Video Editor

It was almost 11 o'clock when the dinner party ended.

Xu Shengli drank the most; his face was as red as a boiled shrimp, but he had a relatively high alcohol tolerance among these people, and his mind was still clear.

He stood at the restaurant entrance, watching Zhuang Zhuang help Shen Ranran, his feelings quite complicated.

Shen Ranran leaned against Zhuangzhuang, burying her face in his shoulder.

Xu Shengli said, "Is Ranran alright? I think she drank quite a bit tonight."

Zhuangzhuang put one arm around Shen Ranran's waist and put her arm on his shoulder. "She's too tired from filming today and drank so much. I'll take her back to my dorm first. Be careful on the way."

Xu Shengli nodded, then glanced at Shen Ranran, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

In the end, he only said one sentence: "Call me when you arrive to let me know you've arrived safely."

"it is good."

Zhuangzhuang helped Shen Ranran flag down a minivan. Once inside, Shen Ranran slumped against Zhuangzhuang, her eyes closed, reeking of alcohol.

Zhuangzhuang pulled Shen Ranran closer to her and gave the driver the address.

When they arrived at the dormitory building, Zhuangzhuang struggled to help Shen Ranran into the stairwell and slowly carried her upstairs.

He took out his keys, opened the door, and helped the person to sit down on the bed.

As soon as Shen Ranran touched the bed, she fell backward, her eyes still closed, mumbling incoherently.

Zhuangzhuang stood by the bed, catching her breath. She felt a pang of sadness; life was truly miserable for those of them who were struggling to make a living in Beijing.

First, he took off Shen Ranran's shoes, then wrung out a wet towel from the bathroom and sat on the edge of the bed to wipe Shen Ranran's face.

The moment the towel touched Shen Ranran's face, her eyes suddenly opened.

After staring blankly at the ceiling for a few seconds, tears suddenly welled up and silently slid down from the corners of my eyes.

Zhuangzhuang was startled. She put the towel aside and quickly went over to ask, "Ranran, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Zhuangzhuang, I regret it, I really regret it."

Zhuangzhuang gently patted Shen Ranran's back, "Tell me slowly, what's wrong? Were you bullied on set?"

"It's not the film crew, it's Chu Caiyuan."

Zhuangzhuang sat up straight. "Chu Caiyuan? What did he do to you?"

Shen Ranran's voice calmed down a little, "Zhuangzhuang, do you remember what Chu Caiyuan said to me when he came to the sales office last time?"

Zhuangzhuang said, "I remember, didn't he say that you have a good image, are recognizable, and have the makings of an actress?"

"Yes. He said his company was about to start a new movie, and he was waiting for me to play the second female lead. He said I didn't have to do anything, I just had to go."

"Didn't I advise you back then? I said if you want to go, then go, don't leave yourself with regrets."

Shen Ranran closed her eyes, her voice trembling: "But that's not how it is at all. His film hasn't even started shooting yet. He started taking me out to social events, saying it was some kind of investor dinner party, and that getting to know these people would be good for my career. At first, I didn't want to go, but he said that's how it is for newcomers in the industry, and if I don't go, it's disrespectful to him, and I won't be able to get along well in the company if I don't go."

Zhuangzhuang's expression changed. "He actually asked you to go to a dinner party?"

“Yesterday he asked me to go to a dinner party again, saying that a very important boss wanted to see me, which was related to the investment in the new movie. When I got there, I found out that the boss was there specifically for me. As soon as he walked in, he stared at me, looking me up and down, and his smile made me feel uneasy.”

Zhuangzhuang's breathing became heavy as she suppressed her anger and asked, "And then?"

"Chu Caiyuan made me sit next to that boss and poured him drinks. After I poured the drinks, the boss said he wanted to drink with me. Chu Caiyuan kept giving me meaningful glances, meaning I had to drink whether I wanted to or not. So I drank, one glass after another, as much as he poured for me."

"Couldn't you just push it away? Couldn't you just say you weren't feeling well and couldn't drink it?"

Shen Ranran gave a wry smile: "How can I refuse? They said the boss likes people who can drink a lot. If I refuse a drink, they'll leave. If they leave, Chu Caiyuan's investment will be gone. He's put in so much effort. If I mess things up, won't he kill me?"

"..." Zhuangzhuang pursed her lips into a thin line and didn't say anything.

Shen Ranran continued, "Towards the end of the drinking session, the boss said he wanted to see me dance."

Zhuangzhuang's voice suddenly rose, "Dancing?"

