As soon as Lu Xin saw Cheng Fang walking over, his face turned even redder. Jiang Tian watched from the side, highly amused.
Actually, Cheng Fang wasn’t bad-looking—delicate and charming. She was only about three years older than Jiang Tian, probably around the same age as Gu Jinyan. Because she was timid, she had become Jiang Tian’s agent’s assistant. Through three years of working together, Jiang Tian knew Cheng Fang’s character inside out.
Kind-hearted, good-natured, handled things methodically without slacking off, and could step forward when Jiang Tian faced online attacks.
For someone like Cheng Fang, Jiang Tian genuinely hoped to stay friends for life.
“Sister Fangfang, give me the phone. Lu Xin has something to discuss with you.” After saying this, she winked at Lu Xin.
Lu Xin’s face turned even redder.
Jiang Tian took the phone and walked to the side. In just a few sentences, she understood that the other party was inviting her to be a regular guest on a kitchen and home variety show. It was a couples’ cooking show. Jiang Tian instantly realized what they were aiming for.
It must be the buzz caused by Gu Jinyan and her flaunting their affection these past two days that attracted the investors’ attention. Claiming to invite her was actually using her to ride on the coattails of Gu Jinyan’s popularity.
Jiang Tian inwardly sneered.
This small show wanted to spend little money freeload on traffic from a big star—truly a clever scheme.
Unable to secure Gu Jinyan, they only dared to invite her, for a tie-in sale.
In her past life, Jiang Tian already disliked this kind of entertainment industry tactic of bundling and using others for clout. In this life, she absolutely detested it.
Being bundled with Gu Jinyan wasn’t her wish to begin with. Now, even others openly approached her using the “married couple” title. Jiang Tian instinctively wanted to refuse.
Without much ado, she politely declined.
After hanging up, she looked up and saw Gu Jinyan standing behind her.
“I thought you’d agree. Although this variety show has small investment, it’s still a program funded by Su Ling. Aren’t you afraid of offending Su Ling?”
“Su Ling?”
Jiang Tian couldn’t help but be surprised.
Su Ling was an ace host under Superstar Media, with over a decade of hosting experience in the industry. She had extensive connections and resources, truly a veteran. However, three years later, before Jiang Tian became famous, Su Ling was exposed in a scandal and subsequently vanished, entering a semi-retired state.
“Moreover, Su Ling isn’t just a small-time host as she appears on the surface. She’s one of the top ten shareholders in Superstar Media.”
Seeing the full look of astonishment on Jiang Tian’s fair, delicate face, Gu Jinyan couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle her hair.
“Building a connection with her through this kitchen and home variety show wouldn’t be a loss.”
Jiang Tian, suddenly having her head rubbed, didn’t react for a moment. When she became aware of this intimate gesture, she was momentarily stunned. She looked up, her large eyes staring strangely at Gu Jinyan.
Gu Jinyan felt unnerved under her gaze and was somewhat puzzled, but noticing his hand still resting on her head, his expression stiffened, and he awkwardly withdrew his hand.
However, he couldn’t help but rub his fingers together. The soft strands of hair felt exceptionally pleasant in his hand just now.
Gu Jinyan couldn’t help but purse his lips into a smile.
After successfully freeing her head, Jiang Tian just felt an odd shiver run through her.
Instinctively, she took two steps back, putting distance between herself and Gu Jinyan.
But if Gu Jinyan hadn’t mentioned it, she truly wouldn’t have thought this unremarkable kitchen and home variety show was backed by Su Ling.
Yet, if Su Ling was a shareholder in Superstar Media, why would she privately invest in a small kitchen and home variety show behind the company’s back?
And…
Thinking about it this way, it actually wasn’t about others wanting to use her and Gu Jinyan’s names to climb up. It was probably Su Ling wanting to give her a leg up because of Gu Jinyan’s connection.
Realizing this, Jiang Tian felt somewhat awkward about benefiting from Gu Jinyan’s influence.
She didn’t want to be tied to Gu Jinyan, nor did she want to benefit from his connections.
Even though she knew that currently, their public image as “fiancés” already meant she was freeloading on the popularity of Gu Jinyan.
But for Jiang Tian, who was solely focused on calling off the engagement and drawing a clear line, it felt very awkward.
“I think it’s best to forget about this variety show. As for Sister Su, we can get acquainted if fate allows in the future.”
“Actually, Su Ling approached me first. I think this variety show sounds quite interesting too. If you don’t go, and I go alone, what will people online say? ‘Fiancés have a falling out, rumors of discord confirmed’?”
Gu Jinyan raised an eyebrow at her.
Jiang Tian: …
Approached Gu Jinyan first?
Then why call her afterward?
Jiang Tian couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
But the thought of collaborating with this person on a program made her somewhat uncomfortable.
Instinctively, she wanted to avoid contact with Gu Jinyan.
“I don’t know how to cook.”
“I do.”
“But my schedule is packed; I’m filming here.”
“I’ve already spoken to Director Tang.”
“…”
Jiang Tian frowned.
“And I’m pregnant! You can’t possibly make me work so hard!”
“That program isn’t tiring. And… during our three-month agreement, it seems there was a stipulation about maintaining an affectionate image in public.” Gu Jinyan stated calmly.
Jiang Tian: Defeated!
Indeed, to call off the engagement three months later, she first had to abide by the contract terms.
“Then… alright.”
Jiang Tian felt a headache coming on.
She didn’t notice the faint smile tugging at the corner of Gu Jinyan’s mouth.
“Since that’s settled, I have things to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Ah, wait.” Remembering something, Jiang Tian said, “Lu Xin has a birthday dinner tonight. Do you want to come? He didn’t dare ask you.”
“Lu Xin?”
Gu Jinyan paused briefly, quickly spotting the man who was currently getting along famously with Jiang Tian’s assistant. Hmph… Already starting to win over people around Jiang Tian? Clever little scheme.
“Go! I’ll definitely go!”
“Oh, okay.”
Jiang Tian blinked her big eyes. Why did it feel like there was a hint of clenched teeth when Gu Jinyan agreed just now?
An illusion?
On the other side.
Gu Jinyan immediately called Li Xia over.
“Clear my schedule for next month, then call Su Ling. I’ll participate in that kitchen and home variety show.”
Li Xia was baffled. “Huh?”
Award-winning Actor, aren’t you being a bit too capricious?
What are you going to do on that small, obscure variety show?
“Also.”
Gu Jinyan suddenly turned.
“Cancel tonight’s interview for me. I’m going with Jiang Tian to Lu Xin’s birthday dinner.”
“…”
Li Xia was starting to suspect that the award-winning actor was deliberately following Sister Jiang to… catch someone in the act?
·
8 p.m. Lu Xin had booked a hotel nearby. During the meal, Jiang Tian kept feeling that Gu Jinyan seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally blocking her view of Lu Xin. He was also constantly watching her, preventing her from eating anything she shouldn’t.
No crab, nothing cold, nothing too hot, nothing spicy, nothing too salty…
Not only were many foods off-limits, but even many dishes were personally served to Jiang Tian by Gu Jinyan using serving chopsticks.