Chapter 56

After Yue Ling cleared her schedule, Su Yaoyao’s travel variety show began filming.
Originally, Su Yaoyao was to bring one bestie for two episodes, but with only two regulars left, the team let them arrange their own schedules; as long as the besties had fun, it was fine.
Su Yaoyao’s side were all amateurs, so fees were negotiable. The minor celebrity side were insiders, each very expensive.
The director had 50 million but was still stingy, reluctant to spend extra.
In the end, the minor celebrity side booked one insider bestie and three outsiders, five total. Su Yaoyao’s side had six people.
The first eight episodes’ schedules were self-arranged; the last four would meet on an island.
The original intent was to stir drama during the meeting. But since the largest sponsor became Su Yaoyao, the team abandoned this plan, letting them fully enjoy themselves.
Conflicts only needed to appear in the previews; editing could create the hype. Once the audience watched the final show, they might realize it was staged, but it didn’t matter, the money was in.
In Wen Jiu’s young lady group, everyone expressed willingness once they heard the schedule could be self-arranged.
Lin Yu: Two episodes.
Although she could attend all twelve with 50,000 per episode, Lin Yu chose only the first two episodes, the first three days.
Song Qin: Same as Lin Yu.
Song Qin wanted to join, but as Lin Yu’s nominal boss, Lin Yu kept her in check. She followed Lin Yu’s plan, taking the first two episodes.
Yue Ling: I’ll take the following two episodes.
Yue Ling chose the third and fourth episodes, after Lin Yu and Song Qin. She mostly stayed on set, and three days off was the limit.
Wen Jiu: I’m full-time!
Qin Yao: I’ll join in the latter half.
Wen Jiu accompanied throughout; the young lady was present from episode five to twelve.
The show used both live and recorded formats.
Wen Jiu wasn’t naive; she remained cautious of the minor celebrity next door, fearing another jealous Wen Ling-like incident.
The director reassured Wen Jiu: “Miss Wen, don’t worry. We monitor online feedback closely and will control any negative comments promptly.”
“The neighbor won’t cause trouble either; she knows Miss Su is the biggest investor.”
The director realized the money came from Su Group accounts and was stunned.
So this was the true young lady of Su Group.
Ordinary wealthy people wouldn’t have been able to deter the minor celebrity. But Su Yaoyao was the genuine daughter; the minor celebrity wouldn’t dare challenge her.
Wen Jiu immediately felt at ease.
No drama, perfect.
Su Yaoyao suited a conflict-free, fun variety show. She no longer needed to train external communication or stress resistance; this was ideal.
The popular young lady was independent and capable but not an iron-willed type; her inner fragility remained, but she protected it herself.
With The Rich Family in post-production, Wen Jiu didn’t need to monitor it; Chu Wen handled it. She spent all of July to mid-August filming with Su Yaoyao.
She intended to stay and observe her.
As long as Su Yaoyao could protect herself, another “repayment” task for the original owner was complete.
Of course, she also selfishly wanted Su Yaoyao to keep getting better.
Once equipment was ready and personnel arranged, filming for episode one began.
The camera started from above the villa for Su Yaoyao’s opening shot.
The drone operator carefully raised the altitude to avoid filming neighbors’ homes, which could lead to lawsuits once aired.
Raising it slightly higher, he saw no other homes in frame.
Staff: ?
“Weren’t we supposed to see a villa? This is a manor?!”
Haicheng could really occupy this much space? Even in his dreams, he never imagined such a setting.
Poverty truly had limited his imagination.
Wen Jiu no longer got easily surprised. Before, she would’ve been just like the crew, gaping in awe.
As the camera slowly approached, the Su residence appeared before them.
Su Yaoyao was in the garden, typing away and outlining her new story. She hadn’t planned to start this one so soon, so her typing was slow.
Beside her, a girl dozed off on a lounge chair, while on the other side stood a finely crafted vintage table, adorned with snacks and fruit tea that could rival any trendy Instagram-worthy dessert.
Outside the transparent little room stretched endless fields of flowers.
The cameraman kept filming, amazed by each bloom.
Someone in the production team, familiar with flowers, shouted frantically into the headset:
“Be careful! Be careful! You can’t afford this! These are auctioned varieties!”
“Right, right, the one under your left foot is more valuable than the last one.”
“That’s enough, no need for detailed shots. If your pants brush against them, these delicate flowers could die instantly, and we’d have to pay for everything down to our underwear!”
If the outdoor flowers were this precious, the villa’s decor was even more priceless.
Suddenly, the cameramen understood why they weren’t allowed to mount cameras, they had to hand-hold them.
