Li Mengjiao defended her friends—Yun Chen didn’t argue with her.
Older by several years—he believed he had better insight. Li Mengjiao—a young girl—might not understand—and he didn’t judge her for it.
The term “puppy love” was one Yun Chen didn’t accept. Teenagers’ budding feelings were normal worldwide. Parents and teachers could control their actions—but not their hearts.
Prompted by Yun Chen—Li Mengjiao observed Wen Ying and Xie Qian’s interactions—finding them increasingly suspicious.
If they were dating—it wouldn’t be surprising.
Li Mengjiao just thought they were too good at keeping it secret—hiding it from all their friends.
Did they think she was the type to snitch?
Though she thought this—she warned Yun Chen: “Don’t spread rumors at the company—they’re just good friends.”
The company had Teacher Yuan—and her dad.
She’d heard the drama needed a bank loan—likely handled by Wen Ying’s mother. If word got out—Wen Ying would be in deep trouble!
Yun Chen and Li Mengjiao whispered—Wang Shuang coughed loudly: “Alright—let me introduce. Xie Qian—this is Yun Chen from Baodao—Wen Ying’s pick for male lead. Yun Chen—this is Xie Qian—our good friend—here to visit the company.”
Xie Qian noticed something.
Yun Chen resembled Song Shao.
Not in appearance—but in demeanor—both gave off a well-mannered—warm—perceptive vibe.
So—this was Wen Ying’s type?
Xie Qian shook hands with Yun Chen—correcting Wang Shuang: “Nice to meet you. Am I interrupting? I’m actually here to see Teacher Yuan—you guys carry on.”
Wen Ying sighed in relief.
Not here to check her study progress?
She’d been terrified…
But what was Xie Qian doing with Yuan Fenghui? Surely not signing to debut.
Wang Shuang jokingly asked—Xie Qian played coy: “I’ll tell you after I talk to Teacher Yuan—won’t disturb your work now.”
Xie Qian headed to Yuan Fenghui’s office.
While Wen Ying explained the script to Li Mengjiao and Yun Chen—she was distracted—glancing toward Yuan’s office.
Li Mengjiao had noticed such details before—but never thought “dating.” Now—thanks to Yun Chen—it seemed more and more likely.
Cherry—you need to tone it down! If your mom finds out—you’re done for!
Perhaps it’s a Sichuan thing—you jinx what you fear. Before Xie Qian emerged from Yuan’s office—Chen Ru—dressed in a bank suit—arrived at Tianjiao with Li Zhentao.
Li Zhentao needed a loan—Chen Ru couldn’t approve it lightly. She had to visit Tianjiao several times.
Yun Chen feared being scammed by a shell company—Manager Chen feared a shell company scamming a loan. Strict material checks were her duty to her job and the bank.
“…That’s the rough situation with this drama.”
Li Zhentao didn’t mention Wen Ying.
No need.
If the documents passed—and they got the loan—great. If not—Li Zhentao could explore other options. Private financing was viable—bringing in more investors. Tianjiao’s formation had selfish motives—but it genuinely aimed to produce quality dramas—serious about the business. The risk was far lower than gambling in Macau!
When Chen Ru arrived—even Li Mengjiao stood.
Yun Chen—thinking a big shot had come—was confused.
Li Mengjiao whispered: “That’s Wen Ying’s mom!”
Screenwriter Wen could guide the leads—but Chen Ru could rein in Screenwriter Wen!
“Wen Ying?”
Chen Ru thought Wen Ying would be home—not at Tianjiao.
This girl was treating “screenwriter” like a full-time job—had she forgotten school started in two days?
In front of others—Chen Ru spared Wen Ying’s dignity—but her eyes carried a warning.
Li Zhentao led Chen Ru toward the office—running into Yuan Fenghui escorting Xie Qian out.
Chen Ru glanced back at Wen Ying—who was baffled.
Xie Qian hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly.
But who was Xie Qian?
He considered himself upright—facing Chen Ru without guilt.
Details Chen Ru missed—he noticed—working to clear obstacles for Wen Ying’s top-university goal. If Chen Ru knew—she’d thank him!
“Auntie Chen.”
Xie Qian greeted her proactively. Chen Ru forced a smile: “You’re here too.”
“I’m at Tianjiao for something.”
—What could you be here for? Screenwriting? Acting?
Xie Qian was too good-looking—Chen Ru couldn’t snap at him—yet couldn’t shake her suspicion of Wen Ying’s puppy love.
Yuan Fenghui smiled: “Xie Qian’s here for real business—Mr. Li—congratulations. Our drama’s funding pressure just eased. Xie Qian says his mother’s interested in investing—200 to 300 million yuan. Ms. Zou will visit tomorrow to discuss details.”
Two to three hundred million wasn’t enough for a drama—but as an investor—Li Zhentao welcomed it.
With this investment—the debut drama’s financial strain lessened—Tianjiao’s loan amount would drop—easing Chen Ru’s review.
So—Xie Qian did have real business.
A 200–300 million investment wasn’t trivial—no family would let a high schooler decide. Xie Qian was likely scouting for his mother.
Chen Ru relaxed for a second—then tensed again.
Of the four students at Tianjiao—Wang Shuang—Li Mengjiao—and Xie Qian seemed from one world—Wen Ying like an accidental intruder.
Was Wen Ying not excellent enough?
Chen Ru once thought so.
Now—she felt Wen Ying was held back by family.
With this thought—Chen Ru set aside catching her daughter’s slip-ups—focusing on work: “Mr. Li—let’s talk in the office.”
“Right—this way.”
Chen Ru followed Li Zhentao—Wen Ying’s crisis averted.
But why was Xie Qian suddenly investing in the drama?
Others believed Xie Qian spoke truth—scouting for Zou Weijun—but Wen Ying didn’t. If Zou wanted to invest—she’d come herself—not send Xie Qian.
A few hundred million was no big deal for Xie Qian—he’d closed billion-yuan land deals.
In the break room—Wen Ying quietly asked: “Why’d you suddenly decide to invest in this drama?”
“Guess why?”
Xie Qian tossed the question back—Wen Ying gave a dry laugh—shaking her head.
—Because she helped revise the script?
Wen Ying wondered if she should blush for effect—Xie Qian mercilessly shattered her fantasy: “To earn some pocket money—obviously. What else could it be?”
