Chapter 116: The Unexpected

Logically, when such news broke about Shen Jin, all his endorsements and commercials should have been pulled immediately. Yet, a day had passed, and his advertisements were still airing. This proved one thing: Shen Jin's career would not end so easily.

Sang Yijia narrowed her eyes, thinking that he was indeed the male lead; he could turn any misfortune into a blessing.

Sang Zheng narrowed his eyes and changed the channel. By some unfortunate coincidence, the commercial on the next channel featured Lan Qing.

"Forget it, there's nothing good on TV anyway." Sang Zheng knew very well how those two had disgusted his daughter during the live broadcast, and he held absolutely no goodwill toward them.

As he spoke, Sang Zheng navigated directly to the on-demand menu. There were six movies available to watch, but Lan Qing appeared in two of them. Although she only played minor roles, her face popped up as soon as he clicked on them.

If not for Sang Yijia's presence, Sang Zheng would have turned off the television altogether, refusing to watch anything.

"Dad, let's watch an anime," Sang Yijia suggested, spotting an anime series. It had been released in the first half of the year; though it hadn't played in theaters, it was available on all major streaming platforms.

Sang Zheng knew his daughter had loved all kinds of cartoons since childhood, and she still enjoyed them now that she was an adult. He used to have some reservations about it—after all, those were things for children, so what was the point of watching them now that she was grown?

But at this moment, Sang Zheng wasn't annoyed at all. He willingly switched to the channel.

It happened to be the start of the movie.

"Jiajia, do you still like to draw?" Sang Zheng recalled that when Sang Yijia was in school, she often doodled in her textbooks. Her mother would scold her when she saw it, but then turn around and buy her plenty of sketchbooks. Thinking back on it now, ten years had passed in the blink of an eye, and all four children had grown up.

Sang Yijia recalled her life in the orphanage. Back then, there was nothing good on TV, and to save on electricity, their screen time was strictly limited.

Consequently, the children in the orphanage usually passed the time by playing games together. But Sang Yijia disliked playing with the others, often crouching on the grass in the yard, doodling with a twig.

The orphanage director, whom they called mother, had once asked her, "Jiajia, do you like drawing?"

At the time, Sang Yijia hadn't thought much of it and simply replied, "Yes, I do."

Because drawing was a quiet activity that she could do all by herself.

But now, looking at Sang Zheng, Sang Yijia's lips parted slightly, and it took her a long moment to answer, "Yes, I like it."

Sang Yijia used to have a dream of making a living through drawing, but reality was harsh. She lacked the formal skills and had never been able to make a name for herself.

"Then when we get back, let's go paint," Sang Zheng said.

Sang Yijia softly agreed.

***

Shen Jin's manager spent an entire day finally suppressing the trending search topics. At the same time, he issued several legal warnings to intimidate the onlookers online.

Seeing the situation settle down, Shen Jin breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though surviving a great disaster meant good fortune would surely follow.

"For now, keep your head down and don't cause any more trouble." Having been busy all day, the manager had a pounding headache. Moreover, he still hadn't figured out who was trying to sabotage Shen Jin.

Shen Jin quickly agreed, "Don't worry, bro. I definitely won't cause any more trouble."

"You'd better not." The manager shot him a cold glare. "You're not allowed to go anywhere tonight. Stay right here."

"And give me your phone." Remembering something, the manager reached out his hand. "I'll keep it for you for the next few days."

"Alright, alright." Shen Jin quickly handed it over, lacking the courage to refuse.

After receiving the phone, the manager checked it to ensure it was indeed the one Shen Jin normally used before leaving with it in peace.

Once the manager left, Shen Jin let out a sigh of relief. He turned around, went into the guest room, and retrieved a backup phone he had hidden long ago.

After turning it on, he logged into an alternate account he rarely used. Coincidentally, a message from a friend popped up.

[Brother Shen, come out and play.]

[A fresh batch of beauties just arrived. If you don't come, you'll miss out.]

Seeing this, Shen Jin felt tempted. However, if he went out, his manager would definitely find out. He could only grit his teeth and decline.

But soon, the other party messaged again.

[Brother Shen, isn't everything resolved now?]

[Why not come celebrate?]

[Everyone is waiting for you.]

Shen Jin gritted his teeth and refused once more.

No further messages came from the other side.

The person who had been texting him looked up at the figure sitting opposite him in the private booth and shook his head. "No luck, he's not coming."

"Then we'll wait for the next opportunity." The person opposite him exhaled a cloud of smoke, making their face even harder to discern in the already dimly lit booth.

***

Lan Qing could not get in touch with Shen Jin. Many of her endorsement deals had been terminated, forcing her to pay hefty compensation fees. If she couldn't secure a new collaboration soon, she would be shelved by her agency.

Her manager, Jian Hong, had tried numerous ways before finally contacting a wealthy boss who was willing to help.

"Sister Hong, do I really have to go?" In all her years in the entertainment industry, Lan Qing had relied on her status as the eldest daughter of the Lan family. No one had dared to make her suffer losses or take advantage of her.

Having watched her peers who debuted at the same time constantly being exploited, she had once felt quite smug. She never expected that one day, she too would have to accompany clients for drinks.

"Not go?" Jian Hong was not so easygoing. "Sure. If you don't want to go, then don't."

Hearing this, Lan Qing felt a flash of joy, thinking there was a turn for the better.

But in the next second, Jian Hong added, "The agency won't help you pay the compensation. How do you plan to pay back the tens of millions you owe?"

Jian Hong snorted and looked around the room. "The apartment you're living in and the car you drive are all provided by the agency. Nothing here belongs to you."

Lan Qing froze. "I understand, Sister Hong."

"Isn't this much better?" Seeing Lan Qing obediently go to apply makeup and change her clothes, Jian Hong nodded in satisfaction. She then checked her phone. The boss was already rushing them and had specifically requested that Lan Qing wear black silk stockings.

What kind of fetish was this? Jian Hong felt disgusted, but she still agreed, telling the assistant to find a pair of stockings that would tear easily for Lan Qing to wear.

At this moment, Sang Yijia had no idea that the original male and female leads of the book had completely deviated from the planned plot, never to return.

She and Sang Zheng were watching the anime movie with great interest in the hospital room.

After an unknown amount of time, Mother Sang and Sang Qiwu returned. Mother Sang's face was lined with exhaustion. Seeing this, Sang Yijia felt a pang of worry. "Mom, come over and sit down to rest."

Sang Yijia wanted to get out of bed, but Sang Zheng stopped her.

Sang Qiwu guided Mother Sang to sit down. "The third brother is fine, and Miss Lan has also woken up."