Chapter 71: The Deal

The car ride back to the station was eerily quiet.

Come to think of it, every visit to A University ended this way. Teacher Yin would grow unusually silent, as if retreating into a world unknown to outsiders. Perhaps only Professor Xiao could enter that space, yet even he wasn’t allowed too close. Her attitude toward him was unique—softer than usual, yet harder too.

Yao Ankai, seated in the front passenger seat, quietly pondered this while stealing glances at Teacher Yin through the rearview mirror. She noticed her beautiful face remained taut, with the faintest hint of redness lingering at the corners of her eyes.

…It was heartbreaking.

She discreetly averted her gaze, instinctively straightening her posture. Beside her, Wei Chi drove with a scowl, the atmosphere so tense it felt suffocating.

By the time they returned to the station, it was already quitting time.

Yin Mengxi first led the two interns back to the office, intending to review and roughly screen the footage shot today. As soon as she reached her workstation, Xiao Liu from post-production approached her, saying, “Mengxi, someone from the Program Center just came by. Director Sun asked you to visit his office before leaving today.”

Director Sun Jianbin?

Hmph.

How persistent.

He had messaged her early this morning, which she ignored. Then, during their visit to Little Red Roof, he called again, and when she didn’t pick up, he sent someone directly to her office. What nerve? Did he have no shame left?

Yin Mengxi let out a cold laugh, her defenses bristling. She simply said, “Thank you. I’ll handle it.”

After the messenger left, Wei Chi frowned deeply, muttering, “What does that bastard want? Nothing good, I bet—don’t go!”

Yao Ankai, who joined the station later, didn’t fully understand the history between Teacher Yin and Director Sun. Hearing Wei Chi’s biting remarks left her confused. Yin Mengxi offered no explanation, merely brushing him off with a casual “It’s fine,” then said, “You two start the rough screening. Leave anything uncertain for me to check later.”

As she spoke, she grabbed a pen from the pencil holder on her desk, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed out of the office.

Wei Chi cursed under his breath, hesitated for a moment, then ran after her. His face darkened as he said, “I’m coming with you. Who knows what nonsense that jerk might pull?”

Yin Mengxi raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. “No need. You focus on your work. I can handle this myself.”

“Why?” he suddenly exploded, his emotions erupting without warning. “Doesn’t my opinion matter? Or are you waiting for someone else to step in? Your Professor Xiao, perhaps?”

…Ah, jealousy.

Yin Mengxi sighed. Though exhausted from dealing with people, she still patiently reassured him. But this kid’s temper flared hotter than hers, firing off like a machine gun: “And why are you even going? You’ve already left the Program Center. What more can Sun Jianbin do to you? Why are you still catering to him?”

Who said otherwise?

The bullied had nothing left to fear. If she couldn’t confront him, she could at least avoid him. Ignoring him today wouldn’t hurt—was there any position at the station more marginalized than documentary programming? Would he really send her to boil water in the boiler room?

But…

“I don’t want to waste any more time maneuvering around anyone,” Yin Mengxi’s voice was icy, her prickly demeanor making her seem untouchable. “If he wants to see me, then this is the perfect opportunity to clear the air.”

“There needs to be an end to this.”

The Program Center director’s office was on the 25th floor—a far better location than the unfortunate documentary channel. When Yin Mengxi took the elevator up, she had to greet the secretary outside, who then called in for permission before she could enter.

After about fifteen minutes, Sun Jianbin finally agreed to let her in—a small act of retaliation for her ignoring his messages all day. She didn’t care, feeling only disdain. With a composed expression, she entered.

He had been waiting leisurely, rising slowly from his executive chair as soon as she walked in. Approaching her, he said, “Little Yin is here? Come, sit.”

He gestured toward the two-seater sofa on the other side of the door.

A wave of goosebumps immediately rose on her skin, the revulsion identical to what she’d felt months ago at the hotel trade fair. The difference now was that she had nothing left to lose, so she didn’t need to endure his advances.

“No need, Director,” she responded with an impeccable professional smile, her eyes cold as ice. “There are colleagues waiting for me to finish work. Please say what you need directly.”

Such a blatant rejection—it might as well have screamed “get lost.” Yet Sun Jianbin showed no anger or urgency, casually nodding and replying, “Fine.” He sat back down behind his desk, his gaze still locked onto her like prey that couldn’t escape.

“Is documentary programming really so busy these days that you’re working overtime?” he feigned genuine concern. “Old Luo doesn’t know how to treat a delicate flower properly, putting all the responsibility on a young girl like you.”

