HYAT - 31

One day, Su Lanyi, a rare visitor, came to the company.

That matriarch stayed for the entire morning, dealt with some documents, and then brought Shen Qianzhan and Su Zan along to support her friend’s newly opened Western restaurant.

The restaurant wasn’t far from Qiandeng, collaborating with a four-star hotel to set up a revolving restaurant on its top floor.

When Su Lanyi sat down after delivering the opening flower basket, the owner arrived, recommending several signature dishes with diligent enthusiasm, then instructed the waitstaff to waive the bill for their table, before finally excusing herself.

As soon as she left, the booth instantly fell quiet.

Su Lanyi smiled and gave a brief introduction: “The owner here is from our circle. She got tired of being a trophy wife after marriage and decided to open a restaurant to find her life’s purpose.”

She elegantly cut her steak, her knife and fork making no sound as they touched the plate: “I don’t know how long the restaurant will last, but her enthusiasm for opening it certainly gets full marks.” She winked playfully, chuckling, “Hurry and try it; she hired this chef at a high price. I’ve been craving this ever since she said she was opening a restaurant.”

Su Lanyi, having grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth, was extremely picky. For her to crave something, Shen Qianzhan figured she’d probably have to hold onto a wall to leave later.

After a quiet meal, Su Lanyi, seemingly nonchalant, asked, “What’s going on between you and Mr. Ji from Buzhongshui? It’s gone wild outside; friends keep asking me.”

Shen Qianzhan scooped a spoon of pudding and countered, “What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’?” She was so calm, unlike someone being gossiped about: “What else could be between Buzhongshui and Qiandeng besides a collaboration?”

Su Lanyi looked at her twice. “Xiang Qianqian’s breach of contract and lawsuit with Qiandeng have been all over the city lately. Your little bit of gossip with Mr. Ji just gave Xinghai Media an opportunity.”

Her words weren’t pleasant, even carrying a hint of reproach.

Seeing the situation turn sour, Su Zan quickly intervened: “This is my fault. If it weren’t for those photos on my Moments, none of this would have happened.”

Shen Qianzhan put down her spoon, shifted her gaze to Su Lanyi’s face, and directly asked, “What do you want me to do?”

Su Lanyi, realizing her poor choice of words, slightly furrowed her brows and explained: “I don’t know the full story, I just worry that you and Qiandeng might be exploited by someone with ulterior motives.” She sighed, rubbing her temples with a slight headache: “Qianzhan, if nothing unexpected happens, in a few days, Xiang Qianqian’s side will release press releases to gain sympathy and manipulate public opinion.”

Naïve Su Zan was dumbfounded: “...Is it that serious?”

Su Lanyi asked, “How do you think this ill wind started blowing? Nothing happened when Qianzhan pinched that young idol’s butt the year before last. How come this time, just getting a bit close to Mr. Ji, it’s being spread so badly?”

Shen Qianzhan, who had been expressionless, immediately exploded: “Honestly, please don’t mention that ‘butt-pinching’ black history.”

At the mention of butt-pinching, Shen Qianzhan couldn’t help but hold her forehead.

The year before last, she accompanied Xiang Qianqian to record a variety show. After the final episode wrapped, the show’s producers organized a wrap-up party. That evening happened to coincide with the third episode’s viewership peak, so everyone was in high spirits from drinking.

Some genius suggested a game of truth or dare. Xiang Qianqian drew dare, and the other party specifically told her to touch the backside of a young idol who was already a top star.

Shen Qianzhan, as her manager at the time, thought, “How can this be allowed?” This was clearly a trap, forcing Xiang Qianqian to jump. If she jumped into this trap, who knew how many bloody holes would appear. Xiang Qianqian would at best be torn to shreds, at worst her career would be half-ruined.

Shen Qianzhan instinctively felt this was a conspiracy, but at that moment, the other party was clearly playing a trick. Refusing would definitely offend people, but if she complied, she and Xiang Qianqian would surely face a storm of controversy after that night.

The only compromise she could think of was for her to pinch the idol’s butt instead of Xiang Qianqian. The biggest consequence of this would merely be her resigning.

