Chapter 542 293: Chairman Qi, We All Want to Progress

In the three large WeChat groups, it was a chorus of "We thank you for your imperial grace!"

Qi Sheng lurked silently, endlessly amused by this bunch.

Miha You's current employee count was around 1,300 people.

They originally had 1,400, but about 100 had been poached.

As office workers, how could they not have private group chats hidden from their bosses?

The conversations in these smaller groups were far more heated than in the official ones.

At the very least, they didn't have to suck up to anyone here.

As long as you didn't do something stupid, you could say whatever you wanted.

"Dudes, Chairman Qi's move was just too damn awesome. All those people who left are regretting it big time. I heard some of them even want to come back."

"Serves them right. Who told them to be so shortsighted? They got suckered by a small raise."

"Double pay this month! I'm so fucking happy I could explode! I'm a workhorse—don't anyone dare stop me from working overtime!"

"Genshin Impact hasn't even had its public beta yet, and the big boss is already this generous. I can't even imagine how big our year-end bonuses will be if the project is a massive hit!"

"Definitely hitting up the clubs for some young models! An actress with a 3,000 appearance fee? I'll have a new one every fucking day!"

...

Meanwhile, back at the Universal Entertainment chairman's office in Shanghai, two very ambitious actresses arrived.

Mao Xiaotong and Jiang Shuying exchanged a glance, a bit of awkwardness between them.

Each had thought she was the most proactive, only to run into an equally motivated rival.

"Sister Shuying, aren't you on set filming?"

Mao Xiaotong was the first to break the awkward silence, her eyes filled with envy.

Flowing Golden Years was using the production team from My First Half of Life, so public anticipation was through the roof.

"The crew is on a five-day break. Didn't you know Milan Fashion Week is about to start?"

Jiang Shuying gave Mao Xiaotong a surprised look. Then, remembering the other woman was just a third-tier starlet, she smiled with understanding.

"Once you get famous, you'll be qualified to attend Milan Fashion Week too."

Mao Xiaotong: "..."

Even though she was a nobody, it was still hard not to feel annoyed at being mocked so openly.

But it was the truth. Jiang Shuying was just being a little too blunt.

"Oh, right, Thirty Years Old starts airing the day after tomorrow. After I get back from Milan Fashion Week, I have a few promotional events to attend."

Jiang Shuying still wanted to win Mao Xiaotong over. After all, they were both over thirty.

If they didn't stick together, they could only wait for Qi Sheng to forget them completely.

"It's airing so soon?"

Mao Xiaotong paused, then asked with a hint of pleasant surprise.

"Heh, you still don't understand our dear Chairman Qi? He's doing this so Gu Pan can make a run for the Bai Yulan award!"

Jiang Shuying looked at Mao Xiaotong with a touch of pity.

"I heard from President Lin that the company is going to nominate Gu Pan for Best Supporting Actress."

"Huh?"

The smile visibly faded from Mao Xiaotong's face, only to reappear on Jiang Shuying's.

Given how much the big boss dotes on Gu Pan, plus her performance in this series...

...as long as Thirty Years Old does well, the Best Supporting Actress award is practically a lock.

"Later, you should beg Chairman Qi. Maybe he'll have President Lin nominate you for Best Supporting Actress too."

"Even if it's just a nomination, it's better than getting nothing at all."

Thinking of her own lackluster acting in the show, Jiang Shuying couldn't maintain her smile either.

She was the female lead of Thirty Years Old.

If she didn't even get nominated for Best Actress at the Bai Yulan Awards, she would definitely be ridiculed by everyone.

However, during the reshoots a while back, Jiang Shuying felt her acting had improved tremendously.

It wasn't as brilliant as Gu Pan's, but it was a massive step up from before.

Even Shen Yan, the director of Flowing Golden Years, had praised her improved acting on more than one occasion.

Although she couldn't compare to Gu Pan, she could use this show to change the audience's perception of her.

Jiang Shuying was still quite confident about that.

"Thank you, Sister Shuying."

Mao Xiaotong sensed Jiang Shuying's goodwill, and her mood improved slightly.

"Ladies, Chairman Qi will see you now."

Qiu Lei walked out of the office and said to Mao Xiaotong and Jiang Shuying with a smile.

"Okay, thank you, Assistant Qiu."

Jiang Shuying was very polite to Qiu Lei, not putting on the airs of a big star.

Qiu Lei's current position was Assistant to the Chairman, and his future was bright.

The previous chairman's assistant had already been transferred to Xingchen Video to serve as Chief Operating Officer.

"Of course."

Qiu Lei led the way, stopping at the door.

"Please, go in. I won't be joining you."

"Alright."

Jiang Shuying and Mao Xiaotong walked into the chairman's office.

The familiar scene made them look at each other, both feeling a little awkward.

"You two go take a shower first. I'll come over when I'm done with my work."

Qi Sheng said without even looking up.

It seemed the documents in his hands were more appealing than the two actresses.

"Okay."

Jiang Shuying and Mao Xiaotong obediently went into the hidden suite.

Inside, the bathroom, bed, and sofa were all fully equipped.

There was even a small walk-in closet.

Many of the clothes inside were of the sexy variety, the kind that would make one's pulse race just by looking at them.

Jiang Shuying and Mao Xiaotong showered together, and after drying off, they each tacitly chose an outfit to change into.

They waited for the man outside to come in and favor them with his attention.

Growing bored of waiting, Jiang Shuying tiptoed to the door to eavesdrop.

She could faintly hear Qi Sheng talking with Yuan Kai, the president of Universal Entertainment.

It sounded like he was instructing him to take over some company.

It wasn't until she heard approaching footsteps that Jiang Shuying, with the guilty conscience of a thief, scurried back to the bed.

Like Mao Xiaotong, she burrowed under the covers, leaving only her bunny girl ears exposed.

"Who was eavesdropping just now?"

Qi Sheng's gaze immediately locked onto Jiang Shuying. 'Mao Xiaotong wouldn't have the nerve.'

"I didn't mean to."

Jiang Shuying had thought that since she was barefoot, she hadn't made a sound.