“What kind of artist has my senior brother so concerned?”
Yan Yu had studied music under the same teacher as Ji Zhixian in earlier years. Although Ji Zhixian was cold, he took special care of Yan Yu. Yan Yu also liked this senior brother, having never met anyone more talented or handsome. Of course, such a man would be more appealing to women. Over the years, many women had tried to get close to his senior brother, but he remained pure, never taking them seriously. This was the first time Yan Yu saw his senior brother care about a woman.
“The champion of ‘Creating Idols’,” Ji Zhixian was not very satisfied with his wording, “A company artist who is not very reassuring and needs monitoring.”
“If she’s troublesome, just replace her. Why bother?” Yan Yu had no good feelings for such a cunning woman.
“The contract is already signed.”
“I’ll pay the compensation,” Yan Yu decided to help his senior brother.
Ji Zhixian suddenly remembered Lin Xiaoman’s arrogant appearance: “If she breaches the contract, although I haven’t decided exactly how, I will definitely make her regret it.”
She had lost her mother early, had an unloving father and a bullying stepmother and sister, was completely alone, yet was proud and defiant, looking like she wasn’t afraid of confronting the whole world.
So from the beginning until now, always criticized by netizens, she always cleverly faced it. Even photos that would normally be a negative point, like drinking, have now become a sympathy token.
Although annoyed by her disrespect last night, Ji Zhixian still appreciated her approach, retreating to advance, using the strategy well.
The corner of his mouth involuntarily curved slightly: “You can’t afford it.”
“Don’t underestimate me, senior brother!” Yan Yu puffed up, “I’m a singer with over 10 million fans! I’ll use all the money from my female fans to pay the compensation!”
Ji Zhixian’s expression softened: “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
“…” Yan Yu couldn’t tell if his gentleness was for himself or that woman, and reminded, “Senior brother, be careful. Women nowadays are very scheming. You must stay away from them.”
Ji Zhixian did not respond, so Yan Yu continued: “Like this Lin Xiaoman, she might be deliberately causing trouble to attract your attention. Isn’t this the trend now? Making you feel she’s different.”
“You understand well.”
“This is how Korean dramas are,” Yan Yu, thinking of the dozens of Korean dramas he’d watched recently, felt more and more that Lin Xiaoman was not simple, especially since his senior brother used to not even have a Weibo account. “Senior brother, did this woman teach you to use Weibo?”
Ji Zhixian remained silent, not knowing how his usually low-EQ junior who never read people’s expressions had suddenly become so perceptive.
Yan Yu realized he’d guessed correctly and became indignant: “Then they’ll find opportunities to sit in your car, pretend to be close to you, and then get drunk and go home with you. By the time you realize, it’ll be too late!”
Ji Zhixian: …
“Xiaoman is not that kind of person…”
The voice came from behind Ji Zhixian, though small, Yan Yu still heard it. He turned and looked up to see his senior brother’s newly recruited assistant looking displeased.
Zhang Chengxu had been listening for a while. He originally wanted to hold back, as it wasn’t his place to speak. But hearing Yan Yu speak more and more unpleasantly, he couldn’t help it. The last time he saw Lin Xiaoman, he had liked her very much and knew she wasn’t the scheming woman Yan Yu described.
“It seems Assistant Zhang knows her well?” Yan Yu smiled slightly, “What kind of person is she?”
He’s so good-looking and not arrogant, extremely friendly, just like my goddess Tang Feifei,” Zhang Chengxu became excited. “And clearly it was the boss who asked me to send Xiao Man, so how did it become Xiao Man deliberately seducing the boss’s car? Xiao Man is not the kind of calculating person you’re describing! Although she’s being cursed by people now because of the scandal, I know she’s absolutely not like that.”
Yan Yu stared blankly at Zhang Chengxu for about ten seconds before coming back to his senses. He had never seen such an impulsive and unruly person around his senior. He didn’t know whether to first marvel at his senior sending Lin Xiaoman or marvel that his senior would find such a person!
A thousand words condensed into one sentence: “Senior—”
“It’s inappropriate to casually discuss others.”
Yan Yu pursed his lips, feeling sullen. His senior had changed, that senior who was never close to women and always stood by him had changed.
“How’s your training going?” Ji Zhixian changed the subject.
“It’s okay,” Yan Yu answered glumly.
“Study hard, next year I’ll arrange a concert for you.”
Next year… Thinking that in less than half a year of study, his senior had already become so strange, Yan Yu couldn’t imagine whether his senior would be bewitched by that little vixen in a year.
He hurriedly said, “Senior, I want to return home after a while.”
“Why?”
“Nothing…”
Yan Yu turned away, avoiding Ji Zhixian’s gaze. “It’s just that I’ve found the fans now change their favorites so quickly. A few days ago they were calling me their husband, but now the husband has changed. I’m worried that when I return in a year, all my fans will have jumped ship.”
Ji Zhixian lightly furrowed his brow: “Really?”
In his view, Yan Yu’s pursuit of music was above fame, so before deciding to study in Korea, Yan Yu was prepared for fan loss. But now, after just half a year, he suddenly changed his mind.
“Yes,” Yan Yu felt guilty and said, “And I think I can continue learning from you after returning home.”
Ji Zhixian’s calm gaze fell on him, making Yan Yu feel even more guilty. He quickly changed the subject: “Oh right, senior, let me show you the recording studio.”
As he spoke, he ran ahead, with Ji Zhixian following his back.
When Lin Xiaoman arrived on the first floor, she found the hall had been transformed. Flower bouquets and pink balloons were everywhere.
Lin Xiaoman glanced at a person walking on the red carpet, holding a large bouquet of roses, wearing a gentle and elegant smile.
“Miss Lin,” Yue Ding spoke, his voice low and magnetic, calling out with a certain charm.
Lin Xiaoman turned sideways, looking at him askance.
She had to admit that although past forty, her nominal fiancé was quite handsome, with sharp and heroic eyebrows, deep eyes full of wisdom, like a fresh spring breeze compared to those greasy middle-aged men.
However, she absolutely disliked the way Yue Ding looked at her, like she was prey.
“What?” Lin Xiaoman subtly wrinkled her brow.
“For you,” Yue Ding presented the roses to Lin Xiaoman.
“Why?” Lin Xiaoman asked, unsure if he knew her identity.
“In ancient times, Liu Bei visited Kongming’s thatched cottage thrice, today I have thrice requested Miss Lin to be our spokesperson,” Yue Ding smiled slightly, “Does this express my sincerity?”
“Mr. Yue,” Lin Xiaoman didn’t take his flowers, speaking seriously, “If it’s a business matter, please contact my agent directly.”
“Before contacting your agent, I hope to get your permission,” Yue Ding looked at her deeply, focused and passionate, “I hope you’ll choose to be our spokesperson.”
“As long as your company offers enough benefits, why would we refuse?” Lin Xiaoman raised her mouth corner, her eyes devoid of humor, “In business, benefits are paramount.”
“Between us, I don’t want it to be just about benefits,” he suddenly leaned slightly closer, his voice gentle, “Why do you keep refusing me? What are you afraid of?”
Lin Xiaoman unconsciously stepped back, she didn’t expect the man before her to be so perceptive.
