And now, she was an artist in his own company.
Based on Zhang Lili's recent actions, it was clear she was a woman accustomed to using her beauty to climb the ladder.
Such people were not uncommon in the entertainment industry, but since she was in his company, Jiang Cheng had no choice but to intervene.
Seeing Jiang Cheng looking at her with a serious expression, Zhang Lili's heart began to race with anxiety.
"Remember your status. If you want to be a proper star in the future, put away this cheap act. Pack your things and leave."
Upon hearing Jiang Cheng's words, Zhang Lili's eyes widened in disbelief, and her face instantly turned pale.
She had pulled many strings just to get an interview at Xingchen and had gone through layers of selection to reach her current position.
As repayment, she had naturally slept with some people for free.
If she were kicked out by Jiang Cheng, she would be finished.
Entering the entertainment industry at this age was already considered late; she didn't want to start all over again.
Frightened, Zhang Lili lowered her head, not knowing what to say, and put on a timid act. "T-this... President Jiang, what did I do wrong? Why? Is there something I didn't do well? I know I was wrong, but I really want to enter the entertainment industry. I've loved singing and dancing since I was a child, and I've always dreamed of becoming a star. Please give me a chance to prove myself!"
"As an idol, you cannot have any blemishes on your character. Your every action and word will be magnified countless times. If you cannot maintain your integrity, the company's interests will suffer."
Jiang Cheng's reasoning was sound.
As an undebuted trainee of the company, someone like her brought too many uncertainties.
Instead of working hard on her skills, she only wanted to use her beauty to take shortcuts.
An actor who doesn't maintain their integrity is easily caught by rivals or paparazzi.
If the company spends effort training you, only for your reputation to collapse before you've given anything back, wouldn't the company's money be wasted?
Idols cannot have any blemishes, especially in this regard.
Many stars have seen their reputations collapse, with representatives in categories like prostitution, gambling, and drugs.
Jiang Cheng didn't care about stars in other companies.
But for the artists in his own company, he would not allow such things to happen.
Jiang Cheng looked at the report in his hand with a gloomy expression.
His fingers tapped incessantly on the file.
Although he didn't mean to blame Yu Xiaoxiao, he still said with dissatisfaction, "How did someone like this get into the company?"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaoxiao explained, "President Jiang, they all came through selection. I was responsible for the final talent screening. Right now, she's just a trainee in the company, still in training."
However, Yu Xiaoxiao didn't shirk responsibility either, as she could see how much importance Jiang Cheng placed on this matter.
Yu Xiaoxiao straightened her expression and immediately added, "I understand what you mean. I didn't do well enough in this matter. Tomorrow, I will hold a meeting. From now on, our company will only accept idols with good character. As for the trainees currently in the company, I will conduct a comprehensive investigation and evaluation. If there are moral issues or any improper intentions, they will all be filtered out later."
Seeing that Zhang Lili still wanted to linger, Yu Xiaoxiao immediately shouted outside.
Two assistants soon entered.
Although Zhang Lili was unwillingly escorted out of the office, she didn't dare to say a word at this moment.
Because she didn't dare to offend Jiang Cheng. If she truly offended him, a single word from him could make it impossible for her to survive in this industry.
Although she understood Jiang Cheng's words, Zhang Lili internally disagreed completely.
This industry was inherently dirty; how could she climb up without using some tactics?
If she didn't go all out, how could she get the chance to move up??
She wouldn't give up the path she had chosen just because she hit a snag with Jiang Cheng.
Zhang Lili knew that without a background or a backer, she had to work harder than others to stand out in this industry.
She had once thought about being a proper idol.
But in this industry, proper people were often eliminated.
Only those who used any means necessary could survive.
She returned to her dormitory in a foul mood and started packing her things.
Her eyes were fixed on the poster of Su Wan on the dormitory wall.
On their first day in the company, many people made Su Wan their goal, so most of their dormitories had Su Wan's posters up.
On the poster, Su Wan was smiling sweetly, looking pure and cute.
Zhang Lili felt very uncomfortable.
She didn't believe Jiang Cheng could really make Su Wan become a huge hit while keeping her clean.
Isn't it just that her two 'bowls' are a bit bigger than mine?
It's such a simple thing; I can just stuff two in.
While thinking, Zhang Lili picked up her phone and consulted a plastic surgeon she knew about the costs.
After asking, her face instantly darkened.
She had almost forgotten that she hadn't finished paying off the plastic surgery loan she took out last time.
But she was unwilling to give up, unwilling to lose like this.
Hardening her heart, she opened wechat on her phone and began asking her friends for money one by one.
"Are you there? Could you lend me 5,000 yuan for a bit to pay my rent? I'll pay you back when I get my salary next month." Zhang Lili first sent a message to her best friend, then waited nervously for a reply.
After a while, her best friend replied, "Lili, are you in some kind of trouble? Why do you need to borrow so much money?"
"It's nothing, just a bit short on cash lately. Don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back next month."
Seeing Zhang Lili's reply, her best friend didn't ask further and directly transferred 5,000 yuan to her. After receiving the money, Zhang Lili smiled and sent a perfunctory reply: "Thank you, darling. You're such a good sister."
Immediately after, Zhang Lili continued with the same tactic.
"Are you there, big brother? Could you lend me 5,000 yuan for a bit to pay my rent? I'll pay you back when I get my salary next month.
After Zhang Lili left, Yu Xiaoxiao sat down next to Jiang Cheng, placing her fair and delicate hands on his chest. "Don't be angry. Tomorrow, I'll personally set some rules and talk to them."
Seeing Yu Xiaoxiao being so diligent, Jiang Cheng didn't hesitate to make grand promises. "Xiaoxiao, it's thanks to you that the company has developed to this point. You've worked hard. When we go back tonight, I'll give you a few good nourishing injections."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaoxiao's cheeks flushed red, and she lightly punched Jiang Cheng's chest. "You're terrible~~ Do you even have that much to nourish me with? Didn't you just feed me some earlier??"
"Don't worry, as long as you want it~~"
Yu Xiaoxiao avoided the topic and continued, "I used to think you were promoting Su Wan because you were interested in her, but looking at it today, you seem a bit different."
Seeing Yu Xiaoxiao looking up to him, Jiang Cheng's expression couldn't help but turn a bit awkward.
It was true that he lusted after Su Wan's body.
And he wasn't as much of a gentleman as Yu Xiaoxiao thought.
All those rules were simply built upon his own interests.