Is This The Right Way To Repay A Favor? Chapter 88

The Beloved

Languang Media’s stock price continued to suffer due to Shen Zhiyu’s recent string of negative trending topics. Multiple dramas and variety shows that had already been released faced varying degrees of boycotts, causing both reputation and revenue to plummet.

For Languang, which was already undergoing a difficult transition period, this was undoubtedly adding frost to snow.

Jiang Zhou knew better than anyone that tarnishing Shen Zhiyu was never the opponent’s ultimate goal. The real killing blow was the subsequent chain reaction: using the attack on Shen Zhiyu to completely drag down Languang, the company he was deeply tied to.

Shen Zhiyu personally did not own any associated companies; all his management contracts belonged entirely to Languang. Since the opposition couldn’t directly harm him, they turned to crushing his foundation.

Languang thus became a sacrifice in the Ye family’s struggle to secure Ye Mo, pushed directly into the eye of the storm.

But Jiang Zhou refused to be someone else’s sacrificial lamb. The greater the pressure, the more determined he was to carve out a path to survival. This was not just for Shen Zhiyu, but for himself and for the future of everyone at Languang.

The day after Languang released its statement, Jiang Zhou proactively sought out Ye Qin.

Ye Qin was not surprised by his arrival.

Both parties were astute, and some things didn’t need to be explicitly stated. As a daughter of the Ye family, Ye Qin’s capability and boldness far surpassed her brother, Ye Tianming, yet she was completely excluded from the core of family power simply because of her gender. Now that Ye Tianming was incapable of handling the heavy responsibilities, the family preferred to pin their hopes on a grandson still in elementary school rather than consider her.

How could a wolf with both strength and ambition be content to forever remain subordinate to the incompetent? Jiang Zhou had long seen through it; Ye Qin’s previous initiative to visit the company was itself a silent signal.

She was waiting for an opportunity.

And now was the perfect time for them to join forces and break the deadlock.

The two held a long discussion in the conference room throughout the afternoon.

No one knew the specifics of their conversation. But when the conference room door opened again, their eyes held the same quiet composure and certainty.

A silent battle had quietly begun.

—

To enhance the real-time interactive feel of the Tarot card predictions and further solidify Dong Qianqian’s persona as the “Tarot Queen,” the program ultimately adopted a live broadcast format. The recording location was a meticulously decorated studio inside the Languang building.

Shen Zhiyu had not made a public appearance or participated in any program for a long time. The moment his name appeared on the guest list, it immediately pushed the live stream’s popularity to a peak, with tens of thousands of viewers flooding in the moment it started.

After brief pleasantries, the staff signaled for the program to begin.

The studio lights slowly dimmed, and ethereal, soothing background music quietly flowed, instantly creating a mysterious and focused atmosphere.

Dong Qianqian, dressed in a deep purple gown, sat behind a divination table draped with a black velvet cloth. On the table before her were exquisite Tarot cards and some crystal ornaments.

The lights focused on her face, and the broadcast officially began.

“Insight into the mindscape, decoding the secret language. Hello, viewers, this is Mindscape Secrets, and I am Dong Qianqian.”

“Have you ever tossed and turned over a certain choice? Felt a little unclear about the direction of your future? Perhaps symbols and signs can offer us another perspective. Today, let us use the wisdom of the Tarot to part the fog and explore the clues and answers hidden within the script of your life.”

“Next, please allow me to formally introduce our special guest for the first episode—Mr. Shen Zhiyu!”

Shen Zhiyu slowly walked into the light of the camera’s focus.

His hair had grown longer and was styled into soft waves. Light spilled from above and to the side, casting a small shadow beside his nose, further highlighting his calm and slightly aloof elegance.

Shen Zhiyu greeted the camera. The bullet screen instantly erupted, with countless comments refreshing rapidly, mostly excitedly welcoming his return and calling him their ‘White Moonlight’ comeback.

Shen Zhiyu sat comfortably on the sofa opposite Dong Qianqian.

“Mr. Shen, welcome to Mindscape Secrets.”

“Friends who watched A Dream of Taoyuan should know that Mr. Shen visited my little Tarot shop before, and this is your second time. Mr. Shen, have your feelings changed at all?”

Dong Qianqian spoke with a smile, her hands clasped, leaning slightly forward, revealing a hint of subtle nervousness.

The last time in Taoyuan, a small cat accidentally flipped over The Devil card during Shen Zhiyu’s prediction, and she had to use the phrase “auspicious timing” to smooth over the awkwardness.

This time was a live broadcast, and Dong Qianqian worried about new accidents.

Shen Zhiyu gave a calm smile and proactively brought up the old incident. “Last time I missed the auspicious timing and an extra Devil card appeared. I wasn’t convinced, so I actively requested to come this time.”

The main subject proactively bringing up the past in a lighthearted tone helped Dong Qianqian relax considerably. She laughed and replied, “Thank you very much for your trust, Mr. Shen. Shall we officially begin?”

“Yes.”

“Before we start, please close your eyes, relax your breathing, and silently think about the question or state you are most concerned about or wish to explore recently. You don’t need to tell me what it is, just let your mind settle down.”

Shen Zhiyu cooperated by closing his eyes, his long lashes casting a small shadow beneath them.