"Yes, dancing. It was in that private room, with several strangers sitting around me. Zhuangzhuang, can you imagine? A big round table, a table full of dishes, several men sitting around me, and I standing alone in the middle. All eyes were on me. Chu Caiyuan was next to me and said, 'Ranran, you dance very well. Ranran, dance for President Chen.' He called me Ranran so affectionately, as if I were a toy in his hands."

Zhuangzhuang finally couldn't hold back any longer and gritted her teeth, saying, "So you're going to jump?"

“I danced. I was wearing high heels and so drunk I could barely stand. Right there in that private room, in front of a bunch of strangers, I twirled around and swung my arms. I didn’t even know what I was dancing; I just wanted to keep that boss from leaving.”

Zhuangzhuang asked, "What if you're done dancing?"

Shen Ranran said, "After he finished dancing, he said it was really good. He patted the sofa next to him and told me to sit down."

Zhuangzhuang suddenly stood up, turned to face the wall, her shoulders trembling.

She was silent for a while, then turned around and sat back down next to Shen Ranran, taking her hand and asking, "Did he touch you?"

Shen Ranran shook her head: "No. He didn't touch me yesterday."

"That's good!" Zhuangzhuang was about to breathe a sigh of relief.

Shen Ranran then asked, "But Zhuangzhuang, what about next time?"

"..." Zhuangzhuang's heart clenched again.

“After I finished dancing, while they were drinking again, I said I was going to the bathroom. I pushed open the door, knelt in front of the toilet, and threw up all the alcohol I had drunk that night. I threw up until only bile was left, and my throat felt like it had been sanded, so painful that I couldn’t open my mouth. Then I stood up, walked to the sink, and looked up at myself in the mirror.”

Shen Ranran paused, her eyes welling up with tears again. "I didn't even recognize the person in the mirror. Smudged makeup, messy hair, bloodshot eyes, and a trail of drool hanging from the corner of my mouth. I just stood in front of that mirror looking at myself, and then I started crying. I thought, Shen Ranran, you came to Beijing to act, how did you end up like this?"

After saying those words, Shen Ranran felt completely drained and leaned softly against Zhuangzhuang, no longer speaking.

Zhuangzhuang hugged her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and holding her tightly.

Zhuangzhuang opened her mouth several times as if she wanted to say something.

I wanted to quit and terminate the contract.

I wanted to settle accounts with Chu Caiyuan.

I thought I could ask Suning to let Ranran come back to sell the house.

But when these words reached his lips, Zhuangzhuang didn't utter a single one.

Zhuangzhuang knew that Shen Ranran had signed a contract, and the penalty for breach of contract was an amount that girls like them, who were struggling in Beijing, could not easily afford.

Even if I quit my job and come back, what then?

How will Ranran pay her rent? How will she eat?
How will we cover daily expenses? What can I do to help?
Should we help Ranran scold Chu Caiyuan?

So what if you're done cursing? The contract is still in their hands. It's too easy for someone like Chu Caiyuan to mess with Ranran.

Zhuangzhuang wasn't just indignant; she was so angry that her entire chest felt like it was burning.

But anger crashed into a wall called reality, and shattered instantly, without even a sound.

Zhuangzhuang could only hold Shen Ranran, resting his chin on the top of Shen Ranran's head, and patting her back gently.

Shen Ranran curled up in Zhuangzhuang's arms, silently shedding tears, her shoulders trembling, occasionally letting out a suppressed sob.

"Go ahead and cry," Zhuangzhuang finally said softly. "Cry here with me tonight, have a good cry. We'll talk after you're done."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ranran suddenly hugged Zhuangzhuang tightly, buried her face in her chest, and cried so hard that her whole body was trembling.

Zhuangzhuang hugged her, and after a long while, he said, "Ranran, I have to say something unpleasant."

Shen Ranran didn't look up, "..."

“This Chu Caiyuan isn’t flattering you; he’s using you as bait. Just because you weren’t taken advantage of today doesn’t mean you won’t be next time. You can’t continue like this.”

Shen Ranran lifted her head from Zhuang Zhuang's embrace, her eyes red and swollen, and looked at Zhuang Zhuang: "Then what am I going to do? My contract is in his hands, I can't run away even if I want to."

Zhuangzhuang was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I don't know anything about contracts, but I can ask around for you. Ask Su Ning; he knows a lot of people."

Shen Ranran shook her head: "Don't ask. If word gets out, people will just say I went because I wanted to. Who told me I wanted to be an actress?"

