BXBX NOVEL Chapter 454: The VIP
Chapter 454: The VIP
As soon as he asked, Yang Chen realized it was unlikely. The few important people he knew wouldn't have such an attitude, nor would they demand to meet him in such a way.
Zhao Teng chuckled wryly on the other end, "It's one of the most important judges for the Yu Lei Star elimination stage, a rising star from South Korea, Miss Yoo Yeonhee."
Yoo Yeonhee? Yang Chen frowned, thinking he didn't know her at all. While it was normal for him not to know some big stars since he didn't follow entertainment news, why would someone with the surname Yoo insist on meeting him?
Seemingly understanding Yang Chen's temperament and knowing him well, Zhao Teng continued, "Miss Yoo Yeonhee is a rapidly rising Asian star over the past five years. Last year, she was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Singer as an Asian artist, although she lost to Christine. However, her popularity in Asia is comparable to Christine's. She happened to be in Zhonghai for a concert, so her schedule coincided with our Yu Lei Star evaluation. After discussing with Wang Jie, we invited her through her agency, and they agreed."
"I don't quite understand all that, but since you say she's a VIP, she must be. Does she have any business with me?" Yang Chen asked.
"Miss Yoo Yeonhee is visiting our company for the first time to discuss some issues regarding the program recording. She said that if the director didn't personally talk to her, it would be disrespectful," Zhao Teng said softly.
Yang Chen smiled. So, she was a diva after all. It seemed that this Yoo Yeonhee was always surrounded by fans and treated like royalty, even when she came to Yanxia.
She probably thought that coming to participate in a talent show was a condescension and wouldn't tolerate not being met by the highest-ranking person.
"Alright, I got it. I'll head back soon," Yang Chen said, not angry. Everyone had their own temperament. Celebrities often appeared humble and polite on the surface but were usually quite self-centered. If they didn't like to flaunt themselves, they wouldn't become celebrities, let alone big stars with some arrogance. So, it wasn't that they were inherently bad, but rather a facet of human nature that Yang Chen understood well.
After hanging up the phone, Yang Chen said to Cai Yuncheng, "I need to handle some matters at the company. I can't make any other promises, but I can assure you that your daughter won't be in danger. I'll bring Cai Yan back to you safely."
Cai Yuncheng laughed, "As long as she's safe, that's all that matters. Our daughter is grown up and can't stay by our side forever. Wherever she wants to go, as long as she's happy, her mother and I can accept it."
Yang Chen sighed lightly. A distinguished family indeed was different. It was clear that Cai Yuncheng was telling him that even if Cai Yan wanted to be a mistress, they wouldn't stop her.
Yang Chen couldn't deny that seeing Cai Yan again stirred some strange feelings within him, but he couldn't say he liked or loved her—it was still a clouded mystery.
After bidding farewell to Cai Yuncheng and the others, Yang Chen drove back to Yu Lei Entertainment Company, arriving in about half an hour. He went upstairs to his office, finding four suited bodyguards standing outside. From their square faces and stern demeanor, it was evident they were Koreans. For a star needing four bodyguards, her status indeed wouldn't be low, especially since this was a company and not a public street.
Seeing Yang Chen, the four bodyguards didn't obstruct him. They were experienced and naturally knew whom to let through and whom to stop.
When Yang Chen opened the door, he felt the atmosphere inside was rather awkward.
Zhao Teng and Wang Jie were sitting on a sofa, looking somewhat tense and silent. Wang Jie, in particular, had a look of restrained anger, her brows furrowed.
Meanwhile, in Yang Chen's usual large swivel chair, a graceful woman in a gray-black striped low-neck sweater and a light brown pleated short skirt, with white lace stockings, was facing the window, leisurely listening to music with her headphones on.
From the back, the woman's figure exuded feminine allure. Possibly due to dancing, her body lines were extremely soft and exquisite. From her pink neck down, the vague contours of her chest and waist showcased a proud curve. Her long, black hair had slightly curled ends, adding a touch of mature feminine charm.
Seeing Yang Chen enter, Zhao Teng and Wang Jie visibly relaxed and stood up to greet him.
Yang Chen waved his hand towards Zhao Teng and Wang Jie, then stepped forward with a smile, asking, "Miss Yoo Yeonhee?"
The woman slowly turned her chair to face Yang Chen. He noticed she was wearing oversized sunglasses that covered half her face. Even so, he could still see her natural beauty. Unlike most Korean celebrities, she showed no signs of plastic surgery. Her delicate face, high nose bridge, and beautifully simple eyebrows created an elegant look, and her skin looked as smooth as fresh tofu.
Despite not knowing her exact age, Yang Chen thought she could easily pass for a high school student.
"Are you Director Yang?" Yoo Yeonhee spoke fluent Chinese, which surprised Yang Chen even more.
"Yes, I am. I had an urgent matter to attend to, so I didn't know in advance that Miss Yoo would be visiting. I apologize for any inconvenience," Yang Chen said with a smile.
Yoo Yeonhee's thin red lips curled into a sweet smile. "There's no need to apologize to me. You must be thinking that this unreasonable woman insisted on seeing you for no good reason, causing trouble and acting like a diva, right?"
Yang Chen was taken aback by her straightforwardness and almost said "yes," but quickly corrected himself, "Of course not. A superstar like Miss Yoo joining this project is an honor. I should have personally come to greet you."
