149: Chapter 150 In the entertainment industry, personal connections are sometimes very important.

He scooped a bowl of soft-shelled turtle soup at a leisurely pace, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "Miss Mimi is overthinking it. My health is perfectly fine; I don't need any extra supplements."

There was a hint of provocation in his tone.

The women were immediately interested, their eyes darting between Jiang Jing and Da Mimi as if watching a good show.

Da Mimi's red lips curled, and she suddenly stood up, personally serving Jiang Jing a bowl of cordyceps flower stewed with squab, and handed it to him: "Then President Jiang should drink more. This is a 'gas station' for men, you know~"

Jiang Jing took the bowl and chuckled, "Since Miss Mimi is so concerned about my fuel capacity, would you like to test my endurance yourself?"

Da Mimi: "..."

Counter-attacked!

Her ears turned red instantly, but she feigned composure on the surface: "President Jiang is joking~"

Seeing this, the women jeered, "Wow~ Sister Mi is shy!"

"President Jiang is so good at flirting!"

"This car is driving too fast! I want to get off!"

Leng Ba looked at these crazy women, held her forehead, and sighed: "Can you all restrain yourselves..."

Zhu Xudan giggled and wrapped her arm around Leng Ba's shoulder: "Leng Ba, you don't understand this, do you? President Jiang isn't an outsider~"

Nazha echoed: "Exactly! President Jiang is so approachable, of course we should be sincere with each other!"

Jiang Jing looked at these female celebrities, who were dignified and elegant on screen but now looked like they were gossiping, and couldn't help but exclaim: "The gap between your private selves and your on-screen images... is a bit large."

Tong Liya smiled gently: "Is President Jiang disappointed?"

Jiang Jing shook his head: "On the contrary, this is more relatable."

He raised his glass to signal: "Come, let's toast to our meeting."

The women raised their glasses one after another, the glasses clinking with a crisp sound.

The rest of the meal completely turned into a venting session among girlfriends.

Leng Ba exposed that Da Mimi had NGed over twenty times while filming just because she forgot her lines;

Da Mimi complained that Leng Ba secretly ate snacks on set, and ended up gnawing half of a prop cake;

Zhu Xudan revealed that Li Xibing was a gaming shut-in in private, loved playing "Honor of Kings," but her skills were terrible;

Li Xibing didn't want to be outdone, saying that Zhu Xudan once crawled into her bed in the middle of the night because she was scared from watching a horror movie...

Jiang Jing tasted the food while listening to these beauties exposing each other's shortcomings, occasionally adding a comment, making the women giggle and sway.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.

Da Mimi felt the timing was about right, so she leaned close to Jiang Jing, her breath like orchids: "President Jiang, I heard... you and Leng Ba are planning to discuss the beauty serum agency, and that there is an even higher-grade beauty serum?"

Finally, the fox's tail was revealed.

As soon as Da Mimi finished speaking, the laughter in the private room slowly died down, and everyone's eyes focused on Jiang Jing.

Jiang Jing put down his chopsticks leisurely, looking at everyone with a smile.

He had long seen through the thoughts of these vixens—Leng Ba was naive, Nazha was infatuated, Zhu Xudan and Li Xibing still had a student-like innocence, but Da Mimi and Tong Liya were genuine "hunters."

"Miss Mimi is very well-informed." Jiang Jing chuckled, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "However..."

He deliberately drew out the tone until everyone held their breath unconsciously.

"I agreed to discuss the agency and procurement with Leng Ba initially because of President Ma's favor."

One sentence set the tone—this was a "personal favor," not business.

Da Mimi's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Having been in the entertainment industry for many years, she understood the weight of the word "favor" too well—especially a favor from President Ma of Penguin.

Tong Liya picked up her teacup and took a sip, hiding the disappointment in her eyes.

She was clearer-headed than Da Mimi—in this circle, capital is always supreme, and they, even if they are popular, are just pawns in the hands of capital.

Unless they could become capital themselves.

