Qin Sizheng emerged from the company, face flushed, sweat on his nose, eyes blazing with determination, looking like he’d just finished a brawl.
Shen Changfeng was shocked. “You fought someone?”
“Yes.” Qin Sizheng slammed the car door. “I told Xu Zhiliang I was leaving the industry. With or without me, he wanted to make me pay. From today, I probably won’t have work. Go find another boss—I’ll cover a few months’ salary.”
Shen Changfeng blinked. What? He had just answered a call downstairs. How did it escalate to this? Weren’t they supposed to discuss a contract?
“What happened?”
Qin Sizheng briefly explained, chest rising and falling from anger. The young man couldn’t hide his emotions; his fists clenched audibly, still wishing he could have landed a fatal punch.
Shen Changfeng pinched his brow. “Damn, what a scumbag. You recorded it, right? We’re not leaving the industry. We’ll crush them. Should we tell Fourth Brother?”
Qin Sizheng took a deep breath, calming himself. This wasn’t a fight match—he couldn’t solve everything with fists, and he didn’t want Lu Xianqing involved. Two hours into his absence, this had already caused enough trouble.
He couldn’t be at the set, and that made him anxious.
“I want to handle this myself! Changfeng, I don’t want Fourth Brother to solve everything for me. I want a day to make him rely on me, to be able to protect him too.”
Shen Changfeng felt a pang of pride. Qin Sizheng had truly grown—from carefully navigating the entertainment industry to now standing tall, confident, and self-assured.
“Alright, but there’s one condition you have to promise me.”
Qin Sizheng asked cautiously, “What condition?”
“No matter which company we sign with after leaving Shengyu, you have to let me be your manager. I go wherever you go.”
Qin Sizheng hadn’t considered this, but when Shen Changfeng mentioned it, he immediately knew the answer. Shen Changfeng had always been responsible, careful, and attentive in every detail.
He didn’t need to prepare a wrap-up gift in advance—he simply made sure everything was ready. After leaving the gala, he went straight to Lu Xianqing’s house, changed into his own clothes, and slipped past the fans waiting outside.
Shen Changfeng was far more reliable than Xu Zhao. Though called an assistant, he practically handled everything.
“Alright,” Qin Sizheng said simply.
Shen Changfeng smiled, “Then no more talk about changing bosses, alright? You’re my boss now.”
If it weren’t for him, Qin Sizheng might never have returned to the industry.
Meanwhile, Lu Xianqing had landed and immediately called him.
“What’s going on?”
Qin Sizheng’s throat tightened hearing his voice, and though his heart had just calmed, hearing him again reignited the heat—someone so gentle being insulted so mercilessly. He should’ve smashed Xu Zhiliang to pieces and torn his mouth apart.
Lu Xianqing noticed the change in his breathing. “What happened?”
Qin Sizheng adjusted his tone and took a deep breath. “A bit tired… want to rest. Are you at the set already? Any scenes today? Want to rest a bit?”
Lu Xianqing sighed softly, almost playfully: “Yeah, went straight from last night’s shoot to the airport. Anning had to remove my makeup in the car, and Zhou Changjiang still scolded me. We’re filming as soon as we get here. Aren’t you worried about me?”
Hearing that, Qin Sizheng felt his heart ache. “Fourth Brother, maybe next time just don’t come back.”
“If I don’t come back, will you have a chance to feel someone else’s abs?” Lu Xianqing’s voice was cool, teasing—but still holding a grudge.
“You’ve already punished me, why still hold a grudge? Want me to chop my hands off for you?” Qin Sizheng feigned annoyance. “Bother me again and I’ll leave you!”
Lu Xianqing was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, calling him by name. “Qin Sizheng… say it again.”
Qin Sizheng’s heart skipped. Is he really mad? Which words upset him? He spoke cautiously: “I won’t say it again.”
“Say it again, or I’ll make you die in bed.”
Qin Sizheng rolled his eyes, thinking, Seriously? Die in bed? Then he remembered last night—his heart warmed at the thought.
“Promise me, you’ll never leave me,” Lu Xianqing said.
