"Ayan, it's story - telling time already!" On the other end of the phone, the little girl's sweet voice came through the receiver clearly.
Jiang Li looked at Xiao Yanzhi. The impatience in his eyes gradually softened.
Even his voice seemed to turn gentler: "I'm still outside. Can you wait for me for ten minutes?"
"Are you still not home yet? It's not safe to drive at night. Then Ayan, remember to drive slowly. Safety comes first."
Her voice was soft, with a little girl's coquettish tone: "As compensation, you have to tell me two stories tonight."
"Okay, I'll do as you say." Xiao Yanzhi's tone was gentle, his voice full of doting.
Jiang Li lowered her eyes. Her heart felt as if it was being gnawed by ants, filled with a dense bitterness and pain that reached the deepest part of her soul.
She curled her hand hanging by her side, then slowly turned around, picked up the quilt and walked back into the bedroom.
Her intuition told her that Xiao Yanzhi wouldn't stay with her tonight.
After hanging up the phone, Xiao Yanzhi slightly raised his eyes. He stared at the slender figure for a full minute before opening the door and leaving.
Jiang Li, who was changing clothes in the bedroom, heard the sound of the door closing. Her hand unbuttoning her clothes paused for a moment, then she casually took off her top and threw it into the laundry basket as if nothing had happened.
---
SWI was very efficient. They finished the promotional posters for the new season in less than a week. On the day of the release, the reviews were clearly polarized. Some people kept scolding while others praised highly.
It was only natural to have such public opinions when a newcomer got a big - brand endorsement right away.
Suddenly, someone posted a photo. It was a picture of Jiang Li teaching Qin Yaoyao how to pose.
This photo immediately topped the list. The originally somewhat positive comments now all turned negative.
"I said this model seemed a bit familiar. It turns out it was taught by our Lili. No wonder I thought it was a bit strange."
"Qin Yaoyao looks like an ordinary passer - by. She's not at all classy. And having Jiang Li personally guide her, isn't this a typical case of imitating an ugly woman?"
"It's really hard for Jiang Entertainment to promote such a good - for - nothing. Is the boss of Jiang Entertainment blind? The photos look like cheap stuff from a roadside stall."
"I remember that Jiang Li was originally chosen as the model for SWI. Now she has to make a wedding dress for someone else. Don't people on the Internet have any memory?"
"I feel so bad for our Lili. She's so excellent, but always gets bullied."
"..."
The Internet was full of scolding towards Qin Yaoyao. The more Jiang Li read, the tighter her eyebrows frowned.
Just then, a phone call came in.
"How about it? Am I being really helpful, buddy?"
On the other end of the phone, Xu Yansen's gesture of seeking credit was obvious: "Have you seen the hot search? The photo was posted by me. Is that little green tea crying and shouting to quit the circle now?"
Jiang Li rubbed her temples: "I don't know. I haven't been paying attention."
She didn't have the time to care about Qin Yaoyao now.
It was unlikely that Qin Yaoyao would quit the circle, but Jiang Li could sense that this fire would soon burn on her.
Sure enough, Sister Chen called her and asked her to repost Qin Yaoyao's Weibo, stating that she had only given some advice as a senior at that time and not provided full - time guidance.
Moreover, she had to interact with Qin Yaoyao on social platforms to show the public that they had a good private relationship.
It was easy to guess that this was a public - relations requirement from Jiang Entertainment.
"Lili, didn't we agree not to get involved that day? Look, you're going to be used as a stepping - stone again."
Sister Chen sighed, her tone full of helplessness: "If they keep promoting her like this, you'll soon be completely forgotten."
In this circle, popularity represented value.
The more popular you were, the more value you could create.
Just like this incident with Qin Yaoyao, although it seemed to have a great impact on her, as long as Jiang Li, an influential person involved, came out to clarify, the crisis could be quickly resolved.
Jiang Li was kind - hearted. Before, when several junior artists in Jiang Entertainment got into trouble, she had helped them to some extent. So this time, the public - relations department also planned to let her handle it directly.
"A kind person gets bullied, and a meek horse gets ridden."
Sister Chen sighed repeatedly: "You've always been a kind girl. I have no problem with you being helpful. But have you ever thought that when you get into trouble in the future, who will help you?"
Qin Yaoyao?
Jiang Li didn't even need to think to know it was impossible.
After a long silence, Jiang Li said calmly: "I won't help this time. Let the public - relations department think of other ways."
Sister Chen was right.
She was kind, but not a fool who would help anyone without thinking.
As for Qin Yaoyao, even if she didn't help, Xiao Yanzhi would find a way to handle it for her. She didn't need to be so kind - hearted here.
Just as she had expected, after Jiang Li refused to help, Xiao Yanzhi directly stepped in, spent money to buy off the popularity of this photo, and deleted all the negative comments about Qin Yaoyao across the Internet.
Although she was prepared, Jiang Li still couldn't help being shocked when she learned about Xiao Yanzhi's actions.
As long as he wanted, there was no one he couldn't make popular, like Qin Yaoyao; and there was no one he couldn't make forgotten, like her, Jiang Li.
Jiang Li spent the whole day thinking about this and found it hard to focus on her work.
In the evening, the little assistant said that someone was waiting for her at the company gate, saying they had something urgent to see her.
Jiang Li was puzzled, but still went downstairs to take a look.
When she saw Jiang Yi's furtive figure lingering in front of the company, her heart tightened.
Almost at the same time, she dodged behind the green plants at the door. After making sure the other person didn't see her, she took out her phone and immediately called Jiang Yi.
"Jiang Yi, what are you doing at my company?" She covered the phone and spoke in a low voice: "Can't you just say it on the phone?"
Jiang Yi's tone was impatient, his voice urgent: "Xiao Yanzhi froze my bank card. I can't get that five million out. How can I pay back the money?"
Froze it?
Jiang Li was stunned. Before she could figure out Xiao Yanzhi's intention, Jiang Yi saw her hiding and rushed over directly.
Jiang Yi grabbed her arm tightly, looking extremely anxious: "Jiang Li, did you make Xiao Yanzhi unhappy?"
Realizing that she had been discovered, Jiang Li bit her lip, shook off Jiang Yi's hand forcefully, and said coldly: "I don't know. You should ask him directly."
After saying that, she was about to turn around and run away.
But Jiang Yi wouldn't let her go. He was very strong and held her arm tightly, his voice angry: "Jiang Li, do you want to drive me to death? Did you ask Xiao Yanzhi to freeze my card?"
The pain came from her arm. Jiang Li tried to break free but couldn't.
She looked anxious, worried about being seen by others, and her voice was full of anger: "If you don't let go, I'll send you to prison myself!"
"You bitch. I knew you were no good..."
Jiang Yi's face suddenly turned ferocious. He reached out his hand and was about to slap Jiang Li.
Just then, Jiang Yi's raised hand was suddenly held. A gentle and pleasant voice sounded: "It's really shameless to bully a woman in public."