After Breaking Up, I Married the Dying Tycoon in a Flash
Chapter 107: The Stepping Stone

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: The Stepping Stone

Bian Yue also smiled gently, leisurely observing Yao Yimin, "Miss Yao appears even more elegant and refined than I imagined, truly stunning."

Yao Yimin chuckled mildly.

She tossed the script onto the table, and spoke again, this time without the courtesy she had shown in the presence of Wang Dan’an, "President Bian, I see that you’ve invested a lot in this project, and with Shi An’an’s delay, I suppose the costs must have skyrocketed, right?"

Bian Yue smiled slightly: "I believe this project will be profitable."

"President Bian’s collaboration with President Wang, casting me as the lead, while simultaneously squeezing my salary to cut costs, such moves will naturally show a profit," Yao Yimin maintained her smile, but her words dripped with sarcasm, "President Bian, you truly are the best business person I’ve ever met."

Bian Yue sensed there was more to the story, but didn’t expect Wang Dan’an to be so underhanded.

"The salary you agreed with Wang Dan’an wasn’t clear through my end; in fact, Wang Dan’an has almost given you to me for free."

Her words were harsh, causing Yao Yimin’s expression to stiffen, her eyes reddening as she looked at Bian Yue resentfully: "President Bian is a wealthy heiress, investing in projects and starting companies just as a pastime, but I treasure my work!"

An An, who was sitting by the side, couldn’t bear to listen anymore and retorted: "What does your unfair treaty with Wang Dan’an have to do with President Bian!"

Bian Yue raised her hand to stop An An from continuing, and brewed a cup of tea for Yao Yimin, softly saying, "Miss Yao, I also value my work and I’m certainly not just passing the time. But I wonder, if you’re unwilling, why sign up for this project?"

"Do you think I had a choice?" Yao Yimin looked at Bian Yue with a bitter smile, her voice trembling, "Wang Dan’an holds a fifteen-year contract with my name on it. If I don’t listen to him, he can make me famous or freeze my career! President Bian, I had no choice!"

Bian Yue nodded slightly, her tone subdued: "So, you think ’Shengshi Yan’ is merely a rubbish project, at best a grand-scale ancient idol drama, unworthy of your actress status?"

Yao Yimin was taken aback and fell silent, but undoubtedly, Bian Yue’s words struck a chord in her.

Her facial expression betrayed her thoughts.

Bian Yue glanced at her, poured more tea for Yao Yimin, her voice calm and gentle, "Since you’re unwilling, I don’t have to force you. Honey doesn’t necessarily have to collaborate with Red Mountain, I could even reject Wang Dan’an for you."

Yao Yimin clenched her teeth, clearly wary of Bian Yue’s words, her voice stiff and tense: "Are you saying all this to lull me?"

"I’m just speaking my heart, Miss Yao, I dislike coercion," Bian Yue paused, then continued, "But before that, would you accompany me to the set to get a feel of the atmosphere? I always believe there’s no high or low in artistic works; neither film nor television are inherently superior."

"So, why not come and see for yourself. There are only two outcomes; first, if ’Shengshi Yan’ truly doesn’t meet your standards, our cooperation will be voided and I will personally speak to Wang Dan’an to ensure it won’t affect your future; second, if the production changes your mind, I hope you could stay."

Yao Yimin did not expect Bian Yue to be so sincere.

Having just seen her interact with Wang Dan’an, Yao initially thought she was a spoiled heiress who couldn’t bear the slightest discomfort, but now, she seemed measured and methodical.

Yao Yimin twitched the corner of her lips, her voice still tense, "No matter the change, it won’t alter the fact that my interests have been compromised..."

"Naturally," Bian Yue readily agreed with Yao Yimin’s words, "but as far as I know, ever since you won the Best Actress, you haven’t reentered a set, right? I know your fans are loyal, but they can’t withstand prolonged inactivity. Miss Yao should admit, historical idol dramas are excellent at attracting fans."

"I admit..." Yao Yimin’s expression relaxed somewhat.

And Bian Yue continued: "As for the loss of your interests, I can’t manage your salary, but I’m willing to sign a separate contract with you, offering you 10% of the net profits from ’Shengshi Yan’ if you agree to act."

Yao Yimin was astonished, "What did you say?"

"10%. That’s my limit," Bian Yue stated calmly, "Now, Miss Yao, would you give me and the team a chance?"

Yao Yimin never expected Bian Yue to offer such concessions, let alone give her a choice.

But Bian Yue really offered all that.

Yao Yimin picked up the script from the table once more, and looked at Bian Yue with a serious expression, scrutinizing for a long time before murmuring softly, "Okay... I’ll trust you once."

An An was on the side, completely stunned.

It wasn’t until they got into the car with Bian Yue that she could hardly believe it: "President Bian, why offer Yao Yimin such favorable terms?"

Bian Yue closed her eyes as if resting, her tone calm, "Because Yao Yimin is my stepping stone."

"Stepping stone?" An An was puzzled.

"In the industry, there are numerous actresses like Yao Yimin, who have topical works and awards but are still exploited by their bosses. What I aim to do is to bring them all together to aid me."

An An’s expression was slightly complex, her voice filled with sentiment: "President Bian, I feel like you’ve changed since you came back."

"Is it that obvious?" Bian Yue was taken aback, slowly opening her eyes.

"Yes," An An nodded, earnestly, "You would never have said something like this before."

"Maybe it’s because I’ve had some reflections..."

At the moment she received her inheritance, Bian Yue felt unreal, as if for the first time she truly realized she was the heir of the Bian Family.

What she held was not only the Bian Family’s inheritance but also all their hopes.

Of course, she could live a carefree life, but such freedom was not what Bian Yue desired.

Bian Yue smiled, looking at An An, and gently said, "Let’s not talk about this any more, let’s rest a bit, tonight’s still busy."

An An drew a thin blanket close, "President Bian, then I’ll rest first."

Bian Yue nodded, watching An An close her eyes, then picked up a phone nearby.

Bian Yue texted Shen Jinci, basically saying that she had something unexpected come up and wouldn’t be returning home that evening.

Shen Jinci asked for Bian Yue’s address, saying he would pick her up after work.

"Mr. Shen, isn’t this making too much of a fuss?" Bian Yue replied with amusement.

While Shen Jinci agreed, he paused, then added, but he was picking up Mrs. Shen, so it was just right.

Bian Yue herself did not realize how deep the smile on her face was.

Only when the car passed through a tunnel and the windows darkened, did Bian Yue see her own smiling reflection in the window.

For a moment, she was dazed, her hand gently lifted to touch her face.

To be loved, really does make one unable to restrain a smile... Bian Yue thought in such a way.