ordinary elites in their lifeti.
His extraordinary brilliance had earned him the position of family heir despite not being from the main lineage.
Praise was nothing new to Jiang Liuxu, and Yu Shishi’s adoration was no exception.
Now, Shen Ying perfectly replicated that reaction, triggering an instant flashback.
But he’d seen this trick before, and his guard imdiately went up.
Then Shen Ying, still wearing Yu Shishi’s expression, continued with sincere admiration, "You even tailored sothing as personal as your romantic preferences to et soone else’s expectations."
"Especially when it’s for soone you consider a fool."
Jiang Liuxu felt as if he’d stepped into thin air, the sudden fall twisting his face in shock.
Shen Ying pressed on, "Oh wait, they didn’t even ask—you just did it on your own."
Her expression shifted again, now mirroring confusion, flustered shyness, and a hint of panic: "Why ?"
Jiang Liuxu recognized it instantly—this was Yu Shishi’s reaction when he confessed to her.
But then, that innocent, bewildered expression twisted into sothing dark and mocking—
"Could it be because you knew I—"
Before she could finish, Jiang Liuxu clamped a hand over her mouth.
His grip was almost forceful, as if terrified a single word might escape.
His face was a storm of emotions—humiliation, resentnt, and the tremors of rage.
His scalp prickled, but it didn’t stop him from acting decisively.
Jiang Liuxu said, "My apologies. I underestimated you, Miss Shen. Please, I insist on collaborating with you."
What the hell? Jiang Liuxu’s mind reeled. If Chang Ming’s case could still be explained by her uncovering secrets through unknown channels, then this—
This was his most shaful, deeply buried secret, one even Yu Shishi had never shared.
A minute ago, he’d been confident nothing could shake him. Now, he didn’t dare gamble.
He might not be as easily triggered as Chang Ming, but who knew how much effort this woman had really put in?
Having proven her formidable skills to her client, Shen Ying now held the upper hand in negotiations.
She dominated the entire discussion, securing not only a hefty commission but also standing firm on long-term sustainability clauses.
By the ti they reached an agreent, the delight on her face made it clear—this was a lucrative deal.
Shen Ying extended her hand. "Mr. Jiang, a pleasure doing business."
Jiang Liuxu also reached out his hand, only to hear Shen Ying try to persuade him again: "Mr. Jiang, with your commission deposited, I should have the spending power now, right?"
"Could you recomnd using your top-tier mbership at the club?"
Jiang Liuxu refused decisively: "Sorry, Miss Shen, I won’t recomnd soone who lacks rationality even in mahjong to high-end venues."
"It’s for your own good."
Shen Ying’s expression imdiately fell. She shook off Jiang Liuxu’s hand, turned on the TV, and picked up a ga controller—
"Please close the door on your way out. I won’t see you off."
When Jiang Liuxu left the building, his figure seed sowhat desolate. He had never been treated so coldly in his life.
Even after receiving the money, Shen Ying wasn’t in a hurry to get to work. To maximize efficiency, timing was crucial.
She spent a few more days at ho playing gas without a care, until one evening when even the system had given up hope, she finally changed clothes and leisurely stepped out.
She took a taxi to a building near the Starlight Restaurant she had visited before.
The building faced the side exit of a large shopping mall—a quieter exit that few people used, especially at this hour.
Shen Ying stood nearby, waiting for her prey.
It didn’t take long before the prey arrived in a stretch limousine.
The luxury car drove past Shen Ying for dozens of ters before reversing and stopping right in front of her.
The door opened, and Pei Ying stepped out.
The system was stunned: Wait, why is it Pei Ying? Your first target after signing with Jiang Liuxu was supposed to be Yu Ting!
Shen Ying: "But Yu Ting is filming on set right now—a secret shoot with no interviews or visits allowed. How am I supposed to get in?"
The system: Jiang Liuxu would’ve found a way to get you inside.
Shen Ying: "Wouldn’t that expose him?"
For the first ti in a long while, the system heard sothing considerate from her: Heh, so you finally care about the male lead’s situation?
Shen Ying looked puzzled: "No, if Jiang Liuxu gets exposed, it’ll just be him and Chang Ming going at it. That’s not exciting enough."
"The water needs to be muddied—more players an more fun for ."
