"Alright, alright, enough with the formalities." Zhou Tong laughed heartily and waved his hand. "The lawyer doesn't need to come along. Take the contract! We can talk privately; there's no need to make it so formal."
Seeing this, Lin Xiaohai quickly handed over the bag, reminding him, "Young Master! Don't forget the bag!"
Su Yanxi took it and gave Lin Xiaohai a sidelong glance.
Knowing that his slip of the tongue had displeased the young mistress, Lin Xiaohai retreated timidly, feeling guilty.
Zhou Tong watched silently until he led Su Yanxi upstairs to their room, at which point he asked, "Who was that person who carried your bag just now?"
Su Yanxi answered truthfully, "She's my assistant, someone I brought from home."
"Wow, that's impressive. You even have an assistant at home?" Zhou Tong gestured for Su Yanxi to sit down and poured her a cup of tea. "Have some tea. Where's the contract? Let me take a look."
Su Yanxi took the contract out of the folder, along with the pen, and handed it to Zhou Tong with both hands.
He assumed Zhou Tong would read through each point carefully, since he didn't have a management company and had hired Zhou Tong as his agent in his own name—he was both an artist whose career was planned by Zhou Tong and the investor.
However, Zhou Tong only glanced at it casually a few times before signing his name directly.
Su Yanxi asked in surprise, "Sister Tong, aren't you going to take a closer look at the contract?"
“No need.” Zhou Tong neatly closed the pen cap. “A person who drives a Rolls-Royce, carries a Hermes bag, yet is willing to persuade me to come out of retirement with a humble attitude, and even dares to prove his strength to me, shouldn’t be so likely to tamper with the contract.”
Zhou Tong pointed to the line about salary and bonuses and smiled mischievously.
"You may not know this, but the wages you pay me are three times what the previous artist paid me."
"So what if I get ripped off? I'm just that greedy for money."
Su Yanxi was amused: "Sister Tong, you're joking. In my heart, you deserve a high salary. I'll have to rely on you for my future in the entertainment industry."
"No, no, no, don't keep calling me 'you' (formal). I'm only in my early thirties, don't make me sound old."
Zhou Tong, dressed casually yet capablely, is actually quite easygoing in personality.
"When you came last time, I saw that you had excellent looks and qualifications, but your resume was too thin, so I assumed that you were just a pretty face. I never expected that you would receive such high praise from Director He Yu."
Su Yanxi didn't react immediately: "Director He Yu is...?"
"He is the chief director of the 'Red Flower' production team. He is a very demanding person who has extremely high requirements for actors and is very passionate about film and television creation; being able to receive his high praise means that you are a promising actor."
"I don't deserve such praise," Su Yanxi said modestly. "My basic acting skills are good, but I have no experience working on set. I missed out on so much during those four years. The reason I asked Sister Tong to come out of retirement and become my manager is that I hope she can help me make up for those four years I missed."
Zhou Tong hurriedly waved his hand: "Don't make it sound so serious—I don't have the ability to turn back time, so I can't help you."
"It's just a gap of four years in filming experience, it's not difficult to make up for it. Many artists who join filming don't necessarily learn anything on set. Just relax and do your best."
“Mm,” Su Yanxi smiled, “Thank you for your encouragement, Sister Tong.”
"However..."
Zhou Tong poured some tea for Su Yanxi, his eyes darting around with a hint of gossip and curiosity.
"May I ask what you've been doing for the past four years?" Zhou Tong asked, half guessing and half asking, "Did you date?"
Su Yanxi hesitated for a moment and then nodded: "Mm."
"You spent four years dating?" Zhou Tong's eyes widened, her flamboyant European-style eyeliner flaring up, and the huge earrings under her super short bob haircut swaying back and forth, looking incredibly unbelievable.
Su Yanxi was a little embarrassed, but still nodded honestly: "Yes."
Strictly speaking, it's not an exaggeration to use "all". During those four years, besides dating Bie Yunzong, he was also busy handling other family affairs and managing various interpersonal relationships.
Although he registered his marriage last year after Bie Yunzong turned 22, he actually entered the Bie family much earlier than the time of the marriage. Almost at the same time that he and Bie Yunzong confirmed their relationship, Bie's mother had already guided him into the Bie family and involved him in various household affairs.
