CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 20 - 18 Fishing and Hooking

"No way, if you’re willing to vote for me, then do it; if not, forget it."

Li Jiaqi was making a final test, though the odds of this person deceiving her, a near-invisible name in the industry, seemed slim.

"I mean it, I just want to call you this."

"Seriously? Even the people I’m closest to only call me Jiaqi."

The other party fell silent for a moment before sending another message.

"Then... could I call you Jiaqi too?"

"Alright. After all, you’re one of my loyal fans. I do hope every fan who likes me could call me this, but you know, doing so leads to misunderstandings."

Li Jiaqi began weaving words and planting a subtle psychological hint.

"I understand—it’s a privilege reserved for the closest ones. I’ll go and cast votes for you tomorrow."

When Li Jiaqi saw this sentence, she felt her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

This was the first time she’d broken idol group rules since joining the team, and in such a way.

Although she had tried everything to garner fans, there just weren’t many yet.

Just as Jiaqi was filled with unease, Yuwei suddenly returned to the dormitory.

"Jiaqi, what are you doing? Why is your face tear-streaked? Are you...?"

Yuwei saw Jiaqi’s condition and suddenly remembered the Zhang Yan incident, rushing to her friend’s side in panic.

"Oh, it’s nothing! I just felt like crying, that’s all." Jiaqi said as she hugged Yuwei tightly.

"Yuwei, don’t leave me. Without you, I can’t survive."

"Jiaqi, why would I leave you? Have you been overthinking again after seeing something?"

"...Yuwei, I don’t even know why. As soon as you’re not by my side, my heart feels so empty. Whenever I see you get close to someone else, I get angry, enraged, and insecure... I’m sorry, Yuwei, I think I’m losing my mind."

"No, Jiaqi, I must not have handled things well enough and made you worry. I’ll pay attention to it going forward."

Yuwei gently hugged Jiaqi, feeling her friend’s body trembling slightly, like a little kitten afraid of being abandoned.

...

"Xiao Ning, you’re off work this afternoon, right? There’s a paid gig—want to join?"

"Paid gig?"

"Yeah! Nanshan Club needs a few LO girls to liven up the atmosphere."

"A club?!" Hearing Lv Zhao’s invitation, Lan Yening was about to decline.

Then, she thought about Ye Yuwei and her mother.

One needed money for votes, the other needed money for medical treatment.

"The pay’s pretty good—three thousand for four hours."

"Alright, I’ll go." Lan Yening gritted her teeth.

"Just wear your LO dress—it won’t have changing rooms."

After a warning, Lv Zhao hung up the phone.

Although it felt odd, Lan Yening did as instructed.

Dressed up and stepping out of the house, passersby kept looking her way.

Her LO dress made her stunning, like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.

Lan Yening didn’t feel embarrassed, instead walking confidently and elegantly.

Arriving at the appointed location, she saw Lv Zhao with another person.

The stranger was short, with a worn-down, aging face, slicked-back hair, and looked like a small-time boss.

"Hello, I’m Wan Song. I’ve heard about you from Zhaozhao many times; he says you two are the best of friends."

Seeing the man stretch out his hand, Lan Yening hesitated but shook it.

"Xiao Ning, this gig is arranged by Brother Wan," Lv Zhao said with a grin.

"Brother Wan, isn’t Ningning even more beautiful in person than in the videos?"

"Absolutely, absolutely. She’s truly stunning." Wan Song praised as his bulging, froglike eyes roved up and down Lan Yening.

Lan Yening felt goosebumps under his gaze.

But since she was already here, she knew this money wouldn’t be earned easily.

She forced a smile. "Zhaozhao, are things okay with you? Is Aimo still giving you trouble?"

"No, that’s all thanks to Brother Wan." A shadow briefly passed over Lv Zhao’s stoic face.

The three talked as they entered the venue.

The so-called event involved them LO girls mingling at a gathering.

When guests talked to them, they had to respond politely.

As for other requests from guests, whether to comply was entirely up to them.

In less formal venues, some attendees did embarrassing things to the LO girls.

Lan Yening became the center of attention instantly, many people approaching her.

She handled them cautiously one by one, being deliberate with her words around sleazy individuals so as not to provoke unwanted reactions or endanger herself.

Time passed quickly, and the event concluded.

Lan Yening breathed a sigh of relief—nothing disastrous had occurred as she had feared.

It seemed Lv Zhao really was a reliable friend.

The ride home was courtesy of Brother Wan in his BMW X series—a clear sign he was wealthy.

"Xiao Ning, you’ve got talent; working in a shop is such a waste." Wan Song remarked while driving.

"Haha, you’re too kind, Brother Wan. All I have is my looks."

"Looks are a rare resource!" Wan Song chuckled as Lan Yening stayed silent. "Don’t worry, Xiao Ning; Brother Wan isn’t one of *those* people."

"Oh, I wasn’t thinking that, Brother Wan."

"Haha! But even if you were, you’d be right. This circle’s too messy—good people are hard to find."

His words made Lan Yening feel awkward, and she glanced at Lv Zhao.

"Xiao Ning, Brother Wan is truly a good person. You’ll see it over time."

"Xiao Ning, here’s my card. I work in business operations for people in this cosplay circle. If you need gigs in the future, just give me a call." Wan Song said, handing over a card.

Lan Yening took it and examined its high-end material, with gold-embossed letters shimmering brightly.

Before getting out, Lv Zhao settled Lan Yening’s payment.

This event had gone better than expected, leaving Lan Yening impressed with Wan Song’s credibility.

"Brother Wan, why not bag Xiao Ning today?" After the car started again, Lv Zhao asked curiously.

"No need to rush. With such premium goods, you’ve got to let them take the bait willingly. A little deer that submits wholeheartedly brings in more profits." Wan Song said, lighting a cigarette.

"Brother Wan, I introduced them to you, so..."

"Haha, don’t worry—I keep my promises. The debt you owe is cleared, but you need to keep serving those other clients for three more months."

Wan Song’s words caused Lv Zhao to tremble violently.

"Brother Wan, if I go back there again, I’ll die. They..."

"Hmph! Your life isn’t my problem. I’ve smoothed things over for you, so you stick to your commitments. Otherwise, you know the consequences," Wan Song’s voice dripping with cruelty.

Lv Zhao lowered his head, clutching his shirt tight, his face ashen like a corpse.

"Don’t worry. Until I have Lan Yening in the palm of my hand, you’re safe. You’re still useful."

"Brother Wan, I’ll cooperate fully. Whatever you ask, I’ll do."

"Haha! Good," Wan Song pressed the accelerator, driving towards a secluded area.