Yinsheng Club
It was already one o’clock in the morning, yet the club was still brightly lit. Neon lights constantly reflected on the faces of people entering and leaving. Every face was flushed, a mix of lust and debauchery, and laughter, shouts, and jeers could be heard everywhere.
“What do you mean by this?”
On the balcony of a private room on the second floor, a shadowy figure stood, his face faintly lit by the glow of his phone. It was Xu Zong.
Xu Zong looked extremely displeased. To apologize to Boss Bao, he had specially brought someone to Yinsheng tonight. While this place didn’t match the extravagance of Boss Bao’s establishment last night, Yinsheng had its advantages in variety. He had carefully chosen someone who knew how to enjoy themselves. Tonight was meant both to apologize to Boss Bao and to discuss that sum of money.
Yet, barely three drinks into the meeting, before conversation could flow, his phone kept buzzing in his pocket. Perhaps Boss Bao, noticing the interruption, made a cold remark or two and left—taking the young newcomer along with him.
Xu Zong forced a smile as he saw them off, frustrated that he hadn’t even addressed the money issue yet. Returning to the private room, he saw the phone again—another call from that bastard Yu Junqing.
This guy caused trouble yesterday, and now dared to call again? Two days in a row, he’d been a nuisance. Xu Zong was about ready to hate Yu Junqing to death.
“What’s this? You finally realized you want to latch onto Boss Bao’s coattails? Let me tell you, you’re too late!” Xu Zong immediately launched into a barrage of sarcasm and mockery the moment he picked up the phone.
“You’re thinking too much.”
Yu Junqing’s tone was icy. He knew Xu Zong had never respected him. But he wasn’t someone to be trampled on.
He had never spoken to Xu Zong like this before. Now, he truly felt that Xu Zong only deserved this kind of attitude.
“What attitude is that?” Xu Zong’s fingers clenched his phone, his face instantly freezing into a block of ice.
“The same attitude you’ve shown me. Fair and reciprocal,” Yu Junqing replied lightly, no longer hiding his disdain. Honestly, just talking to someone like Xu Zong made him feel sick even one word in.
Before meeting Xu Zong, he never knew human nature could be this vile.
“Yu Junqing, let me tell you—better keep your posture low in front of me. Who do you think you are? Offend me, and I’ll make sure you don’t earn a single dime!” Xu Zong’s face darkened, his words vicious, yet underneath lay a subtle contempt. So what if he was a former film emperor? Even he would have to beg from him.
Yu Junqing almost laughed. Xu Zong always thought himself shrewd—how many things had he extorted from him before? And now he was spouting such foolishness?
Xu Zong realized mid-sentence that he had indeed said something stupid. Yu Junqing had never earned money through him; it was Xu Zong himself who had pocketed nearly everything. Thinking of that, his expression softened slightly.
After all, Yu Junqing was a money tree. Xu Zong suppressed his anger and asked in a more measured tone, “So why are you calling? You finally want some resources?”
His words were subtle, but Yu Junqing knew what he meant.
Xu Zong had done enough matchmaking-like business to have a set of terms for everything. Spending one night with someone was called “having dinner with the boss”; for a long-term arrangement, it was “getting some resources.”
The former brought less money; the latter brought more. The company supported it, and the rewards were much greater.
Yu Junqing smiled coldly. Xu Zong was indeed one of Star Entertainment’s top agents, his methods for making money were endless and dazzling.
But today’s call wasn’t about colluding.
“Did you see yesterday’s news?” Yu Junqing asked suddenly.
“What? You want to suppress the news? That’s worth a couple of meals,” Xu Zong assumed he’d finally come to reason and immediately named a price.
Yu Junqing ignored it, his tone calm as he continued.
“I’ve thought it over. I’ve decided to audition for the male lead in that drama. Arrange it for me.”
Xu Zong froze, his face changing instantly.
“The male lead? That role isn’t for you, Yu Junqing.”
