Chapter 66

Chapter 66

"...So, the company's decision stands as is."

After stammering through the company's decision, agent Brother Wang found his back soaked in cold sweat, feeling as though he might be torn apart by the man's sharp, knife-like glare.

You gotta hand it to Chairman Li—just sitting there silent, he radiated this huge presence.

Especially now, with his expression exceptionally stern, it was downright terrifying.

Though the two were not in a superior-subordinate relationship, Wang couldn't help but shrink his neck and speak meekly as he talked.

"Song Nian got the role fair and square. If there was any favoritism, wouldn't the company know it?"

After hearing his words, Li Yanchuan let out a cold laugh, but when he looked up, there was no humor in his eyes at all.

"Of course we know, but still, the production team's attitude remains unclear. If they choose Quan Mingjun, our clarification will only backfire."

Wang forced a sheepish grin and explained, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.

"Did the company reach out to the production team right away?"

"Well... I suppose we haven't been able to reach them yet."

His vague answer left it unclear whether they just couldn't get through or the company never even bothered to try. Sensing Chairman Li's increasingly grave tone, Wang grew even more flustered, sneaking a desperate look at Song Nian.

Unfortunately, Song Nian, sitting on the sofa, paid him no heed, deliberately ignoring him and focusing on eating his food.

—Since Li Yanchuan had said he could rely on him completely, Song Nian decided to leave the matter entirely in his hands.

Besides, he was already annoyed by the company's and his agent's decisions, so he decided out of sight, out of mind, and just washed his hands of it, happy to watch them squirm.

"If I recall correctly, the normal procedure would be to have the PR department control the narrative, find out who's pulling the strings, and simultaneously reach out to the production team to seek cooperation."

As he spoke, Li Yanchuan slowly lifted his teacup and took a sip.

"Yeah, yeah, that's right."

Wang echoed with an awkward smile.

"So what step has your company actually taken so far?"

"Well, we..."

The sharp question hit him like a dart, leaving him speechless. Despite his naturally slick nature, under his intense pressure, he didn't dare pull any fast ones.

Watching him desperately scramble for excuses, Li Yanchuan let out a cold laugh deep in his throat.

The next second, he hurled the teacup to the floor. Shards of porcelain flew everywhere with a loud, sharp crash.

The sudden sound exploded in the room, making everyone freeze.

Except Song Nian.

Because before he did that, Li Yanchuan's hand had already moved from Song Nian's shoulder to cover his ears.

Of course, the assistant was startled for a second but quickly snapped out of it, adjusting his glasses, a sly glint in his eyes.

—Uh-oh, you're done for. The boss hasn't been this angry in a long time.

Just wait for the sky to fall.

"So this is how you protect your artists?"

His tone suddenly rose, and Li Yanchuan's scolding voice boomed in the agent's ears, making him shake even harder.

"When others smear your artist, you do nothing? You just let him get cyber-bullied and call it 'bad publicity is still publicity'?"

"Chairman Li, please calm down. You know that behind Quan Mingjun is Qu Liang and the entire Qu family. Our company can't handle going toe-to-toe with them."

Only the Li family could go up against them.

The hint was pretty obvious.

He meant: to resolve this crisis, the people we'd have to offend are beyond our reach. Chairman Li, if you're so capable, why not give us a hand?

He hadn't originally considered this—I mean, Li Yanchuan was never like other sugar daddies, paving the road and throwing money at Song Nian before. He seemed never to have supported him before.

But who knew he'd actually care so much about this? Since that was the case, why not borrow his strength?

As a seasoned figure in the business world, Li Yanchuan naturally caught the underlying message.

"So you want Li Corp to step in, right?"

He smirked.

"Yeah, yeah! You're clever as always."

Wang flashed a fawning grin.

Just when he thought his plan worked, Li Yanchuan suddenly leaned back against the sofa and added in a slow and deliberate tone:

"For Song Nian, I'll definitely step in."

"So I don't need you or the company anymore."

Don't need us?

What did that mean?

While Wang stood frozen in shock, wondering if he had misheard, the assistant, catching his boss's look, turned the laptop on his lap so the screen faced Wang.

He squinted—there on the screen was a termination letter.

"Chairman Li, what does this mean?"

"It means I'm gonna have Song Nian break his contract with you."

Li Yanchuan wiped off his smile and said coldly.

"A company that can't protect its artists has no reason to keep him. My lawyer will come to your company tomorrow to sort out the details."

"But if he leaves the company, how's he gonna get that script? And breaking the contract means paying a penalty!"

Sweating profusely, Wang jumped up, his voice rising in panic, never having expected such a move.

"First, don't think I don't know the contract hasn't been signed yet. When the time comes, we'll negotiate with the production team under a new company's name—you don't need to worry about that."

"Second, that little penalty? I couldn't care less."

When he was done speaking, Li Yanchuan narrowed his eyes a little, let out a contemptuous snort, and looked dismissive.

"The paltry resources you provided are not even as good as what I gave him in the early days."

Early resources?

Hearing this, Brother Wang was taken aback. After a moment of thought, he quickly realized why Song Nian had so many good resources coming his way in the early stages.

He had put it down to luck, but it turned out Chairman Li had been quietly supporting him all along, not ignoring him at all.

