Chuan Jin was startled upon hearing this. Good heavens, even more violent than Zheng Jingyuan? No, no, this person absolutely cannot become her brother-in-law.
“Forget I asked.” Chuan Jin jumped up from the bed, proactively changing the subject: “Where did I put my phone? Sister, have you seen it?”
Having nothing to do today, she planned to check in with Yu Jingchen to understand the situation.
Not all students at the drama academy are talented. Even with Yu Jingchen’s excellent appearance, he still needs genuine skills to rely on. Even in this world from a book, Chuan Jin didn’t want anyone to tarnish her reputation.
“Probably in your bag, you didn’t take it out. Don’t walk on the floor barefoot, put your shoes on,” Xu Mianchuan said disapprovingly.
“Okay, okay.” Chuan Jin walked halfway, then hopped back to put on her slippers.
Her bag was buried under a pile of clothes. She fished out her phone and saw two unfamiliar text messages received an hour ago on the screen.
Xu Mianchuan picked up her computer and documents, reminding her: “There’s honey water on the table, remember to drink it. Eat something to warm your stomach before going out. I’m heading back to the company.”
“Thank you, sister.” Chuan Jin looked up and smiled cheerfully.
The content of the text messages surprised her.
[Hello Miss Xu, I am President Zhou’s assistant Xiao Guo. President Zhou asked me to look up the contact information for waiter number eight at the Star Blue Clubhouse and specially sent it to you. The specific details are in the next message. We hope Miss Xu is satisfied.]
Zhou Lincan said they were even, yet he still sent Yu Jingchen’s information.
Chuan Jin thought happily, he didn’t even mind when she called him brother-in-law, and now he’s taking the initiative to show goodwill. Does this mean he’s also interested in pursuing something with her sister? It makes sense—Xu Mianchuan is gentle, generous, smart, and beautiful. Who wouldn’t like her?
To escape the original book’s plot, neither the abusive Zheng Jingyuan nor the violent Wei Chi would do. She should continue betting on Zhou Lincan.
At next week’s banquet, Zhou Lincan would definitely attend as PT’s partner. She needed to find an opportunity to matchmake them then.
With the banquet still a week away, Chuan Jin planned to use this time to consider other matters.
She couldn’t guarantee the plot would completely follow her manipulation, so she must leave a way out for herself and the Xu Family. Surviving in a familiar field gave Chuan Jin more confidence.
Establishing a studio was the top priority.
To run a film and television studio, besides actors, other staff are needed, with screenwriters being particularly crucial. Since transmigrating into the book, Chuan Jin had been considering whether to pick up writing again, but it wasn’t feasible yet.
Firstly, she had more urgent matters—needing to frequently monitor the Xu Family and Wang Yujiang to prevent the plot from following the original book’s trajectory. Secondly, having been abroad for so long, she was more accustomed to the language and creative approach of English scripts. She might not handle Chinese scripts as well, and Chuan Jin didn’t want to ruin her own work.
Moreover, once the studio was established, she couldn’t bury herself in writing scripts for days and nights like before. Transitioning was currently the most feasible path. After much thought, Chuan Jin decided to form a completely new team.
However, the book contained no information about the film and television aspect. To understand it clearly, she must conduct market research first, and she had to do it herself. The upcoming week was likely to be hell mode.
But before starting this mode, she needed to meet Little Yu first to ensure he truly qualified to join the team.
Chuan Jin changed clothes, applied makeup, and called Yu Jingchen as she went out.
Yu Jingchen was quite surprised when he received the call, stammering that he had returned to school and wasn’t at the club.
Chuan Jin slid into the driver’s seat and said casually, “I’ll come to the school to find you.”
“Ah? Okay.” Yu Jingchen sounded nervous. “Then, Miss Xu, should I wait for you at the school gate?”
“Up to you.” Chuan Jin turned on the navigation, and the red Ferrari pulled out of the garage.
After hanging up, Yu Jingchen thought seriously: since Miss Xu was still willing to see him, he must show sincerity. The Shen Xi campus was quite large, so waiting at the school gate to greet her shouldn’t be impolite, right?
An hour later, Young Yu regretted making that decision.
Miss Xu arrived ten minutes early, had the convertible roof raised, and was leaning casually against the car door waiting for him.
The weather was nice today—blue sky, white clouds, and bright sunshine. Chuan Jin had her voluminous waves tied back with a hairband, her sunglasses pushed up on her head, boldly revealing her charming and enchanting face. Her pure white thin coat was open, showing an orange tight camisole that matched the car’s color perfectly. Her legs, clad in jeans and tall boots, were slender and attractive. The luxury car paired with a beauty drew countless onlookers.
With her exquisite face and impressive figure, everyone thought she was some Shen Xi student about to debut. Occasionally, people even took sneaky photos.
Yu Jingchen ran over under everyone’s gaze, panting, “Sorry, Miss Xu, I’m late.”
Chuan Jin smiled indifferently. “I arrived early.”
It had been a long time since she’d enjoyed driving so freely like today; transmigrating into the book had really let her cut loose.
“Get in.”
Yu Jingchen was stunned. “Get in? Are we going somewhere else?”
“Of course.” Chuan Jin opened the car door and smiled. “Let’s find a café so I can check your student verification network.”
This was the quickest way for her to understand Yu Jingchen—authentic, efficient, and reliable.
Half an hour later, Chuan Jin sat silently on the private room sofa, not saying a word for a full five minutes.
Yu Jingchen cautiously picked up his water glass, bringing it to his lips for a small sip.
“How did your grades end up like this?!” Chuan Jin suddenly exclaimed.
