A top star in the Chinese entertainment industry, but also a Taoist priest.

Zhang Ruonan's gaze involuntarily shifted to the man next to her wearing a gray cotton-linen shirt.

My first reaction was that this person has such long hair, and my second reaction was that this person is really good-looking.

It wasn't the kind of refined elegance she was used to seeing in the modeling world, but rather an indescribable feeling—refined and gentle, making the surrounding air seem quieter just by her presence.

Chen Shouyi nodded slightly to her, and Liang Yin stepped forward, took out a business card from her bag, and handed it to him.

"Hello, my name is Liang Yin, and I'm an artist manager at Huace Croton Media. If it's convenient, I'd like to talk to you."

Zhang Ruonan took the business card, glanced at it, then looked up at Liang Yin's well-tailored suit jacket, and then at Fang Xu, who was smiling beside her.

His fingers unconsciously tightened around the business card, and a hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

Huace Croton Media? Why would someone from such a big company bother with the affairs of a part-time model like her?

Liang Yin noticed her hesitation but didn't urge her. She simply smiled and tilted her head towards the bench next to her.

"Let's sit over there for a bit, it'll only take a few minutes."

Chen Shouyi nodded to her and said gently, "Go ahead."

She said it so casually, but for some reason, Zhang Ruonan hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Fang Xu watched Liang Yin lead Zhang Ruonan to sit down and start chatting, then leaned over and asked in a low voice:

"Master, you just said that this woman is destined to be with you, are you serious?"

"I do not lie," Chen Shouyi said, his gaze still fixed on that spot.

Fang Xu chuckled and didn't press the matter further.

After knowing him for a few days, he had come to understand the Taoist priest's mannerisms: he spoke half-truths and acted seemingly casually, but every step he took had its own logic.

He looked around, then casually grabbed a worker who was packing up equipment by the roadside and asked him about the girl's background.

The man happened to know one of the stagehands working for Boss Li, and he whispered to Fang Xu that the girl was a part-time model from Hangzhou, and that this wasn't the first time Boss Li had deducted her wages like this.

Fang Xu shook his head after hearing this, thanked Chen Shouyi, and walked back to his side, whereupon he whispered the situation to him.

Not long after, Liang Yin returned with Zhang Ruonan. She nodded slightly to Chen Shouyi, indicating that everything was settled.

"Master, this is Miss Zhang Ruonan," Liang Yin introduced, stepping aside.

"As I mentioned before, you need an assistant. Ms. Zhang happens to be interested and is willing to work as your assistant temporarily."

Chen Shouyi glanced at Liang Yin and nodded. This woman was indeed efficient.

Zhang Ruonan stood next to Liang Yin and secretly glanced at Chen Shouyi. She was caught in his gaze, so she quickly looked away, but soon couldn't help but look back.

This person had just helped her out of a predicament, and after hearing from Sister Liang that he wanted her to be his assistant, she felt somewhat grateful, but mostly curious.

"Um—" Zhang Ruonan hesitated for a moment, "Thank you for helping me earlier. Also, Sister Liang said you're an actress?"

Chen Shouyi nodded slightly: "I guess so."

"I guess so?" Zhang Ruonan blinked.

"My main profession is as a Taoist priest."

Zhang Ruonan was visibly taken aback by the answer, her large eyes staring straight at Chen Shouyi.

Taoist priest? Agent? Actor? Assistant?

She was certain that she hadn't expected things to turn out this way when she left home today, but seeing Liang Yin's calm expression, she felt that this didn't seem like a story she had made up on the spot.

"Master," Liang Yin introduced with a smile, "Ruonan is from Wenzhou and is currently studying at Hangzhou Dianzi University. She works part-time as a print model. She used to do a lot of Taobao photoshoots, but she got scammed today."

At this point, she glanced at Zhang Ruonan and joked, "Let Ruonan tell you the details herself."

Zhang Ruonan's stubbornness in confronting Boss Li had dissipated, replaced by a hint of embarrassment.

Hearing Liang Yin mention the school, she pursed her lips and added softly:

"Actually, I'm a self-taught student, not a full-time student."

She smiled shyly, but didn't try to hide anything; she spoke frankly.

Liang Yin smiled and nodded: "Self-study also demonstrates self-discipline. What's your current course schedule like?"

"I just go to classes on weekends; I have plenty of free time during the week," Zhang Ruonan added after thinking for a moment.

"So I've been working as a part-time model lately, sometimes shooting clothes for online stores, and sometimes doing these kinds of adult videos."

As she spoke, she recalled what had just happened, glanced subconsciously in the direction where Boss Li had left, then turned back, looking somewhat helpless.

"However, situations like today do occur occasionally."

She herself didn't realize that she was talking much more than before when she said these things.

Perhaps because Liang Yin asked the question so naturally, and Chen Shouyi stood aside without interrupting, she gradually relaxed a bit.

Furthermore, since the issue of having their pay withheld was resolved face-to-face, I felt somewhat that although these people appeared out of nowhere, they shouldn't be bad people.

Liang Yin smiled and nodded, having a very good impression of this young girl she had just met.

He has a clean appearance, speaks frankly and directly, and doesn't cry when things go wrong. He's a capable person.

She turned to Chen Shouyi: "Master, my idea is that Ruonan should go back to Hangzhou first, take care of things at the school, complete the necessary procedures, pack up the necessary things, and then come back to officially start working."

Zhang Ruonan had already heard Liang Yin talk about the salary when they were chatting earlier; although the assistant's base salary wasn't high.

But her total income, including subsidies for working with the team, performance bonuses, and year-end bonuses, is no less than what she earns from running around as a part-time model.

Moreover, Sister Liang also mentioned that the Taoist priest has a very high status in the company, and working by his side is much better than drifting around outside.

Although she didn't quite understand how a Taoist priest could have a position in a film and television company, the phone call from that Boss Fang had made Boss Li back down.

Sister Liang is so professional and reliable, and she's not stupid; she knows she's met a benefactor.

Thinking of this, she quickly turned to Chen Shouyi, hesitating before speaking—what was his name again? Boss? No, he seemed to be a Taoist priest—

"Boss—no, Daoist Master," Zhang Ruonan changed her words and earnestly assured him, "I will resolve this quickly and come over; it won't take too long."

As Chen Shouyi watched her determined attempt to prove herself, he was thinking about something else entirely.

His relationship with Chen Yao was just a little short of getting on the right track.

If he were to bring a young and attractive assistant back to Hengdian at this time, based on his understanding of Chen Yao, the girl's reaction would probably be:

First, she gets jealous and blushes, then she starts to shrink back, becoming the same cowardly turtle she used to be.

Moreover, from his recent observations, Chen Yao's talent as a Sichuan-Chongqing Tyrannosaurus Rex has begun to show initial signs.

She used to be gentle and mild-mannered, and would only blush when Nazha teased her. Now, when she gets angry, she will glare at people, stomp her feet, and angrily complain, even though she herself may not realize it.

If I take her back now, what if Yao Mei gets jealous and backs away? Wouldn't my dual cultivation project have to be postponed?

You must be joking, he doesn't want anything to go wrong.