I'm Rich - 9
Chapter 9
After seeing Guan Zhiyi home, Qi Chengyan drove back to the restaurant.
Before going in, he made a call to his assistant.
“President Qi.”
Qi Chengyan: "Have all the roles for The Imperial Court been decided?”
His assistant was taken aback. He hadn't expected his boss to suddenly take an interest in such a minor matter. “They held the auditions a few days ago. Everything should have been finalized today.”
“Have someone look into the cast list. While they're at it, find out why Guan Zhiyi was cut.”
Qi Chengyan had already decided to move into the entertainment industry. His investment in The Imperial Court had only been a first step, nothing significant. That was why his assistant had initially been puzzled by the sudden interest in such specific details. But the moment he heard Guan Zhiyi's name, he understood.
That girl had actually been cut?
No wonder the boss was calling personally about it.
After hanging up, Qi Chengyan pushed open the private-room door. Guan Yuanbai was still sitting where he had been, but the dishes had all been cleared away, replaced with tea and a few snacks.
"Get her home safe?" Guan Yuanbai seemed to have expected him to return.
Qi Chengyan sat down across from him and gave a quiet hum.
Guan Yuanbai gave a wry, resigned smile. “Every time we fight, you're the one who goes to coax her. No wonder you were always her favorite when we were kids."
Qi Chengyan raised an eyebrow slightly. “Is that a hint of jealousy I hear?"
“That brat has no conscience.”
Qi Chengyan did not respond. He simply poured himself a cup of tea. Only after taking a sip did he say, “Yuanbai, I know you and your father both have some unresolved feelings about this industry. But Xiao Wu's right. She's her own person, not your mother."
Guan Yuanbai stared out the window. "Xiao Wu was still young when Mom passed. Back then, all she could see was the glamour. She only thought Mom was the most beautiful, most dazzling person in the whole world. But such brilliance can come at a cost that not everyone can bear."
“I know.” Qi Chengyan had grown up beside them; he knew their family's story all too well.
Qi Chengyan: "When Xiao Wu was a child, she might not have understood. But she's grown up now. If she still wants to follow your mother's path, still wants to act, it shows she isn't just pursuing this because she was influenced by your mother. She genuinely loves it.”
Guan Yuanbai frowned. "But even with all of the Guan Corporation backing her, my mother still wasn't happy. Why should Xiao Wu have to go through that same road? Honestly, all I want is for her to obediently come home, where everyone can spoil her, where she doesn't have to work so hard… Forget it. I've told her this countless times. She'll understand eventually. She's just young and hotheaded right now, so she wants to rebel against us."
“At first, I thought she was only being young and hotheaded too,” Qi Chengyan said. “But now I don't think she'll turn back.”
Guan Yuanbai's hand paused around his cup.
Qi Chengyan continued, “Your unresolved feelings about the past shouldn't be forced onto her. If she loves it that much, let her go after it. If you're still worried, I'll keep an eye on her for you.”
Guan Yuanbai looked at him questioningly.
Qi Chengyan smiled. “The Qi Group intends to enter the entertainment industry. I'll have a better handle on the industry's ins and outs from now on. Don't worry though, I'll only keep an eye on things. I won't deliberately pull strings for her.”
Guan Yuanbai: "But—"
"Or do you really want to lose your sister for good?"
Guan Yuanbai opened his mouth, then closed it, rubbing his temple in frustration. “There's nothing I can do about her. You saw her just now... She stormed off in a huff, and I couldn't even get a word in.”
“Xiao Wu is actually very easy to deal with,” Qi Chengyan said. “Just coax her a little and she'll be good again.”
“That only works with you.” Guan Yuanbai sighed. “When have I ever been able to calm her down with a couple of words?”
The corner of Qi Chengyan's mouth curved upward. “Then that's your problem.”
“...”
After talking a while longer, Guan Yuanbai finally relented slightly. Seeing this, Qi Chengyan took his leave and returned to the office.
Having just started, he had a mountain of work to get through, and it wasn't until seven in the evening that he finished part of it and prepared to head home. Just then, his phone rang.
“Hello.”
“President Qi, we've looked into Miss Guan's situation. We have the result.”
Qi Chengyan lowered himself back into his office chair. “Go on.”
"Here's the thing. The director and the original author were both very satisfied with Miss Guan and had pretty much decided to sign her. But then, out of nowhere, they were told she had to be replaced."
“Had to?”
