Tong used to think the overbearing CEOs in romance novels were exaggerated...
Only today did Tong realize that art is truly adapted from reality!
As a normal young woman, Tong inevitably had her mind corrupted by novels and manga featuring "overbearing CEOs" while growing up.
It was only after she became a proper working adult that she learned how hard it is to come by money.
Those fictional settings from fantasy could never compare to a good square meal in reality.
Take right now, for instance: rather than fantasizing about some wealthy, foolish overbearing CEO suddenly showing up, falling for her like a man who has never seen a woman before, yet stubbornly pursuing her like mad and showering her with endless cash;
Or some passing wealthy, foolish overbearing CEO who happens to want the bench she is sitting on, spending a fortune just to tell her to scram...
She would do better to think about how to trick Xiaoguang and Xiaohui into shooting a film with her tomorrow, so she could make some money and eat a full meal — shooting a movie with zero budget was pure profit no matter how you looked at it!
If she could make a good movie, wouldn't fame follow?
With fame came commercial endorsements, with endorsements came money, and with money she could hire internet trolls to whitewash her reputation. Maybe even her past bad films would be forgiven by the public, and she could leap straight into becoming a truly great director...!
When that day came, wouldn't the money just roll in?
If that day ever arrived, she would become an overbearing CEO herself!
Those who spoke nicely would be rewarded~
Those who spoke harshly would be pelted with money! Struck with cash until their words sounded sweet!
Wasn't Longchaoge Film Studio short on funds?
When the time came, she would ruthlessly slam that money right into Old Master Du's old cat-like face and make him take on her commission!
And then, once the commission was completed, she would find all sorts of excuses to dock his pay!
Heh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho~~~
Lost in these thoughts, Tong — who was forced to make eye contact with Min Moyou — let her gaze drift evasively. Her expression was utterly dissolute, and a faint, shimmering thread of saliva even glistened at the corner of her mouth...Amidst Tong's delightful inner fantasies and the seductive aroma of street food wafting over from the nearby snack street, she finally stood, utterly exhausted and starving, letting out the bitter tears of someone battered by the harsh realities of society at the corners of her mouth......
Frightened, Min Moyou quickly pulled his hand away from Tong's chin and inspected it closely, terrified that if he had been even a split second slower, it would have been coated in the drool that had already run down to her chin.
"How should I put it? What a little foodie! She's actually eyeing my body...... or maybe my money? Has it really come to this? How pathetic....."
Min Moyou thought to himself, assuming that Tong, who worked tirelessly day in and day out yet remained utterly destitute, was coveting his good looks and wealth.
The slightly delayed system popped up with a prompt at that moment:
[Congratulations to the Host for uttering the classic domineering CEO quotes in an appropriate context — "No one can refuse me", "Woman, you have successfully caught my interest". Domineering CEO roleplay progression increased!]
[Current roleplay progression: 10%. Acquired passive skills: Charm Bonus (upgradeable), Robust Physique (upgradeable).]
[Passive Skill Details: As a domineering CEO, one is inevitably swarmed by bees and butterflies, with the world's most breathtaking beauties hidden away in a golden house.
Charm Bonus: Increases the Host's charm based on financial affluence and the number of beauties by their side.
Current Charm: 80 (refined, pleasant, handsome, and upright), Wealth Bonus: 0, Confidantes Bonus: 0; Wealth bonus triggers upon reaching a certain financial threshold, and confidantes bonus triggers upon reaching a certain level of intimacy with female companions.]
[Robust Physique: Increases the Host's physical stats based on financial affluence and the number of beauties by their side.
Current Physique: 10 (peak level of a normal, healthy adult male), Wealth Bonus: 0, Confidantes Bonus: 0; Wealth bonus triggers upon reaching a certain financial threshold, and confidantes bonus triggers upon reaching a certain level of intimacy with female companions.]
As soon as the system notification chimed, all hell broke loose—not only was Tong lost in her fantasies and giggling foolishly, but even Min Moyou almost got sucked into a daydream, joining Tong in her silly laughter.If the system didn't dock role-playing points for acting out of character—had Min Moyou actually done that, he likely would have had his rewards revoked before he even had a chance to enjoy them.
