CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 500 - 492: Suddenly Became Popular

Shenghai, a certain high-end restaurant.

Jiaqi, Yuze, and Qingjia were having a meal together.

Yu Qingjia looked stunning today, wearing a black velvet dress with rippling patterns, adorned with a crystal brooch.

It was her most expensive outfit, but compared to Li Jiaqi, it was like heaven and earth.

The latter wore the latest rose-purple gradient pleated gown from this year’s Bolige collection, elegant as a dream-like poem.

"Jiaqi, have you quit drinking now?"

"My heart’s been acting up recently, and the doctor advised me not to drink alcohol."

"Heart issues? Jiaqi, what kind of symptoms are you experiencing?"

"It’s not serious, just the strain from filming. But since the doctor suggested it, I’m following orders."

Li Jiaqi smiled mildly and took a sip of juice.

Zhang Yuzhe calmly continued cutting his steak.

"Well then, let me offer President Zhang a toast. Thank you for the warm hospitality."

"You’re too kind!"

Yuze raised his glass and exchanged a respectful nod, taking a small sip.

The music was soothing, and the lights warm and inviting.

This kind of upscale restaurant truly has a captivating ambiance.

"Jiaqi, that bracelet of yours is gorgeous."

"It’s jadeite; supposedly an antique piece."

Li Jiaqi chuckled and waved her wrist slightly, the bracelet gleaming vividly, like an enchanting gaze woven with the hues of dawn.

Yu Qingjia’s eyes instinctively wandered toward Zhang Yuzhe.

If it were four years ago, she might have envied Li Jiaqi but wouldn’t have looked at Zhang Yuzhe.

Now, she saw things clearly—without a powerful network or a financial backer, survival was almost impossible.

The company was betting everything on a handful of professionally trained actors, all bound by "slave contracts."

Her chances of success were negligible.

From her perspective, Zhang Yuzhe genuinely cared about Li Jiaqi.

"Qingjia, the role for the next drama has been decided—it’s yours."

"... Thank you, thank you all; I honestly don’t know what to say."

"We’re sisters; why so formal? If you’re thanking anyone, thank Yuze."

"President Zhang, thank you."

"It’s nothing. You’ll have someone to keep you company when you go—Jiaqi."

Yuze smiled effortlessly and comfortably.

As the three conversed, a girl from a nearby table suddenly approached them.

"Hello, are you Li Jiaqi?"

"Yes! And you are?"

"I’m your fan. I watched the drama you starred in with Lan Yening—it was amazing. Could you sign an autograph for me?"

"Of course!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Li Jiaqi took the notebook and glanced at it, realizing it was new—clearly, the girl had just bought it from the waiter.

The drama had been airing for a week, but the ratings were only mediocre.

She hadn’t expected to meet fans in such a restaurant. Perhaps, it was someone who stumbled upon the show casually.

The three continued dining, until another fan stopped by asking for her autograph as well.

"Let’s change locations!" Yuze set down his cutlery.

It wasn’t that he was irritated; he simply wanted to avoid ending up in trending topics.

He sensed sharply that the drama might have secretly caught fire but hadn’t yet showcased its numbers, making it seem like nothing special.

The two fans earlier seemed clearly to come from affluent professional backgrounds.

Though dressed in branded clothing, their professional attire and the expensive wine they ordered spoke volumes.

True wealth in a high-end restaurant wasn’t determined by occasional splurging but by consistent choices.

Judging from the quality of wine they drank, the conclusion was nearly unmistakable.

Women who saved for months to buy luxury handbags typically weren’t saving for upscale wine.

Affording expensive wines generally points to women who are company managers or business owners.

These women’s daily lives revolve around work.

For them to spend their spare time on a drama, it must be well-known.

The key point, however, was that neither woman showed curiosity or concern toward Yuze.

They were the type who understood workplace dynamics deeply, unlike students or younger audiences who romanticized concepts like pure love.

