Chapter 3, Section 3: She would always end by agreeing with Jiang Yi and forgetting the conflict, time and time again.
Ge Li was very efficient. Jiang Yi needed the schedule in the morning, and she printed it out and handed it to him when she had a spare moment at noon. Jiang Yi had just been smiling and dealing with a few bald men at the bank, but now his face was as cold as ice, and he was flipping through the papers with a loud rustling sound.
Ge Li stood by, observing silently. As a high-paid assistant deeply involved in her boss's family affairs, she had handled countless handovers between Jiang Yi and Gu Lai's studio and the family office. The itinerary she presented this time was indeed impeccable, perfectly meeting Jiang Yi's demanding requirements.
—That is, not so busy that he's constantly on the go, nor so idle that he loses his "big star" status; not so entangled with handsome men and beautiful women, nor letting Gu Lai offend people for no reason; satisfying Gu Lai's noble and romantic spiritual needs, as well as satisfying Jiang Yi's nature of wanting to make a fortune with a small investment.
Back then, these invisible rules and regulations drove away countless top agents in the industry, and only Tan Junming survived the test of time. The rewards were also substantial; after five or six years, Tan Junming amassed a fortune of at least several hundred million. The creative directors of the various major brands under Fenglu are all renowned figures in the fashion world. Putting aside their so-called professionalism and dreams, countless people would have loved to earn that kind of money for Tan Junming.
Mr. Jiang has too many luxury brands, but his wife only has this one.
Sure enough, Jiang Yi looked at it for a long time but couldn't find anything wrong with it. He threw it on the table, pressed his temples and said, "Let's go out to eat tonight. Make a reservation at that Huai cuisine restaurant."
Ge Li hesitated for a moment: "With Madam? Madam is supposed to be having dinner with Xu Rui, the new editor-in-chief of ELEGANCE, tonight."
Jiang Yilian was so engrossed in his work that he thought he had misread the schedule. He reached out and pulled up the itinerary to check again, and indeed, there was nothing scheduled. Ge Li, standing beside him, confidently explained to her boss, "It was arranged at the last minute. This morning, the concierge said they had booked a French meal for four at Clive, and Zhou Shanshan replied that it was for the wife, the editor-in-chief, and two secretaries and assistants."
Jiang Yi didn't care which editor-in-chief Gu Lai met, nor did he care whether she invited someone to a street food stall or used the family office's concierge service to book a meal and cut in line. It was just that her abrupt departure clearly indicated she was angry.
They've been together for ten years, and they've had their share of arguments.
Jiang Yi remembered one time Gu Lai was so upset that she refused to see him for half a month. Finally, when Jiang Yi's family dinner was unavoidable, Gu Lai dieted for three days, ended up in the hospital receiving glucose drips, and even took photos to post on WeChat Moments and Weibo to elicit sympathy, earning a bunch of gifts in return. Marketing accounts, haters, and fans alike immediately made "Gu Lai suspected of marital discord" and "Gu Lai dedicated to her work" trending topics, each happily celebrating the New Year.
Knowing the truth, Jiang Yi was furious, his expression unusually unpredictable in front of the whole family. In the end, it was the grandmother who spoke up, magnanimously telling the princess, "Go see Xiao Gu, and bring him over when he's better."
Jiang Yi obediently took her leave, and as soon as she stepped out, she picked up her spoiled mother's sports car and rushed to the hospital. She drove at breakneck speed, cursing Tan Junming and his accomplices on the phone, but her anger completely vanished when she arrived at the hospital.
Through the glass, she saw Gu Lai leaning against the hospital bed, holding a book and talking to someone. Her pale face was bloodless, and her gaze was indifferent. As soon as she pushed open the door and entered, Gu Lai turned her gaze over, and her clear, pool-like eyes were immediately tinged with the seven emotions and six desires of the mortal world, like a goddess meeting King Xiang of Chu in Yunmeng, and the waves were about to surge.
