Seeing Yang Mi's heartbroken expression, Reba's lips trembled slightly before she offered a rather stiff consolation. "Sister Mi, you're thinking about those unhappy memories again, right? It's okay, it's all in the past—don't dwell on it."
Yang Mi gave a small nod of agreement. "Even though our Company keeps assigning us to low-quality productions and the roles and scripts we get are far from ideal, it's still much better than striking out on your own. I remember once being invited to play Princess Fragrance in The Book and the Sword. When I arrived on set, I was abruptly told I'd been replaced—the investor's new girlfriend wanted the part."
Reba's eyes showed genuine gratitude. "I truly thank you for bringing me into this industry, Sister Mi. Being able to ride on your fame and exposure is already incredibly lucky for me."
Yang Mi cut her off at once. "The market is huge; you don't need to thank me. You're just luckier than I was. You know we signed a valuation-adjustment agreement with Company, and now the Company is pushing you. Don't let us down."
"Understood, Sister Mi. I'll give it everything I've got and live up to the Company's expectations." Reba answered with firm resolve.
"Good. From now on you're the leading lady. I won't be carrying you—time to stand on your own."
Having served Reba a steaming bowl of motivational soup, Yang Mi walked away with effortless poise.
Watching Yang Mi's retreating figure, Reba slowly looked around, a flicker of loss and gloom in her eyes.
She thought back to early 2013, when she'd acted only in her hometown.
At that time she hadn't yet signed with Company Media and was still a nobody.
Most days were spent at home with her parents.
Honestly, back then she knew almost nothing about the complicated world of fame.
After joining Company, nearly all her roles were bit parts the studio had wrangled through connections.
So she'd never even brushed against anything like the "casting couch."
That didn't mean she was naive.
She understood perfectly what Yang Mi had just told her.
At tonight's reception everyone present was an elite, yet—tall, short, fat, or thin—none met her standards.
Which was normal: most investors were middle-aged men in their forties or fifties.
At that age, merely keeping their hair and waistlines was already a feat of self-discipline.
If you wanted looks, they'd have to be celebrities; otherwise it was hopeless.
Right now Reba stood awkwardly in place, struggling inside.
Still green, she felt several gazes converging on her and anxiously swept the room.
Seeing that Su Wan beside Jiang Cheng had stepped away, Reba felt a surge of delight and hurried toward him.
Halfway there, to her dismay, she saw Liu Yan—who'd just spoken with Yang Mi—already approaching Jiang Cheng.
"Good evening, Chairman Jiang, Master Wang. My name is Liu Yan."
Jiang Cheng turned from Wang Congcong, but before he could lift his eyes, a pair of long, fair legs seized his attention.
An ultra-thin body-con dress outlined the triangle of her groin.
On top of that suggestive design, a daring high slit was added.
Noticing Jiang Cheng's stare, Liu Yan lifted her right arm and casually flicked the already sky-high hem even higher.
The exposed right leg looked even more porcelain-smooth and silky.
Jiang Cheng's gaze slid downward, then slowly traced its way back up.
White—strikingly white. A little higher and he might see what lay within.
His eyes climbed, but before he could make out her face, two towering peaks claimed his full attention.
Those pale mounds could rival Su Wan's ample chest.
The flaw was their greater surrender to gravity; unsupported, they sagged as if ready to drop.
Either she was a bit older or life had simply worn her down.
Only after a quick downward glance did Jiang Cheng finally meet her eyes.
At that instant his system activated.
"Human-Machine Scanning System initiating—acquiring target data."
[Name: Liu Yan]
[Age: 37]
[Height: 162 cm]
[Face: 75]
[Figure: 94]
[Privacy: 25]
[favorability value: 80]
Desire shimmered in Liu Yan's eyes as she held Jiang Cheng's gaze.
Beside them Wang Congcong arched a brow; even he, jaded as he was, lost focus for a moment before those surging breasts.
Yes, they drooped, but they were undeniably massive—likely more than a handful.
Her reputation, however, stank both inside and outside the industry.
She never missed a chance to flaunt her explosive cleavage for hype.
Even at a formal investors' gathering like tonight she played the seductress without restraint.
Other actresses wore conservative gowns; Liu Yan's dress boasted a high slit, an exposed back, and a plunging V-neck that dove deep between her breasts.