Is This The Right Way To Repay A Favor? Chapter 9

Joining

Shen Zhiyu clicked on the video.

The show had only aired one episode before it was reported, boycotted, and taken down. The video Wang Lei sent was not very clear.

The camera angle started by pushing through the door of a mud-colored house, sweeping over the simple furniture, and stopping at the bed. Lying on the bed was a dark, emaciated man with a weathered face.

A thin boy entered from outside and served the man medicine.

The next second, Shen Zhiyu appeared in the frame, guided by a staff member to the bedside.

The boy retreated to the corner of the bed, glanced at Shen Zhiyu, and then left.

The boy did not appear in the subsequent footage.

Shen Zhiyu paused the video, the image freezing on the young boy.

The production team had added a caption above the boy’s head: Deity Descending to Earth.

That narration.

No wonder it was reported and halted. It truly deserved it.

Jiang Zhou looked much the same as a child as he did now—refined and well-behaved, exuding a mature-beyond-his-years aura.

Shen Zhiyu recalled the curve of that waist fluctuating with the music and the button hanging precariously at the edge of danger.

He realized his interest in Jiang Zhou’s body had only grown.

The sound of a door opening came from across the hall.

Shen Zhiyu left the balcony and sent a message to Wang Lei.

Soon, Jiang Zhou received a call from Wei Yan.

Shen Zhiyu’s manager had contacted him, proposing that Languang Media hold a press conference announcing the acquisition of Chengxing Entertainment.

This request was truly strange. But the other party was aggressive and left no room for compromise.

Since the matter was proposed by Shen Zhiyu, Wei Yan didn’t dare refuse rashly, so he called Jiang Zhou.

Jiang Zhou told him to agree first and immediately start preparing for the press conference.

After signing the formal acquisition contract with Xie Mingzhi today, Jiang Zhou had them bring all the contracts of Chengxing’s artists to the company.

He singled out the contract signed by Shen Zhiyu and began to read it carefully.

Upon reading it, everything felt wrong.

The contract Shen Zhiyu signed with Chengxing Entertainment lacked specific clauses, consisting mostly of general terms, looking more like a temporary indenture agreement.

Jiang Zhou read through the entire document, finding it increasingly unbelievable.

This shouldn’t be the work of someone who had been in the industry for over a decade. Moreover, with Wang Lei by his side, it was impossible that he wouldn’t help vet the contract.

If this situation occurred, it must have been with Shen Zhiyu’s consent.

But why would Shen Zhiyu agree?

Could it be because of Su Qian?

Su Qian had excellent looks and figure, and a cheerful, generous personality, making her genuinely likable.

If Jiang Zhou hadn’t known what happened, he wouldn’t have harbored any ill will toward her.

Three years ago, Chengxing Entertainment signed a batch of artists, and Su Qian was among them.

Two months after signing, Su Qian underwent a medical abortion at the hospital. A month later, Su Qian starred in her debut work as the female lead.

Debuting as the lead, and immediately following Su Qian’s medical abortion, the underlying reasons were self-evident.

At the same time, Jiang Zhou noticed that the pregnancy time registered during Su Qian’s abortion was one month earlier than her signing date.

Clearly, someone had used pregnancy as a scheme to secure resources.

To climb the ladder, the entertainment industry was rife with things dirtier than this.

Su Qian had no background, a poor upbringing, and low education. In the prime of her youth, the only thing she had going for her was her face.

While Jiang Zhou didn’t approve of Su Qian’s methods, he had to admit she was bold and clever.

But this was only acceptable as long as it didn’t involve Shen Zhiyu. If it involved Shen Zhiyu, it was unacceptable.

In his eyes, Shen Zhiyu always deserved the best.

Clearly, Su Qian was not the best.

Jiang Zhou couldn’t gauge the depth of Shen Zhiyu’s feelings for Su Qian.

He felt a little restless, subconsciously wanting to scratch his hand. When his fingertips touched a layer of gauze, he abruptly withdrew his hand.

Shen Zhiyu was joining Languang, and they would have more opportunities to meet. He didn’t want the kind of awkward situation they had before to happen again.

Jiang Zhou walked toward the balcony.

Against the wall near the opposite balcony, he had placed a long sofa and a complete set of bedding.

Since Shen Zhiyu returned, he had slept here almost every night.

Jiang Zhou lay down on the sofa, calmly waiting for the restlessness in his chest to gradually subside.

After a while, Jiang Zhou seemed to hear faint movements coming from the opposite balcony, accompanied by the scent of citrus from a recent shower.

That faint citrus aroma seemed to have a soothing effect. Jiang Zhou’s consciousness uncontrollably sank into that wisp of fragrance, gradually blurring.

Shen Zhiyu leaned against the balcony railing, thoughtfully looking toward the other side.

The lights on that balcony were off; the only illumination was the light leaking from inside the house, appearing dim and hazy in the deep night.

Half an hour passed.

The lights inside the house remained unchanged.

Shen Zhiyu felt a little cold from the wind and turned back into his room.

—

The acquisition press conference was scheduled for the following morning.

Wei Yan sent the conference agenda to Wang Lei. Less than a minute after sending it, he received a reply from the other party.

“Mr. Jiang won’t be attending?”

Wei Yan was still in Jiang Zhou’s office when he received the message.

Since Shen Zhiyu had proactively requested the press conference, Jiang Zhou naturally wouldn’t miss it.

However, he rarely appeared in public, and even if he went this time, he hadn’t planned to attend the conference itself.

Wei Yan held up his phone for Jiang Zhou to see. Wang Lei’s next message arrived immediately.

“Is Mr. Jiang so unwelcoming toward our Zhiyu?”

