Start by Spending One Billion [Entertainment Industry]-Chapter 81
Yu Xiangwan, this guy...
Sheng Quan took another sip of her milk tea, her expression calm, but inwardly she thought, If this were ancient times, he’d definitely be a scheming courtier.
She didn’t think she’d been that obvious—how did he know she liked this type?
Though his intention certainly wasn’t to flatter, she had to admit, Sheng Quan was thoroughly charmed.
This Evan was just too good-looking.
Not only was he handsome, but there was also an innate elegance in his every movement, making him a sheer delight to watch.
And above all, he was incredibly reliable.
"The reason I chose him is because his family comes from a long line of professional butlers. Of course, his price is also the highest tier—once confirmed, he’ll serve for life."
Yu Xiangwan hadn’t just picked Evan for his looks. He understood Sheng Quan well. While she did appreciate attractive people, when it came to work, she valued competence more.
And though Sheng Quan hadn’t explicitly asked for it, Yu Xiangwan believed that Director Sheng deserved a butler who excelled in both ability and appearance.
Honestly, his judgment was spot-on.
Just lying in the garden, basking in the sun while watching the beautiful butler calmly and methodically direct the staff into action made Sheng Quan feel like her eyes were being treated to something refreshing and soothing.
Evan truly lived up to being Yu Xiangwan’s meticulously selected elite private butler. Since his arrival, even though nothing had drastically changed, Sheng Quan found her life significantly more comfortable.
For example, when she used to swim in the pool, she’d sometimes crave dessert afterward. Before, she’d have to call for it herself, but within just a week, Evan had perfectly pinpointed the exact moments she’d want a sweet treat.
And that wasn’t all. Outfit coordination, party planning, decorating spaces to match her aesthetic, arranging her private schedule—everything became flawlessly organized once the private butler was in place.
Frankly, it was amazing.
Individually, these things might seem trivial. Take picking outfits for banquets, for instance. As her companies grew, the number of events she had to attend increased.
When she was in a good mood, she didn’t mind taking her time selecting clothes, shoes, and accessories. But doing it every single time was exhausting. She couldn’t possibly visit boutiques for last-minute purchases every time.
Even if she had the money, why waste the time?
But with Evan around, everything changed. Not only was he strikingly handsome, but his taste was impeccable. Though his own outfits might look similar at a glance, the subtle details were always different—never overpowering, yet always pleasing to the eye.
He didn’t just dress well himself; he was also a master at styling others, likely due to professional training.
With Sheng Quan’s permission, he’d prepare three outfit options daily, tailored to her next day’s engagements. Nearly every set perfectly suited the occasion—and matched her personal preferences.
Sheng Quan didn’t own an excessive amount of jewelry, as she disliked heavy accessories. Hers were all delicate and refined, yet Evan always knew exactly how to place them for maximum effect.
Once, she accidentally broke a bracelet. It wasn’t a big deal—just meant she had to switch accessories while it was being repaired.
But Evan, who happened to be handing her a bag at the time, smiled and took it from her.
"Leave it to me."
He stepped out briefly and returned with the bracelet looking as good as new.
Only later did Sheng Quan learn that Evan had set up a repair kit for clothes, shoes, and accessories the day after moving in—just to handle situations like this.
So she’d never have to deal with the frustration of "I really wanted to wear this, but now it’s broken and ruined my mood."
A small thing, but only Sheng Quan could truly appreciate how satisfying it was.
No wonder Director Zheng said everyone loved having a private butler.
Sheng Quan was absolutely obsessed with this feeling.
Who wouldn’t adore having someone who silently took care of every tedious little detail, appearing with a breathtakingly beautiful smile the moment she needed something, effortlessly providing exactly what she wanted?
Especially since Evan had impeccable judgment. Without being told, he instinctively knew what was appropriate and what wasn’t, executing everything to perfection within the boundaries Sheng Quan set.
He’d even introduced a flock of birds to the garden downstairs—all small, visually stunning creatures with melodious songs. Their main purpose? To wake Sheng Quan each morning with soothing, pleasant chirps.
Fresh, fragrant flower arrangements always adorned her tables, whether in the dining room or study, arranged just right. She never had to worry about weather or traffic when heading out, and all her personal errands were handled flawlessly.
Sheng Quan didn’t miss the "old butler" at all. Even if Evan had one tiny flaw, it was negligible. The moment his probationary period ended, she officially confirmed his position.
When she made the decision, even the usually composed Evan couldn’t hide his delight. His elegant, handsome face seemed to glow even brighter than usual.
"Thank you for your trust. I swear I’ll serve you faithfully, devoting my entire life to you."
Evan lifted his gaze, his clear blue eyes filled with sincerity and determination. "I won’t let you down."
Sheng Quan: "...It’s care, not serve."
"And it’s serve me for life—never mind, just keep working on your Mandarin."
Yes, this was Evan’s one "tiny flaw." As a native Italian, he could speak Mandarin, but not fluently, occasionally mixing up phrases.
But it wasn’t a big deal. Hadn’t he already proven he could manage everything flawlessly?
Though it was just a probationary period, Evan had clearly been working hard to improve his Mandarin, making rapid progress. His pronunciation was now impeccable, even if he still occasionally slipped up on phrasing.
"Understood."
Evan’s eyes still sparkled slightly.
In this day and age, private butlers were nearly obsolete. Even among those willing to hire one, few wanted lifelong service.
