The initial preparations for heading to C City were thus completed.
Now, all that was left was to inform Wen Ning.
After all, she was going to be away from Z City for two to three days. If any work came up, Xia Qing Tian felt it was best to let Wen Ning know.
Thinking about Wen Ning's usual tone and attitude, Xia Qing Tian still felt a little apprehensive.
Just as she was pondering how to best broach the subject, Wen Ning called.
"There's a business trip," Wen Ning said. "Tomorrow, we're going to C City for an event with Ling Feng Han, to promote Sui Sui's image. There will be some simple live interaction."
Sui Sui was the virtual idol that Gu's Entertainment was planning to launch.
However, according to the initial schedule, it shouldn't be time for Sui Sui to make an appearance yet.
"Isn't it a bit early to be attending events now?" Xia Qing Tian remembered that during the meeting, they had planned for Sui Sui to make her debut during the New Year's Day period, officially launching alongside Gu's Entertainment's New Year's campaign.
It was only November, more than a month earlier.
"Is it inconvenient for you?" Wen Ning also knew that this matter was indeed somewhat sudden. Unsure if it would conflict with Xia Qing Tian's own schedule, she asked.
Although Wen Ning intended to inquire if Xia Qing Tian had other arrangements, her tone, coupled with Xia Qing Tian's familiar expression of Wen Ning, automatically translated in Xia Qing Tian's mind to: "Do you have an objection?"
This was troublesome; how could she dare to have an objection?
Knowing that Xia Qing Tian had no other arrangements, Wen Ning breathed a sigh of relief. "This is quite sudden. The organizer hasn't arranged the flights and accommodation properly, so we might have to pay upfront. Keep the receipts; the company will reimburse you."
"Additionally, this last-minute business trip will be calculated as overtime, with double pay for the working hours."
"I've already notified Xiao Xiao. I'll have her contact you shortly."
Wen Ning listed everything, and Xia Qing Tian noted it down.
She was also fortunate that this event was during the day, so it wouldn't clash with the auction she was scheduled to attend in the evening.
Moreover, attending with Ling Feng Han was a huge bonus, appearing at an event with her idol was practically hitting the jackpot.
It was also beneficial for completing her system tasks.
Seeing Xia Qing Tian being so compliant, Wen Ning was relieved. After hanging up, she contacted Li Meng Xiao, and then met with Mr. Gu.
"They're moving quite quickly this time," Mr. Gu said with a light chuckle as he sipped his tea.
"It seems Wan Qing Entertainment has their sights set on us," Wen Ning said gravely. "They're not only poaching our people but also targeting our projects."
"It's normal. The market share is only so big. We can't expect to eat meat and not even let others have some soup," Mr. Gu was philosophical about it.
"But our virtual idol project was only established just over a month ago, and all the production is still in its initial stages. For them to target it now, isn't that a bit excessive?" Wen Ning's eyes narrowed, clearly displeased.
For the past two years, Wan Qing Entertainment had been plagiarizing and poaching talent. Mr. Gu, out of consideration for relationships, had turned a blind eye, and Wan Qing Entertainment, knowing they were in the wrong, had only resorted to subtle tactics.
But this time, it was too blatant.
"It's nothing. You and I just need to watch the show," Mr. Gu's lips curved into a subtle smile. Calculating the time, Wan Qing Entertainment was nearing its end.
That matter would likely be exposed soon.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be tearing down the facade and aggressively seeking profit at this juncture.
All their wicked deeds would ultimately lead to their own downfall.
However, since Wan Qing Entertainment had begun preparing for a grand promotional campaign, they must have found a suitable singer for the virtual idol.
At this moment, hurried footsteps sounded. After a knock, Sister Su entered with a troubled expression. "Mr. Gu, the singer I had previously negotiated with has been signed by someone from Wan Qing Entertainment."
She was also puzzled about this.
Normally, the higher-ups were prompt in their actions. Why did the signing process for this singer drag on for so long, giving Wan Qing Entertainment an opportunity to poach her?
She felt that Mo Jia Ning had great potential, with good singing and appearance.
"Is that so?" Mr. Gu's eyes lit up. "I see."
Now, the fish had taken the bait. They were just waiting for the hook to pierce the lips of the big fish, trapping it securely. Only then would it be time to reel it in.
For now, they just had to watch.
Seeing that Mr. Gu had no further comments, Sister Su could only swallow her grievances.
At this moment, Mr. Gu's phone vibrated on the table. Seeing that Mr. Gu was about to answer, Wen Ning and Sister Su tactfully left his office.
After they left, Mr. Gu answered the phone and brought it to his ear. Before he could speak, he heard a pig-like wail from the other end.
"Enemy! Help me!" Bai Yu Qi's cry was quite forceful. "I definitely can't handle the auction tomorrow night alone. Hurry and come support me!"
"..." Mr. Gu moved the phone to a safe distance and raised his hand to rub his temples. "I don't have time."
"Gu Yao Qing, that scoundrel, somehow found out that the Bichrome Eagle-Head Vase is being auctioned in C City. He's clearly trying to snatch it from me! I don't care! You have to help me! You deal with your Gu family's scoundrel yourself!" Bai Yu Qi acted spoiled.
"I'm very busy," Mr. Gu didn't want to get involved and intended to hang up.
"Gu Yao Yang! We have a bond forged in diapers, and you're this heartless? If I don't get that Bichrome Eagle-Head Vase, my old man won't spare me. I've already boasted about it!" Bai Yu Qi said. "Besides, Gu Yao Qing's Wan Qing Entertainment has reached a new low in its cheapness. Don't you want to take this opportunity to slap his face?"
"I heard that Wan Qing Entertainment has also inserted people into the event your artists are attending in C City tomorrow. Yu Lin Wan is personally bringing people. Aren't you afraid your company's people will be bullied? Isn't Ling Feng Han already showing signs of depression? What if they trigger an episode? That's Gu's Entertainment's new money-making tree!"
"Wan Qing Entertainment has also inserted people into tomorrow's event?" Only upon hearing this news did Mr. Gu's brow furrow slightly.
He then thought of Sui Sui's appearance and narrowed his eyes. He was quite looking forward to seeing what would happen tomorrow with Xia Qing Tian present.
"I understand. I'll go to C City tomorrow," Mr. Gu said.
"Okay, it's settled then," Bai Yu Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Don't worry, it won't be for nothing. Next time you want me to investigate something, I'll give you a twenty percent discount!"
After saying this, Bai Yu Qi hung up the phone, happily driving back to the Bai residence.
With Gu Yao Yang in charge, the Bichrome Eagle-Head Vase would not escape his grasp.
The garishly red sports car sped away ostentatiously into the night.