Chapter 31

Chapter 31

After finishing the Mirror Abyss dungeon test, Wen Jueqian returned to his office and sat on the sofa for a while.

The news that Aegis and Qiao Yuexun had terminated their contract was confirmed, but he still felt restless.

This unexpected incident made him realize that Qiao Yuexun was not such a simple opponent.

The surveillance from 99 had too many limitations, making it impossible to keep track of Qiao Yuexun's movements in real time.

He desperately needed backup.

He pulled up his optical brain and found someone he had contacted just last week.

Yun: Long time no see. If you're free in the next few days, want to meet up?

The reply came back in two minutes—quick.

Puppet on Strings: OK

Puppet on Strings: Bring Yulan along too

The reply was still terse, didn't even bother with proper punctuation.

Wen Jueqian looked at the nickname "Puppet on Strings," which carried a hint of playfulness, and couldn't help the corner of his mouth curling up.

He didn't reply immediately. Instead, he casually opened the Wild Plains app on his optical brain, the one with the most entertainment gossip.

A splash ad flashed across the screen, and the top trending post had a sensational headline: "EXPOSED! A top celebrity secretly meets a mysterious woman late at night—luxury car drives her back to the same residence."

The account that posted it was called "Melon Group Leader," paired with a few photos suggestive enough to fuel wild theories, letting netizens fill in the gaps and spin an entire drama series.

This account belonged to an MCN agency known in the industry for digging up and exposing scandals—"All Beings Entertainment."

Its founder and CEO was none other than Zou Xingzhu, the person who had just replied to his message.

Zou Xingzhu and Wen Jueqian had been roommates back in their Beichen Private High School days.

Even back in his student days, he had shown an uncanny instinct for information and online traffic.

During university, he started running several self-media accounts focused on celebrity and influencer gossip in his spare time. With sharp commentary, a unique perspective, and a gift for connecting dots from vague leads, he quickly racked up millions of followers.

After graduating, he turned that passion into a career, officially founding "All Beings Entertainment." He transformed from a solo blogger into a behind-the-scenes operator with a network of accounts and a professional team, now firmly planted in the cutthroat entertainment gossip scene.

Over the years, their friendship hadn't cooled despite running in different circles, and they'd stayed in touch.

In that "future," Zou Xingzhu also had a brief role—a "minor pawn" who stood firmly with Wen Jueqian and ultimately saw the bad guys get what they deserved.

One day in the future, a paparazzo from his company, on a routine stakeout, accidentally snapped photos of Qiao Yuexun meeting privately with Wen Yanxu.

Instead of using the photos for profit, he sent them to Wen Jueqian immediately, telling him to "watch out for that star." Later, many of Wen Jueqian's irrational actions—digging up dirt on Qiao Yuexun, trying to pressure him through public opinion—were backed by this friend's scheming and his network of channels.

And because he unhesitatingly stood against Qiao Yuexun, his exposés pissed off people he shouldn't have messed with. His company got hit from all sides, quickly went bankrupt, and was liquidated, and he ended up drowning in debt, meeting a miserable end.

Wen Jueqian closed out of the gossip trending post and went back to the WeChat thread.

Staring at those words—"OK" and "together"—hesitation welled up in him again.

Should he really drag him into this mess?

Even if he suspected that the so-called "future" wasn't the whole picture, the thought of Zou Xingzhu facing a bad ending still nagged at him like a splinter.

Using a friend's intel network and connections to push his own investigation was obviously the fastest route. But would that road just lead his friend straight into danger?

He stood up and walked to the window.

The city lights outside flickered in the night like countless silent eyes, waiting for him to decide.

Finally, he picked up his phone again, typed a reply, and hit send.

Yun: We'll bring Yulan next time. This time, just us two.

—

Wen Jueqian met Zou Xingzhu at a coffee shop.

It was in the Wutong District on the eastern edge of Silver Crown City—a café called "Slowly."

A wind chime dinged softly as Wen Jueqian pushed open the glass door.

The shop was small but nicely decorated.

Zou Xingzhu was already sitting by the window, head down, scrolling on his optical brain.

He was wearing a black hoodie—hood up, he could blend right into a crowd.

Wen Jueqian sat down across from him and asked curiously, "Why'd you pick this place?"

