At that moment, she was explaining something to Chen Yan with a document in her hand.

"President Chen, the Xu brothers really didn't lie."

"Their TV series may have mediocre ratings, but because it features the gold-lettered signboard that is them and Sister Zhang, the satellite TV station offered a very high buyout price."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Additionally, the TV station didn't lose money either. They managed to sell all the advertisement slots even before the TV series aired."

"In other words, ultimately, the risk of the TV series flopping was passed on to the advertisers right from the start."

"They themselves still made a handsome profit."

Yang Rou turned a page of the document and said, "However, the prices for all companies and actors are always changing, like a curve."

"By acting this way, they are just damaging their reputation."

"Play this game too often, and they might just overplay their hand, tarnishing their own brand."

"For instance, for this 'Love of Destiny,' the TV station pressed down on their price, and the price offered by the advertisers to the station also dropped significantly."

"According to reliable information I've received, a few days ago, an advertiser withdrew their ads, deciding not to place any more."

Today, Yang Rou was here to report to Chen Yan about the company's developments over the past week.

Although Chen Yan is the boss, he has quite a few subordinates, especially this month as his focus has predominantly been on that 8-billion cashback, with little time to handle the affairs of the film and television company.

But the progress of the film and television company is related to his future plans. So he had asked Yang Rou to report to him every week on the specific condition of the company.

Of course... it was also so that he could have more interaction with Yang Rou and communicate feelings.

So... after Yang Rou finished talking about the recent events concerning the Xu brothers, Chen Yan didn't pick up the conversation immediately but seemed rather interested in looking at Yang Rou, praising her with a smile, "Sister Rou, you look so pretty today."

Hearing what Chen Yan said, Yang Rou glanced at him indifferently and replied, "And here I was thinking that President Chen liked black stockings, so I deliberately did not wear them."

Chen Yan touched his nose, embarrassed. He did quite like black stockings, so each time Yang Rou wore them, he couldn't help but give them an extra look. He certainly hadn't expected to get caught.

He covered up by saying, "Oh, that's not the case. It's because Sister Rou wears them that I like it. I don't like them on anyone else."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Yang Rou cracked a slight smile, "I think you would prefer it if I didn't wear anything, right?"

Chen Yan: ??

In that instant, Chen Yan chewed over Yang Rou's words, feeling... that there was an implication in what she said.

The conversation was obviously about black stockings, but with how Yang Rou put it, it suddenly seemed much more suggestive...

Chen Yan looked towards Yang Rou.

The smile that Yang Rou had just displayed had vanished, and she reverted to her usual cold demeanor.

As if she truly meant nothing more.

And that honestly made Chen Yan a bit distressed.

Because... he really couldn't figure out what Yang Rou was thinking.

This past month has been the most complicated in terms of Chen Yan's and Yang Rou's relationship.

In the past, they respected each other. Although they both had affection in their hearts, they managed to maintain a barrier as if there was a layer of cellophane between them.

Later, when Chen Yan broke through this layer, Yang Rou started acting a bit strange.

Sometimes cold to Chen Yan.

Most of the time keeping him at a distance.

Occasionally showing genuine feelings, and at other times seeming very conflicted.

At first, Chen Yan would listen to her inner voice with the "Headphones."

Surprisingly, the voice of Yang Rou's heart was very quiet. Sometimes, even using the "Headphones" twice, Chen Yan would only hear a few sighs.

Chen Yan still remembered that Yang Rou's inner world used to be very active.

Quite different from her outward appearance.

A chatterbox.

Kind of repressed.

But now, it's gotten a bit weird.

Chen Yan also wanted to understand why, but he couldn't find the reason.

He could only speculate: It was either related to the recent pressure or maybe to Yang Nuannuan...

Bringing his thoughts back to the present, after Yang Rou reverted to her cool demeanor, Chen Yan didn't continue to "flirt" with her and moved on to the matter at hand.

He asked, "How is 'Hua Qian Bone' doing right now?"

Upon Chen Yan's question, Yang Rou accurately reported a bunch of data, then said, "Our 'Hua Qian Gu,' although not a buyout deal, has seen its popularity continuously rising over the past month."

"Various advertisers came to us, seeking ad placements."

"We and Qindong TV made a lot of money. A rough estimate shows that we can pocket about 3.5 billion RMB."

"And that's not including follow-up reruns and broadcasts."

"If you calculate everything, it feels like the revenue could be in the 5 to 6 billion RMB range."

"Truly a deserved blockbuster."

Chen Yan nodded.

"Select some of this data that can be made public and release it."

"And do it together with Qindong TV."

"Let those people who always doubt we can make money see for themselves."

Yang Rou nodded then noted it down.

Chen Yan then asked, "Any other changes out there?"

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Yang Rou said, "There's been a minor change. But not substantial. They've moved up the project 'Magic City Fortress,' ahead of schedule to the summer season, which is the same slot as our 'Chinese Medicine God'."

"It looks like they want to avoid competition in the same genre, not wanting to suffer the same fate as 'The Grand Duke's Heir'."

Chen Yan chuckled, "As long as they're still in direct competition with us, let them be."

"Given the quality of their project, no matter which of ours they compete against, their defeat is all but guaranteed."

Then, the two talked about other matters of the company, before ending their chat.

After the conversation, Yang Rou took the initiative to say goodbye and left the office.

Chen Yan had wanted to talk more with her. But seeing her in a poor mood today, he didn't insist on keeping her.

Once Yang Rou left, Chen Yan continued to deal with the company's official matters.

