Chapter 456 - 242: No Woman Can Refuse Patek Philippe

Just as Qi Sheng and Gu Pan were laughing and chatting together,

the audition next door had also just ended.

As Qi Sheng had expected, Zong Lin had handily secured the minor supporting role.

The fact that Zong Lin was only eighteen secretly astounded Zhang Xiaobo.

She had the looks, the acting chops, and the figure.

Another promising talent with the potential to become a top-tier actress!

’Are Universal Entertainment’s talent scouts using some kind of cheat code?’

’It was as if all the mainland film companies were collectively blind to such a promising talent.’

’They just stood by and watched as Gu Pan and Zong Lin signed one after another with this established company from Xiangjiang.’

Zhang Xiaobo could somewhat accept that Gu Pan was a good actress.

After all, Gu Pan had taken three years of acting classes.

It wasn’t impossible for her to have reached that level of skill.

But Zong Lin didn’t even know which way the gates to the Shanghai Theatre Academy faced.

Yet she had already reached a level of acting skill that many of its graduates lacked.

It wasn’t that Zhang Xiaobo looked down on Jiang Shuying.

Her acting skills weren’t even on par with this eighteen-year-old girl in front of him.

During the past few days of filming, Jiang Shuying had been miserably outshined by Gu Pan.

She was completely crushed in every aspect: acting, looks, figure, and background.

The most she had over the newcomer Gu Pan was a little bit of fame.

Once the show aired, discerning viewers would surely be able to tell who the better actress was.

"Brother-in-law, I got the role!"

Zong Lin came jogging in happily.

She looked at Qi Sheng with a proud expression, awaiting her brother-in-law’s praise.

"Hm, not bad."

Qi Sheng didn’t discourage Zong Lin, but he didn’t offer any real praise either.

’Without my help to give her an edge, her acting alone is still far from good enough.’

"Just ’not bad’?"

Zong Lin pouted, feeling that her brother-in-law was being too harsh.

She hadn’t even taken any formal acting classes, yet she still managed to land this role.

’Doesn’t she deserve some real praise?’

"You’re already satisfied with a minor supporting role?"

Seeing Qi Sheng’s ambiguous smile and hearing the hint in his tone,

Zong Lin’s heart couldn’t help but race.

’Could it be? Is my brother-in-law going to promote me?’

Although she didn’t know much about the show,

she knew that Sister Panpan’s part was no smaller than that of the female lead, Jiang Shuying.

In terms of character appeal, she was even more likely to attract fans than the female lead.

Her brother-in-law had thrown down forty million for that role.

That was what had made Lemon Film and Television go back on their word and recast the role right before filming was set to begin.

What girl trying to make it in showbiz wouldn’t be envious of that kind of treatment?

Forget her—even the third female lead of the show, Mao Xiaotong, was incredibly envious.

As she listened to Jiang Shuying’s various passive-aggressive remarks,

Mao Xiaotong was too distracted to pay them any mind.

She was just the third female lead, anyway. It was none of her business.

When Mao Xiaotong perked up her ears and heard that this incredibly handsome investor was going to promote the younger girl,

she was instantly so jealous it was like she’d just bitten into a lemon.

She had been knocking around the entertainment industry for over a decade.

Her only noteworthy role was still Noble Lady Ying in *The Legend of Zhen Huan*.

That very role had elevated her to the status of a third-tier actress.

This role in *Thirty Years Old* was an opportunity she had fought tooth and nail for.

If she got lucky, maybe this show could push her up to the second tier.

"Chairman Qi, I’m Mao Xiaotong. I hope I’ll have the opportunity to participate in a project your company is investing in."

Having finally found a moment when Qi Sheng was alone, Mao Xiaotong hurried over to introduce herself.

"I’m not very involved with Universal Entertainment, but if a suitable project comes up, you’ll be considered."

Qi Sheng gave a tactful, canned response. Of course, he wouldn’t give resources to an outsider.

"This is my personal card. If you have some time, I was wondering if I could treat you to dinner later?"

Mao Xiaotong was so desperate to get ahead that she resorted to the classic female tactic of playing the damsel in distress.

"Brother-in-law, what are you doing?"

Zong Lin suddenly appeared, linking her arm through Qi Sheng’s and eyeing Mao Xiaotong warily.

Qi Sheng chuckled. "It’s nothing. Aren’t you watching Sister Panpan film anymore?"

"No, it’s not that interesting. I’ll have plenty of time to watch once I officially join the cast."

How could Zong Lin possibly be in the mood to watch filming? ’The house is about to be robbed!’

’Since my sister isn’t here, it’s up to me, the little sister, to keep an eye on things.’

’Who could blame them? My brother-in-law is handsome and rich.’

’The temptation for a third-tier actress like her must be immense.’

"Miss Mao, we have to go. We’ll consider you if a suitable project arises."

With that, Qi Sheng led Zong Lin away.

It wasn’t until they were out of the studio that Zong Lin realized she had been clinging tightly to her brother-in-law’s arm.

The little spitfire who had just been baring her teeth at Mao Xiaotong suddenly blushed as red as an apple.

"You’ve got the role now. Satisfied?"

Qi Sheng subtly withdrew his arm.

"Mhm! Brother-in-law, you still haven’t told me... when are you going to make me a female lead?"

Zong Lin had been pestering him about it just moments before.

But Qi Sheng was tight-lipped, refusing to give anything away.

"You’ll find out when the time comes."

Qi Sheng brushed her off with a vague reply, already planning a much bigger move.

"Hmph. Fine, don’t tell me."

Zong Lin was a little miffed, but there was nothing she could do about Qi Sheng.

He wasn’t just her brother-in-law; he was also the boss who controlled her entire career.

