“Why should Jing Yuan’s fans demand Nie Luo forgive him? Did he apologize? No. All I see is him playing the victim and shirking responsibility. Did Nie Luo get compensated? No. The company dumped all the blame on the agent and did nothing. So what exactly did Nie Luo get that requires him to apologize?”
Fan Qing typed with emphasis and dramatic flair, accompanied by heavy keyboard taps.
He couldn’t help glancing at Jin Yi, who was furiously buried in his computer, simultaneously acting as a “comment army” and making odd noises.
He paused.
Was this punishment for Jin Yi or for himself?
…Never mind.
As long as Jin Yi didn’t remember all those parties he’d agreed to, let him be.
Just then, Jin Yi bolted back.
A “piggy sprint” style entrance.
“Fan Qing, can I log into my account to back up Lao Nie?”
Fan Qing slowly typed a question mark.
“…You’re asking me?”
Seriously?
Jin Yi also typed out a question mark.
“Shouldn’t I ask you first?”
Fan Qing was slightly at a loss for words.
Sure, it would have been better to ask first.
But… Jin Ershao, do you even remember who the real boss of the company is?
…Never mind.
Since he had that awareness on his own, it wasn’t exactly a bad thing.
Fan Qing nodded.
“Okay.”
“Yay—!”
Jin Yi was about to dash back to his seat when Fan Qing added one last thing in time.
“Just remember, you are the face of the company.”
“I know, I know.”
Jin Yi grinned ear to ear and immediately threw himself into his new mission.
His previous “comment army” accounts had been countered by Jing Yuan’s fans, and he had been furious.
Especially when someone called him a paid shill—that he absolutely could not tolerate!
“Fan Qing, Nie Luo’s side has started taking action.”
An employee, who had been tracking online activity, waved excitedly.
“Let me see.”
Fan Qing took two swift steps forward, slightly leaning over.
The employee instinctively flinched, his gaze inadvertently brushing over Fan Qing’s collar.
…In this day and age, someone actually buttoned their shirt all the way to the top?
Nie Luo had indeed started making moves.
Fan Qing’s manipulation of public opinion had given them a perfect opening.
Previously, they had worried that public sentiment might not favor Nie Luo, but Fan Qing had just ripped a hole in the discourse, giving them a way in.
Nie Luo’s team began formally pressing the company.
First, they declared that the company had not engaged in substantive communication with them. Then they exposed the truth behind the so-called agent punishment—the agent had been arrested for stealing company secrets.
In other words, the entire matter had nothing to do with Nie Luo.
The company hadn’t anticipated that Nie Luo would still be dissatisfied.
So what did Nie Luo want?
Did he want the company to publicly announce penalties against Mr. Mu?
Absolutely not.
Mr. Mu was a senior executive; to publicly punish him would be tantamount to admitting company-level wrongdoing.
The company scrambled in chaos.
Especially since another issue they had been trying to suppress—the matter of Nie Luo’s contract termination—kept being raised by him.
Normally, since Nie Luo initiated the termination, the company could have easily collected a penalty or fee without protest.
The problem was the clause in his contract regarding fair development opportunities.
This had been added to facilitate his renewal.
The company had even drafted a development plan for Nie Luo, but many of the resources had quietly been seized by Jing Yuan.
Nie Luo’s team refused to let it go.
Did the company issue any resolutions?
No.
Did the agent apologize or face punishment?
Also no.
And Jing Yuan, the one who had benefited?
He had even taken a new endorsement and publicly moralized, pressuring Nie Luo to forgive him.
Three layers of pressure, and the company liaison was turning green with stress.
Didn’t he know about all this?
The problem was, Jing Yuan now had Zhuo backing him. The company had no idea what deal Zhuo had made to ensure the executives were fully aligned in protecting Jing Yuan.
Ultimately, the company reluctantly agreed to Nie Luo’s termination and demanded compensation.
The compensation wasn’t insignificant. Every resource Jing Yuan had taken would have been highly valuable in Nie Luo’s hands.
The company’s only condition was that the compensation arrangement must remain confidential.
“…What are your thoughts?”
Fan Qing asked after hearing Nie Luo’s update, his voice calm.
Nie Luo’s tone was as cold and composed as ever.
“I’ve decided to agree.”
“Because of Zhuo?”
Fan Qing’s tone carried no surprise.
“Mm.”
Nie Luo responded softly, and both fell into a brief silence.
“Then let’s call it a day.”
Fan Qing understood Nie Luo’s concerns.
Nie Luo wanted to terminate his contract and establish his own studio.
Breaking free from the company’s constraints was one thing; establishing a functioning studio was another.
He was currently at the center of a storm.
Continuing to push might yield more benefits, but it would also cost far more time and energy.
And Zhuo was the key factor.
Fan Qing tossed a pen into the air, caught it on the back of his hand, and spun it into a small flourish.
They had no idea just how strong Zhuo’s influence over Jing Yuan might be.
That meant Zhuo could interfere with Nie Luo or his newly established studio at any time.
