“Bang!” The door to the assistant’s office was ruthlessly pushed open. The glass door bounced against the other panel and shook violently before finally settling.
Huang Xiaowen chased after Feng Yunni, her face pale, a sheen of sweat on her forehead. Her round face looked anxious. “Assistant Lin, I told Miss Feng to wait—”
Feng Yunni snorted coldly. “Do I need to be told when I want to see my dad’s assistant? Have you all forgotten who the boss is?”
Feng Yunni was tall and beautiful. In the entertainment industry, she had the looks to succeed, yet her arrogance and sharp temper often offended people.
She did not get along with Lin Zhou. Partly because there were rumors in the company that Lin Zhou might become Feng Hexu’s wife. Though she disliked Lin Zhou, she had to admit Lin Zhou was a suitable match for her father.
Feng Hexu was forty-four this year. When Lin Zhou joined the company, he was thirty-seven. As the saying goes, men bloom at forty-one while women wilt at forty. Feng Hexu was at the peak of his charm: successful, mature, steady. On top of that, he was handsome and elegant, and his age was barely noticeable. Together with Lin Zhou, they looked like a perfect match.
Seventeen-year-old Feng Yunni had felt a strong sense of crisis. She feared that this five-years-older woman might become her stepmother. She had tried every trick to make things difficult for Lin Zhou, but Lin Zhou handled everything smoothly and never gave her a chance to win.
So their grudge was set.
The second reason was Ye Qianqian. Feng Yunni had never respected her. Yet Lin Zhou’s appearance had turned Ye Qianqian from a troubled girl into a model child. She even got into a prestigious university and became very close to Lin Zhou, eventually calling her “stepmom.”
These changes had altered Feng Hexu’s view of Ye Qianqian. Recently, Feng Yunni even heard that Ye Qianqian would be joining the company.
Anger rose in her chest. She turned to Huang Xiaowen and snapped, “Get out.”
Lin Zhou gave Huang Xiaowen a reassuring look and slightly nodded, signaling her to leave.
Huang Xiaowen breathed a sigh of relief and hurried out, remembering to close the door behind her.
Lin Zhou stood and drew the blinds over the glass wall. She would handle Feng Yunni’s temper alone. There was no need for other staff to see it, avoiding gossip and unwanted rumors.
She made a cup of chrysanthemum tea for Feng Yunni. “Calm down. Take your time and tell me what happened.”
Feng Yunni glared at the tea, irritation mounting, and asked bluntly, “Is Ye Qianqian going to work at the company?”
“Yes,” Lin Zhou did not hide it. This was decided and there was no point in concealing it. “Chairman Feng approved it.” Meaning if Feng Yunni had an issue, she could take it up with her father, not with Lin Zhou.
“Don’t scare me with my dad. I know it was you sweet-talking him. Otherwise, how could Ye Qianqian even get the chance to join the company? My dad knows I don’t like her. How could he possibly approve it?”
Lin Zhou felt wronged. From start to finish, she had only been executing Feng Hexu’s wishes, never offering suggestions. “No. Everyone chooses their own path. Just like you dislike managing the company and want to pursue the entertainment industry, Qianqian has her own choices.”
“I don’t agree!” Feng Yunni glared at Lin Zhou, standing tall and defiant. “If she dares join the company, I’ll stop her. If I embarrass my dad, let’s see how you explain it to him.”
Indeed, Lin Zhou could not answer that.
Feng Hexu had specifically instructed her not to let the sisters fight. She had only been back a few days, yet the conflict had already begun. Feng Hexu clearly knew his daughters well and had anticipated this day.
Lin Zhou sighed, looking at Feng Yunni with a troubled expression. “What should we do? I know you’re upset, so I’ve prepared a way to make it up to you. But from your expression, I’m afraid you might not find it satisfactory.”
Make it up? Feng Yunni’s eyes twitched slightly, a small pang in her heart.
Lin Zhou had been close to her father for years, understanding both his and Feng Yunni’s preferences. Whenever Feng Yunni got angry, Lin Zhou always found ways to appease her.
Sometimes, Feng Yunni had to admit that she was completely manipulated by Lin Zhou.
Now Lin Zhou spoke of compensation, which meant something she had long desired but found hard to obtain.
“Tell me what it is.”
Lin Zhou relaxed. That tone indicated Feng Yunni was open to negotiation.
“I heard Director Xu Feng is planning a nostalgic youth movie. I’ll help you try to get the lead female role,” Lin Zhou said, observing Feng Yunni’s reaction. Feng Yunni’s face filled with disbelief, almost unable to contain her excitement.
“Really?” Feng Yunni tried to remain composed. “You’re not teasing me?”
Everyone knew Director Xu Feng’s films were large productions, box-office hits, and award-winning. Many newcomers became stars overnight after participating.
But the casting was strict. No amount of investment could guarantee a lead role.
She had wanted this opportunity, even pressuring and sulking with Gu Minxuan before, but the answer had always been “we’ll try.” She didn’t insist on lead; even a second lead would do.
Now Lin Zhou offered to help her secure the lead.
“Since the first day I met you, when have I ever teased you?”
True, she admitted.
Feng Yunni didn’t respond, tacitly agreeing. She would never openly admit that Lin Zhou had handled her so well. After a few seconds, she said, “You promised. No backing out.”
“I won’t back out.”
Feng Yunni pouted. “You wouldn’t dare. If you trick me, I won’t forgive you regarding Ye Qianqian.”
Lin Zhou smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
In just ten minutes, Feng Yunni went from furious to ecstatic and left Hefeng.
Lin Zhou leaned back in her chair, relieved. She had anticipated today’s events when Ye Qianqian mentioned joining the company. She had already checked Feng Yunni’s current goals and knew her appetite was large, hoping to appear in a major production before gaining exposure.
Feng Yunni’s career ambitions mattered more than Ye Qianqian joining the company.
The promise she had just made had to be fulfilled.
No sooner had Feng Yunni left than Ye Qianqian came to see Lin Zhou.
Ye Qianqian lacked the temper of a spoiled daughter. She carried the awareness of being a private child but none of the insecurity. Around Feng Hexu, she was courteous and affectionate, like an older sister or brother.
Everyone around Feng Hexu liked the second young lady.
Upon entering the chairman’s assistant office, Ye Qianqian waved to Huang Xiaowen. “Sister Wenwen, where’s my stepmom?”