After reading the so-called exposé, Fan Qing went numb.
If the person running that verified account called “Big Mouth Prophet” showed up in front of him, he really wanted to give them just two words.
“That’s it?”
He had thought they would come up with something more explosive.
For example, something about him and Nie Luo.
Or, if not that, him and Second Young Master.
Taking a step back, even something about Jiang Mian or Hua Er would have earned them a bit more respect in his eyes.
But just look at what this person had written.
“According to reliable sources, the news that Tenghuang—recently embroiled in a scandal involving alleged casting couch practices—is preparing to shoot a film is true. This editor has learned from a trusted friend that the script, currently in the casting phase, comes from a newcomer screenwriter. This writer had previously submitted the script to over a dozen film companies, all of which rejected it. So how did this newcomer persuade Tenghuang to produce it? As it happens, this editor has firsthand reliable information. The reason the script was successfully sold is that the writer latched onto a senior executive at Tenghuang. Many netizens will remember this executive quite clearly. Yes, it is Fan Qing, who not long ago somehow rose from being an agent to becoming general manager. Combined with Tenghuang’s previous scandal, this editor can already tell that this film is bound to be a complete disaster. What a pity for the resources that are about to be wasted.”
When Fan Qing finished reading, the corner of his mouth kept twitching.
Him and that rookie screenwriter?
All he could say was that he had clearly expected too much.
He should have realized earlier—not everyone is equipped with a brain.
He was still mulling it over when there was a knock at the door.
Who could it be at this time?
“Come in.”
The door opened, revealing Hua Er—and behind him, a certain red-eyed young screenwriter.
So it was the two of them.
Fan Qing took one glance and immediately understood.
Looks like they had seen what was happening online too?
“President Fan, about what’s being said online…”
Hua Er led the screenwriter in, a rare trace of obvious apology on his face.
He had introduced this person to President Fan. That meant the trouble had come through him as well.
No matter what, he should—
“About that? Perfect timing. Since you’re here, go arrange things. While this is still hot, let’s ride the wave and get the exposure we should.”
Fan Qing cut him off.
Hua Er blinked. “Huh?”
Behind him, the young screenwriter’s guilt-stricken, bitter expression shifted into pure confusion.
“R-Ride the wave?”
Hua Er froze for a second, then quickly caught on.
“President Fan, you mean we should use this storm to promote our new film?”
Fan Qing shot back, “What else would we be riding?”
What other kind of “wave” was there?
Hua Er got it.
The screenwriter was stunned.
You could operate like this?
Just riding the buzz alone still felt like a bit of a loss.
Fan Qing thought for a moment, then tapped the desk.
“Also, release another statement. Say that for this film, only a few minor roles are filled internally. Major roles—like the second male lead—haven’t been cast yet. We welcome all teachers to collaborate with us.”
So this was also a counterattack against the earlier rumors about Second Young Master and the casting couch scandal?
Hua Er quickly signaled that he understood.
“No problem, President Fan. I’ll have someone handle it right away.”
When he turned around, he saw his friend still standing at the doorway in a daze.
Who was he?
Where was he?
What had just happened?
Seeing that expression, Hua Er secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Sure enough, with President Fan around, nothing was really a problem.
He walked over, slung an arm around his friend’s shoulders, and half-pushed, half-guided him out.
“Come on. You should get back to casting. I told you, these things aren’t your concern.”
With President Fan here, what did all that online nonsense matter?
Fan Qing’s counterattack was astonishingly swift.
He had not directly responded to either issue, yet those in the know could clearly taste a trace of disdain in his reaction—
That’s it?
That little bit of mud was supposed to smear him?
Especially the fans who shipped Fan Qing and Nie Luo. They felt the imagery was overwhelmingly vivid.
“Sisters, I have to say, this time I’m not shaken at all by the exposé, okay? Honestly, I find it strange myself. I used to ship CPs and the slightest hint of trouble would make me anxious. But now I feel different! Have I grown stronger? This time I’m not worried in the slightest—I even find it a little funny.”
“To be honest, same here. I do not know why, but shipping this pair just feels especially, especially stable?”
“Same…”
“Help, I only just realized I feel the same way too!”
But why, exactly?
Everyone expressed confusion—until Miss Yuan suddenly appeared in the comments.
“Lili on the Plains: I’m dying. How could we not feel secure? Every time there’s even a ripple, President Fan personally steps in and shuts down all the messy rumors—clean and decisive. Honestly, one of these days I’m going to flip my CP. President Fan is just too dominant and too cool!”
“Oh! So that’s it!”
“Sister Lili just woke us all up!”
“…Damn, I’m this close to shipping them as mutually dominant now. Nie Ge, please show up and radiate some masculine charm, will you?”
The fans were still howling in excitement when they were suddenly flooded by overwhelming news about Nie Luo.
#NieLuoLuxuryWatchEndorsement#
Calling it overwhelming was no exaggeration.
From the splash screen on Weibo to prime-time television slots and major streaming platform ads, it was as if overnight, Nie Luo and that commercial had taken over everything.
Open your phone—Nie Luo.
Turn on the television—Nie Luo.
