The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Chapter 168 The Confidence Behind Zhang Yang

At that moment, Zhou Yanruo had just stepped into the office, her mind still lingering on Jian Zheng's meaningful words in the coffee shop. Just as she was about to ponder them, Ding Jiajia's phone call came through unexpectedly, pulling her back to reality.

After hearing Ding Jiajia's account, Zhou Yanruo was also very angry.

The fact that the contract was changed without prior communication or even notice was a huge disrespect to Shang Yibo.

As Shang Yibo's exclusive agent, and one dispatched from Rushang Group, Zhou Yanruo felt an unprecedented sense of self-reproach and guilt. She felt that she hadn't cared enough for Shang Yibo, leaving everything to Ding Jiajia and hardly ever personally inquiring about things, leaving him to a certain extent neglected.

Upon closer examination, Zhou Yanruo believes there are reasons why Yihua Entertainment treats Shang Yibo this way. If the previous script revision incident could be attributed to pressure from investors, then this action of securing the "Mingye" advertisement for Shen Qing is undoubtedly a blatant attempt to advance their own interests and pave the way for resources for their own artist, while Shang Yibo has become a tool for hype.

This short-sighted and opportunistic behavior is completely different from the image of Shen Yihua that she knows. Shen Yihua would never be so foolish as to let her company's top executive and cash cow, Shang Yibo, become a cheap tool to be used.

The only plausible explanation is that they just want to make a quick buck off Shang Yibo. Or is it that Shang Yibo's immense popularity has impacted the industry, causing alarm and unease among certain forces?

Or perhaps the powerful lineup of Bobotang Film & Media Company, jointly established by Rushang Group, Hong Yun, and Fang Xichen, has put unprecedented pressure on the industry, thus attracting some unnecessary "attention"? Perhaps there are more complex conflicts of interest hidden behind this?

Zhou Yanruo didn't want to think too darkly of human nature, but the series of events forced her to think more deeply, since it involved Shang Yibo's interests.

Zhou Yanruo glanced at the time; it wasn't even five o'clock yet. If she drove to the studio immediately, she expected to arrive around seven o'clock.

She quickly changed into flat shoes, picked up her handbag, and headed towards the underground parking lot.

As soon as she stepped out of the elevator on the third basement level, her phone rang. She quickly took it out, glanced at the screen, and swiped to answer: "Zihang."

Zhou Zihang asked on the other end of the phone, "Ruoruo, I'm at the supermarket. What do you want to eat tonight?"

Zhou Yanruo then remembered that she had promised Zhou Zihang that she would have dinner at his house that evening. She said apologetically, "I have to go to the photography studio now, which is in the suburbs. I definitely won't be back for dinner tonight. How about I go to your house tomorrow?"

Zhou Zihang asked with concern, "Why are you rushing to the studio so late? Is something wrong?"

"Shang Yibo encountered some minor trouble while filming the commercial over there, so I need to go check on him."

"Oh, I see. Then go ahead. Are you going alone from your company?"

"Ding Jiajia and the others went there with Shang Yibo at noon. I just finished my work at the group, so I'm only getting there now."

"So you're driving to the suburbs alone? I'll go with you. You worked late last night and barely slept. It's getting dark now, and it's not safe for you to drive to the suburbs alone."

"No need. The studio is on Jingmi Road, in the suburbs not far from the city. Don't worry, I'll be careful."

"Okay then."

The city roads were congested during the evening rush hour, but after passing the Fourth Ring Road, the road conditions improved significantly and there were far fewer vehicles. Zhou Yanruo arrived at the photography studio on Jingmi Road at exactly seven o'clock.

The photography studio was located in the science and technology park. After Zhou Yanruo drove into the park, she found a spot to park on the side of the road and then sent a message to Ding Jiajia: "Jiajia, I've arrived at the science and technology park. Send me your location and I'll come find you."

Ding Jiajia replied instantly, sending a voice message with an excited tone: "Sister Yanruo, you're here! That's great! Just drive straight to the deepest part of the park, that silver-gray domed building is the photography base, there's a separate parking lot next to it. We're in Studio 2."

As the car approached the domed building, Ding Jiajia was already waiting at the entrance, waving vigorously at her.

Following Ding Jiajia's directions, Zhou Yanruo drove into the parking lot. As soon as she parked, Ding Jiajia eagerly opened the car door for her.

"Sister Yanruo, I really didn't expect you to come so late," Ding Jiajia said with a smile.

"Well, I was worried, so I came to check on things. How's the filming going?" Zhou Yanruo asked with concern.

"Not bad, Yibo's part has been completed smoothly, and we are now filming his and Shen Qing's scenes together," Ding Jiajia replied.

"Come on, let's go take a look."

The two walked side by side toward Studio 2. Just as they reached the entrance, they ran into Jie Can, who was smoking.

When Jie Can saw Zhou Yanruo, a hint of surprise flashed across his face: "President Zhou, why are you here so late? Are you worried about Shang Yibo, or do you have some concerns about Shen Qing?"

Zhou Yanruo smiled slightly and said calmly, "I was worried and had concerns, so I rushed over to check on things even though it's so late."

Jie Can, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, took a deep drag and said with a hint of sarcasm, "President Zhou, you've really worked hard. Your dedication is admirable."

Zhou Yanruo responded, "I also hope to make things easier, but some people are just not professional enough, which makes me uneasy."

Ding Jiajia suppressed a laugh and pulled Zhou Yanruo, saying, "Sister Yanruo, let's go in. There's only Xiao Guangzi looking after things inside. Oh no, he's only half a person. Xiao Guangzi's mind is only half on this place, so he can only be considered half a person, right?" She turned to Jie Can and said, "Brother Can, you can smoke slowly. Let's go in first."

Jie Can's expression darkened slightly. "Ding Jiajia, watch your words. You're becoming more and more rude. Since President Zhou is here, you should have a good talk with her about how you argued with Director Qi this afternoon."

He took a deep drag on his cigarette and stubbed it out hard in the ashtray by the door. "I have to remind you, don't be too flamboyant. As someone working for Shang Yibo, you should all be careful with your words and actions. Arrogance will only bring him trouble."

Ding Jiajia rolled her eyes, feeling dissatisfied, but she opened her mouth and held back.

Zhou Yanruo was about to enter when she heard Xie Can's words. She stopped and said coldly without turning her head, "No need for Director Xie to remind us. Whether we're ostentatious or not now, we have the confidence. Shang Yibo is a top star, and the people around him should be worthy of his status. On the other hand, those who are 8th, 9th, 10th, or even 18th-tier unknowns should know their place. Their 'unknown' behavior will eventually backfire. If that happens, I'm afraid the situation will be embarrassing."

Zhou Yanruo put her phone on silent and walked into the photography studio...