Chapter 37

“Have you guys watched No Escape?”

“I’ve heard of it. It’s just a variety show shell for boring official propaganda.”

“You’re out of touch. The first episode had a total viewership of 130 million. Especially the clip the Program Crew released later of Xiao Fen scheming against Lu Jin and Li Cuicai—it was super exciting and already has over four billion views. Even famous overseas sites like YT have tons of reposts.”

“Xiao Fen? Who’s that? Those views must be faked. I don’t even know the guy.”

“I have a vague memory. Some no-name celeb who pulled stunts for attention before. Even after all those scandals blew up, it didn’t make waves. That’s the one, right?”

“Yep, that’s Xiao Fen. Check out the photo—he’s super handsome!”

“Whoa, that face would be top-tier even in domestic entertainment. Who kept him under wraps so well? I just found out now!”

“He’s good-looking, sure, but that dumbstruck look ruined my Jade Balance Star Lord. Blacklisted for life.”

“No matter how handsome, he’s just a useless pretty boy. Domestic entertainment has no shortage of hot stars.”

“People change. Look at him now—he’s got acting chops and brains to match. Especially those lively eyes, like a bright and sassy little fox. I’m totally in love!”

“Are you a Little Fire Seed too? Let me share my little bro’s stunning beauty. I’ve loved Fen Treasure since his debut, hoarded tons of follow-cam footage, but no one to share with before. Now my niche treasure has finally shone and the world knows!”

“Domestic entertainment traffic stars really know how to carve out a niche. Can’t act, sing, or dance, so they pivot to variety shows. Just a variety show hack, and you brainless fans are hyping him up.”

“My treasure deserves all my love!”

No Escape’s first episode livestream ran for seven days, and Xiao Fen topped the celebrity hot topics list for all seven. Even after it ended, the buzz stayed sky-high, sparking widespread discussion across society.

If the warm-up show only drew fandoms and some passersby, after the first episode aired, it caught attention from top officials down to regular folks who never watched livestreams. Even without knowing the guests, pretty much everyone had heard of the show.

The innovative bounty system and public participation blew open the market and dominated conversations. Lu Family stocks soared, and the whole group buzzed with joy.

Xiao Fen dragged his suitcase and opened the door to his room. Before his butt even hit the sofa, the doorbell rang.

“Fen Treasure~” As soon as he opened the door, Song Hui—decked out in a garish retro floral shirt—spread his arms wide and smothered him in a suffocating bear hug.

“Why are you acting like a fanboy?” Xiao Fen dodged in disgust.

“You’re my number one idol now.” Song Hui shrugged excitedly. “We’re about to hit it big.”

“…” Xiao Fen was speechless. “I remember seven days ago, you chewed me out over the phone for messing around. You even warned me that if I didn’t follow the rules in the first episode, Lu’s would sue me.”

“This humble one had eyes but failed to see Mount Tai. Don’t hold it against me.” Song Hui grinned ingratiatingly, ushered him to the sofa, served tea, and started peeling fruit.

“Don’t live in this crappy thirty-or-so-square-meter company apartment anymore. It’s embarrassing—you can’t even stretch your legs.”

“I’ll apply to the company this afternoon. Tomorrow, move straight to the villa district. Pick any one you want. Or buy your own later if you feel like it.”

“Ditch these rags too. You’re a somebody now. Wearing years-old discounted out-of-season stuff will get you laughed at.”

Song Hui trashed every inch of his little place. Xiao Fen listened quietly and only asked one thing. “Where’s the money coming from?”

“Didn’t you earn 24 million?”

The show didn’t pocket the guests’ earnings.

“Spent it all.”

“Spent it all!” Song Hui’s voice shot up. He sprang to his feet with a whoosh, trembling as he flashed two fingers. “That’s 24 million!”

“Yeah, so what’s the problem?” Xiao Fen had just bitten into an apple when it vanished from his hand.

His apple!

“Where’d you blow it all? You paid off that three million debt, right?” Song Hui brandished the apple as he interrogated him.

