Li Jiaer looked like she had been dropped into an icy hole. Arms tightly wrapped around herself, her body trembled unceasingly, but she collected herself soon after. She wiped her face, and then lowered her head and smiled bitterly. She had suffered through truly too much hards.h.i.+p these past few years. She had long become accustomed to the ups and downs in life; this bit of setback could not destroy her willpower and determination.

“Don't worry about it, Ji'ge. You don't need to take care of my business. Heaven never bars one's way. If this road is blocked, then I'll try another. After all, I managed to smoothly survive through the most terrible moment of my life, I'm not afraid.” She stood up and gave a careful bow. Although her eyes were still red, her lips already carried a light smile.

Ji Mian was completely moved by her strength and courage. He raised his hand and said, “Go home first, I'll get someone to ask around for you, and see who's giving you a hard time behind the scenes. If it's possible to talk it out, I'll be your go-between.”

“No need, no need, it's too much of a bother…” Li Jiaer waved her hands over and over. The tears which had dissipated just moments ago gathered in her eyes again. It felt too nice to be looked after; she couldn't quite completely contain her frailty.

“It's not a bother. It will only take a few words. Go sit down first. I'll be back soon.” Ji Mian gestured Li Jiaer to sit back down, and ordered an a.s.sistant to make her a new cup of coffee before heading to the chairman's office in the top floor.

Fang Kun was also on the top floor and appeared to have attained some information. His expression was very strange. When he saw his boss, he immediately dragged him to a secluded seating area, and said in a low voice, “It's Xiao Jiashu. Say, what do you think that brat wants? Yesterday should have been his first time meeting Li Jiaer, right? No enmity, no grudges, what does he gain from doing this? Chief Xiu as well, he actually agreed, no questions asked. Don't tell me that he really can't see Li Jiaer's strength? Li Jiaer's popularity is already exploding. She has millions of fans, counting hardcore fans alone. We only need add a little bit of management[1] and she can become the new generation Song G.o.ddess. She's a legendary money tree. With Chief Xiu's shrewdness he shouldn't agree to an unreasonable request like this, right? Do you think the two really are father and son?”

“So it really is him.” Ji Mian kneaded the s.p.a.ce between his brows, and asked, his voice gloomy, “Did you find out the concrete reason behind it?”

“No. He says that he'll shut her out, and shuts her out, not caring about reason at all. In my opinion, it can't be that this brat wants to copy that overbearing chairman route, forcing Li Jiaer to a dead end, and then offering to be her sugar daddy, could he?” Fang Kun's imagination went wild.

Ji Mian looked slightly taken aback, and in the end smiled coldly. “No matter what he's up to, I won't stand by and watch without lifting a finger.” After he finished his words, he entered the chairman's office.

Fang Kun didn't dare to go in, and without any better option, he strolled to the secretaries' office, to fish for more information from the female secretaries.

“You're here.” Xiu Changyu was not surprised by Ji Mian's arrival. He said warmly, “Sit down.”

Ji Mian looked around and discovered that Xiao Jiashu had already left, the file that he had brought up was now in Xiu Changyu's hands, and Xiu Changyu was currently attentively flipping through it.

“Chief Xiu, our company is adept at cultivating actors and actresses; we have produced a large number of movie emperors, empresses, but we don't have even a single influential singer. If we can sign Li Jiaer, we can fill in that blank, why do you want to reject her? She is a good seedling. With your foresight, you should be able to see it.” Ji Mian said unhurriedly.

“Before I reply to your question, I also want to ask you one question.” Xiu Changyu put down the file, and calmly and clearly said, “As a performer, is it inner potential that's important or is it moral conduct that's important?”

Ji Mian was stumped by this question. Nevertheless, after a while of deliberation, he unyieldingly replied, “Naturally moral conduct.”

“I knew that that would be your answer.” Xiu Changyu smiled, pleased. “The entertainment world is too complicated. The bottom line of morality and ethics can fall again and again. So long as it isn't exposed by the media, and the public doesn't find out, performers can borrow the help of the public relations team to create themselves into a perfect person. But in reality? Certain people have long already rotted down to their very bones. I have always told you - as a performer, what is most important is not your public image, but deepening your own moral character and self-restraint. Only then will you never become a has-been and will be eternally remembered by your fans."

