Yu Wanwan responded calmly, “Brother Shixun, what you heard is all true.”
Lu Shixun on the other end of the phone began to look extremely upset. Suppressing the emotions in his heart, he tried to keep his tone as calm as possible:
“Did your adoptive parents force you? Wanwan, where are you now? I’ll come pick you up and take you back to Nancheng.”
Both the Lu and Yu families were businesspeople in Nancheng, often interacting in social and business circles.
Lu Shixun was the eldest son of the Lu family, the heir to the wealthiest family in Nancheng, and a well-known entrepreneur in the country, highly respected and skilled in business dealings.
He was aware of Yu Wanwan’s background and had always taken special care of Wanwan, who was eight years younger than him.
Now, Lu Shixun was 28 years old, and there had been no news of marriage.
There were private rumors that Lu Shixun had a “white moonlight” in his heart—Yu Wanwan, known as the “White Moonlight of Nancheng.”
The reason Lu Shixun never expressed his feelings was because the elders of the Lu family disapproved, believing that Yu Wanwan, who had once been an orphan and was now an adopted daughter, brought bad luck.
However, those rumors only circulated for a day before suddenly disappearing.
Yu Wanwan smiled faintly. “No one forced me; I agreed to it. Brother Shixun, thank you for your kindness.”
“How could you be so foolish!” Lu Shixun’s voice carried a tone of heartbroken reproach. “What kind of person is Xie Tingnan? Do you even know him? He only… toys with people.”
Lu Shixun couldn’t bring himself to say “toys with you,” so he softened it to “toys with people.”
Yu Wanwan blinked her long, raven-feather-like eyelashes lightly. Of course, she knew.
Wasn’t it to settle a debt? There was even a contract. To settle her adoptive parents’ financial debt and repay the “emotional” debt of raising her for 15 years.
Xie Tingnan, who toyed with people, probably wouldn’t stay interested for long.
Once he grew tired of her, she would be free.
That was what Yu Wanwan thought.
So, she said calmly, “Brother Shixun, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I have things to attend to, so I’ll hang up now.”
After hanging up, her mood was inevitably affected, feeling as if something was stuck in her chest.
Now, apart from her close friend Lin Yin, probably no one would think of her as a respectable woman.
Her phone rang again. Yu Wanwan picked it up—it was an unfamiliar number.
When she answered, a middle-aged man’s voice came through: “Hello, Miss Yu. I am Secretary Wang from Antai. I’ve been assigned by the secretariat to pick you up and take you to the General Administration of Radio and Television. I’m already waiting for you at the entrance of Yi Garden.”
Yu Wanwan’s heart skipped a beat.
Was it really necessary to go to the General Administration of Radio and Television just for a role in a drama?
The Maybach extended luxury sedan indeed took her to that imposing government building.
Only after arriving did she learn that the director had an appointment that day to meet an important man there to report on the filming of a major production—an appointment that had been hard to secure.
Unfortunately, it conflicted with the scheduled meeting with Yu Wanwan.
After explaining the situation to the influential figure at the General Administration of Radio and Television, the director had Secretary Wang bring her there to sign the contract directly.
As soon as Yu Wanwan met the director, she understood the caliber of the film and television project she would be involved in.
The director was a consistent box-office guarantee in the country. Whenever he announced a new film, many actors would fight tooth and nail for a role.
Yu Wanwan entered the reception room and politely greeted, “Director Zhang.”
Both Director Zhang and another man in the reception room looked up.
The man was around the same age as Xie Tingnan, in his thirties, wearing a pristine, immaculate white shirt.
His features were as composed as pine trees, his demeanor steady, his face dignified, exuding an aura of calmness akin to distant mountains and nearby waters.
He presented the image of a very refined, dignified, yet approachable senior cadre.
He glanced at Secretary Wang behind Yu Wanwan and curled the corner of his lips. “Where’s Tingnan?”
Secretary Wang smiled faintly. “Director Tan, Chairman Xie is on a business trip to Hong Kong Island.”
“Oh.” Tan Dingsong gave Yu Wanwan a brief glance and said nothing more.
