"Don't you know?" Jiang Tu gritted his teeth.
Anyone could see Xie JinYi's feelings for Wen TingXue!
How could she not help Yu WenLi?!
"Then," the agent's head ached, "what do we do? She has Song ChengLu behind her, and it's not easy for us to make a move."
"If it's not easy, can't you find a way to make it work?!" Jiang Tu angrily overturned the tea table. "Do I have to teach you everything? Then what do I keep you for?!"
The agent dared not speak.
"What's wrong?" Mo YiChen pushed the door open, saw the mess, and raised an eyebrow. "You go out first."
The agent quickly left.
Jiang Tu dejectedly tugged at his tie and sat down. "Why are you here?"
"In such a bad mood?" Mo YiChen sat down beside him with a smile.
He reached out and patted Jiang Tu's spread-out thigh, soothing him. "Calm down, it's not a big deal."
Jiang Tu opened his mouth to say something, then lowered his eyes and saw the gauze on Mo YiChen's hand, frowning. "You're injured? Who did it?"
"It's not important," Mo YiChen withdrew his hand, casually brushing it off. "Let's talk about something else."
Although collaborating with Fu YuChuan was his own choice, driven by his ambition for fame and fortune, he deserved it.
Yet, every time he was humiliated to the point of being unable to lift his head, he would regret his initial recklessness.
At the same time, it further fueled his hatred for Yu WenLi.
If it weren't for him, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
Therefore, if he couldn't have a good time, Yu WenLi shouldn't either!
A flash of resentment flickered in his eyes, but Jiang Tu didn't notice, assuming it was an accidental injury. He casually offered a few words of concern.
Mo YiChen didn't need it, but he still responded with a smile.
Then he asked, "Are you planning to deal with Xie JinYi?"
"Mmm," bringing this up annoyed Jiang Tu. "But she's Song ChengLu's girl. Although the Song and Jiang families are not on good terms, there's no major conflict on the surface. Now that the Xiao family has suddenly returned, and the other three families are banding together, I can't afford to clash with him at this time."
Jiang Tu was impulsive and brainless, but he was clear-headed when it came to family matters.
Mo YiChen admired this about him.
"Then we won't confront Song ChengLu directly."
"Are you kidding me?" Jiang Tu thought he was talking nonsense. "Song ChengLu dotes on her like his own eye. He's even declared in the industry that Xie JinYi is his future wife. How can I make a move on her without clashing with Song ChengLu?"
"There's always a way," Mo YiChen said, pouring wine with a smile.
The fiery liquid went down his throat, and Jiang Tu calmed down a bit. "Do you really have a way?"
He meant a way to bypass Song ChengLu.
Mo YiChen took a sip and said lightly, "Do you know what she did to Wen TingXue in high school?"
"What?" Jiang Tu hadn't paid attention to Wen TingXue.
Or rather, after the kidnapping incident last time, he had given up the idea of dealing with Wen TingXue.
After all, he wanted Yu WenLi to be of use to him.
Instead of completely offending him.
Wen TingXue was Yu WenLi's beloved. If he truly hurt her, Yu WenLi would not only refuse to write songs for him but would also fight him to the death.
This was not what Jiang Tu wanted.
Mo YiChen took a voice recorder from his pocket and pressed play.
A cacophony of voices poured out, very noisy.
Jiang Tu frowned instinctively, about to complain, when he clearly heard a voice say, "You mean Xie JinYi? That girl is ruthless. She not only schemed against her friends but didn't even let her own father off!"
The rest was unnecessary to hear.
Mo YiChen pressed pause.
Jiang Tu looked up. "What do you mean?"
Mo YiChen said, "When Wen TingXue first came to Jiangcheng High School, she experienced some bullying. Xie JinYi was not only her only playmate at the time but also the mastermind behind this bullying."
Jiang Tu's expression cracked for a moment. "She's that manipulative?"
"This was gathered from her relatives. It was a big fuss at the time. If you get reporters to investigate now, you might uncover more inside information."
Mo YiChen reminded him with a smile.
"I'll arrange it immediately." Jiang Tu picked up his phone and went to the window.
