Chapter Forty: Returning to the Capital, Buying a House

"Tangtang, why were you so impulsive today? How could you say that you would also take the fifth female lead role?"

As soon as they left the cafe and got into the car, Ji Rujing finally voiced the thoughts she had been suppressing.

"I've read the novel. That character can be considered a dark horse heroine. She isn't as prominent as the first or second leads, but she is much better than the other three supporting characters, and she has her own relevant plot line."

Ji Rujing was somewhat astonished. Since when did this girl start reading books?

"Besides, Zhang Qianjun's film resources are excellent. Baobao has always wanted to break into the mainland film market. Now that I’ve met him, maybe I’ll have a chance to recommend Baobao."

Seeing the look of bliss on Tang Yan's face, Ji Rujing knew there was no point in arguing. Sometimes she even suspected that Qiu Ze had cast a spell on Tangtang; otherwise, how could he have lowered her IQ to such an extent?

Aside from their looks, the two were a terrible match. Why was Tangtang so obsessed? It was one thing to throw away her reputation and money, but she had even tossed aside her dignity. What kind of girl flies to her boyfriend's home just to do his cleaning? Is that something a normal person would do?

Thinking of this, she recalled Zhang Qianjun, whom she had just met. People really could not be compared.

"Tangtang, let me tell you something: being in a relationship isn't just about feelings. And feelings aren't just sweet words. Look at how Zhang Qianjun treats his girlfriend. Didn't we see the news before we came here? He bought his girlfriend a Porsche in the capital and put it directly in her name. He takes her out to eat, drink, and have fun without hiding it. He went to Hermes to buy a Birkin bag and paid for the full set of accessories just to get the bag immediately. He lives with his girlfriend, and she is treated like a princess. Let’s not even talk about the material side—let’s talk about accountability. Has your boyfriend ever publicly acknowledged you?"

Tang Yan sounded a bit unhappy upon hearing this. "Sister, didn't we agree not to interfere with my personal life? Besides, Baobao's career is still on the rise; he has his own difficulties."

Ji Rujing was left speechless. "His career is on the rise? Then is Zhang Qianjun, who is ten years younger than him, at a career low point and just rotting away? Lacking accountability is just that—lacking accountability. Don't use his career as a shield. What kind of status does he even have!"

Ji Rujing had long held a grudge against Tang Yan's boyfriend. This man had not only influenced Tangtang but had genuinely impacted her own income and professional plans. She didn't have a single good word for him.

"Sister Jing, if you keep talking like that, I’m going to get angry!"

Tang Yan’s eyes widened slightly, her straight eyebrows almost flying toward her hairline. Clearly, she would not allow anyone to talk about her boyfriend like that, not even her manager, who was as close as a sister.

"Fine, fine, I won't say any more. But don't get your hopes up. From what I know, Zhang Qianjun is not an easy person to deal with. He won't cast your boyfriend just because you played a supporting role in his movie. If you really want to take the part, I will fight for a 'special appearance' credit for you. Otherwise, it will definitely affect your standing in the industry."

***

As soon as Zhang Qianjun left the cafe, he called Glasses.

"Glasses, I met your old flame. Her Tang Yan is interested in playing Shi Jie. As for whether we’ll actually use her, we’ll discuss it together, and it also depends on the arrangements of the other production companies."

"Old flame my foot. We just have a bit of a history, don't go spreading rumors."

"That doesn't sound right. I've never seen you have a 'history' with anyone else. You're the same age and both in the music circle—you must have had something going on, or why would you be building bridges for her?"

Zhang Qianjun clearly didn't believe Glasses' version of events.

"Her boyfriend is a singer under her management, a Singaporean. They might even be married by now."

So, not an old flame—he just failed in the competition for her affections.

"Never mind her. Put Tang Yan down for the role of Shi Jie. If there’s no one better, we can use her. How is the house I asked you to look into?"

"Alright, we'll finalize the role when you get back. I went to see the houses at Jinmao Mansion on Guangqu Road. The first phase was just completed this year. There’s an east-facing unit on the 17th floor, the penthouse, 391 square meters. There's also another middle unit, 384 square meters, on the 18th floor. Both are 45,000 per square meter. Ever since I asked about the price, the sales agent calls me eight times a day asking when I'm coming to see the property. They're just waiting for you. But, Qianjun, do you really want a penthouse? They’re cold in winter, hot in summer, and prone to leaks. There will be endless problems later."

"Yes, I want the penthouse. Any problems you mentioned can be solved with money. But if I end up with an idiot living upstairs, that’s not something money can fix."

After hanging up, Zhang Qianjun returned to the hotel.

He told his assistant to head back to Beijing on his own, then asked Master Zhou about the bodyguards.

Master Zhou reported that everyone was ready and just waiting for the boss to take a look. They were all at least second-term non-commissioned officers with two generations of clean criminal records. They were locals with families, and he had personally selected three men and two women, all recommended by former comrades in the service. There were over a dozen more on standby. Everyone was very eager upon hearing about such a high-paying job.

