After Being Betrayed I Married the Glamorous CEO-Chapter 250, Bro, let’s talk, I’m willing to cooperate!
The woman who came to meet them was likely Wen Ruyue’s manager. At just over five feet tall, she was chubby with short hair and projected an arrogance that seemed to come from nowhere. It was clear at a glance that she was not an easy person to get along with. She introduced herself as Li Juan.
"When you see Sister Wen later, don’t speak loudly. Don’t interrupt unless she asks you a question, and don’t gawk. Do you understand?" Li Juan instructed Shen Fanyun and Zhan Feng with a haughty tone. "Sister Wen likes obedient people who respect the rules. If you can’t be obedient, then you can forget about this collaboration."
Shen Fanyun and Zhan Feng exchanged a look. Wasn’t she putting on a bit too much of an act? Setting aside their true purpose for being there, even if they had come to discuss a partnership, they were the clients—the ones footing the bill. So why was Wen Ruyue the one making demands first? No speaking loudly, no interrupting... This was a bit much. Shen Fanyun had dealt with entertainers before, many of whom held considerable sway in the industry, but he had never encountered anyone who put on such airs.
"What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and follow me," Li Juan scolded them again. "Sister Wen is only giving you half an hour for this meeting. After that, she needs to rest. You’d better explain your proposal and your offer within that half-hour. If you go over, then too bad. Our Sister Wen has a high standing in the industry. She doesn’t just work with anyone. It all depends on your performance."
Initially, Shen Fanyun’s plan had been simple and crude: just take Wen Ruyue away. But now, hearing Li Juan’s arrogant tone and learning of Wen Ruyue’s own pretentiousness, a wicked sense of mischief sparked within him. He decided he had to see for himself if Wen Ruyue’s status was really all that great.
"Later, I want you to..." Shen Fanyun leaned in and whispered a few words to Zhan Feng, who immediately broke into a knowing smile.
「Five minutes later.」
Led by Li Juan, Shen Fanyun and Zhan Feng arrived at a villa. Just as they were about to step inside, Li Juan blocked their path again. "What do you think you’re doing? Do you have no manners at all? Have you already forgotten everything I just told you?"
Shen Fanyun was baffled.
"I need to announce you first. You will wait outside until Sister Wen gives you permission to enter," Li Juan instructed.
Shen Fanyun and Zhan Feng looked at each other again and shared a silent laugh.
This woman and her endless rules, Zhan Feng griped internally. I wonder if she’d be more obedient after a good slap across her mouth.
They expected Li Juan to return quickly, but she dawdled inside the villa for a full twenty minutes. Does it really take that long to ask a simple question? Zhan Feng guessed she was deliberately making them wait to assert her importance.
At long last, Li Juan reappeared with two pairs of slippers. "Change into these. Once you’re inside, no looking around and no wandering off, understand? If you upset Sister Wen, you can kiss any collaboration goodbye."
"Got it, got it," Zhan Feng nodded. "After everything is settled, I’ll be sure to give Sister Li a hefty bonus as a token of my appreciation," he added, feigning obsequiousness.
Li Juan’s face immediately lit up. "At least you’re sensible," she said, her face breaking into an incredibly arrogant smile. The thought of a large bonus had filled her with glee. "You must be the coal boss. You’re the most polite and agreeable one I’ve ever met. I hope our partnership goes smoothly."
The villa was enormous. The living room alone was hundreds of square meters, resplendent and magnificent, and adorned with countless famous paintings. Li Juan led the three of them through the house, and they finally reached the backyard.
There, a woman in a red silk robe was lounging on a sofa, casually painting her fingernails. Her looks were indeed outstanding. She had delicate features, vibrant red lips, and a pair of long, straight legs that could capture one’s attention even through the fabric of her robe. With her oval face and long hair swept over one shoulder, she was the picture of a peerless painting come to life, her bare feet resting on the plush, expensive carpet.
"Sister Wen," Li Juan said respectfully, "they’re here." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
"Mm," Wen Ruyue hummed lazily without looking up, showing no interest in either Shen Fanyun or Zhan Feng as she continued to tend to her nails.
Of course, without Wen Ruyue’s permission, Li Juan dared not invite Shen Fanyun and Zhan Feng to sit. She herself remained standing off to the side. Time ticked by as Wen Ruyue kept her head down, fiddling with her nails as if it were the most important task in the world. After five long minutes, she finally deigned to speak, lazily instructing, "Sit."
"Go on, sit down," Li Juan echoed.
Shen Fanyun and Zhan Feng sat on Wen Ruyue’s left, keeping a distance of about two meters.