Zhuangzhuang got anxious. "What do you mean you went willingly? He lied to you! He said there was a movie role for you, but he made you go drinking with clients. That's lying! How can you blame yourself?"

"..." Shen Ranran didn't reply and buried her face back.

“I can’t help you with anything else, but if you’re feeling down, come to me. I don’t have much else here, but I have a bed and I can listen to you. You’re all alone in Beijing, don’t try to carry everything on your own.”

"Zhuangzhuang, I'm so tired. When I was working in the sales office, I was tired, but I knew who I was. But now, I don't know whether to stand or sit, and I don't even recognize myself when I walk down the street."

"Then we'll find them slowly. It's okay if they get lost, as long as we can find them."

Shen Ranran finally burst into tears, as if a dam that had been held back for far too long had finally been opened.

Zhuangzhuang stopped talking, just held Shen Ranran and let her cry, patting her back gently.

After a long time, Shen Ranran's crying gradually subsided, turning into an occasional sob or two.

Zhuangzhuang looked down at her and asked softly, "Does crying make you feel better?"

Shen Ranran sniffed. "Feeling a little better."

Zhuangzhuang said, "That's fine then. Go to sleep! Your eyes will look ugly tomorrow if they're swollen."

……

Shen Ranran left early the next morning.

Standing at the door, he turned to Zhuangzhuang and said, "Zhuangzhuang, I'm fine. I was just talking nonsense after drinking too much last night. Don't take it to heart."

Zhuangzhuang didn't call her out on it. "Ranran, come over anytime if you need anything."

"it is good."

Zhuangzhuang knew that after Shen Ranran went back, there would be another dinner party, another boss, and another sofa-slapping incident.

Chu Caiyuan hasn't made a move against Shen Ranran yet, but that's only a matter of time.

The reason we signed Shen Ranran was never that we intended for her to make a name for herself through acting.

What Chu Caiyuan wanted was Shen Ranran's face, her figure, and her youthful, impetuous, and helpless spirit.

In his eyes, Shen Ranran was not an artist, but a bargaining chip that could be used to exchange favors.

Zhuangzhuang really wanted to help Shen Ranran, but she was distracted even in the sales office.

When calculating the down payment for a client, he made two mistakes in a row, and Zhang Jie slapped him on the back of the head before he came to his senses.

But despite her thoughts, Zhuangzhuang knew her own limitations.

Imagine her, a real estate saleswoman, with no connections in Beijing and no influential people to speak to.

The only thing she could do was offer her her shoulder when Shen Ranran cried and came looking for her.

But what can a shoulder really block?
Then a name suddenly flashed through Zhuangzhuang's mind.

Suning. Zhuang Zhuang sat up straight in the chair at the sales office reception desk. Suning was the real big shot.

Of all the people she knows, the only one who seems to be a big shot in Beijing is Su Ning.

Suning is the owner of Mingju Real Estate.

Zhuangzhuang, as someone working at the sales office, knows all too well the weight Mingju Real Estate carries in Beijing's real estate market.

Chu Caiyuan, who owns a film and television company, can act all high and mighty in front of Shen Ranran, but what is he compared to Su Ning?
While Su Ning was drinking and chatting with those bank presidents at the dinner table, Chu Caiyuan probably couldn't even find the door to that private room.

If Suning wanted to help Shen Ranran, it would be a simple matter of saying a word.

The question is, why should Suning help?

Zhuangzhuang spent the entire afternoon pondering this question in her mind.

Her relationship with Suning was nothing more than that of employee and boss.

Suning gave her a sales champion bonus, helped her get rid of Kang Shunyin, sent her back to her dormitory, and even let her sing on stage at the annual party.

But what Zhuangzhuang considers an enormous favor might be something Suning would do casually and forget about as soon as he turns his back.

Now I have to ask my boss for help on behalf of a former employee who has already left the company. What gives me the right to do that?
But then Zhuangzhuang remembered how Shen Ranran had cried and trembled all over last night.

She gritted her teeth and then made up her mind.

Regardless of the reason, you have to ask for yourself.

If you ask and they don't agree, it means you're incompetent.

If he doesn't even ask, he'll never have the face to see Shen Ranran again.

……

After getting off work, Zhuangzhuang did not return to her dormitory.

Instead, after leaving the sales office, they walked directly to the entrance of the Mingju Real Estate headquarters building and waited by the roadside.

Knowing that Suning usually doesn't get off work too early, and unsure if he would come out through the main entrance today, Zhuangzhuang decided to wait here.

Continue until everyone leaves.

