The little girl clearly didn’t understand the rules, but the problem was that Wen Ying wasn’t a little girl.
Hu Man wasn’t so idle as to voluntarily offer free promotion for *Galaxy and You*. Yet Wen Ying played dumb, steering the “return” in that direction, leaving Hu Man in an awkward spot.
If Yuan Fenghui or Mrs. Wang had said such things, it would be them shamelessly trying to take advantage of Hu Man. But Wen Ying was different. She was just a high school girl, and wasn’t it normal for someone her age to say something thoughtless?
If Hu Man agreed, having a superstar like her promote *Galaxy and You* for free would be a win for Tianjiao.
If Hu Man refused… hadn’t she just said she’d “return” the favor to Yuan Fenghui? That would be like slapping herself in the face.
Wen Ying’s words disrupted Hu Man’s rhythm.
Though Hu Man found Wen Ying ill-mannered, she had navigated the industry for years and seen it all. She wasn’t about to be outmaneuvered by a young girl.
Agree or refuse?
Hu Man skipped both options, acting as if she hadn’t heard Wen Ying, keeping her gaze fixed on Yuan Fenghui.
The little girl might be clueless, but Yuan Fenghui knew better. Yuan Fenghui had to give an explanation!
“Yuan Director?”
Hu Man ignored Wen Ying!
Yuan Fenghui felt a pang of regret.
Hu Man had called her out, yet Yuan Fenghui still wanted to play dumb.
At a moment like this, Wen Ying should have kept stirring the pot to drive Hu Man away.
But Li Mengjiao, oblivious to Yuan Fenghui’s intentions, couldn’t read her hopes. While Hu Man ignored Wen Ying, others could tolerate it, but Li Mengjiao couldn’t.
Though Hu Man was a music industry veteran, who had Li Mengjiao ever feared?
Offend her? So be it. She could quit singing and focus on acting!
Before Wen Ying could speak again to draw attention, Li Mengjiao stood abruptly. “Teacher Hu, Wen Ying was talking to you. Did you zone out? We know you’re busy, so we definitely won’t trouble you with *Galaxy and You*’s promotion. Don’t worry!”
Hu Man’s cooperation would be a bonus for *Galaxy and You*.
Without it, the show would still air.
*The Princess’s New Clothes* had no big stars and still topped the ratings!
Hu Man could ignore Wen Ying, but not Li Mengjiao.
Wen Ying was a writer and screenwriter, only half in the entertainment circle. Hu Man thought Wen Ying lacked manners but couldn’t discipline her on the spot.
Li Mengjiao was different. A rising star from a singing competition, a junior, speaking so rudely to Hu Man. If Hu Man didn’t respond, she’d be a laughingstock.
Hu Man sat up straight, shedding her relaxed demeanor, hands clasped on her knees, her smile gone. “Director Yuan, your company’s rising stars are so young. Didn’t they learn how to speak to their seniors before debuting? I’m not petty and won’t hold it against youngsters easily, but not everyone in this industry is as forgiving as I am. Director Yuan, you should pay attention to this, lest they suffer big losses and regret it later.”
Those who emphasize they’re not petty are usually the opposite.
Challenged by two young juniors in a row, even the most forgiving would get angry. A celebrated star like Hu Man, always fawned over, couldn’t stand such treatment.
If not for wanting an answer from Yuan Fenghui, Hu Man would have stormed out!
Yuan Fenghui sighed, unable to keep playing dumb, and apologized with a smile. “You know they’re young, speaking without thinking. Don’t take it to heart. After the meeting, let’s have dinner. I’ll have them toast you with tea instead of wine to apologize!”
Neither Wen Ying nor Li Mengjiao was old enough to drink. They were just kids. Yuan Fenghui urged Hu Man not to mind the “reckless youths.”
Hu Man frowned. “I can let it go, but Director Yuan, have you considered my earlier proposal?”
“Oh, that matter… can we discuss it another time?”
Hu Man felt Yuan Fenghui was brushing her off, growing furious.
At her level, Hu Man valued her pride. Some things she couldn’t say herself, so she glanced at Huang Yongjun, hoping he’d speak up. But Huang Yongjun’s lips moved without saying what she wanted.
What was wrong with Huang Yongjun?
After years of collaboration, they lacked even this much understanding!
Hu Man stood up. “My schedule is tight. When Director Yuan has time, I might not.”
Talk now or give a clear answer. No stalling.
Honestly, Hu Man couldn’t understand why Yuan Fenghui was hesitating.
With Hu Man’s fame and influence, singing the theme song for *Galaxy and You* would guarantee a hit!
Yuan Fenghui was launching the novel, drama, and album for *Galaxy and You* simultaneously and needed Hu Man’s star power. Hu Man genuinely liked the song. It was a win-win. Why was Yuan Fenghui hesitating?
Could it be Yuan Fenghui really wanted her to promote the show’s premiere, hence the vague responses?
Suspicious, Hu Man tested the waters. “Director Yuan’s promotion plan is creative. I’m quite interested. If my schedule doesn’t clash with *Galaxy and You*’s promotion, I’m not entirely unwilling—”
Hu Man loved the song, which was why she said this.
A Chinese music diva offering such a generous olive branch—anyone in Yuan Fenghui’s position shouldn’t hesitate.
Yun Chen looked at Yuan Fenghui.
Wen Ying looked at Yuan Fenghui.
Mrs. Wang and Zou Weijun were watching Yuan Fenghui.
They understood the clash between Hu Man and Yuan Fenghui.
Li Mengjiao didn’t, but since everyone was looking at Yuan Fenghui, she followed suit.
First Zhang Yangning’s sudden exit, then Hu Man’s talk of “return,” and Wen Ying’s ill-timed interruption… these were all part of the same issue, weren’t they?
Li Mengjiao couldn’t figure it out, but she stood with Wen Ying!
Normally, she could follow Teacher Yuan, but if Yuan and Wen Ying disagreed, she had to side with Wen Ying.
Yuan Fenghui saw it clearly.
If she agreed with Hu Man, Wen Ying and the others would be disappointed.
If Tianjiao’s core team lost faith in Yuan Fenghui, that was far worse than offending Hu Man.
Hu Man was a diva, but she wasn’t Yuan Fenghui’s artist and couldn’t fulfill Yuan Fenghui’s career dreams.
If Tianjiao’s core lost trust in Yuan Fenghui, and the team fell apart, how could she lead?
Yuan Fenghui’s smile faded, her expression turning serious as she bluntly told Hu Man her decision. “Initially, I wanted to invite you to sing the theme song, thinking it was Teacher Huang’s work. But it turns out Zhang Yangning’s piece was more suitable… so, I think Zhang Yangning should sing the theme song. What do you think?”
Hu Man’s face darkened.
Yuan Fenghui chose Zhang Yangning!
Could Zhang Yangning outshine her?!
Hu Man turned and left the meeting room. Huang Yongjun gave a bitter smile and followed.
Yuan Fenghui had thoroughly offended Hu Man.
