Chapter 41: President Fu’s Stunning Appearance (Part 2)

It had been over three months since Jiang Shunnian last saw Qin Guanyue at that variety show filming site. He had thought he would be terrified, that his body would freeze up in a trauma response.

But perhaps the Fu Family had given him enough security, or maybe it was his own growth—either way, when he saw Qin Guanyue standing before him this time, he was still a bit scared, but more than that, he felt disgust and revulsion.

Fu Yanli will take care of all of you. You can’t scare me, Jiang Shunnian reassured himself.

As one of the investors in Spring Scenery of Mountains and Rivers and Xu Nanqiao’s sugar daddy, it was perfectly reasonable for Qin Guanyue to visit the set. No one reacted much.

Still, when Jiang Shunnian saw Xu Nanqiao affectionately linking arms with Qin Guanyue, a lingering fear crept in. Luckily, aside from filming, he never left his room, and he was always careful not to go anywhere alone—sticking with his bodyguards and Li Hehe.

Otherwise, who knew if Xu Nanqiao might have schemed against him.

Having suffered once before and been repeatedly warned by Fu Yanli, he was naturally extra cautious now.

Qin Guanyue’s initial orders to Xu Nanqiao had indeed included slipping something into Jiang Shunnian’s drink during a group dinner. But Jiang Shunnian didn’t drink alcohol at all, only his own water—and since everyone knew he had backing, no one dared force him.

Later, Qin Guanyue had told Xu Nanqiao to snap intimate photos of Jiang Shunnian and Fu Yanli, but Fu Yanli had only visited once, and they had stood far apart. There were no compromising angles; Xu Nanqiao could only send a few token shots.

Qin Guanyue hadn’t expected Jiang Shunnian to be so cautious now, with zero openings to exploit.

But next week, when the Fu Corporation got tangled in that patent plagiarism scandal and its stock plummeted, they would short the shares. Even if the Fu Corporation didn’t collapse, it would be gravely wounded.

Then, allying with the Qi Family, they would launch a brutal price war to crush the Fu Corporation for good.

When the Fu Corporation declared bankruptcy, he’d see what Jiang Shunnian had left without Fu Yanli’s protection—how could he refuse then?

These days, the itch had grown unbearable, so Qin Guanyue couldn’t resist coming early to sneak a peek at Jiang Shunnian.

After so long apart, Jiang Shunnian’s looks still tantalized him.

But Qin Guanyue had been around the block; he had the cunning to play it close to the chest. Secrecy breeds success, loose lips sink ships—nothing about targeting Fu Yanli slipped out. He just chuckled and said the crew must be working hard and that he wanted to treat everyone to dinner.

Mo Zhen had sharp eyes. He saw Qin Guanyue with an arm around Xu Nanqiao, but his gaze kept drifting to Jiang Shunnian—clearly up to no good.

For reasons he couldn’t quite pinpoint, Mo Zhen walked over to Jiang Shunnian and murmured a warning: “Qin Guanyue has a taste for beauties, no discrimination. Be careful at dinner tonight—like before, don’t drink anything random.”

At first, Mo Zhen had been hooked on Jiang Shunnian’s face, but after spending time together, his view had completely changed.

Jiang Shunnian was clean and gentle, always a comfortable presence. He worked his ass off on set, never using a stunt double, and even when banged up or injured, he never complained.

The industry desperately needed reliable actors like him. You couldn’t help but root for him to climb higher.

Someone like that shouldn’t be targeted by Qin Guanyue.

Jiang Shunnian was surprised by the reminder but grateful: “Don’t worry, Teacher Mo. I won’t let myself get taken advantage of.”

With an investor footing the bill—and at a spot where the per-head price was four figures—everyone naturally showed up to schmooze.

But Jiang Shunnian flat-out refused: “Sorry, I have plans tonight. Can’t make the dinner.”

Qin Guanyue’s face darkened. He sneered: “Jiang Shunnian, you won’t even have a meal? So cowardly—are you scared I’ll eat you?”

“President Qin, we both know what’s what,” Jiang Shunnian said, staring straight into those slightly bloodshot eyes. His back was ramrod straight, his voice icy: “If you’re unhappy, that’s your problem. I have no obligation to placate you.”

Mo Zhen sucked in a sharp breath, staring at Jiang Shunnian in shock.

What the hell? He’s this bold?

Does the guy behind him outrank Qin Guanyue?

Everyone turned to watch, whispering. Some guessed Qin Guanyue had his eye on Jiang Shunnian, who wasn’t having it.