Still, Yuze couldn’t guarantee there weren’t others secretly snapping photos.

If he were linked to a rising star like Li Jiaqi, it could cause enormous trouble for him.

Yu Qingjia and Li Jiaqi thought he might have gotten slightly annoyed, also worrying about any negative impact on Jiaqi.

After settling the bill, the three got into the Maybach.

"Jiaqi, your drama seems to be a hit."

"Haha, maybe they just stumbled upon it while browsing."

"I don’t think so. Those people don’t seem like regular drama watchers."

Yu Qingjia, being in the industry herself, had a precise understanding.

Li Jiaqi felt her heart pound. She had a gut feeling she was on the brink of fame.

But she kept herself tightly restrained, making sure not to show it outwardly.

Yuze, meanwhile, was pondering—if the drama really became popular, he would definitely invest in its marketing.

He was working on transitioning to a new field, akin to what Zhang Shuya was doing.

"Jiaqi, you’re really about to break through."

"Let’s hope so!"

Li Jiaqi said, stealing a glance at Yuze.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

"President Zhang, please return my call when you can."

"The latest data on the drama has been released; it’s very likely a hit."

The text was from Zhang Shuya, implying follow-up marketing strategies needed to commence.

A certain villa.

Lan Yening, dressed in white leisurewear with gold accents, was sitting cross-legged in front of Zhang Shuya.

"Sister Shuya, is the drama really a hit?"

Wearing a matching couple’s outfit, Zhang Shuya smiled and said:

"It’s a hit. Just now some friends in the industry called me, saying even their colleagues are watching."

"One of them wants to do an exclusive interview with you and Li Jiaqi!"

Lan Yening couldn’t help his heart racing; he hadn’t expected success to come this easily.

"Xiao Ning, we need to increase the intensity of our marketing."

"Riding on the drama’s hype, we’ll elevate you to top-tier status."

Zhang Shuya couldn’t hide her excitement—Lan Yening was her cash cow!

The entertainment industry was the fastest and safest way to profit nowadays.

With Xiao Ning, an annual profit of tens of millions wasn’t out of reach.

She hadn’t anticipated that what started as a whim of an investment would yield such staggering returns.

"Xiao Ning, we must execute this phase perfectly. Your major film project is set to begin shooting."

"Once you achieve success in both commercial dramas and critically acclaimed films, your position will be unshakable in the industry."

Shuya looked at Xiao Ning with solemnity.

"Sister Shuya, it’s all thanks to you. Without you, I’d probably still be struggling to make ends meet at that shop."

"You were lucky and hardworking; even with my backing, those qualities were essential."

Shuya’s tone had shifted—from previously reminding Lan Yening he was nothing without her, to an air of mutual acknowledgment.

Clearly, respect had to be earned through personal ability too.

"Sister Shuya, what’s our next marketing move?"

"We need a solid plan. I’ve already contacted President Zhang; we’ll sit down and discuss it together."

Hearing Zhang Yuzhe’s name, a flash of resentment crossed Lan Yening’s eyes.

"Beyond marketing the drama, we’ll arrange for a few supplemental events."

Zhang Shuya was currently vexed by her relative lack of influence within the entertainment industry.

If Lan Yening truly became famous, those trying to undermine him would inevitably surge.

It would then turn into a battle of capital—money, tactics, connections, and resources.

While she wasn’t worried about money or tactics, the lack of connections and future resources could be her Achilles’ heel.

"Xiao Ning, I want to introduce you to Sister Bai tomorrow."

Seeing Lan Yening’s puzzled expression, Shuya elaborated: "Through her, you could appear on major official platforms."

"Sister Bai has that kind of pull?"

Shuya smiled:

"Don’t underestimate her as just a deputy director of the theater; her family holds sway in major networks."

"Previously, I didn’t ask her to push you because your reputation wasn’t strong enough."

"Now that you’ve gained recognition, her endorsement will make perfect sense."

Lan Yening nodded, aware he’d need to curry favor with her too.