For Evan, raised in a family of butlers with the singular goal of dedicating himself to one "master," Sheng Quan’s approval meant everything.
Yet despite his joy, it didn’t affect his work. He remained as dependable as ever, effortlessly handling every detail—though now, when facing Sheng Quan, there was an added warmth of fierce loyalty.
Clearly, his goal was genuine: to serve Sheng Quan for life.
And as the one being served, Sheng Quan was more than happy with that.
She was currently learning to ride a horse, seated atop the saddle as she took the towel Evan handed her to wipe away her sweat. Listening to his report in flawless Mandarin, she heard him say:
"The Fangcheng Tourism Bureau called to ask if you’d attend tomorrow’s offline event for Stellar Wars."
"Fangcheng? Politely decline. Pass this on to Producer Yu Xiangwan and see which StarGlow actor would be willing to attend."
During the filming of Stellar Wars, the crew had visited many cities. Since the plot depicted Earth’s transformed landscape thousands of years in the future—along with the bizarre natural scenery of other planets—there was a scene where the protagonist, Gulai, was awestruck by the untouched beauty of nature from three millennia ago.
Lush forests, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls—the production team sought out the most remote locations possible.
As a result, when Stellar Wars became a massive hit, these filming sites naturally turned into "must-visit destinations," drawing countless domestic and international fans.
Established tourist spots handled the influx just fine, but smaller, economically struggling cities in remote areas were overjoyed.
Whenever the movie held promotional events, these cities would invariably extend invitations to Sheng Quan—after all, everyone knew she was the powerhouse behind Stellar Wars.
Fangcheng was one such small city. Their scenery was stunning, but so were countless other places across the country. Competition was fierce, and previous attempts to boost tourism had failed.
Then, out of nowhere, they hit the jackpot—many of Stellar Wars’ most iconic scenes were filmed in Fangcheng.
The local management bureau, which had approved the crew’s access to the scenic areas, was now basking in their foresight.
Especially the bureau director. Back then, their scenic spot had little reputation, so when the crew applied to film and even requested minor landscape restorations, everyone hesitated.
What if the production team was careless, leaving behind trash and damaged scenery? Who would they complain to then?
In the end, the director and his team specifically checked the filming sites of The Cultivator and confirmed that StarGlow Entertainment’s crews were disciplined—no littering or reckless behavior. Only then did they agree.
Their initial hesitation had turned into sheer relief.
Moreover, since the collaboration had gone smoothly, Sheng Quan was accommodating. After the movie’s success, when the tourism bureau made a small request, she agreed to host an offline event to attract more visitors.
It was a win-win. Plus, after the film’s release, Sheng Quan—who loved visiting filming locations for photos—had already toured all the sites.
Fangcheng, though small, was breathtakingly beautiful. The local government maintained the scenic areas and natural landscapes meticulously, and the residents Sheng Quan met were warm and genuine. The only downside was the challenging terrain, making other industries difficult to develop.
Just thinking about Fangcheng’s picturesque scenery made Sheng Quan’s heart stir again.
She didn’t have much going on lately. Maybe she should just…
And no, don’t ask why she could leave on a whim—she was the chairwoman. She didn’t need to clock in, and the money kept rolling in.
Sheng Quan asked, "Have the hotels and everything else been set up there?"
Her last visit had been too early. Fangcheng’s largest hotel was far from the scenic area, and the mountain roads made the commute exhausting—bumpy and rough.
"Seven hotels have already opened near the scenic area, with more under renovation. All surrounding roads have been repaired," Evan replied, clearly well-prepared.
Sheng Quan was surprised. "That fast?"
"After the movie’s release, Fangcheng’s tourist numbers kept rising. Some variety shows even filmed there, so the development has been…" Evan paused, searching for the right word, "rapidly evolving."
Sheng Quan laughed. "You’re learning fast—already using idioms."
Pleased by the praise, Evan smiled faintly.
Jiang Lu, who was holding the horse steady, asked, "Are you going?"
"Yes. It’s been a while since I traveled. A change of scenery would be nice."
Besides, she could now bind new beneficiaries again. But this time, the task wasn’t as simple as a single binding. Probably because her career progress had surpassed 10%, the conditions had loosened significantly.
However, this time, there was no direct cash reward.
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Though Sheng Quan had been in high spirits since Evan arrived, she still fretted over this mission—not because it was undoable, but because she wanted to maximize the benefits.
With Jiang Lu’s help, she dismounted and patted the adult horse’s head. Taking the horse treats Evan handed her, she spent some time bonding with it before having it led back to the stable.
Jiang Lu, rarely one to offer praise, said, "You’re learning quickly."
Indeed, Sheng Quan hadn’t hired a riding instructor—because Jiang Lu, of all people, knew how to ride.
Then again, considering he could even pilot a helicopter, horseback riding wasn’t that surprising.
Though he never mentioned it, Sheng Quan knew Jiang Lu was also well-versed in firearms. No wonder she felt so much safer with him during her trip to Country K.
"That’s also thanks to your thorough teaching, Brother Jiang. We’ll continue after the trip—time for a little adventure first."
Sheng Quan was still mulling over the lottery.
[006, repeat the mission details. I need to strategize.]
The mechanical voice of 006 responded promptly: [This mission offers no monetary support, but the host may bind multiple targets. You may designate one piece of fixed asset currently on sale, which the system will purchase in full.]
[Value: No less than 1.5 billion, no more than 3 billion.]