But in the entertainment industry, that was par for the course—no big shock. Only Xu Nanqiao’s face twisted ugly.

They locked eyes, Jiang Shunnian’s gaze cold and unflinching.

In the end, Qin Guanyue backed down first. He jabbed a finger at Jiang Shunnian: “Fine, Jiang Shunnian. Remember this—someday, you’ll be on your knees begging me.”

With that, he stormed off.

Xu Nanqiao shot Jiang Shunnian a glare and hurried after him.

The crew was left baffled. So… dinner still on?

Jiang Shunnian let out a long breath, feeling an unprecedented lightness. Turns out Qin Guanyue wasn’t invincible after all.

This was the power Fu Yanli had given him.

Thinking of Fu Yanli made his brows furrow again. He wondered if the counterattack would succeed.

That night, the crew went to dinner without him. Jiang Shunnian stayed in his room, video-calling Fu Yanli.

He hadn’t planned to mention Qin Guanyue, but Fu Yanli found out anyway. His face turned frigid: “Once this blows over, I’ll handle him.”

A fool riding his family’s coattails, stirring up storms in the industry like he owned it—he’d long deserved to crash and burn.

Fu Yanli knew Jiang Shunnian inside out and added: “Shunnian, you did great. Facing your old fear head-on? That surprised me—and I’m proud of you.”

In all his years growing up, Jiang Shunnian had never gotten praise from family. But since meeting the Fu Family, compliments came often—like the treatment Nono got.

He tried to hide his delight, but it leaked through his eyes and the curve of his lips.

Fu Yanli’s heart stirred, his mind flashing to certain possibilities.

—And later, once they got together, during one of their evening romps, Fu Yanli gripped Jiang Shunnian’s slim waist and murmured praise: “Shunnian, you’re amazing—taking it all like that.”

Every time, it made Jiang Shunnian want to stuff something in his mouth to shut him up.

Of course, that’s a later story.

The next day, Mo Zhen pulled Jiang Shunnian aside. He said Qin Guanyue never showed at the dinner—the mood tanked. And Xu Nanqiao seemed dumped; he’d drowned his sorrows all night and hadn’t shown up today.

Xu Nanqiao’s acting was decent enough for a minor villain with few scenes. Too bad he chased shortcuts instead of grinding it out. Live and let live.

“You’re really not scared of pissing off Qin Guanyue? That’s the Qin Family head’s older brother,” Mo Zhen said, genuinely worried.

After yesterday, Jiang Shunnian saw Mo Zhen was a playboy but not a bad guy. He smiled: “Not scared. The one at home is even more formidable.”

Talking about Fu Yanli, his eyes softened unconsciously, laced with affection he didn’t even notice.

Mo Zhen caught it and felt a twinge of sourness, but he knew there was no chance—not even friends. “Alright, as long as you know what you’re doing.”

Jiang Shunnian was on edge for Fu Yanli but trusted him completely.

These days, he kept scrolling finance news across platforms until he saw the Qin Group’s statement: breakthrough progress on a key tech, patent filed.

His heart clenched. Here it comes.

Qin Guanyue was losing it. What the fuck is Fu Yanli playing at? Wasn’t it a chip reveal? Why a damn promo?

It hit 9:15. Qin Guanting frowned, urging his brother to hold the bloggers.

A bad feeling gnawed at him.

Then the promo ended. Cut back to the stage: the host smiled, introducing the new chip with cutting-edge algorithms for sensor data.

“This chip will transform tech and life. Please welcome Fu Group Chairman Fu Yanli for the details.”

The delay pushed it to 9:15. Despite Qin Guanyue’s scramble, five bloggers missed the call—their prepped posts went live on schedule.

Qin Guanyue nearly blacked out. Worse: Weibo’s top hot search dropped—#FuCorporationChipPatentPlagiarism#

Weekday morning, office slackers spotted the sudden tag. Curious: How’d they plagiarize?

They clicked. Only five linked posts—super suspicious. But pinned at top: a live stream thumbnail of an insanely hot guy!

Deep, striking features, gold-rimmed glasses adding fierce sexiness.

Chips? Meh. Hot guy? Hell yes!

They dove in: 1.9 meters tall, broad shoulders tapering to narrow waist, bespoke shirt and slacks hugging those long legs—dizzying.

【Holy shit, who’s this? Handsome enough to steal my heart!】

【Aaaah, a living overbearing CEO! Saw it’s Fu Group’s chairman Fu Yanli—OMG, this hot? And so young?】

【3 mins, I need this CEO’s full dossier /doge】

Just like that, the Fu Group chip press conference blew up online.