The live studio was silent, save for the low hum of the equipment.

He seemed genuinely to be settling his thoughts, and only after a moment did he slowly open his eyes and look at Dong Qianqian. “I’m ready.”

“Good.” Dong Qianqian began shuffling the cards skillfully, the crisp rustling sound of the paper filling the air.

“Now, please draw three cards from the shuffled deck based on your intuition, and place them here, in order.” Dong Qianqian pointed to the three designated spots on the table.

Shen Zhiyu extended his hand as instructed, pausing slightly above the deck as if sensing something, then decisively drew three cards and laid them out in sequence.

Dong Qianqian gently flipped over the first card—the image showed an angel descending, gently touching a man and a woman, with the lush vitality of the Garden of Eden in the background.

“The Lovers, upright.” Dong Qianqian looked up at Shen Zhiyu, her tone carrying a smile. “This is a card concerning love, harmony, and soul connection.”

“Its appearance usually means that a deep emotional relationship, especially a romantic connection, is occupying the core of your life. This is a combination of physical attraction and a deep spiritual resonance.”

Upon hearing this, the corners of Shen Zhiyu’s mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly, signaling her to continue.

Dong Qianqian flipped the second card: under a starry sky, a maiden knelt by a lake, pouring water from a jug.

“The Star, upright.”

“This is a card that brings great hope and inspiration. Appearing after The Lovers, it suggests that this relationship provides you with spiritual nourishment and immense comfort. It illuminates you, filling you with unprecedented hope and confidence for the future.”

Just then, Jiang Zhou, having finished his work, quietly entered the studio.

He happened to hear Dong Qianqian’s last sentence, and his steps paused slightly, a hint of surprise crossing his mind.

Did Dong Qianqian say it backward? He was clearly the one illuminated by Shen Zhiyu.

Shen Zhiyu seemed to sense his presence. His gaze pierced through the bright lights, accurately landing on the figure who had silently slipped into the scene.

Jiang Zhou was wearing a hat and a mask, having changed out of the suit he wore earlier into an inconspicuous black long-sleeved shirt and trousers, practically melting into the shadows.

Looking at him, Shen Zhiyu suddenly recalled the first time he shot a magazine in the studio after signing with Languang, when Jiang Zhou had sneaked in fully disguised like this to watch him.

He had fled in haste afterward, only to send someone later with ginger tea to ward off the cold.

Memory overlapped with reality, and Shen Zhiyu’s expression unconsciously softened, his eyes brimming with an almost overflowing tenderness.

The viewers in the live stream immediately caught the change in his expression:

“Who is Gege looking at?”

“Has his lover arrived?”

“Oh my god, that look… I can’t handle it!”

Shen Zhiyu nodded gently, responding to Dong Qianqian’s earlier interpretation: “Yes. His appearance makes me feel that life is very interesting. Without him, my life would be very dull. He is the one who illuminated my dull and dark life.”

Shen Zhiyu’s words directly acknowledged the person’s existence.

The live stream bullet screen exploded, filling the entire display.

“Is that the person Gege said he was pursuing before?”

“I really want to know who is so lucky!”

Shen Zhiyu glanced at the comments, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Zhou’s direction once more, carrying a clear sense of triumph.

“It is him. And I’ve caught him now.” His voice was laced with deep amusement. “But he’s not the lucky one; I am very lucky to have met him and to be loved by him.”

When it came to matters of the heart, Shen Zhiyu was a natural, effortlessly speaking sweet words that were nonetheless genuinely moving.

Jiang Zhou, receiving this declaration of love from afar, felt his face flush, a warm current washing over his heart.

Finally, Dong Qianqian flipped the third card. The image showed a figure surrounded by a laurel wreath, symbolizing completion and achievement, accompanied by an angel, an eagle, a lion, and an ox in the four corners, representing universal harmony and completeness.

“The World, upright!” Dong Qianqian’s voice was tinged with excitement. “This is the card of fulfillment.”

“It represents achievement, integration, and eternal joy. It means that the relationship you possess is not only emotionally satisfying but also brings completeness and belonging to your life. It is the ultimate destination you have been seeking.”

All three cards were displayed: The Lovers – The Star – The World, all upright, forming a powerful and beautiful spread.

Dong Qianqian took a deep breath, her eyes shining as she looked at Shen Zhiyu, offering a comprehensive interpretation.

“Mr. Shen, this spread is incredibly pure. It clearly indicates that you are in a profoundly beautiful romantic relationship. Your partner is not just an emotional companion but a soul-level confidant.”

“This relationship satisfies your deepest inner desires, bringing immense healing and hope. Furthermore, it gives you a sense of ultimate completeness and belonging, the certainty of ‘this is the one.’ Congratulations, you have found the love of your life.”

This conclusion was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples both inside and outside the live stream.

The bullet screen instantly ignited. Exclamations and blessings like “Ahhh, it’s true!” and “Gege, you must be happy!” frantically flooded the screen, almost obscuring the entire image.

Shen Zhiyu’s gaze once again crossed the dazzling lights, locking onto Jiang Zhou.

His eyes were passionate, bold, and carried a nearly childish sense of showing off. “Very accurate. I feel the same way.”