He made a series of calls.
Mo YiChen slowly poured himself more wine.
He knew that as long as negative news was released, regardless of whether it was true or false, Xie JinYi wouldn't be able to win the Weibo Popularity King this week.
If she couldn't win, it meant that in the final episode, which would be decisive, Xie JinYi wouldn't be able to participate!
The one who could go must be his person!
*
On the last two days of the month, Song You called and said there was a dinner party, asking her to get ready, and he would pick her up later.
Wen TingXue was so sleepy that her voice was groggy.
"Next time, I just want to sleep today."
Song You paused for a moment, then said helplessly, "It's really unavoidable. Director Xu specifically asked you to come."
Wen TingXue rolled over. "Director Xu? Which Director Xu?"
Song You listened to the rustling sounds from the other end and deliberately slowed down his tone, saying slowly, "International acclaimed director, Xu Shoucheng."
Oh.
Xu Shoucheng.
"Xu Shoucheng?!"
Wen TingXue sat up instantly. "The big shot that even the school can't invite?!"
The Academy of Fine Arts also had a directing major. Xu Shoucheng was a renowned director both domestically and internationally. His films were not only vivid and three-dimensional but also filled with stories, with every frame pulsating with life.
He was the kind of director whose works you could watch endlessly without getting tired, and always discover something new.
Therefore, the school had repeatedly invited him to give lectures at the Academy of Fine Arts.
However, he was always busy filming and unable to spare the time, declining almost every time.
"Yes," Song You knew she would react this way and stepped on the brakes with a smile. "He's directing the sci-fi film this time, and I heard that the poster hasn't been assigned to any company yet."
Meaning, why aren't you rushing to try and get it?
There was a commotion at the door. Wen TingXue knew Xu Shoucheng had arrived.
There were too many people trying to curry favor, so she and Song You were too lazy to join the crowd and stood by watching.
The man who was ushered in, nearly fifty, was lean despite his simple three-piece suit, which looked a little loose on him.
But he was in good spirits, his phoenix eyes still bright, and when he looked at people, it was easy to feel shy.
Wen TingXue felt that way now.
"Mr. Xu?"
She had never met him and couldn't gauge his temperament.
She also didn't know why he was staring at her so intently.
Song You stepped forward, blocking his gaze, and introduced, "Director Xu, this is the designer I mentioned, Wen TingXue."
"I know."
Xu Shoucheng smiled and walked up to Wen TingXue, extending his hand. "Hello, I'm Xu Shoucheng. We've met before."
"?"
The handshake paused.
Meeting the little girl's bewildered eyes, Xu Shoucheng chuckled. "Old Mrs. Han's birthday banquet."
"Ah," Wen TingXue didn't really remember him, but she smiled along.
Xu Shoucheng saw this, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
"Sit down."
He released her hand and led her to the main seat.
There were many influential figures present, and Wen TingXue dared not sit next to him, intending to decline. He said, "Just sit here. No one will dare to say anything."
"..."
So arrogant.
After everyone was seated, Xu Shoucheng slowly poured himself some water. Many people around him were trying to strike up a conversation.
He occasionally responded, but most of the time, he was talking to Wen TingXue.
Gradually, everyone began to look at her more seriously.
"Qiu Rui said you're very good at designing posters?"
Xu Shoucheng asked casually.
The topics were quite scattered.
Fortunately, Wen TingXue could keep up. "Mmm, I've assisted with designs a few times."
"Assisted?" Xu Shoucheng raised an eyebrow. "Why did I hear that you designed them yourself?"
"..."
"Don't be too modest. It's good to have ability," Xu Shoucheng said with a knowing smile.
Wen TingXue couldn't quite respond to him, but she really wanted to secure him as a major client.
So, she was a bit reserved and didn't know what to say, only managing to smile along.
"I happen to have a movie coming out. Will you design the poster for it? If it's good, I'll collaborate with you in the future."
Business, to him, was as casual as eating.
Wen TingXue was stunned for a few seconds before realizing, and quickly thanked him for his trust.
Someone in the crowd egged her on to have a drink.
