Hi, Wifey! [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 27

Shengxin Entertainment was a mid-sized entertainment company. Although they had trained many artists, apart from Fu Xia, not a single one had risen to become a top-tier star.

For Shengxin Entertainment, Fu Xia was their cash cow. The money she earned alone could support all the other artists. Everyone basked in the shade of her success—while they might not catch the spotlight, they could still enjoy a comfortable breeze, living quite affluent lives.

Ever since the scandal involving the former CEO of Shengxin Entertainment came to light, the man had completely lost his composure overnight. He had always believed he could keep his wife at home while indulging in affairs outside, showering countless young actresses, models, and influencers with gifts, cycling through mistresses one after another. Yet, it turned out that none of the sons he had raised for over a decade were biologically his. Those mistresses had only been after his money and influence, and once they realized he had no future left, they all scattered, leaving him with neither family nor companionship—utterly pitiful.

Later, for reasons unknown, the former owner transferred the company. According to Zhou Wen, the new owner was surnamed Cheng, a prominent figure from Beijing’s elite circles. His family was filled with industry leaders across various fields, and acquiring Shengxin Entertainment was their foray into the entertainment industry, expanding their empire.

Listening to Zhou Wen’s grandiose descriptions, Fu Xia’s walnut-sized brain could only retain one thing—her new boss was a man, and an extremely wealthy one at that. Beyond that, she remembered nothing else.

Fu Xia rarely visited the agency, but the entire company was plastered with her posters. The moment she stepped inside, she put on her sunglasses.

Too blinding.

The employees only saw Fu Xia stride into the building wearing shades, and they couldn’t help but glance her way, whispering among themselves as they observed the dazzling A-list actress. Fu Xia couldn’t hear what they were saying and simply followed Zhou Wen’s instructions straight to the conference room, where she casually took a seat.

Zhou Wen poured her a glass of water and shooed away the curious onlookers, leaving just the two of them in the room.

The air conditioning had been turned on in anticipation of Fu Xia’s arrival, and she leaned back in her chair, enjoying the cool breeze. She crossed her legs, only to accidentally nudge something soft with her foot.

She looked down and discovered a cat curled up under the table.

The chubby feline had a golden-orange back, a snow-white belly, and four pristine white paws—like little mittens. Fu Xia’s careless foot-tap had bumped its rear, prompting the displeased cat to lift its head and lock eyes with her.

Neither spoke, the standoff stretching between them. The cat seemed to decide this human was a bit dim and made to move elsewhere, but before it could, a pair of hands reached down and scooped it out from under the table.

Chubby Cat: “?”

Fu Xia placed the cat on the table, studying its round face before scratching under its chin.

The cat arched its neck in delight, purring softly as it revealed a red collar hidden in its fur. A small tag dangled from it, engraved with two characters: Guazi  (Sunflower Seeds).

“Whose cat are you?” Fu Xia asked curiously. “Is Guazi your name?”

The fat cat purred loudly, leaving it unclears whether it was responding or not.

Zhou Wen turned around to see Fu Xia holding a cat she’d apparently picked up from somewhere and exclaimed in surprise, “Whose cat is this? How did it get so fat?”

Upon hearing the comment about its weight, Guazi (the cat) turned to glare at Zhou Wen with a fierce, menacing expression.

“Well, well,” Zhou Wen found it amusing. She leaned in and poked the cat’s rear with the corner of a folder, teasing, “What’s this? A little chubby thing daring to roll its eyes at me?”

Perhaps stung by the poke, Guazi unhappily got up, jumped off the table, and effortlessly squeezed through the door crack, leaving the meeting room.

Just outside, Guazi bumped into a few people. Cheng Hongzhi, spotting the cat that had been missing all morning at the meeting room door, asked, “Where are you off to?”

Hearing someone speak to it, Guazi lifted its stubby neck to glance at Cheng Hongzhi before turning away and strutting off without a second look.

Cheng Hongzhi: “…”

Just like its owner.

He turned to his secretary behind him and said, “Go to my office, get the cat carrier, and catch that fat cat. Deliver it to Cheng Wanyu’s hotel—I’m not serving this feline overlord.”

The secretary nodded. “Understood, Mr. Cheng.”

Once the secretary went off to catch the cat, Cheng Hongzhi pushed open the meeting room door with his team. Inside, Fu Xia sat in a chair, legs crossed, sipping hot water from a teacup she held with both hands. Her oversized sunglasses remained on indoors, reinforcing the rumors that she was a difficult celebrity to handle.

But no matter how famous or glamorous an artist was, in the eyes of capitalists, they were merely tools for profit—just more refined than pots and pans.

Cheng Hongzhi had always despised those who put on airs after minor success, so he held no high regard for someone like Fu Xia.

He pulled out the chair opposite her, rested his elbows on the table, and clasped his hands as he studied the woman across from him.

“Fu Xia, is it?” he said coolly. “Do you know who I am?”

Fu Xia removed her sunglasses and set them on the table, replying nonchalantly, “Have you lost your memory? Why ask me who you are instead of remembering yourself?”