Clearly, reading all those transmigration and system novels hadn't been a waste of time!
As long as it wasn't some sort of villain system, traveling to another world and making contact with the protagonist was always the right move.
……
Since Min Moyou had withdrawn his hand from holding Tong's chin, her lifted head suddenly lost its support and bobbed downward like someone dozing off.
A cool breeze drifted by, chilling the silvery threads stretching from the corner of her mouth to her chin. Tong dazed for a moment before snapping back to reality.
Stealing a sideways glance at the stranger who was still appraising her, Tong fancied she detected a trace of disdain in his gaze.
Without batting an eye, she used her sleeve to wipe away the drool at the corner of her mouth. Regaining her composure, she leaned back against the bench with a swaggering, tough-guy attitude, posing with exaggerated confidence as she lifted her chin and looked relaxed toward the man before her.
Tsk, not bad-looking. Kind of handsome.
Now that she was actually using her brain, Tong finally managed to decode the impression Min Moyou was trying to project through his attire—
This man screamed money!
And not just any rich guy, but the kind who had more money than sense. Who in their right mind would dress like *that*...?
At first glance, it looked like he was wearing a suit made entirely of cash, strutting down the street as if broadcasting to the world: "I'm filthy rich, come steal from me or rob me!"
This... this... this was simply a godsend!
The heavens had finally opened their eyes! Seeing how impoverished she, Tong, had been living, was it finally sending a wealthy benefactor to rescue her from this sea of misery?!
Even though a hard day's work made her want to kick back and do nothing, Tong hadn't forgotten for a second—she was just a wretch too poor and hungry to sleep, yet too terrified to splurge on a late-night snack!
Now a rich guy had come straight to her with a commission. What was wrong with letting him play the overbearing CEO?
Let him! By all means, let him be the overbearing CEO!
Play your cards right, and there might even be a cash tip in it for her!
Tong also had a pretty realistic grasp of her own filmmaking skills—after all, being a Dragon Descendant was her actual profession; making movies was strictly a side hustle to make some extra cash. She knew her own limitations inside and out.
A Dragon Descendant had to eat, too!
If she didn't eat, even a Dragon Descendant would starve to death!
Pulling herself together, Tong recovered her usual radiance and questioned Min Moyou in a composed tone:
"So, spit it out. What's the commission?"
"Since you came looking for me—you must have already asked around about my competence, right? Naturally. In Zhongpu District, my reputation carries quite a bit of weight."
As she spoke, Tong lifted her chin slightly, doing her absolute best to project the image of a reliable odd-jobs agency representative.
Having handled commissions in Zhongpu District for years, Tong was somewhat of a local fixture—but even if this man was an outsider and had never heard of her, so what?
Wasn't that even better for conning—uh, no, shouldn't she project an air of unshakable confidence so the business wouldn't slip through her fingers?!
"Grumble————"
Just as Tong finished speaking, her stomach—which hadn't eaten all day—refused to give her even an ounce of face.
Embarrassed and flustered, two rosy blushes quietly crept up Tong's cheeks. Yet she forced herself to keep a straight face and remained silent, as if by ignoring it and refusing to admit it, nothing had happened at all.
Watching Tong's reaction, Min Moyou initially wanted to burst out laughing.
"Heh,"
The corners of his lips curled up, but he forcefully suppressed the smile.
Don't ask—asking meant he was terrified of his role-playing progress dropping.
"Heh, carries quite a weight, alright."
"I haven't heard of your reputation, but I certainly heard your stomach growling."
"If you're really that capable... why can't you even afford a proper meal?"
"Not a fan of eating?"
[An overbearing CEO doesn't spare others' feelings; he mercilessly exposes their awkwardness! Congratulations, Host. Overbearing CEO role-playing progress increased by 2%, currently at 12%.]
Tong: It's over! The guy doesn't seem like a complete fool. Has he figured out that I'm all bark and no bite, struggling financially, and trying to drive a hard bargain?! Curse this disobedient stomach! My stomach has ruined me!