Yu Jingchen was startled, splashing water that soaked his clothes and pants. He didn’t dare move or grab a tissue, just sat there foolishly waiting for Miss Xu’s next words.
Chuan Jin sighed helplessly and handed him the tissues. “Your performance in reports was quite good, but your usual grades are so poor?! What have you been doing? Secretly taking acting jobs? Offending teachers?”
Yu Jingchen hunched his shoulders and whispered, “I’ve been doing part-time work.”
His family circumstances were poor, and his academic grades were average. It was only due to his good looks and a sponsorship that he managed to test into Shen Xi. Once in university, with no financial support, he had to work to support himself. Over time, some of his coursework suffered.
After hearing this, Chuan Jin frowned. “What happened to your original sponsor?”
“Passed away unexpectedly.”
After Yu Jingchen insisted on repaying the money, that family cut off contact with him.
“No wonder you were working as a server at Xing Lan. It speaks well of your character that you insisted on repaying the debt, and your performance in reports despite skipping classes is decent, showing you have some talent too.”
Chuan Jin fiddled with the arms of her sunglasses, thought for a moment, and said, “Let me be straight with you, Xiao Yu. I’m planning to set up my own film and television studio to cultivate new artists, and I’m currently scouting suitable team members. I think highly of you and hope you’ll have the opportunity to act in my productions.”
Yu Jingchen’s eyes widened, unable to believe what he was hearing.
“But the artists I want must have genuine talent. If you continue like this, it will be difficult for us to work together.”
Yu Jingchen’s back stiffened, his clenched fingers turning cold as the budding joy instantly turned to ashes.
Chuan Jin watched his eyes mist over with a faint glimmer, as if about to cry, making them even more vivid than before.
She curled her lips into a smile. “Don’t lose heart. Since I’ve taken an interest in you and want you to make money for me through acting, I won’t put you in a difficult position. Have you heard of a gamble agreement?”
Yu Jingchen nodded.
Chuan Jin set down her sunglasses and lightly tapped the table with her fingertip, like a businesswoman negotiating. “Our situation isn’t quite at that level, but the core idea is similar. For the next two years, I will cover all your expenses for studying and living at Shen Xi as an investment. In return, you will sign with my studio as a contracted artist for two years. During this period, a percentage of your earnings from acting will go to me. Whether to renew the contract and for how long will be entirely up to you.”
As the situation took a turn, a glimmer of light reappeared in Yu Jingchen’s eyes, but it faded quickly as he frowned. “Second Young Lady, I don’t fully understand these matters, but even I can tell this agreement is too favorable to me. Are you… really going to do this? Do you truly believe I have the ability to make money for you through acting?”
Chuan Jin raised an eyebrow. “Don’t question my judgment.”
Having spent eighty percent of her five years in the U.S. either in theaters or on film sets, she had long honed her ability to assess people. Yu Jingchen was destined for success.
“If you agree, I’ll have someone draft the agreement as soon as possible. But let me warn you, the terms regarding your studies will be quite strict. If you can’t graduate with outstanding grades in two years, I will undoubtedly become a ruthless taskmaster.” Chuan Jin delivered this half-hearted threat.
Yu Jingchen understood her intentions and was even more moved. “Thank you, Second Young Lady. I… I really don’t know what to say. The last time I felt this excited was when I learned someone was willing to sponsor my education.”
He spoke incoherently, and in his gratitude, he abruptly stood up and bowed to Chuan Jin.
Chuan Jin’s eyebrow twitched. “Hey, there’s no need—”
“I’m sorry!” Yu Jingchen’s face flushed red as he suddenly apologized.
Chuan Jin paused and didn’t respond.
“Yesterday, I knew Ryan and the others were forcing you to drink and intended to do something inappropriate, but I didn’t stop them. I’m deeply ashamed.” Yu Jingchen briefly met Chuan Jin’s gaze before looking away in shame, continuing, “I know nothing I say now can make up for it. When you kicked me out yesterday, my biggest regret was not apologizing to you. I never expected you’d still be willing to give me a chance. Second Young Lady, please rest assured, I will attend classes diligently and never skip them again.”
“Let’s forget about yesterday. You’re just a college student; it’s normal not to know how to handle such situations.” Chuan Jin didn’t dwell on it.
Truthfully, she had initially intended to.
She had deliberately drunk to test Yu Jingchen’s character. If he were cut from the same cloth as Ryan, she wouldn’t have signed him.
But Chuan Jin had noticed the exchanged glances between them, and Yu Jingchen had been about to warn her before Zhou Lincan entered. These two things softened her dissatisfaction with his hesitation, which was why she chose to give him a chance today.
After hearing about his background, Chuan Jin understood his circumstances, and the last of her reservations vanished.
At this thought, she took an invitation from her bag, placed it on the table, and slid it toward Yu Jingchen. “The Xu Family is hosting a banquet next Saturday. Here’s the invitation—you’re welcome to attend.”
“B-Banquet?” Yu Jingchen stammered as he picked up the gilded card.
Last night’s lounge warm-up event was already the grandest occasion he had ever experienced. Could someone like him really attend such a gathering of wealthy elites?
Chuan Jin explained, “There’s no particularly deep meaning behind it. I just thought that experiencing such a grand occasion might motivate you to strive harder. If you encounter someone like Ryan again in the future, you’ll carry yourself with more confidence.”
In simple terms, it was about letting Young Yu broaden his horizons.
Feeling somewhat excited, Yu Jingchen nodded earnestly.
After carefully storing the invitation, he suddenly remembered something and asked Chuan Jin, who was sipping coffee, “Second Young Miss, will Zhou Lincan, the second son of the Dong Zhou family, be attending the banquet?”
Chuan Jin paused slightly, “Why do you ask?”