Starlet Taotie Chapter 24 (Part 1)
Chapter 24.1 Today’s Another Day
Shi Wenqing’s tasting banquet was scheduled for the end of this month.
Originally, this banquet had only circulated within a small circle of the upper class in the capital. However, because of the incident involving Jiang Tao and Si Muze, it had become known by practically everyone.
Somehow, the idea took hold that receiving an invitation was a measure of one's status in the entertainment industry.
And it was not just about status. Those who could attend the tasting banquet were all people of wealth and influence. Even if one could simply get inside and build some connections, it would be worthwhile.
For a time, the invitations to the tasting banquet were being sold at astronomical prices.
It was said that some had even gone directly to Shi Wenqing, hoping to get an extra invitation, only to be thrown out by him.
With Shi Wenqing’s status and position, he had no reason to fear anyone.
Once they became too bothersome, he simply closed his doors and refused to receive any guests.
Since they could not get anywhere through Shi Wenqing, many people shifted their attention to those who already had invitations.
Each invitation holder was allowed to bring one additional guest.
However, almost everyone who had obtained an invitation was either a member of Velaris Sky or a prominent figure from the business world. They were not any easier to deal with than Shi Wenqing.
As a result, Jiang Tao, the obscure eighteenth-tier celeb in the entertainment industry with no backing, became everyone’s target.
Tong Tong looked at the pile of people trying to mooch off her invitation and felt an overwhelming headache.
If she agreed to one person, it would mean offending everyone else!
She truly could not make a decision, so she could only turn to Jiang Tao with a pleading look.
After going through so many things together, Tong Tong had developed an inexplicable confidence in her jie. No matter what happened, once it reached her jie’s hands, she would always be able to turn danger into safety and misfortune into fortune!
Under Tong Tong’s hopeful gaze, Jiang Tao rummaged through a pile of things on the table and pulled out a paper box. When she opened it, it turned out to be filled with rows of tempting desserts.
Tong Tong: “?!!”
When did this thing sneak in here?!
Jiang Tao picked one up and stuffed it into her mouth. “Delicious! I’ve decided, it’s this one!”
Tong Tong: “!!”
She searched around and, sure enough, found the name of the person who had sent the desserts at the bottom of the box.
He RanRan.
It was actually someone from their own company.
Bringing someone from their own company would indeed solve the problem of offending others.
However, He RanRan had signed with their company several years ago and had always remained lukewarm, never becoming particularly popular. Even if this opportunity was given to her, it would not bring Jiang Tao any real benefit.
Tong Tong hesitated. “Jie, shouldn’t we think about it a little more? This opportunity is pretty important.”
Jiang Tao: “No need. It’s her.”
Hearing the decisiveness in Jiang Tao’s voice, Tong Tong became hesitant again.
Although she had already been Jiang Tao’s manager for quite some time and had a deep understanding of her tendency to be a glutton, every time Jiang Tao appeared to make a choice purely based on food, there was actually some deeper meaning behind it.
Over time, Tong Tong had come to believe that her jie was definitely someone with great wisdom. It was simply that she herself had yet to understand it.
But this time, Tong Tong truly could not figure it out.
Could it be that He RanRan had some hidden strengths that she did not know about?
After all, this was such an important opportunity. There was no way Jiang Tao had really been won over by just a box of desserts, right?
That would make all those people who had come carrying checks feel utterly helpless.
A single check could buy an entire warehouse of desserts!
Tong Tong racked her brain, and finally came up with an explanation.
When Jiang Tao had first joined the company, she had offended a senior employee over a small matter. It was He RanRan who had stepped in and helped her out of the situation.
That had to be it!
Although Jiang Tao had never said anything, she had always remembered that favor in her heart. The desserts were just an excuse.
After hearing her explanation, Jiang Tao looked somewhat dumbfounded as she bit into her dessert.
Tong Tong: “Isn’t that the case?”
Jiang Tao: “Of course not. It’s simply because her desserts are delicious.”
Tong Tong still refused to believe that her analysis was wrong, so she couldn’t help asking, “But the others gave you checks. How much food could those buy?”
Jiang Tao shook a finger. “Only food that’s right in front of you counts as food. Anything that can’t be immediately turned into something edible is just stored rations. And stored rations…can run away.”
A thought seemed to have crossed Jiang Tao's mind, and her expression turned a bit sorrowful.
Tong Tong: “……”
No! She refused to believe it. It definitely couldn’t be that simple!
She suddenly thought of something—He RanRan currently had an opportunity to play the female lead in a web drama. If jie took her along now, it would be like sending warmth during a snowstorm. He RanRan would definitely remember this favor.
On top of that, they were both from the same company. Their acting paths were different, so there was no competition between them. In the future, whenever opportunities came up, He RanRan would naturally think of jie. This was a ready-made connection.
As for the others, although they were offering plenty right now, their relationships were not actually stable. Connections like these were merely stored rations that could run away at any time. Looking at the long term, they were not worth it.
So that was how it was.
She had been thinking too shallowly.
She was still only on the first level.
But her jie had already reached the fifth level!!
…
He RanRan and Jiang Tao were both artists under Starfruit Entertainment.
She had graduated from a professional acting school and signed with Starfruit Entertainment right after graduation. However, she had a reserved personality and did not enjoy socializing.
After debuting for several years, she had never received any particularly good opportunities and had always been playing supporting roles.
This time, she had finally obtained a chance to become the female lead in a web drama, so she took it extremely seriously. Every day, she studied the script and carefully analyzed her character.
But not long ago, she heard that the producer had invited Su Yingxue, a rising young actress who was currently at the height of her popularity, to take the role instead.
She had already lost count of how many times it had happened.
She had passed the auditions, only to be replaced for all sorts of reasons.
He RanRan was on the verge of despair.
Her contract was about to expire; she needed an opportunity far too badly.
That was why, after learning about the tasting banquet, she mustered up the courage to approach Jiang Tao.
Knowing that Jiang Tao loved food, she had even prepared desserts she carefully made herself.
She knew the chances were slim. After all, compared to the others, she truly had no advantage.
The only thing she could offer was her skill in making desserts. But who would really be lacking those few desserts?
After anxiously waiting for an entire day, she received a call from Tong Tong inviting her to attend the tasting banquet together.
He RanRan was stunned.
She had actually… succeeded?!
“Miss He? Miss He?” Tong Tong’s puzzled voice came through the phone. “Are you still there?”
He RanRan jolted back to her senses. “Y–Yes, I am.”
“I’m sorry to trouble you, but may I ask why Jiang Jiang chose me?”
There was a brief hesitation from Tong Tong on the other end of the call.
He RanRan’s heart immediately rose into her throat.
Then, she heard Tong Tong say, “Jie…really likes the desserts you make.”
He RanRan: “???”
