Chapter 22: A Thousand Enemies Slain at the Cost of Ten Thousand to One’s Own Side

Chapter 22: A Thousand Enemies Slain at the Cost of Ten Thousand to One's Own Side

The negotiations between Tang Fei and Zhou Weichuan progressed swiftly. In Zheng Haisheng's eyes, his boss had surrendered before the onslaught of the opponent's demands, signing an unequal treaty that involved ceding territory and paying reparations.

Tang Fei's dozens of additional requests were appended as attachments to the contract, all of which Zhou Weichuan agreed to without hesitation. Tang Fei, like a little mouse diving into a rice bin, was unapologetic in her boldness, finishing the negotiations in one fell swoop.

Excitedly, she signed her name on the agreement, suddenly feeling a strange sense of unease. Why had everything gone so smoothly? Was it possible that the System's Insight Card couldn't uncover this gossip monger's underlying motives?

Why was he being so accommodating?

"Are you thinking I'm too easygoing?" Zhou Weichuan seemed to have read her mind.

Surely only I have the System and the Insight Card, right?

After being guessed correctly, Tang Fei felt as if her opponent had some sort of cheat code activated.

"The best relationship between an artist and a company is mutual growth and trust. As my first signed artist, for the next year, the company will solely focus on you, with everyone working for your benefit. I hope you won't disappoint me during this time," Zhou Weichuan instructed Zheng Haisheng to stamp the contract with the company seal.

The agreement took effect immediately.

The Zhou Weichuan that Zheng Haisheng knew was the one before them now. He could be grateful that his boss hadn't been bewitched into losing his wits and remained rational.

"Tang Fei, what if you're disappointed?" She held the contract, somewhat uncertain.

"You have complete control over your career path. Therefore, you must bear the responsibility for all performance indicators of your product. Within a year, if the resources you receive fail to effectively enhance your personal commercial value and actual income, the company doesn't need to do anything to you. As long as they don't assist you, you'll find yourself in a dire situation."

He had just been obliging to Tang Fei, smiling harmlessly like Maitreya Buddha. Now, his cold words were hard to adjust to, causing both Tang Fei and He Zhou to look displeased.

"Don't be unhappy. These are your requests. Let's put everything out on the table upfront. Wishing for a pleasant collaboration in the future."

Zhou Weichuan extended his left hand, his smile breaking through the coldness. His demeanor remained polite and refined as he elegantly turned the tables on Tang Fei.

"Pleasant collaboration." Tang Fei reached out to shake his hand. Putting on an act, she maintained a friendly and warm facade while inwardly scoffing. This gossip monger was quite the actor, playing his part well earlier to lower her guard and make her sign in a moment of heated enthusiasm, only to splash her with a bucket of cold water now.

She was still too young.

She was indeed still a baby.

Zhou Weichuan was asserting his dominance in their partnership.

A man with such a strong need for control—she retracted her earlier praise of him as a good boss. He didn't seem like someone easy to get along with.

"Welcome to Time Culture, where you'll be our leading lady," Zhou Weichuan released her hand, his palm slightly damp from Tang Fei's nervous grip. He smiled gently, thinking that after all these years of ups and downs at Yao Hui, she still retained her innocence. Was it a blessing or a curse?

Perhaps her improved acting skills were simply the result of her dedication to her craft.

"The first perk: You'll need to move out of Yao Hui's staff dorms tomorrow. It wouldn't be appropriate to continue living there." Zhou Weichuan checked the time; it was already past one in the morning. "It's late. Go back and get some rest. You'll start filming 'Psychic Frenzy' in two days. Hai Sheng will send you the script and shooting schedule tonight."

"I have another project that I'll be joining in two weeks. Can we expedite the shooting for 'Psychic Frenzy'?" Tang Fei's tone softened as she made her request. She had signed with Nine O'Clock, so 'Psychic Frenzy' took priority, but she didn't want to give up on 'Happiness Hotel'.

