Song Junhan had lost both his wife and his soldiers today. Not only had he spent a large sum of money, but he had also suffered the greatest humiliation of his life.
He still couldn't bear to recall the looks the staff gave him when he left.
Su Wan had vanished without a trace again.
He had known for a long time that this woman was unreliable. All women were merely stepping stones for him to achieve his own success!
Song Junhan knew that Xia Qingtian would not talk about today's events. After all, the instigator of this matter was the surnamed Miao person by Xia Qingtian's side.
If Xia Qingtian were to reveal this incident and cause a bigger stir, she would eventually be implicated herself.
With "Flower Moon Cherishes Spring" about to air, and with the principle of "the fewer troubles, the better," Xia Qingtian absolutely would not dare to act recklessly.
However, Song Junhan did not want to see Xia Qingtian again in the short term.
He couldn't bear to face Xia Qingtian's contemptuous, hateful, and disdainful gaze. It was too heavy and cruel for Song Junhan.
His pride and his aloofness did not allow him to accept such trampling and humiliation.
Yet, an opportunity lay before him, fleeting and rare. Opportunities were precisely things that were meant to be encountered, not sought.
Now that "Drunken Sword Lovers' Record" had concluded, although the company had other projects in operation, it was becoming increasingly difficult to produce another phenomenal hit drama.
He couldn't wait, nor could he afford to.
This was the only chance for a promotional tie-in with "Flower Moon Cherishes Spring," and Song Junhan could not miss it.
But he absolutely would not approach Xia Qingtian again.
After recuperating for two to three days, Song Junhan felt his body had improved.
He no longer felt that piercing pain these past few days. He had to admit that the surnamed Miao person had some skill.
The thought of Miao Tong telling him that he didn't have much time left to live sent a wave of panic and sorrow through Song Junhan's heart.
His life was still long, his career had just begun, and he was about to enjoy his flowers and applause.
How could he die at this moment!
He was unwilling! His revenge had not yet been exacted, and those who had looked down on him had not yet been crushed beneath his feet. How could he die?
No!
Song Junhan wanted to find Miao Tong, to beg him to think of another solution. There must be a way, no matter the price, he was willing to pay anything, any amount of money. He just wanted to live, to survive!
Unfortunately, Miao Tong had been staying at the Xia family for the past two days due to nausea and vomiting, and had not come out.
Even with Song Junhan's men lying in wait around the Xia family, they couldn't find him.
Unable to find the person, Song Junhan could only fret. Then, his mind shifted, and he had an epiphany!
"It must be that bitch Xia Qingtian!" Song Junhan clenched his fists at his side, his eyes filled with resentment.
It had to be Xia Qingtian!
Xia Qingtian didn't want the surnamed Miao person to save him; she wanted him to suffer and die!
"That venomous woman! Bitch!" Song Junhan gnashed his teeth in anger.
The surnamed Miao person must have been hidden by Xia Qingtian, which was why he couldn't find anyone around the Xia family. It had to be like this.
Biting his lower lip, Song Junhan trembled with anger. He would never let that bitch Xia Qingtian have her way.
Not only would he survive, but he would also become a person of influence!
While the future was uncertain, the present demanded action.
Since Xia Qingtian was obstinate, he might as well bypass her and seek cooperation directly from Gu Corporation.
Even if Xia Qingtian was the biological daughter of Gu Corporation Entertainment, he was confident that he could entice Gu Corporation Entertainment with mutually beneficial interests to "sell their daughter"!
Businessmen pursued profit. He believed that Mr. Gu, such an excellent and successful businessman, would not miss such an opportunity.
Although Song Junhan knew that his career had only just begun to show results, and his entertainment company could not compare to Gu Corporation Entertainment, he still had to maintain a certain bearing. He absolutely could not let Mr. Gu look down on him.
Ideally, there would be an opportunity to showcase himself, to use his talent and strength to unpretentiously forge this cooperation.
After careful consideration, Song Junhan instructed his secretary to contact Gu Corporation Entertainment for a regular appointment, stating that he had a brand-new cooperative project he wished to discuss personally with Mr. Gu.
Gu Yaoyang learned of this news from Assistant Lin and was somewhat surprised: "Song Junhan wants to discuss it with me personally?"
"Yes, the other party's attitude is very sincere and their tone is confident," Assistant Lin replied after a moment's thought. "If Mr. Gu is busy, I can arrange this meeting after you return from Finland."
"No need, let's do it tomorrow," Gu Yaoyang tapped his keyboard with his fingers and saw his entire schedule for tomorrow. "Tomorrow, between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM, there's an hour. Tell them to come on time tomorrow."
"Understood, Mr. Gu." Assistant Lin acknowledged and went to make the arrangements.
After Assistant Lin left, Gu Yaoyang took out his phone and dialed Xia Qingtian's number: "Hello."
"What? Come to brag about your dialing skills again?" Xia Qingtian's lips curled into a teasing smile upon receiving Gu Yaoyang's call. "Are you checking if you're still proficient?"
"Proficient, always very proficient," Gu Yaoyang chuckled. "But this time it's for official business."
"What official business?" Xia Qingtian tapped the iPad presented before her with her fingertips and then gave a thumbs-up to express her opinion.
"Song Junhan said he has a project he wants to discuss with me personally," Gu Yaoyang replied.
Hearing Gu Yaoyang's words, Xia Qingtian's expression stiffened slightly. Then, she smiled apologetically at the person beside her, got up, and moved to the side to continue, "What does he want to discuss with you personally?"
"He mentioned project cooperation, but the specifics are unclear," Gu Yaoyang paused. "I wanted to ask for your opinion."
"Ask me?" Xia Qingtian's gaze shifted. "Mr. Gu, with your many years of navigating the business world, your legendary status, your prodigy status, do you still need to ask my opinion?"
"I want to ask if you want to crush him completely this time, leaving him no chance to rise again, or if you want to play the long game, slowly grinding him down until he has nothing," Gu Yaoyang knew about the past grievances between Xia Qingtian and Song Junhan, so he directly handed the choice over to Xia Qingtian.
If she hadn't seen Song Junhan vomit like an animal before, even hanging on by a thread with no dignity whatsoever.
Then perhaps Xia Qingtian would have chosen the latter, letting Song Junhan slowly savor the pain until he had nothing.
But now, Xia Qingtian didn't want to waste too much time on this garbage. It wasn't worth it. As long as he remained like a pile of mud for the rest of his life, with no chance of recovery, that would suffice: "Let's cut the Gordian Knot then."
"Alright." With Xia Qingtian's answer, Gu Yaoyang had a clear plan in mind.
"Is there anything else?" Xia Qingtian asked.
"Nothing official," Gu Yaoyang replied. "There are many personal matters."
"Please handle personal matters during personal time. Mr. Gu, don't set a bad example by slacking off," Xia Qingtian's lips curved into a faint arc. "That's all."
"I want to try making lotus seed pastries and golden osmanthus red bean soup, and I'm short one taste tester," Mr. Gu said. "I'll have someone pick you up tomorrow evening at seven."
"How do you know I'll definitely come?" Xia Qingtian raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Then will you come?" Mr. Gu asked.
"Tch." Xia Qingtian secretly rolled her eyes and replied, "See you tomorrow night."
Mr. Gu's smile deepened: "See you tomorrow night."
After hanging up the phone, Mr. Gu felt fully motivated. Working overtime tonight would be absolutely fine.