Chapter 320: Chapter 320: The Arrogant CEO Himself
The public relations team spoke many good words, blending softness with assertiveness, and did not completely lower their stance to appease the media.
Han Jiayi shed tears on the spot, apologizing to the public and expressing that she had no objections to the company’s punishment, acknowledging that she had let down the company’s cultivation and announcing her withdrawal from the entertainment industry. An Junxi watched Han Jiayi’s performance from backstage and was fairly satisfied.
As the turmoil slightly calmed down, Liu Zhiwen found Han Jiayi: "Are you really that useless, bowing down to An Junxi like this?"
Han Jiayi retorted: "Now you understand to find me. If you had dared to stand up and say something for me a few days ago, would I have been manipulated by An Junxi like this?"
Liu Zhiwen asked her: "Did you reach some sort of agreement with An Junxi?"
Han Jiayi, lifeless and despondent, replied, "Liu Zhiwen, you should give up struggling. You can’t outplay her. You should never have offended her in the first place."
Liu Zhiwen’s face twisted with fury. "I will not resign myself to fate. Even if my father died at the hands of Gu Yikun, I won’t give in!"
Han Jiayi was unaware of Liu Guanquan’s situation, nor did she want to know.
On the day of the new drama’s opening ceremony, many media outlets came to interview and promote the event. Liu Zhiwen remained the media darling while the supporting actors were overlooked, with everyone chasing Liu Zhiwen for questions.
An Junxi discreetly visited the crew, wearing a hat and sunglasses, causing everyone to assume she was just a regular staff member.
Liu Zhiwen was adept at handling the media, with all the supporting roles serving merely as her backdrop, lacking any spotlight before the media.
An Junxi arranged a manager for Zhi Zhi, who then observed Zhi Zhi’s every move and reported to An Junxi: "Assistant An, Zhi Zhi doesn’t understand how to seize opportunities. Should we give her a six-month assessment?" If there’s no improvement after six months, they would have to abandon Zhi Zhi.
An Junxi glanced at the manager through her sunglasses and said, "During these six months, the first person under assessment is you, then it’s Zhi Zhi." The manager’s primary role is to cultivate artists. If the manager can’t promote Zhi Zhi given ample resources, the manager would be the first held accountable.
The manager lowered her head: "Yes, Mrs. President." She previously thought Mrs. President was easy-going, not anticipating she would be as uncompromising in business as the President.
An Junxi asked, "What did you call me?"
The manager realized her mistake: "Assistant An."
An Junxi nodded, "Observe Zhi Zhi and see what she needs to improve. Discuss it with her after the interview."
The conditions of the crew were average. What was supposed to be a beautiful costume drama turned chaotic after shooting began, with the visible scene transitions constantly disrupting the immersion.
An Junxi discreetly visited the crew for two consecutive days, unbeknownst to Gu Yikun, who forbade her from coming to such chaotic places due to potential dangers.
An Junxi didn’t want to waste time. In her heart, Zhi Zhi was the protagonist, while Liu Zhiwen was merely a stepping stone. The stepping stone’s lifespan should not be too long. Every additional day Liu Zhiwen stayed in the crew cost an extra day’s expense, all of which came from her husband’s money!
An Junxi appeared with Yang Chenmin’s assistant, always wearing either a hat or black-framed glasses. Many people didn’t know An Junxi’s identity and habitually ordered her around: "Hey you, come help with the lighting."
People around An Junxi rushed to do it, joking, how could they let Mrs. President do such tasks, did they not want to mix anymore?
Over time, inevitably, someone asked: "Who is that girl, always appearing on set?"
Liu Zhiwen replied: "Just an ordinary staff member, what’s the fuss about?"
They believed Sister Zhiwen and started treating An Junxi disrespectfully, constantly ordering her around.
People around An Junxi suggested quietly: "Mrs. President, why don’t we return to the company? The set is chaotic, nothing interesting." If the President found out, they would all be in trouble!
An Junxi enjoyed her busy work; to her, it was a new experience.
"No, I am here for work, not to play."
One day, An Junxi was running errands fetching makeup boxes when she watched Liu Zhiwen hanging from the harness, thinking it was time to wrap things up, or it would keep costing money, making her heart ache.
The makeup artist searching for the right foundation criticized An Junxi: "How careless, did you forget something?"
An Junxi glanced at the makeup box, "I fetched the whole box, maybe something was missing to begin with."
The makeup artist, constantly following and serving the artists, hardly paid much attention, thinking herself famous. She harshly asked An Junxi: "Who’s responsible for you? Don’t admit mistakes when they’re found?"
A cold voice came from behind the crowd: "I’m responsible. What mistake did she make?"
Everyone turned to look, automatically making way for him, "President!"
God, why would the President come to the set?
This had never happened before!
Gu Yikun, unlike his suit-and-tie self in the company, wore casual clothing that added a touch of ease to his tall and flawless figure, though his stern expression was even more intimidating than at the headquarters.
The makeup artist saw the President’s grand arrival, glancing between him and the woman, wondering who she was to him.
An Junxi’s eyes widened behind her glasses; why was Yi Ke on the set when she clearly remembered him heading to a subsidiary today?
A hush fell over the scene as Gu Yikun walked past everyone to An Junxi, took out a tissue to wipe her sweat in front of everyone.
Gentle, meticulous, deeply affectionate—was this really the President... Were they seeing things?
People rubbed their eyes; the President came all the way here for this woman?
Could she be the legendary Mrs. Gu?
Gu Yikun removed An Junxi’s black-framed glasses, seeing the red marks left on her nose by the glasses. He pinched her nose gently, "I told you not to come here to suffer, but you still disobeyed. How can I not worry?"
An Junxi became the focus of attention, taking the tissue from his hand to wipe her sweat, "Why are you here?"
Gu Yikun replied, "I came to see if you’ve stirred up the set."
An Junxi protested, "I’m serious about my work, not here to cause trouble."
The makeup artist broke into cold sweat, "Pre-President, I was impulsive and said wrong things just now."
With a stern face, Gu Yikun watched as the director and producer rushed over to chastise the makeup artist and turned to apologize to the President, "We didn’t know Mrs. Gu was here, we’ve neglected her these past days. Welcome, President, and Mrs. Gu, to inspect the set."
An Junxi said, "You keep busy; we’re just looking around."
She pulled Gu Yikun aside, "I truly am working, okay? I won’t come tomorrow."
Gu Yikun insisted on taking her away, despite An Junxi’s attempt to reason with him. He directly picked her up, and An Junxi yelled, "Gu Yikun, you can’t do this!"
Gu Yikun’s tall and strong build rendered An Junxi’s struggle ineffective, leaving her small and helpless as Gu Yikun stuffed her into the car.
Everyone admired the dominant President; if he were to star in a romance drama, wouldn’t he be insanely popular?
This was the true domineering President!
From a distance, Liu Zhiwen watched Gu Yikun carrying An Junxi away, clenching her fists. An Junxi, are you deliberately showing off in front of me?