Jing Li returned to his room and saw, as expected, numerous boxes and packages scattered across the coffee table and floor. His assistant was busy tidying them up.
Looking up when he heard the noise, the assistant took the initiative to greet him, “Er Shao, you’re back.”
“Da Shao sent over quite a few things for you with Mr. Gu, including lots of snacks you usually like.” As he spoke, the assistant gathered up a large pile of sorted snacks and held them in his arms, asking, “Shall I open them for you to take a look?” He was clearly accustomed to someone’s foodie tendencies already.
“Leave them for now.” Jing Li glanced over and saw they were indeed all his favorite snacks he used to love eating at home. But right now, he wasn’t in the mood to enjoy them. After thinking for a moment, he asked the assistant, “Has Wang Junwen tried to contact me recently?”
Ever since the banquet, he had blocked the man’s contact information and told those around him to directly reject him if he tried to reach out again without informing Jing Li. So, he really had no idea what the other party had been up to lately.
“He contacted a few times the two days after the banquet but stopped after being rejected,” the assistant replied, eyeing his expression and tentatively asking, “Do you need me to take the initiative to contact him?”
He knew the second young master used to be close with Wang Junwen and thought he had a change of heart and regretted cutting ties with the other man. Although he didn’t like the man’s temperament, the second young master’s affairs were not something he could interfere with.
“No need.” Jing Li shook his head, paused for a moment, then added, “Find out what Wang Junwen has been up to lately, down to every little detail, and report back to me as soon as you find out.”
Gu Tingshen’s words earlier had given him much to think about, and he vaguely had some guesses, but as always, he never fought a battle without certainty. Before figuring out the other’s motives, he wouldn’t make a rash move.
The assistant nodded in understanding. Though unclear about the second young master’s reasons, he immediately went to carry out the orders.
Just as he was about to leave to make some calls, as if recalling something, he turned back and added, “Oh right, Er Shao, Wang Lele came by earlier too. He also brought piles of snacks but left them there since you weren’t here.”
Following his gaze, Jing Li saw that the corner was indeed filled with several boxes of things. Though the packaging didn’t look as high-end as what Jing Yu had sent, they still didn’t seem cheap.
It seemed that after their last meeting, the guy had conjured up an image of Jing Li as some greedy foodie.
Jing Li quirked his brows with interest but wasn’t surprised by the other’s actions. Based on their chat two nights ago, he guessed the other had likely succeeded in signing with the crew he mentioned. As the only one privileged to hear the news and the “life-saving benefactor” in the other’s eyes, these were probably meant as repayment and a celebration of his victory.
Though the method was a bit peculiar.
Jing Li walked over and randomly picked up a few items to take a look. They were all snacks that were highly popular, and almost every recommended flavor was included. It was evident the other had done his research carefully when choosing these snacks.
“The box you’re holding is a newly released liqueur chocolate that sold out instantly everywhere. It’s so popular even the domestic market is completely sold out and impossible to get,” the assistant had just returned after making arrangements and couldn’t help but compliment when he saw the item in Jing Li’s hand. “I didn’t expect Wang Lele to get ahold of even this.”
Hearing the assistant’s words, Jing Li was somewhat surprised, then couldn’t help but let out an amused chuckle.
Since it was sold out domestically, the other must’ve gone through quite some trouble to ship it over from overseas and had it delivered to Jing Li in just two days, but he didn’t even mention it at all.
He really hadn’t expected Wang Lele to go to such lengths.
When they met for the first time, the man looked arrogant and indifferent, as if he didn’t want to talk to anyone, especially to him, a “rich second generation who relies on his wealth and background to bully others and ruin their futures.”
Jing Li did not expect him to be like this once they got familiar. No wonder everyone who knew him was willing to side with him.
How interesting.
But Jing Li didn’t dislike it. On the contrary, he found it quite amusing.
Just as he was thinking about it, there was suddenly a knock on the door.
“That’s probably Wang Lele. I’ll get the door,” the assistant said with a smile and quickly got up to head for the door.
Jing Li quirked a brow but made no comment, glancing towards the door as the assistant walked over. He then went to sit on the sofa.
But as soon as the door opened, the assistant’s slightly surprised voice sounded, “Wang…Mr. Wu?”
Jing Li twitched his eyelids. Wu Fan was standing at the doorway, a conflicted expression on his face as he stared at the assistant, occasionally sneaking glances inside as if looking for something.
“Do you need something?” the assistant asked when he just stood there without speaking.
“I…” Wu Fan hesitated, then finally said, “I’m here to see Jing Li.”
Hearing this, the assistant glanced back at Jing Li. Seeing he made no objections, he knew it was permitted and nodded at Wu Fan, “Then please come in.”
Stepping aside to let him in, the assistant closed the door after he entered.
Hearing the door close, Wu Fan paused again and looked back at the assistant who had followed them in. Hesitating for a moment, he turned to Jing Li and said, “There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.” His intention was that he didn’t want a third party present.
The assistant looked at him and immediately said, “Then I’ll go out to buy…”
“No need,” Jing Li cut him off directly and said to the man before him, “If you have anything to say, you can just say it.”
