Chapter 27: A Tiny Ant Trying to Shake a Big Tree

Chapter 27: The Ant Dares to Shake the Tree

The hot searches exploded again, and the central figure was still Chu Yan.

Netizens were fed up. Was there no end to this? He trended every other day. Clearly a nobody from the Z-list—where did he get the nerve to keep chasing fame like this?

Fortunately, this time the trending topic was different: Chu Yan had been terminated by Chu's Entertainment.

Shouldn’t everyone be celebrating?

This fake rich kid had finally burned through his luck, turning a guaranteed success into a total disaster. He’d spent eighteen years in the wealthy Chu family yet learned nothing of value. Instead, he shamelessly chased after a man like a desperate simp. Now that his fortune had run out, his wealthy fiancé had dumped him, and the Chu family had kicked him out. Chu Yan was completely ruined.

The moment Chu's Entertainment released the termination statement, public opinion turned overwhelmingly mocking. The internet erupted in cheers. Moreover, Chu's Entertainment explicitly stated that Chu Yan’s participation in *Rebirth Challenge* was entirely his personal decision and had nothing to do with the company.

This implied that Chu Yan had angered Chu's Entertainment by secretly signing onto *Rebirth Challenge*, resulting in his forced termination. It also indirectly suggested that Chu's Entertainment had no confidence in such an obscure, unsupported variety show.

So the question arose: What future could a show possibly have after being blacklisted by an industry giant like Chu's Entertainment?

Chu's Entertainment’s move seemed like a death sentence for the show. Who would dare join now, knowing they might offend Chu's and risk their entire career? Even if the show miraculously became popular, wouldn’t it face a quiet industry ban later?

While outsiders gleefully mocked Chu Yan for digging his own grave, industry insiders noted how ruthless the Chu family was—they were throwing their adopted son under the bus.

Chu's Entertainment issued the termination statement the same night Chu Yan left the Chu family. Immediately afterward, a tidal wave of insults and ridicule pushed him to new heights of infamy. Every one of his social media accounts was flooded with hate.

"The Chu family doesn’t want you anymore. Your dream of being part of a wealthy family is over—serves you right."

"Nineteen years of stealing someone else’s life—karma’s a bitch. What was taken must be returned."

"A simp ends up with nothing. How could Young Master Fu, a golden boy, ever fall for a cheap imitation like you? Chu Yan, if you don’t own a mirror, just look at your reflection in a puddle of urine."

"Nowadays, any trash can appear on a show? And a whole pile of trash at that. Is this show just a dumpster fire? If I end up watching it, I’ll eat shit upside down."

"LOL, a street rat sneaking into a palace. A pheasant will never become a phoenix—fakes stay fake. How does it feel to be kicked out of high society?"

...

The endless barrage of insults and mockery nearly buried Chu Yan’s comment sections. Yet, he remained surprisingly calm.

This was expected. In truth, Chu Yan wasn’t worried about the hate—he was worried about the Chu family pulling strings behind the scenes. For a young, unknown director with no backing, this could end his career.

Chu Yan remembered clearly the scornful, dark expressions on the Chu family’s faces when he refused Chu Yi’s arrangements and decisively signed the termination contract.

"Hah," Chu Hongrun had scoffed, watching Chu Yan’s determination as if it were a joke. He even laughed out loud. "Cutting ties with the Chu family? That’s not naivety—that’s pure stupidity."

"He’s got some nerve, huh? How bold," Chu’s wife sneered. "The Chu family raised you for eighteen years for nothing. Hah, ‘cutting ties’? Without the Chu family, you’re nothing. What gives you the right to act so tough? I see now—you’re just resentful and trying to force us to compromise, aren’t you?"

"You’re being childish. This isn’t a game—you can’t handle the consequences." She fake-cried. "After all we’ve done for you, you want to cut ties? You really know how to break your mother’s heart."

Chu Shuo was the most blunt. "What kind of bullshit ‘backbone’ is this, Mom? He’s just having a meltdown, playing games. Didn’t you learn your lesson with Fu Hongan? Be careful, or you’ll lose more than you gain. Not everyone’s qualified to play that game. Let me tell you—you only matter if you have weight. And you? You’re a nobody."

"With your terrible acting, who besides our company would even want you? And if you really cut ties with us, I guarantee no one in the industry will dare touch you. Try it if you don’t believe me."

Chu Shuo looked like he was just waiting for Chu Yan to come crawling back, broken and humiliated. His contempt had never wavered—he knew exactly how worthless this waste was. Aside from his face, Chu Yan had nothing.

Chu Xiu Yi, however, feigned concern. "Chu Yan, are you doing this out of spite? Stop making a scene. We’re family—why air our drama like this?"

The Chu family thought they had it all figured out. To them, Chu Yan’s defiance was laughably childish. He had no idea how powerful the Chu family truly was.

Even Chu Yi disapproved, convinced Chu Yan was just throwing a tantrum.

"Let him cut ties if he wants," Chu Shuo said, though he was certain Chu Yan wouldn’t dare. "Just don’t come crying back to us later. Even if you beg on your knees, I won’t lift a finger."

"The Chu family sheltered you too well all these years," Chu Yi sighed.

Despite everything, facing such a family still cut Chu Yan deeply. But he remained calm, signed the papers, thanked them for their years of care, and left without a second glance.

