10: Melee

It wasn't until they had driven a long way that Qian Gao finally realized what had just happened.

Wait, why did he listen to Shen Lian like that?!

Before Qian Gao could speak, Shen Lian said, "Zheng Ge and I are fine; there was no conflict."

Qian Gao was suddenly at a loss for words.

The show needed drama, and he was brought along just to be a punching bag. In other words, the more Shen Lian made a fool of himself, the better the ratings.

On the other hand, Qian Gao didn't want Shen Lian to offend Zheng Ge or Zhou Tangsi again, because they couldn't afford to cross them.

They drove in silence for forty minutes until the car finally stopped in front of a restaurant.

Shen Lian finally spoke up and asked, "Brother Qian, who are we having dinner with?"

"An advertiser. The footage you shot before was good, and they're interested in collaborating after seeing it."

Shen Lian nodded and said nothing more.

The private room was on the eighth floor. The spacious corridor was covered with a red carpet, and the decor was somewhat old-fashioned and luxurious. Money trees were placed every ten steps, growing vigorously.

Qian Gao noticed the shoes on Shen Lian's feet and frowned in disgust. "You didn't even think to clean off the mud."

"It wasn't convenient in the car just now."

Qian Gao: "Couldn't you have prepared a spare pair to change into?"

"No money, can't afford it," Shen Lian replied.

This wasn't an exaggeration; he had to scrimp and save even to buy flowers for Chu Yilan.

Qian Gao huffed twice and didn't respond.

Shen Lian knew that this group of people were all exploiters who embezzled his money and would never give it back.

As soon as they reached the door, Qian Gao immediately tugged at his tie and smoothed his hair. He glanced at Shen Lian; the overall look was decent, much more pleasing to the eye than before. So, he knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Qian Gao gave Shen Lian a warning look, then pushed open the door of the private room with a sycophantic smile.

There were five men sitting inside, all in their early forties. The room was thick with cigarette smoke, and the smell was unpleasant. Shen Lian frowned almost imperceptibly.

"You're here, sit down!" one of them stood up to greet them.

Shen Lian pulled out a chair, but someone immediately said, "Hey? You sit here."

Shen Lian looked up at the spot the person was pointing to, which was next to a man smoking with his arms crossed.

The man was sizing up Shen Lian with great interest through the haze of smoke.

Shen Lian had seen it all in his previous life; he instinctively looked toward Qian Gao.

Qian Gao acted as if he hadn't seen anything and was chatting with someone else.

"What are you standing there for? Sit down."

Shen Lian had no choice but to sit down first.

"This is Manager Liu, the head of Tianhe Advertising. Your future resources will all depend on him," someone introduced enthusiastically.

Shen Lian used tea instead of wine. "Manager Liu..."

"Hey?" The person stirring the pot blocked Shen Lian's tea and replaced it with a glass of wine, his tone full of implication. "This is what sincerity looks like."

Shen Lian pressed his tongue against his cheek. After a few seconds, he smiled and nodded.

But he didn't take the other person's wine; instead, he poured himself a new glass.

"Manager Liu, a toast to you."

Liu Kaisheng immediately smiled until his eyes were mere slits. He was a man of carnal pleasures, looking as if he had been inflated. From the front, only half of his ears were visible. When he smiled like that, the wrinkles piling up at the corners of his eyes could easily crush a fly.

Liu Kaisheng clinked glasses with Shen Lian three times.

The pungent liquid entered his mouth, and heat rose from his heart and lungs. It was uncomfortable.

Afterward, Shen Lian drank with the others. He was no match for these seasoned drinkers, and since he hadn't eaten a single bite all evening, his stomach soon began to churn.

His neck was covered in sweat, and Shen Lian raised a hand to wipe it away.

Seeing this, Liu Kaisheng's eyes were fixed.

"As expected, you look better in person than in photos," Liu Kaisheng praised lavishly, then placed a hand on Shen Lian's leg.

Qian Gao saw this. A look of internal struggle flashed in his eyes, but in the end, he said nothing.

Shen Lian understood completely.

Shen Lian took a deep breath and, suppressing his disgust, brushed off Liu Kaisheng's hand. "Thank you for your high regard, Manager Liu."