The system burst into tears. It must have had water damage to its motherboard to ever expect decency from this heartless creature.
anwhile, Pei Ying approached Shen Ying, looking down at her with a cold gaze. "What are you doing here?"
Shen Ying waved a hand dismissively. "Just waiting for a ride. Don’t talk to —I’m in a bad mood."
The sight of her reminded Pei Ying of Yu Shishi’s tearful breakdown that day, filling him with nothing but disgust.
He replied, "If you weren’t so stubbornly resentful of the world, you’d have fewer things to be upset about."
Shen Ying looked up at him for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. "Did you just co from a corporate brainwashing seminar? Still in ‘motivational speaker’ mode?"
Pei Ying’s brow furrowed.
Shen Ying continued, "You don’t actually think your employees believe that nonsense, do you? They’re just acting to survive."
"Spare the performance coaching, Mr. Pei. You’re not paying , so I don’t want to hear a word of it."
Pei Ying felt this woman was beyond redemption and turned to leave.
But then he heard her phone ring, followed by her answering it.
She said bluntly, "Hey? Yeah, waiting for a ride. Just ran into so idiot."
"Started force-feeding watered-down motivational crap. I’m still nauseous from the cringe."
Pei Ying spun around, furious. "What did you just say?"
Shen Ying looked up at him, feigning confusion. "You’re still here?"
"Look, we’re not close. Why are you interrupting my call?"
Pei Ying narrowed his eyes, unsure how to react to her blatant provocation.
After a tense silence, he turned away again—only to hear her say, "Yeah, I’ll contact you after I et Yu Ting."
Pei Ying froze. Just then, an empty taxi passed by.
Shen Ying flagged it down and got in, giving an address: "Take to XXX Mountain, up via Shenglong Road."
This was the filming location for Yu Ting’s current project—a secret shoot not at any studio or popular site, but a remote local mountain where the crew had built an elaborate set to recreate an immortal cultivation realm.
Pei Ying knew the location because his company had invested in the film.
But ordinary people wouldn’t have this information. It seed this woman wasn’t bluffing—she really was planning to see Yu Ting.
In an instant, Pei Ying yanked open Shen Ying’s car door and commanded, "Get out. I’ll take you there."
Shen Ying hesitated. "Isn’t that inappropriate?"
Pei Ying said coldly, "You’re still Shi Shi’s sister. I won’t let you go to the middle of nowhere alone at night."
After a mont’s thought, Shen Ying made the safe choice and complied.
On the way to the set, Pei Ying asked, "How do you know Yu Ting?"
Shen Ying's expression was sowhat inscrutable: "Does it matter? It's not like we were complete strangers to begin with. After all, there's—"
She left the sentence hanging, but everyone knew who she was referring to.
Shi Shi!
Pei Ying was displeased that this woman was shalessly using Shi Shi's na, but for now, he said nothing.
The filming location wasn’t particularly close—it took nearly an hour and a half to arrive.
It was already midnight, but the crew, nestled in the valley, was brightly lit, bustling for an important night shoot.
Just as the entire crew was in full swing, a luxury car pulled in. A staff mber approached and, recognizing Pei Ying as he stepped out, imdiately went to fetch the director and producer.
Before Shen Ying could take more than a few steps after getting out of the car, two middle-aged n with ingratiating smiles hurried over—
"President Pei, what brings you here in person? Is it for Young Master Yu’s scene?"
Pei Ying nodded without a word, making it even harder to gauge the big boss's mood.
Then the woman beside him spoke: "Please let Yu Ting know I'm here."
Just by virtue of being brought by Pei Ying, the director and producer treated her with the sa fawning smiles. "Of course, but you are—?"
Shen Ying remained composed. "Just tell him. He’ll know."
At this point, it would be tactless to press further.
The producer stayed behind to entertain the two, while the director personally returned to the set to find Yu Ting—
"A lady is here to see you. Did you arrange for soone to co today? You should’ve given us a heads-up—we’re completely unprepared."
Yu Ting looked baffled. "What woman? Do you think I’m playing around during such an important shoot? Why would I invite soone over today?"
The director was equally confused. "But she said you’d know."
Yu Ting scoffed. "I know nothing. Send her away."
The director hesitated. "She ca with President Pei."
Yu Ting paused. Pei Ying ca all the way up the mountain in the middle of the night to visit the set? What a touching display of camaraderie between rivals.
But since Pei Ying was here, that changed things.
