“Terminate the contract?”
The manager and Jing Yuan outside froze.
The senior executive also blinked, then laughed in disbelief.
“Who do you think you are? You can just terminate a contract at will? The company isn’t somewhere you come and go as you please!”
Where did Fan Qing get the confidence to talk about terminating his contract?
Jing Yuan frowned. Something felt off.
Fan Qing quietly took a step back and sighed.
Although he could understand the helpless rage of these people, trying to hurt his fragile psyche with mere words was clearly inappropriate.
After watching the drama unfold like a monkey show for a while, Fan Qing lightly said:
“Mister Mu, what you said— I’m just a humble manager. Even if I terminate the contract with the company, I can still cover the penalty.”
His words hit the three people in the room like a thunderclap.
Fan Qing glanced sideways at the two outside, noticing their astonished expressions. He squinted slightly, amused.
Not bad. He could probably get a decent lunch out of them at noon, just from their expressions.
Understandable, though. After all, he had once been a mere assistant. Even if the company gave him the courtesy of managing Jian Feiyang, in reality, he had no real standing with them.
Why has Fan Qing been able to hold a position at Tenghuang for so long?
Because the company largely disregarded him. Except for Jian Feiyang, he had no real work, and the company’s attitude was obvious—give Jian Zong face, but don’t give the small assistant any.
Under these circumstances, the manager contract he received was naturally very rough.
The clause about penalties was barely even written, almost as if they wanted him to leave immediately.
That’s why Fan Qing could act so recklessly.
But even this wasn’t enough.
Fan Qing’s voice shifted, no longer hiding his arrogance.
“By the way, Jian Feiyang’s contract with the previous company can also be arranged for termination. I’ll take him with me.”
“That’s impossible!”
Mister Mu finally snapped out of it when he heard Jian Feiyang’s name.
He gasped, eyes full of disdain.
“You think you can just decide this? Who do you think you are—”
“Mr. Mu, you jest.”
Fan Qing interrupted mercilessly.
“I am Jian Feiyang’s manager, officially recognized by Jian Zong.”
He smiled faintly.
“I don’t think you’d want to make an enemy of Jian Zong, would you?”
Mister Mu was speechless.
Of course, he didn’t want to make an enemy of Jian Feishuo; otherwise, he wouldn’t have given Fan Qing this position as a courtesy.
Still…
He couldn’t help but glance outside, feeling a twinge of frustration.
Fan Qing’s brazen confidence didn’t match the intelligence report Jing Yuan had given him!
And as for Jian Feishuo… Did he really want Jian Feiyang to return home?
Even with Jian Feishuo’s influence, despite the slight trouble on Jian Feiyang’s side, Fan Qing quickly got him to terminate and neatly package the contracts to join Tenghuang.
After that, he courteously treated Jian Feishuo to a meal.
Upon seeing him, Jian Feishuo’s expression was full of complexity.
“…Did A-Yang remove me from the blacklist?”
“Please, Mr. Jian, have a seat.”
Fan Qing remained composed as he poured tea and nodded.
“Jian Zong noticed.”
“…He even called me early this morning.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have discovered it so quickly.
Jian Feishuo’s mood grew even more complicated.
“Does he really follow your instructions so readily?”
Exercise, appearing on shows…
Now even this.
Who is really the older brother to A-Yang?
“I don’t think he’s just following my instructions.”
Fan Qing gestured for the waiter to start serving the dishes, all while keeping his gaze on Jian Feishuo.
“I provide him with options. He decides whether to act or not. Of course, Jian Feiyang has always been clever.”
Yes, intuitively clever.
It’s one of the fascinating aspects of humans—some people are simply born with that kind of intelligence.
“…Hmph.”
Jian Feishuo understood what he meant. Though slightly annoyed, recalling the “Five-Year Development Plan for Jian Feiyang” that Fan Qing had handed him recently, he couldn’t stay mad for long.
He had taken the time to read it.
He had to admit, Fan Qing’s arrangements had given him a glimpse of how far A-Yang could go on this path.
Still…
Jian Feishuo couldn’t help but look at Fan Qing, eyes scrutinizing, testing.
“Did you really handle everything over at Tenghuang yourself?”
Fan Qing wasn’t surprised Jian Feishuo knew.
He nodded calmly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
“Otherwise, how could I have presented that plan to you?”
The plan he presented promised Jian Feiyang a promising future.
If he wasn’t confident he could establish a foothold at Tenghuang, how could he dare make such promises?
“…What a pity.”
Jian Feishuo looked at Fan Qing and sighed.
“Huh?”
Fan Qing tilted his head slightly.
“What do you mean by that, Mr. Jian?”
Jian Feishuo studied him.
Unassuming yet self-possessed—the same demeanor he’d had from the very first meeting.
He hadn’t realized it until now.
And he didn’t bother to hide his thoughts.
“Being able to cleanse Tenghuang of its chaos shows you have talent for managing a company.”
Talented people like this weren’t rare, but those who weren’t yet locked into positions… were extremely few.
If he had recognized Fan Qing’s abilities earlier, recruiting him back to a branch office could have been a great move.
After a moment, Jian Feishuo spoke again.
“Or… would you be interested in managing the company for A-Yang?”
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow.
“I thought Mr. Jian had already agreed that Jian Feiyang wouldn’t go down that path?”
“That’s a different matter.”
