Actresses

Chapter 37 The Drinking Party

Shi Jiahe explained with a bitter face, "Sister Ran, that title was handled by Sister Shi's side. I didn't do anything specific. It's not appropriate for us to handle anything with the marketing accounts. Besides, I would definitely let you know as soon as there are any work-related developments."

She felt like she was Su Peisheng right now; if she said one wrong word, she'd be out of a job. But seriously, who had Su Peisheng's emotional intelligence?!

He Yuran glared at her: "What I'm angry about is, why didn't you tell me about the negative things right away? Do you think I'm that fragile? Did you think it was all for nothing when I told Wei Ning that doing things is more important than emotions? Was it just for show? I said that to you too. Do you know how much I hoped you would talk to me after hearing it? But nothing happened! You just left me hanging and went off to do what you thought was important!"

Shi Jiahe had been with He Yuran for several years and knew her so well, but it still took her a while to process this train of thought.

So, what Ran Jie wanted was for you to praise me. I needed you to see my changes, instead of hiding it from me like before, looking at me with the same old perspective, thinking that I would be angry if I heard about it, so you kept it from me.

After sorting out these emotions at the level of a third-grade elementary school student in her mind, Shi Jiahe blinked helplessly.

"Sister, I was wrong."

"See! You think I'm angry again. I don't need an apology, okay? What I need is for you to objectively view my current change!"

All these years of work have been for nothing. Shi Jiahe has never wished so much that she could really go back to elementary school and ask the teacher to mediate. Otherwise, she always loses in any verbal argument now.

"OK……"

She verbally agreed, but recalling He Yuran's face, as black as the bottom of a pot, during the day, she became even more confused about what to do now. Wasn't that anger? Was it really not anger? Was she messing with me, Sister Ran?

He Yuran continued to patiently guide her, saying, "You need to learn to see others, and feel gratified for their progress, especially mine."

Shi Jiahe thought to herself, "I really want to die right now," but she still managed a smile that was somewhere between sunny positivity and slightly apologetic as she stepped forward and grabbed He Yuran. "Sister Ran, I understand now. I was overthinking things. Let me tell you how I feel right now."

"Yes, that's fine."

The two walked over to the sofa and sat down.

"Zhao Cai is currently working on the script, and I can keep track of the progress. It feels like the play is taking shape more and more. If it weren't for you, Sister Ran, I probably wouldn't even believe what I said. You made this a reality."

He Yuran nodded calmly and shrugged. "I know. I always knew this could work, although right now..." She paused, "there's still some distance to go, but I knew from the beginning that we could do it."

"Yes, so everything is moving in a positive direction now. Sis, please don't be angry with me anymore, okay?"

"Okay, now you can explain why you didn't tell me about the negative trending topics about Zhuang Pan right away."

Shi Jiahe thought to herself, "It's all the same old story!" "We were both drunk that day, and when I woke up, you were still asleep when I was browsing online. Then Wei Ning called, and things just got rushed..."

"We've spent so much time together, we're not leaving right away, can't we talk about it in between?"

"Sister, I was wrong. I really know I was wrong."

Shi Jiahe decided to stop arguing, decisively slid down to her knees, and took full responsibility for the mistake.

She didn't want to talk about it anymore. Why was she so inefficient and unproductive every day? Wasn't it because she was always getting bogged down in trivial matters and not doing anything productive?

He Yuran, as expected, had limited attention span for one thing at a time. Suddenly, she slapped her forehead. "Oh! There's a case of wine a friend sent to the kitchen. Order some ice and iced glasses, then let's drink."

Shi Jiahe was happy to change the subject. "So, have you eaten, sis?"

"I'm not hungry, I haven't eaten."

"From daytime until now? That won't do. You need to eat something first; don't drink on an empty stomach."

"Hey, stop bringing up these kinds of things. Do you think I'm a grown man and don't know when I'm full, hungry, or sleepy? As an agent, focus on the important things and stop talking about eating, drinking, and relieving yourself all the time."

Shi Jiahe didn't know where He Yuran's excitement came from. It was as if he had become professional overnight. He used to throw tantrums countless times over issues of eating, drinking, and relieving himself, but today it was as if nothing had happened.

"I'll order an iced cup now." Shi Jiahe opened the food delivery app and ordered takeout for herself. She was really hungry.

In the past, Shih Chia-ho would definitely have considered the consequences, at least not eating in front of celebrities. Now, she's come to terms with it and eats whenever she feels like it, even if others don't.

Modern urban life is so convenient, because you can order from nearby shops and all your takeout orders will arrive in less than fifteen minutes. Shi Jiahe opened the wine, poured it, and handed it to the boss. Then, holding the takeout box, she plopped down on the carpet and started eating.

"Aren't you going to drink with me?" He Yuran asked, sounding a little aggrieved.

Shi Jiahe chewed as she spoke, "I've been busy all day helping Zhaocai move, and I haven't eaten a single thing yet."

Although she was used to keeping quiet, she now wanted to express everything clearly, including her feelings. She needed to let He Yuran know: while the boss was spacing out and getting angry in the office, skipping meals and ruining his health, she was busy with all sorts of things outside, and to what extent. She wanted to show He Yuran that while he could eat but didn't, she couldn't eat even when she wanted to.

