If she didn't show anything, let's dig something

She turned to his side, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. She took a quick, scrutinizing glance from his head to toe and signaled him to come near.

He approached her with a hint of doubt. "Do you think I haven't considered all possibilities? Let me tell you, I've already exhausted every conceivable source. And guess the result. It all leads back to the same starting point. So if you can't offer any useful ideas, scram from my sight before I lose my temper and kill you." Her tone fluctuated from sweet to filled with a lethal instinct, emphasizing the seriousness of her frustration.

Listening to her order, he straightened his back and delved into deep thought. After careful consideration, Lian Chang Jiang decided to voice out one last opinion, even if it meant risking her wrath.

"But cousin, don't you think something is wrong?"

Irritated by his simplicity, she responded, "Go ahead." She controlled her temper, preparing herself to listen to what he had to say.

"Cousin, don't you find something odd about her? Typically, every celebrity thrives on public attention to boost their fame and value. But that's not the case with this woman." He intentionally used the term 'woman' to avoid further provoking Lian Hua.

"She has significantly reduced her public presence. Something must be amiss about her or her background, leading her to decrease her visibility. Don't you think so? Unfortunately, I can't pinpoint anything amiss because we know so little about her. By the way, which entertainment company does she belong to?" he questioned, simultaneously conducting an online search. However, to his frustration, he found no information about her affiliation.

"Even that information is elusive," he complained.

"Hmm." After pondering his analysis, Lian Hua found merit in his perspective.

The room fell into a grave silence for an undetermined length of time. They snapped out of it only when the assistant brought the food. While eating, Lian Hua noticed a paper that had slipped from the file carelessly thrown on the armchair near the couch. She picked it up quickly and skimmed through it. It turned out to be a report on an artist's recent performance as a guest on a live program.

"What's this about?" Lian Hua inquired.

"Oh, that's a report on Fang Lu Yan. She recently appeared on 'A Day in a Star's Life,'" Lian Chang Jiang replied, still focused on his meal.

"'A Day in a Star's Life'? Why haven't I heard of this one?"

"It's a small program produced by a low-budget team under a channel. Mostly newcomers prefer such programs as they're an excellent way to establish a public image. Although the channel and the budget are low, the program has been doing well for months and has gained momentum recently."

"Then tell me, how do they choose the celebrity to be interviewed?" Lian Hua's curiosity drove her to delve into every detail.

"Although the system suggests that the celebrity topping the weekly poll will be interviewed, and their daily life will be streamed live, artists and agencies manipulate the polls by paying netizens. Cousin, don't tell me you're interested in this. Sister, you're already popular among the public with 7 million followers on your social media accounts and over 5 million in your fan base. It's not something for someone of your class."

"Do you think it's for me? My standards are way better than the others. Just answer," Lian Hua declared with a prideful look.

"Then why are you inquiring about it?" he asked, struggling to understand her motives.

"Just asked you. Tell me, did the poll for this week already begin? And how is the list of celebrities decided?" she questioned, her mind working quickly.

"They have no specific criteria for selecting the celebrity list. It depends on the names that receive the most comments under the official page, and they simply add them to the poll. Anyone can vote for who they want to see on the program. Your name even topped the poll once, but we canceled, citing that your schedule was full and you were busy. I believe this week's poll is about to end."

"Then here is a task for you. I want you to ensure that her name tops the poll this week. I don't care how much you spend; I want her to be the celebrity appearing on the program." Lian Hua's request was direct and unequivocal.

"But why?" he asked bluntly.

She smirked and returned to her meal, leaving him puzzled. The atmosphere in the room shifted, and an air of anticipation lingered as they awaited the unfolding of events.

Lian Hua continued to eat in silence, her mind seemingly absorbed in a web of thoughts. The atmosphere in the room felt charged, an air of anticipation hanging thick as they awaited the unfolding of events.

Chang Jiang, although puzzled by his cousin's sudden interest in manipulating a seemingly insignificant poll, understood that there was a method to her madness. He decided to press on, determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding Zhan Wei Feng.

"Cousin, I understand your request, but may I ask why you are so fixated on ensuring this particular woman appears on the program? What is it about her that has caught your attention?" Chang Jiang inquired cautiously, attempting to navigate the delicate terrain of Lian Hua's intentions.

Lian Hua, her gaze fixed on her meal, paused for a moment before responding. "I have my reasons, Chang Jiang. Let's just say that there's more to this situation than meets the eye, and I need to dig deeper. This 'A Day in a Star's Life' could be the key to unraveling the mystery surrounding Zhan Wei Feng."

Chang Jiang, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded in understanding. He was well aware that his cousin, despite her sometimes eccentric behavior, was shrewd and calculated in her actions. If she believed that the obscure program held a crucial piece of the puzzle, he was ready to assist in any way possible.

"Very well, cousin. I'll do my best to ensure that Zhan Wei Feng tops the poll this week. But I need to know—what do you plan to do once she secures the spot?" Chang Jiang asked, seeking clarity on the next steps of their impromptu investigation.

She just stared at his face before turning her attention back to her meal. After all, the meal was something that soothed her restless buzzing heart.

Chang Jiang, though initially taken aback by the audacity of the plan, recognized the spark of curiosity and ambition in his cousin's eyes. He nodded in agreement, realizing that this unexpected turn of events had the potential to unearth a scandal or a hidden truth within the enigmatic life of Zhan Wei Feng.

As the two continued their conversation, the room was filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Chang Jiang set about the task of manipulating the poll, employing his connections and resources to ensure Zhan Wei Feng's name would rise to the top.