Xu Zong’s connections were vast. He already knew the drama’s theme: the most popular story now—a domineering elite male and a grassroots female rising star. The male lead was from a wealthy, prestigious family, a cold, elite type who treated the heroine differently. It was trending. They had auditioned many handsome actors and actresses; even before filming, it had hit several Weibo trending lists. The project’s prospects were clear; the male lead would attract fans. And Yu Junqing… dared to claim he wanted the male lead?
Yu Junqing smiled slightly, his left hand gradually clenching the phone.
“Didn’t the news report it? I got the male lead from the director Chunfeng. Isn’t that true?”
“You’re asking knowingly!” Xu Zong shouted, lowering his voice.
It wasn’t even remotely true—forget the male lead!
“Really? Not true? How unfortunate. Look at Weibo—it’s all trending. I can’t even tell my fans this is fake, after all… you and the company, none of you said a word,” Yu Junqing relaxed his fingers, stretching them one by one.
Yes. Exactly like this. Don’t flinch! Return evil with virtue! Yu Junqing recalled Borui’s advice and silently steeled himself again.
He closed his eyes, recalling the villains from scripts he had read before, a cold, charmingly sinister expression slowly appearing on his handsome face.
“It’s such a pity it’s not true… but the fans on Weibo, I can’t just explain to them… sigh…” Yu Junqing’s voice became oddly soft, articulating each word delicately. Xu Zong felt goosebumps rise all over.
He understood Yu Junqing’s intent—this guy had guts. He dared to threaten him?
Yet, he was just a past-their-prime film emperor. How influential could his fans be? No—Yu Junqing never did anything without confidence. That previous film, Xu Zong thought Yu Junqing had no chance, but Yu Junqing ended up winning the film emperor title anyway. Xu Zong still remembered the mockery on other agents’ faces.
An actor he had passed up quietly took another path and earned the top title. That year, his face almost got bruised.
This could never happen again.
Xu Zong narrowed his triangular eyes, moving back into the private room while keeping up appearances and flipping out another phone. Soon, he saw the trending topic at number one.
Damn it. This guy had come prepared.
Seeing the trending news, Xu Zong quickly scrolled through the comments—nearly all supportive of Yu Junqing.
Some even led comments to the company’s official Weibo, questioning why they hadn’t clarified, asking why Xu Zong hadn’t handled it immediately. Had the company really compromised with the director for money?
Reading the comments under Yu Junqing’s Weibo, all neatly saying: “Film Emperor, don’t cry. We believe in you,” Xu Zong’s expression grew darker.
When did this guy get so clever? Xu Zong regretted not suppressing the news and increasingly suspected Yu Junqing.
Yu Junqing had always been aloof. He would never intentionally stir up scandal. Yet now, he somehow fueled a rumor detrimental to himself—it was unlike anything he would normally do.
His thoughts jumbled, Xu Zong almost couldn’t keep up. Just as he planned to bluff Yu Junqing, another phone lit up with a call.
Xu Zong’s face changed; his previously casual tone instantly became obsequious.
“Junqing, don’t worry. Neither the company nor I will let you suffer. Just stay home and wait for our news.”
Hearing that word, Yu Junqing’s carefully suppressed emotions erupted again. Home? Could that even be called home anymore?
Taking a deep breath, Yu Junqing coldly tossed out, “I like the male lead of Wind and Youth. Agent, go contact them. I’ll keep an eye on your renovations these days. I think you’ll like the style of my home. If I have time, I’ll have someone come help you fix it up.” Then he hung up.
Xu Zong’s words got stuck in his throat. How could he not know what Yu Junqing’s home looked like? He’d done it for venting.
What on earth had possessed Yu Junqing? Was this really something he would do? Xu Zong’s unease grew. He touched the agarwood bracelet on his right hand, forming a plan.
After hanging up, Yu Junqing slumped against the door. He had never acted like such a villain before. The sensation wasn’t exactly pleasant, but somehow his heart felt relieved.
Leaning against the patched door, he zoned out for a while. Then, he hastily grabbed his phone and sent a message:
Thank you, Rui Ge. You’re right. Life is like a play. Some things I truly must fight for, as long as I don’t betray my principles and beliefs.