"Happiness Hotel?" Zhou Weichuan was close friends with Kong Xian, who had previously collaborated with Nine O'Clock. Now, he had directly poached one of their casting choices. It seemed somewhat ungrateful. He paused before compromising, "As the leading lady, I can ask the production manager to work overtime and schedule your scenes more densely. But let me remind you, the quality of the drama must not suffer because of special arrangements. The director won't lower his standards just because you're in a hurry. If we rush the shoot, you need to maintain your performance. If we can't finish in time, you'll have to let go of 'Happiness Hotel'.

Success or failure lies in your own hands. No one can help you."

Indeed, the quality of the drama should come first. If she couldn't manage, she would have to accept defeat. Any further demands would be unreasonable.

Realizing his words might have been too harsh, Zhou Weichuan saw Tang Fei standing there, lost in thought. He softened his tone, trying to sound more gentle, "Tang Fei, what you hold onto is truly yours. If your hands aren't big enough to grasp two, you might lose them both. You must choose wisely, and I hope you understand which is the better option."

"I'll manage myself. I'm content if you can arrange the shooting schedule. I'm not greedy, but I want to hold onto both. Didn't you give me only a year? The pressure is immense, and I can't afford to miss any opportunities." Tang Fei smiled, finding Zhou Weichuan's voice captivating, though she tried not to let it distract her.

Xu Wan and Li Xiuyun had both undergone extensive preparations in her mind. She already had vivid images of the characters; she didn't want to give up. Let's just say she was stubborn.

She kept drawing cards even when she knew she wasn't getting good ones, wouldn't stop even if she hit a wall.

"Don't push yourself too hard."

"How would I know if I can do it if I don't force myself?" Tang Fei pulled He Zhou, who seemed almost invisible, along. "I'll be going back first. Are we moving to the new place tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, Boss!"

Tang Fei and He Zhou exited the café ahead of the others.

Zhou Weichuan was still pondering over Tang Fei's expression when she said she liked to challenge herself.

"Sigh, it seems like I've signed up for some trouble."

"Boss, you picked them yourself," Zheng Haisheng grumbled, massaging his aching wrists from amending the contract.

"Yes, it was my own choice." Zhou Weichuan patted Zheng Haisheng on the shoulder as they stepped out of the café's alcove. "Which top actress from any company doesn't have a strong personality? Being a troublemaker is nothing."

Exiting the café, Tang Fei began to ponder, "A Zhou, has the shooting schedule for Happiness Hotel been confirmed?"

"The launch ceremony is on January 28th, and filming begins on January 30th. Sister, you only have a dozen days to shoot Li Xiuyun. Will that be enough time? Should I inform the casting director of the Happiness Hotel production team to consider someone else?" Even with Li Xiuyun's limited role, it was highly unlikely that her scenes could be completed within such a short span. If Tang Fei were to let down the Happiness Hotel crew, her reputation in the industry would be severely damaged.

"I'll finish reading the script and calculate the schedule tomorrow," Tang Fei reluctantly compromised. Though Zhou Weichuan's words were harsh, they held truth.

As she strolled along the path, two golden buttons suddenly illuminated in her field of vision. The draw button was automatically pressed, and within the golden glow emerged a card bearing the image of a white jade vase.

Tang Fei developed a sense of anticipation toward the system.

"The Prop Card: White Cloud Temple Offering, Vitality Pills x10. Consuming them has miraculous effects, boosting strength and vitality for 24 hours."

The flush of anticipation on Tang Fei's face turned to crimson frustration. What kind of ridiculous game was this? How could she make use of such an item? She had even thought the system had changed its nature, drawing cards for her benefit.

So exasperated was she that she almost discarded the card immediately.

As soon as Tang Fei entertained the thought of discarding it, the card quietly emitted a subtle white glow, and the description of the Vitality Pills subtly altered.

"Item card: White Cloud Temple Offering. Contains 10 Vitality Pills. Upon consumption, grants boundless energy for 24 hours."

