Qi Feng went on the day of the audition.
Not for anything else, but to see what Pei Yan wanted to do with him.
Before he left, he played a few tunes on the guqin at home, including the one called “Feng Qiu Huang”.
The guqin was purchased online, and its quality couldn’t compare to the antique guqin he played in the music hall. The technology of this world had advanced, but it’s still difficult to find good materials for making guqin.
He played it a few times, and when he saw that it was almost time for the audition, he got up, changed his clothes, and went out.
Donghai Investment
The audition hall on the 27th floor was solemn and cold at the moment.
Pei Yan sat in the center of a row of tables, with a cold and stubborn expression, which was also the reason for the solemn atmosphere in the hall.
He was surrounded by senior executives from the publicity and advertising department, who were firing questions one after another at the third auditionee, Ning Yufei.
The director of the publicity department was very satisfied with Ning Yufei’s performance. After the audition, he lowered his head and asked Pei Yan’s opinion, “President Pei, I think these three people all fit our company’s image. Which one do you think we should hire?”
Pei Yan didn’t even look at him, his voice cold and harsh, “None of them.”
The director gave a little cough, and helplessly exchanged looks with those around him, trying to persuade: “President Pei, you don’t follow entertainment news, so you don’t know these stars’ reputations.”
“The one you recommended, Qi Feng, he’s not very famous, and his reputation isn’t great. Making him our company’s spokesperson would only drag down our company’s standards.”
He was right. A 10 million endorsement per year was the price of a top star.
Someone like Qi Feng who became famous through his looks and variety shows was simply not worth this price bracket. What’s more, Qi Feng had just been embroiled in controversy and was a trending search topic.
After receiving Pei Yan’s recommendation, the advertising department were unanimously shaking their heads and sighing. Left with no choice, they arranged this audition, hoping to show Pei Yan more, higher quality stars as spokespeople.
Pei Yan leaned back in his chair, looking coldly at the director of the advertising department, sneering, “So, this whole audition thing you’re doing is just to brush off the person I recommended?”
“No, no, that’s not it.”
The old director was extremely troubled, but out of his responsibility to the company, he had to stop this young president’s whim.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and gritted his teeth, “President Pei, you know Chairman Pei’s personality. He has always disliked people from the entertainment industry, especially controversial artists with poor reputations.”
“If you really submit Qi Feng’s information as a spokesperson, when Chairman Pei finds out, I’m afraid he will hold you accountable. By then, Qi Feng might be fired, and you might also be reprimanded by the chairman.”
The director used Pei Junhai to pressure him.
Pei Yan narrowed his eyes and sneered.
He had been busy dealing with a business trouble these days and had no time to look for Qi Feng. As a result, he suddenly received a unanimous request from the advertising department to use an audition method to select a spokesperson.
As the president of Donghai Investments, he had the authority to decide on this matter. However, he never expected that the senior employees in the company would interfere with him, even going so far as to threaten him with his father’s name.
He needed the support and cooperation of these senior employees in leading the entire corporation.
But Qi Feng…
Pei Yan’s face turned dark, holding back a surge of anger that pressed on his chest, causing his chest pain to worsen.
That day in the training room, he had said some probing words to the boy, but regretted them afterwards. He had wanted to quickly finalize the endorsement deal to make the boy happy.
But he didn’t expect that a few directors would join forces to arrange such an audition, which would only make Qi Feng misunderstand him more.
Damn Pei Junhai.
Pei Yan snorted and countered, “Director Liu, then you tell me, what do you look for when you choose someone? Their so-called online reputation? Character? Do you personally know these celebrities? How do you know if they have good or bad character?”
The old director was stunned, “Ah, this…this…”
Pei Yan continued berating him: “What Donghai Investment values is not the star’s current worth, but their future potential. How well do you understand Qi Feng? Have you seen him play guzheng? Seen how he conducts himself during livestreams? Do you know how diligent and hardworking this kid is?”
“Just based on some internet trolls and haters’ comments, you conclude that a person has a bad character. Director Liu, I didn’t expect you to be such a careless person.”
Director Liu had worked at Donghai for over decades. This was the first time someone had criticized him for being careless in his work. What’s more, the one criticizing him was a snotty-nosed 24-year-old who had just graduated college a couple years ago.
He was so angry that his mind went blank, his face turning red, not knowing what to say.
On the side, his assistant reminded him cautiously, “President Pei, Director Liu, there is one minute left for the audition, but Qi Feng hasn’t arrived at the waiting room yet. If he can’t make it in time…it will be considered as giving up the audition.”
Director Liu: … Damn, if I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have argued with this brat. As soon as the time is up, he automatically forfeits!
Pei Yan: !!
He hurriedly raised his wrist and looked at the time: What is Qi Feng doing, why hasn’t he come yet?!
He wouldn’t… not come, right?
Pei Yan’s heart gave a panicked thump, and his fingertips resting on the table unconsciously trembled a little. Did Qi Feng simply not care about this endorsement, or not care about him?
So even though he hadn’t contacted him these past two days, Qi Feng also wouldn’t take the initiative to contact him. But that night when they kissed, he clearly didn’t avoid it or show disgust.
