19: Chapter 19 Yang Mi Takes the Initiative

"What? He's Chairman Chen himself? That super big shot from Tianxing Technology?"

Hu Ge, Deng Chao, and Xiao Xue stared wide-eyed, their mouths agape enough to fit an egg, completely stunned.

Finally, they understood why Yang Mi had been so nervous earlier.

Forget Yang Mi, even the bosses of their talent agencies would have to be respectful in the presence of a figure of this caliber. Getting a chance to speak with him would depend entirely on luck.

"And Chairman Chen and Bai Fengjiu..."

Xiao Xue's curiosity got the better of her, but before she could finish, Hu Ge shot her a sharp glare, making her swallow the rest of her sentence.

How could one casually ask such a thing?

Anyone with eyes could see their relationship was unusual. Why ask for trouble?

Yang Mi also glanced at Xiao Xue, her tone turning serious:

"Don't ask what shouldn't be asked. Don't speculate about what shouldn't be speculated."

She then turned to Deng Chao and Hu Ge, instructing them:

"Just keep Chairman Chen's identity to yourselves. Don't spread it around to avoid causing trouble."

"Of course, of course!"

The two nodded hurriedly, but they understood perfectly well in their hearts;

Yang Mi wasn't telling them *not* to talk; she clearly wanted them to spread the word discreetly.

The prestige of climbing the ladder at Tianxing Technology paled in comparison to connecting directly with Chen Mo himself.

However, without absolute certainty, they wouldn't dare gossip recklessly, especially regarding Chen Mo and Bai Fengjiu's relationship—not a single word could be uttered.

Ten minutes later, Chen Mo and Bai Fengjiu emerged side by side from the dressing room.

Bai Fengjiu's face showed no obvious signs, though her earlobes were slightly red. After all, they were on set. Chen Mo didn't want to invite gossip and was mindful of her reputation, so he hadn't done anything inappropriate.

Chen Mo stood in a corner of the set watching them film, but he soon grew restless.

Deng Chao and Hu Ge's acting was passable, decent enough for TV dramas. However, the acting of Yang Mi, Bai Fengjiu, and Xiao Xue was downright painful to watch. Their only saving grace was their earnest attitude; they kept trying to figure out how to perform.

But Chen Mo had no intention of interfering. The investment in this show was only 1.5 billion. Even if it flopped, it didn't matter.

He never expected Bai Fengjiu to win a Best Actress award with her acting skills. If it really didn't work out, she could focus on variety shows. With the resources of *Running Man*, she could still become hugely popular.

Besides, with the star power of Deng Chao and Hu Ge supporting it and a script that wasn't bad, it would be hard for it to fail.

As evening approached, the afternoon's filming wrapped up.

Chen Mo simply took the main cast and the director to a nearby five-star hotel for a lavish dinner.

At the table, director Chen Qiang was the first to stand up. Holding a full glass of baijiu, he respectfully addressed Chen Mo:

"Chairman Chen, let me propose a toast to you!"

No sooner had he spoken than, without waiting for Chen Mo's response, he threw his head back and downed the entire glass in less than three seconds. He then sat back down steadily, not even out of breath.

Bai Fengjiu and Xiao Xue watched, dumbfounded, but Deng Chao, Hu Ge, and Yang Mi weren't surprised at all.

This was the proper etiquette for toasting a true VIP.

Given Chen Mo's status, allowing someone to finish a full glass was already granting them immense face.

If Chen Mo were to even raise his glass slightly in acknowledgment, it would be the highest form of recognition.

Next, Deng Chao, Hu Ge, and Yang Mi stood up in turn, each downing a full glass in one go.

When it was Xiao Xue's turn, having little experience with baijiu, she forced herself to drink half the glass before choking and coughing, her face turning bright red. She looked nervously at Chen Mo:

"Chairman Chen, I'm sorry, I... my alcohol tolerance is terrible."

"It's fine. No need to be so formal."

Chen Mo waved his hand. Even in his previous life, he had detested this drinking culture. Now that he was the big shot, he naturally didn't have to force himself.

He raised his glass, gestured to everyone, and took a small sip.

At this, everyone present was both flattered and awestruck.

Chen Mo had just toasted all of them simultaneously and even took a sip! This was something they could brag about in their circles for a lifetime!

It was like an ordinary person having dined with Brother Ma—a monumental talking point.

Bai Fengjiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't drink either. Seeing Chen Mo didn't make an issue of Xiao Xue's situation put her more at ease.

Watching Chen Mo's composed demeanor, she couldn't help but think to herself:

"This must be the allure of money and power. Even drinking has such presence."

Many others present shared the same thought.

After dinner, except for the director who left early, the rest went to the hotel's KTV.

