CH 68

Agent 05

Such a great opportunity, how could Xin Lan possibly not go? She immediately replied to Cheng Zhi’s message, asking him to provide the time and location. If it’s convenient, she could directly give him his girlfriend’s contact information.

Cheng Zhi quickly sent over a string of numbers from his side. Xin Lan copied and pasted it before adding.

【Little Yuanzi】: Hello, I’m Yuan Xiaoyuan.

【Xin Lan】: No need to be so polite, I’m older than you. You can call me Sister Xin. You can also follow Cheng Zhi and call me Sister Lan.

【Little Yuanzi】: Okay, Sister Lan.

Xin Lan’s fingers glided across the keyboard as she chatted with Yuan Xiaoyuan about Qin Yuyan’s grandmother’s birthday banquet.

Qin Yuyan’s grandmother is a Kunqu opera singer, and Yuan Xiaoyuan is learning the same art form. There is a distant connection between their families and the Qin family. However, Yuan Xiaoyuan and Qin Yuyan are not very familiar; they have only met a few times.

Yuan Xiaoyuan couldn’t just hastily propose a meeting. Fortunately, due to Qin Yuyan’s grandmother’s birthday, they were invited to their house for a moderate-sized banquet. The requirements weren’t too strict, and it would be relatively easy for Yuan Xiaoyuan to bring someone along.

Xin Lan got so engrossed in the conversation that Shen Yun walked up to her. It was only then that she realized the advertisement shoot had ended.

“Is it over?”

“Yeah.”

Shen Yun’s expression turned unpleasant for a moment, but she quickly suppressed it, with only her tightly clenched fist revealing her unease.

When did Xin Lan become so indifferent to her? Although she brought her along for the advertisement shoot, her attention and focus weren’t on Shen Yun. It seemed as if whether Shen Yun participated in the shoot or not was of little importance.

In the past, whenever she was in front of the camera, Xin Lan’s entire attention would be on her. When Shen Yun occasionally looked over, Xin Lan would encourage her with her gaze.

Shen Yun felt an inexplicable sense of grievance. How could this person change so easily? Just a few days ago, they were talking about love, but now they wouldn’t even spare her a glance.

Just as Xin Lan finished her conversation with Yuan Xiaoyuan and confirmed the meeting time, she put away her phone and walked forward with Shen Yun.

As they walked out, Shen Yun finally couldn’t hold back and spoke up.

“Don’t you want to ask me how the shoot went?”

“Whether it’s good or not, you should know in your heart, right?”

“What if I say I didn’t think it was good?”

“If you yourself don’t think it’s good, why bother asking someone else?”

Xin Lan glanced at Shen Yun with a hint of disdain, her contempt evident.

Shen Yun bit her lip’s inner lining and walked beside Xin Lan, making an effort to keep her emotions steady.

“Is it necessary for you to act this way? You initiated the breakup, but I don’t want to accept this outcome. Do you really need to deny me any dignity, continuously mocking and ridiculing me?”

“Dignity?” Xin Lan stopped in her tracks and let out a cold laugh. “Do you even understand what it means to deny someone dignity? If I were to do that, I’d leave you here and drive away. That’s what denying someone dignity truly looks like. In front of others, I’ve already given you plenty of face.”

“You wouldn’t do that. If you did, tomorrow’s entertainment headlines would feature a renowned actress targeted by her manager.”

Xin Lan raised an eyebrow noncommittally and opened the car door.

Even if she were to target someone, she wouldn’t resort to such low methods.

“Tonight at 8 o’clock, you have a livestream. The app you’re promoting is on your third phone. Miaomiao, remember the time, and give it to her then. The day after tomorrow afternoon, you’ve been invited to guest star on a variety show in Haicheng. So, you’ll have to leave tomorrow. Once I receive the script, I’ll send it to Erqin so she can print it for you. The variety show will take two days to film. Don’t cause any problems. Remember your character portrayal. On the evening of the 21st, there’s a dinner gathering. Your variety show should end on the afternoon of the 20th. You can book a flight back, and I’ll come to pick you up.”

