Chapter 43: Invitation from the Writers Association

"I think she definitely has feelings for you too. Otherwise, why would a big celebrity like her cook for you every day, and be so generous as to let you have equity based on your technical contribution?" Zhang Jianlong pointed out straight to the point.

"Maybe your skill level is genuinely worth her investment, but think about it carefully: would anyone else dare to trust you to this extent?"

Chen Jiang was silent for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Let's just let nature take its course for now."

"That's true. When feelings reach a certain point, things naturally fall into place, just like old Lü. Besides, Yi Yunxue spends every day with you anyway, so there's no fear of her running away." Zhang Jianlong patted Chen Jiang on the shoulder and said with a hint of envy:

"Sometimes I really envy you two, moving toward each other in a mutual pursuit. You have no idea how much effort I put into chasing my little Yue back then..."

"Let's go, time to head back." Chen Jiang stood up.

His heart was in a very complicated state at that moment.

Did he truly have feelings for Yi Yunxue?

Actually, this thought had crossed his mind long ago, but every time it surfaced, he would subconsciously push it away.

Now that Zhang Jianlong had laid it bare, Chen Jiang seriously began to ponder the question.

Yi Yunxue was a public figure; being with her would inevitably impact her career.

However, if Yi Yunxue herself didn't mind, then that problem would naturally cease to exist.

The main issue was that he still couldn't confirm whether she genuinely had feelings for him as well. What if it was just a delusion of "she has a crush on me," only to end up with the dreaded reply: "You're a great guy, but I've always just thought of you as an ordinary friend"?

That would make him look like a complete clown!

This matter had to be approached step by step; he couldn't rush it. Best to take it one day at a time for now!

...

"Welcome Sister Dan to our studio!" Yi Yunxue said with a smile to all the employees.

That morning, inside the studio, all the staff held a small welcome party for Dan Yuna.

The moment her contract with Shengda Entertainment expired, Dan Yuna had immediately signed a contract with Mengqi Studio.

Everyone gathered in the small conference room, chatting and laughing, with those lacking a seat simply bringing over chairs from elsewhere.

The studio had paid for a large assortment of snacks.

Under the good-natured coaxing of everyone present, Dan Yuna gave a brief onboarding speech:

"Today is my first day here, and I am thrilled to join our Mengqi Studio. I hope our studio grows better and better, and I also wish everyone here a better and better life. May all our artist friends achieve booming success!"

"Hear, hear!"

Everyone broke into warm applause.

This made Dan Yuna experience an atmosphere she had never once felt at her previous company.

Everyone here possessed a vibrant, upward-moving energy.

This made her feel even more certain that her decision to come to Mengqi Studio was extraordinarily wise!

...

Meanwhile, on Dan Yuna's official Weibo account:

[To all the fans who have supported me for so long, and to my dear friends in the entertainment industry: I am Dan Yuna. Today, I want to share some good news with everyone—I have officially joined Mengqi Studio!]

[In the days to come, I hope you will all continue to support me. I will keep bringing you more outstanding music, and I want to thank Mengqi Studio for giving me this new opportunity!]

As soon as this news dropped, it hit Dan Yuna's fan base like a falling meteorite.

At the same time, a section of Yi Yunxue's fans was also stirred into a frenzy.

For a moment, everyone was dumbfounded, discussing and debating the matter wildly.

The comment section exploded:

[No way, Dan Yuna is a Heavenly Queen after all. Even if her popularity has dipped, she's still vastly superior to the current Yi Yunxue, right? Why on earth did she run over to Yi Yunxue's studio?]

[Does this mean Mengqi Studio is now the only entertainment company outside of the Big Four to boast a Heavenly Queen artist?]

[The person above is wrong. Mengqi Studio isn't even a company yet; its scale is just that of a studio...]

[I looked up Mengqi Studio online. It's not just a casual studio in name only; it was actually registered formally in the form of a limited liability company.]