The assistant paused then walked right back over.
Seeing this, Wu Fan knew he currently had no say and could only accept the other’s arrangement.
Moreover, given his current circumstances, he had no right to make demands.
Glancing at Jing Li, who sat there without any intention of welcoming him, Wu Fan looked around the room. Though he couldn’t recognize the materials making up the furnishings, he could feel they were certainly expensive.
Under the pressure of such an environment, he became more aware of the gap between himself and Jing Li, and he was also more convinced of his own resolve.
He took a few steps forward and stood in front of the coffee table. Seeing that Jing Li didn’t ask him to sit down, he didn’t dare to object. He was afraid that the other party would be bored, so he directly stated his purpose “It’s Wang Junwen. He wanted me to get evidence of you bullying your co-stars to ruin your reputation.”
As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced up to see Jing Li’s reaction.
But Jing Li’s expression was completely calm, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, let alone any of the shock, fear, or anxiety he had imagined.
On the other hand, the assistant’s face showed unconcealed astonishment and disbelief upon hearing his words. But not a moment later, those emotions were drowned out by towering fury, as if ready to flay and dismantle Wang Junwen on the spot to vent his anger.
Yet neither displayed even a hint of the fear he had envisioned.
The assistant, as the closest person to his boss and most privy to his background, reacted this way to Wang Junwen’s name. It was clear he had long determined Wang Junwen was nothing to fear and was even angry at the other’s audacity, wanting to teach him a lesson.
Wu Fan’s heart shuddered. Recalling the conversation he had unintentionally overheard between Gu Tingshen and Jing Li in the backyard, he couldn’t help trembling all over. His previous apprehensions had vanished in this instant.
Not daring to hide anything, he poured out everything Wang Junwen had told him, “He deliberately made me provoke you while filming before, then he would have someone capture it after you lost your temper. That was the person you saw yesterday. He planned to spread this evidence online, use public opinion to slander and suppress you, and drive you entirely out of the entertainment industry.”
Before Jing Li could respond, he hurriedly added, “I didn’t intentionally do that to you. When he first approached me, I was very hesitant, but he threatened me that if I didn’t obey, he’d order the company to blacklist me. I have no power or influence. How could I dare offend him?”
There was one thing he didn’t say – the conditions Wang Junwen offered were truly tempting. As long as he accomplished this one task, the other had promised to spend money getting the company to make him a big star.
He had been mixing in these circles for at least five or six years, and though he had some fame, he never became popular. He was desperately longing for the days of standing at the top and being looked up to by all, so after being threatened a few times, he had agreed without the slightest hesitation.
But now he regretted it to the point his guts were twisting.
If only he had known earlier that Jing Li actually had such powerful background, on intimate terms with someone like Gu Tingshen, he would have to be insane to agree to oppose Jing Li on Wang Junwen’s behalf.
If he had brought this matter to Jing Li instead of relying on Wang Junwen, wouldn’t it have been easier?
But it was useless to think about all that now. All he could do was try his utmost to dispel Jing Li’s resentment, hoping the other would let him off for being so sincere. It would be best if he could even lend a hand.
Thinking this, Wu Fan became even more resolved. With a sincere attitude, he said, “I’m really very sorry. To make up for it, I’m willing to stand out and testify for you, and I can provide recordings of my conversations with him to prove your innocence.”
“Oh right, there’s also Lin Xiao,” he quickly added when Jing Li looked over. “He was involved in this too. They seem to have some other black material on you that they plan to release altogether.”
Wu Fan babbled on, practically divulging all the information he knew. He wasn’t afraid of Jing Li turning the tables; without his testimony and evidence, his words alone would have no impact on those two and they could even use it to accuse him of slander.
And if Jing Li did intend to turn against him, he could always go back to Wang Junwen and render Jing Li’s counterattack completely in vain.
But after he finished speaking, he discovered that Jing Li was utterly unmoved, without even the slightest change in his facial expression. He even looked unsatisfied, as if he had been listening to some interesting story.
Seeing Jing Li like this, Wu Fan suddenly felt uncertain.
He opened and closed his mouth, wanting to say something, when the assistant’s phone suddenly rang. He picked up, responded briefly, and quickly hung up, then looked to Jing Li and said, “Er Shao, Wang Junwen really is making shady moves. He just hired a bunch of internet navy1“internet navy” (“网络水军” or “wǎngluò shuǐjūn”) refers to groups of individuals who are paid to manipulate public opinion on the internet by flooding forums, social media platforms, and comment sections with positive comments, likes, and reviews, or negative propaganda for their employers or against competitors. These activities could include creating fake accounts (sockpuppets), writing sponsored content without disclosure, and engaging in coordinated attacks against a target. This is equivalent to troll farms in the west.. It looks like he plans to release information tonight. But the team is prepared. Just give the word, and we can respond immediately.”
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Please consider supporting the author directly.
You can also follow me on Ko-fi to get the latest updates on my translation progress and new projects. I appreciate your love and feedback.
