Jin Yi was completely shocked.
Of course he knew Fan Qing had “taken Old Nie”—after all, he was the one who had delivered the keys to Nie Luo’s villa.
But now, Fan Qing and Nie Luo intended to publicly announce their relationship?
Damn!
Such a huge matter, and they hadn’t even told him!
Jin Yi’s hands dropped the sunflower seeds all over the floor in astonishment.
Fan Qing glanced at the spilled seeds, then looked up at Jin Yi.
Jin Yi instinctively stepped back.
“…I’ll sweep it up right now.”
He said it, but gave a subtle signal to the head of his bodyguards.
The head guard paused for a second, sighed, and quietly turned to comply.
Compared with the others, he felt his life was a bit rougher.
He really picked up the broom and started sweeping.
While sweeping, the head guard couldn’t help but wonder:
Since when had the Second Young Master been able to notice his presence so effortlessly?
It used to be so hard to get noticed.
Once the floor was clean, Jin Yi quickly looked at Fan Qing with pleading eyes.
“Explain! Give me the truth!”
Fan Qing gave him a sidelong glance, saying nothing.
He first greeted Mr. Jin.
“If there’s anything later, I’ll need Big Brother to lend a hand.”
With Jin Yi shouting so loudly, Mr. Jin obviously heard.
He could already guess the outcome for Jin Yi.
But regarding Fan Qing’s request, he didn’t refuse.
“Mm, it’s nothing major. If you can’t solve something, then ask your Sheng Ge.”
He paused, then added:
“For example… when you and Nie Luo plan to get married.”
Fan Qing’s eyebrows shot up instantly.
“Alright, thanks Big Brother.”
“Hmph.”
That little brat only ever sincerely calls me “Big Brother” at times like this.
Mr. Jin was annoyed, hung up, but still waved casually.
“Boss?”
A figure stepped forward.
Mr. Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly, his androgynous expression flashing a warmth uncharacteristic of his usual image.
“Keep an eye on Fan Qing and Nie Luo,” he paused two seconds, then added a timeframe, “until they get married, then withdraw the surveillance.”
“Yes, sir.”
The figure nodded and quickly left.
Meanwhile, Jiang Mian was completely dumbfounded.
What had she just heard?
Fan Ge and Nie Luo going public?
And Fan Ge calling Mr. Jin “Big Brother”?
She must have gotten up the wrong way today!
“Making it public is just me being proactive. No rush yet.”
After hanging up, Fan Qing’s mood improved considerably.
He glanced at Jin Yi, deciding to offer a small explanation out of courtesy to Mr. Jin.
He and Nie Luo hadn’t really discussed publicly revealing the relationship yet.
But he trusted that Nie Luo thought the same way he did.
Otherwise, the news about his visit to Nie Luo’s set wouldn’t have trended.
Jin Yi couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.
“Tsk tsk tsk… I thought Old Nie had you all wrapped around his finger. Didn’t expect it’s actually the other way around—you’re the one head over heels.”
Couldn’t see it coming!
His brother was actually quite impressive!
Fan Qing: ?
Is it too late to retract the courtesy he showed Mr. Jin?
He was thinking when Jiang Mian stammered nearby.
“Well… Fan Ge, you…”
She stopped halfway, lost her words.
What should she even ask?
Almost forgot Jiang Mian was still here.
Fan Qing looked at her.
His formerly reliable little assistant clearly felt deflated, bewildered.
Fan Qing thought for a moment, then patted her shoulder.
“Exactly what you heard—also help me keep an eye on things. I don’t want any slip-ups.”
Jiang Mian immediately straightened up, serious.
“Don’t worry, Fan Ge. I’ll make sure to watch over it properly.”
“That’s good.”
Fan Qing smiled faintly.
“Then it’s time to resolve a few minor issues.”
For example, that advertiser trying to use him as a stepping stone.
The online sentiment was still not entirely favorable to Fan Qing.
Some with ill intentions were stirring trouble, mainly targeting Fan Qing.
But soon, another group of people appeared.
They not only criticized Fan Qing but also exposed the so-called newcomer he had supposedly brought along.
Hual quickly got caught in the crossfire.
“Fan Qing isn’t really capable. Honestly, he’s good at trending online; every time he’s somehow on the hot search, he’s the top among managers. But he’s mediocre at managing talent. Don’t mention Jian Feiyang—doesn’t everyone know he’s a rich second generation? His brother pampers him, chasing after resources; who doesn’t know that?”
“By the way, I have a friend who works at the advertiser’s company,” Hual said. “He told me that at first, they actually wanted to collaborate with a completely new talent under Fan Qing—a person named Hual, I think.”
“To be honest, I looked him up. He’s only been on a talent show, not very famous, and apparently planning to release a single. I almost laughed when I saw that. These days, someone new releasing a single right away without building experience first? Seriously? So yeah, I’d say Fan Qing as a manager really isn’t up to par.”