"Oh?" Yoo Yeonhee asked curiously. "How can Director Yang call me a superstar? Don't you know I hate being called that? It sounds arrogant and self-important."
As she spoke, Yoo Yeonhee removed her sunglasses, revealing a pair of watery eyes filled with a mix of mischief and challenge.
Yang Chen inwardly cursed at the situation. If he didn't come personally, she was unhappy. Now that he called her a superstar to flatter her, she was also displeased. But since this was a work matter, he couldn't let his frustration show and just slap her.
"If Miss Yoo doesn't like it, I won't call you that anymore," Yang Chen said, his smile fading, his tone turning cool.
Yoo Yeonhee laughed mockingly, "What's the matter, Director Yang? Are you angry? Do you find me hard to please?"
Yang Chen chuckled lightly and didn't answer. Instead, he turned to Zhao Teng, who was sweating profusely, and said, "Let's get down to business. At this rate, it will be dinner time soon."
Zhao Teng, eager to end the tense conversation, quickly stood up and nodded. "Should we go to the meeting room or discuss it here? The director team has prepared all the details, so it shouldn't take too long."
"Let's just—"
"Wait!" Yoo Yeonhee interrupted, her almond-shaped eyes flashing with a hint of coldness. "I haven't decided if I want to discuss business yet. I'm seriously questioning your company's attitude. I don't feel any respect for our cooperation."
Even a clay Buddha has a temper, and Yang Chen never considered himself made of clay. He pursed his lips and asked, "So, what does Miss Yoo want to do?"
Yoo Yeonhee leaned back in the chair, crossed her legs, and looked at Yang Chen with a challenging gaze. "I want to see if you, Director Yang, truly respect me and our potential cooperation. How about we start with a simple question? Why should I, an artist who values professionalism and mutual respect, work with a company that doesn't seem to understand these basic principles?"
"I want to see the president of your headquarters," Liu Yanxi stood up directly and walked to Yang Chen, staring at him without flinching. Despite the faint fragrance of wisteria emanating from her, she exuded a dark, poppy-like aura. "As just the director of a branch company, I don't think you're qualified to discuss work with me."
Liu Yanxi was asking to see Lin Ruoxi, the president of the headquarters. However, to her, it didn't matter who the president was; the important thing was that she did not acknowledge Yang Chen.
Yang Chen took a deep breath and said, "Miss Liu, don't you realize that if this continues, our work will be delayed? Or have you always been this capricious?"
"I just enjoy being like this. I won't let you work. I don't care. I'm only here in Zhonghai to prepare for my concert, and I'm dissatisfied. What can you do about it?" Liu Yanxi laughed mockingly.
Yang Chen took another deep breath, but instead of getting angry, he squinted and carefully examined Liu Yanxi's flawless face.
Under Yang Chen's undisguised and greedy gaze, Liu Yanxi finally couldn't stand it. Her cheeks flushed. "Do you think this will make me feel scared or embarrassed? Unless I see your president, I won't cooperate."
"Tsk tsk," Yang Chen chuckled. "Where did you get that face done? The plastic surgery is really well done. Must have cost a lot, right?"
Liu Yanxi's eyes immediately flashed with anger. She stepped back two paces and said sternly, "Put away your dog eyes. I've never had plastic surgery in my life. Someone like you, who can't even professionally judge whether someone has had plastic surgery, and who doesn't understand the entertainment or fashion industry, is actually the director of an entertainment company? It seems not only are your eyes blind, but so is your superior!"
"I don't care if you've had surgery or not. I'm saying you have, so what can you do about it? You don't want to cooperate, don't want to talk? Good riddance. You think I want to talk business with a surgically altered ugly monster like you?" Yang Chen fired back at Liu Yanxi and then waved at the stunned Zhao Teng and Wang Jie. "Let's go. Forget about her. I'll treat you to lunch."
With that, he ignored the dumbfounded Liu Yanxi and walked out the door.
Wang Jie was the first to react, silently admiring the director's boldness, and tugged on the still-dazed Zhao Teng. The two of them followed Yang Chen out.
They weren't wooden people, and they had long been dissatisfied with the unreasonable and demanding diva. Now that Yang Chen took responsibility, they left without hesitation.
Liu Yanxi was left alone in the office, staring blankly as the others walked out, not caring about her at all!
"He... he actually called me an ugly monster?" Liu Yanxi muttered to herself, then seemed to break under the weight of it all and burst into tears.
Yang Chen and the other two, who had just left the office, vaguely heard the crying, their expressions varied.
Zhao Teng, being more steady, said with some unease, "Director, is it really okay? She's the Asian diva, with over tens of millions of fans. Her influence is no joke. And I've heard her background is quite extraordinary. If we really provoke some big figures behind her, it won't just be a simple work issue."
Yang Chen furrowed his brow. This was exactly why he didn't like being in a position of power; the higher the position, the more complicated things became. After sighing, he laughed freely and said, "Just do what you need to do. If she keeps up with this rotten attitude, just ignore her. If something happens, I'll take responsibility. Come on, you two have worked hard these past few days. I'll treat you to a nice meal—wonton noodles and soup dumplings!"
Following behind him, Zhao and Wang simultaneously felt their legs go weak, their faces turning bitter. This boss was becoming more and more frugal with each passing day.