"Okay, fine," He Yuran said, and started drinking again.

Shi Jiahe thought to herself, "Sister, why don't you ask a few more questions about the screenwriting? Even just one more question, like, 'What did you talk about with Zhao Cai?' would at least make me feel that you're really thinking about getting things done."

But the conversation ends here.

"Forget it, I'll see what to do next after I see Sister Stone in a few days. Anyway, it'll take time for Zhao Cai to revise the script." Shi Jiahe thought to herself as she ate.

Just then, He Yuran's phone rang. She put down her cup, lazily picked up her phone, glanced at it, and suddenly sat up. Then, lowering her voice, she said, "Holy crap, Zhuang Pan is video calling me."

Shi Jiahe put down her chopsticks. "Catch it! Catch it!"

Then quickly swallow the food in your mouth and remain quiet.

He Yuran gave an OK sign, tidied her hair in front of the phone mirror, immediately put on her signature smile, then pressed the speakerphone button and said in a strong voice, "Hey Panpan! Haven't seen you in days, what have you been up to?"

Shi Jiahe was sitting to the side, so she couldn't see the video feed, but she could hear it all.

"Sis, where are you? I'm looking for someone to drink with. Are you alone?"

Hearing Zhuang Pan say this, Shi Jiahe was overjoyed. She raised one hand, first pointed to herself, and then held up her palm, making a walking gesture with her index and middle fingers, meaning that she would leave as soon as Zhuang Pan arrived.

Although He Yuran didn't turn her face, she saw it out of the corner of her eye and gave an OK sign.

Zhuang Panguang sounded angry and agitated.

He Yuran asked, "What a coincidence, I'm drinking at home by myself. Where shall we meet first?"

"Sis, can I come directly to you? I'll have the driver bring the liquor upstairs with me."

"Okay, okay, just don't overwork yourself."

"Give me your address!"

"No problem. I'll send it to you."

As soon as He Yuran finished speaking, Zhuang Pan in the video shook her head frantically like a rattle drum.

"I'm in the car! With the alcohol. Tell me the address now, and we'll drive there right away."

Shi Jiahe, standing nearby, was startled and instinctively stood up. She realized she didn't have much time to escape, so she began to quietly pack the box.

He Yuran simultaneously reported the community, building number, and apartment number.

In the video, Zhuang Pan says "See you in a bit," and then asks off-camera, "How long is the drive?" At this moment, a voice that is not very clear can be heard. Zhuang Pan turns her head back to the camera and says, "Sister, 15 minutes!"

"No problem, I'll be waiting for you at home."

For the next few minutes, although Shi Jiahe was restless, the two female artists chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up the video call. At this point, she finally dared to make a sound. First, she quickly tidied up the things on the table, and then removed a cup.

"Sister Ran, I'll head over now and wait for your call."

"Sure, I guess she probably had a fight with her boyfriend and is in a bad mood. I'll take this opportunity to persuade her again." He Yuran seemed very confident.

"No problem! I think it's going to work." Shi Jiahe didn't intend to voice her subtle doubts about Zhuang Pan that she had during her conversation with Zhao Cai.

Anyway, this matter is still far from being finalized.

In short, the purpose of tonight's trip was achieved; the boss's temper had returned to normal, and there was no need for her to stay any longer. Shi Jiahe ran away as fast as she could.

Although she had drunk some alcohol, Shi Jiahe was not drunk. Walking in the night breeze, her mind cleared up a little and she thought of a question: Zhuang Pan was throwing a tantrum here, so what was Sister Shi doing?

She immediately switched to WeChat and sent Stone Sister a heartfelt voice message.

"What are you busy with? I'm having a late-night snack." She glanced at the takeout box in her hand, feeling speechless at herself. "I figured you might still be awake. Want to come out for a bit, or maybe go sing karaoke?"

Stone Sister quickly sent a voice message that started with a sigh.

"Sigh! Sometimes I really feel like there's a connection between people. I was just about to look for you. I'm still at the studio. If you don't mind, could you come over for a bit?"

"I don't mind the trouble, I definitely don't mind the trouble! Just wait!" This time, Shi Jiahe hailed a taxi and went there with great confidence.

Following the address number given earlier, Shi Jiahe walked around and finally found the main entrance.

The neighborhoods where artists' studios are located vary widely. It's not uncommon for someone like He Yuran to choose a complex that allows mixed-use commercial and residential properties and convert her own apartment into a studio. After leaving her previous agency, Zhuang Pan chose a villa district with many film and television industry companies. However, the interiors of these villas aren't luxurious; the decor is more like a regular apartment, but it's still quite comfortable as an office space. Zhuang Pan's studio even has a small garden, enough to keep some pets and grow some crops.

Emma Stone led the way on the tour, and Shi Jiahe looked around while exclaiming, "No wonder it's the studio of a top influencer! This is so comfortable!"

"Sigh, it's all just for show," Sister Stone sighed. "Don't we people in this line of work understand this?"