The situation was too complicated for Su Yanxi to explain to Zhou Tong. So she simply nodded, letting Zhou Tong continue with the misunderstanding.
"Oh my god..." Zhou Tong clicked his tongue and tapped Su Yanxi on the head. "I was wondering why your resume was so blank when you have such great talent and qualifications. Turns out you were out dating!"
Less than half an hour after signing the agency contract, Zhou Tong already regarded Su Yanxi as her own younger brother. She not only perfectly adopted the perspective of a mother-in-law, but also felt extremely disappointed in this "spilled water" (a metaphor for someone who has already given up on their promises).
"You're an art student, how could you not know how precious your time is? You could use it to make money in the stock market, it wouldn't be a waste, why do you have to use it for dating?!" Zhou Tong got angrier and angrier as she spoke. "What, are you a rich kid or something, someone who can guarantee you a life of comfort?"
"Hmm..." Su Yanxi thought for a moment, then nodded, "Could I be considered a rich second generation?"
Bie Yunzong is not actually a second-generation rich kid. In fact, if you look closely, Bie Yunzong is a fourth-generation rich kid.
As the most ancient and mysterious super-rich family in the country, the family can not only ensure that Su Yanxi will never have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of her life, but also ensure that Su Yanxi lives a life of luxury and enjoys all the world's riches and honors.
Su Yanxi wanted to explain the truth, but he was afraid that such an explanation would make him seem like a freak.
"You really are clueless!" Zhou Tong frowned. "There are quite a few people in this industry who strive to marry a rich second-generation heir. But you—you're really wasting your time!"
Su Yanxi dared not utter a sound and obediently lowered her head to listen to the scolding.
Zhou Tong sighed softly, reached into the locker and took out a folder, placing it in front of Su Yanxi.
Chapter 12
"Enough said, let bygones be bygones!"
Zhou Tong pulled out a timetable from the folder.
"I still admire your bold and decisive personality. Like you, I am also a person who dares to think and act."
"Here, this is the schedule I got from the 'Red Flower' production team. I received the news from the team yesterday, and I've already started planning your schedule."
Su Yanxi perked up and hurriedly picked it up to examine it closely: "The timetable has already been released?"
"Hmm. The first item is costume fitting, which shouldn't be a big problem; it's just a formality. The real important thing is the crew meeting in two weeks. Based on my understanding of Director He, he will definitely hold a trial rehearsal."
"The production team requires us to assemble by July 13th, and my requirement for you is to arrive in Guangcheng by the 10th at the latest. We will meet in Guangcheng on the 10th, and I will take you to meet and get to know the people from the 'Red Flower' production team in advance."
Su Yanxi nodded without hesitation, "No problem, I'll definitely go there early!"
“Okay, it’s settled then.” Zhou Tong picked up his phone and pulled up his WeChat contact. “Let’s add each other’s contact information. See you in Guangcheng on the 10th.”
"Take a good rest during this time and adjust your mindset. I look forward to you winning the Best Actor award, which will add another significant achievement to my resume."
At 3 PM on the 8th, Su Yanxi arrived in Guangcheng. Landing with him in Guangcheng was Bie Yunzong, who insisted on coming along no matter what.
"Guangcheng is so hot, even the wind feels sticky." As soon as he got off the plane, Bie Yunzong couldn't help but grumble, "Honey, it's so hot and humid today, you have to take good care of yourself to protect yourself from the sun, so you don't get heatstroke while filming."
"Of course." Su Yanxi, linking arms with Bie Yunzong, replied with a cheerful smile, "Do you think I'm like you, unable to even take care of myself?"
Bie Yunzong was also in a good mood after hearing this, and he held his wife's hand tightly: "That's right, I am me and my wife is my wife. My wife can definitely do it, I was just worrying for no reason."
The two did not use the special passage, but instead used their first-class status to disembark early.
Guangcheng's subordinates were waiting at the arrival gate early in the morning, where they were blocked by a large crowd. After spotting Zong hope and his companion from afar, the subordinates jogged over to greet them.
"Young Master, Young Madam, you must be tired! The car is full of gas and ready in the parking lot. Please come this way."
Bie Yunzong seemed to have an innate ability to ignore crowds, so he didn't even glance at the group of people and protected Su Yanxi as they passed through the crowd.