Or was it because of the endorsement… that he’s angry?
On the surface Pei Yan was calm, but inside he was panicking like an ant on a hot pan, anxiously breaking out in cold sweat. He pursed his lips, repeatedly raising his hand to check his watch, glancing towards the transparent glass doors of the lobby, yet still not seeing the boy’s figure entering.
—
Qi Feng got out of the taxi and saw Fang Cheng waiting for him in front of the Donghai Investment Building. Fang Cheng walked over, hesitated to speak, and then said, “Xiao Feng, you…”
Qi Feng walked quickly up the steps of the building, “I’m listening to you, I’m here to please Pei Yan.”
Fang Cheng followed him and said, “Xiao Feng, that’s not what I meant. If it’s difficult, let’s not take this endorsement. Who the hell cares about his ten million? We’ll be able to earn on our own in the future.”
Qi Feng looked back at him and asked indifferently, “You really don’t want it?”
Fang Cheng paused and opened his mouth, “I, I’m just an assistant, I don’t have the right to make decisions for you. It was my fault yesterday…”
Fang Cheng was a few years older than Qi Feng, with dark skin and a short but muscular body. He looked like a reliable bodyguard. But such a person was standing in front of Qi Feng with some awkwardness, looking regretful and at a loss.
Qi Feng sighed softly, pulled his hand and said in a low voice, “You’re not wrong. It was me who didn’t control my emotions yesterday. I’m sorry…”
He had vented all his helplessness and sadness on Fang Cheng.
Fang Cheng was taken aback, then held the slender and soft hand of the boy in his own, and stammered, “Xiao Feng, you… you won’t fire me, right?”
“How could I?” Qi Feng smiled at him, “If I pass the audition, I’ll give you something you want. Anything is fine.”
The boy, refined and elegant, had a gentle smile. His beautiful peach blossom eyes looked at him, and his clear black pupils shimmered with intoxicating autumn water.
Fang Cheng was stunned and realized that he had been holding the boy’s hand for a long time. He quickly let go and blushed and said, “As long as you don’t fire me for one day, I’ll be your assistant for one day. Come on, I’ll take you to the audition!”
They entered the elevator and Fang Cheng pressed the button for the 27th floor. Just as the elevator door was about to close, two young employees ran over and blocked the closing door with their hands. They politely invited a middle-aged man to enter.
The man was wearing a dark, well-tailored suit, tall and imposing, with a serious and oppressive demeanor.
As soon as he entered, the whole elevator was filled with his commanding presence.
Fang Cheng secretly looked at the man several times, doubting his own eyes. In the end, he nervously signaled to Qi Feng with his eyes: he is Pei Junhai, Pei Yan’s father!
…… Uncle Pei.
Qi Feng recognized him as soon as the man walked in.
In that moment, his chest swelled with warmth and respect.
Pei Junhai quickly noticed Qi Feng in the elevator.
He glanced at him, and after turning his head away out of habit, he couldn’t help but look at the boy again.
The boy wasn’t very tall, but stood tall and straight like bamboo, exuding an unbending and cold stubbornness.
…He seemed to have seen him somewhere.
Unable to resist, he asked: “Are you an employee of our company?”
In the quiet elevator, the man’s deep and powerful voice echoed, drawing everyone’s gaze towards Qi Feng in the corner.
Qi Feng unconsciously straightened his body. “No, I’m here for an audition.”
Pei Junhai was puzzled. “Audition?”
Qi Feng replied, “I’m auditioning to be the spokesperson for Donghai Investment.”
“Oh–, I see. There is such a thing.”
Pei Junhai dragged out his voice and looked at the boy, “You’re an artist? You don’t look very old. What’s your name? What have you acted in?”
“My name is Qi Feng. I’m nineteen. I’ve only been in some variety shows.”
As Qi Feng spoke, the emotions that had swelled in his chest turned into sorrow from memories of the past.
It made him… want to cry.
“Nineteen, so young.”
Pei Junhai silently repeated the name and couldn’t help but offer some advice. “The entertainment industry is not an easy place to navigate. You’re still young, don’t let certain things cloud your judgment. No matter what you do, you have to rely on your own strength. Don’t take any shortcuts or crooked paths.”
The boy lowered his head and nodded, “Yes.”
He looked so obedient, causing people to feel pity and affection for him.
Pei Junhai softened his tone and said, “Since you can be selected for the audition, it means you have good potential. I’ll give you the endorsement. Do it well.”
With that, he instructed his secretary who was standing next to him, “Inform the advertising department that the spokesperson for Donghai Investment will be this kid named Qi Feng.”
Secretary: “Yes.”
Fang Cheng: !!!
Qi Feng’s eyes welled up with tears as he looked at the uncle who had protected him for nearly ten years.
That year, Uncle Pei rescued him from prison when he was nine years old. He held him in his warm and strong arms and said: Child, there is hope only if you live on.
Author's Note:
In the comments, some lovely readers are worried that Uncle Pei wouldn’t agree to Fengzai being with Pei Dog.
No, he is the strongest uncle who protects his cub!
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you want to show your support, you can buy me a coffee. It would make my day! For every five coffees I get, I will release a bonus chapter.