Any random carved wall detail damaged by glue would have been too costly to replace.
The crew grew increasingly cautious. After assisting the cameramen with the shots, they left the villa’s interior and focused only on filming Su Yaoyao and Wen Jiu inside the conservatory.
Compared to the fragile interior decor, these two guests looked sturdy.
“I’m done writing. Let’s go find Lin Yu and Song Qin,” Su Yaoyao said, saving and closing her laptop.
Wen Jiu nodded, finishing the half-drunk fruit juice on the table and getting up from the lounge chair.
Life at Su Yaoyao’s place was so pleasant, she felt disoriented.
If she lived in such a villa all the time, she could happily never leave.
The curtains in the third-floor study swayed in the wind. Wen Jiu, sensing something, looked back. The cameraman followed and focused the lens.
Behind the open window was a defiant face, a strikingly handsome, almost aggressive-looking boy. Yet the sharpness of his features was softened by a calm expression.
Wen Jiu: “...”
It wasn’t infatuation or a crush, it was the urge to assassinate him.
After repeatedly snatching Su Yaoyao away, Su Tan must hate her.
But seeing him sneakily watch Su Yaoyao now, he probably hadn’t completely given up.
If the plot remained unchanged, Su Yaoyao would end up imprisoned by Su Tan. That would truly be a lifetime in the villa.
Actually, living here indefinitely wasn’t ideal, freedom was important.
Su Yaoyao turned and saw Su Tan as well.
She raised her left hand in the air. “Goodbye, little brother.”
Warm and confident, no longer afraid of Su Tan, a hint of the sister-brother “bloodline” dominance was evident.
Wen Jiu glanced at Su Yaoyao, then at Su Tan, feeling immensely satisfied.
Even if Su Tan tried to assassinate her tonight, it would be worth it.
The popular young lady was getting better and better, in every sense.
Su Tan seemed to notice Wen Jiu’s secret laughter and glared at her where Su Yaoyao couldn’t see.
Wen Jiu didn’t mind, glaring back from afar.
Little brother is still little brother, he needs training!
The crew all got in the car, following Su Yaoyao and Wen Jiu to,
An office building?
Could this be Miss Su’s building? Were they coming to inspect their property?
The villa was so lavish it made everyone think along these lines, but no one expected that after taking the elevator, they entered a studio.
Lin Yu ran out to greet them. “Come on in.”
She boldly introduced herself on camera, plugging the company’s upcoming game: “I’m one of Su Yaoyao’s besties, and this is my company...”
They were supposed to be filming a trip, but the company was like her child. Leaving even briefly made her anxious; a caring mother rushing home, worried something might go wrong. So they set the location in Haicheng, filming Su Yaoyao visiting her company.
Wen Jiu watched her introduce everything so attentively, repeatedly giving her thumbs up.
With such an employee, even in their dreams, the bosses would smile.
“This development stage has been stalled for three months, and we’re short on funds…”
Wen Jiu: ?
It sounded strange. She remembered the young lady saying she had recently added investment to Lin Yu’s company.
Su Yaoyao didn’t overthink it. She waved her hand: “I’ll invest 50 million for you.”
Lin Yu’s eyes lit up, waving her hands but opening her pocket, embarrassed. “Oh, I can’t accept this.”
In live broadcast, most viewers went to the minor celebrity’s channel and didn’t come much to Su Yaoyao’s. Yet, at this moment, Su Yaoyao’s live viewer count kept climbing.
Most of her book fans didn’t use Weibo, except her own. She occasionally sent red envelopes, prompting her fans to check her account daily.
Since they were there anyway, they might as well complete their fan tasks.
No over-the-top fan wars, just quietly supporting her. Su Yaoyao’s Weibo engagement stayed steady, barely passing average.
Early in the morning, new viewers arrived, realizing she was participating in a show, and immediately started watching.
The quiet live stream suddenly surged; as soon as people joined, they saw the 50 million yuan mentioned.
[I’m late. What just happened? What’s this 50 million about?]
[I checked, the show’s called My Besties… Wait, my bestie just invested 50 million for me?!]
[Bestie, did you forget? I’m your bestie!]
[No need to look further. Now I can choose her as my bestie. Yes, you, Su Yaoyao.]
[50 million is tempting, but don’t overlook Su Yaoyao’s face under all that wealth! A tiny, delicate face, exquisite features, Mom, I’m in love.]
[Writing one book to godhood, truly an young lady in wealth, with a face and figure like a retouched photo. Which door did heaven close for Su Yaoyao? Heaven, am I not your favorite child?]
