Chapter 126: The Child Called Out So Affectionately

Jiang Yunzhou sent him the names of the individuals she had selected.

Shen Tingxiao replied directly with a voice message: "Are these artists you've just signed? How come I've never seen them before?"

As she listened to the message, Jiang Yunzhou had just stepped out of the shower. She rolled her eyes silently, but since the work had to go on, she replied in a cool, detached tone: "Mr. Shen is not part of my company’s management team, so it is perfectly normal that you are unaware of the personnel changes in my company."

"Send me the specific details for these people. Are they available tomorrow or the day after? I’ll come to your company for a site visit," Shen Tingxiao replied.

Jiang Yunzhou replied with a single word: "Fine."

It was eventually set for two days later, when Shen Tingxiao would bring his team to the company for evaluations.

These artists were of high overall quality, and Jiang Yunzhou had originally intended to secure resources for them. Now that Shen Tingxiao had inserted himself into the mix, willing to play the role of a benefactor, she was naturally pleased.

She took him on a tour of the office, discussing strictly professional matters, and before they knew it, it was lunchtime.

Jiang Yunzhou personally led him to the company’s VIP dining room, habitually ordering the tomahawk steak she knew he liked.

Shen Tingxiao seized the opportunity to push his luck: "Zhouzhou, you still remember the coffee I like and the steak I enjoy."

Jiang Yunzhou’s expression suddenly turned cold. She gave a faint smile and said: "The past isn't something that can't be spoken of; it’s all in the past anyway."

"It's all in the past anyway." Shen Tingxiao chewed on those words repeatedly.

Suddenly, in front of everyone, he asked: "So, you and I are also a thing of the past?"

Jiang Yunzhou fell silent.

The other company executives present exchanged glances, all suddenly realizing something significant.

"Uh, President Jiang, I just remembered, my child needs me to go home for dinner. I have to go pick her up."

"Yes, yes, me too. I had promised to treat my department staff to dinner, so I won't disturb you any further."

The others scrambled to find various excuses and took their leave.

In the VIP room, only Shen Tingxiao and Jiang Yunzhou remained.

Jiang Yunzhou had spent two days pretending that nothing was happening, but she could no longer keep up the act. She set down her chopsticks and smiled at Shen Tingxiao: "Mr. Shen, what exactly do you mean by that?"

"Zhouzhou," Shen Tingxiao leaned forward slightly, "Everything I did before had a reason. I want to..."

Jiang Yunzhou did not want to hear it. "Let's stop here for today. Mr. Shen, please do a thorough job evaluating the list of people we submitted. Thank you."

She stood up and left.

Shen Tingxiao frowned slightly.

A day later, the list submitted by Jiang Yunzhou was approved.

Jiang Yunzhou simply handled the registration for these individuals, and another period of busyness ensued.

When the variety show began filming, Jiang Yunzhou, feeling uneasy, personally went to the set to cheer on her artists.

On the first day of filming, various unexpected situations could arise. Jiang Yunzhou stayed in the lounge for the most part, not leaving.

Fortunately, by the end of the day, the artists had performed well.

That evening, she took them back to the hotel to review their performance. It was clear that one of the artists would likely be eliminated.

He was only nineteen, had dropped out of high school, and had been talked into signing a contract not long ago. His name was Shi Zhen.

Shi Zhen was under immense pressure; his family situation was poor, and if he couldn't make a name for himself in the entertainment industry, he would be saddled with millions in debt.

This was something Shi Zhen could not handle.

Although Shi Zhen had spoken to Jiang Yunzhou later about being deceived at the time, Jiang Yunzhou ran a business. Putting aside the fact that it was impossible to verify, even if it were true, if she set this precedent, any artist could use similar excuses to demand contract termination in the future.

At that point, she would lose everything she had.

All Jiang Yunzhou could do was try her best to help him manage his mindset and get him to become famous and earn money as quickly as possible.

After the others had rested, Shi Zhen went to the hotel's roof garden by himself. Jiang Yunzhou, worried, went to find him.

Shi Zhen was sitting on a rattan chair, drinking beer gloomily. "Sister Zhouzhou."

"Don't feel like you performed well today?" Jiang Yunzhou sat opposite him. She treated him like a younger brother and reached out to ruffle his hair.

Shi Zhen hung his head. "Yeah, I feel like I might be eliminated in the first round." He took a sip of beer and looked up. "Sister Zhouzhou, am I really that bad? I'm not suited to be an idol; I can't dance, I can't sing, and I want to be an actor but I can't do that either. At the recording site today, everyone else's resumes were more impressive than mine."

"And so what?" Jiang Yunzhou asked him in return.

Shi Zhen pulled at his hair. "I feel like I'm just trash."

"If you think they are so impressive, then think about this: among everyone at the recording site today, you are the youngest. Aside from you, the next youngest is twenty-five, and the oldest is forty. That forty-year-old was an idol of our generation back in the day." Jiang Yunzhou took the beer from his hand, grabbed a glass, and filled it for herself. "Yet here you are, standing on the same stage as them at nineteen. Doesn't that make you impressive?"

Shi Zhen felt she was using sophistry, but he gave a bitter smile: "But Sister Zhouzhou, my performance was poor. If I get eliminated in the first round, I'll have failed the company's investment in me."

"The company chose you for a reason. Elimination is normal; not being eliminated is a sign of your exceptional ability," Jiang Yunzhou said with a slight smile. "You are still young, still experimenting. If you decide now that you can't do anything, then you really will end up living a mediocre life."

Shi Zhen was amused by her, but then sighed bitterly again: "But my mother is sick. I want to earn money—lots and lots of money. Only with enough money can I support her treatment. If I have enough money, will I be able to... keep her?"

This was a heavy topic. Jiang Yunzhou lowered her eyes and said softly: "The bond between people is actually very fragile, lasting for such a short time. Instead of burning yourself out to exchange for money, you should spend more time accompanying her. Besides, there are things even money can't fix. Those rich people who want to turn back the clock—have they succeeded?"

Shi Zhen rubbed his face. "I know. I just... I'm hurting."

Jiang Yunzhou patted his head comfortingly. "I understand."

*Ahem, ahem!*

A cough suddenly came from the corner.

Jiang Yunzhou followed the sound and saw Shen Tingxiao standing by the railing, a thin cigarette between his fingers. He looked at the two of them. "Good evening."

Shi Zhen felt embarrassed to be seen in such a state by a stranger. His face flushed, and not knowing who Shen Tingxiao was, he said: "Sister Zhouzhou, I'll head back first."

"Go ahead," said Jiang Yunzhou.

After he left, Shen Tingxiao slowly walked over. He placed one hand on the back of the chair Jiang Yunzhou was sitting on and the other on the table, as if enclosing her in his embrace. "'Sister Zhouzhou'? The kid calls you so affectionately."