Afterward, it was indeed proven that Shen Qianzhan had been far-sighted at the time. That “butt-pinching” incident was made into short videos, photos, and GIFs, leading to Shen Qianzhan deleting her posts and withdrawing from the industry.

If it weren’t for the idol’s kindness in explaining for her, Shen Qianzhan would have truly suffered a devastating blow.

At the thought of this, Shen Qianzhan completely lost her appetite: “I know what I’m doing; you don’t need to worry.”

________________________________________

Su Lanyi’s concerns were not unfounded. After returning to the company, Shen Qianzhan immediately contacted the public relations department for an emergency meeting. First, to understand the progress of Xiang Qianqian’s contract termination; second, to assess online public opinion; and third, to prevent herself from being targeted by Xinghai Media.

During the infamous “butt-pinching incident,” to completely clear Xiang Qianqian’s name, Shen Qianzhan strictly forbade her from speaking out. To prevent her from being overly chivalrous, the company even confiscated her Weibo account for a week.

After the incident, apart from the person involved explaining for her, most netizens were unaware of the truth. This even made her identity an extremely awkward, even unmentionable, transparent figure in Xiang Qianqian’s fan base to this day.

If the fabricated story of Shen Qianzhan using unscrupulous means to drive away Xiang Qianqian were exploited this time, the consequences would be unimaginable.

She truly bore everything alone.

After finalizing Qiandeng’s public relations contingency plan, Shen Qianzhan deliberated for an entire day, then meticulously scheduled a meeting with Ji Qinghe through Ming Jue.

As the year-end approached, Ji Qinghe was swamped with official duties and hadn’t been to the quadrangle courtyard in a long time. When he heard Ming Jue relay Shen Qianzhan’s request for a meeting, his pen paused, almost tearing through the paper.

Assistant Ming, instantly sensing Mr. Ji’s bad mood, felt uneasy but bit the bullet and completed his sentence: “Producer Shen said a face-to-face meeting would be best, so she can explain the whole situation to you. If you don’t have time, she’ll have her assistant liaise with me.”

Ji Qinghe’s wrist, holding the fountain pen, sank. He signed the document and handed it to Ming Jue: “If she wants to see me, why doesn’t she contact me directly?”

Ming Jue, eyes fixed on his nose, mercilessly broke the news: “Producer Shen said the matter concerns the reputation of both companies and she had to disturb you. Since it’s official business, she’s following official procedures.”

The latter half of the sentence was added by Ming Jue himself. Although Shen Qianzhan hadn’t explicitly said it, her meaning was very clear: she didn’t want any involvement with Buzhongshui beyond official business, hoping to avoid deepening misunderstandings.

Ji Qinghe pursed his lips and remained silent. His schedule was tight, and it was hard to spare any more time.

Seeing him in thought, Ming Jue tentatively asked, “The airport is on the way past Qiandeng. If the situation is urgent and Producer Shen doesn’t mind using your fragmented time, I’ll go inform her now.”

Ji Qinghe nodded: “Tell her, no meeting today. The next time we meet will be at Qiandeng’s annual party.”

________________________________________

Ji Qinghe’s last remark was too threatening, so Shen Qianzhan didn’t hesitate long before agreeing.

Ming Jue, fearing she would delay Ji Qinghe’s schedule, repeatedly confirmed the agreed time and place with Shen Qianzhan, not entirely at ease.

5 PM.

Ji Qinghe’s car appeared punctually at the intersection.

Shen Qianzhan, carrying two cups of coffee, got into the car.

It was windy in Beijing today, and she had waited in the draft for no more than ten minutes, but was chilled to the bone.

Once in the car, surrounded by the warm air, she shivered and handed the coffee she had been warming in her overcoat to Ji Qinghe: “Coffee for you.”

Ji Qinghe subtly frowned, and as he took the coffee, he adjusted the air vent: “Didn’t you think of waiting somewhere out of the wind?”

“I was afraid of delaying your time,” Shen Qianzhan said, warming her frozen body with coffee while observing him: “Mr. Ji is on another business trip?”