Shen Lian's words were polite and respectful, but the rejection in his action was clear, making Liu Kaisheng instantly displeased.

Liu Kaisheng was blunt. He narrowed his eyes at Shen Lian and got straight to the point. "If you don't keep me happy, where are you going to get resources? You think a couple of drinks can settle everything? Do you think money grows on trees?"

There was no room for negotiation.

"Oh, Manager Liu, Shen Lian understands. Please don't be angry," Qian Gao hurriedly poured more wine.

It had been a long time since Shen Lian had suffered such humiliation.

He slowly stood up, looked at Qian Gao, and said, "Brother Qian, I just remembered I have something to do, so I'll..."

Splash!

Shen Lian closed his eyes.

Before he could finish, a cup of hot tea was splashed onto his face.

Water droplets trickled down his chin. Shen Lian turned to look at the man who had been urging him to drink earlier.

"Brat, do you know what your current market value is?" The man, drunk, looked increasingly fierce. "You're just worthless trash! Only Manager Liu doesn't mind you. Instead of being grateful, you're refusing? Do you believe me when I say you won't get a single endorsement in the future?"

Liu Kaisheng didn't stop him. He took a puff of his cigarette, clearly enjoying the words.

Any newcomer, threatened with their career, would probably be scared witless and, as expected, would agree to any conditions next.

Shen Lian took a tissue and wiped his face.

His expression was calm and his movements elegant, showing no sign of anger.

Everyone thought Shen Lian had compromised.

But in the next second, Shen Lian moved like lightning. He grabbed the head of the man who had just spoken and slammed it directly into a bowl of chicken soup!

There was a loud bang, startling everyone seated.

Only then did an endless gloom emerge from the depths of Shen Lian's eyes. He said coldly, "Say one more word, and let's see what happens."

It's over, Qian Gao thought.

"Fuck your mother!"

Instantly, dishes were shattered in the room. Loud bangs continued as everything descended into chaos.

It was Shen Lian one against five. During the melee, he even punched Qian Gao, who was frantically trying to break up the fight. Take that for selling me out!

But after all, there were five of them. Shen Lian started with the upper hand but took several hits later. However, the pain only lasted a second. With adrenaline surging and having endured so many cold shoulders lately, he desperately needed an outlet.

Everything in the private room was smashed to pieces.

Clutching his waist with a cold expression, Shen Lian pulled open the door.

Qian Gao had long been stunned by his "god-slaying" demeanor.

"Fuck! You damn well stop right there!" Liu Kaisheng struggled to crawl up from the floor.

Shen Lian was in a wretched state, his vision darkening in waves. Leaning against the corridor wall, he vaguely heard footsteps ahead, accompanied by chatting and laughter. Soon, the voices stopped abruptly, as if many people were looking his way.

Shen Lian didn't care.

Until a tall, dark shadow loomed over him.

Shen Lian saw a pair of black leather shoes stop in front of him, followed by crisp suit trousers.

"What are you doing?" a deep, magnetic male voice asked.

This instantly pulled Shen Lian's drifting soul back to reality.

Shen Lian looked up. The man stood against the light, yet his silhouette was sharp.

He pursed his lips and confirmed again and again: it was Chu Yilan.

When Chu Yilan saw Shen Lian's split lip and bruised eye, his expression instantly darkened.

"Master Chu," Shen Lian spoke hoarsely.

His eyelashes trembled slightly, and his pale skin was almost translucent, revealing a fragility that seemed like it would shatter at a touch.

Shen Lian's body swayed. Chu Yilan reached out to steady him, then leaned down slightly until his gaze was level with Shen Lian's. He said word for word, "I'm asking you a question."

"Shen Lian! Who do you think you are? You were asked to accompany him for drinks, and you hit someone?!" Qian Gao snapped back to his senses and rushed out of the room, cursing. "It's your good luck that Manager Liu took an interest in you! Don't be ungrateful..."

The words that followed came to a screeching halt.

Everyone present was shrewd; how could they not understand after hearing that?

Thus, there was no need for Shen Lian to recount exactly what had happened.

Feng Yueshan stood with one hand in his pocket, a cold smile on his face as he stared at Qian Gao. "You kid, you're quite arrogant, aren't you?"