Chapter 22: The Packaging Plan

Ai Xiaomei was exceptionally proud. Yang Fan lay in bed, troubled for quite a while before finally getting up. Lin Ruo and Lin Xi had arrived as well. Yang Fan tried to glean some clues from Lin Ruo’s expression about the previous night, but after watching her for a long time, he detected nothing out of the ordinary.

“All right, today Lin Ruo and Lin Xi, you’ll be in charge of protecting Xu Zihan. Zhang Chen, you four go and find an office area.”

“We’re starting now?” Zhang Chen asked.

“Yes, it’s time to begin.”

“Got it!”

Yang Fan was just about to have breakfast when he suddenly remembered that, while sorting through the rewards on the lottery wheel last night, there had been a necklace—a spatial container—suitable for storing rented items like Song Generation and Special Effects Creation.

This would be perfect for Xu Zihan.

He pretended to return to his room, fetched the Purple Star Necklace, and brought it out.

“Here, Zihan, let me put this on for you.”

The purple star gleamed, dazzling everyone’s eyes.

Xu Zihan’s expression flickered. The instant the purple star touched her, she knew exactly what was inside.

“And these two rings—for Lin Ruo and Lin Xi, one each. These are gifts from me to you three. Let me put them on for you.”

“I want one too!” Ai Xiaomei pestered, sounding annoyed.

“Out! Get out!” Yang Fan replied irritably, still holding a grudge over last night’s events.

“Zihan, your fan count broke eight million overnight!”

“That’s right. Last night, Zhang Chen kept watch the whole time. Even in the middle of the night, he was calling me up to check,” Xu Tao said with a laugh.

“I was watching too. The downloads for ‘Hymn of the Four Seasons’ have already surpassed twenty-five million, and it’s an undisputed number one,” Liu Haoyu added.

Xu Zihan gave a dry chuckle. “I’ve already seen it. When I turned on my phone this morning, the company group chat had posted the stats!”

“And…”

“And what?” Yang Fan asked.

“My agent called and said I need to go to the company to change contracts today.”

“That’s wonderful—congratulations!” Yang Fan raised his glass.

After breakfast, Zhang Chen handed the car keys to Lin Ruo, and the two vehicles set out one after the other.

Naturally, Ai Xiaomei tagged along as well. At Jingtian Film & Television, everyone was working overtime, but their spirits were high.

Because, in just one night, Xu Zihan had become famous, and Jingtian’s fortunes had soared along with her.

Previously, Jingtian could only shoot low-budget films—frankly, just cash grabs—but now it was different. Xu Zihan’s fan count was about to break ten million. That was an honor, even if her rise to fame had nothing to do with Jingtian.

Still, Jingtian believed it had everything to do with them. Xu Zihan was, after all, their artist, and now, Jingtian was about to have its first A-list celebrity.

The business opportunities were enormous.

“President Sun, Xu Zihan is in breach of contract. The agreement clearly states that she can’t attend commercial performances without the company’s permission. But she…”

“‘Hymn of the Four Seasons’ is her own production; that’s not a commercial show,” President Sun replied, looking at Zhou Ya, whom the company had been heavily promoting. In the past, she had suppressed Xu Zihan at every turn, but last night had been a nightmare for her.

How could she tolerate this? In her eyes, Xu Zihan was nothing but a supporting role.

“But, what proof do you have?” Zhou Ya raged, relying on her relationship with President Sun to make her case.

Everyone in the office area could hear the argument from within.

A new girl from the statistics department hurried over and, just as she rounded the corner, overheard the hushed discussions.

“She thinks she’s somebody? It was bad enough when she suppressed newcomers, but now she acts like a diva—does she really think she’s an A-lister?”

“She is the top star now!”

“Top star? Please!”

The crowd snickered.

Clutching her data, the girl hesitated at the sound of shouting from inside the office.

“Xiao Bai, is there new data?”

“Yes, Zihan’s fan count just broke ten million, and ‘Hymn of the Four Seasons’ has hit thirty million downloads!”

“And I’ve just received five new film offers here, all for Zihan as the lead—and they’re big productions.”

Everyone gasped in shock. They were all major film companies, and not only did they specify Xu Zihan as the leading actress, but she could also bring several people as key supporting roles.

What did this mean? It meant that many more of Jingtian’s artists would step onto the screen and make their name in a single leap.

“Give me the data and contracts—I’ll take care of it,” President Sun said.

In President Sun’s office, Zhou Ya continued to protest until Xia Yixue came in and reported the latest news. President Sun was already too excited to care about Zhou Ya’s dark expression.

“Now do you see? Xu Zihan can bring the company profit and money. Can you?”

“Think carefully. There are roles in big pictures up for grabs. Don’t throw away your future.”

With that, President Sun ignored her and strode quickly to the office area.

“President Sun, about the theme song for ‘Paper Swing’…”

“Isn’t it obvious? Xu Zihan will sing it!” President Sun almost wanted to smack his assistant—how could he still be so clueless?

“But President Sun, Zihan’s character dies at the end of this film.”

“Then change the ending. We’ll make a sequel, ‘Paper Swing 2,’ with Xu Zihan starring.”

“But the main character’s presence is too strong; in the original, Zihan’s character doesn’t stand out at all.”

“Then add more scenes for her. Let the main character die in the end!”

There were mixed reactions, but many people welcomed the idea, as Zhou Ya’s arrogance had long rubbed them the wrong way.

Thus, the film became a rare drama where the protagonist dies, and the supporting role survives. Zhou Ya was on the verge of collapse, and her hatred for Xu Zihan grew ever deeper.

She left in a fury, found a secluded spot, and dialed a number.

“Xu Zihan, do you really think I, Zhou Ya, am so easily pushed around?”

Back in Jingtian’s office, it was as though everyone had forgotten her—no one paid her any mind.

“So shortsighted!” President Sun cursed inwardly. The more he looked at the numbers in his hand, the more he felt he was holding a gold mine.

“President Sun, an investor just called—they’re willing to fund our movie, but only if Zihan stars in it.”

“Then she’ll do it!”

“But there’s no script yet!”

“Then have the writers get started. And from now on, handle these things yourselves—if you have to ask me about everything, what are you here for?”

President Sun was practically giddy. He’d been up all night since yesterday, the phone never stopping.

No matter what, Xu Zihan must be retained—her fame had changed everything.

At that moment, Xu Zihan walked in.

Everyone stood up, greeted by thunderous applause.

“Zihan!”

…

“What’s with everyone today? So polite!” Xu Zihan laughed, with Lin Ruo and Lin Xi following behind. Everyone was momentarily spellbound; these two were truly breathtaking beauties.

There was also Ai Xiaomei, who had been by Xu Zihan’s side these past few days, equally stunning. But inviting these three to join Jingtian was out of the question—Ai Xiaomei was utterly unmoved.

“Come, Zihan, let’s talk in the conference room. Everyone, join us! We need to discuss your image strategy in detail!”