“What you're trying to say is that there's a problem with Li Jiaer's moral conduct? Who did you hear that from?” Ji Mian shook his head. “The person organising to sign her is me so naturally I've investigated her. She indeed has a criminal record from that year, but she was the victim. Although this may have an effect on her reputation, as long as we control public opinion properly, we can also help her win sympathy. She is a singer that relies on her skills[2]; it's entirely possible for her to pull through this public opinion war.”

“You don't need to say any more. I've already made my decision.” Xiu Changyu was good at listening to his subordinate's opinions, but once he had set his mind on something, it was extremely difficult to change his mind.

Ji Mian had no choice but to give up on convincing him. After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Then how far are you planning to go? Are you going to block her out of the entire entertainment world, and not give her a single opportunity to appear on camera?”

Xiu Changyu waved a hand. “I'm only abandoning signing her. I won't interfere if she wants to sign any agency besides than Crown Age, Royal Crown and Lucky Water. Whether she can succeed in the entertainment world in the future will be up to her own ability.”

Ji Mian let out a clear breath of relief. Xiu Changyu did not have a pleasant reputation in the entertainment circle. In his early years, he was a womanizer, and had s.e.x scandals with many female celebrities. Afterwards, he suddenly turned a new leaf, and started seriously running the company; his methods also became more and more ruthless. If anyone offends him, don't even mention succeeding in the entertainment world, they won't even be able to find a place to stand. Although he was saying that he was shutting out Li Jiaer, he had in fact left a lot of leeway, and it wouldn't be considered driving her to the end of the road.

“Thank you Chief Xiu for your leniency.” Ji Mian stood up to prepare to leave.

Xiu Changyu said meaningfully, “She's unworthy of your thanks on her behalf. Xiao Mian, it's impossible to judge a man's heart from his face. You get soft-hearted too easily. Don't help just anyone.”

Ji Mian replied hoa.r.s.ely, “If you hadn't helped me that year, where would I be today? Benevolence needs to be pa.s.sed on, if I can help, then I will, I'm not expecting anything in return anyway.”

“You…” Xiu Changyu said helplessly, and personally saw him off at the door.

—-

“Did you find out anything? Fang Kun asked quietly in the elevator.

“No.” Ji Mian shook his head. After he returned to the office, he first went to the stairwell to make a  few phone calls before telling Li Jiaer, who had been waiting for a long time, “While Crown Age, Royal Crown, and Lucky Water are not intending to sign you, they are not completely blocking you out, they're only not giving you any support. I've helped get in contact with another talent agency for you. This is the business card of the person in charge. You can go over and have a look.”

Li Jiaer's complexion turned white and then she accepted the name card. She said gratefully, “Thank you, Ji'ge. Not completely blocking me out, means that if I sign with another company, I will still have a chance? Then, who exactly is the person who wants to block me?”

“Don't ask. Knowing too much won't do you any good.” Thinking of that young master, Ji Mian's expression turned very dark.

“Okay, then I won't ask. Thank you, Ji'ge. You've helped me out too much!” Li Jiaer felt like she had suffered an injustice greater than Dou-E[3], but couldn't do anything about it. In the entertainment world, it wasn't the person who was in the right who stood straight or climbed high, you also needed consider their family background, and whether their status in the entertainment circle was high or low. Right now, she was only a newcomer without any backing, deserving to be stomped. Besides Ji'ge and Kun'ge, who else would sincerely help her?”

With that thought, Li Jiaer didn't have it in her to inquire about the true facts anymore. She promptly stood up and gave the two a bow, the tears that she had held in for a long time finally fell down in big droplets.

Fang Kun felt very sad seeing her like this. He comforted, “Don't look down on the entertainment company Ji'ge introduced to you just because it's a new company and isn't that well-known. The boss is old friend of Ji'ge's whom he met when he was studying at Harvard. He has deep roots in Wall Street, and doesn't lack resources. His company has its own broadcasting platform, and also has its own production team; all his workers are elites with excellent abilities. They're now preparing to film a self-produced costume drama which will be broadcasted on their platform. The future prospects are pretty good. If you go to them, you can immediately become the female lead.”

