Chapter 1969: Leverage

“When we’re toasting, her glass is filled with plain water, how can she get drunk?”

Lu Zhenzhen pointed out to Chu Yao, “Oh right, that’s how it’s done. Ah… boring.”

“You want to train drinking buddies; I’m not enough. You want to train Jiaojiao too? I’m telling you, if you get her too drunk, Bo Yanching will definitely come after your Mo Tingshen.”

Chu Yao shrank her neck; how could she forget that?

“What can I do then? Drinking with you is fun, but you always manage me. Sometimes as soon as you speak, I’m scared. Drinking with Elder Jiang, she’s at such an age; I’m afraid something might happen. In front of Sister Mi, I hold back; I’m almost suffocated.”

“You, a wine enthusiast, have a time where you feel suffocated?” Lu Zhenzhen really didn’t leave any room for her, tearing it all apart. “You’re soaked in alcohol except when you’re working; you’re marinated with flavor throughout. You say you’re holding back, but you haven’t missed drinking regularly.”

Chu Yao’s hand trembled, shaking like a crazy chicken claw, “Look at you, with that mouth, I’m scared of you. Only Gao Zhe pampers you; any ghost passing by you would turn to smoke and run away.”

Lu Zhenzhen coldly snorted twice, not wanting to argue, “Do you know Song Yuan?”

“Who?”

Chu Yao first asked, then thought for a moment about who it was, “A popular post-’90s actress. I haven’t worked with her. What’s up?”

“She sent out a press release during the day. I read one; she’s trying to use an accident to build her image, throwing dirt on Jiaojiao. I suppressed all those hot searches she bought today. Stay alert; after all, this is your industry’s business. You know how to handle it.”

Lu Zhenzhen glanced in Nan Jiaojiao’s direction, “She’s just afraid of standing out. Keep an eye; solve the problem before it escalates.”

“Easy, I’ll find Shu Jin.”

“Aren’t you and Shu Jin mortal enemies?” Lu Zhenzhen asked, “And what’s this got to do with Shu Jin?”

Chu Yao showed her a mysterious smile, leaning back with her hand on the chair back, eyebrows nearly reaching the top of her head as she mentioned her area of expertise, “You wouldn’t understand. It’s not just your workplace with all the mind games; ours is worse. I’ve seen all kinds of tactics. When Song Yuan debuted, she appeared as a wealthy flower to fans, seeming innocent without ulterior motives. But actually, she was making deals, doing plenty of manipulative things early on. She provoked Shu Jin and was taught a lesson once, supposedly giving Shu Jin some leverage. Otherwise, do you think Song Yuan could join the Rouge Button crew so quietly? It’s not for Director Chen’s sake; she’s scared of Shu Jin, not daring to stir up trouble.”

“But aren’t you and Shu Jin at odds?”

Chu Yao chuckled, “There’s no such thing as truly harmonious on the surface, nor genuinely harmonious. The rumors are exaggerated. We don’t dislike each other to the point of mutual distaste; we’ve just interacted. Both have bad tempers, not suitable as friends. No private dealings; we don’t walk closely, so there’s nothing to alienate.”

Lu Zhenzhen couldn’t quite grasp the twists among these women, lost interest after hearing a few lines, and raised her brows, “Don’t just talk; do something practical.”

“Relax,” Chu Yao pinched a few fingers, “I’m experienced, I’ve got it under control.”

“Is it convenient to come in?” Bo Yanching’s voice came from behind the screen.

“Oh no!” Chu Yao almost fell off her casual posture.

Her eye twitched, signaling to the young lady opposite.

Lu Zhenzhen mouthed a dirty word at her, “How come you weren’t frightened when getting her drunk?”