Jian Feishuo took a sip of tea.
“He can’t stay in the entertainment circle forever, right? Even if he wants to step aside, holding one or two companies wouldn’t make it easier for him to navigate the industry? And I’m not asking him to manage it.”
His gaze locked on Fan Qing.
The message couldn’t be clearer: see? Fan Qing, you’re the perfect candidate.
Fan Qing was momentarily taken aback by Jian Feishuo’s bold approach.
He let out a small, wry smile.
However, he had to admit, if this offer had come before meeting Second Master Jin, he might have been tempted.
But now?
He genuinely liked Second Master Jin, this precise, unshakable “puppet emperor.”
And besides, climbing higher was just a means to an end.
Why was he climbing at all?
Simply to gain a status equal to Nie Luo.
Chasing someone takes time.
Fan Qing shook his head with a gentle smile.
“Mr. Jian doesn’t really think I have three heads and six arms, managing Tenghuang and Jian Feiyang while running another company at the same time, does he? Even if I could, it would divide my focus—and then I wouldn’t be able to care for Jian Feiyang as much.”
“Then forget it.”
Hearing that, Jian Feishuo quickly replied.
Fan Qing smiled.
Just as the waiter arrived with the dishes, the two fell silent. After quietly finishing the meal, they went their separate ways.
Meanwhile, online, the chatter was at a peak. Fan Qing suddenly revealed that he had terminated his contract with the company.
Before anyone could even cheer, news came that Jian Feiyang had done the same.
Fans and bystanders alike were stunned.
Before they could even digest it, the news broke that Fan Qing had taken Jian Feiyang with him to Tenghuang.
Jian Feiyang’s fans erupted.
“Why did he go to Tenghuang? No! His old company was fine!”
“I don’t understand! This manager, what is he doing? Wasn’t the original company okay? Please, A-Yang, listen to us. This manager is seriously incompetent! Can we get him back or at least return to the original company?”
“I just looked up Tenghuang and I’m dumbfounded. Isn’t A-Yang the young master of the Jian family? Why would he subject himself to this? And what is this Tenghuang anyway—can he even grow there?”
“I really can’t take it. Is Fan Qing some kind of witch? Why does A-Yang listen to him so blindly? Wake up, little angel! This person isn’t trustworthy!”
Fans wailed, cried, and vented, and even casual observers couldn’t help but feel sympathetic.
“…Jian Feiyang’s fans are really suffering. I don’t fully understand why the young master has to take such a rough path, but well… at least I’m not a fan.”
“I’m stunned too. Are there really people in the industry who sabotage others? Not A-Yang’s fans, but what Fan Qing did to him is obvious—he shouldn’t be a manager. He’s harmful.”
Public opinion was overwhelmingly negative. Almost every comment about Fan Qing online was harsh, and neutral voices were rare.
Jing Yuan scrolled through the comments, his mood improving.
Though there had been minor setbacks, the situation now made it impossible for Fan Qing to recover.
He glanced at his phone.
Even if Jian Feishuo blocked him, what of it?
His objectives had essentially been achieved. Losing Jian Feishuo’s support wasn’t critical—the young man’s temper was notoriously unpredictable anyway.
Fan Qing had finally learned the art of ignoring.
As long as he ignored it, no matter what fuss Second Master Jin tried to make… it would be nothing.
He remained silent.
Outside the car window, Jian Feiyang had somehow already gotten out and rushed toward Second Master Jin, full of excitement.
“Second Brother Jin—!”
“Junior Brother Jian—!”
The two embraced warmly.
After the hug, Jian Feiyang looked at the banner behind Second Master Jin, eyes brimming with emotion.
“Second Brother Jin, you really went to all this trouble!”
Second Master Jin couldn’t help but admire his own handiwork, a proud grin spreading across his face.
“Of course! It took me three whole minutes to come up with this line!”
Fan Qing: …
Three minutes? This was beyond anything Fan Qing could have imagined—he would never have thought of something so simple yet impactful.
The banner was short, just over two meters long.
A single line read: “The company belongs to your family. Welcome home!”
Only ten characters—but from them, Fan Qing could read exactly how little Second Master Jin cared about going to work.
He walked over to Guan Junhao.
Guan Junhao gave a sheepish grin.
…Never mind.
Fan Qing turned slowly to look at Huazi.
Huazi looked utterly defeated.
…Yeah, forget it.
Why make things harder for these two?
Fan Qing waved his hand.
“Take it down.”
Huazi instantly felt as if freed from a lifetime of oppression. He quickly let go of the banner, then hurriedly pulled a mask from his pocket and put it on.
Fan Qing frowned.
“Why weren’t you wearing it before?”
Huazi choked on his own frustration.
Was it that he didn’t want to wear it? Of course he did! He even considered putting a stocking over his head to avoid this humiliation.
But!
Huazi’s eyes were brimming with tears as he looked toward Second Master Jin.
Fan Qing: …Understood.
He glanced at Jian Feiyang on the other side, inexplicably in perfect sync with the chaotic energy, and felt a sudden headache coming on.
Come to think of it, Jian Feiyang meeting Second Master Jin… shouldn’t one plus one be greater than two, right? Surely not.
Once the commotion ended, Fan Qing quickly guided Second Master Jin to make a public appearance at the company.
Officially, he was just a manager who had transferred over. But behind the scenes, company executives were already aware of the authority Fan Qing now wielded.