I See Roses

I See Roses – Chapter 9

Late in the night, it began to rain again, and it didn’t stop until dawn.

At six in the morning, Shi Tai knocked on the door three times right on time, “Sir, you have to go to work today.”

He Sui stood on his arm and playfully pecked the door twice, fulfilling the duty of an alarm clock. In a short while, the bedroom door opened.

Liang Xian had already changed into a clean white shirt with a silver-gray tie. As he walked, he put on his suit jacket and casually flicked He Sui’s head.

“Assistant Chen is already waiting outside, but without your permission, I didn’t let him in,” Shi Tai said.

Liang Xian nodded, “Open the door; he must not have eaten this early, so let’s have breakfast together.”

“This,” Shi Tai frowned, pondering, “You mentioned that he works for Liang Jinyu.”

His profession didn’t require much subtlety, and his thinking was straightforward—since the visitor wasn’t someone good, why should they entertain him for breakfast?

Liang Xian calmly adjusted his suit cuff and smiled, “The dining table is a good place for negotiations.”

Shi Tai suddenly realized.

He felt that by serving this employer, he had already learned many tricks and tactics, yet today, he learned another one.

Assistant Chen walked in nervously.

This year had been unlucky for him too. He had worked steadily for almost half his life, and a promotion seemed within reach. However, Vice President Liang had him placed as a spy next to Young Master Liang.

Throughout history, those who worked as spies never had a good ending. Assistant Chen felt that his luck was probably not going to be great.

“President Liang,” as he was led into the dining room, Assistant Chen put on a smiling face and bowed slightly.

According to Old President Liang’s arrangement, today Liang Xian would be parachuted into Jinghong Films as its President. Although the news had not been officially announced, the electronically signed personnel appointment documents were ready. It was only right to use the updated title.

“Assistant Chen,” Liang Xian nodded slightly, “Please, take a seat.”

Assistant Chen pulled out a chair with both hands and sat down at the end of the table.

Shi Tai brought over a cup of coffee.

Assistant Chen quickly took it with both hands and put the cup down.

This Assistant Shi didn’t look like an assistant at all. He was tall and sturdy, giving off the vibe of a martial artist. There was a shallow scar on his brow, adding to his ferocious aura. He also had a cold and stern expression, which made him seem oppressive.

Assistant Chen shrank his neck like a little chick. It wasn’t until Shi Tai turned around and went to the kitchen that he straightened his posture.

Sitting in front of him, Liang Xian, wearing a suit, was lazily leaning back in the chair, playing with a red-haired parrot.

Assistant Chen had known him for several months but couldn’t see what made Liang Jinyu so cautious about Liang Xian. No matter how he looked at it, he seemed like a well-cared-for and non-threatening young master.

After thinking for a moment, Assistant Chen spoke up, “President Liang, let me brief you about the schedule for later. At nine o’clock, there is a high-level meeting…”

Before he could finish, Liang Xian raised his eyes lightly, “Assistant Chen.”

Assistant Chen felt a bit flustered, “Ah?”

Liang Xian’s tone was indifferent, clearly not interested in discussing business matters, “Let’s eat first.”

Assistant Chen: “…”

Shi Tai brought breakfast one by one: black coffee, mushroom white sauce toast, whole wheat pancakes, roasted green beans with beef, and more. As a corporate slave, Assistant Chen hadn’t had time to have a decent breakfast for a long time. Now, smelling the fragrant aroma, he couldn’t help but criticize the decadence of capitalism while also determining that this was an unthreatening young master who enjoyed life.

This carefree young master probably wouldn’t be able to find out if Liang Jinyu was making any moves on film and television projects.

With a relaxed mind, Assistant Chen felt a sense of relief.

Liang Xian saw it, and with a subtle smile at the corner of his lips, he said, “Time is tight, perhaps the hospitality is a bit inadequate.”

“President Liang is too kind! This is the most sumptuous breakfast I’ve ever had,” Assistant Chen promptly flattered.

Liang Xian chuckled and didn’t say much, just picking up his coffee and taking a sip.

Assistant Chen initially thought this might be a Hongmen Banquet1, but to his surprise, until the meal was over, the other party didn’t even show any intention of prying into anything. He let out a sigh of relief.

However, before he could fully relax, he heard the young master speak lazily, “By the way, Assistant Chen, there’s something I need you to do.”

The inevitable had finally come. Assistant Chen gathered himself and looked up, “I dare not refuse, President Liang, please instruct me.”

“Don’t issue the personnel appointment letter for now. Keep my appointment as the President of Jinghong Films confidential for the time being,” Liang Xian gently touched his lips with the coffee cup and then put it down, smiling at him, “I want to start as a director first and fully understand all the film and television projects we have on hand.”

Liang Xian’s request was initially puzzling, but those who knew about Jinghong Films knew that there was lot more to it.

As a company under the Jinghong Group, Jinghong Films had a strong backing and had achieved remarkable performance in the film and telivsion industry early on.

In recent years, it had signed high-priced contracts with several renowned directors and producers, producing multiple high-budget films that yielded high returns and rapidly increased its popularity.

As for the celebrities, their solid abilities combined with strong financial support made them become top-tier stars as soon as they debuted, which was not an exaggeration.

With such a well-known film and television company, its management system was also extraordinary. At Jinghong Films, the Director of Film and Television had the most direct and comprehensive involvement in major projects and even had the power to make investment decisions.

The President of the company, however, is only needed to review and sign the documents.

