In the private room, besides President Liao, there were several other men of similar age to him.

Next to each man sat a woman of similar age to Qin Yuanyao.

Among those women, some had auditioned with Qin Yuanyao today, while others were people Qin Yuanyao didn't recognize, presumably little-known actresses like her.

When Qin Yuanyao entered, the women all showed hostile and wary expressions towards her, as if her arrival would add another competitor to what they wanted to obtain.

Upon seeing Qin Yuanyao arrive, President Liao, who was sitting in the main seat, was not annoyed and repeatedly waved for her to sit in the empty seat next to him.

"You've finally arrived. If you hadn't come, I was going to call your agent to ask what was going on."

"Sister Xin told me that you wanted to talk to me about the audition this morning. She didn't say there would be so many people." Qin Yuanyao pretended to be surprised.

"It's more lively with so many people. These girls, you remember the ones who auditioned with you last time, right? They're here to discuss roles too. And these girls, although they didn't participate in the morning's audition, they're also very interested in the roles in 'Luckily I Met You'."

"I see." Qin Yuanyao gave an awkward yet polite smile and sat down in the empty seat next to President Liao.

As soon as she sat down, President Liao looked her up and down with a malicious gaze.

"Yuan Yao, you're even more beautiful up close."

Qin Yuanyao didn't react, she just maintained a fake smile.

"Let me tell you, my drama needs someone as beautiful as you. Forget the role you auditioned for this morning, I can give you the lead role, if you want it!" President Liao said with great enthusiasm.

Qin Yuanyao remained unmoved, but the other women, upon hearing this, began to peek at them with a hint of jealousy.

Seeing that Qin Yuanyao showed no excitement whatsoever, General Manager Liao became somewhat suspicious.

But without thinking twice, he stretched out his arm to hug Qin Yuanyao.

Qin Yuanyao stood up and dodged away. "President Liao, Sister Xin told me that you only had dinner with me and talked about the role. She assured me that you also told her the same thing. She didn't say that you would do anything else."

President Liao frowned. "Are you stupid or is your agent stupid? You invited me to dinner, is it really just for dinner?"

"Sister Xin said that's what you promised her," Qin Yuanyao emphasized repeatedly.

"I guarantee it my ass!" President Liao spat. "We're all in this industry, your agent doesn't know? You don't know? You said at the audition this morning that you've been in the entertainment industry for two years. Two years? Even outsiders know what a dinner party means. What are you pretending for now!"

"I'm not pretending with you. I really didn't know you called me here for anything else. I know what this industry is like, but I still came. It's not that I'm pretending or that I'm stupid. My agent assured me it was just for dinner," Qin Yuanyao said.

Mr. Liao sneered, "Then you've been fooled by your agent. If you want this role, it's not just about having a meal."

Qin Yuanyao breathed a slight sigh of relief.

She was waiting for President Liao to say those words.

But she needs more direct testimony.

"It's not just about eating..." Qin Yuanyao said directly, "It's about sleeping with you?"

President Liao narrowed his eyes, staring at Qin Yuanyao with a playful yet flirtatious expression, answering her with his expression.

Qin Yuanyao relaxed even more and shrugged, "Then I don't want this role anymore."

After she finished speaking, she was about to leave.

But President Liao stood up and blocked her way.

"You made a scene out of nowhere, ruining everyone's mood, and now you want to leave?" President Liao's tone was tinged with malice.

Qin Yuanyao showed no fear. She sneered, "This is all about mutual consent. In a society governed by law, if I don't want to, do you really think you can force me?"

Mr. Liao was provoked by her mockery.

He flew into a rage, grabbed a glass from the table, and smashed it to the ground, spewing out a torrent of vile curses.

"You piece of trash, what are you pretending to be so high and mighty for! You've been trying to get famous by grabbing any male celebrity you can get your hands on, practically throwing yourself at them. Now you're acting all virtuous and chaste! Don't you have any idea what kind of lousy reputation you have in the industry?! I let you come here out of pity, and you're still putting on airs in front of me, huh?!"

Qin Yuanyao remained expressionless, resisting the urge to roll her eyes, and walked past President Liao.

Mr. Liao grabbed her, saying, "Nobody's leaving here tonight unless I give the word!"

Just as Qin Yuanyao raised her hand to shake off President Liao's outstretched hand, the door to the private room was opened from the outside.

A little glutinous rice ball came in from outside, calling out "Daddy—" in a babyish voice.

The little dumpling was taken aback when she saw a room full of unfamiliar people. Then her gaze shifted and she spotted Qin Yuanyao, her bright black almond-shaped eyes widening with joy.

"Sister Qin—" Chi Nao came running over and hugged her leg. "What are you doing here?"

Qin Yuanyao's gaze tightened slightly, and she quickly pulled Chi Naozi, who was hugging her, into her arms.

The people in this house are too mixed; she's afraid they might harm Chi Nao.

She can manage on her own. But having an extra pool of cheese is like having an extra weakness; it will prevent her from fully utilizing her abilities.

"Cheese, get out of here." Qin Yuanyao pushed her out.

But Chi Naozi stubbornly refused to leave, innocently asking, "Sister Qin, why are you telling me to leave? Who are these people?"

"Where did this brat come from? Get out!" President Liao snapped at Chi Naozhi.

Chi Nao looked at him, pouted, then her eyes reddened, and she burst into tears.

Her voice was loud and clear, and tears streamed down her face like they were free.

She cried so hard, practically wailing, and between sobs she cried out pitifully, "Daddy—Daddy—Daddy—!!!"

Mr. Liao's ears hurt from her crying and shouting.

His expression was sinister, and he was furious. He raised his hand to shove Chi Cheese away.

One of the child actors recognized Chi Cheese.

She exclaimed in surprise, "She's Chi Baiyi's daughter, Chi Naozi?"

Mr. Liao paused, his raised hand still, and snapped at her impatiently, "What Chi Baiyi? Which Chi Baiyi??"

The young actress shrank back, startled by her shout, and timidly said, "Chi Baiyi, the president of the Chi Group. He just appeared on the variety show 'Our Little Family' with Qin Yuanyao."

Mr. Liao was unaware of "Our Little Family of Three." However, he had heard of the Chi Group.

Chi Baiyi's daughter, the president of the Chi Group?!

Mr. Liao stared at the little child in front of him, whose face was red from crying, and froze.

The next second, a tall and imposing figure appeared at the door of the private room, striding in and bringing with him a chill.

"Cheese!" Chi Baiyi strode over and picked up the crying Chi Cheese.

Chi Baiyi felt a pang of heartache seeing her like that.

(End of this chapter)

.