Today's hotel decorations were very beautiful. On both sides were two long tables with velvet tablecloths, filled with snacks and drinks. In the middle was a stage with hot, glaring lights, adding to the heat.
Jian Jing stood quietly in the corner for half a minute. She had no other intentions, just once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of ropes. She was very afraid that as soon as she entered, the system would suddenly give her a task.
But after waiting for a while, nothing happened. She let out a breath and took a sip of sparkling wine.
"Jingjing." The female chief editor wearing a gingham suit and high heels came over, smiling and said, "I haven't seen you for a long time. Wow, your dyed hair looks so good, you're glowing white."
Jian Jing remembered her. This was Guo Chief Editor, an extremely smart and capable woman. She had good relationships with most of the authors and was a capable helper for Golden Crow.
"Chief Editor Guo also looks very beautiful today," Jian Jing complimented.
Guo Chief Editor's smile deepened. After being the deputy general manager in Kangmu City, she had jumped to Golden Crow as an editor. Now most of the writers' affairs went through her hands, except for Jian Jing - she was the only newcomer personally nurtured by Kangmu when he was the chief editor. Some joked that she was "Young Miss Kang's princess", but it wasn't far from the truth.
"Jingjing." Wearing a thousand-bird patterned suit, the female chief editor walked over with a smile and said, "I haven't seen you for a long time. Wow, your dyed hair looks so good, you're glowing white."
Jian Jing remembered her. This was Guo Chief Editor, an extremely smart and capable woman. She had good relationships with most of the authors and was a capable helper for Golden Crow.
"Chief Editor Guo also looks very beautiful today," Jian Jing complimented.
Guo Chief Editor's smile deepened. After being the deputy general manager in Kangmu City, she had jumped to Golden Crow as an editor. Now most of the writers' affairs went through her hands, except for Jian Jing - she was the only newcomer personally nurtured by Kangmu when he was the chief editor. Some joked that she was "Young Miss Kang's princess", but it wasn't far from the truth.
"Would you like me to introduce you to some of the directors, screenwriters and producers here today?" Guo Chief Editor reached out in friendship.
Jian Jing wanted to decline, but when she opened her mouth, she noticed Guo Chief Editor's toes were pointing in another direction, and her eyes were peeking that way, as if waiting for something.
She suddenly understood. It seemed Guo Chief Editor was not purely trying to get along, but was entrusted by someone.
"Okay," Jian Jing nodded, curious who wanted to see her.
Guo Chief Editor, having achieved her goal, relaxed her brows and led her to the sofas in the corner.
There sat two men and one woman: the older man had white hair, a thin physique, and kept smoking. The younger man was slightly fat, with a harmonious expression. The woman had short hair and diamond earrings hanging from her earlobes.
Guo Chief Editor introduced them one by one. The older smoking man was Director Ding, the younger fat one was Screenwriter Xu, and the short-haired woman was Producer Tian.
She then introduced to them, "This is Teacher Jian Jing."
"I haven't seen Jingjing for a long time," Producer Tian said loudly with a laugh, "You've become a young lady now."
Jian Jing was a little surprised that they knew each other, but couldn't remember who she was.
Producer Tian, being good with people, saw through her confusion and explained, "We met three years ago when Kangmu brought you to discuss the contract for Catch the Hidden Children with me. Remember?"
The past scenes came to her mind and she remembered.
Three years ago, she was still in high school. Kangmu said a producer had noticed Catch the Hidden Children and wanted to buy the rights to make it into a movie. He asked Jian Jing what she thought.
She had agreed.
This Producer Tian was the film and television investor who had come to purchase the rights at the time.
"Oh," Jian Jing blushed like a young girl would. "Sorry, you look even better with short hair now. I didn't recognize you."
This apology was clearly clumsy, but Producer Tian was not angry at all. She laughed and said, "Come on, let me introduce you. Director Ding directed Catch the Hidden Children. This film was shown at the Film Festival this year. Screenwriter Xu is Director Ding's old friend and wants to chat with you."
Who would have thought Director Ding would say, "You left out one thing."
"Oh?" Producer Tian raised her eyebrows.
Director Ding said, "Jiang Baiyan's acting."
Producer Tian laughed and said, "Indeed. But it was also Director Ding's discerning eye that unearthed this gem called Jiang Baiyan."
"He is talented," Director Ding left it at that, turning the topic back to Jian Jing. "I also heard you have a new book recently?"
Jian Jing thought for a moment and nodded.
Producer Tian said, "I read it. The reviews weren't great. The flaws also have to do with the medium. The character arcs of the demons were not well presented. It might be better adapted into a TV series. What do you think, Old Xu?"
"Texts have the advantages of texts. I also feel the demon's story would be more suitable adapted into a drama," Screenwriter Xu half-joked and half-probed, "What do you think, any plans in that direction?"
Jian Jing laughed.
She understood now. They had their eyes on The Demon Doctor. Given the current not-so-high reviews of the book and her past suicide scandal, they probably thought they could obtain the copyright cheaply.
And Guo Chief Editor acting as the matchmaker should be trying to make a side deal without going through Kangmu.
"I don't know, I haven't thought about it," she acted very surprised, seemingly at a loss for how to respond.