Cheng Hongzhi: “…”

The onlookers: “…”

Fu Xia glanced around, puzzled. “Where’s the new boss? Shouldn’t he be here by now? Am I supposed to wait for him?”

Cheng Hongzhi: “…”

Hah. What a woman, completely disregarding him. No wonder she was infamous—truly a handful.

Zhou Wen, standing behind Fu Xia, trembled with frustration. She knew Fu Xia just had an odd way of thinking, but others didn’t. With just two sentences, Fu Xia had managed to offend their new employer.

“I am the new boss you’re looking for,” Cheng Hongzhi said. “Did no one brief you about me before you came here?”

Zhou Wen screamed internally: I did! I talked about it the whole way here! But whether she remembered any of it is another story!!!

Fu Xia blinked, then uncrossed her legs and bowed slightly in apology. “I’m sorry, I didn’t memorize your appearance. That was rude of me.”

Cheng Hongzhi’s expression softened slightly. He shot a glance at Zhou Wen behind Fu Xia, already calculating the deduction from her monthly bonus.

“No problem,” Cheng Hongzhi said, crossing his legs with an air of ease as he took the dominant position. “Normally, I should be treating our big star to a meal, but my schedule has been quite packed lately. That’s why I could only arrange to meet Teacher Fu here. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Not at all, not at all,” Fu Xia replied with a smile. “Actually, it’s been a while since I last visited the company. Everything feels so new, like I’m visiting someone else’s office.”

Zhou Wen couldn’t take it anymore and kicked her from behind to shut her up.

Startled by the kick, Fu Xia quickly took a sip of water to cover her reaction. Behind her, Zhou Wen spoke up to Cheng Hongzhi: “Director Cheng, it’s truly an honor for Xia to have you spare time from your busy schedule to meet with her. May I ask how you plan to manage her career moving forward? Under her previous agency, she was positioned on the ‘blackened but popular’ route, and our company has experience in that strategy. What are your thoughts on this?”

This meeting with their new management served two purposes—getting acquainted and determining Fu Xia’s future direction.

Though the “blackened but popular” path was difficult, Fu Xia had still managed to become a top-tier star. The concern was that the new management, being new to the entertainment industry, might not understand how to handle such branding.

Cheng Hongzhi nodded slightly, his gaze resting on Fu Xia’s delicate face as he said coolly, “As for Teacher Fu’s future direction, we haven’t finalized a new plan yet. However, the ‘blackened but popular’ route is no longer necessary. I don’t want my company associated with artists who thrive on infamy.”

Zhou Wen fell silent. So did the staff around them. They all knew that changing Fu Xia’s image would mean a complete overhaul for the company—everything would have to start from scratch.

But Fu Xia, on the other hand, lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling as she blushed and exclaimed, “Director Cheng, does that mean… I won’t have to endure hate anymore?”

Cheng Hongzhi raised an eyebrow. “You enjoy being hated?”

Fu Xia shook her head so vigorously it looked like a rattle drum. She stood up, reached over, and grabbed Cheng Hongzhi’s hands, gushing, “You’re such a great boss—wise, bold, magnanimous, and with such thick hair too!”

Cheng Hongzhi: “…?”

Fu Xia continued passionately, “In short, you must believe that your decision is the right one, a revolutionary choice! I’ll follow you unconditionally!”

Cheng Hongzhi: “…”

Is this woman out of her mind?

Zhou Wen swiftly stepped in, dragging Fu Xia away from Cheng Hongzhi like a misbehaving kitten. “Director Cheng, it’s getting late, and Xia still has commitments on set. We won’t take up any more of your time. Let’s have dinner together sometime!”

As the two lefts—one being dragged, the other doing the dragging—Cheng Hongzhi stared at the closed door for a few seconds before turning to his secretary. “Any updates on catching that cat?”

The secretary replied, “It’s been caught and secured in the carrier.”

Cheng Hongzhi snapped his fingers and stood up. “Send it to Cheng Wanyu. Tell her this cat is too vicious—I can’t handle it.”

The secretary nodded, then hesitantly asked, “And regarding Teacher Fu Xia…?”

Cheng Hongzhi said, “Tell Cheng Wanyu that if she wants me to properly manage Fu Xia’s career, she’d better start answering my calls.”

“Oh, and one more thing,” he added. “Make sure she comes home for the Lunar New Year dinner. She’s the only granddaughter in the Cheng family. If she doesn’t show up, none of us will have a proper celebration.”

When the secretary arrived at the hotel with the cat and Cheng Hongzhi’s message, Cheng Wanyu held the pet carrier and looked at the frightened Guazi inside, its fur standing on end. She couldn’t help but ask, “Did you mistreat it?”

The secretary replied, “Not at all.”

Cheng Wanyu gave the secretary a glance and said coolly, “Tell Cheng Hongzhi my cat is traumatized and in poor spirits. Have him arrange the best veterinarian in the capital for me. If the cat isn’t cured properly, he’ll regret it.”

The secretary: “…”

Could you two siblings please have your domineering CEO-style conversations over the phone yourselves?