Chapter 137 — No Plastic Surgery Allowed!

"Of course, Li Sancai has another option."

Mu Ran tapped her fingers rhythmically against the desk, the peach blossom mark on her temple gradually becoming visible. She tilted her head slightly, pretending to glance at the person on the sofa by chance, before immediately looking away. No matter how quick her movements were, she was ultimately caught by Gu Beicheng. Because he had been watching her the entire time, every gesture she made appeared charming and adorable in his eyes.

Mu Ran gave a light cough and refocused her gaze on Li Gang, taking a silent, deep breath to steady her composure. The man on the sofa truly had a way of influencing her emotions. She found herself baffled by just how much Gu Beicheng had loved her past self. What kind of profound affection drove a man to be so tirelessly fixated on her?

Li Gang’s mouth twitched, her eyes meeting Mu Ran’s with a helpless look. She raised an eyebrow slightly, signaling: Why not say something to President Gu first? It’s rather awkward for a man of his stature to just sit there waiting.

Mu Ran raised her brows in return, feigning ignorance of Li Gang's expression. A moment later, a shadow crossed her face, and she spoke lazily, "Ms. Li, are you listening to me? Why are you twitching your face like that?"

Li Gang’s eyes widened in innocence. She had been trying to be considerate, avoiding interference in their unspoken communication and even encouraging the woman before her to respond to the man, so how had it become her fault?

"Uh... I heard you. So, President Mu, what is that other option..."

Li Gang instinctively glanced at Li Sancai. Seeing the expectant look in the girl's eyes, her heart sank, and a wave of disgust washed over her. She thought to herself that she was indeed an illegitimate daughter of no standing, unable to keep her composure at the slightest hint of an opportunity.

Mu Ran glanced at the glass wall, her eyes brimming with disdain. "There is a variety show, a survival-themed reality program, which the company is currently planning. It’s set to air at the end of the month. It features three women and one man. The other two female guests and the male guest are already set; we are just missing one more."

It was the first time Li Gang had heard Mu Ran explain so much to her. She was somewhat surprised. She turned and followed the woman’s gaze toward the glass wall. A moment later, she turned back, asking with a tone of certainty, "Those three guests wouldn't happen to be the ones outside, would they..."

Mu Ran raised an eyebrow. "Smart."

Li Gang: "..."

She truly did not understand this move by Mu Ran. Bai Zehan and Mu Yuewei were an A-list actor and actress respectively, and even that Xu Yunshu, though not currently very popular, was at worst a second-tier actor. Li Sancai? Li Gang’s gaze fell on Li Sancai’s plain, unremarkable face, and she couldn't help but make a clicking sound. If her foolish younger sister joined a program with those three, wouldn't she just be cannon fodder?

"President Mu, actually, I think playing a ghost is fine. Playing a ghost can also hone one's acting skills. If you're gold, you'll shine anywhere, right?" Li Gang laughed awkwardly. Setting aside whether Li Sancai would be cannon fodder on that survival show, in this sycophantic entertainment industry, she certainly wouldn't get any screen time.

"Come in." Mu Ran ignored Li Gang, her cold, sharp eyes lazily sweeping over the office door. Her tone was frigid and piercing, cold enough to chill the heart. "Ms. Li, I don’t want your advice. This is a matter for Li Sancai to decide. She doesn't have an agent for the time being, so everything must be done according to my word."

Mu Ran wore a smile that didn't reach her eyes, a sight so eerie it was bone-chilling. It wasn't just Li Gang who was silenced; even the three people who had just entered the office couldn't help but shudder.

"President Gu."

Mu Yuewei greeted Gu Beicheng on the sofa first. She stood in front of Bai Zehan and Xu Yunshu, nodding slightly toward the man. She didn't even grant a glance to Mu Ran, who was leaning casually against her chair in front of the desk. Seeing that the man didn't respond, Mu Yuewei was neither angry nor annoyed; she let out a light laugh, a supposedly charming smile blooming on her heavily made-up face. "President Gu, is there something you needed us for?"

Gu Beicheng found Mu Yuewei’s constant calling of his name quite annoying. He lifted his eyes, his deep gaze filled with icy detachment, and his thin lips parted slightly. "Annoying."

With that, he stood up and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window. Mu Yuewei’s expression turned sour instantly. Was Gu Beicheng talking about her?

Mu Ran, seated at the desk, glanced sideways at Gu Beicheng as he stood beside her. The corners of her mouth curled up, her fox-like eyes narrowing with a flash of genuine amusement. For some inexplicable reason, she found this angry, unapproachable version of Gu Beicheng both charming and adorable.

