Chapter 154: Rising Stars and Hidden Bonds

With everyone present, Jiang Jingshi got straight to the point in their discussion.

First, the three talked about the welfare system for singers after the company’s merger, with Jiang Jingshi noting that Wang Jie’s members had moved from the small town to the city district.

Just commuting every day was a hassle for them, so she suggested arranging shuttles at least.

For trainees from farther away, they should offer some appropriate subsidies, and other benefits needed improvement too. Lin Zheng Ran had no suggestions here since Jiang Jingshi had experience in this area.

Wang Jie shared her own thoughts as well.

Then, they discussed the music team matters, deciding the company would form three new music teams soon.

The one led by Lily would get focused resources.

Follow-up MVs, new song releases, video accounts, and even interview shows should all be scheduled. Riding the unexpected wave from the New Star List, as long as Lily’s new songs maintain their quality, going viral would be easy.

On top of that, Jiang Jingshi brought some good news.

She had someone bring a contract:

“This morning, I chatted with a fairly famous director and found out that Lily’s original song ‘Whale’ could work as the ending theme for an unreleased movie.

I watched the movie today—it’s pretty good. Zheng Ran and Wang Jie, if you want, I can add you to the director’s contacts.

Though an ending theme might not get as much buzz as the main one, I think it’s great promotion for Lily since she’s not that well-known yet. What do you think, Lily? How does the amount in the contract look? If you’re up for it, we can sign with them in a few days.”

Lily listened to the three talking, feeling the whole conversation was way above her level as a student—she couldn’t chime in at all.

She never expected they’d dive into company affairs like this.

Now that Jiang Jingshi asked, she had no ideas: “What about me?” She glanced at Lin Zheng Ran, not even catching the money part: “What do you think, Zheng Ran? I’ll go with whatever you say.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked over the contract and nodded at Lily: “I think it’s fine, as long as the movie isn’t terrible. This kind of thing has no downsides.”

Lily smiled and nodded: “If Zheng Ran says it’s good, then it is.”

Jiang Jingshi watched their dynamic and smiled: “Alright, that’s settled then. Is there anything else? Just Zheng Ran helping with training this afternoon and shooting the MV for Lily over the next couple of days?”

Lily was surprised: “We’re starting the shoot today?”

“Yes, this is your personal MV, so we can film it today. Next week, once Zheng Ran picks the team, we’ll plan the rest.”

After the meeting wrapped up, Wang Lan took Lily backstage to get made up and changed for the indoor MV shoot that afternoon, with outdoor filming set for tomorrow, Sunday.

Lin Zheng Ran would join for the outdoor shoot—that was his own idea.

Once Lily and Wang Lan left, Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Jingshi stood in the office doorway, watching them go.

Pan Lin was standing nearby too.

She noticed Jiang Jingshi looked exhausted, clearly worn out from the past few days.

As her secretary with sharp emotional intelligence, Pan Lin spoke up: “Jiang, your office hasn’t been tidied in days. Let me handle that for you. Just call if you need anything.”

Jiang Jingshi glanced at her and nodded: “Go ahead.”

Pan Lin nodded, deliberately giving Jiang Jingshi and Lin Zheng Ran some alone time. After all, if she was cleaning Jiang’s office, Jiang would have a reason to stay here, and Jiang probably wanted that—she didn’t feel like going back to her own office to rest.

After Pan Lin left, Jiang Jingshi watched Lily glancing back as she headed downstairs.

Lin Zheng Ran waved at Lily.

Lily beamed back at him with excitement.

Jiang Jingshi said: “Zheng Ran is really good to Lily—insisting on going along for the MV shoot tomorrow.”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t deny it: “She’s been with me since she was little. If I don’t go, she’d probably get too nervous.”

Jiang Jingshi replied: “I can see that. When you mentioned joining for the outdoor MV, she relaxed right away. You mean a lot to her.” Her expression shifted slightly, with a hint of subtle jealousy.

