Volume One, Chapter 21: Zhao Yiyi's Persuasion
“Mr. Li, what do you mean by this?” On the way back to the office, Zhao Yiyi looked incredulous. “I’m your girlfriend now, but you’re asking me to go find another man?”
“Sweetheart, I’m only asking you to persuade him a little. It’s nothing serious.”
When he first heard his father’s words, Li Jiang did feel a bit displeased. But after weighing things, it was only a matter of having her sign someone to the company—it wasn’t anything more than that. Compared to angering his father, it just wasn’t worth it. Besides, if Jiang Yu were signed to their own company, it would be a good thing; once he was under their roof, Li Jiang could deal with him however he wished.
“Didn’t my dad just promise you? Don’t worry, as long as you pull this off, he’ll keep his word!”
Hearing this, Zhao Yiyi hesitated, but still nodded. And, for some reason she couldn’t explain, hearing the news that her company wanted to sign Jiang Yu gave her a faint sense of joy.
...
Jiangxia Film and Television University.
Inside the classroom.
Although the graduation party had already been held ahead of schedule, everyone still had nearly a month left at school to complete their final credits.
The classroom was especially crowded today. Some people even laid out sheets of paper on the floor to sit, and the majority were girls. Even the old professor, who had taught for decades, was surprised.
Of course, from the look in their eyes, it was clear whom they were there for.
Seated at the center of attention, Jiang Yu looked utterly indifferent.
Just then, a woman entered.
She wore a dress that accentuated her figure, making her stand out in the crowd.
Her arrival immediately drew everyone’s notice, and a whispering discussion broke out.
“Look, why is Zhao Yiyi here?”
“Not gonna lie, she really has something going for her.”
“Sigh, but the way she handled things was pretty shady.”
...
Hearing her classmates’ chatter, Zhao Yiyi looked over at Jiang Yu, her expression complicated.
But Jiang Yu didn’t spare her a glance, which left her feeling deeply disappointed.
“Hey, Fourth, Zhao Yiyi’s looking at you,” Wang Hong whispered.
Jiang Yu smirked playfully. “Not the first girl to look my way.”
“Damn, didn’t see that coming!”
Everyone burst out laughing.
His smile sent all the lovesick girls in the classroom swooning.
“Wow, how can Jiang Yu be so handsome?”
“Oh, he’s shining like the sun—his smile could melt my heart.”
“If only I could watch the first rays of the morning sun with Jiang Yu.”
“Girl, you’re seriously delusional.”
Zhao Yiyi’s feelings grew even more complicated. She hadn’t expected Jiang Yu to truly ignore her, not even greeting her.
Finally, the class ended.
The old professor left the room.
Unlike most days, when students would bolt for the door the moment class was over, today everyone stayed put. They all knew something interesting was about to happen.
Jiang Yu seemed unconcerned, packed his things, and glanced at his three close friends. “Let’s go grab some food.”
“Sure thing!”
People around them stared in disbelief at Jiang Yu, then at Zhao Yiyi.
Was there really going to be no drama today?
Just as Jiang Yu was about to leave the classroom, Zhao Yiyi bit her lip and stepped in front of him. “Jiang Yu, can we talk?”
“What’s there to talk about? Didn’t Fourth already tell you not to bother him anymore?” Xiong Tao, unable to restrain his temper, blurted out, only to be held back by Wang Mingxu and Wang Hong.
“I’m a bit busy right now. Let’s talk when I have time,” Jiang Yu replied, taking up his books and preparing to leave. But Zhao Yiyi grabbed his arm. “What could be so urgent? I can wait for you.”
“I’m busy getting lunch. At this hour, if we don’t hurry, the freshmen will snatch up all the good food.”
His three friends couldn’t stifle their laughter.
Lunch? What a flimsy excuse.
Hearing this, Zhao Yiyi felt a surge of anger. When had she ever been treated like this by Jiang Yu? Still, she forced herself to keep calm.
“Jiang Yu, we did share some beautiful memories once. Can’t you at least speak to me kindly?”
“My goodness, I’ve never seen anyone so shameless!”
“She has the nerve to say that? She dumped Jiang Yu, and now that he’s popular, she comes crawling back. Unbelievable.”
“Exactly.”
As Zhao Yiyi spoke, her classmates rolled their eyes and muttered under their breath.
Jiang Yu paused, turned to her with a cool glance, said nothing, and kept walking.
Zhao Yiyi’s heart ached a little, but recalling her mission, she bit her lip and pressed on. “Jiang Yu, why not join Starlight Entertainment? Chairman Li says that if you’re willing, he’ll use all available resources to promote you! It’s a Class B contract!”
She laid everything out in the open, sparking envy among all the students.
“Wow, Starlight Entertainment is a top agency. Yu’s incredible—imagine them coming to sign him!”
“Did you hear? A Class B contract! They’re going to do everything to make Jiang Yu a star—he’s destined to make it big!”
“So that’s why Zhao Yiyi came today, to poach Jiang Yu for Starlight.”
“I’m so jealous! If only I had that chance!”
...
But just as the classroom buzzed with excitement, Jiang Yu shook his head. “No need. I’m not interested.”
He flashed a sly look. “Even when your chairman personally asked, I turned him down. Do you really think you can do better than your chairman, Zhao Yiyi? Aren’t you overestimating yourself?”
As Jiang Yu was about to leave with Su Muyu, Zhao Yiyi’s heart twisted even more. She stepped forward again, grabbing his arm, her face full of grievance, eyes brimming with tears.
“Jiang Yu, do you really feel nothing for our past? Can’t you join Starlight for my sake, if nothing else?”
“Zhao Yiyi, your chairman approached me himself. And for you? Who do you think you are? Why would I join for you?”
Jiang Yu couldn’t help but laugh.
“Xiao Yu.”
At that moment, a woman in a flowing white dress, breathtakingly beautiful, entered the room.
“Xiao Yu, you’re here,” Jiang Yu greeted her with a warm smile, once again stirring a wave of sighs from the crowd.
“Look, it’s Goddess Su Muyu!”
“She’s so beautiful. How can anyone look like that?”
“The goddess came to find Jiang Yu. Does she like him too? Guess I’m out of luck.”
“When they shared the stage at the graduation party, I thought they were a perfect match—such chemistry! I’m obsessed!”
“My heart is shattered.”
As soon as Su Muyu appeared, a commotion erupted among the onlookers.
Jiang Yu instantly became the object of every man’s envy and jealousy.
Zhao Yiyi’s face darkened even further, and her heart clenched with resentment. If it weren’t for this woman, she was certain Jiang Yu would listen to her and join Starlight Entertainment. Why did she have to show up at this moment?
Su Muyu paid no attention to the others. She looked only at Jiang Yu, offering a radiant smile. “Auntie’s here. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?”