Zou Xingzhu didn't answer, just jerked his chin toward the counter.

Wen Jueqian followed his gaze.

Behind the counter, a young woman stood with her head down, working the espresso machine.

She wore a white shirt with a light-colored apron over it, her hair pinned up loosely with a wooden hairpin.

Her profile was soft, her vibe gentle, and she looked to be in her early twenties.

She was the only barista, and there was just one server on the floor.

Wen Jueqian watched for a few seconds, then turned back to Zou Xingzhu, confused.

Zou Xingzhu leaned in like he was about to share a secret and whispered: "I suspect she's Liang Qingyang's secret girlfriend."

Wen Jueqian was taken aback.

Liang Qingyang—a top-tier Alpha actor in the entertainment industry, thirty-five this year, who'd swept nearly every major TV and film award in the Federation.

Over a decade in the industry, he'd climbed to the very top of the entertainment world, balancing critical acclaim with commercial value.

Even Gu Jingyuan, who'd been on the rise in recent years, had to respectfully call him "senior" in front of him. His fans, who normally bowed to no one, would actually admit their idol wasn't the center of attention when Liang Qingyang was in the same shot—they didn't dare overstep.

Liang Qingyang had always played the single card throughout his career, guarded his privacy fiercely, and had never been tied to any romance rumors.

Zou Xingzhu had even managed to dig up dirt on him.

Wen Jueqian didn't know whether to congratulate him or warn him to watch his back.

"How'd you find out?"

Zou Xingzhu leaned back in his chair, his tone casual: "I found out once when I was tailing him. They came out of the same villa together."

Wen Jueqian glanced toward the bar again.

"Since I couldn't dig anything up on Liang Qingyang's side, I started with this Omega instead," Zou Xingzhu continued. "He's as ordinary as this coffee shop. I don't believe for a second that they're relatives or friends."

His reasoning actually made some sense.

Wen Jueqian looked away from the bar and turned to Zou Xingzhu, his tone growing more serious: "Liang Qingyang has never had a scandal in all these years. Either he's genuinely squeaky clean, or he's got serious backing. If you dig into him, don't end up buried yourself."

But Zou Xingzhu didn't exactly take Wen Jueqian's warning to heart. His line of work was all about stepping on toes, and after all these years, he'd never had a major fall.

"Relax, I know what I'm doing."

Wen Jueqian looked at him and knew that simple advice wouldn't change the way Zou Xingzhu had always operated.

Thinking of his cannon-fodder ending in the book, all he could do was keep a closer eye on him and hit the brakes before he messed with someone he couldn't afford to offend.

The waiter came over with their coffees.

White milk foam sat on top of the brown coffee, shaped into a round head and a simple body—clearly an adorable little weather doll, smiling up at them.

Zou Xingzhu didn't give the cute design a second glance, picked up the cup, took a sip, and looked at Wen Jueqian.

"Alright, Mr. Busy, what did you specifically ask me out for?"

Wen Jueqian hesitated for a moment.

"Have you heard of Qiao Yuexun?"

Zou Xingzhu raised an eyebrow: "I know him. A star at Xingyao. Heard he's recently linked up with Aegis, gaining serious momentum."

Wen Jueqian started to speak, but Zou Xingzhu raised a hand to stop him.

"Don't say anything yet, let me guess." Zou Xingzhu's eyes scanned Wen Jueqian's face, then he asked, "Does he have some connection to Wen Yanxu?"

His thoughts guessed in one try, Wen Jueqian felt a bit deflated.

"Yeah."

Zou Xingzhu leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and wore a "I knew it" expression.

Wen Jueqian offered what he could: "He's 90% compatible with Wen Yanxu, and he helped Wen Yanxu on Jueying Island."

"So," Zou Xingzhu dragged out his words, "because of all that, they're close now, and you're worried your fiancé is about to run off?"

"No." Wen Jueqian was quick to deny it.

Zou Xingzhu looked at him, his eyes practically screaming "Are you sure?"

"Then why do you want to investigate him?"

Wen Jueqian was silent for a few seconds.

"Because he gets to me."

Zou Xingzhu smiled knowingly.

