Chapter Twenty: Are You Worthy?

When Xiao Chen returned home, Xu Qingran had already arrived before him.

“Qingran, tomorrow just go straight to Ruby Entertainment. They will definitely agree to sign you,” Xiao Chen reminded her.

Xu Qingran found his certainty a bit odd. How could Xiao Chen be so sure?

But before she could dwell on it, Xu Qianran, nearby, sneered, “Isn’t that obvious? Did you need to say it? Brother Yichen already promised my sister he’d put in a word for her at Ruby Entertainment.”

“With Brother Yichen’s influence, would Ruby Entertainment dare refuse?”

Xiao Chen couldn’t help but find this amusing. The size of Jiang Yichen’s company was really insignificant—its total assets barely twenty million. Ruby Entertainment, even if just a trial venture for the Zhou family, far outstripped Jiang Yichen’s business in every way.

His so-called influence would mean little at Ruby Entertainment.

Still, Xiao Chen said nothing more.

…

The next day, Xu Qingran drove to Ruby Entertainment.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied her nerves, just about to step inside, when a cold laugh came from not far off. “Well, if it isn’t Qingran. Judging by your look, you seem very confident about this collaboration with Ruby Entertainment, don’t you?”

“But do you really think the big boss of Ruby Entertainment would be interested in the likes of you?”

A man and a woman approached. The man was Xu Chengyang, and the woman was Qiao Hui, daughter of Xu Qian’s sister. It was Qiao Hui who had just spoken.

Qiao Hui, often called the first beauty of the Qiao family, was never reconciled to Xu Qingran’s reputation and liked to compete with her at every turn.

To be fair, Qiao Hui was indeed attractive, not much less so than Xu Qingran, though her makeup was a bit heavy, giving her a rather flamboyant look.

Hearing this, Xu Qingran frowned. “What nonsense are you spouting now?”

“Nonsense?” Xu Chengyang chimed in, smirking at her. “Ruby Entertainment has just changed owners. The new boss personally asked for you by name to discuss a deal. Isn’t it obvious what he wants?”

“Seems you’ve been serving him well in private.”

“So Ruby Entertainment has a new boss,” Xu Qingran thought, feeling a trace of relief. Last time, it had been Ye Long who refused to work with her.

At Xu Chengyang’s next words, Xu Qingran’s anger flared. She glared at him. “You—”

He was clearly insulting her.

“That’s enough,” Qiao Hui cut in, her face full of scorn. “If you dare to do it, don’t be afraid to admit it. Acting all pure in front of us—please.”

“Someone like you, married to that useless Xiao Chen for three years and never even holding hands? You expect us to believe you could hold out that long?”

“But if the boss of Ruby Entertainment likes you, it’s only because he hadn’t met me yet. Now that I’m here, let’s see if he gives the opportunity to you or to my cousin Chengyang.”

Only now did Xu Qingran understand why Xu Chengyang had brought Qiao Hui along—he meant to use her looks to tempt the new boss.

A wave of anxiety washed over Xu Qingran. If the new boss of Ruby Entertainment was really that kind of man, she could never accept such humiliation. Would she have to watch Xu Chengyang snatch the opportunity from right under her nose?

She bit her lip, feeling helpless.

At that moment, how she wished someone would step out to help her. But it was only wishful thinking. The useless man at home would be lucky not to make things worse.

Unbidden, Jiang Yichen’s face floated through her mind—the gentlemanly, gentle suitor who’d always cared so much for her.

“What am I thinking?” She quickly shook her head, brushing away the mess of thoughts.

The three of them entered Ruby Entertainment together.

The moment they stepped in, they were greeted by rows of handsome men and beautiful women standing on either side, bowing in unison: “Welcome!”

Even Xu Qingran, as well as Xu Chengyang and Qiao Hui, were startled by the scene. What was going on? The staff at Ruby Entertainment were being extremely hospitable.

Just then, He Huan hurried over, quickly recognizing Xu Qingran. “You must be Xu Qingran of Allure Cosmetics, President Xu, correct?”

“Welcome, welcome. I am He Huan, general manager of Ruby Entertainment. Our President Xiao has already instructed us—once you arrive, we’ll sign the contract immediately.”

This was, after all, President Xiao’s wife—she dared not be careless.

It was no exaggeration to say that, in President Xiao’s eyes, the entire Ruby Entertainment was nothing more than a plaything, meant to win a beauty’s smile.

“So the new boss at Ruby Entertainment is also a Xiao,” Xu Qingran thought, both flattered and surprised. “Why is the one at home such dead weight?”

She quickly reached out to shake He Huan’s hand. “Hello, Manager He.”

But Xu Chengyang and Qiao Hui were anything but pleased.

Qiao Hui spoke up sharply, “Sign with Xu Qingran? Who does she think she is? I want to see your boss and speak with him myself!”

“And who are you?” He Huan glanced at Qiao Hui, then looked at Xu Chengyang. “Xu Chengyang, President Xiao has made it clear: Ruby Entertainment will only work with Xu Qingran. You are not qualified.”

“Do you not understand plain language?”

Xu Chengyang seethed inside but dared not lash out at He Huan—not when he still needed something from the company.

Qiao Hui, however, snorted coldly. “The only reason your President Xiao wants to work with Xu Qingran is because of her face, right?”

“You think I’m lesser than she is? Let me meet your President Xiao and he’ll soon change his mind. Otherwise, you might not be able to bear the consequences.”

She spoke as if she saw through everything.

He Huan was taken aback, then quickly realized what Xu Chengyang and the others were thinking.

He found it amusing. “You’re not wrong—our President Xiao does indeed like President Xu. You’re quite right about that.”

“As for you…” She shook her head. “A gaudy tramp like you, do you really think you can compare to President Xu? We have your kind by the dozen here.”

“You think you’re worthy of catching our President Xiao’s eye?”

Since Qiao Hui had shown no courtesy to Xu Qingran, He Huan saw no reason to be polite in return.

“You—” Qiao Hui was furious at being spoken to in such a way.

But before she could explode, He Huan said icily, “You two are not welcome here. Please leave, unless you’d like me to call security?”

Both Xu Chengyang and Qiao Hui left with darkened faces, huffing as they went.

Xu Qingran, meanwhile, was thoroughly startled by what He Huan had just said. Did their President Xiao truly like her? This—

It wasn’t until He Huan called her name again that Xu Qingran finally snapped back to herself.