“Trivial stuff like outer debts? Cleared, of course.” Xiao Fen said. “I just bought some things, ate some stuff, played around a bit…”

“What do you play that burns through 20 million?”

“Inspector Fang…”

“Keeping him costs that much?” Song Hui looked shocked, then gravely stroked his chin. “Makes sense—he wears the uniform. You gotta play it safe and keep some leverage. Don’t let him sue you when you split. You’re a star now. Plenty want to ride your coattails for clout.”

“What kinda nonsense is in your head all day?” Xiao Fen laughed helplessly. First Song Hui wanted him to seduce Lu Jin for resources on the show, now he thought Xiao Fen was keeping Fang Si Ting.

Couldn’t he just date normally?

He explained, “I only had less than ten thousand in chips at the time. The rest, over a hundred thousand, was Inspector Fang’s. We won, so we split by investment ratio.”

“Ten thousand? Versus over a hundred thousand?” Song Hui spread his left and right hands, fuming. “Why not borrow some! That was 24 million!”

“The emperor’s not worried, but the eunuch is. It’s my money—why are you so anxious?” Xiao Fen’s smiling eyes cooled a few degrees.

“I’m just pissed for you. You risked your life for that cash, and some Fang bastard gets the lion’s share!” Song Hui fumed. “And don’t think fast money means you can go wild. I’ve seen it in this industry—overnight fame and riches lead to debauchery. If you’re stressed later, dump it on me. Use me as a punching bag. Just don’t go off the rails, got it? How high you climb is talent and skill. How far you go is character and morals… Why are you looking at me like that?”

Song Hui rubbed his arms. “I chat, but I don’t bed.”

Xiao Fen laughed.

His brand-new agent wasn’t half bad. He’d tricked him into signing up, forced him into the livestream, urged him to seduce Lu Jin. Xiao Fen had thought he’d hooked some weirdo.

“Alright, no need to worry about that.” Xiao Fen reassured him.

“True. You’re blowing up now. The Program Crew will probably sign you for the rest of the episodes. Ride this rocket to fame—Lu’s will push you as high as Ou Yu, or higher.” Song Hui said optimistically. In comparison, 24 million was pocket change.

Xiao Fen shrugged without responding. He tapped his phone lightly, and soon Song Hui’s phone pinged with a transfer notice.

“Why send me 20k?” Song Hui blinked in confusion.

“The show contract had a 50k bonus for you.” Xiao Fen tossed his phone onto the sofa and kept munching his apple.

“I didn’t do jack. Don’t waste money. The company pays commissions and bonuses. You think I’m broke?”

“Didn’t you say I’m gonna be bigger than Ou Yu? This is chump change to me.” Xiao Fen said.

“Yeah, true.” Song Hui grinned dopily and accepted.

As he went to pocket his phone, a call from the boss came in. After groveling through it, Xiao Fen had already gone to change.

“Let’s go.”

They headed downstairs and climbed into Song Hui’s flashy pink secondhand ride that cost 30k.

“What if we get booked solid with gigs? We’ll be rushing nonstop, no rest. Gotta bulk you up quick during this break.”

“You had some fitness routine before? Brother Ka never mentioned it. Your family’s plot is tiny—you can see it all at a glance, no gym gear… Whatever, keep it up.”

“Voice lessons, acting classes, dance—all on the schedule. National treasure masters are hard to book? No sweat, those old connections will pay off.”

“Those snobs. Wouldn’t give us the time of day before. Hmph, now watch them grovel and grin.”

Xiao Fen nodded along the way, chiming in now and then. Soon they pulled into the company underground garage, hopped the elevator, and Song Hui finally got jittery.

“Act chill and serious later. No goofing off. I’m telling you, this breakout was luck. Stay hot—that’s real skill.” Song Hui chuckled suddenly. “Never pegged you for such a wild card before.”

“Past is past. Now is now.” Xiao Fen scowled, shoulder slumped against the elevator’s clear wall.

