Jiang Xing spent a sum of money to find out where the director was recuperating — a quiet resort nestled in the southern mountains.
Without hesitation, he bought a plane ticket for the next day, carrying a gift as he set off to visit the retired director at the resort.
Before leaving, he sent a message to his younger sister, Jiang Youli.
[Youli, I heard that many people have switched companies recently. Director Zhang Bufan has signed with Starlight Entertainment. Don’t worry, I’ll find an even better director for you!]
After sending the message, Jiang Xing turned off his phone.
Only when the plane landed did he nervously turn it back on. As expected, there was no reply from Jiang Youli.
He felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly reassured himself — maybe his sister thought he was just boasting. Once he truly secured that director, she would surely be grateful for his timely help.
But when Jiang Xing arrived at the resort, he was met with unexpected news from the manager.
“Mr. Liang has already left. He took this morning’s flight. If you had come yesterday, you could have met him.”
How could this be…
Jiang Xing pressed, “Do you know where Mr. Liang went?”
The manager replied, “To Jing City. A few days ago, he apparently received a call asking him to come out of retirement for a film. He gladly accepted.”
Jing City?!
Someone beat him to inviting Director Liang back!
Could it be Long Yuan behind all this again?
No way! Zhang Bufan has already been signed by Starlight Entertainment. He couldn’t let Director Liang be snatched away too!
“Could you please give me Director Liang’s phone number?” Jiang Xing asked.
The manager shook his head. “That’s impossible. During his recovery, Director Liang specifically instructed us not to disclose any of his information. Now that he’s left the resort, if we reveal anything, we could be held responsible.”
“I understand. Thank you for telling me so much,” Jiang Xing said. He handed the gift he brought to the manager, then turned and left the mountain. He immediately checked for the fastest flight, booked a ticket, and rushed to the airport by taxi.
…
At Starlight Entertainment, in the reception room.
“Youli, it’s been such a long time since we last met!” Liang Shenggui sat on the sofa, looking at Jiang Youli across from him. He felt she had changed quite a bit, yet somehow remained much the same.
What had changed was her appearance; what remained unchanged was her aura.
“You’re fairer than before, and taller,” Liang Shenggui added.
Jiang Youli was busy rinsing the tea set, smiling at his words. “Uncle Liang, the last time we met was three years ago.”
Liang Shenggui sounded a little reproachful, “You keep saying that, but you never come to visit me. Every time, you just have the medicine delivered to the resort. You really are a busy girl!”
“Uncle Liang, don’t tease me. If I didn’t work hard studying herbs, how could I keep sending you medicine to help you recover?” Jiang Youli said without a hint of guilt. She placed the cleaned teacups in front of him and poured tea.
Liang Shenggui chuckled softly, then took a sip from his cup before sighing, “Indeed, if it weren’t for your medicine, not only would we have not seen each other for three years, but maybe we’d never have met again in this lifetime.”
“Uncle Liang, don’t say that. You’ve been recovering from illness for three years, and now you look perfectly healthy,” Jiang Youli teased.
“It’s all thanks to your medicine,” Liang Shenggui said with a sigh.
Back then, he had skyrocketed to fame in the entertainment industry by directing a period drama set in the Republic of China era. But after three years, there was no news of a second project, and many began to doubt him—some said he had peaked right out of the gate, while others speculated he must have had someone guiding him behind the scenes.
In the fourth year, he directed another period drama from the same era, but with a different style. The quality and popularity remained just as strong.
From then on, he released a high-quality production every year, silencing all his critics once and for all.
Unfortunately, during the filming of his fifth drama, he suddenly fell ill. The latter half of the shoot was completed by the assistant director.
When the show aired, eagle-eyed fans noticed a difference in quality between the two halves, due to the change in directors for the ending.
This stark contrast only further proved his talent as a director—whether it was his filming techniques or his sharp eye for casting.
“Back to business,” Jiang Youli said, holding her teacup, blowing on it before taking a small sip. “‘Aspiration of the Blue Clouds’ will be directed by Uncle Liang. The female lead has already been cast, but the male lead and all other roles are up to you to choose personally.”
Liang Shenggui nodded, setting down his cup. “Alright, rest assured. I’ll put in one hundred percent effort to make this drama a success, so you and Grand Wind Entertainment can fight a beautiful battle.”
Jiang Youli smiled. “Uncle Liang, do you already have a place to stay in Jing City? If not, I can arrange accommodation for you at the Jiang family residence.”
Liang Shenggui waved his hand. “No need to worry about that. My assistant has already booked a year-long stay at a resort hotel here in Jing City.”
“Alright then, if you need anything, just let me know.”
Jiang Youli saw Uncle Liang off and got into her car to return to the company. Secretary Xiao Yang immediately approached, her eyes wide with disbelief. “President Jiang, was that Mr. Liang just now? Could he be Director Liang Shenggui, who was once at the peak of his career but had to retire because of illness?”
Amid the incredulous looks from other employees, Jiang Youli nodded. “Yes, that’s him.”
“Now that we have enough staff and the director is settled, everyone focus on your work. If ‘Aspiration of the Blue Clouds’ turns out well and becomes a hit, bonuses will definitely be given,” Jiang Youli said.
“Yes, President Jiang!”
Secretary Xiao Yang’s eyes were filled with admiration. With Director Liang on board, this was even better than having Director Zhang Bufan!
Jiang Youli glanced at the employees at the marketing department’s desks. “Make sure to find a good time to launch a promotional campaign highlighting Director Liang’s return to personally direct ‘Aspiration of the Blue Clouds.’”
“Understood, President Jiang!”
……
Jiang Xing landed at ten o’clock at night. When she opened her phone, she saw a message.
But it wasn’t a reply from her sister Jiang Youli—it was from a female employee at Starlight Entertainment.
[President Jiang, your sister has found a replacement director for Director Zhang!]
A sudden pang struck Jiang Xing’s heart—an inexplicable premonition washing over him.
[Do you know who it is?]
The female employee on the other end replied quickly.
[Yes, it’s Director Liang Shenggui, who left the industry three years ago!]
Jiang Xing froze on the spot, as if struck by lightning. The cold night wind sliced through him like a blade, chilling him to the bone, making his whole body tremble. A few fine raindrops seemed to drift down, their icy touch landing on his face, sending shivers down his spine.
In that moment, he felt utterly ridiculous. From beginning to end, he had been nothing but a clown, arrogantly convinced he could do something for his sister, Jiang Youli. Yet in reality, he had achieved nothing—had changed nothing.
As Jiang Xing sank deeper into this self-denying despair, his phone suddenly buzzed with a new message.
He mechanically picked up his phone. When he saw the sender’s name, his eyes widened instantly, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Because this time, the message wasn’t from the female employee—it was from his sister, Jiang Youli herself!