"Upset already?"

Qi Sheng glanced at Zong Lin’s outfit; she was dressed in designer brands.

It was clear her sister, Zong Rui, doted on her.

"I am not."

The high pout of her lips clearly showed she didn’t mean it.

"I was planning on getting you a gift, but I guess there’s no need now."

Qi Sheng sighed dramatically, waiting for the girl to take the bait.

"A gift?"

Zong Lin couldn’t help but wonder what her brother-in-law wanted to give her.

Her instincts told her not to accept gifts from boys so easily.

’But Qi Sheng is my brother-in-law. He wouldn’t have any bad intentions toward me, would he?’

...

Seeing that Qi Sheng had already reached the Bentley,

Zong Lin quickly jogged to catch up, afraid he would leave her behind.

A small smile played on Qi Sheng’s lips as he drove to the Patek Philippe Mansion.

As the king of the watch world,

Patek Philippe’s status was beyond question.

No girl could refuse a Patek Philippe.

If one did, it just meant you bought a model that was too cheap.

When the Bentley pulled to a stop, the sales associate Qi Sheng had contacted beforehand, Zhou Hui, hurried over to greet them.

"Mr. Qi, good morning."

"The watch I picked out before, is it in stock?"

"Yes, it is. Right this way, you two."

Zhou Hui led the way, swaying her curvaceous figure.

Even though it was July in Shanghai, with weather hot enough to cause heatstroke,

Zhou Hui was still dressed in a professional suit, her legs clad in black stockings and her feet in thin black heels.

"Don’t look."

Seeing Qi Sheng’s appreciative gaze, Zong Lin felt a strange pang of jealousy and reached out to block his view.

"You’re even more controlling than your sister."

Qi Sheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’That woman, Zhou Hui, is swaying her hips so deliberately.’

’Isn’t it just so I’ll spend a fortune in a little while?’

"I’m supervising you for my sister!"

Zong Lin let out a sweet little huff, but her tone lacked conviction.

Only she truly knew whether she was doing it for her sister, or for herself.

...

Once inside the Patek Philippe Mansion, they saw the two-story, old Western-style building had been beautifully restored.

It was located at Bund Source, surrounded by consulates—the location was impeccable.

Inside each small display case sat an expensive, high-priced watch.

A single one of them cost more than an ordinary person’s salary for several years.

In a smaller city, it would be enough to buy a house outright.

Arriving at the second-floor VIP lounge, Qi Sheng and Zong Lin each took a seat.

"Mr. Qi, miss, would you two like something to drink first?"

"Two glasses of orange juice with ice."

Qi Sheng was indeed a bit thirsty, so he answered casually.

"Of course. Please wait a moment."

Zong Lin completely blocked the sight of Zhou Hui’s retreating figure, swaying her hips as she left.

"No looking!"

Zong Lin couldn’t understand. He had a great beauty like her right by his side,

so why was Qi Sheng so interested in looking at that woman with her average looks and figure?

The reason was simple: Qi Sheng was just trying to hook this little mermaid.

"Mr. Qi, miss, here are your iced orange juices."

Zhou Hui returned, walking softly as she carried a tray.

"Thanks."

Qi Sheng took a large gulp of the iced orange juice, and the sweltering heat in his chest immediately subsided.

"You can bring out the watch now. Let’s have a look."

"Of course. One moment."

Zhou Hui walked toward a room in the back of the second floor.

She returned with an exquisitely ornate ladies’ watch and presented it to Qi Sheng and Zong Lin.

"Mr. Qi, this Model 4978 classic diamond-paved watch is one of our most popular timepieces."

"It’s crafted from 18k white gold and set with 679 diamonds in a gradient of sizes. It’s perfectly suited for a young lady."

"As for the price, the current domestic retail price is 650,000."

As Zhou Hui spoke, she discreetly observed Qi Sheng’s and Zong Lin’s expressions.

"650,000?"

Zong Lin was stunned by the number.

For someone who had just graduated from high school, it was an astronomical sum.

Even if she started acting in films soon,

how much could she possibly earn from a minor supporting role?

"Do you like it?"

Unfazed by the price, Qi Sheng smiled at Zong Lin, who couldn’t hide the adoration in her eyes.

He still had 50 million on his card.

Buying a 650,000 watch was a piece of cake.

"It’s a little too expensive."

Zong Lin suppressed her desire for it and shook her head.

But the sparkling, bling-bling watch was a perfect match for her taste.

Zong Lin secretly made a resolution.

’After I get my first lead role, I’m definitely going to buy this watch.’

"Adjust the strap for her. She’ll be wearing it out."

Qi Sheng took out a black China Construction Bank private banking card and said the words Zhou Hui had been longing to hear.

"Right away, Mr. Qi."

Zhou Hui took the bank card without hesitation, her face beaming as she rang up another sale.

"Brother-in-law..."

Zong Lin was speechless, unsure how to properly thank Qi Sheng.

"Don’t overthink it. Just consider it a gift for getting into the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Besides, I’m counting on you to make a lot of money for me in the future."

Qi Sheng smiled and waved it off, not wanting to put too much pressure on the young woman.

"Mhm! I’ll definitely make even more money for you."

Zong Lin finally understood why her own sister and Sister Qu Man were both so fond of her brother-in-law.

He was handsome, incredibly generous, and could help them with their careers.

Who wouldn’t fall for a man like that?

[Zong Lin’s Favorability +20. Current Favorability: 60 (Smitten)]

Seeing the system notification, the corners of Qi Sheng’s mouth lifted in a subtle, triumphant smile.

With just looks, a girl might date you for a while.

With just money, a girl will, at most, just want to empty your wallet.

But with both looks and wealth, a girl will love you to death.