As darkness fell, a black Mercedes emerged from the exit of the underground parking garage.

Zhuangzhuang recognized the car at a glance: Suning's Mercedes-Benz W14.

She took a deep breath, walked out from the roadside, and waved twice at the front of the car.

The car slowed down, the window rolled down, and Su Ning leaned out halfway, glanced at her, and said without asking anything, "Get in."

Zhuangzhuang walked around to the passenger side, opened the car door, and got in.

Without asking her where she was going, Su Ning turned the steering wheel and drove onto the main road.

Zhuangzhuang sat in the passenger seat, mentally rehearsing her prepared words over and over again.

But Su Ning didn't say a word the whole way, and she didn't know when to speak.

The car pulled up in front of a restaurant.

The storefront is small, with no large signboard, just a wall lamp illuminating the address.

Suning was clearly familiar with the store; upon entering, the waiter didn't even take a menu but led them directly to a small private room on the second floor.

The private room wasn't big; it just had one round table.

Suning took off his coat and draped it over the back of the chair. He sat down, flipped through the menu, ordered a few dishes, and then ordered himself a pot of Longjing tea.

Then, he handed the menu to Zhuangzhuang, "Let's see what we want to eat and drink?"

"Plain water is fine, that's enough."

The food was served very quickly.

Su Ning picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of fish, eating with ease, unlike the extravagant feasts of big bosses on TV. It was just a few comfortably prepared home-style dishes, and she ate quietly.

Zhuangzhuang also picked up two pieces of food, but she ate absentmindedly, chewing the shrimp in her mouth again and again, unable to swallow it for a long time.

Zhuangzhuang felt she couldn't wait any longer, so she put down her chopsticks. "President Su, I have a favor to ask of you."

Su Ning didn't look up, picked up a piece of Dongpo pork and put it in her bowl, "Speak."

Zhuangzhuang recounted Shen Ranran's story from the beginning.

It started with how Chu Caiyuan handed out his business card at the sales office when he bought a house, then moved on to how Shen Ranran resigned and signed the contract, how Chu Caiyuan took her to various dinner parties, and how Shen Ranran broke down and cried in front of her last night.

Without embellishing or exaggerating to gain sympathy, she simply recounted all the facts she knew.

When she talked about how Shen Ranran was forced to dance in the private room and then ran to the bathroom to vomit afterward, her voice trembled uncontrollably.

After he finished speaking, the private room was quiet for a few seconds, while the pot of pickled bamboo shoots and pork soup on the table was still bubbling away.

Su Ning took a sip of Longjing tea, leaned back in her chair, and looked at Zhuang Zhuang calmly. "Zhuang Zhuang, the story you told me is, in my opinion, just a very ordinary story."

"..." Zhuangzhuang didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

"That's just how the entertainment industry is. Regardless of gender, everyone uses their bodies to exchange for opportunities. Whether you're a man or a woman, once you enter this circle, the first thing you have to learn isn't acting skills, but social skills. If you're lucky enough to seize an opportunity, you might become famous overnight with just one role, or slowly work your way up. But the vast majority of people are just drunk at dinner parties and drinking sessions, praised for their looks, and then quickly replaced by younger and prettier people."

Su Ning turned the teacup around and looked at Zhuang Zhuang, "You helped Shen Ranran today, and tomorrow you'll help Zhang Ranran and Li Ranran too?"

Zhuangzhuang was taken aback for a moment, "But Ranran isn't the kind of person who wants to take shortcuts. She was tricked into going there by Chu Caiyuan."

Su Ning glanced at Zhuang Zhuang: "Whether she was deceived or not, it doesn't matter much. The result is the same; she's already in that trap. If she wants to get out, she has to rely on herself, not on others."

Upon hearing this, Zhuangzhuang's nose stung with tears, but she stubbornly refused to show any pitifulness. "President Su, I know you're right. I don't understand the entertainment industry, but you do. I'm not here to reason with you today; I'm here to beg you. Can you help Shen Ranran? Your word is definitely effective."

Su Ning did not answer immediately, but raised her eyes and looked directly at Zhuang Zhuang.

His gaze wasn't fierce or intimidating; he was simply looking directly at Zhuangzhuang, as if he were examining something that needed evaluation.

"Zhuangzhuang, I have a question for you."

"Please speak."

Why should I help Shen Ranran?

"..." Zhuangzhuang opened her mouth.

