I’m Keeping the Overbearing CEO After He Went Bankrupt [Rebirth] 3

Chapter 3: The Overbearing CEO Asks for Money

Chu Qing opened his mouth, about to say something, when someone came to inform him that he could go upstairs.

“I… I’ll just go up for a moment.”

Chu Qing let out a sigh of relief and quickly followed the staff member away.

His manager was waiting in a small office. He looked like he had just returned from outside and was now hastily packing, as if he were about to leave again.

Chu Qing asked tentatively, “Excuse me, is there something you need?”

“To sign a contract.”

Ah…

Chu Qing understood.

They were planning to terminate his contract.

His reputation was currently in shambles, and he hadn’t been proactive at all. His contract happened to be expiring, so terminating it was perfectly normal.

Chu Qing, on the other hand, felt a wave of relief, a sense of release and ease.

He was already tired of working. The reason the company didn’t want him and wouldn’t even help clear up the negative rumors about him was, in fact, partly his own fault.

His manager, Liu Xifang, said he had no motivation for anything. Although he wore a gentle and friendly expression, he was completely indifferent to the outside world, with a take-it-or-leave-it attitude that was not at all proactive. He was simply unmanageable.

Chu Qing felt that, since this was his manager, he should at least be responsible and explain himself. So he told Liu Xifang that it wasn’t that he didn’t want to work, but that he lacked the physical stamina and couldn’t control his own negative emotions.

“Tsk. If you don’t have what it takes to be an artist, then don’t pretend you do.”

At the time, Liu Xifang’s reaction had been to roll his eyes, so Chu Qing hadn’t said anything more.

Liu Xifang pointed to the documents on the desk and looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Sign it. Since you don’t want to do this, then don’t.”

A single contract lay on the table.

Without a word, Chu Qing picked up a pen and signed his name.

“That show, Sing It Beautiful, I’m giving it to Xie Yunzhou.”

Chu Qing had originally been scheduled for a show, a mentor position on Sing It Beautiful. Given Chu Qing’s talent, he was more than qualified for the role, but now Liu Xifang was planning to give it to Xie Yunzhou.

Xie Yunzhou had debuted around the same time as Chu Qing and had a similar style as a sentimental singer-songwriter. The only difference was that Xie Yunzhou leaned more towards being an “idol,” so his popularity was naturally higher.

“Okay.” Chu Qing stood up and gave Liu Xifang a sincere bow.

“Thank you for managing me all this time.”

Liu Xifang looked down on Chu Qing and replied casually, “My assistant will handle the rest of the procedures with you. From now on, you’re on your own.”

“Okay.”

Walking out of the office and taking the elevator down to the ground floor, Chu Qing was surprised to find that he felt no negative emotions at all.

He was finally able to terminate his contract, and he was happy.

He no longer had to force himself to participate in any programs in front of the camera, and he was even happier.

Chu Qing smiled, already starting to fantasize about the cozy blanket on his bed at home.

“Teacher Chu.”

Chu Qing paused. He had just stepped out of the elevator when a man greeted him.

“Teacher Xie.” Chu Qing nodded and returned the smile.

Wasn’t this the Xie Yunzhou that Liu Xifang had just mentioned?

“Teacher Chu, about that show Sing It Beautiful… I’m really sorry,” Xie Yunzhou said with a bitter smile. “I didn’t want to snatch your opportunity, Teacher Chu, but this was the company’s arrangement.”

Chu Qing was a little speechless.

The entire company knew that Xie Yunzhou had fought tooth and nail for it.

Chu Qing wasn’t good at, didn’t like, and couldn’t be bothered with insincere social niceties. He just smiled without saying anything.

Seeing that there was no trace of dissatisfaction or disappointment on Chu Qing’s face, Xie Yunzhou felt a little puzzled. His sense of accomplishment and vanity had nowhere to be vented, so he added, “But Teacher Chu doesn’t need to worry, I will do an even better job in your place. I heard from Brother Liu that Teacher Chu is terminating his contract with the company, and now the show is gone too. What are your plans for the future?”

Xie Yunzhou and Chu Qing had debuted on the same show, but he had always been overshadowed by the immensely talented Chu Qing. He had been dissatisfied for a long time, and now that he had finally won for once, his tail was practically wagging to the heavens.

“Yunzhou, what’s taking you so long here?”

Just as they were talking, Liu Xifang came downstairs looking for Xie Yunzhou, followed by a group of makeup artists and stylists.

“You have an interview next.”

Xie Yunzhou smiled. “I was just catching up with Teacher Chu.”

Liu Xifang frowned slightly and pulled Xie Yunzhou away.

Xie Yunzhou was someone he planned to promote heavily, and he didn’t want him getting mixed up with Chu Qing.

Hurry up and take him away, Chu Qing thought. I’m getting tired of this fake smile.

“I was asking Teacher Chu what he plans to do now that he’s terminated his contract and is unemployed,” Xie Yunzhou said. “I feel a little bad for taking his place.”

Chu Qing opened his mouth, about to offer a few perfunctory words, when he heard a voice from behind him.

“So your esteemed company has finally let him go. Teacher Chu, of course, plans to sign with Starry Sky Entertainment next.”

The group turned to see a tall man walking towards them, accompanied by another tall, thin man with gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.

Huo Li…

Chu Qing looked questioningly at the man beside Huo Li.

Who’s that?

Liu Xifang, however, stared with wide eyes.

Wasn’t that… the top assistant to the CEO of Starry Sky Entertainment?

That was a major player. What was he doing here?

