Chapter 195
After a satisfying meal accompanied by the sea breeze and the sound of waves, the catering staff cleaned up the campsite, even tidied up the crooked tents, and left fresh fruit and desserts, their service truly impeccable.
With full stomachs, sleepiness set in.
Some adults yawned and retreated to their tents for a nap, some lay on the lounge chairs, enjoying the sea breeze, and some gathered together, chatting and drinking.
But the little babies, full of energy, none of them wanted to nap.
Especially Wen Dongyu, as soon as he finished eating, he dragged Wei Chengli to the beach for “revenge.” Not only did they leave hand in hand, but Wen Dongyu even grabbed Wen Xiang along the way, poor Wen Xiang, still holding a half-eaten chicken leg, was dragged into the “revenge” mission by his own son. Wei Chengli, following suit, also grabbed Wang Zhizhi as they passed by. Little babies, when they were out playing, they should be playing in the sand, catching crabs, dwelling on their family troubles was no fun.
Wen Dongyu, after arranging for three people, wasn’t satisfied, before leaving the campsite, he even told Shen Zilin and Wei Maomao to watch over Wen Xixi while she was eating.
Mentioning Wen Xixi, Wei Maomao couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty.
The variety show was filmed over a year ago, at that time, without the perspective of her past life, she was focused on changing Cheng Tingyan’s fate, she didn’t have the time to take care of the pig Shen Zilin gave her. In the end, the pig was hers, but it was Wen Dongyu who named it, and Shen Zilin who took care of it.
After the show, Wei Maomao watched some clips online, then the edited version on TV, she only then learned that Shen Zilin had dug for so long to buy that pig… Later, she only sent Wen Xixi some snacks and toys; she didn’t have a chance to visit her.
Now that Wen Dongyu mentioned it, Wei Maomao, feeling guilty, took on the task of looking after the pig.
She didn’t know how Shen Zilin raised the pig, it was hundreds of pounds, yet clean, tidy, and even smelled good, it didn’t roll around in the mud, it would even nudge her with its head, wag its tail, and trot after her when called.
Wei Maomao, unconsciously, went from taking care of the pig to playing with it, they ran from one end of the campsite to the other, back and forth.
“Don’t worry, Xixi is well-trained, she knows her strength, she won’t hurt Maomao. And the bodyguards are also watching.” Shen Zilin said, pulling Cheng Tingyan, who was about to get up, he pointed at the bodyguards following the girl and the pig.
Cheng Tingyan, looking at the little chubby bunny, her face beaming as she played with the pig, sat back down.
During this meeting, Cheng Tingyan felt Shen Zilin had a lot he wanted to say but was holding back.
He Rongzheng, after the reunion, had initially planned to hold a banquet during the New Year to formally introduce his daughter to their relatives and friends. But Zhang Shilan and Maomao didn’t want such a high-profile event, so he postponed it.
It was postponed, not canceled. And He Rongzheng’s decisive actions in dealing with his relatives…
Cheng Tingyan felt that some people, well-informed, would know about the He family’s current situation.
Like Shen Jianghe.
If Shen Jianghe knew, then Shen Zilin probably also knew, and with a bit of thinking, it was normal for him to have some questions for her.
But He Rongzheng was also present today, and there were bodyguards from the He family around, Cheng Tingyan felt that, with Shen Zilin’s cautious nature, he wouldn’t ask her those questions directly today.
And even if he did, she wouldn’t admit anything…
Now that He Rongzheng was taking a nap in his tent, and most of the bodyguards were with Maomao, Cheng Tingyan decided to hear what Shen Zilin wanted to say.
Shen Zilin pulled her, as if to speak, she sat down, looked at him, but he stopped…
There was more than one observant person present.
Wen Jiangyue, glancing at the two who seemed to have something to discuss, stood up. “Then I’ll go and see them digging for crabs…”
“No, you’re not going.” Shen Zilin said, pulling Wen Jiangyue back down, he moved his chair, forming a triangle with them, he cleared his throat. “I need to talk to Yan Yan about something, and the CFO should also be present.”
Although Mr. He was in his tent, who knew how many people from the He family were around, if he and Yan Yan were seen chatting alone, and Mr. He overthought it, connecting it to that dinner… And the matter he wanted to discuss with Yan Yan, it did require the CFO’s involvement.
Shen Zilin thought he had planned it well, but…
Wen Jiangyue looked at him blankly. “Who’s the CFO(chief financial officer)?”
“You, aren’t you the one managing the company’s finances?” Shen Zilin asked. “Why else would I send you all those financial statements?”
“…Wasn’t it for me to practice applied mathematics?” Wen Jiangyue asked, blinking in confusion.
“No, it’s because you’re the CFO.” Shen Zilin said, looking at Wen Jiangyue hesitantly. “Should I… besides the dividends based on shares, also pay a salary based on workload… Right, why didn’t I think of that, we should have designated roles, like at Wang Zhizhi’s place!”
“No, no, no, I don’t need a salary! I was just… This CFO position is too important, I can’t…” Wen Jiangyue said, waving her hands repeatedly, she rejected Shen Zilin’s offer of a promotion and raise, she quickly changed the subject. “What did you want to talk to Yan Yan about? Just say it…”
“CFO Yue, you can do it! I believe in you!” Shen Zilin said, standing up and patting Wen Jiangyue’s shoulder seriously. “We’ll discuss your compensation later.”
Wen Jiangyue: “…“ Why wasn’t she catching crabs right now!
Shen Zilin felt it was necessary, dividends were dividends, work was work. But they could discuss it later, he had to talk to Yan Yan now.
“Yan Yan, I heard you filmed a commercial last month, and you’re joining a drama crew after the New Year, is that right?” Shen Zilin asked softly.