Seeing this message, Wei Yan’s hand trembled.

Jiang Zhou glanced at the message and asked Wei Yan, “What do you think he means?”

Wei Yan cautiously assessed Jiang Zhou’s expression before answering.

“Tomorrow’s press conference is not only about Languang acquiring Chengxing, but also Mr. Shen’s first appearance since joining Languang. If Mr. Jiang attends, it will better demonstrate Languang’s regard for Mr. Shen.”

Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but recall the awkwardness he had caused Shen Zhiyu at Huanjia Club last time.

It turned out he had been inconsiderate again, failing to think of the importance of showing respect.

“Alright, I’ll attend this time.”

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Zhou added, “Notify Su Qian to attend as well.”

Su Qian’s presence would also signify her formal joining of Languang. If others speculated, it would be easier for them to connect it to her.

Wei Yan revised the new agenda and sent a fresh copy to Wang Lei, finally receiving a simple “Okay” in response.

—

The press conference adopted a hybrid online and offline format.

To persuade Xie Mingzhi to attend and ensure he wouldn’t cause trouble at the venue, Languang had to make further concessions, exchanging more resources for him.

Jiang Zhou set off from home.

As soon as he opened his door, he heard the sound of the opposite door opening simultaneously.

Jiang Zhou slammed his door shut with a bang.

The next second, he saw Shen Zhiyu emerge from the opposite door on the monitor.

Shen Zhiyu was wearing a loose black woolen coat today, reaching his ankles, which made him appear somewhat aloof and stern.

As he left, he seemed to glance toward Jiang Zhou’s door before departing.

Jiang Zhou worried about running into him on the way, so he waited a full ten minutes before going downstairs.

—

Half an hour later, Jiang Zhou arrived at the press conference venue.

The media reporters were already in position, and Wei Yan went to assist with the setup.

Jiang Zhou was led by a staff member to the reception room.

Pushing the door open, Jiang Zhou immediately spotted Shen Zhiyu.

He was leaning back on the leather sofa, his posture lazy and casual, still drawing significant attention.

Seeing Jiang Zhou enter, the others stood up to greet him.

Shen Zhiyu did not rise. He rested his elbow on the armrest of the sofa, cupping his chin, and looked up slightly at Jiang Zhou.

This proactive gaze carried an unusual hint of scrutiny.

The man was dressed impeccably today.

A dark gray bespoke suit, a blue tie, and simple silver cufflinks adorning his sleeves. His entire demeanor exuded an aura of reserved nobility.

Looking at him, Shen Zhiyu faintly felt an itch in his hand, a desire to peel something away.

He rummaged through his pockets but couldn’t find his lighter.

Shen Zhiyu then stood up and took two steps closer to Jiang Zhou, greeting him as well. “Mr. Jiang.”

Jiang Zhou nodded and smiled at him, quickly shifting his gaze, as if treating him no differently from anyone else.

Soon, Wei Yan knocked on the door and reminded them, “Mr. Jiang, one minute until entry.”

Jiang Zhou turned sideways and made a gesture of invitation.

Shen Zhiyu didn’t stand on ceremony and was the first to leave. As they brushed past each other, whether intentionally or not, his shoulder lightly grazed Jiang Zhou’s.

A faint citrus aroma wafted over, and Jiang Zhou felt a momentary sense of dizziness.

He gently exhaled, his palm instantly damp.

The group arrived at the press conference venue together.

The lights flashed brightly, forming a dazzling sea of white, and the clicking of cameras was dense like rain.

Jiang Zhou sat in the center seat, with Xie Mingzhi on his left and Shen Zhiyu on his right. Su Qian was arranged to sit on Shen Zhiyu’s other side.

This was Jiang Zhou’s first time appearing in a public setting, and his first time participating in a live broadcast format. And it was with Shen Zhiyu.

He was actually a little nervous, but he hid it well, showing no hint of pretense.

Jiang Zhou briefly explained the reasons for acquiring Chengxing and the future development direction, using precise terminology. His voice, transmitted clearly through the microphone, was steady, decisive, and carried the seasoned experience of years navigating the business world.

After Jiang Zhou finished speaking, Xie Mingzhi also politely expressed his feelings about the acquisition and his expectations for future development.

When it was Shen Zhiyu’s turn to speak, he suddenly leaned toward Jiang Zhou, his long arm reaching across.

A warm sensation pressed close, moving from top to bottom.

Jiang Zhou was startled and nearly lost his composure. He pulled at his tie in a transparent attempt to cover up, using the movement to quickly regain control.

Fortunately, there was a barrier beneath the podium, preventing the situation from becoming too embarrassing.

Jiang Zhou quietly shifted his leg away, distancing himself from the source of heat.

Shen Zhiyu reached out and moved Jiang Zhou’s microphone stand in front of himself, and the half of his body that had leaned over returned to his seat. The movement was utterly natural, and he seemed completely unaware of Jiang Zhou’s discomfort.

“I am honored to join Languang. I hope that under Languang’s leadership, I can bring everyone more works. Thank you.”

After speaking, Shen Zhiyu thoughtfully moved the microphone back in front of Jiang Zhou.

Su Qian also offered similar thanks after Shen Zhiyu’s statement.

Afterward, the host announced the start of the media Q&A session.

Countless microphones shot up like a forest.

The host randomly selected one.

“Mr. Jiang, did you acquire Chengxing Entertainment because of Su Qian?” A sharp question was thrown directly at Jiang Zhou.

Before Jiang Zhou could answer, the reporter immediately posed the next question.

“You have never appeared in public before. Is your attendance at this press conference also because of Su Qian?”