Chapter 39: Meng Ziyi: Is she the cleaning lady at your company?

She pulled out a brochure and said, "I suggest you consider the Film Creation Space Building. It has comprehensive facilities, and many startup teams are already based there."

"Thank you so much!" Jiang Ye's eyes lit up. "I just graduated from school, and I really need professional guidance like yours."

...

Film Creation Space Building, 17th Floor

The elevator doors opened, and Wang Fang led Jiang Ye toward the office area in the southeast corner.

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and in the distance, the film studios of the China Film Base were visible.

"This space is 180 square meters. It was originally reserved for a fund management company, but they changed their plans at the last minute." Wang Fang pushed open the glass door. "It has great natural light and an open view—perfect for a creative team."

Jiang Ye walked to the window, then suddenly turned around with a smile. "Director Wang, this place is perfect! Our team is made up of young people; they’re going to love it."

He pointed to a corner. "We’ll put some plants here, and set up an open-plan meeting area over there..."

Wang Fang, touched by his youthful energy, offered a rare smile. "Since you’re making web dramas, you can go to the equipment sharing center on the B2 level to rent gear. There’s a discount for student startups."

"That’s fantastic!" Jiang Ye pulled an exquisite box from his bag. "This is West Lake Longjing tea from my hometown. Please, try it, Ms. Wang. Thank you for your guidance today."

Seeing Wang Fang about to decline, he quickly added, "Please, don't be so formal! Professor Tian often teaches us the importance of being grateful."

Wang Fang finally smiled. "Young man, we don't see many people like you these days."

She tucked the tea away and lowered her voice. "By the way, once your company is registered, remember to apply for the 'New Emerging Film Enterprise' certification. You can get a 20% discount on utilities and priority access to the public editing suites."

As he left, Jiang Ye looked at the reflection of "China Film Capital" on the building's glass curtain wall, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Tian Zhuangzhuang: "Professor, your name really works like a charm. I'll treat you to a meal sometime."

Tian Zhuangzhuang replied: "Don't butter me up. If the film turns out bad, don't you dare say you're my student."

"Well then, Professor, our company is opening in a few days. Could you come and do the ribbon-cutting?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang: "..."

...

A taxi pulled slowly to a stop in front of a drab, dusty building. Bai Mengyan stood on the roadside, luggage in hand, staring up at the Film Creation Space Building, lost in thought.

This was not exactly the same as the skyscrapers in the Beijing CBD she had seen on Baidu Images; in fact, it had nothing to do with them.

"Driver, are you sure this is the place?" she asked, unwilling to give up.

The driver didn't even turn his head. "Miss, this is Huairou, the China Film Capital!"

Bai Mengyan: "..."

She looked down at the address Jiang Ye had sent—Room 1708, Film Creation Space Building—then looked back at the office building, which, while brand new, clearly exuded an air of "the hardships of entrepreneurship." She suddenly had the urge to turn around and leave.

But remembering the bragging she had done in front of her best friend, she took a deep breath, dragged her suitcase inside, and went in.

Ten minutes later, outside Room 1708.

Bai Mengyan stood in the empty office, looking at the thin layer of dust on the floor and the two lonely desks in the corner, sinking into an even deeper contemplation.

Was this the "Jiang Ying Media" that Jiang Ye claimed had a multi-million yuan investment for a web drama?

The company she had just signed with?

Was this the elite, career-woman life she had imagined—wearing a Max Mara suit, holding a Starbucks, and overlooking the CBD?

With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone, just about to call Jiang Ye, when the elevator gave a "ding."

Jiang Ye rushed out of the elevator, bags in both hands, beads of sweat on his forehead. Seeing Bai Mengyan at the door, his eyes lit up. "Oh! Xiao Bai, you're here!"

He excitedly held up the items in his hands: a broom, a mop, a rag, and even a bag of laundry detergent.

"Perfect! I just went to buy some cleaning supplies!"

Bai Mengyan: "..."

She opened her mouth, closed it, and finally squeezed out, "Boss, our company... where is everyone else?"

Jiang Ye didn't even look up as he began unwrapping the mop. "Oh, for now, it's just the two of us."

Bai Mengyan: "???"

Jiang Ye noticed her crumbling composure and quickly started painting a picture of the future. "Don't judge it by how simple it looks now. We are a legitimate film company officially established in the China Film Capital!"

He pointed to the China Film Base outside the window. "See that? That’s where we’ll be shooting our films later!"

"Even though this floor is empty now, the layout is great. This side will be the artist lounge, that side is the conference room, and we'll put an aquarium by the door..."

"And as my assistant, I’ve specifically designed an independent office area for you!"

Bai Mengyan asked weakly, "So, what should I do now?"

Jiang Ye shoved the broom into her hands with a radiant smile. "Xiao Bai, you're my assistant! Let's start with cleaning up!"

Bai Mengyan: "..."

Just then, her phone rang. It was a video call request from Hehe.

Bai Mengyan scrambled to fix her hair, forced a sweet smile, and answered. "Hey! Hehe!"

"Yanyan! How's the new company? Is it super high-end and fancy?" Hehe's excited voice came through.

Bai Mengyan looked at the dusty office and Jiang Ye, who was scrubbing a desk with all his might. She forced a smile. "It's great! The floor-to-ceiling windows are huge, and you can see the whole film base! The colleagues are very welcoming..."

Before she could finish, Jiang Ye walked past her with a mop, waving at the camera. "Hi!"

Hehe: "Wow! The boss is so handsome! I knew I wasn't wrong about that!"

Bai Mengyan: "..."

After hanging up, Bai Mengyan resigned herself to her fate, picked up a rag, and started scrubbing the desk.

Well, she was already here...

Jiang Ye comforted her while mopping the floor. "Don't be discouraged. Once *The Princess's Promotion* goes live, we can upgrade to a bigger office!"

"And when that happens, the boss will give you a raise!"

Bai Mengyan asked listlessly, "And what if it's not a hit?"

Jiang Ye stopped what he was doing and looked at her seriously. "Then we'll keep filming until it is."

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, dust motes dancing in the beams.

Bai Mengyan looked at this young boss, drenched in sweat but still smiling brightly, and suddenly felt...

That she might have boarded a pirate ship.

But, strangely enough, why did she feel a bit excited?

As the two were working away, Meng Ziyi suddenly pushed open the glass door, followed by four or five female classmates from the Beijing Film Academy. As soon as she entered, her eyes lit up. "Wow! A'Ye, you've already opened the company? That was fast!"

Her gaze landed on Bai Mengyan, who was scrubbing the desk hard. She raised an eyebrow slightly, then smiled brilliantly at Jiang Ye. "Why did you only hire one cleaning lady? Why didn't you hire more instead of doing it yourself?"

"How exhausting!"

Bai Mengyan: "???"

A cleaning lady???

The damage wasn't huge, but the insult was maximum...

She had come to Beijing with dreams of stardom, only to be mistaken for a janitor?

Wuwuwu, this is too much!

Jiang Ye was speechless; Sister Meng was just that kind of blunt and careless person. "Don't talk nonsense, this is the new artist I hired for the company!"

"You guys arrived just in time—come help us clean up!"

Everyone: "..."