Without waiting for her answer, Su Ning continued, "What is her relationship with me? She's no longer my employee. She submitted her resignation herself; I didn't keep her, and I don't owe her anything. She signed with Chu Caiyuan's company; that was her own choice. Everyone has their own choices and must bear the consequences. Shen Ranran's dream is acting, and she chose a path to achieve it, but now that path is not going well, and she's suffering a lot. But that's her business, not mine."

"..." Zhuangzhuang listened, her lips moved several times, but she couldn't say a single word.

"Why should I pay for her dreams? Suning isn't a charity. You're sitting here telling me her story, and I feel sorry for her. But as much as I feel sorry, I'm a business, not someone who makes dreams come true for others."

"..." Zhuangzhuang sat there blankly.

It's not that Su Ning is wrong, but that every word Su Ning says is right, so right that Zhuang Zhuang can't find any angle to refute him.

I want to say that Ranran is my friend.

I want to say that since you helped Shen Ranran, she will definitely repay you in the future.

I thought to myself, you're so rich and powerful, helping out won't hurt you at all.

But after Zhuangzhuang thought about these words, she herself felt they were childish.

Suning was absolutely telling the truth. In this city, no one is obligated to pay for someone else's dreams.

I helped Mr. and Mrs. Zheng apply for the discount because she happened to have that authority, and because she had a teacher-student relationship with Mr. Zheng.

Neither Suning nor Shen Ranran has anything to do with either of these things.

Zhuangzhuang remained silent for a long time before saying, "I'm sorry."

Su Ning leaned back in her chair, watching the expression on Zhuang Zhuang's face shift from expectation to disappointment to bewilderment. She offered no words of comfort, nor did she offer any way out.

He picked up the teapot, refilled Zhuangzhuang's cup with tea, and then picked up his chopsticks to continue eating.

After a while, Zhuangzhuang spoke up again, "President Su, may I ask you one more question?"

"ask."

"If something happens to me one day, will you help me?"

Su Ning put down her chopsticks, looked up at her, and said, "What could have happened to you? Mingju Real Estate doesn't have any of that messy stuff."

"I mean, what if? If I were bullied or harmed, would you help me?"

"You are different."

Zhuangzhuang was stunned: "What?"

“I’m telling you, you’re different. You’re my top salesperson. You’ve made money for me, and you’ll probably make even more for me in the future. Helping you is like helping my own business. Besides, aren’t you my employee? You’re one of Suning’s people, and no one can just touch you. That’s the rule. Otherwise, who would work for me?”

After hearing this, Zhuangzhuang felt a mix of emotions.

On the one hand, she could tell that Su Ning still didn't want to get involved in Shen Ranran's affairs.

On the other hand, she also realized that Su Ning categorized her as one of his own.

This realization left Zhuangzhuang somewhat bewildered.

"President Su, I just want to ask you one question: could you give me some pointers? You don't need to come in person. Just tell me who I should talk to and what to say. I'll handle it myself."

Su Ning looked at her for a while, then sighed, "Do you really have to get involved in this?"

Zhuangzhuang raised her head, her eyes red, but her gaze was firm: "She's my friend. She cried in my arms last night, and there was nothing I could do. Mr. Su, that feeling was too painful. If I really had no way to help, I would just let it go. But I know you, and I feel that you must have a way. So I had to come and ask. If you don't agree after I ask, then you have your reasons. But I have to ask."

Su Ning didn't say anything, but used her chopsticks to stir the fish bones in the plate.

After a while, Su Ning put down her chopsticks, took out a business card holder from her bag, rummaged through it, and pulled out a business card, placing it on the table. "This person is an artist manager. I've done business with him before, and he's fairly reliable. Have Shen Ranran go to him and say that I sent her. He has some resources in legitimate film crews. Although they may not be big roles, at least they're legitimate filming projects, and she won't have to drink with clients."

Zhuangzhuang looked down at the business card, reached out and picked it up, her hands trembling with excitement.

Su Ning looked at Zhuang Zhuang and added, "That's all I can do. I won't touch Chu Caiyuan; there's no need to owe him a favor over something like this. But if Shen Ranran wants to get away from Chu Caiyuan, she can consult a lawyer about the contract. Let her make her own decision."

Zhuangzhuang carefully put the business card into her bag, then stood up and bowed to Su Ning, "Mr. Su, thank you."

Su Ning waved his hand: "Alright, sit down and eat, the food's getting cold."

Zhuangzhuang sat back down, picked up her chopsticks, and put a piece of fish into her mouth.

The fish was indeed cold, but she felt it was the best fish she had eaten since coming to Beijing.

...(End of this chapter)