From then on, they were done. He believed the original Chu Yan would’ve supported this choice—after all, the moment he stepped out of the Chu household, he felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Chu Hongrun had said, "Without the Chu family, you won’t survive a day."

Chu Yi had said, "I’ll wait for you to come to your senses. We’re brothers—if you admit you were wrong, I’ll give you another chance."

Chu Yan said nothing. He simply walked away without looking back.

So the online hate didn’t bother him. What worried him was the Chu family sabotaging *Rebirth Challenge*.

Sure enough, Chu Yan soon received a call from Liao Jian. Strictly speaking, Liao Jian was an employee of Chu's Entertainment—now that Chu Yan was terminated, he was no longer his agent. But given the suddenness of the situation, Liao Jian was still handling Chu Yan’s affairs.

"Chu Yan, get ready."

"What’s wrong, bro?"

Though he’d anticipated the worst, Chu Yan’s heart still sank.

"Chu's is pressuring Director Wang. *Rebirth Challenge* might get canceled."

Of course.

Chu Yan took a deep breath. Chu Yi had warned him not to act like an ant trying to shake a tree. But having lived two lives, he just wanted to live freely now—no more choking on their bullshit.

So what? He’d shake it anyway.

If he died trying, so be it. At least he’d go out satisfied.

With that, Chu Yan dropped onto the couch.

"If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I’ve thought it through—worst case, they pay me compensation. I only earn 300,000 per episode. If they pay tenfold, I’d cash in big without lifting a finger. Sweet."

After a pause, Liao Jian said reluctantly, "There’s a chance… you might be the one paying compensation."

"Bullshit!" Chu Yan shot up like a zombie rising. "Why?!"

"Because Chu's is pressuring the show over you. Meaning, you’re the reason for the breach. So you’d owe the show tenfold compensation. And if the whole project collapses, you’d owe even more—way beyond what you can imagine."

Chu Yan: "..."

F*cking capitalists. So this was the power of a giant. The Chu family didn’t even need to lift a finger—just a stance could steamroll anyone.

"They blame me, so it’s my fault? I say it’s the show’s incompetence. They approached me first. Now they’re too scared of Chu's to proceed—how’s that my problem? I did nothing. I refuse to accept this."

"If I can’t pay, they can sue me."

Chu Yan had thought the worst outcome would be *Rebirth* getting canceled. He still had a few million saved—he could skip the mansion and luxury car. But he hadn’t expected to owe the show compensation. Tenfold? His savings wouldn’t cover it, let alone if the entire project collapsed and they dumped it all on him.

No way in hell was he taking the blame. Not a damn penny.

"Chu Yan," Liao Jian said gravely, "the company’s making me negotiate termination with the show. Reading between the lines, the Chu family wants you to bow down."

"If you cave, the termination should go smoothly. At least the show won’t suffer. But if you keep pushing back… this won’t end well. You might really owe the show a mountain of money."

In any case, whether Chu Yan yields or not, he absolutely won’t be able to join *Rebirth Challenge* anymore.

"Chu Yan, maybe you should just give in to the Chu family. A smart man knows when to back down."

Liao Jian played the mediator, but in reality, he had just been chewed out by his superior. The contract with *Rebirth* had been approved by the company, even enthusiastically, since Chu Yan was already infamous as the fake heir, and the Chu family’s attitude toward him was obvious. The company figured the Chu family wouldn’t care about Chu Yan, which was why they agreed to the deal. But now that blame was being assigned, all the blame got dumped on Liao Jian, the agent.

The company made it clear: Liao Jian was to persuade Chu Yan—first, to cave to the Chu family, and second, to break the contract with *Rebirth*. Ideally, both should be achieved. If Liao Jian failed, he’d get the boot from Chu's Entertainment.

Liao Jian didn’t tell Chu Yan any of this. He felt Chu Yan’s recent changes made it hard for him to push further.

Chu Yan, no stranger to how people flip-flop, could easily guess.

"Bro, is the company riding you?"

"It’s nothing. Even if they are, it doesn’t matter. I’ve just been coasting at the company these past two years anyway."

But Chu Yan felt guilty. The reason Liao Jian had become a deadweight was because of the original host. He had wanted to prove himself, but now Liao Jian’s career might be ruined because of him.

"Sorry, bro. I got you into this mess."

"Don’t say that."

"But I still want to fight the termination," Chu Yan refused to back down. "I’ll publicly cut ties with the Chu family online later. From then on, I’m done with them."

"Bro, I won’t turn back, and I won’t yield. I’m sorry."

The Chu family was certain Chu Yan wouldn’t dare do this and was still waiting for him to come crawling back. But he was determined to stand his ground.

"As for *Rebirth*, I’ll agree to terminate the contract, but I refuse to pay compensation. I did nothing wrong—the Chu family’s actions have nothing to do with me."

Chu Yan was firm. At worst, they could take him to court. Fortunately, he had gotten 50 million from both the Chu and Fu families—that was his current safety net. Though, from now on, he might really have to live like a bum.

The only thing Chu Yan feared was that, once broke, his A-list model might ditch him for another sugar daddy.

The thought nearly had him tearing up.

So before posting on Weibo, Chu Yan sent his male model a message.

Chu Yan: "If I go bankrupt and end up buried in debt, would you dump me for another sugar daddy?"

Unexpectedly, his model replied instantly.

Nine Million: "Of course. But you could always become a male model like me. The money’s great."

Chu Yan: "..."

How could someone with a perfectly warm 98.6°F mouth say something so cold?