Li Gang turned her head to look at the ashen-faced Mu Yuewei behind her, curled her lip in disgust, then turned toward Mu Ran and whispered, "Is there something wrong with her? Does she have some kind of condition?" Ignoring her own boss to fawn over the boss’s man? Was she brain-dead?

Compared to Mu Yuewei, Li Gang much preferred the cool, detached, and free-spirited Mu Ran. As for the great actress Mu Yuewei, Li Gang could see right through her nature: condescending and flaunting her status the moment she gained a bit of fame. Plus, the way Mu Yuewei’s eyes darted around—she was definitely plotting something. Because Li Gang was a calculator herself, she disliked others who were the same.

Mu Ran gave a cold laugh and shrugged slightly. "I wouldn't know."

"Xiao Ran..."

A deep, apologetic male voice rang out. Bai Zehan stepped forward, standing next to Li Gang, and leaned his hands on the desk, his peach-blossom eyes filled with regret.

"Mu Ran, you're doing really well for yourself now. Why don't you come home to visit your parents?" A sarcastic, sour-toned female voice cut in.

Mu Yuewei’s previously gloomy and awkward expression vanished, replaced by jealousy and resentment. She stepped forward, standing on the other side of Li Gang. Caught in the middle, Li Gang could clearly feel the air of unwillingness radiating from both people beside her.

"Uh... which one of you is going to speak first?" Li Gang looked left and right, finally settling her gaze on Mu Yuewei’s flushed face. She could practically smell the lingering bitterness on her. She knew a great deal about the history between Mu Ran and Mu Yuewei; she had been at that banquet hosted by the Qin family, and wasn't it said back then that Mu Ran had already severed ties with the Mu family? How could Mu Yuewei have the nerve to bring up visiting the parents?

*Wait?* Why were there so many needle marks on this woman’s chin? That’s not a good sign...

How could she have gotten plastic surgery? Li Gang tilted her head, watching Mu Yuewei, who stood there silent and tight-lipped, her eyes full of jealousy and fury.

"Whoosh!"

Li Gang stood up and pointed at the other woman’s face, demanding, "How could you get plastic surgery! Look at your chin—it’s full of needle marks. How are you supposed to act like this?"

"Who are you?" Mu Yuewei raised her hand, instinctively touching her chin, her brows furrowed slightly; the area was still a bit sore.

"President Mu, I’d like to offer another suggestion: it’s best if SY employees don't get plastic surgery. Minor cosmetic procedures are fine, but surgery carries risks. If an artist has complications, it will bring negative publicity to the company." If the company didn't make money, she wouldn't get much of a year-end bonus! Li Gang held shares in many private plastic surgery clinics and had seen countless medical mishaps. While everyone had the right to pursue beauty, one had to be extremely cautious, especially artists. Nowadays, there were too many entertainers whose careers were ruined by botched surgeries!

"I asked who you are! What right do you have to manage me? Mu Ran, how can there be so many meddlesome people in this company!" Mu Yuewei, fueled by shame and anger, pointed at Mu Ran’s nose before pointing accusingly at Li Gang, who was slightly shorter than her.

Mu Ran, meanwhile, spun her chair around with nonchalant ease and gave Li Gang a slight nod, signaling her to sit down. "Don't mind her. I never expected her to make money for the company. She’s been getting work done since she was young; you knew that from the Qin family banquet, didn't you?"

Li Gang’s pupils constricted slightly. So, this Mu Ran had recognized her all along?

"Ms. Mu, this is Li Gang, a shareholder of SY."

Mu Ran’s lips curled into a faint smile, her lazy gaze directed at Mu Yuewei, hidden ruthlessness lurking within. Mu Ran didn't truly know Li Gang or Mu Yuewei. However, in her mind, there were fragments of memory regarding the Qin family banquet. In those fragments, she saw Gu Beicheng, Mu Yuewei, and Li Gang. Mu Yuewei seemed to have a deep connection with her—perhaps even a deep hatred. As for Li Gang, it was merely a passing acquaintance. Mu Ran didn't want to delve into these things; she knew she had been hypnotized, and some of her memories had vanished along with it.

"A shareholder?" Mu Yuewei looked Li Gang up and down for a moment and then fell silent.

Li Gang’s eyes were full of contempt. The contrast between Mu Ran and Mu Yuewei was far too stark: one was cool and unreachable, the other vulgar and envious.

"So," Mu Ran said, "between you and Actor Bai, who is going to speak first?"