So went the afternoon.

Close to leaving work, Chen Yan remembered that 'The Deception' had recently increased its promotion, which he hadn't yet discussed with Yang Rou.

So he got up, intending to find Yang Rou to discuss it on the spot, then head home.

After tidying up his desk, he went downstairs and arrived at the film and television company.

When he reached the office of the general manager of the film and television company, Chen Yan knocked on the door.

There was no response from inside.

Chen Yan knocked again, but still no response.

At this moment, the secretary from the office next door heard the noise and poked her head out.

Upon seeing that it was Chen Yan, she quickly said, "President Chen, President Yang has already left work."

"Left work?" Chen Yan was taken aback.

Yang Rou is a workaholic, the kind that Chen Yan couldn't chase away by deducting wages for overtime.

Usually, whenever Chen Yan went to pray during the holidays, he would ask the gods to bless Yang Rou so she wouldn't suddenly die in her office.

And now... she left work early today?

Chen Yan curiously looked at Yang Rou's secretary and asked, "Is she not feeling well today?"

The secretary was a recent college graduate, seemingly sharp. She shook her head and said, "President Yang is not unwell. But Nuan Nuan came to see her, and it seems they have plans for this evening. So she left early."

Chen Yan fell into thought.

Could it be... Yang Rou dressed casually today because she had plans to go out with Yang Nuan in the evening?

But... he had never heard of any mother-daughter activities between them.

What were they off to do tonight?

Unfortunately, neither the mother nor daughter was a "Virtual Girlfriend," so Chen Yan couldn't use the system to track their location.

Feeling a little puzzled, but not voicing it, Chen Yan came back to his senses, nodded with a smile to the secretary, and then said, "Alright. When President Yang comes to work tomorrow, tell her I was looking for her. I want to discuss with her about increasing the promotion for 'The Deception'."

Yang Rou's secretary obediently complied, and then took out a pen and paper to note it down on a sticky note.

After giving his instructions, Chen Yan left the film and television company.

He got into the elevator, ready to head home.

The elevator descended from the 17th floor but stopped at the 15th.

The door opened, and Zhao Ying was laughing and waving goodbye to He Mengxue before walking in.

Seeing Zhao Ying, Chen Yan was completely baffled.

It had been quite a while since he had seen Zhao Ying.

Ever since that day he was "caught in the act" by Zhao Xuan, Zhao Ying was taken away by him.

Perhaps due to the preparation for a "comeback" or maybe because it was dangerous to be against Zhao Qingtian, Zhao Xuan didn't let Zhao Ying return to school but took a long leave instead.

For the Zhao Family, this was just a phone call away.

So, not just Chen Yan, even Yu Qiaoqiao hadn't seen Zhao Ying for a long time.

And yet, unexpectedly, they met at the company today.

Chen Yan looked at Zhao Ying in surprise and then at He Mengxue behind her.

He Mengxue winked at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan nodded... without understanding the meaning.

The elevator door closed, and Chen Yan turned to the side, looking at Zhao Ying.

Zhao Ying, whom he hadn't seen for a month, seemed to have her hair a bit longer and gained a little weight, the most noticeable change being... her chest seemed slightly fuller.

Chen Yan was surprised.

Was it a second growth spurt, or did something else happen?

Why did Chen Yan feel that the women around him today were all different from usual?

Thinking that, Chen Yan didn't hesitate to ask Zhao Ying, "Brother Ying, what have you been up to this past month?"

Zhao Ying, clearly very happy to see Chen Yan as well.

She hooked her arm around Chen Yan's neck and exclaimed, "Chen Yan! I've missed you so much!"

"You have no idea how happy I've been this past month!"

"If you knew, you'd want to be part of it."

Chen Yan's head slowly filled with a question mark, "Tell me about it."

She counted on her fingers and began, "Every day I get up at five, and then..."

"Stop. That's enough," Chen Yan interrupted her without hesitation.

Regardless of how exciting Zhao Ying's day turned out to be afterwards, just the "waking up every day at five o'clock" part was enough for Chen Yan to give up.

Five o'clock! He wasn't even that hardworking in high school!

Seeing Chen Yan so unsupportive, Zhao Ying "hmmphed" and hugged his neck tighter before saying, "Do you feel my power? I've gotten a lot stronger this month."

And at that moment, Chen Yan felt Zhao Ying's arm press against his chest, not feeling power, but feeling...

He nonchalantly nuzzled his nose against it.

Fragrant and soft.

He'd be damned! It was real!

Chen Yan had thought it was fake before!

Zhao Ying might have felt Chen Yan's nuzzle as she patted him and said, "What are you doing~ It's ticklish."

She then let go of her hand and said, shaking her head, "It seems I have to show you my hard training this month to make you understand my transformation."

She positioned herself in a martial arts starting stance, "Want to have a sparring match to feel it for yourself?"

Though he didn't understand why Zhao Ying seemed to resort to fighting at the drop of a hat.

Chen Yan was very curious about Zhao Ying's "transformation" over the month.

He thought about his plans for the evening. It seemed there was nothing important.

So, he agreed, "Alright, let's go to our usual spot for a match."

"Afterwards, I'll take you out for dinner, so we can have a good talk about your recent life."

Zhao Ying drew back her hand and raised her head proudly, "Okay, then let's go to the pinnacle of the Forbidden Summit for a pinnacle showdown!"

Chen Yan glanced at the surveillance camera above his head, feeling embarrassed to match her energy with some second-rate dialogue...

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