Jiang Yi had forgotten exactly why she was angry. She didn't care if anyone else was there, tossed the keys onto the hospital bed, lowered her head to kiss Gu Lai's bright eyes, and finally asked, "A-Lai, is this your new date invitation? Good idea, don't ask her out again next time."
Gu Lai was so angry that she slapped her with the hand that wasn't on an IV drip, "Are you driving under the influence?!"
Jiang Yi smiled and grabbed her wrist, "You're in a hurry to keep your appointment."
Jiang Yi closed his eyes, pondering absentmindedly what Gu Lai was suddenly angry about. After thinking for half a minute without figuring it out, the phone rang.
After speaking briefly, Ge Li hung up the phone and said to Jiang Yi, "I have news about Gianni. Their president may be leaving again."
Gianni is a luxury jewelry brand from Country I, and it was the first acquisition plan decided upon by Jiang Yi after taking office last year. Fenglu, under her grandmother Jiang Jueming's leadership, underwent extensive mergers and acquisitions, transforming into a luxury goods group primarily focused on leather fashion. If Gianni can be brought under its wing, Fenglu will not only fill the gap in its jewelry business but also gain access to the most "stubborn" luxury market in Country I.
Gianni is too large to be easily acquired. Whether the acquisition fails or becomes the largest acquisition in the luxury industry is a minor matter. The real concern is that if the acquisition cripples Fenglu itself, Jiang Yi will have no choice but to abandon his position as heir apparent.
Of course, some of Jiang Yi's ministers offered advice, but unfortunately, not only did he refuse to heed their advice and change targets, he also wanted to pull off a low-price, large-scale takeover. Now that the plan was progressing, she was naturally busy flying all over the world.
Upon hearing about the new developments, Jiang Yi immediately forgot about Gu Lai's minor mishap. Only after she was so busy she missed dinner did she have time to ask Ge Li if anything had happened with Gu Lai.
Basically, they were asking Gu Lai if she had called to contact them.
Of course, she didn't make a phone call. Ge Li brought up something else, handing her phone to Jiang Yi: "Zhou Shanshan said that the new editor-in-chief of ELEGANCE showed a photo to Madam, and Madam asked you to send it to your phone right there in front of her."
Jiang Yi spotted herself immediately in the photo, though she knew the focus was on the woman in the center. She looked at it for a while, recognizing the tulip dress as a spring/summer design from Fenglu's brand, but couldn't recall who the woman was.
Ge Li observed her boss's reactions, from curiosity to thoughtfulness, then to bewilderment, and just as she was about to become impatient, she spoke to her about Fan Zi's resume.
Jiang Yi suddenly realized that it was a ploy to sow discord. She stared at Fan Zi for a while longer before asking Ge Li, "So why do you think I would be interested in her?"
This question was too sharp; Ge Li felt embarrassed for Xu Rui and Fan Zi. They thought they'd found a knock-off, but it turns out that CEO Jiang isn't really the audience for stand-in literature.
Ge Li had too many photos of Gu Lai on her phone for her boss to enjoy or use at any time. At this moment, she quickly found a photo of Gu Lai wearing the same tulip-shaped silver dress and compared the two to Jiang Yi: "You see, Fan Zi still looks a bit like Madam."
Jiang Yi lowered his head, his shimmering eyes sweeping sharply across the phone screen, his posture unchanged: "Pheasants and phoenixes look alike because they both belong to the class Aves."
These words were both harsh and sincere, and Ge Li almost laughed when she heard them.
Jiang Yi pointed to the picture of Fan Zi: "Who took this? Send A Lai a new one of mine. If you don't have one, Photoshop her out and give me image enhancement."
Grace nodded and then asked, "What do you want to say to Madam?"
"Do I really need to say that?" Jiang Yi said, but still nodded. She looked down on this kind of useless and sinister path, but that didn't mean she would really let it go unchecked.
Human nature cannot withstand testing, let alone being worn down. Jiang Yi knows this better than anyone else, and besides, explaining it is not difficult.
Gu Lai, who was on her way back by car, received a message from Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi: [I don't know that woman, we have no connection. As for the background and circumstances surrounding her, if you want to investigate, let Lao Tan investigate.]