A black Bentley sped on the overpass; Assistant Chen sat in the passenger seat with his hands on his knees, feeling uneasy.

Liang Xian rested his elbow on the side and casually tapped the armrest box with his fingers, glancing at the rapidly retreating skyscrapers outside the window.

At the same time, at the Jinghong Films headquarters building.

Before the meeting began, several executives gathered behind closed doors to discuss the imminent arrival of the young master from the Liang family.

In about half an hour, the young master was about to arrive, yet the executives couldn’t come to a conclusion on how to approach him.

In theory, as the only heir to the Jinghong Group, they should all be fawning over him. However, the one who had been active in various media publications in recent years was Vice President Liang at the headquarters, overshadowing the young master.

Compared to Vice President Liang, Young Master Liang seemed lacking in presence.

Until the very last moment, no one knew who would be the chosen successor.

“Graduated from the Mathematics Department at the School of Education and received a Master’s in Management from Stanford…” Looking at the newly obtained information, the expression of one executive became increasingly serious, “I think this young master is not to be underestimated.”

“After all, bloodline matters. If the Old President Liang is not confused, the future helm of Jinghong will undoubtedly be him.”

But there were dissenting opinions as well, claiming that some had personally seen the young master, and he appeared to be nothing more than a carefree playboy, engaging in activities like racing and drinking regularly, which made it difficult to be convinced of his capabilities.

Amidst the arguments, no conclusion was reached.

Just then, three knocks on the door were heard from outside, and the people inside the meeting room understood that it was the secretary’s notification—the young master had arrived.

The executives hurriedly gathered in the conference room to wait.

Faint footsteps echoed in the corridor, and soon, they became clearer and clearer.

A person who looked like a bodyguard pushed open the black door of the conference room and respectfully stepped aside. As the light poured into the room, the people inside finally caught a glimpse of the young master they had all been waiting for.

He was very young and extremely handsome, with a slight upward curve at the corners of his peach-blossom eyes, exuding a somewhat mischievous smile.

Under the gaze of everyone, he showed no signs of being uncomfortable as he confidently walked in with long strides. Behind him followed a line of assistants and bodyguards. Rather than a president attending a meeting, he looked more like a young master being escorted to a fashion event.

The young master took the main seat, and soon, the executives also took their respective seats one by one.

Then, Assistant Chen announced straightforwardly, “Good morning, everyone. This is our new Director of Film and Television, Mr. Liang Xian.”

The smiles that the executives had prepared to flatter him froze at the corners of their mouths.

Director?

The prestigious heir of Jinghong not taking over the headquarters was already a demotion, and now the position Old President Liang arranged for him was just a mere director?

This was undoubtedly an exile.

Who could accept this?

The executives involuntarily turned their gaze to the main seat at the conference table.

They looked at Young Master Liang, who was leaning on his elbow, as he listened attentively with a faint smile at the corners of his thin lips—it seemed he was rather pleased with this so-called exile.

This week, Ming Si was also busy.

Apart from going shopping with Lin Xijia once and attending a friend’s birthday party, she spent most of her time at home working on design drafts.

To be honest, she couldn’t be described as particularly hardworking or persevering, but she was stubborn and once she made up her mind not to back down, she wouldn’t back down. After rejecting Cen Xinyan’s introductions, she focused on preparing her works.

When at home, Ming Si would often sit for hours on end. If she ran out of inspiration, she would practice playing the violin in the soundproof room or attend a yoga class. She would also play with her cat and then return to her drawing.

This was as busy as being an office worker, if not more.

After a couple of days, she received an email from the organizers informing her that she had made it to the finals. They said they would need the designers to do an on-site presentation; the time and place would be notified separately.

She read this full email, that was written in English, twice.

Not because it was difficult to read, but because before receiving this email, she had been feeling awkward about a particular design she was working on. She was in the midst of self-doubt when she suddenly received news of her qualification for the finals, and it was like being injected with a boost of energy.

She hummed a song as she organized the drafts, throwing the discarded ones into the shredder. Then she stood up and stretched lazily. Her ragdoll cat had been lying on the all-white cat tree all this time, but now it elegantly strolled down.

The cat was well-behaved and Ming Si bent down to pick it up, rubbing her face against its fur.

Just then, her phone rang.

Ming Si answered casually, “Hello.”

Her voice carried a hint of a smile because she was in a good mood.

On the other end of the line, Liang Xian seemed to pause for a moment before his voice took on a playful tone, “Ming Si?”

Her voice immediately regained its noble and cold demeanor, “Liang Xian? Is there something you need?”

Liang Xian seemed to chuckle lightly. There was a hint of playfulness in his voice as he asked, “Are you free on Saturday night?”

Ming Si glanced at the hand-written schedule on the table; it was empty.

“What’s the matter?”

Liang Xian replied casually, “There’s a party; I need a female companion.”

“Just find someone else to go with you…” Ming Si paused halfway through her words, realizing that it didn’t sound appropriate.

The news of their engagement would soon spread throughout the city. If Liang Xian showed up with another woman now, wouldn’t that be a blatant slap in her face?

An affluent young heir, who was engaged, attending a party together with a young model…

Forget it. He was just lucky to call when she was in a relatively good mood.

Ming Si tried to sound nonchalant, “Fine, I happen to be available.”

Liang Xian sensed the reluctance in her voice, chuckled softly, and after a slight pause, he said, “Then I’ll come to pick you up.”