[Xuexue is truly amazing! Even a Heavenly Queen like Dan Yuna has jumped ship to Xuexue's studio!]

[Seriously, why did Nana run off to this tiny company? She barely got any resources back at Shengda; won't it be even more miserable at this small-scale firm?]

[If Dan Yuna is being held hostage, blink twice. It looks like the Chinese music scene is about to lose another Heavenly Queen. Such a pity!]

[She's a Heavenly Queen for crying out loud! Couldn't she join one of the Big Four entertainment companies? Why run off to an artist's studio where the owner isn't even a Heavenly Queen yet?]

Although the fan communities were locked in a chaotic dispute, the executives of the Big Four entertainment companies couldn't care less at the moment.

To them, Dan Yuna was merely a bottom-tier Heavenly Queen. Furthermore, she was getting older, and she hadn't produced any new achievements in recent years.

Heavenly Queens of her caliber were a dime a dozen in their companies.

The news of Dan Yuna joining a new company swept across the entertainment trending lists like a brief gust of wind, quickly buried by other trending topics.

...

[Sweet Potato]: Brother Jianghe, would you like to join the Writers Association?

Chen Jiang, who had just returned home after attending Dan Yuna's welcoming ceremony, suddenly received a message from Sweet Potato.

Seeing the inquiry, Chen Jiang pondered for a moment and decided to clarify things first.

[Jianghe]: The Chinese Writers Association?

[Sweet Potato]: Yes, the Chinese Writers Association.

[Jianghe]: What is the process for getting in?

[Sweet Potato]: Your serialized subscription milestone has already met the requirement. The minimum standard for web novelists is a mainstream subscription count of 5,000.

[Sweet Potato]: Ordinarily, you'd have to wait until your word count reached two million, join the provincial writers association first, and then apply for the Chinese Writers Association. However, someone in the association has taken a liking to you and wants to invite you to join directly. So if you want to join, you can apply right away, and that person will vouch for you.

[Jianghe]: Someone in the association has taken a liking to me?

Chen Jiang felt a bit puzzled. Among the people he knew, none seemed to be members of the Writers Association.

Moreover, ordinary association members shouldn't have the authority to directly invite new members.

Just which prominent figure had set their sights on him?

[Sweet Potato]: I only joined recently myself. Someone came and asked me just now, saying that Vice President Ning of the Chinese Writers Association wants to invite you into the association.

[Sweet Potato]: Do you know Vice President Ning of the Writers Association?

[Jianghe]: Never met him.

[Sweet Potato]: Well, that's strange. How come he didn't come and invite me to join... I spent half a year just going through the standard procedures. (Grit teeth)

[Sweet Potato]: Isn't the popularity of my book just as good as yours?

[Jianghe]: Think it over. If you want in, I'll give you Vice President Ning's phone number.

[Jianghe]: Are there any troublesome obligations after joining?

[Sweet Potato]: None at all. There are occasionally writer exchange meetings, but participation is entirely voluntary. No one forces you.

[Jianghe]: Alright then, send me Vice President Ning's phone number.

Had it been the old Chen Jiang, he might have rejected such an invitation.

After all, he had only written *Lord of the Mysteries* out of boredom to pass the time.

Things were different now, though. Mengqi Studio had just been established and was currently lacking in personal connections and resources.

In China, the social status of literary figures was higher than that of entertainers. Even though the modern Writers Association had its share of mixed company, it still boasted a gathering of heavyweights.

Since ancient times, literature and entertainment have been closely intertwined. These connections would, to varying degrees, bring certain benefits to Mengqi Studio.

As a major platform, the Writers Association could naturally help Chen Jiang forge these vital connections.

Recalling Yi Yunxue's impassioned and spirited vows downstairs at the studio that day, Chen Jiang couldn't help but smile.

Consider it a way to help that silly girl realize her dream a little sooner!

He was definitely joining this Writers Association!