All things considered, agreeing and stepping back was clearly the safer choice.
“Mm.”
Nie Luo understood Fan Qing’s point.
He shared the same line of thought.
But…
“You came all the way here to tell me this?”
Just because of the little scolding earlier?
Fan Qing couldn’t help but smile inwardly, realizing he’d probably wake up laughing tonight.
“…Mm.”
Nie Luo agreed.
He was, undeniably, quite adorable.
Fan Qing stifled a laugh.
“So, to celebrate your new studio, dinner tonight?”
Nie Luo was silent for a full two seconds.
Was he about to reject him?
Fan Qing didn’t falter.
“Not really possible.”
Nie Luo’s voice was still slightly muted, almost hesitant.
“The studio stuff… I’m really busy.”
He paused, then added quietly,
“I really can’t spare the time.”
Tsk… somehow, it felt like he was teasing him.
Fan Qing thought this, then said,
“That’s fine, I can come check on you.”
He said it casually, just a throwaway line.
After all, he could probably guess how hectic it must be to establish a new studio.
And Nie Luo was still at the center of a storm.
If Fan Qing showed up at Nie Luo’s studio now, it could very well spark even more attention.
Fan Qing was lost in thought when he heard Nie Luo hum softly.
He froze.
Nie Luo actually agreed?
Or did he mishear?
Seeing Fan Qing silent, Nie Luo repeated himself:
“I really don’t have time… but you can come.”
That really was…
Fan Qing’s pen stopped spinning mid-air, but a wide smile spread across his face.
He couldn’t help laughing out loud.
“I thought that was a perk only for boyfriends.”
No sooner had he said it than Nie Luo’s side fell into an odd, silent pause.
What happened?
Fan Qing frowned in puzzlement.
Had something suddenly gone wrong?
“I thought we were…”
Nie Luo only said half a sentence before hanging up.
Thought you were… what?
Fan Qing’s pen flew from his hand.
What exactly was Nie Luo saying?
He quickly recalled what he’d just said.
“Only boyfriends get that perk… boyfriend?”
Fan Qing’s heart skipped a beat.
Was that it?
Was it because of that?
“Looks like things have calmed down over at Nie Luo’s side. I said, why don’t we celebrate with him tonight?”
Jin Yi suddenly popped up like a ghost, interrupting Fan Qing’s train of thought.
But Jin Ershao’s timing was perfect.
Fan Qing glanced at his disconnected phone and nodded.
“Then you give him a call.”
Jin Yi looked at him in surprise, pulling out his phone while muttering.
“You’re not calling him? This is the perfect moment! I just thought of this great idea!”
He hadn’t kept up with the ‘series’ lately, after all.
He quickly dialed.
“Hey, old Nie, want to come out for dinner tonight to celebrate?”
The call connected almost instantly.
“Ah? Who’s coming? Whoever you want to have there is fine.”
Jin Yi winked at Fan Qing.
Fan Qing stayed silent.
Looks like Nie Luo wasn’t thinking along those lines.
Sure enough.
Jin Yi froze.
“What? You’re saying just the two of us?”
He couldn’t help glancing at Fan Qing.
“Are you sure? Don’t you want me to bring someone else?”
“Random people? No, no. I mean… bring someone you actually want there… Are you saying just the two of us?”
Jin Yi’s pupils practically trembled.
Wait, what about you, Sir Fan? Weren’t you two all lovey-dovey before?
Really mad now?
Fan Qing, though guessing the truth, felt an inexplicable headache.
And yet, it was also kind of funny.
How could someone think that just saying that line automatically established a boyfriend relationship…
Fan Qing’s smile faltered.
He recalled:
Nie Luo had let him touch his thigh in restraint;
Nie Luo had leaned in to bite his throat;
Nie Luo had brought him a thermos cup when he was terminating his contract.
Thinking it over, Fan Qing gave a bitter laugh.
So… he really had already been receiving boyfriend-level treatment?
In that case, this really was his fault.
No wonder Nie Luo got upset.
But…
He was way too cute for this to be fair.
Fan Qing couldn’t help muttering silently.
This was basically cheating, wasn’t it?
“…Fine then. I’ll come myself.”
On the other end, Jin Yi hung up slowly, his expression a bit dazed.
“I swear, old Nie seems to have evolved.”
Fan Qing: :::::
“What are you talking about?”
Jin Ershao and he really weren’t the same species.
Jin Yi scratched his head, eyes full of confusion and shock.
“He seems to have agreed to my dinner invitation.”
“Seems?”
Fan Qing grabbed the key point.
“So… he agreed?”
Jin Yi looked extremely uncertain.
“But he said he’s busy going out, so he specifically wants the full Manchu-Han feast from Zhihe Zhai.”
His eyes went even wider in disbelief.
“He said eight o’clock at the latest, and that I should leave early to avoid traffic.”
Fan Qing: “? So?”
“So?”
Jin Yi’s pupils nearly shook.
“So old Nie Luo has already evolved into a full-fledged capitalist just by establishing a studio? Why do I have to be the one delivering the feast?”