The Overbearing CEO Is Driven Mad by His Frail Canary 18

Chapter 18

After a chaotic scene, the whole story finally came to light.

Old Man Shao, having missed the earlier tension, assumed Yu Congyan was just paying a social visit. His tone naturally carried the authority of an elder:

“There are so many things happening in the industry, there’s no reason for Xiao Huan to know everything. There’s no need to make things difficult for him.” Old Man Shao waved his hand dismissively.

He intended to mediate and force the juniors to reconcile.

Shao Huan, beside him, looked like he had seen his savior, straightening his posture.

He had only been momentarily intimidated by Yu Congyan’s aura. Now, thinking calmly, even if Yu Congyan knew he was targeting Xia Wansheng, so what? Would he really dare to complain?

Even if he was scolded by his grandfather, it would just be a slap on the wrist, a month’s allowance at most. Yu Congyan, on the other hand, would have to consider whether he still wanted to collaborate with the Shao family.

It wasn’t worth it.

“I’ve been busy writing new songs recently, and haven’t been paying much attention to industry matters. If CEO Yu really wants to know, he should ask someone else.” Shao Huan felt much more confident now.

He simply disliked Xia Wansheng; there was no need for him to constantly monitor his every move.

Yu Congyan ignored Shao Huan’s defiance and changed the subject: “CEO Shao, since you’re not familiar with the entertainment industry, how about I fill you in?”

His expression now genuinely held the respectful courtesy of a junior.

Old Man Shao didn’t react immediately, thinking Yu Congyan was just trying to save face after being rejected. At least he knew to be polite to his elders, showing some good qualities.

Before Yu Congyan could speak, Shao Huan became extremely nervous.

He was saying he wanted to tell the old man about industry gossip, but he was actually subtly targeting him, wasn’t he?!

If he allowed Yu Congyan to expose his shady dealings in the industry, he wouldn’t be able to use the entertainment industry as an excuse to ask his grandfather for money anymore!

This person was trying to cut off his financial source!

Thinking of this, Shao Huan rushed over to stop him, “Entertainment industry matters are just trivial gossip, nothing worth listening to. Grandpa, you’ve worked hard all day, you should rest.” Shao Huan said obediently.

Inwardly, he was on the verge of tears.

It seemed even his grandfather couldn’t save him.

Although Old Man Shao was old, he wasn’t slow-witted, otherwise he wouldn’t still be in the company’s core leadership.

Old Man Shao waved away Shao Huan’s attempt to help him upstairs, his expression serious.

Seeing his grandson’s panic, while Yu Congyan remained calm and collected, he realized this wasn’t just a casual visit.

“Since CEO Yu came all the way here, he must have something important to say. Why not just speak frankly in front of this old man and settle the matter?”

He glared at his useless grandson, thinking he would teach him a lesson after the guest left.

But even if they were in the wrong, he couldn’t lose face in front of an outsider.

Looking at the terrified Shao Huan, Yu Congyan realized he probably really didn’t know anything.

Since the purpose of his visit had been achieved, and they were both intelligent people, they knew when to stop.

“Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll visit again when I have the chance.” Yu Congyan chose to downplay the matter. It seemed the person behind this wasn’t the Shao family head.

At least one wrong answer was eliminated.

Now the only certainty was that Xia Wansheng’s personality changed drastically after this incident, but perhaps only he knew what had truly happened.

Yu Congyan naturally wouldn’t poke at his wounds.

He just occasionally felt a slight discomfort in his daily life, unconsciously overthinking things.

Once a crack appeared in his memory, many things could be connected to it.

For example, what exactly had Xia Wansheng experienced? In what kind of despair had he been to choose to give up his life so readily that day after being suspected?

Xia Wansheng had been feeling Yu Congyan’s gaze on him lately, but it seemed too abrupt to ask directly.

Had he made another mistake in his performance somewhere?!

Xia Wansheng thought this person was too difficult to deceive. For his own safety, it was better to minimize contact with him in the short term.

He would be joining the program filming soon, and when he was away, Yu Congyan couldn’t constantly monitor his white moonlight act.

The future suddenly seemed promising.

This was practically a paid vacation!

Xia Wansheng felt his life had become very fulfilling recently.

He was constantly running between vocal lessons and program training, with no time to think about Yu Congyan’s unusual behavior.

One evening during dinner, Yu Congyan looked at Xia Wansheng, who clearly had no appetite, his expression complex.

“Don’t like the food?” Yu Congyan asked.

He had only been seeing Xia Wansheng during dinner lately. Even when he was busy with engagements before, he would still find time to visit the Yu Group building, he had never been this detached.

This person was definitely avoiding him.

And Xia Wansheng had barely touched his food for several days.

Could his mental state be affecting his physical condition?

Xia Wansheng shook his head hesitantly.

