The international airport was welcoming a world-famous figure, a beautiful and talented superstar, though few knew she was almost thirty.
She had both career and wealth within her grasp, but men were the one thing that eluded her.
Fans swarmed to greet the superstar, packing the entire airport and leaving the security guards exhausted and helpless.
Some held signs bearing Ye Meng Wei's name, while others cheered loudly:
"Vy Vy, we're over here!"
"Vy Vy, look at me, I'm over here!"
"Vy Vy, you're so beautiful! I love your movies!"
Ye Meng Wei took off her sunglasses, smiled and waved, then gestured for silence. Very quickly, everyone fell quiet, listening to her speak:
"Everyone, it's about to rain. It's been stormy lately, so please remember to be safe on the roads. Also, this is an international airport, please don't make too much noise; it only makes everyone tired! The schedule for fan meetings and movie ticket signings for my upcoming film has been released, so please keep an eye out and arrange your time to attend! For now, please head home quickly, it's going to rain soon! Thank you all for always supporting and accompanying Vy Vy! Goodbye!"
"Wow, Vy Vy speaks so sweetly! Wishing Vy Vy good health and even greater success!"
"Vy Vy, take care of your health, don't get sick!"
"Vy Vy, goodbye!"
Ye Meng Wei and her manager got into the car, preparing to head back to the company.
She had spent four years studying abroad and two years building her career overseas. After her contract expired, Zi Dai Entertainment invited her back.
Ye Meng Wei was not one to act on a whim; after the contract was sent, she negotiated for three weeks before Zi Dai finally accepted all her demands.
Die Meng, Ye Meng Wei's manager, was three years younger than her, yet her experience was comparable to those in their mid-thirties.
She always chose the best contracts for Ye Meng Wei, ones that suited her capabilities.
Die Meng handed Ye Meng Wei a laptop, then pointed to the opposing party's demands listed in the contract:
"Vy Vy, you'll have the right to pre-select contracts, without going through the company director, and you can refuse any of them! Their terms are quite lenient. I think you should choose one contract to create a big breakthrough right after returning to the country."
The self-selection contracts meant Ye Meng Wei would review them herself and choose which ones she wanted to sign, with Die Meng then receiving and reviewing them.
This meant not going through the company director, and not needing to gauge the mood of her superiors.
Zi Dai's director was a middle-aged man, known more for his bad reputation than good.
Ye Meng Wei had only agreed to join Zi Dai because they had accepted her demands.
The special arrangement for self-selecting contracts was also Ye Meng Wei's own proposal.
Ye Meng Wei quickly scanned through them, then pointed two fingers at two contracts and said:
"Choose these two contracts!"
"Both? The same company wants to collaborate. They said if you agree, they'll schedule a meeting for tomorrow."
"Alright, you can arrange it!"
Die Meng nodded, then sent a message back to the opposing party's secretary to schedule an appointment, and then researched the opposing party.
He Huan Entertainment was under the management of a mysterious individual; to this day, no one knew who was behind its establishment! But to be able to elevate He Huan to a new level in just two years was enough to understand how formidable the person behind it was!
Zi Dai Entertainment.
Ye Meng Wei got out of the car with Die Meng. Outside, countless people surrounded them, all of whom had been waiting there for two hours.
Security guards held them back, having already mobilized all available personnel.
Zi Dai's director, Jiang Yu Fan, came out from the lobby. He, too, had been waiting there, just wanting to welcome this world-famous superstar!
Giang Ngọc Phạm approached warmly, smiling and extending a hand to Diệp Mộng Vy, speaking as they walked:
“Diệp Mộng Vy, I’m very pleased you agreed to join Tử Đại Entertainment Company. I’ve amended the contract to your specifications; just review and sign it!”
“Mr. Giang, I heard you found me an additional manager. So, would you like me to find you another secretary? It’s not easy, trying to know too much about other people’s business!”
Diệp Mộng Vy’s veiled words made Giang Ngọc Phạm give a wry smile. He knew perfectly well what she was saying, what she was trying to remind him of! A girl who rose from nothing like Diệp Mộng Vy had more than enough tricks to grasp the opponent’s schemes.
…
All three went up to Giang Ngọc Phạm’s office. He handed Diệp Mộng Vy two copies of the contract, then spoke:
“Both have been amended exactly to your liking. Review them, then we’ll sign.”
Diệp Mộng Vy took one copy, handing the other to Điệp Mộng. Both reviewed it, then she agreed to sign, and each party kept a copy.
Without lingering long, she and Điệp Mộng returned to her office. For a superstar like her, her office was in no way inferior to Giang Ngọc Phạm’s.
Điệp Mộng quickly approached, asking Diệp Mộng Vy with a hint of worry in her voice:
“Sister Vy Vy, why did you join Tử Đại? Couldn’t you see Giang Ngọc Phạm had ill intentions? He’s a total pervert! From now on, don’t meet him without me by your side.”
“Okay, I know! Actually, I joined Tử Đại for a reason. Precisely because Giang Ngọc Phạm had intentions, I exploited those intentions to make my demands. I knew that no matter what my demands were, he would accept them.”
“Sister Vy Vy, you’re really clever! Because Giang Ngọc Phạm wants you, even high demands won’t be difficult for him. But if outsiders knew, they’d think you…”
Diệp Mộng Vy curled her lips into a smile, glanced around, then replied:
“Don’t worry. I have plenty of evidence to prove I didn’t resort to any unethical means. Besides, the entertainment industry is full of traps; finding someone who understands you and is trustworthy is truly difficult. Stop worrying, let’s go!”
…
“Mr. Hoắc, what you needed is ready! The other party agreed to cooperate on two contracts; both are advertising contracts for two new product lines from Chanel. The appointment schedule is also set. Do you want to go yourself, or should I go in your place?”
Hoắc Vũ turned around, looking at the two contracts on the table. His inscrutable thoughts made the other party wary. Lục Đình Thái, Hoắc Vũ’s long-time secretary, was the one who understood him best and made him most proud. Hoắc Vũ didn’t need to say much; just by implying his intention, Lục Đình Thái would understand immediately.
Hoắc Vũ placed both hands on the table, tapping his fingers to the rhythm of the ticking clock. The atmosphere seemed to grow colder, but Lục Đình Thái remained standing, observing and waiting for an answer. Hoắc Vũ pondered something deeply, then quickly replied, his deep voice resonating:
“I’ll go. Where is the location?”
“It’s Phong Hoa Restaurant, private room three-zero-seven.”
“Alright, you can go back to your work.”
As Lục Đình Thái left, Hoắc Vũ immediately revealed a gentle and warm expression, yet it was filled with hatred and anticipation for tomorrow’s meeting. Gentleness meant he still loved, warmth meant he still cared; hatred was for the breakup without reason, her disappearance for four long years. Anticipation, just wanting to meet again; longing and misunderstandings, all to be erased. The feeling of an impending reunion brought back countless memories of their six years together. All that rosy love had turned black, wrapped up and tucked away in a corner by him, waiting until today to finally be opened.