Chapter 152 The Headmaster

Ever since Gu Yan held the press conference, the number of applicants for the casting reached an unprecedented height. There was only one day left before the week-long application period closed, and the first preliminary auditions were scheduled to take place three days later in Hangzhou. The audition venue was set in Hangzhou. Regardless of which city people came from or where they had registered, everyone had to arrive in Hangzhou before the auditions began, otherwise they would be disqualified. The tight schedule kept Gu Yan extremely busy, yet she relished such a fulfilling life.

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

"In your opinion, which companies are the most suitable at present?"

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

"How so?" Gu Yan tossed the documents in her hand aside and raised 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 persuade 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 a newcomer, its potential is immense. Even Boss Han holds Tianhong's boss in high regard, which is why he signed Wei Hao's first drama in China with them."

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

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

Gu Yan remained silent, showing no reaction. She figured that Yingqi's participation in the bidding was certainly not as simple as merely wanting more opportunities to get close to her.

"According to my investigation, the Zheng Corporation and Tianhong have been at loggerheads for the past three years. Wherever Tianhong is, the Zheng Corporation spares no effort to compete. Just like this time, even though the Zheng Corporation is strictly a food enterprise, they are vying for a foothold in the film and television industry, which goes entirely against their core business." Hearing this, a glimmer of warmth touched Gu Yan's frigid heart. If she still failed to understand Yingqi's intention after all this, she truly would be a fool.

"Give it to the Zheng Corporation."

Lan Ruo was about to say something, but thinking of Gu Yan's attitude, she closed her mouth. Her boss's word was always final, and anyway, which company won the contract didn't have much impact on them. She believed in Alisa's undefeated myth; even a company on the verge of bankruptcy could be brought back to life by a single drama of hers.

After finishing all her tasks, Gu Yan remembered and decided to make a call to greet an old friend.

"Annyeonghaseyo!"

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

"Ah—Xiao Yan, you heartless woman, you finally remember to contact me! Three years, tell me where the hell you've been. And what is this about a divorce? Others might not know, but I, Cai Mei, know you inside out. You were someone who loved Shen Hong to the point of death, so how could you just up and divorce him? 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?"

"What do you think?" He was so dazzling, radiating infinite brilliance. Five years of guarding each other, through thick and thin—she had won his love in return. 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, radiant and glorious, allowing you to stand proudly by his side without having to endure gossip."

"Haha! Xiao Mei, 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—how could Cai Mei, as the lover of a top Korean artist, have never heard of this name? Even for an actor like Li Min, the chance to collaborate with her was practically slim to none.

"I've recently been casting for a 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." As Gu Yan spoke, she felt a stinging sensation 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 leading woman of this drama belong exclusively to the two of you. That's a promise."

"No..." Cai Mei hurriedly 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, let alone selfishly ruin him.

Faced with Cai Mei's firm attitude, Gu Yan was helpless. They really were true friends, both of them complete fools. They always put the person they loved first in everything, yet in the end, they were the ones who suffered the deepest wounds.