She didn't know how, but if she could collaborate with him, she was prepared to give it her all.
As her hand reached for the wine glass, Xu Shoucheng covered it with his hand, his expression indifferent. "What is a child drinking alcohol for? Just pour it for me."
His protectiveness was so obvious.
Not only Wen TingXue was stunned, but everyone else present was also curious.
Xu Shoucheng held a high international status, and his abilities and methods were evident.
The number of men and women who wanted to climb into his bed was countless.
He was also mostly accommodating and generous with his handouts.
This was well-known in the industry.
There were not a few people younger than Wen TingXue, but she was definitely the first to receive such favoritism from him.
The key was that they had no prior connection.
How could Xu Shoucheng treat her so well?
Everyone couldn't figure it out.
Wen TingXue didn't understand either.
After all, the muddier the water, the greater the profits.
Xie JinYi looked at the continuously rising popularity, her expression so cold it could form frost.
"Still can't get through?" she asked in a low voice.
Clearly, she was already infuriated.
The agent clicked her tongue irritably. "Why did you have to argue with him a few days ago? Now that something has happened, he's surely waiting for you to beg him! Why would he answer my calls?"
"Then stop calling!"
Xie JinYi casually overturned the stack of documents on the table, and the assistant and secretary quickly crouched down to pick them up.
The agent realized she had said the wrong thing, pursed her lips, and stepped forward to comfort her. "YiYi, you know how stubborn Young Master Song can be. How can he be ruthless with you? Doesn't he just want you to soften up?
"If you ask me, this matter is not small, and you definitely can't suppress it by yourself. How about you dress up and go see him, humble yourself, and beg a little?
"Given how much he likes you, he'll definitely handle things perfectly!"
The agent's words were not unknown to Xie JinYi.
But she just didn't want to.
She didn't love Song ChengLu and didn't want to be Mrs. Song.
What she wanted, from beginning to end, was power in her hands.
But Song ChengLu wanted to cage her, to be his canary!
"You all go out first."
"Then you..." the agent tested her with a look.
Touching the coldness on her brow, she quickly left with the assistant and secretary.
The office door closed, and Xie JinYi rubbed her face.
With a final try, she dialed Song ChengLu's number.
The first three calls were hung up. On the fourth, he finally answered after a long ring.
What came from the receiver first was not Song ChengLu's voice, but a woman's seductive voice.
And not just one.
Xie JinYi's lips curled into a cold smile. She knew Song ChengLu was doing this on purpose.
Every time they argued, he would use this trick to anger her.
But she didn't love him, so how could she get angry about this?
All her jealousy was an act, just to tease him.
Now she didn't want to play along, so she felt no emotion, just waited for him to speak.
Both sides waited, and Song ChengLu couldn't stand it and spoke first.
"What do you want?" he asked coldly.
Clearly dissatisfied with her lack of jealousy.
Xie JinYi lit a cigarette and retorted, "Don't you know?"
Hearing the click of the lighter, Song ChengLu's brow furrowed, and he chided, "Didn't I tell you not to smoke? Why don't you listen?"
"Oh," Xie JinYi replied lazily. "Then, Mr. Song, in what capacity are you asking me now?"
They had broken up.
Even though it was said in anger.
But in Xie JinYi's mind, they were over.
If it weren't for the situation online, she wouldn't even have made this call.
"Xie JinYi!" Song ChengLu gritted his teeth and yelled at her. "Have I been giving you too much face lately?"
Clearly, she was arm in arm with other men, drinking and chatting, and he couldn't even get angry?
A few words and she thought she was the best, even daring to mention breaking up with him!
"I'll explain one last time. He's my client. I accompanied him to dinner and helped him to the hotel. That's all I should have done."
Xie JinYi calmly reasoned with him. "Song ChengLu, from the first day I met you, I told you that the wealth and status I want are not obtained by depending on others, but earned by myself."
Song ChengLu sneered. "The few pennies you earn are not as much as what I can get from sleeping with you for one night!"
His words were filled with disdain.
Xie JinYi chuckled. "So, in your heart, I'm just a slut?"