"Tang Fei rubbed her eyes. She must have read the explanation correctly, right?"

"Hey sis, why are you spacing out? It's cold; don't catch a chill." He Zhou rubbed his hands together.

"I just remembered something," Tang Fei blinked. The card and button had vanished from her sight. Following He Zhou, she walked on, the wind biting at her face like razor blades against raw flesh. She quickened her pace to catch up with him. "A Zhou, it's too late now. Don't go back. Stay in my dorm for the night."

"Okay."

...

Back in the dorm, He Zhou grabbed a blanket from the closet and headed for the couch. Tang Fei intercepted him, taking the blanket. "I'll sleep on the couch tonight."

"Sis, how can that be? Why would you sleep on the couch?" He Zhou looked at her with concern. "This couch is too hard. You won't be able to sleep."

"It's short and narrow. I'm thinner and shorter than you, so it suits me better," Tang Fei said, settling onto the couch with the blanket. "I'm the older sister, you're the younger brother. It's natural for me to make sacrifices. Besides, you'll need your strength tomorrow to help with the move. A bad night's rest will affect our efficiency."

"Cousin..." Seeing Tang Fei's earnest expression, He Zhou felt at a loss.

His mother was a teacher, and his father was a doctor. During a period when his father went abroad to provide medical assistance, his mother, for several consecutive years, was in charge of graduating classes. As a result, he practically lived at his uncle's place for four or five years. Even after his father returned, he had limited free time and still relied on his uncle's family for meals besides sleeping at home.

Being close in age, he and Tang Fei grew up like twins. He had always been accustomed to the role of a protector since they were young.

Tang Fei's transformation left him feeling quite uncomfortable.

"Go to sleep, no dilly-dallying." Tang Fei unfolded the blanket and nestled into the sofa, not giving He Zhou any chance to resist further.

In the end, He Zhou couldn't persuade her and headed to the bedroom.

It was Tang Fei's first time learning to be a sister, and she found the experience of taking care of someone very fulfilling. It gave her a sense of accomplishment.

Switching on her vibrating phone, Tang Fei saw multiple WeChat messages.

There were a couple of familiar actors from previous productions, as well as former classmates, mostly boys. They all asked about her situation with Guan Yun. Some were startled and thought there might be some truth to the rumors, asking if that was why Yao Hui had put her on hold. Others asked for confirmation, while some firmly believed it was all exaggeration, offering her comfort.

She thanked them one by one for their concern. She replied that she and Guan Yun had just happened to meet and had a brief conversation; nothing significant had occurred.

To her surprise, there were still people online late at night. As soon as she finished responding, a few more replies came in.

"I understand, it was just a coincidence, I get it."

What do you understand?

"Never mind, we don't discriminate against you."

Why are we talking about discrimination? Didn't you believe it was all exaggerated?

"Tang Fei, no wonder you always rejected my love letters back then. Well, I can finally put that chapter behind me. Good luck, I'll support you."

Hey, buddy, what are you supporting? I probably didn't even read most of those love letters. How could there be anything between Guan Yun and me? Why would you guys believe such an over-the-top performance?

Tang Fei realized the aftermath of her act was severe – she had injured herself while trying to harm others.

Finally, she scrolled to the comments from the original owner's parents and sister.

"Dear daughter, your father and I are very open-minded."

"Feifei, Dad will always be your backbone."

"Sis, aren't I your beloved sister? Why are you so close to others?"

It was over; she had lost more than she gained by a thousand.

For two or three years, the original owner's parents and the original owner had been arguing over whether or not to quit show business, resulting in a cold war that relied on He Zhou to convey messages between them. Now, they were both stepping forward to express their opinions, uncertain if it was a breakthrough or if they genuinely meant it.

Tang Fei put down her phone and pulled the covers over her head.

Regardless of the turmoil outside, she would first seek solace in a good night's sleep under the warm blankets.