My Virtual Girlfriend-Chapter 418

Chen Yan’s idea was simple.

Since Zhao Ying was interested in gossip, loved digging up stories, and relishing the spectacle, why not let her do what she liked?

She couldn’t be a paparazzo, but she could definitely work in media, both consuming and producing gossip.

Conveniently, as someone who aspired to build Global Empire into the world’s largest, Chen Yan naturally needed a media outlet to control.

So, he decided to initially finance Zhao Ying; using her Gossip Society as a foundation, he’d chip in some money to help her establish a campus newspaper.

Afterwards, if this could kick off Zhao Ying’s professional career,

Then, following his own strategy, Chen Yan would start helping Zhao Ying acquire a few media outlets, maybe even investing in some of the private TV stations in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Later on, Chen Yan also planned to buy Weibo for Zhao Ying, letting her daily indulge in gossip about celebrities and—if she came across any she didn’t like—tactfully clamp down on their posts.

And on top of that... she liked boxing.

Peers could be rivals; who knows, maybe she could knock out some other boxers on Weibo.

After that, Chen Yan felt the next step was to aim for the largest media empire in the world.

Chen Yan thought... maybe, he really could train Zhao Ying to become the queen of gossip!

Now that he had Zhao Ying’s consent, Chen Yan had a rough plan for her development.

Whether it would work out still depended on Zhao Ying’s own ambitions...

...

Arriving at the company and taking the elevator, the two parted ways on different floors.

Zhao Ying headed to the venture capital firm on the sixteenth floor, while Chen Yan went to the game company on the eighteenth.

After reaching his office, Chen Yan first dealt with some piled-up official duties.

Then he picked up the phone and called Mei Li: Yu Qiao Qiao from the Virtual Girlfriend trio had already been taken care of, and Zhao Ying was on the right track, leaving only Lu Man... the final piece of the puzzle was yet to be settled!

Chen Yan was eager to have a good talk with her, to ease her worries and win her over for good.

After all, with the rewards from succeeding with Yu Qiao Qiao, Chen Yan was very keen on Lu Man’s rewards as well.

He believed those rewards would significantly enhance his "game experience."

"Dudu dudu..."

The call was quickly picked up, and Mei Li’s voice came through the phone, "Hello? President Chen."

Mei Li had been doing well at work recently. Besides managing Lu Man’s affairs, she was also vigorously expanding the talent agency business centered around Lu Man’s Celebrity Studio.

She had already signed a few promising celebrities.

Chen Yan had also promised her that if she did well, she could spin off her company, establish a talent agency, and then move into Fenghua Building, which kept Mei Li very motivated these days.

Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Chen Yan asked Mei Li, "Mei Li, what has Lu Man been up to lately? I heard she’s been out and about again?"

Hearing Chen Yan’s question, Mei Li replied, "That’s right, President Chen."

"Sunrise is almost done with production, and the trailers and promotional photos are already out."

"President Yang thinks that although this is just an online movie, it’s the second project of the Sunrise Plan, so he wants us to promote it like a real movie."

"So Lu Man and a few other lead actors have been rushing around to attend shows and participate in several variety shows’ recordings."

Understanding Mei Li’s explanation, Chen Yan nodded, enlightened.

Since Lu Man had become a top-tier celebrity after winning Best Actress, her workload had significantly increased, and Chen Yan found himself having less and less time with her.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Yan said, "Well then, after she finishes up in the next few days, try to lighten her workload, let her take a break."

"I miss her."

Hearing Chen Yan’s candid words, Mei Li on the other end of the phone hesitated for a moment.

She wanted to refuse.

After all, as a top-tier influencer, Lu Man was incredibly busy. Moreover, the company had invested so much in her; if she didn’t work hard, when would she be able to repay the company?

But then she considered Chen Yan’s current net worth and assets.

After a little hesitation, she agreed, "Okay, President Chen."

After hanging up the phone with Mei Li, Chen Yan called Lu Man.

This time, he didn’t bring up work but simply expressed his longing.

Lu Man was indeed busy, and though her words were filled with longing, the call was brief; she had to go appear on another show.