Cheng Tingyan nodded. “Starting on the seventh day of the New Year.”
“Last year, you said you didn’t want to act… Have you changed your mind? Then if my dad has any suitable roles for you… would you be interested?” Shen Zilin asked cautiously, getting to the main point.
After all, he had made the same offer to both her and Maomao last year, and they politely declined.
So that was what he wanted to talk about… Cheng Tingyan remembered, it was around March last year, Shen Zilin asked if she and Maomao were interested in a film his dad was making.
At that time, Liu Qiongfang’s surgery was scheduled, and the first stage was successful. The cost, besides the reimbursable portion, could be covered by Grandma’s savings and the money from selling the house, with some left over. The money Cheng Tingyan got back from the Cheng family, from the variety shows and commercials, she didn’t even have to use it, after investing a portion in Baby’s Home Cooking, although the returns weren’t high, and the profits were reinvested in opening new branches, the business was steadily growing.
With money in her bank account, investments growing, and no urgent need for a large sum of money at home, Cheng Tingyan felt a slight resistance towards acting… she didn’t really want to.
In her previous life, after participating in Jin Youliang’s version of “Where’s Baby Going” Season 3, Cheng Tingyan was forced to join his new sitcom, filming five seasons, for seven or eight years, from the beginning of elementary school to almost the end of middle school.
The unpleasant experiences during filming, the solidified “evil sister” image that caused her so much pain, she wouldn’t even mention them. Because of the filming, the constant absences from school, Cheng Tingyan didn’t even have a normal school life, let alone any close friends.
Whether it was because of her role in the sitcom, making her seem like a bad person in her classmates’ eyes, or because of her constant absence, lacking opportunities to interact with them.
Anyway… she didn’t have any close friends…
Not a single one…
Of course, in this life, Cheng Tingyan was already an adult, she didn’t need close friendships with children.
But she couldn’t help but think of her past life, she didn’t want to be on set, she wanted to be at school.
How should she put it, it wasn’t a necessity, but a psychological need, a way to compensate for her past.
So, last March, not needing the money, she declined Shen Zilin’s offer.
But who would have thought that just a few months later, she would need money again… a lot of it.
He Rongzheng could provide a better life for Maomao. Maomao didn’t move because she was reluctant to leave her. Maybe someone else would have persuaded Maomao to move to the villa, to live the life of a little princess, but Cheng Tingyan couldn’t bring herself to say it. Saying those “for your own good” words was easy, but material comfort was so tangible, while emotional well-being was so difficult to define.
Maomao didn’t want to move; Cheng Tingyan wouldn’t persuade her, even though He Rongzheng had subtly hinted at it twice. But Cheng Tingyan couldn’t keep Maomao, who could have lived like a princess, tied to her.
Like this trip south for the New Year, or future trips to the north, east, or west…
In the last few years of her previous life, after learning about that person’s death, Liu Qiongfang no longer had the energy to control Cheng Tingyan. Freed from the last of her shackles, Cheng Tingyan could choose her own scripts, she met a good teacher, her career took off, her reputation improved, she had finally started to enjoy acting. But in this life, earlier, to pay for Liu Qiongfang’s surgery, while filming Qin Sichao’s movie, although he was nice, and Maomao was also there, she still couldn’t help but think of her childhood days on set in her previous life… A lingering sense of unease.
But this time, before the New Year, she accepted Director Shi’s offer, she felt relaxed and motivated while filming the commercial.
It seemed that more important than earning money was the reason for earning money.
Thinking of this, Cheng Tingyan, now thinking about the drama that would start filming after the New Year, was filled with anticipation.
Now, with Shen Zilin asking her, Cheng Tingyan’s first reaction wasn’t the same reluctance as last March.
“Okay, if Uncle Shen has a suitable script, I’ll give it a try.” Cheng Tingyan said, nodding.
Cheng Tingyan’s quick agreement surprised Shen Zilin; he swallowed the persuasive speech he had prepared.
“Then… Yan Yan, do you want to sign with my dad’s company?” Shen Zilin asked, clenching his fists, a bit greedy, pushing his luck, he looked at Wen Jiangyue. “Yueyue will manage your finances, you won’t be taken advantage of.”
Wen Jiangyue shifted back in her chair, she mumbled inwardly, There’s no need to think so highly of me…
Cheng Tingyan didn’t answer immediately, she just frowned slightly, making Shen Zilin’s heart sink, he regretted his eagerness.
Before Shen Zilin could think of a way to salvage the situation, Cheng Tingyan broke the silence. “Why not sign with our own company? Like Baby’s Home Cooking, we can invest, and you can be the boss.”
For the film with Director Qin, she was under his friend’s company, using their agent and assistant. But if her workload increased, it would be more convenient to have her own team. And having a company could also help with public relations and other matters.
The Shen family’s main businesses were in real estate and entertainment; signing with Shen Jianghe’s company would be a good choice.
But even better would be being a shareholder, with Shen Zilin as the boss. A boss who had access to the Shen family’s resources, but was even kinder and more loyal than Shen Jianghe.
Shen Zilin, who had been thinking about expanding Big Baby’s Home Cooking this morning, was caught off guard by her words, his mind went blank.
The three sat there, one serious, one stunned, and the last one…
Wen Jiangyue chuckled, she stood up, patted Shen Zilin’s shoulder, and, mimicking his earlier tone, said, “Boss Lin, you can do it! I believe in you!”
“…“ Shen Zilin, knowing this was a replay of their earlier scene, blushed.
Why didn’t they include him in their crab-catching group! Was he not qualified to join the Avengers and avenge Uncle Wei?!
