Start by Spending One Billion [Entertainment Industry]

Alright, this fits the character perfectly.

Yu Xiangwan's flaws are quite evident. He is a controversial character in the novel, making his first appearance to apologize on behalf of his boss's son. In the end, he downed an entire bottle of baijiu on the spot, single-handedly resolving the mess caused by the boss's son before passing out and being rushed to the hospital.

This man is ruthless toward others, but even more so toward himself.

There’s no doubt about his capabilities, but as someone who climbed his way up from the bottom of the entertainment industry, his methods of handling situations often come across as overly extreme.

To put it bluntly, he’s like a blade.

In his mind, there’s no concept of right or wrong. Whoever wields this blade can command him to do anything, and unfortunately, his boss in the novel is a villain. Thus, every time he appears, it’s almost guaranteed to spark heated debates in the comment section.

And now, Sheng Quan is his boss.

Sheng Quan dares to say that if she were to express a desire for someone, Yu Xiangwan would go to any lengths to make it happen.

After all, the first time she met him, he was trying to "sell himself" to raise money for his foster mother’s medical treatment. When all other options failed, the only solution he could think of was to sell his own body.

If Sheng Quan hadn’t arrived in time, he might have truly gone through with it.

In the novel, he’s always dressed in layers, hiding the horrifying scars that cover his body. This is precisely why, despite his ruthless actions, readers remain divided about him. Although the book doesn’t go into detail, any reader can tell that Yu Xiangwan has endured unimaginable hardships and tragedies.

Sheng Quan glanced at the exposed wrist where Yu Xiangwan had rolled up his sleeve. His skin was pale, and the small section revealed was strikingly fair.

At this point, he hadn’t yet acquired those terrifying scars. The wounds that would later force him to cover himself in long sleeves and pants must have appeared after his attempt to "sell himself."

In the novel, where she didn’t exist, he had to pay a steep price to fetch a high value for himself.

Seeing Yu Xiangwan still looking at her with utmost seriousness, as if ready to fetch her a handsome man at her slightest command, Sheng Quan couldn’t help but laugh:

“No need. Just looking at them is enough to brighten my day. They’re actors, not escorts.”

After a moment of thought, she turned back to Yu Xiangwan. Though she knew it was unlikely she could change this loyal subordinate’s worldview, she still added earnestly, “And you—you’re my producer, not a pimp. I didn’t hire you for that. Just focus on doing your job well.”

“Just focus on doing your job well.”

This phrase felt foreign to Yu Xiangwan. He had started working at a young age, entering the entertainment industry at eighteen. In this fiercely competitive and cutthroat field, there was no such thing as simply doing your job and calling it a day.

But now, someone was saying this to him.

For Yu Xiangwan, who had struggled at the bottom for so long, this was something entirely new.

It reminded him of the first time he met Sheng Quan. Before being taken to the hotel, he had deliberately put on his most expensive outfit, groomed his hair, and showered. Back then, he had even prepared himself for the possibility of being mistreated.

But when he arrived, all he saw was a young woman handing him a contract:

“I’ve heard you’re highly capable. I need someone familiar with the entertainment industry to manage things for me.”

Before that, no one had ever praised Yu Xiangwan for his professional skills. Instead, he was often subjected to leering gazes, with people dropping hints or outright suggesting that he use his body to climb the ladder.

Yu Xiangwan had always refused such offers, but deep down, those words had seeped into his psyche, gradually convincing him that his only worth lay in his appearance.

So, when his foster mother’s illness required money, he eventually gave in and walked down that path.

But now, Sheng Quan, the one who had essentially "bought" him, was telling him to just focus on his work.

Yu Xiangwan’s dark eyes flickered with a hint of confusion. All his life, the message he had received from others was that his face and body were his only assets. He had always believed in his own abilities, but this was the first time someone else had acknowledged them.

Though he couldn’t quite put the feeling into words, he quickly nodded in obedience. “Understood. I’ll follow your instructions.”

There was something inexplicably obedient about him.

The way he looked at her with such focused sincerity made Sheng Quan’s fingers itch with the urge to pat his head.

After silently repeating to herself, “He’s a person, not a cute little animal,” she finally managed to suppress the impulse.

The words in the novel were different from the living, breathing people in reality. Since arriving in this world, Sheng Quan had become acutely aware of this.

In the book, Director Wan came across as stubborn, willing to bankrupt himself to finish the drama. But in reality, after interacting with him, she realized it was more about his confidence in his own talent and the desperate resolve of someone with no way out.

It was a high-stakes gamble, but at this moment, he couldn’t see the ending. He didn’t know that he would eventually leave due to illness.

