Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot-Chapter 376 - 245 worshiping cult cp, a circle that elevates and denigrates

Chapter 376: 245 worshiping cult cp, a circle that elevates and denigrates

Jiang Group

The assistant stared intently at Jiang Yanting, watching him methodically flip through the photographs, careful not to miss any flicker of emotion on his face. Yet, Jiang Yanting feigned indifference and glanced at him, "Is this all?"

"Yes, I’ve checked thoroughly. There’s nothing but the photos, no other objects, and no contact information."

He was just relieved that he hadn’t dismissed this email as junk and deleted it. "So, what do we do now?"

He was no fool; whoever sent these had a motive. Otherwise, they could have simply leaked the photos online without going through all this trouble.

"First, investigate this quietly. Don’t tell my father about it, and don’t alarm anyone. Do what you can to find information, and if you can’t, it’s no big deal..." Jiang Yanting caressed the photos. "If they have an agenda, I won’t have to find them; they will contact me."

"I understand." The assistant nodded, glancing at the photos from the corner of his eye. He was only involved in Jiang Yanting’s professional life, not his private one, and he couldn’t help but wonder if there was indeed something going on.

"What are you looking at? Not working?" Jiang Yanting raised an eyebrow, his voice icy.

"I’m getting to work right away!" The assistant scurried out.

**

Elsewhere, Shen Zhixian was completely unaware of the situation and was attending a meeting about script issues at a film company under the Qi Family.

Tang Wan sat beside her. The meeting, arranged by Ruan Mengxi, was attended not only by their backstage staff but also by several actors’ agents.

"Who are those people?" Tang Wan, who had arrived late, leaned over and asked Shen Zhixian.

"Some company agents," Shen Zhixian replied with a raised eyebrow.

"What are they here for?"

"Where there are women, there are troubles. Moreover, this play has gathered so many actresses; every agency wants their actress to stand out. Some are here to add more lines for their clients, others are dissatisfied with the costumes and are here to coordinate."

Tang Wan nodded, pulled her notebook out of her bag, and prepared to take meeting notes.

"Did you go house-hunting again? How is it going?" Shen Zhixian knew her studio was about to move and that she was currently looking for an office building. In Beijing, considering the price, location, and many other factors, finding a satisfactory place was not easy.

"I looked at two places today, not so good," Tang Wan smiled helplessly.

"What a pity I don’t know anyone in that field, I have no connections in Beijing..." Shen Zhixian smiled apologetically, "Have you asked Xiaowu for help?"

"I haven’t told him; this is my work, I want to solve it myself."

Shen Zhixian nodded; even as a married couple, it wasn’t necessary to involve each other in everything. Personal space and boundaries were important.

After the meeting ended, Ruan Mengxi saw off the others before collapsing next to Tang Wan, "Tang Xiaowan, I’m so tired, you wouldn’t believe how difficult these agents are."

"I can tell." Tang Wan chuckled, they all wanted to secure the best for their artists, afraid of being outdone by others.

"Shall we eat together later? I have nothing else this afternoon, I can accompany you to look at places." Ruan Mengxi tilted her head towards Shen Zhixian, "Teacher Shen, will you join us?"

"No, I have to go back and take care of the kids, you go ahead."

...

After escorting Shen Zhixian away, the two picked a random restaurant near the company.

"You haven’t been looking well lately, don’t overwork yourself," Tang Wan noted.

"The work struggles are bearable; it’s my personal life that’s not going smoothly. My current job doesn’t require me to visit the head office often, so I barely have any chances to see Qi Zeyan."

"And what of it?"

"He’s quite popular already, and I used to think it was hard enough competing with a bunch of women for a man. Now it’s worse, after fending off the women, I have to watch out for men too! If he really gets entangled with some male enchantress, surely, I can’t outdo him."

"Pfft—" Tang Wan nearly choked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Usually..."

Tang Wan pursed her lips; lately, Jiang Chengsi was staying nearby, either chasing Jiangjiang with a toy gun or sitting by the window in a baggy pajama basking in the sun, his posture lax and nonchalant, hardly impressive.

But it was his gaze whenever he saw her; unmistakably unfriendly, Tang Wan couldn’t figure out if she’d ever offended him.