Chen Mo was young and didn't put on airs as a big shot. The group soon relaxed, and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

"Sister Mi, sing 'Tribute'!"

Seeing Yang Mi pick up the microphone, Xiao Xue immediately egged her on.

After the Hu Ge success of *Palace* last year, Yang Mi had become a nationwide sensation. 'Tribute' was a KTV staple. This year, she even released an album. Although sales were mediocre, she felt somewhat confident singing her own song in front of everyone.

"Fine, I'll sing!"

Yang Mi humphed, grabbed the mic, and started singing.

The lyrics flowed smoothly enough, and she didn't go off-key, but her vocal skills were indeed average.

Next, Xiao Xue and Bai Fengjiu each took turns singing a few songs. Their level was about the same as Yang Mi's. Chen Mo listened, shaking his head.

It truly was a world that valued looks. If you were good-looking, weaker singing skills didn't matter much.

When it was Hu Ge and Deng Chao's turn, they finally delivered some listenable songs. They sang quite well, salvaging some dignity for the group.

"Chairman Chen, how about you sing one too!"

Xiao Xue, being bold, was the first to suggest Chen Mo sing.

Chen Mo didn't refuse. He took the microphone and selected Eason Chan's 'Ten Years'. The moment he began singing, the KTV room fell silent.

"If those two words had not trembled, I wouldn't have discovered my sorrow..."

His voice was deep and magnetic, his Cantonese pronunciation flawless, and he captured the emotion perfectly, each line striking a chord in the listeners' hearts.

Everyone present was mesmerized. After he sang the final line, there was a long silence before an outburst of exclamations erupted:

"My god! Chairman Chen is a god of song held back by business!"

"So amazing in both Mandarin and Cantonese, even more captivating than the original singer!"

"Thank goodness Chairman Chen didn't enter the entertainment industry, or we'd really be out of jobs!"

"I wish I'd recorded it. Posting it online would definitely go viral!"

Deng Chao and Hu Ge exchanged a knowing smile, seeing the resignation in each other's eyes.

They had already noticed that Yang Mi, Bai Fengjiu, and Xiao Xue were all secretly recording videos on their phones.

But they wouldn't expose it. Perhaps the ladies just wanted to enjoy it privately later.

The three women's gazes toward Chen Mo had completely transformed.

Yang Mi pondered internally:

"This guy definitely has a story, otherwise he couldn't sing with such profound emotion."

Bai Fengjiu secretly resolved:

"Brother Chen is just too amazing. I must listen to him sing more often in the future."

Xiao Xue, however, stole a glance at Bai Fengjiu, her eyes filled with envy:

"How did Bai Fengjiu meet such a perfect man first?"

Chen Mo's singing added a touch of melancholy to the atmosphere. Combined with the next day's filming schedule, the gathering didn't last much longer.

The crew had already arranged a hotel room for Chen Mo on the top floor.

This floor was reserved by the crew, with only Yang Mi and Bai Fengjiu staying there. It was quiet and private.

Back at the hotel, Chen Mo had just finished washing up when he heard a knock at the door.

Thinking it was Bai Fengjiu, he opened it to find Yang Mi standing there. She wore a silk nightgown, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her face showed a hint of tipsiness, her eyes slightly dazed.

"Chairman Chen, am I disturbing you?"

Yang Mi's voice was soft, carrying a note of test.

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow:

"Is something the matter?"

She stepped closer to Chen Mo, tilting her face up to look at him. Her eyes held a desperate, all-or-nothing courage:

"Chairman Chen, I know you're not short of women around you. Bai Fengjiu is young and beautiful; Miss Wu comes from a prominent family. But I, Yang Mi, am not just some clinging vine that depends on others. What I can offer you isn't just resources in the entertainment industry, but myself."

Yang Mi reached out, gently tugging the corner of Chen Mo's shirt:

"Tonight, I want to stay here. This isn't a momentary impulse. I've thought it through. I want to be with you, whatever the capacity."

Her cheeks were flushed, her breath carrying a faint scent of alcohol.

After seeing the depth of emotion in Chen Mo's singing and sensing his charisma and power, she knew this was the opportunity she couldn't afford to miss in this lifetime.

Better to take the initiative than to wait passively.

Chen Mo looked at the woman before him, his heart unmoved.

He had long seen through Yang Mi's ambition and understood her choice.

He didn't push her away, merely stating calmly:

"Have you really thought it through?"

Yang Mi nodded firmly, a gleam of anticipation in her eyes:

"I have."

Chen Mo stepped aside to let her in and closed the door.

As the night deepened, an ambiguous atmosphere gradually filled the room on the hotel's top floor.