"Sister Chen, if I'm not around in the future, will you sign new artists?"
Sister Chen frowned slightly.
"What a strange thing to say," she said. She gave Jiang Li a curious look. "Didn't we agree that after you terminate your contract with Jiang Entertainment and quit being an artist, we'll start an agency together? We'll definitely have to sign other artists then."
"Come on, are you suddenly jealous because you can't bear to part with me?" Sister Chen teased.
Jiang Li couldn't help but smile, her voice taking on a coquettish tone. "Yes, I'm super jealous."
Since Xiao Yanzhi sent her to Jiang Entertainment, Sister Chen was the first person who had genuinely been kind to her.
Jiang Li knew how to repay kindness, so she would never drag Sister Chen into trouble.
...
Sheng Shuocheng was extremely generous. He reserved the entire Jingwang Hotel, the most top - notch venue in the northern city. The lobby alone could accommodate a thousand people to raise their glasses in celebration.
Such a grand occasion and such extravagance were truly enviable. Naturally, it was also a place that all businessmen flocked to.
Respectable businessmen not only valued profits but also privacy.
At this dinner, none of the media had received an invitation from Sheng Shuocheng. They could only stand helplessly on the periphery of the hotel entrance, taking a few pictures.
There were also some fans who excitedly gathered outside.
Such grand events were rare throughout the year. Whenever there was one, it was a carnival for the media and fans.
Although it was already public knowledge that Jiang Li was on the invitation list, when she stepped out of the nanny car and her shoe tips landed on the carpet at the hotel entrance, some people couldn't help but let out gasps.
"Jiang Li! It's really Jiang Li!"
"Baby, look at me! Kiss me, baby! You look so beautiful today!"
"... "
Under the blinding flashlights and cameras, Jiang Li remained calm.
She was excellent at controlling her expressions. She slightly raised her amorous eyes and gave a faint smile, waving to the crowd.
"Oh my god! Baby smiled at me!"
"The goddess waved at me! She must have been making eye contact with me just now!"
Amidst the pink cheers, Jiang Li took slow steps forward in her high heels, her back straight, making her fair swan - like neck look even more slender.
She was noble but not arrogant.
Her slender figure gradually disappeared behind the hotel door. She was truly charming.
Soon, Xiao Yanzhi also arrived.
The man was tall and straight. He was wearing a high - end suit. His features were deep and three - dimensional, and his aura was particularly elegant.
Everyone in the northern city knew Xiao Yanzhi's identity. But the fact that the woman beside him had changed was truly thought - provoking.
It was well - known that for the past four years, Xiao Yanzhi had never changed his female companion.
But everyone here was a shrewd person.
Those who had cooperated with him stepped forward to say hello, while those who didn't know him well could only stand aside and observe secretly.
Qin Yaoyao was obviously a bit timid, but with Xiao Yanzhi by her side, her nervousness soon subsided. She just tried hard to squeeze out a perfect smile.
It was okay for a short while, but as time went on, her face started to feel stiff.
During this period, many people came to talk to Xiao Yanzhi. She couldn't sit down and stood until her calves went numb. Gradually, she began to feel impatient.
After the crowd thinned out, Qin Yaoyao gently tugged at his sleeve. "A Yan, I'm a bit tired."
Xiao Yanzhi lowered his head. His voice was deep and pleasant. "Then I'll take you to the sofa to rest for a while."
Qin Yaoyao bit her lip again. "A Yan, I just saw Sister Jiang Li. Should we invite her over to chat?"
Xiao Yanzhi's originally calm eyes suddenly darkened, and his voice involuntarily turned cold. "Leave her alone."
Qin Yaoyao pouted.
She had come here to provoke Jiang Li, but since she entered, she hadn't even caught a glimpse of her.
She thought that she shouldn't have come.
Just when she was feeling bored, she suddenly met a pair of dark eyes in the crowd. They were staring at her boldly.
She knew all too well that they were the lecherous eyes of Yu Guangping.
Qin Yaoyao was so shocked that her heart almost jumped out of her throat. Her palms unconsciously tightened.
It was just a quick glance. When she summoned the courage to look up again, those eyes had disappeared.
It was as if everything just now had been an illusion.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Yanzhi's voice was deep. "Are you feeling unwell?"
Qin Yaoyao's lips were trembling. She tightly grabbed his sleeve, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "A Yan, let's go back. I want to go home, okay?"
The man was silent for a moment, his eyes scrutinizing her without a ripple.
That look seemed to be determining whether Qin Yaoyao was a suitable choice as a female companion.
Qin Yaoyao's face turned pale. Knowing that she had gone too far, she quickly changed her tune. "I was just joking. A Yan, don't take it to heart."
Only then did Xiao Yanzhi slowly withdraw his gaze and say nothing more.
---
It was only after all the guests had arrived that Sheng Shuocheng made his appearance.
Surrounded by the crowd, he stood on the stage built in the center of the lobby, in front of which was a microphone stand.
Everyone began to gather towards the center.
"Good evening, all my business friends."
He adjusted the height of the microphone, and his deep and steady voice slowly spread out. "Thank you all for giving me the honor. I hope you'll all have a great time tonight."
Sheng Shuocheng had been in the business world for many years. His edges and corners had long been smoothed out, and he had now become a sophisticated and mature businessman.
He took good care of himself. At first glance, he looked like a man in his forties, but in fact, he was already over fifty.
When his speech ended, everyone raised their glasses and drank with him.
Jiang Li stood not far away. Her slender white fingertips gently held the red wine glass. She casually raised her glass towards Sheng Shuocheng on the stage from afar.
She was Sheng Shuocheng's benefactor, and he was also hers.
But Jiang Li knew her boundaries. The bond between her and Sheng Shuocheng had been extinguished in the contract with Jiang Entertainment.
...
"That Qin Yaoyao is imitating you," Sister Chen said.
Sister Chen had brought Jiang Li up and was well - aware of all her external characteristics and aura.
Sister Chen was sitting on the reception sofa with Jiang Li. She immediately noticed Qin Yaoyao following Xiao Yanzhi.
Hearing this, Jiang Li slightly raised her eyes.
In the dinner hall, Qin Yaoyao was wearing a black spaghetti - strap evening dress inlaid with diamonds, which was particularly eye - catching under the lights.
This black evening dress had a sexy high - slit design. Coupled with her charming heavy makeup and red lips, she was extremely eye - catching.
At the moment, she was like a vine, leaning on Xiao Yanzhi's arm. Although her smile was flawless, it looked a bit stiff.
In Jiang Li's experience, it was obvious that her smile had become rigid.
Jiang Li hadn't noticed before, but upon closer inspection today, she found that Qin Yaoyao did resemble her a bit.
Jiang Li looked lazy, the corners of her eyes slightly raised. "Let her be. If she wants to be the second Jiang Li, no one's going to stop her."