Yu Ting followed the director out and saw Shen Ying standing beside Pei Ying.
So she was the woman looking for him? But why had Pei Ying brought her?
Before he could react, Shen Ying raised her hand in a casual greeting.
After basking in borrowed authority, she turned to Pei Ying. "Thank you, Mr. Pei, for safely delivering to Yu Ting. It’s late—you should head back now."
Pei Ying hadn’t even had ti to gauge Yu Ting’s reaction before Shen Ying’s words caught him off guard. He chuckled. "Do I take orders from you on whether to stay or leave?"
Shen Ying gave him a penetrating look. "Not exactly. But in this situation, wouldn’t it be awkward for you to insert yourself?"
"We have so private matters to discuss. Surely you don’t expect to be an audience for that."
Pei Ying was certain now—Yu Ting had eagerly sought this woman out as a stand-in for Shi Shi.
Disdain curled in his chest, but beneath it was an inexplicable anxiety, a sense of falling behind.
And that was what unsettled him most.
The woman’s gaze held his, as if peeling back the layers of his unease.
In the end, Pei Ying averted his eyes, turned on his heel, and strode back to his car. Under the bewildered stares of the director and producer, he drove off without another word.
Yu Ting finally approached Shen Ying, watching the taillights of Pei Ying’s car disappear. "What’s his deal? Driving up the mountain in the middle of the night just to turn around after five minutes?"
Shen Ying replied, "Mr. Pei was just my chauffeur."
Yu Ting frowned. "He brought you here to see ? Why?"
Instead of answering, Shen Ying addressed the director. "I know your shoot is tight on schedule. Could you spare us ten minutes for a private conversation?"
The director still had no idea who she was, but given how effortlessly she’d dismissed Pei Ying, he knew better than to question her.
"Of course. The break room over there—"
Yu Ting cut in irritably. "‘Of course’ nothing. I’m in the middle of a scene. Do you expect to drop everything every ti so woman wants a private chat?"
His attitude left both the director and Shen Ying at a loss.
Then Shen Ying sighed, feigning disappointnt. "I thought you’d be the most reasonable one to approach first about this matter."
"Seems I was mistaken. Mr. Pei probably hasn’t gone far. Maybe I should’ve spoken up when he asked in the car earlier."
She pulled out her phone, pretending to call Pei Ying.
Yu Ting’s impatience instantly gave way to curiosity.
The only connection this woman had to them was Shi Shi. And when it ca to Shi Shi, he refused to be left in the dark.
After a brief hesitation, he relented. "Fine. Co with ."
He led her to his private trailer.
Outdoor shoots were grueling, but not for Yu Ting.
With his formidable background, acting was just a hobby. While the production budget was strictly allocated, he personally funded upgrades for the crew’s living conditions.
So even in the wilderness, his trailer was comfortably furnished—nowhere near ho, but far from roughing it.
Once inside, Yu Ting turned to her. "Alright. What’s this about?"
The outdoor lighting earlier hadn’t been clear enough, but now under the studio lights, Yu Ting’s full costu and appearance were vividly on display.
He was currently filming a high-budget fantasy epic, backed by a gripping original story and substantial investnt, showcasing the ambitious scale of this production.
In this world, Hua Country’s film industry was far from slacking—its production standards had long surpassed North Arica’s, with countless polished films making their mark globally, achieving true cultural influence.
Before this, several breathtaking and grand xianxia fantasy films had already beco classics in cinematic history. As a result, Yu Ting’s starring role in this project had generated imnse anticipation even before filming began—though the pressure on him was equally enormous.
At this mont, Yu Ting was dressed in a vividly colored, ornate costu, his long hair cascading like a waterfall, with an intricate, slender vertical mark between his brows.
The upward tilt of his eyes, perhaps still carrying the intensity of his character, gave him a wild, captivating aura.
Shen Ying praised, "The look suits you. Very handso."
Yu Ting remained unmoved—he’d heard such complints at least a hundred tis a day. Irritated, he replied, "Is that all you ca to say?"
Shen Ying said, "Just an observation. It’s so dazzling that I nearly forgot what I ant to say."
"Especially the costu. I rember the promotional stills didn’t show it like this."
"Were so details adjusted?"
Yu Ting’s expression shifted slightly as he looked at Shen Ying, surprised. "You noticed?"
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