“As for this Hual, I’m not optimistic about his single anyway. A newbie already picky with advertisers before even gaining fame? Obviously a bad character. So honestly, I think the advertiser’s choice now is better.”
“Exactly. This new person seems to have a bit of recognition. I remember seeing some small achievements; he’s a rookie singer.”
“What is Hual even? Fan Qing as a manager can’t manage talent at all. And now he’s picky with advertisers? Unbelievable. Some newcomers these days really overestimate themselves.”
Hual naturally saw these comments.
To his surprise, he felt an inexplicable relief.
Better to have the attention on him than on Manager Fan Qing. That’s what he thought.
After hesitating briefly, Hual called Jiang Mian.
She was at Fan Qing’s side, listening to his instructions. When she saw it was Hual, she instinctively answered.
“What’s up?”
Hual spoke briefly on the other end.
Jiang Mian’s brows gradually furrowed.
What was going on?
Fan Qing glanced at her.
She mouthed a word: “Hual… Hual?”
Fan Qing thought for a moment, then casually pulled out his phone and opened Weibo.
Sure enough, he immediately noticed the new activity shifting toward Hual.
Jiang Mian listened for a bit, then spoke with a sharp tone.
“No need to worry about these things. Just focus on your new single. I’ll handle everything else.”
“I don’t mean to slack on my single, Jiang Jie,” Hual tried to explain.
“What I mean is… they’re targeting me, and that’s better than aiming at Manager Fan Qing. The company’s reputation still depends on him. I’m just a rookie; my fame isn’t that important…”
Before he could finish, a familiar voice came from the other end.
“You’re the company’s future cash cow. I’m just behind the scenes; what fame do I need?”
Fan Qing was slightly surprised.
He hadn’t expected Hual to know about this yet think this way.
Hual paused for two seconds, then mustered some courage.
“But seeing your recent visit to Nie Lao, I guess you’re trying to build a reputation, right? To publicly reveal your relationship with him later?”
Fan Qing was truly taken aback.
“You could tell?”
Even Jin Yi hadn’t noticed. Jiang Mian certainly hadn’t. But Hual had?
He wasn’t wrong.
Hual, realizing this, grew even more anxious.
“If that’s the case, then this incident naturally falls on me. I’m a rookie and a singer; my work matters more than fame.”
“Who said a singer doesn’t need fame?”
Fan Qing immediately shut that down, a faint smile playing across his face.
“Didn’t see that coming. You actually have a bit of managerial potential. But this isn’t a big deal. Since they dared to move against me, don’t think I’ll let them get away with it. As for you, focus on your singing. Do you think I got to where I am by sweating the small stuff?”
Hual knew this was true.
Fan Qing was strong in his eyes.
He just felt responsible since this trouble started because of him.
Seeing Hual silent, Fan Qing chuckled lightly.
“Alright, go back and talk to your brother. It’s okay to ask him about me—let him reassure you a bit. I’ll handle the company matters, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
He paused suspiciously for a moment, then glanced at Jiang Mian, who seemed to be chatting with Jin Yi, not paying attention to him.
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow, voice slightly lowered.
“If you really want to think about these things, you can. But remember: you can’t have both the fish and the bear’s paw. Be prepared to make choices.”
He hung up.
It was time to arrange a counterattack.
Hual stood frozen for a moment, pondering what Manager Fan Qing’s words meant.
After a while, he slowly wrote the message into his memo.
He would find time to meet his brother and discuss it.
Fan Qing didn’t really care about this incident.
But Jiang Mian’s suggestion was excellent, so he adopted it.
With Mr. Jin backing him up, and Fan Qing already having complete control over Tenghuang, it took only half a day for him to elevate his position dramatically.
He was now officially the second-in-command of Tenghuang.
For his title, he casually hung “General Manager” under his name.
Just as he finished and was about to post on Weibo, Jin Yi ran in with a new plaque, practically bouncing.
“Fan Qing! Look! Your plaque!”
Jin Yi excitedly slapped the plaque onto the desk.
Fan Qing: …Second Young Master, your laziness is getting really obvious.
He stayed silent for a moment, deciding not to quarrel over such a trivial matter.
“Fan Qing, are you going to start the counterattack now?”
Jin Yi’s eagerness made Fan Qing immediately understand why he was so excited.
Feelings just to watch the show?
Fan Qing was about to nod when Jiang Mian hurriedly rushed in.
He raised an eyebrow. One, two… what’s going on now?
The moment she saw him, she dropped a bomb.
“Fan Qing, um… Teacher Nie just publicly posted on Weibo speaking up for you!”
Nie Luo?
Fan Qing’s eyes flickered slightly.
Jin Yi reacted even faster.
“Damn! I came to watch the show, not to eat someone else’s dog food!”
Jiang Mian was speechless, her expression complex as she looked at the Second Young Master.
Second Young Master is still a mascot, right?
Fan Qing listened, but a soft smile tugged at his lips.
Dog food… sometimes the way Second Young Master speaks is actually pretty pleasant to hear.