What thick skin.

Wasn’t it him who kicked her out to the sidelines? Now he mocked her while pretending to be magnanimous. Management truly wasted this director’s talent—he should’ve been an actor.

“Thank you for your concern, Director,” she countered with equal falseness. “Teacher Luo has taught me a lot.”

“Oh?” Sun Jianbin chuckled, seemingly delighted for her. “That’s good, that’s good. I was worried you wouldn’t adapt to life there, but it seems I overthought things…”

Pausing, he sized her up once more, then adopted a contemplative look. “However, you’re still young. Recently, I reconsidered and thought perhaps I should assign you more challenging work. Director He always believed in pushing young people to achieve results—they shouldn’t live too comfortably.”

Oh?

Coldness built within Yin Mengxi. By now, she knew exactly what he was getting at, but she pretended not to, asking, “Director, what exactly do you mean?”

He knew she was pretending. Could anyone in her position be naive? During her time at the Program Center under Director He, Yin Mengxi had dealt with countless people. How could she miss such an obvious hint?

“Little Yin, there’s no need to beat around the bush. Let’s speak plainly,” Sun Jianbin’s patience waned, his murky eyes radiating a peculiar lewdness. “There’s an open position for an executive producer on Never Stop . If you’re willing, I can transfer you back.”

Ha.

Executive producer?

“Isn’t that Xiaoting’s position?” Yin Mengxi nearly laughed. “She’s worked with Zheng Ze for quite some time and been by your side for a while. Why the sudden transfer?”

Her words were far from diplomatic, almost outright exposing the dirty truth—what kind of person was Liu Xiaoting? Indiscriminate and opportunistic, she flirted with every male leader, hopping from one to another. In just two or three years, she climbed from a lowly editor to the production team. Had Sun Jianbin tired of her and decided to toss her aside?

“You seem to dislike her quite a bit,” Sun Jianbin squinted, showing no embarrassment at her insinuation. Perhaps he mistook it for jealousy, thinking she resented Liu Xiaoting.

“That’s unnecessary, Little Yin. Your abilities far surpass hers. If you put in the effort, you’ll surely outperform her.”

On the surface, his words seemed innocuous, but interpreted differently, they were utterly nauseating. Humiliation surged from her toes to her head. Yin Mengxi felt a violent emotion brewing deep inside, threatening to break free.

“Thank you for your recognition, Director,” her voice was freezing cold. “But I’m afraid I don’t have her… flexibility.”

This time, Sun Jianbin outright laughed, his gaze filled with both greed and pity. “People who want to succeed can’t hesitate, clinging to this and that. Doing so will only cause you to miss opportunities—opportunities that rarely come in life. Miss them, and you’ll regret it forever. Didn’t Director He teach you that?”

Opportunities?

What opportunities?

To become his mistress?

To be gossiped about and labeled shameless?

Just as she prepared to snap back, Sun Jianbin stood up. His lustful eyes, fixed unwaveringly on her, grew more triumphant with each step closer. It was as if he already considered her his to mold however he pleased.

“Little Yin…”

He stopped two steps away, his bad breath faintly detectable.

“Don’t resist. Why bother? I can’t bear to see your talent wasted. Can you really accept it?”

“Never Stop is essentially your brainchild. Are you really willing to watch Zheng Ze take it away?”

“I’m giving you a chance, and I want to see you thrive. In this society, we help and support each other to get ahead. Once this matter is resolved, I’m sure you’ll thank me…”

As he spoke, he extended his short, pudgy hand, leaning forward with a revolting air of victory. His confidence was absolute, believing she wouldn’t refuse. Like all his previous conquests, he expected her to submit silently.

—Unjustified confidence?

Not at all.

His offer was tempting—returning to Never Stop meant realigning her career trajectory. If the show succeeded, all her current problems would vanish. Wealth, fame, status in the industry—all the things she’d chased since her junior year would materialize. Social mobility, once a distant dream, would become reality.

This was what she deserved.

She shouldn’t endure poverty or disappointment anymore. To achieve success, she had sacrificed so much—even her treasured first love had slipped away. Failure’s cost was unbearable; it would render her decade of struggle meaningless.

Here was her chance to change everything.

All she had to do was stay still, not resist, and let him do as he pleased. Closing her eyes and gritting her teeth, she could pretend it was just being bitten by a dog. Wasn’t this how the adult world worked? Countless others had done it. Why couldn’t she? She, she…

Slap—

…Yet she still slapped his hand away.

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Author’s Note:

(Psst: Monday is a rest day tomorrow!)