Qin Sizheng, feeling a mix of unease and tenderness, whispered, “I’ll never leave you, Fourth Brother.”
Lu Xianqing twisted his fingers thoughtfully, recalling Shen Qing’s words: this is your addiction. If one day he leaves you, you won’t survive. He thought, if Qin Sizheng ever abandoned him… he would go down with him.
“Never let me go, Qin Sizheng.”
It sounded like a threat: dare to leave me, and I’ll kill you. Qin Sizheng shivered but softened. “Don’t be mad, I won’t say it again.”
Lu Xianqing relaxed slightly. “Alright. Go get some rest; last night tired you out too. Even though I was careful, I still hurt you. Anning left the medicine in the car—wash up tonight and apply it yourself.”
Qin Sizheng blushed furiously. “Last night…”
“Didn’t it hurt? Who cried and said they couldn’t take it? I let you scratch me to pieces, bite and claw, and after you were done, we slept. I even helped you wash and apply the medicine, then dressed you.”
Qin Sizheng’s face burned hotter. “Stop talking!”
“If I find you didn’t apply it, next time I’ll do it myself.” Lu Xianqing didn’t give him any room to bargain, encroaching further on his final territory.
“I’ll remember to apply it,” Qin Sizheng murmured, red-faced.
After hanging up, sweat coated him, and he tugged at his collar, fanning himself.
Shen Changfeng, eyes down, was busy on his phone. Qin Sizheng peeked over: “What are you doing?”
“Preemptive strike. The entertainment industry runs on trends—whoever leaks first controls the narrative. You publicly hit Xu Zhiliang; he won’t let it go. And plenty in the company want you gone—they might even align.”
Shen Changfeng had contacted reliable marketing accounts to post the first wave, then less credible ones to stir up heat.
“Work quickly. You have a strong fanbase and neutral followers, plus the ‘Qingshan has Sizheng’ CPF fans—they aren’t pushovers. Even if we can’t cancel the contract, they won’t treat you like dough to knead.”
Qin Sizheng understood: once they controlled the narrative, getting back into position would be much harder.
Most people lack real judgment—when three people say a tiger exists, others will nod along. Once a label is applied, it’s almost impossible to remove.
He wanted to rely on his own ability, to stand by Lu Xianqing’s side again on his own terms.
“Dr. Xu, why do you look so terrible? Staying up all night to pick up money again?” a nurse greeted Xu Fei, noticing her oddly pale yet energetic appearance.
Xu Fei patted her shoulder and smiled. “You wouldn’t understand.”
The nurse caught on immediately. “I get it—you were up all night fangirling again, weren’t you? I was on duty yesterday and missed the Mid-Autumn Gala. They said Qin Sizheng’s performance was incredible, every tear like it stabbed straight into the heart. Ugh, I’ll have to catch up after my shift.”
Xu Fei rubbed her face. “No stealing my kid!”
The nurse pouted, hands on her hips. “I’m your daughter-in-law! Mom, approve our marriage already!”
“Forget marriage. Go handle an emergency first. Dr. Xu, hurry!” another nurse shouted, pointing out the patient’s condition roughly.
Xu Fei quickly changed into her white coat and rushed to the ER. A few teenagers were gathered around, with one tall boy leaning against a pillar, his sharp eyes and refined brows giving him a rebellious air.
She scanned him briefly and pushed past the crowd. A nurse pulled the curtain closed, isolating them, and soon a clear, slightly hoarse female voice instructed. Shi Jing paused mid-scroll on his phone and straightened.
After Xu Fei finished the treatment, she relaxed and told the nurse, “Give him a drip of glucose.”
When she stepped out, the group of teenagers surrounded her. “Doctor, how is he? Why did he suddenly faint? Is he okay? Will he survive?”
“You’re his classmates, right? He is…” Xu Fei was bombarded, unsure where to start, so she let them finish and answered one by one.
Suddenly, a hand reached from behind, grabbed the one talking the most, and tossed a card into his hands. “Pay up. Use my card.”