He couldn’t exactly say that whenever he went to Old Man Feng or the program team, they would constantly feed him snacks and pastries.

Especially Old Man Feng, who practically treated him like his own grandson, constantly urging him to eat more, almost ready to personally braise a pork bone for him.

But a single plate of stir-fried lamb almost exposed him last time. Xia Wansheng couldn’t risk it now.

“It’s fine, I just don’t have much appetite in this hot weather.” Xia Wansheng said guiltily.

The air conditioner in the room started its announcement at an inopportune moment: “Current indoor temperature is 26 degrees Celsius, the most comfortable temperature for the human body.”

Yu Congyan: “…”

A silent cloud hung over them.

After returning to his bedroom, Xia Wansheng received a message from the program team.

But he felt something was strange.

Normally, for these reality shows, the guests would be informed of their character settings and scripts in advance, but the director team only had him familiarize himself with the program flow and basic storyline. Xia Wansheng knew nothing about his character or script.

“So I can just improvise?” Xia Wansheng asked.

The screenwriter who explained the process and script to him nodded stiffly.

Looking at his clueless expression, the screenwriter silently mourned for this celebrity who was about to be dragged through the mud online.

The staff all knew that the key to these reality shows was the “show” aspect. They would never not give the guests a script.

But Xia Wansheng’s case was special.

The director had specifically instructed them to use maximum camera coverage and capture his most authentic reactions, the kind that would be perfect for generating controversy, to fuel the online backlash.

In short, they wanted everyone to witness Xia Wansheng’s awkwardness and the collapse of his persona in high definition.

The screenwriter couldn’t help but take a few more glances at Xia Wansheng, after all, he might not see him after the program.

The young man’s lychee-like eyes were watery, the perfect face for feigning innocence, but the downward tilt of his eyes gave him a sense of detachment, as if he was just playing a game, unconcerned about worldly possessions.

Since it was Xia Wansheng’s first time participating in a proper program, he naturally didn’t know this was a trap set by the program team to please Yu Congyan.

When the program started, everyone else would have pre-written lines and appropriate reactions, while Xia Wansheng would be clueless. If he couldn’t keep up with the conversation or exposed the original owner’s impetuous nature, he would be instantly isolated and smeared.

The screenwriter had felt this wasn’t quite right and considered giving him a heads-up, but the director scolded him: “CEO Yu invested in our program, and he just wants us to make things a bit difficult for a small-time celebrity. If you want to be a hero, bring your own money to invest, and I’ll make you the star.”

The screenwriter didn’t dare to speak up after that and could only hope Xia Wansheng would notice something was wrong.

Unfortunately, Xia Wansheng was fully focused on his vocal training, relieved that the program team didn’t require him to memorize a script.

After all, his vocal lessons were under the strict supervision of Old Man Feng.

Even with his talent, Xia Wansheng felt like his voice was about to give out from the constant practice.

He felt like a seedling being forcibly pulled up.

Old Man Feng seemed convinced that Xia Wansheng had been honing his skills secretly for years, and now he was determined to guide him, helping him grow rapidly and amaze everyone, avenging his past humiliation!

“Xiao Xia, as my last disciple, your performance largely represents my reputation, we can’t lose face!!!”

Old Man Feng had just finished a set of Baduanjin exercises with Xia Wansheng in the morning. They were strolling in the park, discussing music.

Old Man Feng said this was to train his ear by listening to various bird calls in the park, enhancing his auditory sensitivity.

This was the truth he had realized after years of study.

He thought this kid was really lucky, effortlessly learning all his secret techniques.

But then again, Xia Wansheng had such a good foundation, and for various reasons hadn’t had a proper teacher before. It was fate that he became his last disciple.

This was probably the so-called perfect timing, perfect location, and perfect people.

“You still lack an opportunity to showcase yourself. I’ve never heard of that program, that won’t do.” Old Man Feng sighed.

He had always relied on his own abilities, not caring much about connections, his relationships with old friends like water. He couldn’t think of anyone suitable to help his disciple.

As Old Man Feng was pondering, he suddenly bumped into an acquaintance, his junior from his training days.

Over the years, this person had made a fortune by teaching, despite lacking true skills. But with many disciples, he was bound to encounter a few talented ones, gradually gaining some fame.

Old Man Feng had always looked down on his methods and disliked him.

Now that they met, Old Man Feng naturally intended to ignore him.

But as they were about to pass each other, his junior suddenly grabbed his shoulder, surprised and delighted: “Senior brother, is that really you?!”

His junior had become quite prosperous over the years, his face rosy and glowing, seemingly flushed with excitement from seeing his senior brother.

Perfect. He had always wanted to collaborate with Old Man Feng to promote his training classes, and now he had finally caught him.

It was worth coming to this park every morning for half a month.

His efforts had finally paid off.