Ji Qinghe’s fingers, holding the coffee, were long and slender. A segment of his wristwatch was visible beneath the cuff of his white shirt, outlining his wrist bones clearly and smoothly, as if custom-made, exuding a low-key, reserved elegance.

The car drove on the road, took a shortcut, and headed straight onto the airport expressway.

Without traffic, Shen Qianzhan only had half an hour.

“I already know what happened,” he said, the fatigue in his brows unmistakable, his voice much deeper than usual: “What ‘official procedure’ do you want to go through with me?”

In the front seat, Ming Jue was speaking in a low voice with the driver about road conditions. Shen Qianzhan’s attention wavered, and when she refocused, she replied, “Qiandeng has already prepared a public relations contingency plan. I know Buzhongshui is expanding its market, and if this issue isn’t handled well, it will affect the reputation of both companies.”

Ji Qinghe smiled, a playful expression on his face: “How do you want me to cooperate?”

Shen Qianzhan was instantly speechless.

Her original intention was for Ji Qinghe to understand the situation, grasp its importance, and then have both companies speak with one voice. It would be best if nothing happened, but if Xinghai Media used these unclarifiable rumors to manipulate public opinion, it would negatively impact the project.

After spending the entire afternoon drafting a plan, his single question, “How do you want me to cooperate?” rendered it all useless.

“An hour ago, Buzhongshui suppressed a batch of press releases.” Ji Qinghe took off his glasses and rubbed his temples: “I didn’t expect Producer Shen’s past to be so colorful.”

Shen Qianzhan: “?”

Seeing her confusion, Ji Qinghe handed her a sealed document, gesturing for her to read it herself.

Xinghai Media did indeed intend to create a narrative from pictures, to add more bargaining chips for Xiang Qianqian.

This press release was first sent to Bo Xuan and Buzhongshui, the two companies collaborating with Qiandeng, attempting to put pressure on Qiandeng this way.

The document Ji Qinghe gave her was a well-reasoned, well-documented, and well-illustrated press release detailing her scandalous affairs.

Shen Qianzhan’s face turned green when she saw the bolded and red-highlighted “Butt-Pinching Incident.”

She suddenly realized that Ji Qinghe’s earlier statement wasn’t a straightforward declaration, but a prelude to settling scores later.

Shen Qianzhan suddenly had a headache. She stuffed the document back into the envelope: “This stuff is enough for me to resign and protect the project.”

She wasn’t in high spirits, her eyes fixed on the bustling crowds outside the window as she murmured, “The PR department will suppress these press releases and expedite the resolution of Xiang Qianqian’s contract termination. Currently, these rumors won’t substantially affect Buzhongshui, and Qiandeng’s official Weibo will also issue a statement to clarify. Everything is within my control.”

Ji Qinghe caught her implied meaning and looked at her sideways: “What’s the worst-case scenario you’ve considered?”

Shen Qianzhan paused slightly.

Wait, this “dog man” wouldn’t think she was going to end her career, would he?

How could that be?

She was about to explain, but then had a thought. This reason was perfectly legitimate right now; there was no better opportunity to clear her name with him.

As soon as this thought bubbled up, it rapidly floated to the surface.

She looked as if she was about to cry, feigning a wronged expression: “The worst... is probably sacrificing myself to the cause, making a personal sacrifice.”

Ji Qinghe smirked slightly.

He kicked his foot, raising the divider. Once the view from the front seat was completely blocked, he lowered his voice and asked softly, “Sacrificing yourself? Sacrificing for whose cause?”

He turned sideways, his gaze fixed on her, and analyzed: “Do you think I’d just let you be? His gaze shifted downwards, landing on the document by her hand, and he chuckled: “But you did remind me. Since you’re willing to sacrifice yourself, it’s better to sacrifice to me than to anyone else. Once is a beginning, twice is familiar; it’s better than ending your career.”

Shen Qianzhan: “...”

Damn it, she had willingly jumped into the pit Ji Qinghe dug again.

She cleared her throat, looking at the divider in front of them: “Is this soundproofing good? I’m worried that if I go too hard later, Mr. Ji’s cries for mercy will get out, and he’ll lose face in front of his subordinates.”