Chapter 312 - 245: What Is Mutual Harm

Some people are just like that, always dipping their little toes on the edge of danger, constantly testing the limits.

They’re only relying on the fact that the big shots are usually too busy to bother with small fries like them.

But when it comes to the apple of one’s eye, how could they possibly let it slide?

First, there was Ni Guangli, who scolded his apprentice during a livestream:

"I get a headache just looking at you hopeless illiterates! If you have time, go read a book!

"You’re 33 years old now, you should at least learn some basic decency!

"And what’s more, you have to cultivate a sense of social responsibility. You get me?

"Especially something like corrupting children! That’s conscienceless! You can’t do that!"

Ni Guangli’s six apprentices were all master Sichuan chefs. While theirs was a technical profession that didn’t require a high level of education, Ni Guangli had always said that to reach the top of this field, one couldn’t lack a cultural foundation.

That’s why he had sent all his apprentices to school when they were young.

Even the eldest, who had the worst grades, managed to graduate from high school.

Calling them "hopeless illiterates" was a clear jab at a certain top-tier star who had only finished elementary school.

Considering that his youngest apprentice was well over 33, and with the pointed mention of "social responsibility" and "not corrupting children," it was obvious who Ni Guangli was being passive-aggressive toward with this sudden outburst.

The apprentices held back their laughter and apologized profusely. "Master, I was wrong! I’ll never do it again! I’ll be a better person and won’t bring you any shame!"

The viewers in the livestream chat howled with laughter, spamming "Holy crap! Holy crap!" and "Badass!"

So what if it’s online bullying?

Celebrities have to protect their public image; after all, there are all sorts of official departments keeping an eye on them.

But when internet celebrities engage in online bullying, they can be far more direct and vicious.

After all, the industry was still growing wild, and if you had a good reason, you could occasionally get away with doing something out of line. Who could do anything about it?

Besides, nobody could say he was wrong.

Not even that top-tier star, the one who only graduated from elementary school and just so happened to be 33 this year.

Their idol was being dissed, and his fans weren’t about to take it lying down. They immediately jumped to his defense.

Of course, Ni Guangli’s fans were not to be trifled with, either.

The two sides went at it.

But because state-run media had previously criticized that star’s fans for online bullying, everyone was much more "polite" this time, sticking to the passive-aggressive route.

The various exchanges were a source of great amusement for the online spectators!

In just a few short days, the back-and-forth between the two factions set off wave after wave of online drama!

Wasn’t this more entertaining than those clichéd TV dramas?

In contrast to their high-profile antics, Little Sang, who was used to keeping a low profile, simply set an acquisition plan into motion.

Not long after the online bullying incident, the top-tier star had a rare moment of professionalism. He attended an event where he sang and danced, coming off stage drenched in sweat.

He threw on the coat his assistant handed him, sipped the warm, imported electrolyte water from another, and had just returned to his dressing room when he got the news—his talent agency had been acquired.

The new boss’s surname was Sang.

He clicked on the official announcement on the company website. The new boss’s handsome face looked disturbingly familiar, making the star’s eyelid twitch.

The company had undergone a smooth transition with almost no turmoil.

The new boss’s first order of business was to launch a brand-new boy band.

To build hype for this new group, the boss was even willing to invest a fortune, planning to host a variety show competition to send these young rookies down the "flower road" to stardom.

The group had it all: top-tier visuals, incredible vocals, outstanding dancers... you name it, they had it, fulfilling nearly every fan girl’s fantasy.

Most importantly, they were young.

The star touched his own 33-year-old face, which was no longer so fresh, and decided once again to back down.

Unfortunately, even though he was ready to get on his knees and beg for forgiveness, when he knocked on the president’s office door, the person who emerged was not who he expected.

The star didn’t overthink it, assuming the real boss was still inside.

"Excuse me, is President Sang in?"

Seeing the sheer stupidity shining in the man’s limpid eyes, the new president pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Our President Sang is a very busy man. He needs to oversee things at the corporate headquarters and can’t be bothered with this place. If you have business, you can speak to me directly. My name is Zhao, you can call me President Zhao."

’Such a tiny little entertainment company, and they expect to tie down our Little Sang?’

’This is so ridiculous, even screenwriters nowadays wouldn’t dare write a plot this absurd.’

’Three and a half years left on his contract, and he dared to mess with our boss’s lady.’

Xiao Zhao, who knew the whole story, smiled even more benevolently.

’Didn’t they say our boss’s lady had powerful backing?’

’Well, this is what that backing looks like. Money does all the talking.’

’Forget a direct confrontation with our Little Sang; a nobody like you isn’t even qualified to meet him.’

’I really don’t know where he got the nerve to dance on the razor’s edge.’

After his silent roast, Xiao Zhao’s smile became even more sincere.

’It’s all thanks to this lovable idiot. Otherwise, my promotion probably would’ve been another year or two away.’

The all-capable, top-tier assistant Xiao Zhao had, in a single stroke, been promoted to President of an entertainment company.

It wasn’t that there hadn’t been other companies he could have run; it was that he’d looked down on them.

Having served Sang Yuan loyally ever since graduation, Xiao Zhao was more than capable of managing a company on his own.

Xiao Zhao understood better than anyone why his boss had acquired this entertainment company.

’Taking over some random small company couldn’t possibly compare to helping the boss build a strategic foothold in the entertainment industry.’

’As long as I protect the boss’s lady, forget a promotion and a raise—I probably won’t even have to worry about my son’s future.’

’Because of this bond of loyalty, the young master will also treat my son very, very well in the future.’

The top-tier star caught the well-hidden contempt in Xiao Zhao’s eyes and nearly burst into tears.

’In this day and age, what kind of tycoon dates a celebrity for love and not for lust?’

’To think he’d spend billions to buy my company just to get ahold of my contract and put me in my place.’

’This is so damn ridiculous!’

’These lawless capitalists!’

’Oh, God!’

’Strike him down with lightning!’

It had to be said, jumping to conclusions based on past experience could really be your downfall.

Now, he couldn’t even terminate his contract if he wanted to.

Back when he signed, he’d negotiated a shorter term and a higher profit share, so the contract termination penalty had been set sky-high.

If he dared to bring up termination now, never mind whether the company would even let him go, the penalty alone was over 800 million. Even if he were chopped into pieces and sold to his die-hard fans as collectibles, he wouldn’t be worth that much!

’What am I going to do now?’

’Waaaah, the man is a psycho!’

’If I’d known Ni Bingyan had a Guardian Divine Beast like that watching over her, I’d have to have been insane to mess with her!’

In a way, the star’s actions had served as a reminder for Sang Yuan.

In his past life, by the time he and Ni Bingyan got together, she had already become a top actress on the international stage and didn’t need his help with her career.

And because their relationship had gotten off to a rocky start, Ni Bingyan had been especially wary of him interfering with her career.

So, for the sake of domestic harmony in his past life, he had never invested in the entertainment industry.

Things were different in this life, so his approach needed to change as well.

’My wife is still vulnerable right now; this is when she needs my protection the most.’

’Having an entertainment company on hand is perfect—I can be on the offense or the defense. It’s brilliant!’

Meanwhile, Ni Bingyan was in Cambodia, biting her nails.

’These props are all antiques, and they expect me to use them like they’re ordinary objects. The pressure is immense!’

’What if I bump one, or scratch it, or break it? How much would I have to pay?!’