Unfortunately, she didn’t know how lively the comments were, nor that her viewers had exceeded the director’s expected traffic for amateurs.
Not extreme, but for three amateurs, it was significant.
Fearing Su Yaoyao would retract the statement, Lin Yu pulled out the contract again.
Her practiced movements reminded Wen Jiu of the first time she saw Lin Yu after entering the book, Lin Yu had also taken out a contract for her to sign.
Wen Jiu clicked her tongue. “How many copies of the contract do you have, to produce a new one for each investment?”
Lin Yu, proud and confident: “A lot.”
“I prepared them all because I want the company to get better!”
Just then, Song Qin brought over a few cups of coffee. Lin Yu took them, handing one to Wen Jiu and Su Yaoyao with great attentiveness.
“Two bosses, coffee?”
Song Qin rolled her eyes behind Lin Yu.
Su Yaoyao sipped lightly. “Not bad.”
Wen Jiu couldn’t tell good coffee from bad. She only knew it wasn’t as sweet as instant coffee.
Su Yaoyao glanced at Wen Jiu, took her phone from her bag, and transferred 2,000 yuan to Lin Yu.
Wen Jiu: …
That familiar feeling returned.
Sure enough, Su Yaoyao said next: “The coffee is great, I like it. Consider this pocket money for you.”
Wen Jiu thought of several people who might have taught Su Yaoyao this, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly who.
It couldn’t be the young lady, could it?
When Lin Yu received the transfer, Su Yaoyao whispered to Wen Jiu: “I learned it from Yao Yao. She said best friends should give each other red envelopes to strengthen their bond.”
Wen Jiu thought it made sense, though something felt off.
Meanwhile, Song Qin, standing behind Lin Yu, widened her eyes.
Song Qin: Wait…
She had made this coffee!!!
She wanted to roll her eyes, she wanted to personally serve the young lady!
Her 2,000 yuan salary versus the young lady-given 2,000 yuan, how could they be the same?!
The camera panned to Lin Yu receiving the transfer. The on-screen comments paused briefly, as if everyone was typing.
Seconds later, the comments erupted like a fountain, exploding the silent viewers’ engagement.
[Bestie, your coffee = 2,000 yuan pocket money?!]
[If I die, my bestie won’t even give me 2,000 yuan!]
[Is it too late to become Su Yaoyao’s bestie?]
[2,000 may not sound like much, but it’s not small. My monthly salary is 3,500… She earns half my month’s pay just with a cup of coffee.]
[I don’t understand 50 million, but 2,000 I get! This bestie, I support her forever.]
[Looking again at the show name My Besties, I ask the production, are you trying to make me jealous and envy her to inherit my debt?]
Su Yaoyao’s morning schedule was supposed to stay with Wen Jiu while Lin Yu and Song Qin went to work. She could sit still; Wen Jiu couldn’t.
In Lin Yu’s office, Wen Jiu found a chair to sit on, though her movement was limited. She sat there for a moment, then used her phone to order an expedited delivery of a sofa.
Half an hour later, the receptionist came in and said, “President Lin, your… sofa has arrived.”
The word “sofa” carried heavy confusion in her tone. She couldn’t understand how the notorious workaholic of the company would buy a soft, plush sofa.
Wen Jiu immediately got up from the uncomfortable chair. “I ordered it. Just have them bring it in.”
Last year, when she worked at Chu Corp before being transferred to the CEO’s office, any random chair would do, comfort was a luxury she hadn’t known.
Once a person started enjoying such things, there was no going back.
Since she was here, Wen Jiu went ahead and arranged the office for Lin Yu.
The delivery guy hesitated while carrying the sofa, looking at the few girls present, unsure whom to ask.
“What’s wrong?” Wen Jiu walked over.
Delivery guy: “Boss, the sofa doesn’t quite fit the room. We probably didn’t communicate clearly. Should I contact the store for an exchange?”
The sofa blocked the middle of the room; left or right placement didn’t work. Wen Jiu walked a few steps and immediately understood.
High EQ version: The size doesn’t fit.
Low EQ, blunt version: Your room’s too small; the sofa won’t fit.
Wen Jiu: “…”
Torn between pride and her bank account, Wen Jiu teared up a little. “Lin Yu, didn’t the studio downstairs just move out? You go sign the lease, and I’ll invest another 10 million in the company.”
The “50 million” automatically softened in her throat, dropping to “10 million.”
Song Qin hadn’t told Lin Yu about Wen Jiu’s live show earnings earlier in the year, because from Lin Yu’s perspective, 10 million was roughly all of Wen Jiu’s liquid assets.