The group dispersed. Shi Jing stood in front of Xu Fei, slightly taller than her, eyes squinting as he asked politely, “Doctor, is my classmate okay?”
Xu Fei sized up the boy—polite, composed, and orderly.
“Just low blood sugar. Nothing serious. Has he been skipping meals recently, or is there another reason?”
Shi Jing’s gaze lingered on the half of Xu Fei’s face visible beneath her mask. Her cool, distant elegance radiated detachment, yet she asked about the patient’s condition with meticulous care.
“Classmate?”
Shi Jing realized. “He’s been obsessed with our school’s beauty, dieting and overtraining. Lost nine pounds in a week—that caused his low blood sugar?”
Xu Fei frowned. “That’s reckless. He shouldn’t use such extremes. There are many healthy ways to lose weight. Dieting is the worst. And pursuing someone shouldn’t involve this either.”
Shi Jing asked, “Then how should one pursue someone?”
Xu Fei’s cold gaze swept over him. Shi Jing rubbed his nose, realizing he’d spoken too quickly and upset her.
At that moment, a pregnant woman was rushed in. A nurse called loudly, “Dr. Xu!” Xu Fei nodded to Shi Jing and ran over immediately.
Shi Jing scratched his ear and caught a passing nurse. “Excuse me, what’s the name of that doctor?”
The nurse studied him, wary he might be a troublemaker. “Why do you want to know?”
Shi Jing smiled. “She saved my classmate. I don’t know her name, but I want to thank her.”
Seeing his polite demeanor and good looks, the nurse relaxed. “Oh, she’s Xu Fei. But she doesn’t like ceremonial banners, so your classmate doesn’t need to bother.”
Shi Jing’s phone buzzed. It was a message detailing Qin Sizheng’s office fight with her boss, the Xu Zhao incident, and how she had managed to secure Lu Xianqing’s support, using it to break free from her gold-digging rumors.
He read it several times, frowning slightly. He had been following Qin Sizheng closely. Yes, she had a temper and lacked professionalism, but being kept as a kept artist? Impossible. Her temper alone made others recoil—no one could control her.
Another message suggested she had risen in popularity because of Lu Xianqing, implying an affair or a failed negotiation with a sponsor. Shi Jing tapped out a reply: “Do you think I’m a gossip account? Get lost.”
Disliking Qin Sizheng didn’t mean he would defame her.
On the other side, Wen Li smashed an expensive crystal ornament in frustration. Why did everyone seem to side with Qin Sizheng? Jiang Xi, NetEase, even those supposed to target her—they were all protecting her!
It didn’t matter—if he wouldn’t engage, others surely would.
Wen Li told her manager to contact more people. The manager cautioned, “Calm down. You’re still his mother. Even if he hates you, he wouldn’t destroy you. Stop targeting him. Try testing the waters and apologizing instead.”
Wen Li gripped her manager’s hand, red-eyed. “Have you also been turned by him? You want to help him against me? Are you in contact with him? Did you tell him about his background?”
The manager frowned. “You’ve gone too far—telling the show team to block him, tricking Jiang Xi to take pictures, lying to directors to deny him roles. That’s enough. Stop.”
Wen Li muttered into her phone, “No, I will make him disappear from this industry. Yes, he’s at odds with Jiang Zhen—I can use him, make him help me take down Qin Sizheng.”
“Wen Li!”
She grabbed the manager’s hand, eyes wild. “Do you know? Every encounter with him recently made me lose face. He’s targeting me. Do you think he’s already told Zhou Changjiang?”
Most people don’t have real judgment—when three people claim a tiger exists, the rest nod along. Once a label is applied, it’s nearly impossible to shake off.
He wanted to rely on his own ability, to stand by Lu Xianqing again on his own terms.
At that moment, Ming Fei, having gotten the first-hand news, immediately called Lu Xianqing.
“Wow, your kid’s wild.”
Lu Xianqing assumed he had seen Qin Sizheng and the marks, his eyes curling in a faint smile. “Jealous?”
