Unraveled

MoLi

Mo Li

Lately, Gu Quan had been overseeing a loan app campaign, specifically ad placements on t****k. With year-end budgets tightening, the workload wasn't heavy, but they still needed steady streams of ad videos. To save on costs, she often booked inexpensive part-time models like Mo Li.

The problem was, clients had started noticing a drop in video quality. They'd complained briefly in the group chat. Gu Quan responded, "Understood, I'll keep a closer eye on the next ones."

She compiled the weekly report, then called a meeting with the operations team and the director. In the cramped conference room, her voice carried louder than usual.

"These are last week's ads. None performed well. I pulled the data—especially these three. None even cleared five thousand in spend. Watch."

She clicked the remote, playing the videos—each featuring the same actress.

The two male operators glanced at each other. Gu Quan asked, "Would these make you want to click and convert?"

A fresh graduate, Gong Sheng, twirled his pen. "I think she's cute. I'd probably click."

The older operator, Yu Guoqing, closer to Gu Quan's age, gave a wry smile. "Sixty percent of our users are men in their thirties and forties. They preferred the busty girl from last month. This one…not so much."

Gu Quan nodded, then looked at the director, Xin Yi.

"Noted," Gu Quan said. "Xin Yi, from now on don't book Mo Li. Look for someone else this week."

She agreed with Yu Guoqing's assessment.

Xin Yi typed quickly, then hesitated, glancing up. "But…Quan-jie, I think Mo Li's actually pretty approachable. The results last week might've been more about the script. I already booked her for this week—maybe let her try one more time?"

The two girls were similar in age and had gotten along quickly. Xin Yi wanted to help her friend keep the job.

Gu Quan shook her head. "Cancel it if it's not shot yet. Nothing personal against her, she's just not the right fit. Scripts matter, but actors make the bigger difference. You know that."

Xin Yi swallowed her frustration. Last week, when she'd shown Gu Quan Mo Li's photos, she'd approved. Now, after only three ads, she wanted to drop her? Where was she supposed to find new talent overnight?

Still, she said nothing, only messaged Mo Li privately, explaining the cancellation.

Mo Li replied with a cute sticker: pat-pat.

It's fine. Another team booked me anyway. We'll still see each other at the shoot.

Xin Yi: Okay, see you tomorrow.

A moment later, Mo Li sent:

I've noticed the other team leads seem friendlier. Poor you, stuck with Quan-jie. I heard she's cold and strict.

Xin Yi: True, but it's just work. She has pressure from above too.

Mo Li: Yeah, I get it. Still, saying I alone didn't work out…it feels like she's picking on me. Maybe she's still upset about what I saw that day. Quan-jie's the type to hold grudges?

Xin Yi blinked, curiosity piqued. What did you see?

Mo Li: Last Tuesday morning, I bumped into her at the pharmacy. She was buying emergency contraception. Didn't she take half a day off that day? Guess she had too much fun the night before and overslept.

Xin Yi's lips twitched as she fought to hide her grin. Inside, though, she was stunned. No way…Quan-jie always said she hasn't dated in years. Single, she claimed.