With global currency devaluation, I'll wear these back and take my whole family flying!

The last "Huh?" startled Wang Rui and Qi Tong, who shook their heads repeatedly.

The two of them felt a chill seep into their backs, and their whole bodies went numb.

“Miss Shen, how could we possibly bear such a heavy responsibility? You…” Wang Rui smiled awkwardly, but seeing Shen Ci looking at him expressionlessly, he couldn’t care less about anything else. He grabbed Qi Tong and pulled her in front of him, scolding, “Tell me, tell me, explain things to Miss Shen.”

Qi Tong wished she could become invisible, or even turn into a speck of dust and drift into the cracks in the floor. Anything would be better than standing here facing all of this.

"I'm sorry," Qi Tong stammered, glancing furtively at Lu Jinzhao as soon as she spoke, looking guilty as if she had done something wrong.

Lu Jinzhao frowned: "Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something written on my face? I'm telling you what to do!"

"It wasn't President Lu, it was someone from our company who suggested it. Can I say?" Qi Tong said, sweating profusely, his armpits soaked with sweat.

When Lu Jinzhao heard that it was someone from his own company, his heart sank.

Seeing that Miss Shen was looking at him, he simply asked, "Who? Ren Jia?"

He had only guessed casually, but he was right on the first try. When Qi Tong nodded, Lu Jinzhao's eyes widened.

"Ren Jia?" He was quite surprised: "Why would she make things difficult for Shen Li for no reason?"

Ren Jia is a very popular actress right now, with a substantial body of work, online popularity, and awards. Newcomers can only look up to her. How could she be so easily threatened?

"How would I know?" Qi Tong said with a look of utter dismay.

He was just doing a favor casually, something that happens all the time in the industry. How did he end up running into a brick wall? Ren Jia is really unlucky.

Shen Ci wasn't too unfamiliar with Ren Jia. Gu Lianxing had recently been watching a drama in her dorm that featured this actress. She was said to be a specialist in playing villainous women, having played many similar roles.

From the beginning, she did not believe it was the staff's negligence, nor did she believe that the stage was too small. She believed that the reason her sister was not allowed to go on stage must be a deliberate act by someone with ulterior motives.

“Ms. Shen, Ren Jia is a female artist in our company. This matter is related to our company’s shortcomings in managing artists. I will definitely deal with this matter seriously, so please rest assured.”

Lu Jinzhao didn't defend his own, and of course, he had no right to do so in front of Shen Ci, so he immediately adopted a proper attitude.

Shen Ci looked at him and asked directly, "Mr. Lu, what do you plan to do with Ren Jia?"

Lu Jinzhao was speechless for a moment, and hesitated before saying, "I haven't thought about it yet, but Miss Shen, please rest assured, I will definitely satisfy you."

"However, replacing her is unlikely. I need to explain the situation to Ms. Shen beforehand. Firstly, although she is an artist under my company, she signed a contract after getting the role. Secondly, the main cast has already been announced at the press conference. Replacing her suddenly would definitely affect the show. We also need to consider the opinions on the internet. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Ci raised an eyebrow slightly. What Lu Jinzhao said was quite factual, not deliberately protecting Ren Jia, but considering the overall situation.

Her initial intention was simply to get an explanation, not to target Lu Jinzhao and his company. Lu Jinzhao had even sold his house for this project, and Shen Ci knew that he cared more than anyone else about the success of the show.

"Mr. Lu, I won't make things difficult for you. Since Ren Jia won't let my sister appear at the press conference, then I'll give her a taste of her own medicine. From now on, all official accounts of 'Destiny for Phoenix' are prohibited from posting any materials, news updates, or behind-the-scenes photos related to Ren Jia. She is also prohibited from participating in any subsequent related activities!"

"Huh?" Qi Tong said instinctively, "President Lu, Ren Jia is the second female lead, isn't that unreasonable?"

“Reason?” Shen Ci looked at Qi Tong and asked, “Do you think I’m trying to reason with you right now?”

"I'm here to stand up for my sister, not to reason with you!"

One sentence was enough to silence Qi Tong instantly. Wang Rui, watching from behind, wanted nothing more than to kick him!

Lu Jinzhao quickly nodded in agreement: "No problem, Miss Shen. As long as you don't ask to replace her, I will agree to all your requests."

Hearing Lu Jinzhao's words, Shen Ci felt a little better, but she didn't stop there. She turned to Lu Jinzhao and continued, "Mr. Lu, how do you plan to appease my sister? You don't intend to let her suffer this injustice for nothing, do you?"

"Of course not, Miss Shen. Our company has several dramas that are yet to be produced. Your sister can choose any of the roles she wants. Just say the word and I'll guarantee her a role!" Lu Jinzhao said, taking out his phone and fulfilling his promise on the spot: "I'll have someone organize it right now and send it to your sister later so she can choose for herself."

Shen Ci was very satisfied with this method of appeasement; it was sincere and practical.

For a newcomer like my sister, being able to choose her own roles is something she never even dared to dream of; she must be overjoyed.

Shen Ci nodded, took a deep breath, and stood up. Lu Jinzhao also quickly stood up, carefully watching Shen Ci's expression.

She paused slightly before saying, "Let's leave it at that. Don't let my sister know."

"I understand, Miss Shen, please don't worry." Lu Jinzhao nodded quickly to assure her.

With nothing else to say, Shen Ci composed herself, politely declined Lu Jinzhao's offer to take her home, and left the scene on her own.

As soon as Shen Ci left, Lu Jinzhao felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he sat back down in his chair.

Having made such a big mistake, Wang Rui dared not even breathe loudly, and kept Shen Ci's appearance firmly in his heart, determined never to offend her again.

Only Qi Tong gritted his teeth in anger. He was not angry at Shen Ci, but at Ren Jia, who had almost ruined him.

"Qi Tong, right?" Lu Jinzhao suddenly looked at him after recovering from his shock, and said with a cold expression, "Pack your things, go to the personnel office to resign right now, and get out of here!"

"Mr. Lu, Mr. Lu." Qi Tong was dumbfounded, but Lu Jinzhao got up and left without looking back.

After going downstairs, Shen Ci didn't rush back to school. Instead, she sat down at a nearby coffee shop. Just as she was about to scan the QR code to order, her phone suddenly received a text message.

After clicking on it casually, Shen Ci's eyes widened instantly.

「您尾号*1069的卡于9月20日15：00在珑城分行跨行汇款转入资金.00元，现余额.88元，对方户名：华夏太空探索研究部，附言：8月工资【建设银行】」

Shen Ci stared in disbelief at the unbelievable text message. The "China Space Exploration Research Department" was her workplace for decades, and the amount was her last month's salary before retirement. It was deposited into her account precisely on the 20th of each month, her payday!