Ming Fei smirked back. “You idiot, don’t you know what happened? While you were on the plane just now, Qin Sizheng stormed Shengyu and beat Xu Zhilang up like a pig. I bet by now Weibo’s about to explode. I’m so jealous.”
He deliberately left the story half-told, waiting for Lu Xianqing to beg for his help.
When the other side didn’t respond, Ming Fei grew a little uneasy. “Hey, calm down, bro. Killing’s illegal. An arm’s fine, but don’t go making headlines for murder.”
Lu Xianqing’s voice was calm. “Explain exactly what happened.”
Ming Fei leaned back, legs crossed on his desk, sighing theatrically. “You were hiding your relationship, keeping it secret, and insisted on a clean deal. Xu Zhilang sees such a pretty kid—could he resist? And with me trying to sign him, things got messy. He couldn’t resist taking advantage.”
Lu Xianqing’s fingers clenched. Everything made sense now—he’d sensed something odd during their earlier call. Qin Sizheng had just handled this all herself.
The kid had grown.
Grinding his teeth, Lu Xianqing wanted to grab Qin Sizheng and shake her, but he knew she had already suffered enough. His anger fell instead on Xu Zhiqi and Xu Zhilang.
Ming Fei continued, “You couldn’t see what happened inside the room. I figure he tried to take advantage of Qin Sizheng, she wouldn’t let him, and then just beat him in front of the whole company, ripping off the mask completely. She’s young, doesn’t know the consequences, and went full force.”
Lu Xianqing stopped listening, his face cold as he stood and walked out.
He Xing, who was discussing medication with An Ning, caught up on the call and asked, “Where are you going?”
“Back to Jiangcheng.”
He Xing chased after him. “You just arrived at the set and already leaving? The director can even let you postpone the filming?”
“Postpone it. If you can’t, terminate the contract! Are you useless, needing me to tell you every step before doing anything?” Lu Xianqing’s voice was sharp and cold, his anger barely restrained. “Get out of my way!”
He Xing had never been scolded like this. Judging by the look, if Lu Xianqing left, there was no coming back without making a scene.
Even if Xu Zhilang hadn’t touched Qin Sizheng, just the thought of it meant no good could come of him. She had no doubt Lu Xianqing would stir the industry upside down to protect Qin Sizheng.
He was unstoppable when enraged.
“Can’t you be less reckless? You’ve filmed two-thirds already, and now you say terminate the contract? All those wrap-ups and scenes you shot are wasted. The whole crew’s efforts wasted! Yes, you can afford the money, but what about your reputation?”
Lu Xianqing arrogantly and ruthlessly replied, “Waste it, I don’t care.”
He Xing’s blood boiled, and she shouted, “You don’t care, I do! Stop right there!”
Lu Xianqing ignored her. She ran in her heels to catch up and spread her arms to block him. “Leave it to me. I guarantee I can make him terminate and sign to you. Give me three days—just three days.”
She calmed his emotions and nodded. “For him, bear with it.”
Lu Xianqing’s eyes were red as he silently regarded her, recalling Ding Chenhai restraining himself upon learning of Chu Jing’s death.
“For him, even if not for yourself, you’d want him cleanly signed to you, instead of causing chaos and giving him a bad reputation, right?”
Finally, Lu Xianqing calmed down. He Xing, cautiously, promised, “Before things escalate, I’ll talk to Xu Zhilang. Even if I have to kneel, I’ll protect Qin Sizheng for you, okay?”
“It’s too late.”
Lu Xianqing picked up his phone and almost simultaneously repeated Ming Fei’s words: “Qin Sizheng posted on Weibo that she is leaving the entertainment industry starting today, refusing to bow to anyone, and tagged Shengyu’s official account.”
Ming Fei chuckled. “Wow, the kid’s got backbone.”
Lu Xianqing had no mood for jokes. He told Ming Fei—and He Xing—“In this industry, Shengyu exists without me.”
He Xing felt overwhelmed. Ming Fei, on the other hand, was thrilled, rubbing his hands together. “How long has it been since things were this fun? Life’s so dull otherwise. I love this kind of high-stakes drama.”