"I hear you want to work with me?" Wen Ruyue continued speaking to herself, never once looking up at her guests. "What genre is the script? I’m focusing on modern dramas right now. If it’s a period piece, unless the offer is exceptionally sincere..." The implication was clear: with enough money, anything was negotiable; without it, there was nothing to discuss.
"Yes, it’s a period drama," Zhan Feng replied with fawning reverence. "Miss Wen, we’ve admired you for a long time. In the current entertainment industry, no one can match your status. Not to mention, your acting is in a league of its own. We would be willing to invest any amount of money for the chance to work with you. After all, with your star power and professional abilities, it’s only a matter of time before our show becomes a nationwide hit!"
This loyal subordinate of mine, my good brother of so many years, has a real knack for acting, doesn’t he? Shen Fanyun thought. He’s playing along with her charade perfectly.
"You’re quite the sweet-talker," Wen Ruyue said, finally lifting her head to glance at Zhan Feng. Her gaze then shifted, landing on Shen Fanyun. "And who is this?"
"He’s our boss," Zhan Feng grinned. "I’m his executive assistant."
"Your boss is quite handsome," Wen Ruyue remarked, giving Shen Fanyun another look as a meaningful smile played on her lips.
Shen Fanyun’s heart skipped a beat. She hasn’t taken a liking to me, has she? Does this mean I have to sleep with her to get this deal done? It’s always the investors who impose unspoken rules and make excessive demands on talent. How can it be the other way around? That meaningful smile and sinister gaze of hers make it clear she has improper designs on me. Tsk, tsk.
"How much do you plan on investing in this collaboration?" Wen Ruyue asked, her gaze turning nonchalant.
Zhan Feng held up two fingers. "An initial investment of two billion."
At his words, Li Juan’s eyes went wide. Even Wen Ruyue, who was affecting an air of detached calm, squinted and stared at Shen Fanyun in disbelief. He’s that rich?
Wen Ruyue had heard about the wealth of coal bosses, but she had never met one so extravagant.
An idiot with too much money? she thought with a surge of inner joy. Since he’s such a big shot, I have to fleece him for all he’s worth. With this deal, I might not have to work seriously for the next three years. It’s like a pie just fell from the sky! Of course, I can’t look too excited. I need to play hard to get. I have to make Shen Fanyun’s side understand that a top star like me isn’t easy to hire. If they want me, they’ll have to cough up a huge fee.
"That’s quite a large production," Wen Ruyue remarked coolly.
"It only becomes a large production with you in it," Zhan Feng nodded. "If you’re not willing to join, then our investment is just for a small, unpresentable workshop. Miss Wen, we genuinely want to work with you. We hope you can grace us with your presence."
Zhan Feng’s flattery only strengthened Wen Ruyue’s resolve to squeeze every penny she could from them.
"Whether we cooperate or not depends on your sincerity." Wen Ruyue sat up straight. Her red robe shifted, revealing the generous curves of her chest, which seemed ready to burst forth.
A woman of great... assets, Shen Fanyun mused. No wonder she had become one of the top stars in the entertainment world. That figure, combined with her inherent charm, was truly captivating.
"We’re willing to offer a fifty-million signing fee, paid upfront," Zhan Feng said, feigning an eagerness to seal the deal. "And that’s *just* the signing fee."
Wen Ruyue was tempted from the start. Fifty million just for a signature? Only a fool would refuse. Still, she wanted to play hard to get and squeeze out some more.
"Fifty million? Hmm, your sincerity is indeed noted. However, I have two other potential partners currently in talks with me," she said, implying they needed to increase their offer. "And they are both very determined to sign me. As you know, my standing in the industry is well-established, and my earning power is in a class of its own. To be blunt, fifty million doesn’t really impress me."
"Exactly!" Li Juan chimed in, supporting her. "With Sister Wen’s appeal and devoted fanbase, once the show airs, it’ll be a money-printing machine! No matter how much you invest, you’ll earn it all back in a few days. What’s a fifty-million signing fee? Pocket change!" The master and servant were putting on a double act.
"Is that so?" Suddenly, Zhan Feng’s expression shifted. With a look of deep regret, he said, "Then... that’s a real pity. Alas, I’m well aware that Miss Wen’s status in the industry is second to none. I suppose it was too much to hope you’d be interested in our little workshop. If that’s the case, then I guess it just wasn’t meant to be."
Wen Ruyue was stunned. What does he mean? I was just playing hard to get, trying to drive up the price. Why did the conversation suddenly take a nosedive? Are they backing out? No deal? That’s a fifty-million signing fee, and that’s not even including my salary! All in all, this could be an income of several hundred million!
"Boss, let’s go," Zhan Feng said with a shrug.
"Alright," Shen Fanyun agreed.
Wen Ruyue was left speechless.