Even riding the bus or subway to work—Nie Luo everywhere.
His fans were nearly knocked senseless by the barrage.
How had this suddenly become such a massive campaign?
Was Nie Ge not always known for being exceptionally low-key?
Some well-connected, deep-pocketed fans immediately started pulling strings and making inquiries—Nie Ge rarely made such a high-profile move. There had to be a reason, right?
When they came back with answers, they looked dazed.
“…Damn. You probably will not believe this, but the client threw all the money at it!”
The fandom froze.
“…The luxury watch brand is that prestigious? That rich???”
The fan who had asked around stared blankly.
Rich? Of course they were rich.
That was President Jin.
The man who had casually bought two companies not long ago.
“Why did I make such a big splash?”
When Jin Si received the call, he sounded genuinely puzzled instead.
His head rested on Tang Sheng’s lap, posture lazy, tone relaxed.
“Wasn’t it you who asked me for it? And now you’re asking me why?”
When had he asked Jin Si for something like this…
Wait.
Fan Qing, still holding the phone, stiffened.
“…Last time, I think I only asked you for an endorsement deal for Nie Luo, did I not?”
“Mm-hmm. Right. So I gave you one, did I not?”
Jin Si shifted into a more comfortable position.
“What? Do you not want it? I can have them pull it back right now.”
“…That will not be necessary.”
So this was Jin Si’s version of “giving an endorsement”?
Perhaps it was simply that Jin Si’s way of thinking operated on an entirely different level from his.
Fan Qing remained expressionless.
“If there is nothing else, stop calling me. I am very busy. And when your film is finished, remember to save two tickets for Ah Sheng and me. We will come watch it.”
With that, Jin Si ruthlessly hung up.
He had already given his younger brothers enough of his time.
The rest of it belonged to him and Ah Sheng.
Staring at the disconnected call, Fan Qing felt helpless.
He glanced at Nie Luo, who was sitting across from him, then stood and sat down directly on Nie Luo’s lap.
“…You guessed right. It really was Big Brother.”
Nie Luo nodded as if he had expected it all along.
“I figured.”
As he spoke, he wrapped an arm around Fan Qing’s waist to steady him.
Fan Qing truly did not understand.
“Ge, how did you guess it was him?”
With Jin Si’s utterly unpredictable, do-as-he-pleases personality, how had Nie Luo managed to guess?
“Because this endorsement was something you said you asked Big Brother for, was it not?” Nie Luo replied earnestly.
“If it is Big Brother’s project, then other than him, who else would do something like this?”
Fair enough.
That reasoning was sound.
It seemed his own mind had simply grown too complicated.
“You see more clearly than I do.”
Fan Qing leaned back slightly as he spoke.
He was not small, but he could just barely curl into Nie Luo’s arms.
Nie Luo relaxed his muscles so that he could lie more comfortably.
“It is not that I see more clearly. I just have far fewer things to manage than you do, so everything becomes simpler. Ah Qing, have you been too tired lately?”
“I am fine.”
Fan Qing lounged lazily in his embrace.
“See? I still get home earlier than you every day, and I even keep up with my workouts.”
It was precisely because he insisted on keeping up all of that while juggling work that he must be exhausted.
Nie Luo thought so, but did not say it aloud.
Ah Qing could be stubborn about such things.
After a moment’s thought, he changed the subject.
“By the way, has the casting for the film been finalized?”
He paused, recalling something else.
“And what about that screenwriter? Is that situation all right?”
At the mention of that, Fan Qing seemed to perk up instead. He straightened slightly.
“The director and assistant director are handling the casting for now. I have not intervened yet. But that screenwriter—he is rather interesting.”
“Interesting?”
Nie Luo repeated the word.
What was interesting?
Before he could think further, his fingers were suddenly laced together with Fan Qing’s.
A warm breath brushed against his ear, followed by an intimate whisper.
“Do not worry, Ge. I only like you. And…”
Fan Qing’s tone turned faintly peculiar.
“When I say he is interesting, I mean that his bad luck is rather interesting.”
The jealousy that had just begun to rise in Nie Luo’s chest melted into sweetness in an instant—
Then mixed with confusion.
“What do you mean, ‘his bad luck is interesting’?”
What was Ah Qing saying now that he did not understand?
Fan Qing was not teasing him.
That young screenwriter truly did have a rather fascinating sort of bad luck.
Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that every streak of his misfortune carried an oddly miraculous twist of turning disaster into fortune.
“Ah-choo!”
On the subway, the young screenwriter suddenly sneezed violently.
He froze in a daze for a full five seconds.
Was someone cursing him behind his back?
After a moment, he lowered his head again and began typing rapidly on his phone.
He was drafting a new script. Recently, he had suddenly come up with an idea for Invincible Agent 2.
Who knew?
Maybe this time, he could really make it work.
What if it worked out?
Then his secondary lead would actually have a chance!
Fantastic!
His script could really be filmed now~
And he had already secretly learned that the male lead was none other than Nie Luo!!!
At that thought, the young screenwriter leaned back slowly.
He was practically about to faint from happiness…
“Are you okay? Low blood sugar?”
A muscular, iron-hard arm caught him just in time.