Chapter 151: The Mad Monk

Ever since Gu Yan held the press conference, the number of people registering for auditions reached an unprecedented height. With only one day left before the one-week registration period closed, and the first round of preliminary auditions scheduled to begin in three days, the pressure was mounting. The preliminary auditions were set to take place in Hangzhou. Regardless of which city they came from or where they had registered, all contestants had to arrive in Hangzhou before the auditions began, otherwise they would be disqualified. This tight schedule kept Gu Yan exceptionally busy, yet she genuinely enjoyed such a fulfilling life.

"Alisa, which enterprise do you plan to award the contract for hosting the preliminary auditions?" asked her assistant, Lan Ruo. Back in the United States, decisions like this were entirely up to her, but upon returning to China, Gu Yan insisted that all such matters must go through her approval first.

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

"There is no denying your influence in China; entertainment agencies both big and large have vied for the hosting rights of these auditions." Lan Ruo glanced at Gu Yan's expressionless face and continued, "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 and raised an eyebrow. Tianhong—could there really be such a coincidence in this world? She wanted to see what reasons her capable, calm, and astute secretary of the past three years would use to persuade her.

"Your new drama, *The Most Important Person*, is a workplace story set in a hotel. Coincidentally, Tianhong Enterprise owns a five-star luxury hotel that can serve as our filming location. This will save us a considerable amount in production costs. Although this company is a newcomer, 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 convince her.

"Actually, among all the competing companies, the emergence of the Zheng Group came as 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, offering no reaction. She knew that Yingqi joining the bidding war was definitely not just about creating more opportunities to see her.

"According to my investigations, the Zheng Group and Tianhong have been at loggerheads for the past three years. Wherever Tianhong goes, the Zheng Group competes with all its might. Take this instance, for example—even though the Zheng Group is primarily a food enterprise, they are fiercely contesting a film and television project that runs completely contrary to their core business." Hearing this, a trace of warmth melted Gu Yan's icy heart. If she still failed to understand Yingqi's intention after this, she truly would be a fool.

"Give it to the Zheng Group."

Lan Ruo was about to say something, but thinking better of Gu Yan's attitude, she kept her mouth shut. Her boss’s word was always final, and anyway, which enterprise won the bid would not have much impact on their operations. She believed in Alisa's undefeated myth; even a company on the verge of bankruptcy could be brought back to life by just one of her dramas.

Only after finishing all her tasks did Gu Yan remember to call and check 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 how could I, Cai Mei, not understand you? You were someone who loved Shen Hong to the point of risking your life; how could you just up and divorce him like that? Didn't you teach me to keep my composure..." The person on the other end of the line was clearly very excited.

"How have you been in Korea?"

"How do you think?" He was so dazzling, radiating boundless brilliance. Five years of guarding him through thick and thin had finally won her his love. Yet, the distance between them remained vast...

"Xiao Mei... come back to China. I can make you an overnight sensation, radiant and standing proudly by his side without having to endure malicious gossip."

"Haha! Xiao Yan, three years without seeing you, and 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 star, how could Cai Mei have never heard that name? Even for an actor like Lee Min, the chance to collaborate with her was practically slim to none.

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

"Actually, Lee Min..."

"Bring him back to China with you. The male and female leads of this drama belong to the two of you, and no one else. This is my promise."

"No..." Cai Mei anxiously refused, "It's fine if the male lead is him, 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.

Faced with Cai Mei's firm attitude, Gu Yan was helpless. They truly were friends, all fools cut from the same cloth. In everything they did, they put the person they loved first, yet in the end, the ones who got hurt the most were themselves.