The assistant stepped forward and smiled at Chu Qing. “Hello, Mr. Chu. We can schedule another time to discuss the detailed terms and whether you’re willing to accept our invitation.”

The assistant handed his business card to Chu Qing.

“This is a show of our sincerity.”

Both Xie Yunzhou and Liu Xifang stared, their eyes wide.

How was this possible?!

Starry Sky wasn’t just any entertainment company. Almost all of their artists were A-listers or above, and they had produced numerous Best Actor and Best Actress winners, as well as renowned musicians. Their standards were high, their reputation was excellent, and they never signed anyone casually.

But why was the CEO of Starry Sky’s assistant here now?

Chu Qing numbly accepted the business card.

“…Thank you.”

It was no secret that the company was terminating Chu Qing’s contract, so Liu Xifang wasn’t surprised that Starry Sky had gotten the news. But why…

Liu Xifang felt a sense of unease.

Could it be that… he had lost something valuable?

A sour feeling grew in Liu Xifang’s heart. Xie Yunzhou, standing beside him, was even more embarrassed, his face alternating between pale and flushed as he stared at Chu Qing in disbelief.

The makeup artists behind them didn’t dare look at either of them, trying to make themselves invisible.

“Let’s go.” Huo Li stepped forward, took the still-dazed Chu Qing by the arm, and led him out, his arm around his shoulders.

Xie Yunzhou’s gaze was immediately drawn to Huo Li, wondering who this person was and why that assistant seemed to be so respectful towards him.

“What are you looking at? Stop staring.” Liu Xifang looked at Xie Yunzhou, who couldn’t compare to the other no matter how he tried, and a fire of irritation flared up. He grabbed Xie Yunzhou and dragged him towards the studio.

…

After greeting Chu Qing, the assistant went his separate way. Once Huo Li had loaded a suitcase into Chu Qing’s car, Chu Qing started the engine and asked cautiously, “Starry Sky… did you help with that?”

No wonder Huo Li seemed to have been texting someone constantly when he returned to the café earlier. Could it be that he had gone to find Starry Sky during that time…?

Huo Li sat in the passenger seat, tapping something on his phone screen as he said, “The CEO of Starry Sky is a friend of mine.”

“Oh…”

“Are you interested? I looked around and thought Starry Sky was the most reliable, so I picked them. If you’re not willing, we can find another one.” Huo Li’s “take your pick” attitude made Chu Qing’s heart flutter nervously.

Is this how a bankrupt person acts?

As if he knew what Chu Qing was thinking, Huo Li clarified, “Shao Fanxing, the CEO of Starry Sky, is my friend. He can help. Placing one person isn’t a big deal.”

“Oh…”

Wait.

Chu Qing blinked. “Didn’t you say you had nowhere to go, and that when a wall is about to collapse, everyone gives it a push?”

Huo Li froze.

Ah.

“Well… he wouldn’t refuse to do me a small favor and place someone, but he definitely wouldn’t help me with my own problems,” Huo Li said with a bitter smile. “Heh… it’s good enough that he doesn’t kick me while I’m down.”

Huo Li’s tone was heavy.

“Ah…” Chu Qing’s eyes immediately filled with sympathy.

It seemed Huo Li really was in trouble.

Huo Li cleared his throat lightly. For the sake of a brother’s happiness, he thought, that Shao Fanxing’s pride isn’t that important. I’ll just sacrifice it a little.

Huo Li changed the subject. “So? What do you think?”

Chu Qing said in a small voice, “I don’t really want to keep working…”

“Then what do you want to do?”

“I don’t know…”

Chu Qing had no goals or prospects right now; his heart and mind were both empty.

“Chu Qing, you said you were going to keep me, right?”

Chu Qing played dead.

Huo Li crossed his arms. “Do you know how much this suit I’m wearing costs?”

Chu Qing’s hands trembled slightly on the steering wheel. “How much?”

Huo Li held up his fingers to form a “nine.”

Chu Qing: “Nine thousand??”

“Ninety-two thousand.” Huo Li casually mentioned the brand and country of origin.

“…”

Chu Qing almost lost his grip on the steering wheel.

Chu Qing asked tentatively, “Is this your most expensive suit?”

“No, this is for daily wear.”

“…”

He was truly ignorant.

He was not worthy.

Huo Li raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to work now?”

“…Yes.”

QAQ

Chu Qing’s mind was filled with “ninety-two thousand.”

He felt that even if he worked day and night, he wouldn’t be able to support this magnate, Huo Li.

Could it be the kind of person who gargles with ’85 Lafite for breakfast, has a Michelin-star feast for lunch, and dines in a revolving restaurant for dinner?

The car continued to move forward.

A moment later, while stopped at a red light, Chu Qing managed to speak up. “Mr. Huo, I might not be able to… sponsor you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t have the money.”

Huo Li spread his hands. “I’m very easy to support. I don’t have to wear ninety-thousand-yuan suits. Just give me a few bites of food and a place to stay. If you’re really broke, two-yuan steamed buns are fine too.”

He sounded utterly pitiful.

Chu Qing’s heart immediately ached with sympathy, and for the first time in a long while, a spark of fighting spirit ignited within him. “I’ll work hard.”

I’ll work hard to give Huo Li a better life!

Huo Li was the one who had sponsored him in the beginning. Without Huo Li, he wouldn’t be where he was today. No matter what situation Huo Li was in now, he would definitely do his best to help him.

Chu Qing was completely unaware that he had walked right into the trap, inexplicably accepting this “kept man” arrangement.

“Thank you.” A faint curve appeared at the corner of Huo Li’s mouth as he said suggestively, “I’ll work hard too.”

“…”