In the book, Yan Hui is a gentleman of grace and charm. People often see his gentleness and tolerance, but when Sheng Quan looks at him, she notices not only his refined demeanor but also his struggles and helplessness in life.

No matter how gentle he is with others, there are moments when he is powerless.

In the book, Yu Xiangwan is a character who walks the line between good and evil, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Yet, after Sheng Quan helps him overcome a crisis, he immediately shows a deep sense of stubborn loyalty and complete obedience.

It’s as if he’s a wolf-dog that has finally recognized its master.

Today, Sheng Quan had a bit to drink, and her mind began to wander. Though outwardly, she only showed a slight blush on her cheeks.

Despite this, Yu Xiangwan insisted on escorting her to her room, poured her a glass of warm water, and watched as she sat on the bed. Then, he pulled something out of his bag and began scanning the room.

Sheng Quan asked curiously, “What’s that?”

“A detector,” Yu Xiangwan replied, moving around the room while turning to smile at her. “Some people install hidden cameras in hotel rooms. This detector is borrowed from a friend—it can detect if there are any cameras.”

Sheng Quan suddenly remembered. She had seen news reports about small hotels secretly recording guests. In her past life, when she traveled for work, she would also use an app to check for cameras, just for peace of mind.

Of course, her luxurious suite, which cost 188,000 yuan per night, wouldn’t have such issues. But now that she was staying in a different hotel, it hadn’t crossed her mind.

In her past life, people usually used apps or their phones to detect cameras. This was the first time Sheng Quan had seen someone use professional equipment.

She leaned in to take a closer look at the detector in Yu Xiangwan’s hand. “You can even borrow something like this?”

Seeing her curiosity, Yu Xiangwan handed it to her for a better look. He explained, “Some extreme fans install cameras in celebrities’ homes or the hotels they stay in, so these detectors are quite common in the industry.”

But Sheng Quan wasn’t a celebrity. The fact that he had thought to bring this showed how much he prioritized her safety and privacy.

Just for this, Sheng Quan felt that the money she had spent on Yu Xiangwan was well worth it.

She even wondered if Yu Xiangwan’s favorability meter toward her had already maxed out. Honestly, instant max favorability seemed almost impossible with anyone else, but with Yu Xiangwan, it made perfect sense.

If it weren’t for the mystery surrounding Yu Xiangwan’s moral compass, he would have been her first choice for sponsorship. After all, both his favorability and abilities were exceptional.

She smiled and praised him, “You’re so meticulous. I’ll give you a bonus.”

Yu Xiangwan shook his head. “No need for a bonus. This is just part of my job.”

“Nonsense. You’re so capable—of course, you deserve a bonus. I’ll give it to you next month.”

Why next month? Because most of this month’s funds had been spent on building her image as a wealthy socialite.

The entertainment industry in this world wasn’t too different from the one in her past life—money ruled everything.

With enough money, you could get directors, screenwriters, and celebrities to do anything.

She wasn’t just making a one-time investment; she planned to stay and develop her influence here. Though this was only her first task, there were many more to come, and establishing herself as a wealthy figure was crucial.

A real tycoon wouldn’t need to be so deliberate—they’d already have connections and resources. But Sheng Quan didn’t have that luxury.

Only by flaunting her wealth could she ensure smooth sailing for her future plans.

Most importantly, the book had mentioned that Yan Hui had made enemies during this period. If Sheng Quan, as Yan Hui’s ‘backer,’ didn’t appear strong and affluent, how could she intimidate those people?

As she thought about all this, Sheng Quan’s eyes grew heavy. She was exhausted. Thankfully, she hadn’t worn makeup today, so she didn’t have to get up to remove it. With her first reliable subordinate by her side, she could finally sleep in peace.

Before drifting off, Sheng Quan mumbled to Yu Xiangwan, “Study hard and gain experience. I’m counting on you to keep an eye on 'The Path of Life' for me. Once you’ve learned enough, come work at my company. Oh, and don’t forget to wake me up tomorrow for Yan Hui’s audition…”

Before she could finish, she was already asleep.

Yu Xiangwan turned to respond but was surprised to see Sheng Quan sleeping soundly.

As a grown man, he knew that a woman like Sheng Quan falling asleep with him still in the room was a sign of immense trust.

This was the first time in his life that someone had trusted him so completely.

Yu Xiangwan stepped forward and gently pulled the blanket over Sheng Quan. He didn’t even notice the softening of his usually dark and brooding eyes.

His gratitude toward Sheng Quan was beyond words. Before deciding to sell himself, he had prepared for the worst.

But in the end, Sheng Quan had only asked him to work normally.

She had even said she trusted his abilities.