While speaking, Xin Lan made notes on her phone’s memo app. Miaomiao and Zhou Qinqin nodded on the side, indicating their understanding.

Upon hearing the word “dinner gathering,” Shen Yun’s enthusiasm noticeably waned. She closed her eyes and withdrew into herself.

Nevertheless, she was still secretly pleased. She remained just as busy as before, which indicated that Xin Lan hadn’t intended to withhold resources from her.

Xin Lan had the driver take her back to Starlight Pictures. Her assistant, An An, followed her out of the car.

“Lan Jie, you have a dinner gathering with an advertiser tonight.”

“Sure, let me know when the time comes.”

Getting good resources isn’t just about waiting for them to be handed to you on a silver platter. You have to strive for them yourself. However, when it comes to negotiating for resources and building connections, it’s not quite like a formal negotiation. It requires skill, and no doubt, eating and drinking are an essential part of it.

Apart from actively seeking out resources herself, she also needed to filter through the ones that came to her doorstep. Some were valuable, while others weren’t.

Amidst her focused efforts, Xin Lan suddenly remembered that it had been a while since she last spoke with Zero Nine.

Xin Lan: Zero Nine, what have you been up to lately? Watching dramas?

Zero Nine: I only watch dramas in non-tech dimensions. Right now, I’m busy arguing with someone.

Xin Lan: Who are you arguing with?

Zero Nine: Shen Yun’s brainless fans! The other day, I came across a post and left a comment saying Shen Yun is two-faced. Result? Her fans attacked me with insults. Could I just let that slide?

Zero Nine: Haha, just kidding. this Father doesn’t need to eat or sleep for 24 hours. The three of them couldn’t out-argue me.

Zero Nine: Also, Host, let me tell you, I’ve joined the Shen Yun anti-fan organization. Now, I’ve even become a little leader among the anti-fans!

In the previous world, I had a lot of free time, but in this world, there’s plenty to do.

Zero Nine devoted herself to the business of arguing with detractors. Due to her unique nature, she even targeted Shen Yun’s alternate account. Whenever Shen Yun commented, she was sure to respond with a counterattack.

Who said you can’t argue with the main character? She focused on arguing with the main character herself.

Some of Shen Yun’s brainless fans might have surprising combat strength, but who is she? How could she possibly be brought down by a few humans?

Xin Lan: Are you busy?

Zero Nine: I’ve been here all along, and I’m closely monitoring Shen Yun. If you need anything, just call on me, meow~

Xin Lan pinched the bridge of her nose and continued to concentrate on her tasks.

In the afternoon, Xin Lan touched up her makeup in front of the mirror before heading out. The other person she was meeting was a middle-aged man in his forties. He engaged in banter with Xin Lan, complimenting her artist and discussing future prospects. He subtly hinted at making advances, but Xin Lan deftly deflected the topic with laughter.

She was sure that her temper was genuinely good now; she didn’t get angry at all.

Although the advertiser didn’t manage to make any successful advances or gain any advantages, they did succeed in getting Xin Lan quite intoxicated.

Xin Lan’s cheeks were flushed, but her gaze remained clear. The advertiser across from her had already succumbed to the effects of alcohol, slumped over the table with a tipsy grip on his glass.

Xin Lan exchanged greetings with the advertiser’s assistant, then grabbed her bag and left the private room.

The wind outside the restaurant helped clear Xin Lan’s head a bit. An An came over to support her, but she waved her hand, watching as An An opened the car door for her. She settled into the back seat.

“Sister Lan, are you okay?”

Xin Lan responded with a sound, feeling not too well.

The original host’s alcohol tolerance wasn’t exceptional, and after she took over, Xin Lan couldn’t significantly increase that value. Just now, she intentionally pushed herself. She drank so much to see where her alcohol limit was so she could gauge it for the future, but now she was feeling a bit intoxicated.

Feeling unwell, after the driver had been driving for a while, Xin Lan asked him to stop the car. She didn’t even bother taking the garbage bag from An An’s hands as she rushed to a nearby trash bin and vomited.

