Chapter 32: I’ve Changed My Mind

Yan Yichen didn’t even lift his head, his gaze remaining fixed on the magazine in his hands.

“Speak—”

“I have some personal matters to attend to this evening. I hope you’ll permit me to take a leave of absence, Mr. Yan.”

Yan Yichen finally looked up, his deep eyes locking onto the somewhat flustered Meng Yier. “A leave of absence?”

It seemed a bit unreasonable to be asking for leave on her very first day.

Meng Yier nodded hastily, anxiously adding, “I only need tonight. I promise I’ll be at work as usual tomorrow.”

“What matter requires you to take leave?”

Meng Yier froze for a moment. If she told the truth, he might not agree. She needed to come up with an excuse he couldn’t refuse.

“My friend is ill in the hospital. I need to visit her.”

How amusing!

This girl was actually lying.

Yan Yichen watched her, amused, but said nothing. After a while, he glanced at her thoughtfully before lowering his head again to the magazine.

“Mr. Yan Yichen?” Meng Yier tried tentatively once more. Yan Yichen still didn’t respond. Despairing, she opened her mouth as if to say something else, but didn’t know how to begin.

“When will you be leaving?” Just as Meng Yier was about to turn away in defeat, Yan Yichen suddenly spoke.

Meng Yier was stunned for a moment, then broke into a bright smile. “Seven o’clock this evening—”

She said the Lingyun Grand Hotel!

Yan Yichen suddenly recalled the phone call he’d received from Mo Bei that morning.

He pondered, quickly put down the magazine, and nodded. “Very well, Miss Meng, but please finish all your tasks before you leave.”

—

After Meng Yier left, Yan Yichen picked up his phone and dialed Mo Bei’s number.

The moment the call connected, he spoke in a cool tone. “Mo Bei, is tonight’s banquet at the Lingyun Grand Hotel?”

“Yes.”

Tonight’s banquet was hosted by Yunteng Agency, with most of the guests being executives from entertainment companies, as well as stars and directors from the film industry.

It was said the banquet was being held in honor of the Hollywood genius director, Carson, who wanted to use the occasion to select actors for his new film.

Yan Yichen had received an invitation several days earlier, but he had never cared for such occasions and hadn’t planned to attend.

In his eyes, acting ability was everything, and he had nothing but disdain for those who tried to cozy up to directors just for a role.

Even this morning, Mo Bei had called to confirm whether he would attend the banquet, and Yan Yichen had refused outright. Who would have thought that now, he’d changed his mind.

“Have the driver pick me up at seven,” Yan Yichen ordered.

Mo Bei paused for two seconds on the other end, as if doubting his own ears. “Hm? Yichen, didn’t you say you weren’t going?”

“I’ve changed my mind—” Yan Yichen’s tone carried a hint of impatience.

“Do you need me to accompany you?” Mo Bei asked.

Yan Yichen’s voice was cold. “Do as you wish.” With that, he hung up.

Listening to the busy tone, Mo Bei grumbled, “What’s gotten into him now?”

This was truly the first time Yan Yichen had actively chosen to attend one of these tedious banquets. He’d always avoided them whenever possible. Even on the rare occasions he did go, it was only under great duress.

—

At eight o’clock in the evening, when Meng Yier and Yu Mingxin arrived at the Lingyun Grand Hotel, the banquet hall was already bustling.

Although Meng Yier wasn’t a wealthy heiress, she’d seen plenty of such occasions in America and handled herself with grace and composure.

As soon as they entered the hall, Yu Mingxin exclaimed excitedly, “Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, come over here—there’s so much delicious food!” With that, she dragged Meng Yier toward the buffet.

Sure enough, Meng Yier found a dazzling array of exquisite desserts.

They loaded up their plates and found seats on the left side of the hall, chatting happily as they ate.

Yu Mingxin glanced around, nudging Meng Yier with her elbow and whispering excitedly, “Xiao Yi, look at all the celebrities here tonight! And many of them are big stars.”

Meng Yier was savoring her food and glanced around. Sure enough, the hall was filled with handsome men and beautiful women, all dressed in splendor.

But Meng Yier didn’t recognize any of them. Having grown up in America, she’d paid little attention to the Chinese entertainment scene and knew very few Chinese stars, apart from a handful of veteran artists and internationally renowned actors and directors.