Lin Zheng Ran changed the subject, noticing Jiang Jingshi’s fatigue: “Since Pan Lin is tidying your office, why don’t you rest here for a bit, Jiang? I could tell you were tired during the meeting.”

Jiang Jingshi answered gently: “I’m okay. This morning, I was worried about Lily’s first collaboration, so I had the lawyers check that movie contract thoroughly. Once it was clear, I came back.”

The two returned to Lin Zheng Ran’s office and closed the door.

Jiang Jingshi sat on the sofa and glanced at her feet.

Lin Zheng Ran caught the detail: “If you don’t mind, I can lock the door so you can take off your shoes and relax?”

Jiang Jingshi said a bit shyly: “In front of you, Zheng Ran, I won’t hold back then.” She was genuinely exhausted.

She pulled out her phone and messaged Pan Lin.

Soon, Pan Lin brought a small fuzzy foot pad. Lin Zheng Ran took it and locked the door.

He handed it to Jiang Jingshi.

With a slight blush, Jiang Jingshi slipped off her red-soled high heels, her silk-stocking-clad feet emerging gracefully.

Her feet were delicate and refined, like art, enhanced by the stockings. She rubbed her tired ankles.

Stepping onto the pad, she let out a comfortable sigh.

Lin Zheng Ran sat beside her and said: “You’ve worked so hard lately, Jiang. I know you’ve been running around for the company paperwork—that’s why it got done so quickly.”

Jiang Jingshi looked at him with her peach-blossom eyes and smiled:

“Why so formal, Zheng Ran? This company’s ours together, so of course I’ll give it my all. It’s just walking around, signing papers, chatting, and making calls. But you—you’re the one who’s going to be training and coaching everyone. That’s the real hard work.”

“It’s nothing much for me.”

“Those company singers aren’t easy to coach,” she warned.

Lin Zheng Ran smiled. Most people weren’t, but he was different.

Then, Jiang Jingshi suddenly frowned at her ankle.

Lin Zheng Ran asked: “Is your ankle hurting?”

Jiang Jingshi rubbed it: “Yeah, it’s been like this off and on lately. Probably nothing serious.”

Lin Zheng Ran suggested: “If you don’t mind, I can take a look?”

“You know how?”

Lin Zheng Ran knew everything—his All-Encompassing Mastery covered it all.

“A bit. Jiang, scoot to the edge of the sofa. I’ll check; I think it might be injured.”

She nodded and shifted. Lin Zheng Ran knelt in front of her.

Jiang Jingshi looked down at his serious face, her cheeks flushing: “It can’t be that bad, right? What should I do?”

Lin Zheng Ran took her silk-stocking-clad foot and placed it on his knee: “Just relax, Jiang.”

As his hand touched her sole, Jiang Jingshi bit her lip—it tickled a bit.

Her foot felt soft, but her ankle was stiff from all the walking. Lin Zheng Ran gently massaged: “Here?”

Jiang Jingshi winced and nodded lightly: “That’s the spot. Go a little easier.”

“Okay.”

Lin Zheng Ran observed: “It’s just fatigue buildup. It’s fine for now, but if it keeps up, it could get damaged. I can already feel the changes, especially with high heels making it worse. I’ll massage it a bit—it should help right away.

Tonight, remember to soak your feet to clear lactic acid and boost blood flow. I see you’ve used some cream?”

“Yes, but it didn’t help much.”

“Cream’s just a helper; rest is key. Otherwise, it’ll flare up soon.”

As Lin Zheng Ran massaged her foot and ankle, Jiang Jingshi felt a mix of shyness and relief—it was incredibly soothing.

His technique was expert.

“It’s not that serious, is it?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced up, his expression serious: “I’m not joking—high heels already…”

Jiang Jingshi didn’t catch the rest; she just stared at his warning look, her fingers curling on the sofa. It reminded her of that long-ago encounter with Lin Zheng Ran when she was young—he’d been just as stern.

Though years had passed, and she only realized later at the supermarket that boy was him, the familiar scene made her feel that old twinge of fear:

“I get it. I’ll listen to you… just like you say.”

“”