As a self-proclaimed highly professional agent, Li Chunhua, or Sister Hua, aimed to obtain the title of "top agent." She was widely known in the industry as a model of diligence and a famous "strong woman," and she never failed to live up to any of her titles.
No sooner had she dealt with Chu Tian's matter than she immediately set about implementing the plan Chu Tian had just outlined to her.
Li Chunhua made a phone call to the director of "The Sound of Nature."
She explained her idea.
The program group, which had only been reluctantly considering inviting Xu Qingqiu, was suddenly enlightened after hearing Li Chunhua's suggestion.
Previously, they had hesitated, wondering if Xu Qingqiu's popularity was too low and her asking price was considerable.
On the other hand, there were other candidates, especially Qin Xiao and Lin Junsu from Xu Qingqiu's former company, who were also competing for the show.
The key was that Qin Xiao had the support of Ye Zhonghuai, a person heavily promoted by Baise Entertainment, which put a lot of pressure on the program group. Of course, the resources offered by Baise Entertainment were equally tempting.
Now, Xu Qingqiu, who had originally been the least advantaged, found that this recent buzz had unexpectedly worked in her favor. If things were handled as Li Chunhua suggested, it would be an unforeseen boon for her.
However, the program group did not give a definite answer, only saying they would consider it.
Meanwhile, Qin Xiao, the other protagonist of the trending topics, was smoking in Ye Zhonghuai's office.
At Visha Center on Shixin Road, on the 29th floor, the Baise Entertainment Company's southernmost chairman's office suite—comprising a reception area, office area, tea room, and resting room—had everything one could need.
Qin Xiao, dressed in a black dress, was sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, her posture perfectly straight. She wore long, slender, black strappy high heels, and her right hand held a cigarette as she stared blankly at the drifting smoke.
Ye Zhonghuai sat at the desk behind her, frowning as he read through documents, approving and processing each one.
A short while later, as the cigarette was about to burn out, Qin Xiao finally snapped back to reality.
She pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray on the coffee table with disappointment, stood up, her high heels clicking on the exquisite carpet, and walked unhurriedly towards the desk.
She stopped in front of the desk, leaning on it with her hands, her pale chest almost bursting from her dress, but she didn't seem to care at all.
"Do I really hold no allure for you anymore?"
Only upon hearing her voice did Ye Zhonghuai look up and seriously regard the seductive, well-proportioned woman in front of him, his usually impassive face slowly breaking into a smile.
"Baby, what do you mean? How can you not be attractive? Ever since you got here, you've been smoking by yourself. If there's something on your mind, just say it, alright? If it's something I can do, I'll definitely help you take care of it, right?"
"Oh right, isn't there a TV series coming up soon? I've already arranged everything. The trending searches have been bought. Is the effect not satisfactory? No problem, we'll continue buying!"
Ye Zhonghuai's seemingly gentle words, however, subtly carried a hint of cold indifference.
But Qin Xiao failed to notice it at all.
"Hmph, I've been here for so long, and you haven't said a word. I thought I was invisible to you!"
"How could that be possible? I've just been busy, you know, with all the countless tasks, big and small, in the company. But since you've mentioned it, let's not worry about that now. Let me take good care of my baby first!"
As Ye Zhonghuai spoke, he extended his hand towards her. Qin Xiao complied, swaying her hips as she walked over and sat on his lap. She shifted a few times, seemingly nonchalantly, to find a comfortable position, relishing the subtle contact, a glint of triumph and slyness flickering in her eyes.
"Tell me, baby, what's got you so unhappy?"
"It's all because of that Xu Qingqiu..."
Finally finding the opportunity, Qin Xiao rattled on about what had happened on Weibo that day.
When Ye Zhonghuai heard it was about Xu Qingqiu, his expression finally turned much more serious. He opened his computer, searched, and quickly found the relevant information.
However, when he saw the earliest trending topic, his eyes flashed with sharpness.
Realizing something, Qin Xiao couldn't help but glance at Ye Zhonghuai guiltily, only to meet his gaze.
"Heh heh, still meeting with young fresh meat at night, eh?"
"No, it's all just hype from the company. That guy is just the male lead of my TV drama, a mere kid who hasn't grown up yet. Who would fall for that sort? I still prefer someone like Director Ye, who's both mature and interesting!"
"Really? Hahaha, that's good to hear. Sometimes eyes can be quite useful. Just make sure they're not blind, that's all."
Ye Zhonghuai didn't say much after hearing Qin Xiao's words, merely gave a noncommittal remark and didn't dwell on it.
"As for Xu Qingqiu, heh heh, she's a has-been Queen who can't even get a new song released. I've spoken to all the well-known songwriters and lyricists; I'm afraid she won't be able to make a comeback anytime soon."
"Isn't Lanjiang TV about to start filming 'The Sound of Nature?' The company has already secured a spot for you. You'll go tomorrow to shoot promotional material."
"Go make some appearances and boost your visibility. By next year, you could try for the Queen title. By then, Xu Qingqiu will just be a has-been!"
"As for Xu Qingqiu, let's not worry about her for now. We'll have plenty of time to deal with her later."
While they were discussing this, Ye Zhonghuai casually refreshed a webpage. Suddenly, a new trending promotion popped up on Weibo—the exact show they had just mentioned, 'The Sound of Nature,' had posted a new notice.
"[Confetti! Please welcome 'The Sound of Nature's' sixth contestant to the stage! The Queen Xu Qingqiu will premiere her latest single! Stay tuned!]"
The post also included a photo of Xu Qingqiu.
While Xu Qingqiu's and Qin Xiao's names continued to trend with unwavering popularity, the notice quickly climbed to the very top of the hot search list.
It could be said that this wave of traffic was a feast for both the show 'The Sound of Nature' and Xu Qingqiu.
Both of them were stunned after reading the content, but Ye Zhonghuai quickly recovered, his face darkening.
He had just boasted in front of this beauty that Xu Qingqiu wouldn't get a song anytime soon, and now he had been proven wrong immediately. Even if this beauty was no more than an expendable plaything, pride was not so easily thrown away.
"Heh, what a coincidence. We were just talking about this wretched girl, and she pops up just like that!"
"Good, very good, 'The Sound of Nature,' right? Since you're also going to participate, take it seriously this time, do your best, and I'll support you."
"You want to replace her as the new Queen, don't you? As long as you beat her on the show, you won't have to wait until next year; you could be wearing the Queen's crown this very year!"
Upon hearing his words, Qin Xiao's heart stirred, but she quickly began to hesitate.
In terms of foundation, she was not as solid as Xu Qingqiu. In terms of ability, she was more than just a little bit inferior to Xu Qingqiu. In terms of popularity, she seemed higher, but that was all built up from paid promotions—when it came to genuine fan support, Xu Qingqiu was stronger. She couldn't compare in singing, even less in dancing, and she was no match in character either. How could she compete?
"What, scared now?"
Seeing her expression, Ye Zhonghuai immediately caught on to something.
It had to be said, even in his eyes, Xu Qingqiu was the most outstanding artist he had encountered in years. Sometimes he turned green with envy when he thought about how Jiang Wangtao had serendipitously discovered such a talent. After being so choosy for years, Qin Xiao was the only one who barely met his standards; none of the others were worthy. No, wait, there was one other: Chu Tian. A young prodigy, equally dazzling, and certainly the brightest in any crowd. What a pity that kid didn't know what was good for him and had his career snuffed out in the cradle.
"Don't worry. Just give it your all, and leave the rest to me."