After Xia Yuan left, Meng Xiyue immersed herself in work again. After a while, Assistant Li knocked on the door and reminded her, “President, it’s time for the meeting.”
Meng Xiyue picked up the documents and went to the conference room.
The conference room was filled with the company’s top executives, all on high alert. This meeting was added temporarily when Meng Xiyue came to work this morning.
Once she sat in the main seat, Assistant Li distributed the documents that Meng Xiyue had given him.
As everyone opened the documents, they saw that the content was about N.S’s future prospects for the next few years, as well as some leadership promotion notices.
This indicated that Meng Xiyue was starting to delegate power, and instinctively, everyone’s eyes focused on her.
Meng Xiyue remained calm and asked, “Is there anything that needs to be added?”
Zhang Mian, who had the most significant position change, was promoted to Operations Director. She controlled her wildly beating heart and kept a calm face as she asked, “President, can we know your intention?”
Meng Xiyue nodded at her and looked at everyone, saying, “The N.S second-generation system is currently in the development stage and is expected to be completed in six months.”
The R&D manager, who was present, understood Meng Xiyue’s meaning. The second-generation system is more intelligent than the first, almost reaching semi-holographic levels. Once released, it would cause a sensation, especially impacting established electronic products, and N.S could potentially become the leading electronic company in the country.
If positions were allocated in advance, it made sense.
Sure enough, what Meng Xiyue said was no different from what he had anticipated.
Others had some understanding of the company’s development of the second-generation system, but not as directly as the R&D department. Hearing Meng Xiyue’s explanation, they realized the vast profit chain behind it.
At the same time, their spirits were ignited.
They discussed this issue for more than half an hour before the meeting ended. As they left, the executives were all energized, eager to dive into their work immediately.
Assistant Li walked beside Secretary Gao and whispered, “Why do I feel something is off?”
The plan clearly outlined the division of labor among departments, but if they all did the work, what would the president do?
Secretary Gao glanced at him and said, “You’re not entirely stupid.”
Assistant Li was furious. “Talking is one thing, but personal attacks? What do you mean by that?”
Secretary Gao replied, “The President went to the hospital once and just figured some things out.”
Assistant Li instinctively asked, “What things?”
Secretary Gao glanced at him with disdain. “The focus of his work has shifted.”
Assistant Li understood. “You mean the President is worried that high-intensity work will ruin his health.”
Secretary Gao adjusted his glasses. “I really don’t understand how you have a girlfriend.” With that, he ignored him and went back to the office.
Assistant Li was left speechless. “…???”
He stood there for a while before realizing that the President was reducing his workload to avoid worrying Miss Xia.
Understanding the deeper meaning, he silently kicked over this bowl of dog food. Watching his colleagues work as if they were on steroids, he chuckled, wearing an expression of being the only sober one in a drunken world, and returned to his office.
At the same time, he wondered, how did Secretary Gao know so much?
…
Xia Yuan returned to the set, got her makeup done, and as soon as she came out, Zhong Le handed her a cup of milk tea. It was warm and the flavor she liked. She took a sip and glanced at Zhong Le. “You’re quite sharp today.”
Zhong Le smiled sheepishly. “Sister Xia, this was sent by Gu Yan. He treated the whole crew today…”
Then she saw Xia Yuan spit the milk tea she had just sipped into a bag.
“Drank it.”
She finished her sentence in a daze.
Xia Yuan threw the milk tea into the trash can with disdain and said irritably, “Can’t you see I hate him?”
Zhong Le replied, “…I didn’t know.”
Xia Yuan snapped, “From now on, don’t touch anything he sends. Got it?”
Zhong Le nodded. “Yes, got it.”
Xia Yuan glanced at her. “Give me some water, I need to rinse my mouth.”
She felt utterly disgusted right now.
Zhong Le quickly handed her a thermos. Xia Yuan rinsed her mouth briefly, unsure if that green tea guy had put something in it.
After rinsing, Xia Yuan felt a bit better and went to sit on the stool Lin Qi had prepared for her.
Zhong Le was about to ask the director when Xia Yuan’s scene would be, but then she saw Gu Yan at the corner, who had witnessed the recent events from that angle.
Feeling a bit awkward, Zhong Le said, “Well, Sister Xia’s stomach isn’t feeling well today.”
Gu Yan gave a bitter smile. “Sorry for causing you trouble.”
Zhong Le felt even more guilty, especially since he was so handsome. “No… it’s nothing.”
Gu Yan lowered his eyes. “Why does Miss Xia dislike me so much? Is it because I implicated her last time?”
Zhong Le instinctively felt it wasn’t about that incident, as the whole matter had been resolved before Xia Yuan even knew about it.
Although she had a good impression of Gu Yan, Xia Yuan was always clear about her likes and dislikes. Zhong Le decided not to get involved. “I’m not really sure. Someone from the director’s team is coming, I need to go.” She found an excuse and quickly left.
Gu Yan watched Zhong Le’s retreating figure, his eyes darkening.
Xia Yuan’s scenes were scheduled for the afternoon.
The plot had reached the point where the sister found out her brother had been forced to become a lackey for the Japanese because of her.
The sister sat by the window, enduring a night of cold wind. Her already frail body was further weakened, and her brother rushed back.