“Really?” Li Jiaer bowed again, and said, moved to tears, “Thank you, Ji'ge! Thank you, Kun'ge! If not for you two, I really wouldn't have known what to do.”

“It's no problem. Maybe after shooting this drama, you might even immediately shoot to stardom? What you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts, who hasn't experienced significant ups and downs in life? And who can say they won't in the future. You have the ability, your looks aren't bad, and you're willing to work hard, you will stand above others one day.” Fang Kun helped her up, and warmly said, “When you get back home don't think up any foolish ideas, look after your mum, and take care of yourself."

“I've already gotten in touch with their side. You can go meet Zhou Nan and have a chat with him. He's really delighted to have you.” Ji Mian pulled the office door open to personally send her downstairs.

Although Li Jiaer had suffered an unprecedented setback, she still felt an unprecedented warmth. When she walked out of the main doors of Crown Age Entertainment, her emotions had already calmed completely. She smiled sweetly, “Ji'ge, wait and see, I'll appear on TV really soon, I won't be defeated.”

“Good luck.” Ji Mian watched her board a taxi, and also silently recorded down the number plate before returning to the lounge. The two were no longer in the mood for work and headed to the Western restaurant on the second floor together to eat lunch.

“G.o.dd.a.m.n it. Just what is Xiao Jiashu up to?” Fang kun cursed as he looked at the menu. “Li Jiaer's original bright future has been destroyed by him. These rich second generations really do have too much time to spare!”

Ji Mian was currently sending a message to his good friend, Zhou Nan, and didn't respond to Fang Kun. Zhou Nan appeared to be really interested in Li Jiaer. As soon as he found out that Royal Crown actually hadn't signed her, he eagerly rolled up his sleeves[4] to prepare to pick up the leak[5]. Li Jiaer's current popularity was directly approaching the level of a second-tier[6] artist. It could be said that without even starting her career yet, she was already halfway to stardom. Outsiders would never be able to guess why Royal Crown, Crown Age and Lucky Water would give up on signing her.

Once the news got out, he guessed that a lot of netizens would be dumbstruck.

Seeing his friend consecutively send him expression stickers[7] of picking up a big bargain, Ji Mian locked his phone screen, his brows tightly knitted.

At this precise moment, Xiao Jiashu walked into the restaurant. He first looked left and right, and upon noticing that his boss was also there, his face alternated between the shades of green and white for a few moments. He then pretended he didn't notice them, and sneaked along the foot of the wall to slip away amongst the tables and seats. Fang Kun's eyes were keen. He noticed Xiao Jiashu instantly, and raised his hand. “Young Master Xiao, come sit over here!”

Xiao Jiashu: “…” Will my ulcers ever be able to heal?

[1] 稍加經營 - Add some/a little bit management -to get someone/people to properly manage her and her projects, ie. plan and decide what her projects  will be and what to do to make her famous, promote her (eg. releasing a song, acting in drama etc) - whatever a manager/agency does to make someone famous

[2] 實力派 - true ability faction, relying on true skills as opposed to performers whose popularity depends other things such as looks, gimmicks etc

[3] Reference to a Chinese play written in 1200AD called "The Injustice to Dou E". Dou E, the main character, is framed for murder and ends up being executed. She comes back as a ghost and the truth comes to light, proving her innocence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Injustice_to_Dou_E

[4] Idiom to express one's eagerness to leap into action - he's not literally rolling up his sleeves

[5] 撿漏 jiǎn lòu "Pick up a leak" means to get a something very valuable/expensive for a cheap price, and the seller is often unaware of the value of the thing they're selling

[6] Rather than using the alphabet to rank artists (eg list, B-list etc), the Chinese use numbers. Actual translation would be "second-rate?list?line??? singer" or something. I would use the numbers but I can't remember the right word to put after the number - welcome any suggestions, or I'll just continue using the alphabet until I think of something. Thank you hollymollysite and otwentyfirst for your suggestions.

[7] 表情包 - expression/emotion sticker/pack/bundle - a image that is with paired with words to express a specific emotion - the image can come from anywhere, popular celebrities, book, manga, movie screenshots etc