“What do you think of Yu Rouyin?” Pei Mingxuan asked straightforwardly.

Ji Fei was taken aback. *Why are so many people asking me about Yu Rouyin today?*

In the restaurant, the previously lively meal grew quiet due to Ji Fei’s unfiltered thoughts.

Qin Zhao was naturally quiet, while Qin Mom and Qin Rong were eager for gossip.

Ji Fei raised an eyebrow. “Did you hear what happened to me today?”

Pei Mingxuan paused, confused. “What?”

*So she hadn’t heard after all.*

Since it was industry-related, Ji Fei decided to fill in her new manager, without mentioning her secret “gossip system.” She gave a basic summary of her attitude: “I think they must be misunderstanding something. I asked Mrs. Zong for proof, and she couldn’t provide any, so she just kept cursing.”

No sooner had she finished than she heard Pei Mingxuan burst out laughing on the other end of the line.

“She actually… she actually tried to threaten you for help? Hahaha! Those wives’ clubs really are so arrogant. They must’ve been scared out of their wits by your identity. I wish I’d been there to see it—hahaha!”

*Turns out Pei-jie likes gossip too.* After a few laughs, though, Pei Mingxuan grew serious again.

“Looks like Mrs. Zong has her sights set on Yu Rouyin. No wonder she was so desperate to reach out to me—it’s probably because Zong Chun expressed his interest in being with her. Knowing she has no way out, she’s searching for a reliable backer, so she reached out to us.”

Ji Fei blinked in surprise. “Huh?”

Pei Mingxuan continued, “We exchanged contacts some time ago. Today she messaged me, saying she wanted to join our studio.”

*What? She wants to join our studio?*

The Qin family glanced over at her in surprise.

“Her current contract is almost up, so she’s either going to renew or find a new agency. She was hoping that by showcasing her acting skills on this recent program, she could secure a new home.”

“At first, we probably weren’t even on her radar. After all, everyone knows Qin Chao’s studio only serves him. But then you joined, and I was brought on board. Plus, with that couple’s mounting pressure, she decided to take a gamble.”

Pei Mingxuan stopped here, as though hesitant to say more. “I called to get your opinion, though…”

Ji Fei was surprised. “Pei-jie, aren’t you the one with the authority to sign new talent? Why ask me?”

Pei Mingxuan chuckled at Ji Fei’s modesty.

Gao Hao and Qin Chao had both hinted that Ji Fei might be the studio’s future boss. Even if Pei Mingxuan technically had the authority, she knew it would be wise to check in with the future boss.

It seemed that Ji Fei not only wanted to be a laid-back artist but might also be an equally laid-back boss who would find the responsibilities a hassle.

Pei Mingxuan explained, “Since she’d be part of the same studio, I want everyone to get along. If you don’t like her, I won’t sign her.”

Ji Fei laughed. “Why would I? We don’t even know each other.”

“Ninety percent of female artists who don’t know her still dislike her.”

Ji Fei had learned this while reading celebrity gossip.

Aside from all the random rumors about her, most female artists instinctively avoided Yu Rouyin, not wanting to get involved.

The reason? Her looks.

There are many kinds of beauty, and Yu Rouyin’s was one of the more troublesome types.

She had that alluring, seductive look that men found captivating and women found threatening. Her beauty was intense, sultry, like an overripe fruit.

Without the right talent, background, or status, most men just wanted to sleep with her rather than love her, and most women judged her harshly from the outset.

One of the best examples was a show appearance she’d made.

In the same outfit that other female artists had worn and looked “decent,” she had a button pop open, prompting a middle-aged male host to say without thinking, “If Miss Yu were wearing that standing next to me, I’d worry the police would come after me.”

The implication was clear, and everyone burst out laughing.

Yu Rouyin handled it flawlessly, shooting him a playful, teasing look, poking fun at herself to diffuse the situation.

But the host, like a man possessed, immediately suggested a “fake horse-riding” game. Who knows if the show had planned it that way.

When other female guests went up, they were praised for their “heroic posture,” but when Yu Rouyin mounted, the prop horse began to bounce, and the crowd burst into laughter, their expressions impossible to describe.

Yu Rouyin, seemingly unbothered, completed the game.

One of the female guests then snidely remarked, “Oh, I guess we don’t need to compete—Miss Yu has already won.”

That one show perfectly captured the kind of malice Yu Rouyin regularly faced.

Clips of her would be edited into viral videos, and her negative reputation made her one of the entertainment industry’s most controversial figures. But this also gave her immense visibility and power.

Ji Fei was lost in thought when Pei Mingxuan spoke up again. “But given that Mrs. Zong has set her mind on ruining her reputation, maybe we should drop the idea.”

When Yu Rouyin had reached out to her, Pei Mingxuan had already discussed it with Gao Hao, aware that Yu Rouyin’s situation was complicated.

Gao Hao hadn’t been keen on signing her. Yu Rouyin’s reputation was littered with controversies, making her a risky artist. Signing her could easily backfire, and you never know a person’s true character. He preferred a stable studio environment.

While Pei Mingxuan admired Yu Rouyin’s acting skills and the dark, scandalous popularity she brought, she believed she could manage her well and was drawn to the challenge. Yu Rouyin had even lowered many of her demands, which tempted Pei Mingxuan further.

Knowing this woman’s precarious situation, understanding much of the backstory, and feeling inclined to help, she still had to consider the powerful forces targeting Yu Rouyin.

Pei Mingxuan had to weigh the pros and cons from a professional standpoint; she couldn’t jeopardize the studio that had saved her career.

Sympathy wouldn’t cloud her judgment. At the end of the day, her duty was to the studio and Ji Fei.

Feeling a bit disappointed, she was about to end the call when Ji Fei spoke up. “Why should Yu Rouyin’s reputation be ruined if she hasn’t done anything wrong?”

Pei Mingxuan’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes brightening as she recalled Ji Fei’s past actions. “How do you know she hasn’t done anything wrong?”

Ji Fei rubbed her nose, a bit self-conscious. “If she really were going from man to man, why would she be out of options, seeking us as her last resort?”

*“Sure, Mrs. Zong has connections, but Yu Rouyin’s rumored relationships include some influential men too. If she wanted to rely on her looks, she’d have plenty of better options, wouldn’t she?*

*“And even if she came to us, with her reputation, wouldn’t she go directly to Qin Chao or Gao Ge? Coming to you, Pei-jie—a strong woman who cares only about talent and potential—means she’s betting on her own abilities.”*

*“So clearly, she’s trying to secure her future with her own skills.”*

Qin Mom and Qin Rong nodded in agreement, feeling that Ji Fei’s perspective made sense.

Pei Mingxuan smiled. “That’s a good point. She’s asked for low compensation, and she only has one special condition.”

“What is it?” Ji Fei asked, curious.

“No sleepovers.”

Ji Fei’s expression changed instantly.

The quiet private room grew even quieter; it was as though everyone held their breath.

It felt like they were watching a woman desperately trying to salvage herself, clinging to any possibility in the face of fate’s cruelty.