Chapter 736 - 732: Seeing Through the Essence of the Entertainment Industry

Lily Sterling nodded, pulling out her phone to scan the QR code. Ronald leaned in curiously, craning his neck. "What do they have?"

The menu really did have a bit of everything.

For Western cuisine, there was steak, pasta, salad, and all sorts of fried foods.

For Chinese, there were stir-fries, noodle dishes, and more.

The drink selection was comprehensive, and all the juices were freshly squeezed.

Ronald, who had just claimed he’d already eaten and wasn’t hungry, swallowed hard at the sight of the menu. "Lily, I think I want a steak, an apple juice, two orders of roasted wings, and a side of fries."

"Can you eat all that?" Lily Sterling asked, even as her hands were already ordering everything for him.

Ronald chuckled. "Totally. My appetite has been amazing lately."

It was this kind of open, unabashed personality that made him so likable. Everything was free, after all. If he wanted to eat, he should eat. There was nothing to be shy about.

Once the food was ordered, Lily Sterling turned to Yuri Tucker. "I see Beau assigned you an assistant?"

"He did." Yuri Tucker pursed his lips, looking a little awkward. "He said it’s much more convenient to have an assistant when I’m out, and that it helps my image."

"To be honest, I don’t need one. It feels weird. I’ve never had anyone wait on me in my entire life. For as long as I can remember, I was the one hauling slop to feed the pigs. But Beau insisted, said I’d get used to it eventually."

A smile crept onto Lily Sterling’s face as she listened to him. "Beau’s right. There are a lot of things you just have to get used to. I was the same way at first, but it’s much better now."

"Are you used to it?" Yuri Tucker asked.

Lily Sterling gave a wry purse of her lips. "I wouldn’t say I’m ’used to it,’ more like... I’ve adapted. Once you’re in this industry, you get swept along by invisible currents. It’s hard to stay in control, and sometimes you can’t even stick to your principles."

"But your sister is so influential. You mean you can’t just do whatever you want?"

"I can’t." Lily Sterling shook her head. "In the grand scheme of things, one person is insignificant. But I’m already much better off than most, so I have no complaints about my situation. I guess that’s a sign of being adaptable."

She no longer obsessed over the things she once cared so much about, like fan-led support campaigns or attending certain events.

She knew she couldn’t control whether or not she "made it big." But when you do, fan organizations are an inevitable consequence, and they’re massive.

Her ideal and original aspiration have never changed: to become an outstanding actress and win lots and lots of awards.

But once an actress becomes famous, it’s hard to remain purely an "actress." She now had endorsements and was in the limelight. She was both an actress and a celebrity, and she had naturally come to terms with her celebrity status.

She accepted it quickly because she had already seen the entertainment industry for what it truly was.

The more famous you are, the more you’re entangled in various interests. There’s no such thing as a superstar who can remain completely aloof and untainted by the business of showbiz. It’s utterly impossible!

Even with her sister as an investor, she couldn’t swim in her own little pond of clean water forever.

"Lily, I really feel like you’ve changed so much," Yuri Tucker exclaimed, speaking from the heart.

Lily Sterling was noncommittal. "Everyone changes. What matters is that your original goals don’t."

"You’re right. I still remember your goal was to be an actress who wins a lot of awards. You’re so talented, I’m sure you’ll have no problem."

"And I remember yours. To make lots and lots of money, buy your parents a big house in the city, and give them a good life."

Yuri Tucker lowered his head, embarrassed. "My goal is so materialistic."

"Not at all. I think it’s realistic and sincere. It’s probably what most people hope for, deep down!"

Yuri Tucker looked up at Lily Sterling, thinking now more than ever that she was an incredibly wonderful person.

Ronald, listening to their conversation from the side, fell into a pensive silence when the topic of original goals came up.

’Why does everyone have goals and dreams, while I’m still so lost about my future?’

*

「Jandon Group.」

In the Chairman’s office, Randall Jennings had just wrapped up a three-hour international video conference. He hung up and couldn’t help but massage his stiff neck.

There was a knock, and his secretary entered with a file. "Mr. Chairman, this document from Manager Bowman needs your signature."

Randall Jennings took it and glanced over it. It was a proposal for the company’s International Women’s Day employee benefits.

The first item on the list was a gift card to a beauty salon.

Randall Jennings circled the item with his pen. "Change this to gift cards for the Aetherium spa," he told his secretary.

"What?" The secretary was taken aback and instinctively offered a reminder. "Mr. Chairman, won’t that be over budget?"

’Gift cards for Aetherium are very expensive.’

"It won’t be. Also, set aside a few extra boxes of the bird’s nest for me. I need them for gifts."

"Female employees at the manager level and above will each receive an additional 50 grams of gold. And all female employees will get a paid day off on International Women’s Day."

The secretary mentally noted each point, then collected the file. "I’ll have Manager Bowman draft a new version for your signature."

After the secretary left, Randall Jennings returned to his work. But he had only been reading for two minutes when there was another knock on the door.

"Mr. Chairman, your brother and sister-in-law are here."

Randall Jennings looked up, surprised, as Matthew Jennings and Ivy Winters walked in. Matthew was carrying a food container, clearly having brought him something to eat.

Randall Jennings quickly stood up. "Brother, Sister-in-law, what brings you here so suddenly?"

Matthew Jennings and Ivy Winters made themselves at home on the sofa, placing the food container on the table. "Your sister-in-law made dumplings—pork and celery. Eat them while they’re hot."

"You shouldn’t have made a special trip. It’s freezing out there," Randall Jennings said, but his hands were already busy. As he opened the container, the aroma of dumplings wafted out. He couldn’t help but look at Ivy Winters. "Thank you, Ivy."

Ivy Winters smiled gently and said softly, "Go on and eat before they get cold."

Having been busy all morning, Randall Jennings really was a little hungry. He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

Ivy Winters’ cooking was no match for Jasmine Sterling’s, but she made a mean dumpling. The entire Jennings Family loved her dumplings.

Randall Jennings polished off the entire container of dumplings in no time. Only after he was done did he ask, "Have you seen Kael Jennings? You didn’t bring any for him?"

"He stayed over at our place last night. He had some for breakfast before he left this morning."

Randall Jennings nodded. Then he saw his brother’s expression turn serious. "Randall," Matthew said, "your sister-in-law and I actually came today to talk to you about something important."

Seeing his older brother so serious, Randall Jennings looked at him in surprise. "What is it? Did something happen?"

Matthew Jennings glanced at Ivy Winters, who then spoke softly, "Randall... I met Jasmine Sterling."