017 Treating the Symptoms, Not the Root Cause

Since Alisa held the press conference, the number of applicants for the casting had reached an unprecedented peak. With just one day left before the week-long registration deadline and the first round of auditions scheduled three days later, the excitement was palpable. The auditions were set to take place in Hangzhou. Regardless of where the applicants hailed from or where they had registered, everyone was required to arrive in Hangzhou before the auditions began, or else they would be disqualified. The pressing timeline kept Alisa busy, but she relished the fullness of her days.

“Alisa, which company do you intend to assign as the organizer for the auditions?” her assistant Lan Ruo inquired. Back in the United States, Alisa had made such decisions herself, but since returning to China, she insisted on approving them personally.

“What do you think? Which companies seem most suitable at the moment?”

“Your influence in China is undeniable. Many entertainment companies, big and small, have entered the competition to host the auditions,” Lan Ruo replied, glancing at Alisa’s impassive face. “Among them, Tianhong Enterprises, which has emerged prominently over the past three years, is an excellent choice.”

“Why is that?” Alisa set down the materials in her hand, raising an eyebrow. Tianhong? Could it be such a coincidence? She was curious about what reasons her capable, steady, and wise secretary—who had worked by her side for three years—would offer to persuade her.

“Well, your new drama, ‘A Very Important Person,’ is set in the hotel workplace, and Tianhong happens to own a five-star hotel that could serve as our filming location. This would save us considerable funds. Though the company is relatively new, it holds great potential. Even Boss Han regards Tianhong’s owner with a special eye; otherwise, he wouldn’t have entrusted them with Wei Hao’s first Chinese production.”

“Is that all?” Alisa said coldly. That alone wouldn’t convince her.

“There’s more. Among the contenders, the appearance of Zheng Corporation was unexpected,” Lan Ruo said cautiously. As Alisa’s assistant, she was well aware of the unusual relationship between the young master of Zheng Corporation and its owner.

Alisa remained silent, her thoughts turning over. Yingqi’s participation in the competition was surely not just a simple attempt to get closer to her.

“My research shows that over the past three years, Zheng Corporation and Tianhong have been fierce rivals. Wherever Tianhong goes, Zheng Corporation competes fiercely, even though Zheng is primarily a food enterprise. This time, they’re competing in a sector that seems directly opposed to their core business—film and television.”

Hearing this, Alisa’s cold heart warmed slightly. If she still didn’t understand Yingqi’s intentions now, she truly would be a fool.

“Assign it to Zheng Corporation.”

Lan Ruo was about to argue but, sensing Alisa’s decisiveness, held her tongue. Her boss was known for making firm decisions. In any case, which company was chosen wouldn’t greatly affect them. She believed in Alisa’s undefeated legend—no matter how close to bankruptcy a company was, a single drama from her could revive it from the dead.

Once all matters were settled, Alisa suddenly remembered to call an old friend.

“Annyeong haseyo!”

“Your Korean has improved a lot,” Alisa said quietly.

“Ah—Xiao Yan, you devil, you finally remembered to contact me after three years! Where on earth have you been? And what’s this about a divorce? Others may not know, but I, Cai Mei, know you well—you loved Shen Hong as if your life depended on it. How could you just leave like that? Didn’t you teach me to be patient...” The voice on the other end was evidently excited.

“So, how’s life in Korea?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?” he was dazzling, radiant. Five years together, through thick and thin, and she had earned his love. Yet the distance between them was more than just physical.

“Xiao Mei... come back to China. I can make you famous overnight, radiant and shining. You’ll stand proudly by his side without a hint of gossip.”

“Haha! Xiao Yan, after three years apart, you’ve actually become funny,” Cai Mei laughed heartily.

“Alisa is my English name.” Upon hearing this, the laughter on the other side ceased, followed by silence. As the lover of one of Korea’s most popular stars, Cai Mei certainly had heard the name. Even renowned artists like Li Min could only dream of collaborating with her.

“I’m currently casting for my new drama, which tells the story of university graduates interning in a hotel workplace. The three of us studied hotel management, but none of us have actually experienced an internship,” Alisa said, her voice tinged with emotion. “Perhaps, through this drama, we can fulfill the regrets we never lived through.”

“Actually, Li Min…”

“Bring him back with you. These roles—the male and female leads—belong to you two. That’s a promise.”

“No…” Cai Mei hurriedly refused. “Let him be the male lead, but I won’t participate. There have already been rumors; I can’t appear on screen with him. Besides, I won’t selfishly ruin his career.”

Faced with Cai Mei’s firm stance, Alisa had no choice. Friends were indeed like this—both fools, always considering the ones they loved first, only to end up hurting themselves the most.