Guo Chief Editor gently nudged her, "This is a good opportunity. A TV adaptation would also increase book sales. It would be even better if Screenwriter Xu personally helmed it. The dramas he wrote were all big hits."
She then listed the names of several popular TV dramas in recent years.
"You are amazing," Jian Jing showed an awkward smile.
The topic abruptly stopped.
Guo Chief Editor quickly smoothed things over, "Of course, it would be an honor to have Screenwriter Xu interested this time."
"Am I too shabby?" Screenwriter Xu was also slick and didn't pursue it further. He looked left and right, not in a hurry either, "If I didn't come, I would definitely be scolded for forgetting my roots."
Guo Chief Editor said, "What forgetting your roots, who would dare say such words? Tell me and I'll give them a beating."
Everyone laughed loudly.
Jian Jing also turned up the corners of her lips and politely laughed along. But the others could see her smile disappeared faster than usual, as if suddenly uncomfortable.
They became even more uneasy.
Strangely, Jian Jing was just a young lady. Even with her halo, she was nothing but a layer of false light in their eyes, completely non-threatening.
Yet her gaze...her gaze was very different.
She was observing them, examining them, not curious, not scheming, just observing.
In these circles, everyone played their games, but the perspective of an outsider observer made them instinctively uncomfortable, as if every expression and action was magnified.
When Kangmu Cheng walked over, this was the strange scene he saw: the group sitting together clearly should have been chatting and laughing, but instead some were drinking, some preening, only Jian Jing sitting alone on the other side, not looking quite human with her newly dyed cold gray hair draped over her shoulders.
"Jingjing," he came over casually and rested his hand on the back of her chair, lightly holding it, "What are you guys talking about?"
Producer Tian said with a smile, "Catch the Hidden Children."
"Oh, it was nominated at the Film Festival," Kangmu was well-informed, "It might win an award."
Director Ding was very modest, "It depends on luck. The competing films from Europe are also adaptations of novels, they may be more to the judges' taste."
Kangmu mentioned a few underdog films and chatted with Director Ding about insider gossip at the Film Festival before circling back to the main topic. "My mom is here. She wants me to bring Jingjing over, please excuse us for a bit."
Of course everyone graciously allowed it.
Jian Jing got up and left with him.
Walking some distance away, she asked, "Guess what they were saying to me?"
"They're shameless liars taking advantage of a little girl," Kangmu said. "Don't listen to them. I see potential in The Demon. It would be even better leverage if Director Ding's film wins an award."
Jian Jing said, "I know."
But Kangmu asked again, "Do you have enough spending money?"
"I don't have many places to spend money."
Kangmu nodded and took her to his mother.
Kangmu's mother was the president of Golden Crow Publishing. Her hair was pulled back in a bun without a strand of white hair. Her black fish tail evening gown was elegant and dignified. If not for the fine lines around her eyes, no one would guess she was already over 60.
"Auntie," Jian Jing took the initiative to greet her.
A smile appeared as Madam Kang put an arm around her shoulders, "Jingjing is here. You look so pretty today. Come, let me introduce you, this is our publishing house's little star. She may be young but has great talent."
The people chatting with Madam Kang were either presidents and wives of other companies, or leaders from related departments. Meeting such a girlish young author, they jokingly teased her a bit.
"I've heard of you, the young lady your family dotes on."
"Sister Kang, you like her so much, why not take her as a goddaughter?"
Madam Kang smiled, "Oh no, this child was brought up by Kangmu. I can't snatch people from my son, how embarrassing. Besides, young people have different perspectives from us old folks. I'm getting on in years and often misjudge."
"Who doesn't have old eyes at this age?" said a similarly capable woman. "Look at me, nearsighted 500 degrees, old eyes 300 degrees."
"Eyes are a small problem. I was hospitalized for three months last year when my heart was bad, almost didn't make it through," added a middle-aged man with graying temples.
They chatted, occasionally bringing up Jian Jing's name, asking if she "agreed" or "liked" something.
Jian Jing just smiled.
After a while, Kangmu Cheng said, "President, I'm taking Jingjing upstairs to meet some friends."
Of course everyone graciously said "go ahead."
Madam Kang glanced at Jian Jing, a faint disappointment flashing between her brows, but her tone was cheerful, "Go on, I know you youngsters can't stand us old folks."
Her side gaze lingered on Jian Jing.
The snow-woman like young lady said, "I want to go to the bathroom first."
The others laughed and their gazes slid past her, no longer seeing her.
Kangmu's expression didn't change as he took her aside and asked, "Is it very boring?"
"It's okay," Jian Jing said. "Your mother seems a little disappointed."
Madam Kang had tried to engage her in conversation several times, hoping she would say something, but Jian Jing showed no interest at all.
It's hard to explain this psychological motivation. Reason knows it's an opportunity to get acquainted with big shots. If they can give a word or two of praise, it might help the book sell better and become more well-known.
As a fallback, everything relies on Kang Mu Cheng. If he decides to sponsor someone new someday, having connections would give me more leverage.
However, she just felt...quite bored.
No adrenaline rush at all, no excitement.
Might as well go to the detective agency.
As the thought arose, Jian Jing scared herself for a second, hastily scolding herself twice in her mind, thinking, I must have just transmigrated to an unfamiliar world and got spooked by the system.
Cases and stuff, the farther from me the better.
She brainwashed herself N times before feeling slightly relieved.