Jiang Yi: [Image 1.jpg.Image 2.jpg.Image 3.jpg]
Jiang Yi: [These pictures are clearer]
The three pictures are: one shows Jiang Yi entering, followed by the general manager's assistant and the group's public relations personnel, while she is on the phone; another shows Jiang Yi smoking in a charcoal gray suit amidst a group of evening gowns; and the last one is the most familiar, as Fan Zi has been photoshopped out.
The driver was driving ahead, and Zhou Shanshan was on the phone with the film and television department. Gu Lai stared at the photo for a few seconds, then called Jiang Yi.
The standby call wasn't loud, but it was very clear. It was disconnected within two seconds, and the familiar, standard voice came through: "The user you dialed cannot be reached..."
Gu Lai lowered her eyes and stared at the dial pad for a while before dialing again, this time without waiting for the call to pause: "The user you dialed is currently on another call..."
Zhou Shanshan glanced in the rearview mirror. Gu Lai showed no expression, put her eye mask back on, and closed her eyes to rest. The driver also glanced in the rearview mirror and silently mouthed to Zhou Shanshan: What's wrong?
Zhou Shanshan neither nodded nor shook her head, and the driver understood. If it were any artist, director, or investor causing trouble, she would have spoken up long ago. Only when it concerned President Jiang would Zhou Shanshan remain silent.
The driver instantly regretted not bringing a car with privacy glass. Gu Lai didn't like riding in overly luxurious cars because she was approachable; the driver and the private chef, like everyone else, didn't want to get involved because she didn't want to offend Jiang Yi.
Everyone who works for Gu Lai is afraid of her.
Zhou Shanshan was so annoyed that she cursed the nagging film and television department staff in her heart, but she remained outwardly calm and racked her brains to figure out how to communicate business while appeasing Gu Lai.
Unlike Jiang Yi, who was completely clueless, she could vaguely guess a little bit.
Actually, Gu Lai wasn't in a good mood after watching the original frames of the movie "From Winter to Summer" at the beginning of this month.
This movie was directed by Mu Hongru, who could be considered her mentor. Mu Hongru's film *Frost's Descent* earned her the Huaxi Award for Best Supporting Actress, marking her first recognition of her acting skills in the film industry. He subsequently mentored her on several occasions. For these reasons alone, Gu Lai was willing to take his roles unconditionally. However, her willingness was one thing, but her dissatisfaction with the film was another.
"From Winter to Summer" was poorly made, falling far short of expectations, and Gu Lai was still the female lead. Although it's almost inevitable for actors and directors to make one or two bad films that fail at both the box office and critical acclaim, Gu Lai was still disappointed.
For Jiang Yi, her lover could do anything. For Gu Lai, with Jiang Yi as her lover, she already possessed everything that ordinary people would need to strive for and prove. The art of light and shadow was the only thing she was seeking to prove, and it wasn't something money could create; it also required the right timing, location, and people.
Gu Lai was disappointed with the work that had cost her so much of her life and was too lazy to accept editing offers. At the same time, she was still a bit immersed in the role and had not yet completely come out of the sensitive parasitic character.
The psychologist knew about this, and so did Jiang Yi. However, Jiang Yi had seen Gu Lai get even more immersed in her roles before; this time it was so mild that Zhou Shanshan wouldn't have noticed it if she hadn't pointed it out.
When they met last night, Jiang Yi quickly assessed him and didn't say anything more.
—The spring night is too short; there's not even enough time for a night of passionate lovemaking. For professional help, there are psychologists; for feelings, Jiang Yi doesn't need to be consulted.
Zhou Shanshan couldn't directly message Jiang Yi, so she switched screens to message Ge Li, reminding her that Gu Lai was in a bad mood and easily agitated. If Ge Li didn't want to be forced to work overtime because of the Emperor and Empress's unrest, she should quickly ask His Majesty to appease the Empress.
Ge Li probably received it too. About ten minutes later, Gu Lai's phone lit up, flashing a notification that Jiang Yi was calling.