Zero Nine: Host, are you okay?

Xin Lan felt her head buzzing and shook it to try and clear her mind.

The trash bin emitted a sour and putrid smell, which only heightened her nausea.

After vomiting, she felt a bit better. Xin Lan took a tissue to wipe her mouth and then discarded the tissue into the trash bin.

Just as Xin Lan was about to get back in the car and leave, she heard Zero Nine’s shout.

Zero Nine: Host, wait a moment. In the direction of 7 o’clock, there’s a tea shop. I just saw Qin Yuyan enter with someone. I don’t think I’ve made a mistake.

Xin Lan’s steps faltered, and she hesitated for a moment.

Would it give a bad impression if she were to approach now, especially when she still smelled of alcohol?

However, this hesitation only lasted a moment. She closed the car door, allowing An An and the driver to go ahead.

“Sister Lan, aren’t you going home?”

“I want to take a walk and get some fresh air. You go ahead, I’ll take a taxi back by myself later.”

“Will you be safe alone?”

“No need to worry.”

“Alright then. Once you’re home, please give me a call or send a message.”

“Okay.”

An An got into the car, and Xin Lan let down her tied-up hair. She took out a wet tissue from her bag and gently wiped her face and hands to freshen up a bit. Then she entered the tea shop as Zero Nine had mentioned.

The tea shop was quite spacious, with several customers browsing around.

The moment Xin Lan stepped inside, Qin Yuyan noticed her presence.

Xin Lan was dressed in a professional suit, her slightly curled long hair flowing behind her. A rosy flush adorned her pretty face, and there was a hint of alcohol scent about her. Such a person naturally drew attention in the tea shop.

However, what caught Qin Yuyan’s attention wasn’t these factors. It was a subtle, barely recognizable sense of familiarity that stirred within her heart.

That sensation pulled her gaze towards that person, to the extent that someone had to tap her shoulder to bring her back to reality.

“What are you looking at?”

“That person, I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere before.”

“Who?”

Qin Susu followed Qin Yuyan’s line of sight and narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.

“She’s quite good-looking. I haven’t seen her before. Maybe you noticed her because you saw her somewhere earlier. I’ve already chosen the items. Let’s go pay. As for the jade shop, we can let Lizi take us there tomorrow.”

Qin Yuyan absentmindedly responded while her peripheral vision still remained fixed on the woman in the suit.

The face seemed really familiar, but she couldn’t place it in her memory.

Amidst this attentive observation, Qin Yuyan saw the person turning towards her and making eye contact, offering her a smile.

There was a rumbling in the depths of her heart, causing Qin Yuyan to feel a bit dizzy and entranced for a moment.

That tingling sensation, like an electric current, spread upward from her fingertips. Qin Yuyan’s fluctuating thoughts quietly settled in a place within her heart.

Like dispersed cotton fluff, they settled softly and soundlessly into the soil, taking root and sprouting in an undisclosed place.

Xin Lan noticed Qin Yuyan’s surprise upon recognizing her, but she believed it could only be a positive thing, not a negative one.

She smiled at Qin Yuyan, her brain racing as she couldn’t come up with a non-awkward and non-contrived way to strike up a conversation.

Suddenly, her stomach clenched tightly, and that sensation of wanting to vomit struck her again.

Xin Lan couldn’t pay attention to Qin Yuyan leaving. She leaned against a tree, one hand pressing against her stomach as if to hold back nausea.

What an imperfect encounter, Xin Lan thought.

Taking a deep breath, Xin Lan noticed a bottle of water appearing within her line of sight.

“Are you okay?”

Qin Yuyan’s voice was clear and pleasant, carrying a hint of coolness.

Somewhat surprised, Xin Lan accepted the water and thanked Qin Yuyan.

This girl seems much kinder than Qin Yuyan had imagined.

As Qin Susu walked to the shop’s entrance, she felt utterly puzzled. All she did was pay, yet when she turned around, she saw her sister handing water to someone else?

The problem was, they didn’t bring any water with them when they left.