Tan Dingsong and Xie Tingnan were brothers-in-arms who would gather privately every few days.
In their small circle, there was also a high-born scion named Feng Jinyao, who was the CEO of a well-known enterprise.
Chairman Xie + Director Tan + CEO Feng—the famous “Golden Triangle of the Beijing Circle.” The three shared similar backgrounds and, when combined, were jokingly referred to as the “Unbeatable Royal Flush.”
As members of the same core circle, they were well aware of many things.
Thus, Tan Dingsong only gave Yu Wanwan a brief glance and said nothing.
However, his mind stirred slightly.
The woman before him possessed an exceptional bone structure—a rare beauty with both exquisite bone structure and flawless skin, a stunning vision of perfection.
The most striking feature was her skin, tender and smooth without a single flaw, completely free from the need for artificial cosmetics, like a piece of lustrous, translucent jade.
Tan Dingsong couldn’t help but admire Xie Tingnan’s sharp eye.
When it came to appreciating women, Xie Tingnan always set the bar at the highest point of exacting standards.
Even the most refined common beauty could hardly catch his eye.
Having lived for thirty years, not a single person had ever won Xie Tingnan’s genuine trust.
Beside them, Yu Wanwan inexplicably felt a sense of relief.
So Xie Tingnan was on a business trip—that meant she wouldn’t have to see him for a few days.
Director Zhang respectfully apologized to Tan Dingsong before turning around with a warm and courteous smile to greet Yu Wanwan.
The person recommended by Xie Tingnan was someone he absolutely could not afford to offend.
Moreover, that “golden mountain” had promised to invest in Director Zhang’s red-themed film.
Director Zhang’s assistant approached and directly handed the contract to Yu Wanwan.
The young girl looked surprised. “Director Zhang, no audition?”
Director Zhang smiled warmly. “Chairman Xie’s judgment is the highest standard in the world.”
Yu Wanwan’s face slowly flushed, and she pursed her lips lightly, only uttering a soft “Oh.”
No explanation was needed—saying more would only invite trouble.
In front of people who had seen all kinds of worldly affairs, speaking too much would only bring discomfort upon herself.
Yu Wanwan skimmed through the contract but couldn’t suppress her curiosity. “Director Zhang, actually, I still don’t know what role I’ll be playing.”
“The favored concubine of a warlord during the Republican era,” Director Zhang said casually.
Yu Wanwan’s face grew even redder.
Her already fair complexion flushed with a faint pink hue due to embarrassment, making the pure, jade-like beauty appear exceptionally delicate and enchanting.
This sight was fully captured by Tan Dingsong, who was seated not far away.
Based on his experience and intuition, the young girl before him had an orchid-like elegance, exuding a delicate and graceful charm—still an untouched young lady from a sheltered upbringing.
Such shyness indicated that Xie Tingnan had not yet taken her body. This was quite an unexpected detail.
Seeing Yu Wanwan’s reaction, Director Zhang suddenly smiled.
“Miss Yu, this favored concubine is quite extraordinary. She is a fallen young lady from a scholarly family. Under her influence, the warlord eventually surrendered, playing a key role in the xx war.”
“Mm. I’ll go back and study the script carefully,” Yu Wanwan said gratefully for Director Zhang’s thoughtfulness, her porcelain-like face wearing a gentle smile.
She picked up a pen and carefully signed her name on the contract.
The handwriting was exceptionally elegant and beautiful, with a rare blend of feminine grace and masculine vigor.
Director Zhang was surprised: “Miss Yu, have you practiced calligraphy?”
Yu Wanwan’s lips curved into a smile: “Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, and dancing—I’ve practiced them all.”
“Do you play musical instruments?”
“I can handle almost every type of instrument, but I’m particularly skilled at the piano, guzheng, and pipa.”
Director Zhang nodded approvingly: “Miss Yu, your character, appearance, and talents are unparalleled. Coupled with your formal training in acting, you are even more suited for the female lead role.”
Yu Wanwan instinctively bit her lip, her lips lifting into a sweet smile:
“You flatter me, Director Zhang. I lack experience, so starting with a smaller role would be more appropriate.”