Zhou Shanshan looked at Gu Lai expectantly, only to find that Gu Lai had already put on earplugs and fallen asleep, swaying gently with the slight bumps of the car.
The phone lit up and then went out. Zhou Shanshan sighed and looked down to continue sending messages to Ge Li.
Zhou Shanshan: [Lai Jie is tired and asleep. Do you need me to call her back later?]
There was no response from the other side, and only two replies came back a few seconds later.
Ge Li: [President Jiang said it's not necessary. My flight to I is tonight. Please tell my wife, and that we should stay in touch in case of any unforeseen circumstances.]
Ge Li: [Thank you for the photos. I've already contacted Tan Junming to have him communicate with Ms. Fan Zi.]
Zhou Shanshan quickly exchanged polite business remarks with her, but before she could say two words, she was patted on the shoulder.
Gu Lai woke up at some point, holding an eye mask in her hand, and asked her, "Did Ge Li want to talk to you about something?"
Zhou Shanshan blurted out, "President Jiang is going to Country I tonight, and he also needs to contact Sister Tan to find Fan Zi."
Gu Lai hummed in agreement: "How long will it take?"
Zhou Shanshan hesitated: "I don't know, let me ask?"
Gu Lai remained noncommittal, looking at her calmly: "Was this decided on the spur of the moment today?"
Zhou Shanshan remained silent; she didn't know either.
In the past, Gu Lai would have stopped by now. Last-minute decisions and unexpected events were all too common for Jiang Yi, and Zhou Shanshan was merely Gu Lai's assistant; she had no need and no possibility of knowing these things.
Her best and most frequent option is to contact Grie, who is on call 24/7, and she will then receive a detailed schedule and arrangements.
But perhaps it was because she was already in a bad mood today and encountered two unpleasant things related to Jiang Yi, or perhaps the sensitivity from that parasitic character was still lingering in her. In short, Gu Lai just didn't want to be so considerate, nor did she want to be that thoughtful, tolerant, and gentle lover.
Gu Lai paused for a few moments, then spoke again in an almost aggressive tone: "Why didn't you answer the phone just now?"
Zhou Shanshan finally said, "He must be busy."
Gu Lai showed a slight expression.
She smiled, as if it were something really funny, and there was something she suddenly really wanted to say to Jiang Yi.
—Look at my closest and longest-serving assistant, she's so timid even when communicating with her artist boss's legal lover.
But it's unnecessary.
Gu Lai could easily guess Jiang Yi's answer with her eyes closed. She would most likely patiently advise herself to go directly to Ge Li if she needed anything in the future, because she didn't think Zhou Shanshan's aloofness was a problem, and she knew that she wasn't really dissatisfied with Zhou Shanshan.
Jiang Yi might even be secretly pleased, because according to her, only those who have awe will treat her with respect and be hesitant to harm her.
She would always end by agreeing with Jiang Yi and forgetting the disputes, time and time again.
Jiang Yi truly possesses the ability to captivate people and distort facts, ultimately making them willingly comply with her wishes, not just towards herself.
Thinking of this, Gu Lai's mood suddenly improved a bit. At least she was still an exception, preventing Jiang Yi from being so smooth and complacent.
While she was lost in thought, Zhou Shanshan half-ditched the conversation, half-seriously talking about work. In the end, she didn't remember anything; her mind was still full of Jiang Yi.
After getting off the bus at the scenic walkway, walking around the water feature wall and through the front door, Gu Lai finally gave in and took out her phone to make a call after the one-sided cold war that had been going on that morning.
Of course, I wasn't calling Jiang Yi, who wasn't answering the phone. I was calling the health manager to keep an eye on this busy man and prevent him from working himself to death in a foreign country.
Before hanging up, the person on the other end flattered her, saying that Sister Lai was just too concerned to think straight and that everything would be alright.
Gu Lai echoed, looking at the city lights flowing across the distance below through the glass curtain wall, and said, "Indeed, I was worrying for nothing."
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