You don’t want to take the civil service exam, so what do you want to do?
I want to be a lawyer. There’s not much opportunity for that in Rongcheng, you should go to Shanghai or Beijing.
I can introduce you to a law firm, want to go?
Time overlapped.
In the summer of 2013, Zheng Zhihe urged Wen Ying to pursue her career in Shanghai.
Listening to advice wins half the battle, so Wen Ying packed a small suitcase and set off.
She didn’t study law because of Zheng Zhihe’s advice, she met him after choosing law, connecting with her senior colleague during grad school, a natural progression.
Who would’ve thought, in her past life, Brother Zheng urged her to go to Shanghai, and in this life, meeting him earlier, he’s already encouraging her to study law.
Reborn, and still a lawyer?
Wen Ying’s emotions surged, nearly agreeing on impulse. But after the rush faded, she calmed down.
Thank you for thinking highly of me, but I haven’t decided what to study yet.
Zheng Zhihe smiled, Fair enough, you young folks are still figuring things out.
If Youth Idol takes off, Wen Ying would likely become a professional writer. Why study law? It’s exhausting.
The three talked for two hours at the water bar, ironing out details. Zheng Zhihe stood to leave.
Leave this case to me. I’ll push the court to file it quickly. Until then, try to hold back, don’t make public statements or comment on platforms. Wait for my instructions.
Zheng wasn’t silencing Wen Ying, she could mess around on forums, but not mention the case.
You don’t aim a gun before the target’s in sight. Zheng wanted to catch the other side off guard, so he needed Wen Ying and Zou Weijun to be patient.
Zou Weijun glanced at Wen Ying, noticing her calm demeanor, which eased much of her own frustration caused by Aige.
I’ll follow the professional’s advice. The case is in Lawyer Zheng’s hands, and I’ll proceed with Youth Idol’s publishing preparations as planned.
The more Han Qin acted like this, the more Zou Weijun refused to let her see a joke.
Youth Idol would launch as scheduled.
As long as Wen Ying stayed steady, Zou Weijun felt she wouldn’t lose to a young girl.
Zou reminded herself not to panic, she needed to be Wen Ying’s rock.
Looking at Wen Ying, Zou Weijun saw a glimpse of her son, Xie Qian, as if she were striving to be his role model, hoping it wasn’t too late.
After seeing Lawyer Zheng off, Wen Ying and Zou Weijun still couldn’t figure out what was up with Rongcheng’s critics.
For now, maintaining this level of buzz was beneficial to Wen Ying. Until things worsened, she decided to sit tight.
After discussing a few manuscript revisions with Zou Weijun, Wen Ying got home late.
Only then did she remember to message Xie Qian.
Hearing Wen Ying handed over evidence to Zheng Zhihe so readily, Xie Qian found it odd.
You trusted Lawyer Zheng that much on your first meeting?
Nonsense, that’s my senior colleague.
Wen Ying couldn’t say that outright, but her mind was quick, turning the tables on Xie Qian, Auntie Zou picked him, so he’s got to be reliable. Who else would I trust? Auntie Zou wouldn’t screw me over.
On the other end of the call, Xie Qian still felt something was off.
But he couldn’t dig deeper.
Xie Qian was heading to Shanghai soon.
Wen Ying’s writer dream was on track, while Xie Qian’s small venture in Shanghai was just starting. If they all ended up studying there, he’d need to take it seriously.
For the first ten days of summer break, Wen Ying was busy writing.
When she finally emerged, Xie Qian was leaving Rongcheng.
The top student was gone, but his mountain of practice tests still intimidated the slackers. He left them at home, three drawers, each labeled with a name. Liu Auntie would supervise Wen Ying and the others.
You and Wang Shuang go to my place daily. You two can… never mind, if you don’t understand something, call me.
Grade-wise, Wen Ying was ahead of Wang Shuang.
But Wang Shuang, a soon-to-be senior, couldn’t be tutored by Wen Ying on senior-level material.
Nor could Wang Shuang tutor Wen Ying.
After some thought, Xie Qian entrusted the two slackers to Qin Jiao.
Qin Jiao, who scored 706 on this year’s college entrance exam, was more than qualified to oversee Wen Ying and Wang Shuang. Li Mengjiao’s schedule was unpredictable, with performances and events keeping her busy all summer. By July, the Super Girl competition had reached the national finals, with Hunan TV broadcasting eliminations every Friday.
As Wen Ying remembered, no, even hotter than her memory, Super Girl’s golden era was becoming clear.
Li Mengjiao was this year’s hottest rising star, the Yogurt Girl, but while she ignited the summer, it didn’t belong to her alone. Several other popular contestants were getting just as much attention during the competition.
The talent show brought Hunan TV massive viewership and attention. It aired live on Fridays, with summer camp clips during the week, but with seven days and 24 hours, the station couldn’t broadcast contestants’ every move. With such high ratings, it was time to air dramas and earn ad revenue.
Hunan TV’s prime-time drama slot became a battleground.
Yuan Fenghui, with Tianjiao’s first drama, Princess’s New Clothes, approached the program center’s Director Fan, who brought in the station’s acquisition head.
When Li Mengjiao refused to sign with Mr. Guan and was blacklisted, no one cared about her drama. Princess’s New Clothes started filming without a ripple.
But now, with Li Mengjiao’s soaring popularity, Hunan TV believed her drama would draw viewers.
After watching Princess’s New Clothes, the acquisition head was surprised.
Tianjiao Film, a new outfit, had produced a high-quality drama.
Outsiders see the spectacle, insiders see the craft. Princess’s New Clothes had a high budget, 28 episodes, costing at least ten to twenty million.
Hunan TV initially planned to buy the first-run rights cheaply to test the waters, but now they couldn’t lowball.
Li Mengjiao, in Hunan, secretly called Wen Ying to spill the beans.
How’s your lawsuit going? My dad says if your book’s good, these disputes might help, but I’m still worried. No one wants to be bitten by a dog for no reason. Teacher Yuan can’t help you either, she’s stuck in Hunan negotiating copyright fees and fighting Liang Dan for a time slot. Liang Dan says the best slot should go to Xu Mei’s drama since the station invested and needs to recoup costs.
Wen Ying didn’t let Li Mengjiao worry about the lawsuit, instead reassuring her, Teacher Yuan will find a way to make Hunan TV budge, right?
On the phone, Li Mengjiao chuckled.
Teacher Yuan’s got it covered. She wants the station to hold a test screening, airing both dramas. If the station still gives the prime slot to Xu Mei’s drama, Teacher Yuan will find a new buyer for ours.
Can’t see the gem? Then we won’t play with you.
