This Lin Jiaye was really something—he could make even someone as money-loving as her feel less worldly for once.
Thinking of the family background behind him, Ji Mingyu suppressed her discomfort, curved her lips, and spoke politely.
"Of course we can be friends. But surely, Mr. Lin doesn't lack for girlfriends or boyfriends, does he?"
Lin Jiaye's face darkened slightly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he said, a hint of displeasure in his tone. "Is Miss Ji looking down on me?"
Ji Mingyu quickly waved her hands, her smile turning more sincere. "No, no—it's just that I already have someone I like."
She paused, letting a trace of bashfulness show on her face at just the right moment.
"There's someone I deeply admire. I'm currently looking for a chance to get him to meet me."
Hearing this, Lin Jiaye grew interested, asking with a hint of gossip-seeking in his voice.
"What kind of man could make a beauty like Miss Ji fall for him? Would you care to share? Maybe I could even help."
He just wanted to watch the show!
If the man's background wasn't as good as his own, he could take the opportunity to mock her a little.
Ji Mingyu hadn't expected the man to be so relentless in his questioning.
She smiled awkwardly, momentarily at a loss for words.
Seeing this, Lin Jiaye's tone turned suspicious. "What, Miss Ji—are you just making fun of me? Lying?"
Ji Mingyu waved her hands quickly. "No, no."
She bit her lip, putting on a look of throwing caution to the wind.
"It's just a little embarrassing to say…"
"Hm?"
"The one I deeply admire is Sheng Xiuwen of Shengshi Group."
Lin Jiaye froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "You're not making this up, are you? Just pointing at some random person?"
"How could I? He's incredibly capable—not only does he hold a key position at Shengshi Group, he also single-handedly founded Chengwen Group."
She paused, then added the most important part.
"And most importantly—he's really handsome."
The man in the magazines was every bit as good-looking as those top models. But handsomeness wasn't the most important thing—what mattered was that his assets were substantial.
Still, she was too embarrassed to say that part so bluntly.
Seeing Ji Mingyu praise Sheng Xiuwen so highly, Lin Jiaye's face completely fell.
"You women are all so shallow," he said, a sour note in his voice. "Inner beauty is what's truly beautiful. I thought Miss Ji was a woman of depth who valued what's inside over appearances. It seems I was wrong."
He straightened his tie and put on airs.
"In that case, I won't disturb Miss Ji any longer."
Ji Mingyu watched his figure disappear around the corner, and finally couldn't hold back—she half-collapsed onto the bench, letting out a long breath.
"Finally gone," she muttered under her breath.
Behind the rockery.
Assistant Wang quietly glanced at the Chairman beside him.
His mind was buzzing.
Secretly adored by such a stunning beauty—the Chairman must be secretly pleased right now, right?
Though this identity… really wasn't all that appropriate.
Word around Shengshi Group was that the young President Sheng was going to marry into the Ji family through an arranged union. So wouldn't this Miss Ji be his future niece-in-law?
Oh my goodness.
A term suddenly popped into Assistant Wang's head—wasn't this exactly the "uncle romance" trope that was so popular online?
At that thought, he got all worked up.
He stole another glance to the side. Sheng Xiuwen remained expressionless, betraying no hint of his mood.
Assistant Wang quietly withdrew his gaze.
Sigh.
Clearly, the chairman hadn't been born with that particular thread of sentiment.
Ji Mingyu sat on the bench for a little while before rising, composing her expression, and returning to the banquet hall.
Zhou Chongli saw her come in from a distance and stopped paying her any special attention.
What was the point of a young girl trailing around after an old man like him? Socializing with people her own age was the proper thing.
So many outstanding young people had come today—let her wander around and mingle.
Ji Mingyu had barely stepped into the hall, before she could even find a corner to stand in, someone stopped her.
"Miss Ji, hello. I'm Song Qingyuan, president of Song Jia Media."
She had been looking for Ji Mingyu this whole time, but had lost sight of her for just a moment.
In recent years, the film and television industry had become harder and harder. Period dramas were scrutinized for historical accuracy—whether the costumes, makeup, and props matched the dynasty depicted.
Ji Mingyu paused for a moment, then politely extended her hand. "Hello."
Song Qingyuan released her hand and immediately said, "Our company is preparing a historical period drama, and I'd like to invite you to serve as our historical consultant."
"President Song," she said, with a hint of surprise in her tone, "are you sure you're looking for me, and not Professor Zhou?"
Song Qingyuan spoke with sincere earnestness.
"Miss Ji, there's no need to be modest.
Becoming Professor Zhou's doctoral student, and having Professor Zhou bring you to this ancient city cultural tourism project—that alone is proof of Miss Ji's abilities."
Ji Mingyu looked at her without responding.
She understood perfectly well.
Song Qingyuan's words were half truth, half politeness.
The other woman knew that even if Ji Mingyu herself weren't capable, she had powerful connections behind her. Her mother, Su Wanyun, was also a professor at Nanjing University—if her daughter ran into difficulties at work, would a mother just stand by and watch?
It amounted to spending a small sum to secure Ji Mingyu's entire cultural circle as backup.
Even if she had no real skill whatsoever, there were more than enough people behind her to cover for her.
But so what?
Connections and networks were part of her abilities too.
She looked at Song Qingyuan and asked a practical question: "President Song, would you mind telling me which dynasty the historical drama your company is preparing is set in?"
Song Qingyuan didn't hesitate. "The Tang Dynasty."
She added, "About Empress Wu Zetian."
The Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian.
That, she knew well. Besides, she genuinely wanted to give it a try.
For one thing, she was interested in the project itself; for another, she really did want to get a foothold in the film and television industry.
Don't assume the industry is struggling now. Compared to other industries, this one was genuinely hugely profitable, with extremely high returns.
Of course, the prerequisite was finding a good project.
"President Song, may I ask—would it be possible for me to look at the script?"
A flicker of scrutiny and doubt appeared in Song Qingyuan's eyes.
Ji Mingyu saw her hesitation and explained.
"I'd want to understand the whole storyline and see whether it aligns with the historical record. If it aired and audiences found it completely off the mark—"
She smiled.
"Wouldn't I be embarrassing my teacher?"
Hearing this, Song Qingyuan's expression relaxed, and she nodded in agreement.
But she still made her position clear.
"Miss Ji, the script is the core of the entire project. Before filming begins, we can't possibly reveal the complete script.
Of course, a small portion of the plot would be fine."
Ji Mingyu nodded. "Understood."
Seeing how readily she agreed, Song Qingyuan extended an invitation directly.
"Miss Ji, would you be free tomorrow afternoon? If it's convenient, you can come directly to Song Jia Media, and we can discuss the details in person."
Ji Mingyu had been worrying about how to get into this industry, so upon hearing this, she nodded almost without hesitation.
"All right, tomorrow afternoon. I'll be there."