The elevator dinged at the ninth floor, and someone stepped in.

“B-Boss Lu!” Song Hui’s eyes bulged. He yanked at the sloucher.

Xiao Fen yawned, straightened up for his agent’s sake, and glanced at Lu Jin.

Song Hui’s heart pounded. His midday excitement got doused with cold water, leaving him sweating bullets.

Xiao Fen was hot, sure—but he’d climbed by stepping on the boss!

In the suffocating vibe, Song Hui’s brain stalled.

Lu Jin stared at Xiao Fen, lost in a daze for a split second.

“What a coincidence.” His low voice tensed unnaturally.

Xiao Fen stood aside, his Xu Nuo-style short messy hair topped with a black-fringed denim bucket hat. A poker card earring gleamed under the light. He wore a loose gray tee and dark gray paint-splatter ripped jeans, hands in pockets. He gave Lu Jin a lazy glance before looking away bored.

The view outside the glass elevator plunged downward.

Sunlight refracted in, lending his flawless face a pearlescent glow. He tilted his head sideways, turning away at the words, exposing only the earring peeking through his hair, a slender neck.

Song Hui forced a laugh. “Yeah, haha, total coincidence…”

So awkward.

“Uh…”

Lu Jin suddenly asked, “When did you get your ear pierced?”

Xiao Fen finally met his eyes and sneered softly. “None of your damn business.”

His eyelids were thin, naturally dusted with faint blush that deepened at the corners and folds. At first glance, he looked like a pitiful pushover, but when he snapped back, his eyes dripped sarcasm, the outer corners tilting up proudly. His whole face brimmed with sharp, aggressive charisma.

The type who couldn’t take a single slight.

The instant their gazes locked, Lu Jin’s muscles tensed involuntarily.

“Boss Lu, this Little Kid’s been off lately—rebel phase or something. Don’t stoop to his level. Thanks for caring about my artist…”

Lu Jin shot Song Hui a cold glance, then turned away impatiently, back to them.

Ding—the elevator announced the 23rd floor.

Lu Jin strode out first, Xiao Fen and Song Hui trailing.

The top-floor executive office held a crowd that greeted the lead Lu Jin warmly.

They pushed into the innermost office, where five or six department managers and supervisors already waited, chairs lined against the walls on either side of the desk. They rose respectfully at the sight of the trio.

Surrounded by so many, Lu Jin finally eased up. He circled the desk and dropped into the leather chair, which spun half a turn under his weight before settling. He looked across the desk.

He sported a black suit, no tie, top three shirt buttons undone to reveal a custom couple’s necklace at his collarbone—the other half who knew where.

City A’s Crown Prince, the Lu Family’s only son. Back from abroad, he still wouldn’t settle down. Old Master Lu tossed him the group subsidiary to cut his teeth on.

Lu’s No.1 Entertainment—the very one Xiao Fen belonged to.

Song Hui swallowed hard. From the elevator run-in, he’d sensed bad vibes. And Xiao Fen was scowling for no reason.

“Get out.” Lu Jin smirked coldly at Song Hui.

Song Hui glanced anxiously at Xiao Fen, who gave a reassuring look. He hesitated, then left the office.

Lu Jin crossed his legs, leaned back arrogantly, and eyed Xiao Fen with disdain.

“Sit.”

The managers and supervisors flanked the desk on both sides, stone-faced and predatory.

Besides the heavy sofa, the only chair sat smack in the open middle.

The setup screamed interrogation.

Lu Jin was his boss, who held the power of life and death over him, this little star who had just begun to make a name for himself. Combined with this oppressive environment, it was easy to create psychological pressure.

They hadn’t even started talking, yet he had already begun to intimidate him.

A harsh scraping sound of metal dragging across the tiled floor rang out. Xiao Fen grabbed the back of the chair and pulled it to the side of the desk, staring straight at Lu Jin across from him.

“Thank you, General Manager.”

With that, he smiled and sat down.

In this negotiation, why shouldn’t he have a seat at the table?