“Yes.” The assistant said, “According to what the staff revealed, it was because of Miss Zheng Yitong. President Zhao of Yixing is a relative of hers, and her family has some influence in the industry. So President Zhao has always been very supportive of her. Miss Zheng insisted that Miss Guan be replaced, so President Zhao had someone make the change. After all, the IP is in Yixing's hands, and Miss Guan is also one of Yixing's artists. She's easy to control...”
Qi Chengyan tapped his keyboard a little harder than usual.“Does Zheng Yitong have a grudge against her?”
“This...”
“She does?”
“Actually, the reason should be... you, sir.”
Qi Chengyan paused. “Me?”
“Yes.” The assistant cleared his throat. “Apparently, Miss Zheng has held a grudge against Miss Guan ever since what happened at the Nanjue Hotel. At first, she was still wary of you. Later, when she realized there was nothing really between you and Miss Guan... she decided to take it out on her."
“Taking it out on her?” Qi Chengyan's eyes darkened. “Is Zheng Yitong in the cast of The Imperial Court?”
“Yes.”
Qi Chengyan was silent for a moment. Then he said, “Tell Zhao Zhihui to replace her. As for Xiao W... Guan Zhiyi, keep the original decision. If Zhao Zhihui has any objections, he can come to me himself.”
His tone wasn't harsh, but the assistant could hear the anger beneath it and immediately replied, “Understood, President Qi.”
**
Being replaced at the last minute was actually quite common, but Guan Zhiyi had never been this upset about it before.
She loved that novel far too much and had placed far too much importance on this audition. Unfortunately... it was gone in the end.
After returning home last night, Guan Zhiyi had barely slept at all. So when Liu Yun called the next morning, telling her to get ready and come downstairs immediately, she was still completely dazed.
“Yun-jie? Come downstairs? Why?”
“I'm almost at your residential complex. Hurry up.”
“Huh?”
"Don't 'huh' me! We're signing the contract, the contract! Get moving!"
“???”
...
If there was one phrase to describe Guan Zhiyi's current experience, it was probably “one wild turn after another.”
She couldn't understand why she'd been replaced when everyone had been so positive about her, nor why, after just one night, she was being called back to sign the contract again.
Even as she walked out of the signing, she still couldn't quite believe it was real.
“Why exactly...” Guan Zhiyi couldn't help asking on the way back.
Liu Yun glanced at her and smiled. “You don't know why? Come on, don't play dumb with me."
Guan Zhiyi was bewildered. “I really don't know.”
Liu Yun looked skeptical. “Qi Chengyan made the call to rehire you. You're telling me you didn't go to him and ask him to deal with it?”
Guan Zhiyi froze. “Why would I ever go to him about this?”
“But he was the one who arranged it.” Liu Yun thought for a moment, then mused, “Looks like he really likes you. He found out you'd been replaced and even helped you get revenge.”
“Revenge?”
“You didn't know? You were originally replaced because Zheng Yitong pulled strings behind the scenes. And now Zheng Yitong isn't going to be in The Imperial Court anymore. One of President Zhao's assistants told me Qi Chengyan was the one who had her replaced."
“How is that possible...”
“Why wouldn't it be possible? If Qi Chengyan tells our President Zhao to replace someone, do you think he dares not to? He's the biggest investor in this production. And... ahem, there's another rather special reason that can't be made public yet. But you'll find out soon enough."
Guan Zhiyi gave an “oh” and didn't ask any further. She took out her phone and opened her WeChat conversation with Qi Chengyan. But as she stared at his blank profile picture, she suddenly had no idea what to say.
She was a little excited, and a little unable to believe it.
He had actually helped her. But... hadn't he said he wouldn't help her?
“Zhiyi, you really didn't know about any of this? Is Qi Chengyan... pursuing you?"
“Cough!” Guan Zhiyi choked violently. “What?”
Liu Yun looked as though everything had suddenly fallen into place. “Since you said that's not the kind of relationship you have, then judging by this situation, I'd say he's definitely pursuing you.”
“...”
Seeing how delighted Liu Yun looked, Guan Zhiyi felt that there was no way she could explain herself out of this.
She let out a quiet breath and simply gave up. No matter what she said, Liu Yun would never believe her anyway.
Guan Zhiyi tightened her grip on her phone, lowered her head, and slowly typed a few words to Qi Chengyan.
[I heard about the role]
A few minutes later, Qi Chengyan replied: [Did you sign the contract?]
Guan Zhiyi: [I did.]
Qi Chengyan: [Good.]
Guan Zhiyi: [Thank you, Gege.]
Qi Chengyan: [This wasn't entirely to help you. It was about making sure the production runs smoothly. The director chose you because you were the best fit. The role was always yours]
Guan Zhiyi: [Then what about Zheng Yitong?]