As she was lost in thought, her phone vibrated, "Hello— Grandma?"

"Do you have plans this afternoon? If not, accompany Grandmother to Peach Garden to watch a play." Due to the Jiang Zhaolin family incident, although the old lady didn’t say it, she was definitely uncomfortable, somewhat listless, and had not gone out for many days.

She rarely felt like going out, so Tang Wan definitely nodded in agreement, "No problem, I’ll go home after having lunch with friends."

After hanging up the phone, Ruan Mengxi sighed, "Ah—Tang Xiaowan, if you stand me up a few more times, I could start a pigeon farm." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"Sorry, Grandma has been in a bad mood lately, and she rarely wants to go out..."

"It’s okay, just treat next time we go out."

...

When Tang Wan arrived home, the old lady was already dressed neatly, wearing a brand-new cotton coat adorned with large hibiscus flowers on the corners and gold-rimmed glasses, which indeed made her look radiant.

When they reached Peach Garden and had just taken their seats, many people came over to chat.

"Mrs. Jiang, we haven’t seen you for a long time, have we?"

"Been busy with some family issues recently," the old lady maintained her kindly and generous demeanor outside.

"Busy with your grandson’s wedding, right? This is Tang Wan?"

The matter of Jiang Jinsang and Tang Wan was known to everyone in Beijing—it was thought to be just a typical arranged marriage. However, after the recent live streaming incident, everyone saw a different side. Even a fool could see that Jiang Fifth Master was extremely protective and tender towards her, treating her and those reporters with a double standard.

Naturally, people’s attitudes towards Tang Wan were different.

"Yes, this is Wanwan. Come, let me introduce you, this is Aunt Zhao, this is Aunt Sun..."

Tang Wan greeted each one politely and obediently.

She was naturally gentle and likable, not aggressive in any way. Dressed simply and appropriately today, with modest and respectful manners, she always enjoyed good relationships with her elders.

"Truly wonderful, she’s beautiful too. No wonder the old lady takes her out with her."

"I’ve always said, your Fifth Master is a lucky man, the bride he chose is surely not bad."

"She even started her own studio, right? Beautiful and so capable, if my son were as lucky to marry a girl like her, I would wake up laughing from my dreams."

...

The praises were glowing, hard to distinguish between sincerity and politeness. Tang Wan knew they were complimenting her to save the old lady’s face; although they came to watch the play, it was also an opportunity to get her acquainted with some people.

When these people left, the old lady finally picked up her cup and sipped some hot tea, "Wanwan, in Beijing, it’s good to know more people."

"I know."

The grand play at Peach Garden began, featuring "Farewell My Concubine." Tang Wan couldn’t understand it, a layman just watching the excitement. Meanwhile, outside the Peach Garden, a security guard was stopping someone from entering.

"...What did you say? I can’t go in?" Jiang Shuyan, had heard that the old lady was watching a play today. After the earlier humiliating scene, she thought there might still be a chance for a turnaround. But unexpectedly, at the entrance of Peach Garden, she was stopped.

"Do you have a ticket?"

"I..." The old lady knew the owner of Peach Garden, and she did not need a ticket to enter and exit. Jiang Shuyan had always followed her, accustomed to entering at will.

"If you don’t have a ticket, you cannot enter."

"Don’t you recognize me?"

"I do."

"Then why are you still stopping me?"

"Times change, Miss Jiang should know this better than me!"

This garden belonged to the Chuanbei Family, notorious for being ruthless and heavy-handed. She couldn’t force her way in, so she stood outside, hesitant, calling acquaintances hoping someone would bring her in.

However, in this circle, where people are quick to worship the rising and shun the falling, the news of the Jiang Zhaolin family being "kicked out" seemed somewhat perceived. Those who used to hover around her were nowhere to be found now; occasionally someone would pick up her call only to say they weren’t in Beijing and couldn’t help her.

Jiang Shuyan stood at the door for a while before sitting in her car, waiting for the old lady to leave, always hoping to get a chance to talk. By evening, when she saw Tang Wan helping the old lady out, flanked by those she couldn’t reach by phone earlier, smiling especially pleasingly at Tang Wan,

"A bunch of bootlickers!" Jiang Shuyan clenched the steering wheel, knuckles straining, nails breaking from the force!