CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 75: I WANT TO MAKE A DEAL WITH YOU

Cheng Zhirang did not expect Shu Ran to call him; very few people knew his private number.

He wondered how she got it.

"Does Miss Shu need something from me?"

"Yes, I have a matter that I would like to take a bit of your time for, Brother Cheng. Are you available now?"

Though he was known for his gentle and gentlemanly personality, Shu Ran’s tone was unsure, even a bit anxious.

She had no other choice. After being sent back by Huang Can, she stayed at home, ignoring advice, and checked the current situation online.

So many people were opposing her participation in the show. She hadn’t done anything wrong! It seemed that her rivals, fellow young actresses from the same period, started this topic. Those who smeared her released somewhat ambiguous revelations, convincing passersby, show fans, and some of Li Yang’s fans, who then began to curse her.

They called her pretentious, a fake white lotus, a troublemaker...

Since Shu Ran’s debut, after establishing her image, she had never received so much public criticism.

The current public opinion’s severe fermentation was truly detrimental to her. The company seemed to have taken no measures to rescue her. In the past, whenever something went wrong with a show, the company would rush to solve it, and even if it was serious, they would release news about other artists to divert attention.

But this time, the company only scolded her a few times in frustration and hung up the phone, without offering a solution.

Alone at home, afraid to go out, the more she thought about it, the more anxious she became, and the more she hated. The company wanted to discard her now that she was of no use, but she was never a donkey waiting to be slaughtered.

A few seconds after Shu Ran anxiously awaited a response, Cheng Zhirang acknowledged.

"I have twenty minutes now, Miss Shu. Please go ahead."

Shu Ran finally took a breath of relief.

"Brother Cheng, I want to discuss a transaction with you."

"Oh? What kind of transaction can you discuss with me?" Cheng Zhirang leaned forward, tapped Assistant Wen’s seat, and whispered into the phone, "Pull over and find today’s news about Shu Ran for me to see."

After speaking, he sat back, continuing his conversation with Shu Ran as if he were a model gentleman.

So he didn’t notice Assistant Wen’s conflicted expression.

Assistant Wen stopped the car on the roadside at the foot of the mountain, feeling troubled as he searched for news about Shu Ran.

So it’s that Shu Ran.

And it sounded like she baited him into biting the hook. Assistant Wen felt heartache, thinking it might have been better to talk to Miss Mu.

At least she wasn’t pretentious and wouldn’t beat around the bush; dealing with people like Shu Ran was really difficult.

He searched for Shu Ran’s hot topics today, feeling even worse after finding them.

Bro, this actress has a ton of negative press—think carefully!

Assistant Wen sighed worriedly, handing the phone back to Cheng Zhirang.

Cheng Zhirang was still listening to Shu Ran, leaning against the seat, handling the phone with gentlemanly elegance, his long fingers holding the edge.

Seeing Assistant Wen hand something over, he looked up, read for two minutes, and responded, "I’ve seen today’s trending topics. You know you’re in a difficult spot, right?"

"I know. If it weren’t so difficult, I wouldn’t be so anxious."

Cheng Zhirang handed the phone back to Assistant Wen, signaling him to keep driving.

"So you think I can save you? Are you so sure finding me will help?"

Shu Ran’s tone turned slightly anxious: "I thought about it; the one with the most capital to counter this company is Changtong. Brother Cheng, I know that although Changhui Entertainment was just established, recruiting talents would be easy. However, since Changtong hasn’t been involved in the entertainment and film industry before, experienced and high-status artists might still hesitate, and the easiest recruits would be mostly newcomers. In the entertainment industry, unless a newcomer gets lucky and becomes famous overnight, it’s a long road ahead, and the company can’t profit from them immediately."

Pausing, her tone calmed a bit as she continued, "I’m different. Even though I don’t have many fans, and I might lose some after this, I’ve been in the entertainment industry long enough to have my connections and ways of promoting newcomers. I can assure you, if Changhui Entertainment signs me, I can drop my current image and follow the company’s decisions, bringing in the fastest profits for the company, as long as the company helps me handle this public relations issue."

In truth, the trending topic wasn’t the main issue; joining Changtong was key.

Cheng Zhirang’s smile was subtle. Few knew his ties to Changtong—not even many directors, producers, or major stars. But Shu Ran, with her average performance, knew about it, which did align with her claim of having been in the industry for years and knowing some things.

He remarked, "Leaving aside whether I can have a say in Changhui Entertainment’s recruiting, what makes you think a couple of promises from you would move me?"

"I am very compliant," Shu Ran forced down the feeling of nausea and said, "I know the hidden rules of the entertainment industry, who can be leveraged in partnerships, who can’t be offended. I’m better at reading people than newcomers, saving time and effort. It’s just this one time with the public relations. I assure you, it would be the only time the company has to step in."

"Aren’t you worried Changhui Entertainment might be just like your current company?"

Worried? How could she not be?

But Shu Ran, having established her image since debut, secured the top position among similar rivals not just due to the company alone. She knew when to bow her head and when to fight back.

She responded without hesitation, "I trust Changtong won’t be like that. I also believe that with Brother Cheng as an inheritor, Changtong and Changhui Entertainment wouldn’t dig their own graves this way."

The car stopped, and Assistant Wen turned his head and gently said, "Brother Cheng, we’re here."

Cheng Zhirang slightly turned his head to glance at the entrance of the Half Mountain Villa, saying one last thing to Shu Ran.

"I can pass on the message, but whether it’s possible, a professional agent will contact you for an assessment. I’m sorry, Miss Shu, I have something to attend to. I’ll talk to you later."

Shu Ran was already thrilled, quickly saying, "Thank you, Brother Cheng! Please, carry on with your work!"

She made this call intending to try her luck, uncertain if Cheng Zhirang would agree. He was the Crown Prince of Changtong. Since his debut some ten years ago, after those incidents, Changtong had been preparing this entertainment company for him. It took them ten years to announce it, indicating the extensive network behind it, perhaps beyond her imagination.

This was a great opportunity; she had to seize it.

Hanging up the call, Cheng Zhirang entered the garden gate while Assistant Wen drove away. He still needed to pick up Chen Song and verbally brief him on Cheng Zhirang’s recent schedule.

Interestingly, among the newcomers the company assigned to Chen Song, there was someone from the first show episode who played Cheng Zhirang in a reenactment. That was Qiu Shuang from the Hai City Drama Performance Center, a good-looking and skilled actor.