Xia Yuan had put on sickly makeup, her hair draped on both sides, lying on the bed. She didn’t have much to do in this scene, just lie there and flutter her eyelashes at the crucial moment.
She was glad not to see Gu Yan’s face.
This scene showcased Gu Yan’s inner struggle, a mix of restraint and pain.
The director watched Gu Yan’s expression through the lens and nodded silently. He had initially thought that someone like Gu Yan, a pretty boy, would only have passable acting skills. But over the past few days, his performance had become increasingly convincing, especially that restrained expression.
It was deeply moving.
Then he saw Gu Yan walk to the bedside, half-extend his hand, and then pull it back.
The director frowned. This part wasn’t in the script, but he didn’t call for a stop.
Sometimes, an actor’s improvisation can bring unexpected effects, often becoming classic scenes.
In the shot, that hand finally reached out, gently touching Xia Yuan’s eyelashes.
Xia Yuan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly at the touch, and the hand by her side clenched uncontrollably, veins bulging.
This despicable man, how dare he touch her.
Just as she couldn’t bear it any longer, the other party withdrew his hand in time. The cloak swirled as he turned to leave, and Xia Yuan, following the script, opened her eyes and called out to him:
“Brother.”
As soon as she spoke, the director excitedly called for a cut.
In his view, the extra scene Gu Yan added made the character more three-dimensional, and Xia Yuan’s clenched fists also showcased the sister’s struggle, making it perfect.
However, before he could start praising them, the usually gentle young lady in his eyes exploded.
“What are you doing? Why are you touching me?” Xia Yuan wiped the corner of her eye in disgust, her fair, tender skin turning red.
Gu Yan’s face stiffened, and he immediately began to apologize frantically: “I’m sorry, I was just too into the role. I’m really sorry.”
Xia Yuan glared at him fiercely: “It better be that way. If you add scenes like this again, don’t blame me for being rude.”
Then she turned to the director and directly confronted him: “If you think actors can do whatever they want on set, then you shouldn’t be a director. Get someone else.”
Just now, out of professional courtesy, she didn’t move because the director didn’t call for a stop. Now that it was over, she didn’t care who was who.
For a moment, the atmosphere on set was tense, and no one dared to breathe loudly. They didn’t know Xia Yuan’s background, but from the quickly removed trending searches, it was clear she had connections. Usually, they were polite to her, and she had never lost her temper with them. Now that she was directly scolding someone, no one dared to speak up.
The director, being confronted like this, didn’t look pleased either. Holding back his temper, he explained: “Miss Xia, I think Gu Yan handled that scene very well. I had no reason to stop him.”
Xia Yuan sneered and was about to speak when Zhong Le quickly stepped in to mediate. She noticed someone nearby secretly filming, “Sister Xia, your eye makeup is smudged. Go touch it up first.”
Xia Yuan glanced at Zhong Le, who was smiling ingratiatingly at her, snorted, gave the director a warning look, and turned to leave.
Zhong Le gave Lin Qi a look, and Lin Qi quickly went to deal with the person secretly filming.
Xia Yuan was touching up her eye makeup, her face still not looking great. Zhong Le immediately thought of Meng Xiyue, “Sister Xia, didn’t you say President Meng would come to pick you up? Let’s finish shooting quickly so we can get off work early.”
Hearing this, Xia Yuan’s mood finally improved a bit. She nodded, not angry or throwing a tantrum anymore.
When she went out, the staff members’ expressions stiffened for a moment before they each got busy again. Especially when they saw Gu Yan sitting on a bench studying the script, they felt sorry for him.
Such a good actor, stuck with such a spoiled young lady.
Xia Yuan didn’t care about others’ opinions; she just wanted to complete her task.
Gu Yan’s manager was particularly dissatisfied with Xia Yuan: “Gu Yan, stay away from her in the future. Avoid contact if you can. She must have a strong background to be so confident. You’ve been wronged, I’ll talk to the company and get you more high-profile gigs.”
Gu Yan smiled slightly, “It’s okay. Miss Xia has a right to be angry. I acted on my own.”
The manager sighed, thinking Gu Yan was just too good-natured.
The next scenes were shot smoothly. There were a few NGs, but they passed. However, the director’s face remained grim, and the atmosphere on set was always tense.
After finishing the last scene, Xia Yuan’s part for the day was done. There were no night scenes for her, and she could wrap up tomorrow and leave the crew.
After changing her makeup, Lin Qi came over, smiling, “Sister Xia, President Meng is here.”
Hearing this, Xia Yuan started walking out quickly. She saw Meng Xiyue standing at the door, between light and shadow, with an elegant posture. Her eyes smiled, and her voice was sweet, “Meng Xiyue, you’re here.”
Meng Xiyue saw her, her eyes curved slightly, revealing a gentle smile. Her gaze was warm as she reached out to hold her hand, “As promised, I’m here to take you home.”
Xia Yuan leaned into her embrace, feeling warm all over, “Alright.”
Before leaving, Meng Xiyue’s gaze fell on Gu Yan, who had followed them. Her cold, deep eyes carried a chilling warning. Gu Yan’s heart trembled, and he couldn’t take another step.

