Chapter 67: System, Are You Broken?
Xu Youyou felt a little toothache. Could they not make “failing to chase dreams and inheriting a family business” sound so pitiful?
She didn’t dwell on Wang Anna’s situation and instead asked, “What are training hours?”
The system explained: [Any professional knowledge within the technological and cultural limits of this world can be taught to you through training. The host can enter a training space in their sleep to learn. Of course, whether you can master it is up to you.]
Xu Youyou’s eyes lit up. She had been considering learning some specialized knowledge lately, but many industries’ professional knowledge wasn’t easily accessible. For example, in the antique business, aside from needing a solid historical foundation, some specialized identification techniques were passed down through families, making it difficult for outsiders to acquire.
The introduction of training hours filled this gap. She also noticed a specific limitation in the system’s explanation. “For example, if I wanted to create a system like you, could I learn that?”
The system responded simply: [Heh.]
Xu Youyou didn’t push further. At this moment, Wang Anna seemed like a rare treasure to her—she wanted to call Xie Ran immediately to secure her a high salary.
Just after recommending Wang Anna, Ouyang Ouyang pulled over Song Zhibai, who was eating, and dragged him toward Xu Youyou.
Ouyang Ouyang had originally thought that these two would spend the night together, but Xu Youyou didn’t stay at the crew’s hotel the night before. Having worked with Song Zhibai for so long, Ouyang Ouyang admired this young actor—someone who could rely on his looks but instead focused on hard work. He was worried that Song Zhibai would take the wrong path.
At this moment, he wanted to shove Song Zhibai straight into Xu Youyou’s bed. He patted his shoulder earnestly and advised, “In this industry, having a sponsor is incredibly rare. Are you two fighting? If there’s a misunderstanding, clear it up quickly! It’s hard to come by someone as generous as the boss, and there are plenty of temptations outside!”
Song Zhibai: “…?”
“We’re not in that kind of relationship. Stop overthinking it!” Song Zhibai defended himself.
Ouyang Ouyang looked at him skeptically, then patted his shoulder. “Not that kind of relationship? Then why is the boss treating you so well?”
Song Zhibai had always felt that the crew treated him a bit strangely, and now he finally understood why. Helpless, he explained, “She said I could become a top star and is waiting for me to make her money. She’s not the type to coerce people.”
Ouyang Ouyang was still skeptical but found this reasoning somewhat convincing. He nodded. “Brother, the boss has a sharp eye. But honestly, if you two did get together, you’re both good-looking. It’s hard to say who’s benefiting more.”
Song Zhibai subconsciously glanced at Xu Youyou, who was fighting with a crab leg. Under the warm light, the young woman’s delicate, fair face was so clear that even the tiny peach fuzz on her skin was visible.
A twinge of guilt rose in his heart. Xu Youyou had been nothing but good to him, just as their contract stated—never once had she attempted any kind of coercion. She was open, kind, and fair, yet he had always been wary of her. It seemed petty in hindsight.
“The boss is a good person,” Song Zhibai muttered, lowering his head. “She has her own career and probably won’t consider dating for the next few years.”
Ouyang Ouyang sighed in disappointment. “Brother, you don’t know the joys of being pampered yet. If I were as good-looking as you, I’d already be in a rich woman’s embrace!”
Song Zhibai broke free from Ouyang Ouyang’s grip. “Stop disturbing her. The boss hasn’t eaten much all night.”
Ouyang Ouyang looked at him suspiciously. “You’ve been watching her all night? How do you know she hasn’t eaten much?”
Song Zhibai was startled. He couldn’t explain why he was paying so much attention to Xu Youyou. His face heated uncontrollably.
“There’s some mint cake over there. I’ll go get a piece.” He made up an excuse and walked away.
Ouyang Ouyang scratched his head, confused, and completely forgot about Song Zhibai’s reminder. “That kid ran off real fast. Whatever, I’ll bring Xiao Liu over.”
Xu Youyou had just finished a crab leg when Ouyang Ouyang pulled the female lead, Liu Ye, over.
“Boss, this is Liu Ye, the lead actress in our drama. She’s still in university, but she’s hardworking, adaptable, and—most importantly—not signed to any agency yet.”
Xu Youyou examined Liu Ye. The young woman was beautiful, with an oval face, big eyes, and a tall stature. However, she didn’t fit the current entertainment industry’s popular “pale, young, and thin” aesthetic. Instead, she had an air of heroism about her—more suited for strong, independent female roles.
Xu Youyou smiled. “Would you like to join our company?”
Liu Ye nodded eagerly. She didn’t know much about talent contracts, but Xu Youyou seemed generous with her people. More importantly, since the company had few artists, she had a shot at being the company’s top actress, ensuring good resources in the future.
Xu Youyou reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll give you a contract similar to Song Zhibai’s.”
Liu Ye’s eyes lit up. With that promise, she felt secure.
However, Xu Youyou waited and waited—but the system notification never came.
“Where’s my reward for securing a hidden gem? System, are you broken?” Xu Youyou asked.
The system remained silent.
Xu Youyou realized something. “Signing Liu Ye doesn’t count as a hidden gem?”
The system replied: [Please trust the system’s professional judgment.]
Xu Youyou’s heart sank. She couldn’t understand why someone with Liu Ye’s appearance and an agency backing her wouldn’t become famous in the future.
Ouyang Ouyang brought over a few other promising talents, and Xu Youyou offered them contracts as well—but still, no system rewards.
By the time dinner ended at 9 PM, most of the crew left holding their stomachs, completely stuffed.
Song Zhibai hadn’t spoken to Xu Youyou all night, but at this moment, he approached her with a packed meal.
“I noticed you didn’t eat much, so I packed this for you,” he said softly.
Xu Youyou looked inside and saw two crab legs. She accepted the box. “Thanks.”
She had been so focused on signing people and watching for system rewards that she had only eaten half a meal’s worth.
As Xu Youyou got into her car, Song Zhibai turned back—only to find Ouyang Ouyang grinning at him suggestively.
“If I were you, I’d have jumped into her car by now,” Ouyang Ouyang teased.
Song Zhibai took a deep breath. “Director, I feel like some of my scenes weren’t quite right today. Can we reshoot them?”
Ouyang Ouyang immediately got serious. “Which scenes? What felt off?”
Song Zhibai caught a glimpse of Xu Youyou’s car disappearing into the traffic before turning to Ouyang Ouyang. “I need to think it over. I’m really tired. I just want to rest early—I don’t want to affect tomorrow’s shoot.”
With that, he ran off, leaving Ouyang Ouyang standing in the night, wracking his brain over which scenes had gone wrong. Soon, he forgot all about teasing Song Zhibai and rushed off with the assistant director to review the footage.
Thank you for the translation.
Ch 68 is missing.