"How the tables have turned." He said teasingly. "Back then, Wen Yanxu was the one keeping an eye on everyone close to you, insanely possessive."

"Who was it back then who complained to me, saying 'I think it's perfectly normal for someone to have friends, why does Wen Yanxu always think everyone has bad intentions toward me'?"

The corner of Wen Jueqian's mouth twitched.

That was the downside of having a friend for too long—he remembered everything, the good and the bad.

Wen Jueqian got serious: "He's different."

"Different how?"

Wen Jueqian chose his words carefully: "I feel threatened by him."

Zou Xingzhu's joking demeanor faded a little, his brow creasing slightly.

"Why? Because his compatibility with Wen Yanxu is high?"

"Yeah. But there's another reason." Wen Jueqian paused. "I can't say."

He expected Zou Xingzhu's endless curiosity to push for more, but Zou Xingzhu just looked at him for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Alright."

"So what does my little Jueqian want me to do? Help you investigate Qiao Yuexun?"

Wen Jueqian nodded.

"OK."

Zou Xingzhu agreed without hesitation. "Anyway, this is what we paparazzi do for a living. Helping you is just a bonus."

"But I have one condition," Wen Jueqian said.

Zou Xingzhu looked at him.

"When investigating Qiao Yuexun, don't go yourself. Whether you send one of your guys or hire someone else, fine—but you can't go yourself."

Wen Jueqian said seriously, "I can cover the costs."

This was the only way he could think of to protect Zou Xingzhu.

In the book, Zou Xingzhu's role as cannon fodder wasn't detailed—just a brief mention of how he ended up.

The direct conflict with Qiao Yuexun happened when he personally went to tail him and got caught red-handed. After that, it was a one-way ticket to the police station, conviction, sentencing, and bankruptcy.

Wen Jueqian had carefully analyzed the limited information available. In the details of Zou Xingzhu's downfall, Qiao Yuexun's presence was faintly visible but never directly exposed.

That was the scariest part—he didn't even need to act personally.

Zou Xingzhu didn't understand why Wen Jueqian was making this request, but he nodded anyway.

"Fine, I'll do what you say."

"Don't worry about the budget," Zou Xingzhu waved his hand.

"I'm the one asking you for a favor," Wen Jueqian said. "You can't refuse."

Zou Xingzhu looked at him, then suddenly smiled.

"Alright then. Money from a wealthy spouse like you—no way I'm turning that down."

Wen Jueqian didn't take the bait.

"So, lunch together this afternoon?" he asked.

Zou Xingzhu shook his head. "I've still got to stake out this spot."

"Aren't you swamped with the Fusheng Realm open beta? We're all busy. Let's hang out another time."

Wen Jueqian knew how he was, so he stood up, preparing to leave.

"Well, take care of yourself."

"Yeah, yeah, so naggy."

Wen Jueqian walked to the door and pushed it open. The wind chime let out another jingle.

A clap of thunder followed.

The rain hit out of nowhere.

Wen Jueqian meant to ask Zou Xingzhu if he'd brought an umbrella.

Before he could speak, the omega who'd suddenly materialized beside him said, "Sir, we lend umbrellas to our guests."

It was the coffee shop owner. Wen Jueqian also picked up a faint jasmine scent from her.

Her pheromone scent matched her—like a flower blooming alone on a windowsill.

Wen Jueqian couldn't help but feel some bias toward her too, like she was from a whole different world than the A-list star.

The owner grabbed an umbrella from the stand by the door and offered it to Wen Jueqian.

Her hand hung in the air for a few seconds before he finally took the umbrella.

"Thanks, I'll return it later."

"Don't mention it."

The beta's stunning face broke into a smile. "The sunshine doll you drew is adorable. Do you guys do delivery?"

The owner seemed taken aback for a moment before replying, "Yes, we do. Add our shop on Xinwei."

She then rushed back to the counter to grab her light device.

They successfully added each other on Xinwei as the rain outside picked up.

"Sir, would you like to sit a while longer and wait for the rain to ease up?"

Wen Jueqian glanced at Zou Xingzhu, who had been quietly observing them all along. "No need, thanks."

With that, he pushed open the door and stepped into the downpour.

The door closed, shutting out the warm yellow light and the aroma of coffee behind him.