Chen Yan, left with a hung-up phone, was unhappy.

"Hmph. To dare hang up on me; just wait ’til you get back, I’ll show you," he grumbled.

And as he thought of Lu Man’s delicate, enchanting demeanor and the variety she brought every time, Chen Yan missed her even more.

He decided, once Lu Man was done with her busy period, he wouldn’t let her go again.

A strong woman, a female boss, and yet dallying in variety shows and promoting works—how low!

She should keep a low profile but continue to shoot; no need for promotion!

Hmm... and shoot on Qin Island, which would make it convenient for him to visit the set.

Maybe he could engage in some role-playing during the visits.

The more Chen Yan thought about it, the happier he got.

He planned to have a good talk with Lu Man when she returned, first about the fourth ring, then about work...

...

While Chen Yan was plotting to keep Lu Man on Qin Island and spend more time with him,

A knock on his office door snapped him out of his reverie.

Chen Yan straightened up and smoothed his clothes, speaking in a deep voice, "Come in."

The office door opened, and He Mengxue entered.

He Mengxue looked lovely today, dressed in professional attire; her black pencil skirt just barely covered her shapely behind, and her slender legs were encased in stockings, giving her an extra allure.

She had taken special care with her brown, wavy hair, which softly draped over her shoulders, adding a touch of grace.

Perhaps because of Zhao Ying’s "recommendation," Chen Yan’s attitude toward He Mengxue had softened quite a bit.

He looked at He Mengxue and smiled, "What brings you to the company? After being on a business trip for so long, shouldn’t you take some time to rest at home?"

He Mengxue looked at Chen Yan with tenderness in her eyes, "I’m not resting. The company is my home, and work makes me happy."

Chen Yan chuckled, "Work is work, life is life. You can’t mix them up. Don’t treat the company like home. In business, if the pay is too low, you have to learn to boldly walk away."

He Mengxue pouted and replied, "Then I can’t leave. After all, I own a part of this ’company.’ Unless you kill me, my ghost will haunt the company."

The two exchanged coded messages that only they understood.

Hearing her words, Chen Yan could only laugh, finding this woman’s clinginess rather charming.

But then, he had already grown fond of being entangled by her, so it didn’t bother him.

With this thought, he purposefully steered away from the topic and asked, "So, what did you need to see me for?"

When Chen Yan brought up official business, the ever-tactful He Mengxue timely shifted the conversation in that direction, saying, "President Chen~ I’ve come to file a complaint with you."

With that, she pulled up a chair next to Chen Yan and started lamenting the injustice she faced in Tiandu.

She talked about her constant fear and the mockery and derision she received from Director Pei.

She explained how the situation got so bad that there was no longer any regard for mutual face, and she was outright called worthless and accused of pretending to be ignorant.

Chen Yan had heard a bit about these issues from Qin Ming.

Although he was somewhat angry at the time, he suppressed it.

But now, listening to He Mengxue’s account, Chen Yan’s anger started to rise.

After all, Qin Ming’s retelling lacked certain details, but hearing it from He Mengxue, the direct victim, was more impactful and painted a clearer picture of the nasty environment she had faced.

What made Chen Yan even more furious was that

He believed Zhang Wanhai must have been aware of the situation, and even if he hadn’t instigated it, he had tacitly allowed it.

He Mengxue, apart from her relationship with Chen Yan, was representing his company’s image in public, and to be treated so poorly was an affront to both his company and him personally.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Chen Yan’s expression darkened.

Seeing Chen Yan getting angry on her behalf made He Mengxue’s heart flutter with sweetness, as if all the grievances she had endured recently were melting away.

Throughout this time, she was the one under pressure and the direct target, so it had been difficult for her.

Initially, when she learned that Chen Yan had resolved everything, she was thrilled and proud of him.

But as she calmed down over time, she couldn’t shake off a feeling of being discarded...

She felt like a pawn, sent out to lead the charge and then abandoned.

Thus, her mood had been quite low at one point.

But now, seeing Chen Yan angry for her, she felt it was all worth it.......