Just like what Da Mimi was trying to do, but compared to a nouveau riche like Jiang Jing, she was still far behind.

Nazha and Zhu Xudan looked at each other, seeing the same astonishment in each other's eyes.

Although they didn't fully understand the capital game, they understood—Jiang Jing's words were equivalent to telling everyone: Leng Ba's "opportunity" was something they could hardly reach.

Li Xibing bit her lower lip and suddenly gathered the courage: "President Jiang, if... if we can pay the corresponding price?"

Her voice was very soft, but it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

Everyone's eyes turned to her "whoosh."

Jiang Jing raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What can Miss Li pay?"

Li Xibing's face turned red "instantly." She realized how ambiguous her words were and quickly waved her hands: "I didn't mean that! I meant... endorsement! Yes! We can endorse for free! Or... or the profit-sharing ratio can be adjusted!"

Da Mimi rolled her eyes secretly—this silly girl didn't understand the art of negotiation at all.

Showing her cards right away, how could she play? And, this wasn't attractive at all...

Jiang Jing looked at Li Xibing with a half-smile: "Miss Li, Xingchen Technology is not short of spokespeople right now."

The truth.

The popularity of "huanyan beauty serum" was already enough to make countless first-line stars lower their worth to seek cooperation.

Tong Liya suddenly spoke: "President Jiang, we understand what you mean."

Her voice was gentle, but carried undeniable firmness: "A favor is a favor, and business is business. Leng Ba has an opportunity because she has President Ma's backing. And us..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the others: "We really don't have chips of the same level."

Retreating to advance.

As expected of an "old hand" who had been in the entertainment industry for many years.

Jiang Jing looked at Tong Liya with appreciation—this woman was smart.

Seeing this, Da Mimi immediately followed up: "President Jiang, how about this—you give us a chance to compete fairly. No matter who you choose to cooperate with in the end, we will all owe you a favor."

She emphasized the word "favor," and her red lips curled into a meaningful smile: "Personal connections in the entertainment industry... are sometimes very useful."

A hint, a naked hint.

Jiang Jing's gaze lingered on Da Mimi's proud curves for a second, then he suddenly laughed: "Is Miss Mimi negotiating terms with me?"

Da Mimi didn't show any fear, but instead leaned forward slightly, allowing the scenery at her neckline to be glimpsed: "No, I am showing... 'sincerity'."

Good heavens!

These women, each one was better at playing the game than the next!

Leng Ba looked at this scene, suddenly feeling like she had invited a wolf into the house.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but her hand was secretly pulled by Nazha.

Nazha leaned to her ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Don't worry, they can't take him away..."

Jiang Jing took in everyone's reactions and suddenly found it extremely interesting.

The game of capital was just this simple, unadorned, and boring.

But the thoughts of the beauties were more interesting than those stock market rising curves.

He raised his glass and shook it gently: "How about this..."

Everyone's ears perked up instantly.

"I will discuss the agency rights with Leng Ba in detail when the time comes, as for the others..."

He deliberately drew out the tone until everyone's hearts were in their throats.

"I will be staying in Hengdian for a few days. During this time, you can show your sincerity. If it's suitable, I will show some gesture."

He didn't say everything, neither refusing nor agreeing.

Keeping the power of discourse in his own hands, only Jiang Jing could decide what was suitable. This seemed like a take-it-or-leave-it deal, but it held the women in his grasp.

As long as they wanted the agency and the beauty serum, they could only show their sincerity to impress Jiang Jing.

A trace of disappointment flashed in Da Mimi's eyes, but she quickly ignited her fighting spirit again—as long as there was an opportunity, there was a direction to strive for!

Tong Liya was thoughtful—this man was far harder to deal with than she had imagined.

And Leng Ba...

She secretly let out a sigh of relief, the corners of her mouth curling up unconsciously.

She couldn't help but PUA herself—Jiang Jing hadn't abandoned her "privilege."

This meant that in his heart, she was special.