Zhang Qianjun did some quick math and said, "Let's go with the five you selected. Bring them to the capital tomorrow and we'll see how they do."

He then told his girlfriend to pack up, as they were preparing to leave. Seeing that she seemed to have something to say, he added, "What's wrong? I went to meet Glasses' old flame this afternoon."

Kan Qingzi felt a bit confused. Wasn't this about the casting for *So Young*? How did it become meeting Li Yanjing's old flame?

Zhang Qianjun found it amusing, but he didn't tease her and gave her a rough summary of the afternoon.

Kan Qingzi quickly grasped the main point. "You said there's not much hope for Tang Yan to get the second female lead?"

"That's right. The role is very flashy, so many people will be fighting for it. Tang Yan doesn't have much of a chance, and I suspect there's a high probability that Enlight Media will want to put their own person in that spot."

"Then what about the female lead?"

Zhang Qianjun looked at her without speaking. Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

"Is it really me?" Kan Qingzi couldn't quite believe it.

Zhang Qianjun looked at her and smiled. "My female lead has always been by my side."

Her eyes immediately welled up. "I've heard many rumors, but I never dared to believe them. I wanted to ask you, but I was afraid of being disappointed, and afraid of putting you in a difficult position. Why didn't you tell me sooner? I’ve spent several nights unable to sleep thinking about this."

Zhang Qianjun wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. "I wanted to give you a surprise. The film wasn't confirmed before, and I was going to wait until it was locked in to tie the script to the steering wheel of your new car and give it to you all at once. Think about how romantic that would have been."

"How is that romantic? You thought I didn't know? Liu Chang, Ge, and the others hinted at it long ago. I asked Glasses, and he was just hemming and hawing. Even my manager, Sister Li, asked me why I didn't tell her that I’d been cast as the lead in a new film. She said there were already rumors in the industry that the lead had been reserved by the male lead. She even told me to confirm it quickly so she could arrange my schedule. I was agonizing over it, and you thought this was a surprise!"

Listening to his girlfriend's complaints, Zhang Qianjun felt slightly embarrassed. It seemed his attempts at secrecy had been for nothing.

"I was looking forward to seeing you look completely stunned by the surprise. Turns out you knew all along."

Kan Qingzi narrowed her eyes. "You still think this is a surprise? You like the look of someone being stunned, huh? Alright."

With that, she stood up, unzipped her dress, and pushed Zhang Qianjun onto the sofa.

"What are you doing?" Zhang Qianjun felt a sense of impending doom.

"Giving you a surprise. Lie down!"

"Wait, wait—"

"Don't speak! Just feel it!"

"Ugh."

People online always said that once a woman turns into a rogue, there's nothing a man can do, and that older sisters know how to cherish a man and know what love really is. Zhang Qianjun hadn't believed it before, but today, he finally did.

The next morning, rubbing his sore neck, Zhang Qianjun felt a sense of trepidation at the thought of spending two months on a film set with this fierce woman. Would his reputation be ruined? At the beginning, he had clearly been the dominant one, so how had things switched after a year?

The journey back to the capital, which he had been away from for nearly a week, was quiet.

Perhaps because the real estate agent knew who he was, there were no dramatic confrontations and no sycophantic behavior. Even the person who received him was a male manager. In the end, he chose the 391-square-meter east-facing penthouse on the 17th floor. It came fully furnished with high-end furniture, and the total cost was only 20 million. The sales manager took a photo with him and promised to waive the property management fees for the next five years. The property manager also said they would start a deep clean that day, ensuring not a speck of dust would be found when they moved in.

When registering the name for the property, he hesitated for a moment, then wrote down both their names. The house, the car, the lead role in the film—after the new year, he planned to go to Yu Yaya and get her a lead role in a TV series. That way, even if they were to break up in the future, she would be better off.

Back in their long-lost little nest, he stood in front of the door and looked at the one-bedroom apartment. He felt a strange reluctance to leave. Never mind, he would buy this place too; if they didn't live here, he could consider renting it out later.

"Qingbao, pack your things. We're moving the day after tomorrow."

Kan Qingzi looked confused. "Moving? Moving where?"

"Chaoyang District, Guangqu Road, Jinmao Mansion."

With that, he took out the purchase contract and receipt and handed them to her.

Kan Qingzi took them and flipped through the pages, reading very carefully.

When she reached the third page and saw both their names and ID numbers in the buyer's section, Zhang Qianjun clearly felt her upper body tremble.

When she reached the fourth page and saw the total price of 20 million, her eyes became clouded with a thin mist.

It wasn't until she turned to the final page and saw the stamp of approval from the competent authority that the starlight finally fell from her eyes.

Raising her tear-filled gaze, she asked a question that made Zhang Qianjun beg for mercy:

"You don't want me anymore?"