17 Who is the Male Lead

Xu Jia Li arrived at Sun and Star

Entertainment with Shen Linqin on her side. She looked radiant and fresh wearing a white-laced jumpsuit and white high-heeled shoes. She felt blissful, her vivid face glowing as she gracefully walked towards the entrance of the high-rise building.

She had chosen to directly enter the building's main entrance than the basement parking because she wanted to greet her fans whenever she went to the company.

She wanted to give them her presence knowing that they waited outside just to see her. This was a habit she had formed through all those years which gained the admiration of her fans.

She had always been grateful for her fans because she believed that without them, she wouldn't be where she was today.

Upon seeing Xu Jia Li, the fans started to shout her name. They were holding banners and flowers for her. When they saw her approaching, they immediately gathered around her – patiently waiting for their turn to have their pictures taken with her or just to have the opportunity to hold her hands.

The fans excitedly shouted Xu Jia Li's name in unison. She smiled her sweetest and obliged their request of taking selfies with her. She even held the phone and started taking pictures with her fans. Some of her fans handed her the flowers and held her hands dearly.

Some of them even had misty eyes due to happiness of being close to her.

"Our queen! We are so happy to see you!" cried a young girl who was still on her school uniform.

"Xu Jia Li! Our queen, these are all for you! You are so beautiful!"

"Queen Jia Li, we will support you no matter what."

"Yes, yes! We will always be here for you."

"We don't believe the rumours, Queen Jia Li!"

Xu Jia Li's fans looked at her as they nodded their heads as if saying that they got her back. She felt a huge amount of gratitude and love for her fans.

She suddenly remembered the issue about Li Yun and her which was removed from all news sites and the social media. She raked her brain and still couldn't find the answer.

She was cut from her thoughts when she heard her fans cheered their support to her.

With eyes wet from her tears, Xu Jia Li removed her glasses and thanked her fans for their love and support.

"Whatever the rumours will be, we will not be moved. We will continue believing in you, our Queen." a young girl said with tears on her eyes, her hands clasped Xu Jia Li's hand.

Xu Jia Li patted the young girl's head and said after, "Thank you very much! I will do my job well."

The fans once again cheered as they clapped and proclaimed their love for her.

As Xu Jia Li walked away from the fans, she waved her hands and entered Sun and Star Entertainment through its modernized automatic sliding door.

She was welcomed by her manager Lan Meixu who had been waiting for her. As they greeted each other, she handed Xu Jia Li the contract for the new movie entitled, 'Sweet Memories'.

The movie was a love story between two young lovers who decided to get married after high school – not minding their parents' disapproval. The male lead did his best to provide for his wife. The start had not been easy as the female lead was diagnosed with Leukemia after being married for a year.

The story would evolve around the female lead's recuperation and her deepest fear of leaving him alone – knowing that she would eventually die. So, she decided to leave him while she's still alive; letting him be free so he could find someone else.

It was a story that made Xu Jia Li felt the urge to film it. She could feel the emotions of the characters, and admired its magnificent plot.

"This is the draft of the contract, Jia Li. We could still change some concerns after we talked to Director Han. He is already at the conference room. We are also going to meet your co-actors today."

"Okay. Anyway Meixu-jie, has the male lead been chosen already?" Xu Jia Li asked while she began reading the contract on her hand.

"Yes. I guess, it's from Leading Light Studio and he will also arrive this afternoon. I heard he is on his way."

"Oh! Who could it be, Manager Lan?" asked Shen Linqin curiously. 'The male lead should be Yung-ge.' She thought to herself as she sulked asking how it wasn't Li Yun who got the leading role.

"They still don't want to reveal who he is. But anyway, Jia Li can do her job well, no matter who her male lead is." Lan Meixu proudly patted Xu Jia Li's shoulder.

Xu Jia Li only smiled and continued reading the contract.

Lan Meixu continued explaining things to her as they reached the conference room. Xu Jia Li paused for a while and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. 'Why do I still feel nervous after all these years?'

Lan Meixu looked at her and as she nodded, she knocked on the door and opened it.

They entered inside, and saw sitting at the left side near the door was an apple-cheeked man with a stout physique wearing a gray suit with a white necktie; he was one of the producers of Sweet Memories, Producer Zhang Liang.

On his side, was Director Han. He was a tall, handsome man in his mid-thirties who was wearing a black retro suit with red-striped necktie. He had a calm aura and a happy disposition which made Xu Jia Li feel at ease. He wore a smile on his face as he saw Xu Jia Li entered the room.

He immediately stood up and walked towards her. Xu Jia Li bowed her head and greeted everyone inside the room. She also noticed the other supporting characters who were already seated.

Xu Jia Li was introduced by Director Han to Producer Zhang Liang.

"Producer Zhang, this is Xu Jia Li, our female lead."

"How are you, Producer Zhang? Thank you for supporting the movie." She shook his hand lightly then bowed slightly as she gave her greetings.

"It is my pleasure. It is, indeed." Zhang Lang had a malicious glint on his eyes as he scanned Xu Jia Li's body up and down. A wide salacious smile was plastered on his face.

Xu Jia Li felt chilled and disgusted as she prevented herself from glaring at him and be rude.

'Pervert!'

She looked towards her manager's direction and shook her head. Lan Meixu was about to go to her aide but stopped as Director Han excused her from Producer Zhang and led her on the chair next to him.

She then noticed that her name was written on it. She breathed a sigh of relief knowing that she didn't have to sit beside the perverted old man.

Shen Linqin eyed Xu Jia Li and followed Lan Meixu as they both sat beside her – with face full of concern, Lan Meixu asked quitely, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Meixu-jie." assured Xu Jia Li.

"You don't have to pretend to me, I saw how you reacted earlier. That Producer Zhang, what did he do?" Lan Meixu questioned her with gritted teeth.

"Well, Meixu-jie, it's just that I'm a bit uncomfortable with Producer Zhang's gesture. I found it repulsive." Her face contorted a bit, remembering Producer Zhang's revolting behaviour.

"He is a well-known black bellied perverted pig. We have to be careful around her, Li-jie." Shen Linqin answered as she handed her Zhang Liang's profile on her phone.

Xu Jia Li read the article and involuntarily shivered.

They turned their gazes towards Producer Zhang and saw that he was still looking at Xu Jia Li like a wolf about to pounce on its prey.

"He is gross." Lan Meixu put her palm on her face, trying to hide her disgust.

"Better be careful, Li-jie. I won't let you out of my sight." Said Shen Linqin.

Xu Jia Li only shook her head and grabbed her phone scanning unread messages on her e-mail. As she turned her head on her side, she noticed the name of the male lead that was written on the chair – Yue Shin. 'Who is Yue Shin?'