I want a formal status.

The next morning at eight o'clock, Chen Xin drove to pick up Zhang Renyin.

After confirming that he was safely on the bus, Chen Xiaojing also took a taxi to the script reading session.

She was dressed casually, but she was still recognized as soon as she entered the hotel. A crowd of people swarmed around her, making her feel physically uncomfortable.

"Make way, everyone." A hand reached out from her side and escorted her into the elevator along with the crowd. After the elevator doors closed, Chen Xiaojing took off her mask: "You are... thank you so much for earlier."

"Director Qian," the man escorting her introduced himself briefly, "Screenwriter, remember to use the underground parking garage next time you go out."

"Okay."

Upon entering the script reading session, Chen Xiaojing immediately spotted her seat. After greeting Director Qian, she avoided the large cameras rented by the actors and sat down, then put her mask back on.

Several actors came over to greet her, and Director Qian stood next to her at some point, introducing them to her before Chen Xiaojing could politely respond.

After seeing off a group of people, Chen Xiaojing spoke up: "I really didn't expect that such a popular star would be willing to act in such a production." She wasn't stupid; it was not the way Director Qian would treat a new screenwriter—he wasn't sitting properly in his director's seat to come here and introduce her. "Director Qian's good intentions are clear. So, what did my revised script look like in the end? Would you mind letting me see it?"

The other person handed over a transparent drawer folder: "After our collaboration on 'A Lifetime of Splendor' last time, I could see that you truly love writing, so I'm here to give you a heads-up. This industry is far more complex than your previous circle." After saying that, he turned to look at the male lead, Yu Yan, who had just entered, "Beautiful but poor, like a child carrying gold across the street."

When Chen Xiaojing looked through it, she found that 70-80% of the highlights that originally belonged to the male lead had been grafted onto the female lead. The plot logic was chaotic, and it was a work that existed entirely for the sake of the female lead.

What was originally a story where the male and female leads were equally matched was forcibly changed into this. For the first time, Chen Xiaojing felt powerless.

"Come on, let's welcome our leading lady, Ms. Song Qing!" Director Qian shouted, bringing Chen Xiaojing back to her senses. "Let's give her a round of applause!"

The male protagonist, Yu Yan, remained calm and composed in the corner, seemingly unnoticed by anyone who had arrived.

As the thunderous applause subsided, Chen Xiaojing suddenly spoke up: "Let's welcome the male lead, Teacher Yu Yan. Let's give him a round of applause."

Unlike the previous time, some members of the crew stood up and welcomed him with the same applause.

Chen Xiaojing turned her head and met Song Qing's gaze. From her slightly parted eyes, she saw undisguised disgust.

"She dares to play my leading lady with looks like that," she muttered under her breath. "Capital really can't promote people anymore."

Please take your seats.

Chen Xiaojing sat down in her seat, holding a script that had been completely altered. She carefully flipped through it again and then slammed her pen on the table.

Just then, Director Qian was about to hand her the microphone to say a few words, but the microphone emitted a rattling noise that drowned out the sound of her slamming her pen on the table.

"Well... all I can say is that the male and female leads in this work each have their own shining moments. I believe that with the performances of these two very excellent actors, the work will definitely be presented perfectly."

She gave a few perfunctory, official remarks and then handed the microphone back to Director Qian, letting him take charge.

The actors began studying, and Chen Xiaojing took out her phone and opened Weibo. Zhang Renyin's speech was being broadcast live across the entire network through the official website of Beijing University.

She put on her headphones and started the live stream, and Zhang Renyin's eloquent and professional knowledge came into view.

It was time for audience questions, and the gossip-loving college students asked a few professional questions before inevitably turning their attention to the private life of this almost genius senior.

"Senior, I heard that you were imprisoned and drugged in J country some time ago, and that the famous writer Shangshui Luoying went to J country alone to rescue you. What is your relationship with Ms. Shangshui Luoying?"

Chen Xin stood aside maintaining order, and was about to reprimand the student for overstepping her bounds, but Zhang Renyin waved her hand to stop her: "My relationship with Shangshui Luoying is one where I want her to have a proper status."

His answer was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing an uproar among the students of B University, and because of the live broadcast, it was instantly spread across the entire internet.

In an instant, "I want a relationship with her that has a formal status" became a trending topic.

Shang Shui Luo Ying's comment section was instantly flooded with comments from fans curious about her relationship with Zhang Renyin, hoping to get an official response.

Chen Xiaojing glanced at the time, turned off her phone screen, and decided it would be better to reply after the script reading session was over.

Zhang Ren coughed twice to quell the commotion, and the audience below the stage returned to calm.

"Once I recover, if any students would like to exchange academic insights with me, they are welcome to visit S University of Science and Technology or leave a message on Weibo. As long as you are sincere, I will answer all your questions."

He gave a brief closing remark, stood up, bowed, and left.

As the script reading session drew to a close, Chen Xiaojing opened her phone to reply to messages in the comments section, only to find that they had clearly been deleted—only friendly inquiries remained, while all the questions directed at her had been removed.

In her unread WeChat messages, Zhou Chenjin sent her a salute emoji.

It's obvious who did it.

Since learning that Zhang Ge was suspected of money laundering, Zhou Chenjin has been closely monitoring Chen Xiaojing's every move—Wu Hengyan's orders to her were not simply an excuse for her daughter's personal gain. If Chen Xiaojing could really bring down the capitalist bureaucrats in the entertainment industry, HW's control over the area could be expanded.

This is a win-win situation, so why not do it?