Su Yanxi was very concerned and couldn't help but take a few more glances. Finally, before walking away, she caught a glimpse of the group of people holding a banner supporting Xiang Mingyue.
...Xiang Mingyue also came to Guangcheng?
Author's Note:
Please remember the agent's current disappointment and frustration.
————————
Thanks to Xuan Dong Shi Ba for the thick milk latte*1~ I was so sleepy on Saturday, so I had some coffee to perk me up!
07# Should couples check each other's phones?
While dining at the Italian restaurant on the 72nd floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, Su Yanxi appeared distracted.
"Wife!"
After asking Su Yanxi for interaction for the Nth time but still receiving no response, Bie Yunzong had a minor emotional outburst and threw down the fork in his hand.
"We agreed to have some alone time together, why are you spacing out the whole time?"
"I don't want to eat anymore, and you don't even care about me."
Su Yanxi was pondering her arch-rival's itinerary, wondering if Xiang Mingyue had also come to Guangcheng at the same time? Coming to Guangcheng at this time, could it be that Xiang Mingyue had finally been selected for the "Red Flower" drama crew?
Hearing Bie Yunzong's complaints, he finally snapped out of his daze and gently comforted his childish husband: "Alright, alright, I'm back to my senses. From now on, my attention will only be focused on you, okay?"
"It's possible, but not entirely possible."
Bie Yunzong beamed with joy and immediately got up to move his chair next to Su Yanxi.
"I want to squeeze onto the same side of the road as you, and eat while holding you!"
"Can I say no?" Su Yanxi, with him in her arms, glanced at the passing waiter and scoffed, "How old are you? Aren't you ashamed to be cosplaying a koala here? The waiters passing by are all laughing at you."
"Who's laughing at me?" Bie Yunzong scanned his surroundings warily. "Anyone who dares to laugh, I'll make them leave the restaurant upside down."
"Come on," Su Yanxi scoffed. "You're the most domineering young master, capable of outrageous acts, and you don't even allow others to laugh at you."
"What's so funny? It's only natural to cling to your wife." Bie Yunzong said confidently, hugging his beautiful wife and rubbing her shoulder. "If you envy me for having a wife, just say so. There's no need to hide in the shadows and laugh."
After hugging and cuddling his wife like that, Bie Yunzong lost all appetite. Even with a delicious meal laid out on the table, all he wanted to do was snuggle up to his wife and talk to her about love.
He took Su Yanxi's hand, examined it closely, and exclaimed, "Wife, your hands are so beautiful. Did you go for a hand treatment again?"
Su Yanxi's hands were smooth and fair, with long, slender fingers and well-defined bones; apart from the joints, there were almost no lines on the backs of her fingers. They were extremely well-maintained, perfect hands that could serve as a hand model for art students at any moment.
The diamond wedding ring on her left ring finger sparkled, complemented by the shimmering nail polish on her fingertips. Bie Yunzong thought his wife was so beautiful that even her hands seemed to glow!
"Hmm, do you like it?" Su Yanxi was always meticulous and never hid her thoughtfulness in the details. "I had my hands treated at the same time when I went for a facial with my brother and sister-in-law a few days ago."
Su Yanxi, who is adept at using her beauty as a weapon and often uses it to her advantage, naturally pays great attention to her appearance. She loves to go to beauty salons and styling studios, and every few days she invites her brother and sister-in-law, her mother-in-law or cousin to get a cleansing and moisturizing treatment, and also get a manicure or pedicure.
After all, she married the president of the "appearance association," so she couldn't afford to be anything less than firmly in control of his looks.
"I love it! It looks so good! With a face as beautiful as my wife's, I should definitely spend more money on her!"
Bie Yunzong was very supportive, touching Su Yanxi's hand and scrutinizing her face.
Chapter 13
"Shall we take a picture? It's been a long time since I took a picture with my wife, and I'd like to update my desktop wallpaper."
“Okay.” Su Yanxi withdrew her hand and took out a colored lipstick from her bag. “I’ll put on some lipstick first. I ate it while I was asleep on the plane.”
Of course, Bie Yunzong agreed readily. He loved spending time with his beloved wife like this; even watching Su Yanxi apply lipstick was a pleasure.
He stared intently as the pink ointment was rubbed back and forth on his wife's full, plump lips, turning them from light pink to rosy pink. Then, Su Yanxi pursed her lips and pushed the ointment away.