Realizing his mistake too late, he had no choice but to turn to Song Nian and appeal to his emotions:

"Song Nian, considering the company's support and our time together, are you really going to terminate the contract?"

"I'll just do what my husband says."

Song Nian put down his bowl without looking up, completely unmoved by the emotional blackmail.

No wonder when he was resting upstairs earlier, Li Yanchuan had specifically asked about his thoughts on the current company.

Honestly, he hadn't really liked the agency he had signed with.

From Brother Wang's early attitude to the nonstop job offers after his TV series became popular, it was clear this wasn't a suitable platform.

Probably getting that answer, Li Yanchuan had made the decision to terminate the contract for him.

Cancel it, then. He believed Li Yanchuan wasn't acting on impulse but had carefully thought it over.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder—so those early resources were secretly prepared by Li Yanchuan. No wonder the difference between early and later periods was so stark.

He had done all that secretly without telling him. Feeling a warmth inside him, Song Nian leaned over and rested against him, like a clingy little puppy.

"B-but if you leave the company, who will provide you with all that training?"

Brother Wang persisted, unwilling to give up.

"That's not your problem anymore."

Li Yanchuan carefully and gently took a tissue to wipe the corner of Song Nian's mouth, then turned his head to look at him, his expression instantly turning cold.

"What I give him will be the best there is."

Whether it was resources or anything else, he would prepare the best for him.

Because only the best was worthy of his Song Nian.

——

After Brother Wang reluctantly left with the termination letter, the sharp assistant quickly excused himself.

Only the two of them were left in the living room.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Song Nian poked his arm, pressing for answers about the resources.

Thinking he was asking about the contract termination, Li Yanchuan explained:

"Staying with this company wouldn't be good for your development. They have the wrong vision for you. It's better to start fresh with a new platform."

"I'm not talking about that. I mean you secretly helped me—gave me resources—why didn't you say anything?"

"I was afraid it would make you feel pressured. Besides, I love seeing you come home happy after work."

You can't hide whether you like something or not. Every time Song Nian came home after work, he was tired but happy, his eyes sparkling, softening everyone's heart.

This feeling of being cared for and valued was sweeter than honey. Song Nian felt inexplicably shy and gently nuzzled his head against the man's chest.

"Do you want to go to Qi Ze's company?"

Li Yanchuan suddenly asked.

Qi Ze's company?

The biggest and most powerful entertainment company in the industry? Canyu Entertainment?

Hearing this, Song Nian's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Qi Ze has wanted you at his company for a long time. This could be the perfect stepping stone."

In fact, Li Yanchuan had considered setting up a personal studio for Song Nian, but after thinking it over carefully, he figured signing with Qi Ze was a better move.

Though happy about the better platform, Song Nian deflated again when he remembered the liquidated damages Brother Wang had mentioned.

Seeing this, Li Yanchuan rubbed his head to lift his spirits:

"Don't worry about anything. Just focus on preparing for your scenes. Leave the rest to me."

Whether it was the penalty, the production team, or the internet backlash—he would handle everything.

Song Nian only needed to keep his eyes sparkling like stars and focus on the career he loved most.

——

Various forces were stirring in the dark, waiting for dawn to make their move.

But the first to act was Quan Mingjun.

At the center of the storm, he unexpectedly started a livestream for his fans.

"Hello, everyone... Why am I livestreaming? Don't read into it—it's just a pre-arranged schedule by the company. Nothing more to it."

Looking at the questions in the live chat, Quan Mingjun put on his usual professional smile and greeted his fans.

His words seemed to explain but actually pushed the fans to think a certain way.

—Deliberately arranged? What a coincidence! Our poor Bro must have been wronged and can only express it this way!

"Today's livestream is just a casual chat. If you have questions, drop them in the comments and I'll answer."

Sure enough, as he finished, the questions flooding the chat were all about the movie incident.

"Fan A: Bro, is it true that Song Nian stole your role by buying his way in?"

"Ah, how should I put it? I respect every decision the production team makes. The director and others must have their reasons when selecting cast. I'll keep polishing my acting skills in the future."

His words were loaded with hints. After a pause, Quan Mingjun added,

"Everyone, please stop spreading rumors like this. It's bad for both of us."

These words seemed to simply explain the issue, but were ambiguous, neither clearly denying the rumors nor stating the truth.

His tone was passive-aggressive, ostensibly guiding fans not to spread falsehoods, but in reality, he was prompting them to read between the lines, playing the part of a muzzled victim.

With this highly manipulative casual live stream, the roles suddenly shifted—fans became instigators, spontaneously seeking justice for their idol.

Meanwhile, Quan Mingjun morphed into the so-called rational mediator and the underdog.

Just as he was secretly delighted, his agent outside the live stream's camera changed expression, becoming as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. After a long hesitation, he steeled himself and stepped forward with a phone in hand.

"Haven't I told you not to bother me?"

Quan Mingjun frowned in displeasure and tsk-tsked.

"S-something big has happened. Turn off the live stream right now."

The agent hurriedly showed the phone screen to him, and warned in a low, urgent voice.

"Director Zhao just released a statement taking Song Nian’s side! And he's also released the audition footage!"