She had to admit Jiang Cheng was exceptionally handsome; with his looks, if he really had designs on her, she wouldn't exactly be losing out.
After all, she'd have to date eventually. If she accepted his terms, she could sleep with a fresh hunk like Jiang Cheng and have him push her career—killing two birds with one stone.
Don't call her shallow—anyone would pick a rich, handsome guy like Jiang Cheng over some old geezer like Huang Ming, right?
"Mr. Jiang, do you own an entertainment company?"
Jiang Cheng shook his head. "Not yet, but if you say yes, there will be one very soon."
Seeing Su Wan hesitate, Jiang Cheng added,
"I know your company's operations manager. She says you're undervalued there. Sign with me and I'll cover your breach-of-contract fee, plus guarantee the company will focus on you for the next two years."
Su Wan's lips parted; for a moment she was speechless.
It was true—her company sidelined her, always sending her to entertain investors and producers.
Because she kept refusing to play along,
and had already scuttled Huang Ming's investment yesterday, management had told her they were freezing her out.
An actress's prime is short; if she were shelved now, a big break would be almost impossible.
"Still unwilling?"
Seeing Jiang Cheng frown, Su Wan waved her hands quickly. "No, no—I'm willing."
Why wouldn't she be?
She wasn't some A-lister; if someone wanted to bankroll her rise, only an idiot would refuse.
Besides, yesterday she'd seen proof of Jiang Cheng's deep pockets.
Anyone who could pay cash for a ferrari laferrari wasn't short on strength.
After speaking, Su Wan worried her lower lip. "Then… do you have any special requirements for your investment?"
Her peach-blossom eyes locked on Jiang Cheng,
an indescribable charm on her face.
Jiang Cheng knew what she meant but played dumb. "Requirements?"
"Like the kind Huang Ming wanted…"
"If I asked, would you agree?"
Su Wan hesitated, then shook her head.
Her current favorability toward Jiang Cheng was only 50—barely above stranger level.
A forced melon might still taste sweet, but there was no need; it would only make him look like he'd never tasted good food—Yu Xiaoxiao was no worse than her, after all.
"Relax. As an artist under my company, you won't have shady dealings with any other investors."
He said other investors—
the boss was obviously exempt.
Seeing Jiang Cheng look so upright, Su Wan's heart beat faster.
A management company that demanded nothing and still paid to push you—what was there to mull over?
Su Wan: Favorability +10!
Her favorability jumped to 60, officially placing Jiang Cheng in the "ordinary friend" category.
She licked her lips and asked eagerly, "When will you sign me?"
"I'll have Xiaoxiao handle it; you can negotiate yearly salary and revenue split with her."
Su Wan raised a brow at the mention of Yu Xiaoxiao,
but wisely voiced no objection.
"All right. Should I start calling you Boss Jiang now?" she said, clearly elated.
"'Boss' sounds distant—how about 'brother'?"
"Brother, how old are you?"
"Twenty, I guess."
"Twenty? You're that old?"
Jiang Cheng nodded firmly. "Of course—want to check?"
"Didn't you say you were still in college? Shouldn't you be about eighteen?"
"Oh, you meant age—I thought…"
"What else would I mean?" Su Wan was bewildered.
Seeing Jiang Cheng's meaningful smile, the internet-savvy Su Wan instantly caught on.
Her face flushed apple-red; she rolled her eyes and cooed, "You little rogue!"
"Ahem…"
Half an hour later they arrived at the Baiyue Hotel.
Su Wan had picked the restaurant on the 87th floor of the World Financial Center in Lujiazui.
Inside, the corridor walls were lined with glittering awards.
Jiang Cheng walked along, gazing through the exterior glass.
From the 87th floor the city looked like a sea of clouds halfway up a mountain—truly a feeling of treading on air.
Led by a Waitress, they soon reached their private dining room.
Once seated, Su Wan passed Jiang Cheng the tablet to order.
Jiang Cheng didn't decline. "Let me treat you today; it wouldn't look right for the boss to freeload."
"No way—I'm treating. I'm grateful for your help."
"Then repay me by acting so well you explode in popularity; that's the best return on my investment."
"Got it, boss. I'll give it my all."
As soon as Su Wan spoke, the system chimed.
"Congratulations, Host: Su Wan's intent to sign obtained. Reward issuing."
"Mission reward: 20% virtual-currency shares in Hengcheng Investment Company."
"Note 1: The system has legalized the event; all Host funds will now flow through Hengcheng Investment Company, giving you a public source of wealth."
"Note 2: Host purchased Hengcheng shares at its founding; all documentation is legal and verifiable. Files are stored in the system and can be extracted anytime."
Jiang Cheng studied the reward,
and after parsing it understood its meaning.
It was an explanation he could give anyone for his sudden wealth.
He'd been at a loss over how to tell his parents;
now he could lay it all out. If they doubted him, Dad could look up Hengcheng Investment Company and see everything was aboveboard.
So far, it was the most valuable reward the system had ever given him.