Chapter 140: Passing on the Art

Since Gu Yan held the press conference, the number of people registering for auditions had reached an unprecedented height. There was only one day left before the week-long registration period closed, and the first round of preliminary auditions would take place three days later in Hangzhou. The auditions were set in Hangzhou; regardless of which city applicants came from or where they had registered, everyone had to arrive in Hangzhou before the auditions began, or else be disqualified. This tight schedule kept Gu Yan extremely busy, yet she relished such a fulfilling lifestyle.

"Alisa, which company do you plan to award the organizing contract for the preliminary auditions to?" asked her assistant, Lan Ruo. Back in the United States, she used to make all these decisions herself, but upon returning to China, Gu Yan insisted that everything must go through her approval.

"In your view, which companies are currently the most suitable?"

"There is no denying your influence in China; entertainment agencies both big and small have applied for the organizing rights of these auditions." Lan Ruo glanced at Gu Yan's expressionless face and said, "Among them, Tianhong Enterprise, which has emerged prominently over the past three years, is a very good choice."

"How so?" Gu Yan tossed the documents in her hand onto the desk, raising an eyebrow. Tianhong—could there really be such a coincidence in this world? She wanted to see what reasons her capable, steady, and wise secretary of three years would use to convince her.

"Your new drama, *The Most Important Person*, is set in the hotel workplace, and Tianhong Enterprise happens to own a five-star luxury hotel that we can use as our shooting location. This will save us a considerable amount in funding. Although this company is newly established, its potential is immense. Even Boss Han holds Tianhong's boss in high regard; otherwise, he wouldn't have signed Wei Hao's very first Chinese project with them."

"Is that all?" That alone was not enough to persuade her.

"Actually, among all the competing companies, the appearance of the Zheng Group came as quite a surprise," Lan Ruo said cautiously. As an assistant, she naturally knew that the young master of the Zheng Group had an extraordinary relationship with her boss.

Gu Yan remained silent, showing no reaction. She figured that Yingqi participating in the bidding definitely was not as simple as just wanting more opportunities to get close to her.

"According to my investigations, the Zheng Group and Tianhong have been at loggerheads for the past three years. Wherever Tianhong is, the Zheng Group invariably pours all its resources into competing. Just like this time, even though the Zheng Group is purely a food enterprise, they are vying for a foothold in the film and television industry, which goes completely against their commercial domain." Hearing this, a glimmer of warmth melted the chill in Gu Yan's heart. If she still did not understand Yingqi's intention by now, she truly would be a fool.

"Give it to the Zheng Group."

Lan Ruo was about to say something, but thinking better of it upon seeing Gu Yan's attitude, she kept her mouth shut. Her boss's word had always been final, and anyway, which company got the contract would not affect them much. She believed in Alisa's undefeated myth; even a bankrupt company could be brought back to life with just one of her dramas.

After settling all her affairs, Gu Yan remembered to make a call to check in on an old friend.

"Anyounghaseyo!"

"Your Korean has gotten much better," Gu Yan said in a low voice.

"Ah—Xiao Yan, you heartless woman, you finally remembered to contact me! Three years, tell me where you've been hiding. And what is this about a divorce? Others might not know, but I, Cai Mei, know you inside out. You were the one who loved Shen Hong to death; how could you just up and divorce him like that? Weren't you the one who taught me to keep my composure..." The person on the other end of the line sounded exceptionally excited.

"How are things? Are you living well in Korea?"

"What do you think?" He was so dazzling, radiant with boundless light. Five years of guarding him through thick and thin had finally won her his love. Yet, the distance between them was far more than just a step or two...

"Xiao Mei... come back to China. I can make you an overnight sensation, shining brilliantly so you can stand proudly by his side without having to endure gossip and slander."

"Haha! Xiao Yan, after three years apart, you've actually become humorous," Cai Mei laughed heartily on the other end.

"Alisa is my English name." Hearing this, the laughter on the other end vanished, replaced by silence. Alisa—as the lover of a top Korean artist, how could Cai Mei have never heard that name? Even an artist of Li Min's caliber would have slim to no chance of getting an opportunity to collaborate with her.

"I'm currently casting for a new drama, which tells the workplace story of university graduates interning at a hotel. The three of us all studied hotel management, yet none of us ever experienced that internship period." As Gu Yan spoke, she felt a sting in her nose. "Let's fulfill the regrets of what we never experienced, even if it's just in a drama."

"Actually, Li Min..."

"Bring him back to China with you. The leading man and woman of this drama belong to you two and no one else. This is a promise."

"No..." Cai Mei anxiously refused. "It's fine if he is the male lead, but I won't participate." They were already embroiled in scandals; she could not appear on screen with him again, nor could she selfishly ruin him.

Facing Cai Mei's resolute attitude, Gu Yan was helpless. They truly were friends, both of them fools. They always considered the person they loved first, yet in the end, the ones who got hurt the most were themselves.