Lin Yu was so touched her eyes welled up, but she didn’t say a word about “no need for money,” fearing Wen Jiu might change her mind. She grabbed Wen Jiu’s hand along with the contract and ink pad. “Sister, tell me which office to rent, I’ll negotiate immediately. Let’s sign the contract first. By the way, when will the 10 million be transferred?”
With room to expand, the sofa could fit comfortably against the wall without worrying about space.
Lin Yu had received two investments in one day and was already imagining the company rising like the morning sun at seven o’clock.
She lay back on the sofa Wen Jiu had arranged for her, so soft she nearly fell asleep, her bones tingling with comfort.
Wen Jiu almost had to smack her if she looked again, so she turned her face away.
Still, with the office so small, once the sofa was in, the cameraman would have to step aside, leaving only one behind.
If Wen Jiu, Su Yaoyao, and Song Qin all stood inside, it would be crowded.
Well, the company did need to expand.
Suddenly, Su Yaoyao leaned toward Wen Jiu and whispered, “Jiujiu, it seems all the buildings in this area were birthday gifts from my brother. I just asked his assistant to check, and this building is indeed part of my assets.”
“Should I have someone coordinate with the tenants upstairs and downstairs, merging the space for Lin Yu’s company?”
“Maybe I have another building still under development that hasn’t officially opened,” Su Yaoyao pointed out the side window. “We could move there directly. Later, if the company grows, Lin Yu can use the whole building.”
Su Yaoyao knew that besides herself and Wen Jiu, Qin Yao also invested in Lin Yu’s company. In a sense, it was like the three of them raising a virtual “child.”
Lin Yu, lying comfortably on the sofa, had sharp ears and accidentally overheard Su Yaoyao whispering to Wen Jiu.
She didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but her ears leaned in on their own. She got up from the sofa, walked over, almost audaciously listening in between the two of them.
“Boss, this is great!” Disregarding dignity, she prioritized claiming territory. Her eyes lit up as she grabbed Wen Jiu’s sleeve. “Boss, you have to agree quickly.”
Su Yaoyao covered her mouth, giggling lightly. “Lin Yu, don’t tease Jiujiu. Ask everyone if they want to stay in this building or move to the new one. Once confirmed, tell me and I’ll arrange it.”
Lin Yu let go of Wen Jiu, nodding repeatedly. She twisted and grabbed Su Yaoyao’s hands with both of hers. “Sister, from now on, you’re my boss!
I’ll serve you as the ultimate, ultimate boss!”
Song Qin stood next to Wen Jiu, rolling her eyes at Lin Yu’s blatant flattery.
She wouldn’t admit it was because she was a few steps too slow and missed out on the perks that she felt jealous!
Wen Jiu suddenly felt something was off.
Her own ranking dropped fairly, but there was still one person missing,
“Where’s the young lady? Did her ranking drop here too?”
Lin Yu’s flattery froze, her smile stiff.
She worried the young lady might stop investing after watching the live show, and that without Su Yaoyao’s promised new space, things would be complicated.
Her brain worked fast; she immediately brought over the contract and cheerfully handed it to Su Yaoyao. “Boss, sign it.”
Wen Jiu rubbed her temples.
This live + recorded show, she didn’t know if the director profited, but she could see that Lin Yu had made a fortune.
As the viewers increased, the comments transitioned from cheerful “bestie” cheers to classic argument sections.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t really fighting, just differing opinions.
[These people can’t be actors hired to cooperate with her, right? Their interaction is so weird, calling each other ‘sister,’ ‘Yaoyao,’ and ‘boss’ randomly, and the bestie is this attentive?]
[She just introduced her company, the game’s almost released, and even advertised the beta. If advertisers were actors, they wouldn’t be this nice to Su Yaoyao. The money is paid by the boss, not the guest.]
[Why is being attentive to a bestie considered acting? If my bestie gave me tens of millions a day, I’d perform a ‘servant washes your feet’ act. (Even if she didn’t want to, I’d make her.)]
[Right, the only difference is wealth. That doesn’t mean the bestie is fake.]
[Upstairs, I checked the beta of their two games, player reviews are good. If successful, they won’t be poor.”
[Helping the less wealthy succeed, isn’t that what besties do? They’re not lazy, they’re working hard. Even that invisible Song Qin is the protagonist of ‘The Elite’.]
[No arguing if you want to ‘line up to be Su Yaoyao’s bestie!’]
The golden SVIP comment appeared on public chat, silencing the earlier complainers who had been asking for actors.
Everyone may have voiced doubts, but deep down, they all wanted to be friends with Su Yaoyao.