Qi Chengyan: [I don't allow anyone to do whatever they please under my projects.]
The corners of Guan Zhiyi's lips lifted. She wanted to smile. But, afraid Liu Yun would notice, she quickly suppressed it.
[Still, I have to thank you]
[Mm. How are you planning to thank me?]
Guan Zhiyi thought for a moment: [I'll treat you to a meal! But I'm heading off to film a variety show soon, so can we do it tomorrow? Are you free?]
[Sure. Got it.]
[Mm!]
After putting away her phone, Guan Zhiyi looked out the window. Her smiling reflection stared back at her from the glass, a smile she simply couldn't suppress no matter how hard she tried.
‘Judging by this situation, I'd say he's definitely pursuing you.’
The sentence suddenly popped into Guan Zhiyi's mind.
She went still for a moment, then lightly patted her own cheeks.
She knew, of course, that Liu Yun had only said it because she'd gotten the wrong idea, and she knew it was impossible. Yet for some reason, whenever she thought about those words, it sent a fluttering thrill straight through her heart.
**
She would be leaving for Get Lost, Fat! the day after tomorrow, Guan Zhiyi packed her luggage ahead of time.
Once she finished, she quickly did her makeup, ready to head out for dinner with Qi Chengyan.
Knowing that she couldn't drive, Qi Chengyan came directly to her residential complex to pick her up. From there, they went together to the restaurant he had reserved.
“I've been here before, it's amazing.” Once they reached the private room, Guan Zhiyi eagerly introduced the menu to Qi Chengyan as though she were presenting him with a treasure. “The peppercorn chicken is their signature, and this beef is really good too... Mm, the desserts are especially delicious. Should we get one of everything?”
Qi Chengyan smiled at her. “Sure.”
“Mm!”
“Yesterday, you said you were going to record a variety show?”
“Yeah. I'll be staying with several other entertainers in an ancient town nearby. It's pretty convenient.”
“You never mentioned a variety show before.”
“This one was set a while back. Yun-jie said it might become a hit, and that it'd be good for my career."
Qi Chengyan nodded and asked casually, “Who's on the cast?"
"There's Teacher Hou Lu, Xiao Ran, Lin Jia'er..."
“Xiao Ran?”
“Mm. He's really famous. You've heard of him, right? Have you seen his work, or...”
“I met him while I was abroad.”
Guan Zhiyi: "Huh? You mean like, personally?"
“Last year, one of the company's products had him as its spokesperson. We became acquainted afterward.”
“I see.”
...
While the two chatted casually, the dishes began arriving.
But after only a few bites, Guan Zhiyi's phone suddenly rang. It was lying right on the table, so Qi Chengyan also saw the name displayed on the screen: Hua Hongxi.
The moment Guan Zhiyi saw the name, she instinctively glanced at Qi Chengyan. His expression remained calm as he asked, “Aren't you going to answer?"
“Huh? Oh!” Guan Zhiyi immediately picked up the phone and answered. “Hello?”
Hua Hongxi's voice quickly came through the receiver. “Zhiyi~ You free today? Seems like we should go on a date or something. Grab a meal, maybe, or else—"
“I'm having dinner with Chengyan-gee right now!” Afraid that Hua Hongxi might say something else, and equally afraid that Qi Chengyan might hear him from across the table, Guan Zhiyi immediately interrupted to warn him.
Hua Hongxi paused, then quickly caught on. “Ah... Th-then next time! Ahem, don't tell him I called you.”
Guan Zhiyi: “...”
A little late for that!
“What did he say?” Qi Chengyan asked from across the table.
Guan Zhiyi shook her head. “Nothing, he just wanted to know if I was free for dinner..."
Qi Chengyan held out his hand. “Give me the phone.”
Guan Zhiyi looked up at him, somewhat reluctant.
“Give it to me.”
“...Oh.” She still didn't dare refuse and handed it over.
After taking the phone, Qi Chengyan spoke directly to the person on the other end. “If you haven't eaten, come join us.”
Hua Hongxi jumped. “No need, right, Ge? I actually have something to do...”
“Come.”
Hua Hongxi: “...”
Qi Chengyan's voice dropped. “Hua Hongxi, don't make me repeat myself."
“Fine, fine! I'm coming, alright?” Hua Hongxi said helplessly, scratching his head on the other end of the phone. “Send me the address...”
---
Author's Note:
Qi Chengyan: Let me see exactly what kind of bullshit romance you two are having.
---
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