Yu Xiangwan felt an indescribable surge of emotions in his heart. He wanted to express his gratitude, but he felt that actions would speak louder than words.

In the end, the young man, who had once been described in books as "ruthless and cold-hearted," softened his voice and made a gentle promise to the sleeping girl:

"As you wish."

***

The next day, Sheng Quan was awakened by Yu Xiangwan's surprisingly gentle knock on her door.

She yawned and got up to open the door. "What time is it?"

"Ten-thirty. The audition is at one in the afternoon," Yu Xiangwan replied, glancing at his watch. "Breakfast will be here in half an hour."

Sheng Quan nodded. "Alright, I’ll take a shower first."

As she checked the time, she noticed yet another of Yu Xiangwan’s strengths.

He was excellent at managing time. If she showered, did her skincare routine, and had breakfast before leaving, they would arrive at around twelve-fifty.

Sheng Quan was certain that Yu Xiangwan had anticipated her need for a shower before coming to wake her up. How he had figured it out, she had no idea.

When they got into the car, Sheng Quan noticed a faint herbal scent, similar to the fragrance of her shampoo. Clearly, Yu Xiangwan had realized she didn’t like the car’s original scent from the day before.

It had to be said, being cared for with such meticulous attention was incredibly comforting. Sheng Quan was thoroughly pleased and silently decided to increase Yu Xiangwan’s pay grade.

She was also genuinely curious about the salary of the driver upfront, as she was already contemplating poaching him in the future.

Yes, the driver assigned to her by the hotel.

The hotel’s service was truly ahead of its time. Even when Sheng Quan was "on a business trip," the driver could accompany her, with the hotel covering his airfare.

The reason she wanted to poach him was simple: he was an incredibly dedicated driver. He never spoke unnecessarily but was always there to help when she needed it. Whether she was eating a pancake in the car or when Yu Xiangwan had made that shocking remark about "sending someone to warm her bed," the driver had remained unfazed, quietly focused on his job.

Most importantly, Sheng Quan only found out that morning that the driver had left his door wide open all night.

This meant that if anyone had tried to approach her room, he would have known immediately.

No one had asked him to do it—he had taken on the role of a bodyguard on his own.

Over the past few days, Sheng Quan, who had initially been unaccustomed to having a driver, had completely changed her mind.

She also realized that she needed more people around her. After all, this wasn’t her past life anymore. Regardless of her internal struggles, she now appeared to be a wealthy person on the surface. Even if it wasn’t for handling tasks, her personal safety required some level of protection.

Of course, she kept these thoughts to herself for now. After all, she could still take advantage of the system’s benefits. Why not make the most of it while she could?

Sheng Quan made a mental note of this.

Right now, the most important thing was Yan Hui.

He was the beneficiary of this mission, and whether she continued to rely on the system’s perks or gained more financial freedom in the future depended on him.

***

Yan Hui did come.

He didn’t hesitate for long. Packing just a couple of clothes, he bought the cheapest hard-seat ticket available. With a transfer along the way, it took him a total of twenty-three hours to arrive.

It all boiled down to one thing: saving money.

By the time he reached the film set, his exhaustion was evident, but he forced himself to stay alert.

The long journey hadn’t made Yan Hui anxious. Instead, it made him cherish this opportunity even more. He had always known that effort didn’t always guarantee reward, but since he had already put in the effort, he was determined to do everything in his power to make the most of it.

On the train, he finished reading the original novel of *The Path of Life*. The first read-through was to understand the story, but from the second time onward, he began to deeply analyze the character of Qin Heng and how other characters perceived him. Late at night, when fewer people were using the restroom, he hid inside and practiced his expressions in front of the mirror.

To be honest, Yan Hui wasn’t entirely sure why he had come. Perhaps it was for that tiny glimmer of hope.

If he could land this role, the pay would be a significant sum.

And deep down, there was still a lingering sense of hope.

Even though he had always struggled to achieve the life he wanted...

What if, just this once, things worked out?

The film crew had been surprisingly accommodating, even sending him the script in advance, which had raised his hopes a little more.

Truthfully, Yan Hui had barely slept during the journey. The few hours of rest he got were only because he knew he had to force himself to sleep.

His exhaustion was visible, but the moment he was led into the studio by the crew, Yan Hui’s posture straightened instantly.

This was Yan Hui. Once he made up his mind, no matter how difficult things were, he would present his best self and give it his all.

Yan Hui, with a heart full of nervousness, looked ahead, preparing to introduce himself to the casting director. As he raised his eyes, he saw Sheng Quan sitting right in the center, propping her chin with her hand and smiling softly at him.

The young man’s gentle gaze flickered with surprise… Was it her?