On her way home, Wen Ying messaged Xie Qian about what happened at the event, but he didn’t reply. Calculating the time, she figured he was probably just boarding his flight.
That evening, with her parents still out, Wen Ying watched TV alone. The incident from two hours ago at the venue was already on Rongcheng’s evening news—Zhao Dong had indeed brought a TV crew.
Zhao Dong was poised to become a new star in Rongcheng’s cultural circle.
Next, he’d likely tote his self-published autobiography, giving speeches and appearing on TV shows to build his image.
Xie Jinghu was clearly starting to back Zhao Dong seriously!
Wen Ying felt deeply uneasy.
If Rongcheng Publishing Group wouldn’t publish Zhao Dong’s autobiography, he’d find another publisher swayed by money.
Today, a 500,000 yuan donation; tomorrow, a million to publish his book, plus some cash for promotion. Compared to the cost of bidding, these expenses were trivial but could be pivotal.
Wen Ying forced herself to watch the news about Zhao Dong before turning off the TV.
She’d rather Song Foxiang steal the spotlight than see Zhao Dong succeed.
If only she could find a way to derail his plans.
A fleeting idea sparked, too quick to grasp, when her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. It was Zou Weijun.
“Wen Ying, come to my office tomorrow afternoon. The *Aige* magazine folks are in Rongcheng. They want to meet you, so we can sit down and discuss your book’s publication.”
“Okay, thank you, Auntie Zou!”
Zou Weijun had reached out to inform *Aige* about the meeting.
Last time, Zou Weijun was just fishing for info from Xiao Ni. This time, she was serious.
—Someone really wanted to publish a standalone book for the rookie author “Reverse-Flow Fish”!
*Teen Idol* was a project *Aige* valued. Why would they let someone else profit if they could do it themselves?
Zou Weijun had stirred up a hornet’s nest. The editor-in-chief, previously indifferent to Wen Ying, decided to come to Rongcheng with Xiao Ni.
They weren’t just meeting Zou Weijun—they knew Wen Ying was local and aimed to sign a publishing contract for *Teen Idol*.
After hanging up with Zou Weijun, Wen Ying logged into QQ and saw Xiao Ni’s messages.
“The editor-in-chief is a bit upset.”
“I still hope you’ll sign with *Aige*. Other publishers talk a big game, but they might be scamming you.”
“Let’s talk more when we’re in Rongcheng!”
The messages, sent that afternoon, oozed urgency.
The editor-in-chief thought Wen Ying, a rookie, was getting restless, teaming up with another publisher to leverage a better deal from *Aige*.
—That wasn’t the case at all.
Wen Ying had long known Zou Weijun worked at the publishing group, handling book planning and publication. She’d even been thrilled about Zou Weijun’s success with a hit like *Shh, Little Secret*. But without Zou Weijun’s offer to publish *Teen Idol*, Wen Ying would never have considered using that connection.
Outsiders might think she was being coy, but that was truly her stance.
With real talent, you don’t need to beg anyone to publish.
Without it, even a printed book won’t sell.
Plus, how could she face Xie Qian if she pulled strings through Zou Weijun?
*Aige* couldn’t grasp Wen Ying’s mindset. They only saw the outcome.
To the magazine, Zou Weijun was poaching their fruit, and Wen Ying was a rookie getting cocky with a bit of success. Hence the editor-in-chief’s anger.
Xiao Ni trusted Wen Ying but had no say.
This trip to Rongcheng was Xiao Ni’s initiative to tag along, fearing the editor-in-chief and Wen Ying might clash without her.
Wen Ying remembered Xiao Ni’s guidance and support, just as Xiao Ni cherished their bond. Discovering a promising author was a milestone in Xiao Ni’s career. They’d built each other up.
“Alright, let’s talk when you’re here. Don’t worry, under equal terms, I’ll prioritize signing with the magazine,” Wen Ying replied.
Xiao Ni’s avatar stayed gray—she wasn’t online.
That night, as Wen Ying was about to sleep, Xie Qian finally messaged back.
“Don’t worry about Zhao Dong. Wait till I’m back in Rongcheng.”
…
Xie Qian didn’t want the land he bought near Hongqiao Airport to sit idle. Renting it out wasn’t viable, so he started a logistics company.
But as a student, and with Shanghai so far away, unlike Wen Ying who could occasionally check on “Shrimp King,” Xie Qian couldn’t manage it himself.
The broker, Gong Sheng, who helped him buy the land, introduced several professional managers, but Xie Qian wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to poach Gong Sheng, offering him shares and control of the company.
Gong Sheng was doing well as a broker, had earned plenty, and owned several Shanghai properties. Though Xie Qian’s land was valuable, the logistics venture was small-scale. Even with shares, Gong Sheng hesitated to join “Young Master Xie.”
Xie Qian’s age was the issue.
Gong Sheng, who’d handled the land purchase, knew Xie Qian wasn’t yet an adult.
No matter how powerful his background, his youth was a factor.
At that age, commitment was shaky. If Xie Qian bailed, Gong Sheng would be stuck.
With Gong Sheng wavering, Xie Qian insisted on recruiting him, flying to Shanghai that weekend to meet him in person to show sincerity.
Like Wen Ying not wanting to lose face with Xie Qian, Xie Qian felt similarly. He didn’t want to talk about it until things were settled.
Xie Qian wasn’t burdened by idol status but feared losing credibility with Wen Ying, making it harder to “manage” her.
People admire strength, and Xie Qian knew he was flawless in Wen Ying’s eyes.
How could someone perfect fail at anything?
Facing his best friend and most devoted fan, Xie Qian felt his own pressure.
But Wen Ying’s news lifted a weight from his chest.
He’d always suspected the million his dad paid would lead to trouble. Zhao Dong’s stunt today, reaping Song Foxiang’s donation benefits, confirmed his “as expected” hunch.
This was one consequence, wasn’t it?
Were there more to come?
His dad was indeed getting smarter.
—Or maybe he was always smart, and Xie Qian had underestimated him due to disdain for his character?
As long as Xie Jinghu didn’t use Zou Weijun as a bargaining chip, Xie Qian wasn’t afraid of his moves.
In nature, young animals challenge older ones’ authority. It’s the same in human society. The young will eventually surpass the old. Though Xie Jinghu was in his prime, Xie Qian was growing, each clash fueling his progress, building the strength to topple his father!
Stepping out of the airport, Shanghai’s cool night breeze hit Xie Qian’s face, but his blood was boiling.
