134: Drink it all before rolling around

Back at Apricot Forest, Shen Lian and Chen Mu had exchanged contact information. Yesterday, he received a message from Chen Mu saying that the termination contract with Luminous had been submitted.

Shen Lian immediately exclaimed, "Good news."

Next was a patient wait; as long as the official document from Luminous came through, Chen Mu would be a free agent.

Shen Lian rested for two more days. Waking up today, he remembered Chen Mu was scheduled to film a commercial at noon, so he asked if things were going smoothly.

At that same moment, Chen Mu was standing in the filming studio, surrounded by staff members with awkward expressions.

In fact, it wasn't going very smoothly. Chen Mu had already changed his clothes, but he had been abruptly interrupted ten minutes ago. Standing three meters away was a smiling Shi Zhujie.

Shi Zhujie held a cup of milk tea. His face looked harmless, but there was mockery in his eyes and an arrogance that suggested he held all the cards.

Shi Zhujie had somehow found out that Chen Mu had secured a product endorsement for Ding Tian International and had come specifically to block him today.

Snatching a deal halfway through was impolite, but the entertainment industry was an outlier where last-minute replacements were common. Shi Zhujie came from a well-off family and had Song Yuan's backing, so he wasn't afraid at all.

Chen Mu replied: [Teacher Shen, don't worry.]

Simultaneously, a message arrived from an unsaved number, but Chen Mu recognized it immediately.

[Chen Mu, give the commercial to Zhujie. I have other arrangements for you.]

It was Song Yuan.

But Chen Mu didn't believe a single word Song Yuan said.

Back when Song Yuan first started flirting with Shi Zhujie, he had cut many of Chen Mu's resources. He promised compensation, but in reality, nothing ever came of it. Chen Mu knew Song Yuan was burning bridges and even thought he was a pushover. But it wasn't about being a pushover; having signed with Xiguang Media, he had no choice but to follow the company's arrangements. Later, when Shi Zhujie used his relationship with Song Yuan to sabotage him behind the scenes, Chen Mu was also powerless.

Someone who knew about their relationship had once advised Chen Mu: "Why don't you say something nice to Song Yuan? Regardless, during the two years he was down and out, you two supported each other. There must be some gratitude left, right?"

There was, but Chen Mu didn't need it.

Chen Mu had believed Song Yuan's promises once, but since he had let it go, he had truly let it go.

Thinking of this, Chen Mu looked up at Shi Zhujie and said in a low voice, "This commercial shoot wasn't given to me by Luminous, so there's no reason for you and President Song to demand that I give up this resource."

Shi Zhujie showed a look of slight surprise, the mockery in his eyes deepening. He had a cute appearance with large eyes, but when he targeted someone, he fully displayed his petty nature.

Shi Zhujie chuckled. "Does it make a difference? Regardless of who gave it to you, if I want it, it's mine. Chen Mu, you don't actually think you're qualified to snatch something from my hands, do you?"

Chen Mu didn't speak.

Shi Zhujie took a sip of milk tea and continued, "While I'm still talking to you nicely, give it up. Otherwise, when Song Yuan gets involved, things won't look good for you."

Chen Mu frowned slightly.

"Why are you so damn arrogant?" a voice suddenly cut in.

Everyone turned around to see a tall man standing not far away.

"President Feng."

"Hello, President Feng."

Feng Yueshan was surrounded by various high-level executives. He had slept through the night and hadn't gone out to play today, so his suit was crisp and straight, and his black hair was slicked back. He already had thick eyebrows and large eyes, and now, because he was frowning, shadows gathered at his brow bone, making him look very difficult to get along with.

Feng Yueshan had been listening outside for a while.

Previously at Apricot Forest, Zhou Yuanlin had said a few words to Kuang Chenghai, implying that Chen Mu's employer was no good and bullied people. But then he thought, since the guy was moving to Star Opening anyway, there wouldn't be any more problems.

Who would have thought these bastards would actually chase him to his own doorstep to flaunt their arrogance right in his face.

Chen Mu met Feng Yueshan's gaze, feeling slightly surprised. His lips moved slightly, as if he said, "Young Master Feng."

Feng Yueshan looked away and instead questioned someone behind him: "Where is the person in charge of this commercial? Call them here."

The scene immediately turned chaotic.

Feng Yueshan never bothered with commercial shoots. He had passed by a few times before but only gave them a cursory glance. He had never been interested in celebrities. Who knew that today he would not only show up but even start asking questions?

In less than half a minute, the person in charge came running over, wiping sweat from his forehead. Midway, he subconsciously looked at Shi Zhujie, then bowed and scraped before Feng Yueshan.

But Feng Yueshan didn't buy it. With his sharp eyes, he immediately pointed at Shi Zhujie and asked the person in charge, "Is this your father?"

There was a dead silence on the set.

"N-No!"

"If he's not your father, then why did you let him in to snatch pre-booked advertising resources? Anyone who didn't know better would think you're the ones calling the shots at Ding Tian International!" Feng Yueshan started by speaking with a smile, but his tone darkened at the end as he flared up: "I rarely visit, and the moment I do, I see such unlucky eyesores like you!"

Feng Yueshan hated it when his subordinates made improper connections, mainly because they were a bunch of idiots. If they had the skills of Yang Bin or Sun Binghe, it would be fine. But this person in charge was letting that pretty boy pressure Chen Mu to give up resources. Feng Yueshan took a closer look—did this guy's looks even deserve to endorse his family's products?

Shi Zhujie's family was in the clothing business and was doing quite well, but they were nothing compared to the Feng family. He naturally knew who Feng Yueshan was. To have his face slapped in public like this, it would be a lie to say he wasn't ashamed. However, Shi Zhujie didn't have the guts to talk back to Feng Yueshan.

And Feng Yueshan had no intention of letting him off: "Weren't you drinking that milk tea quite happily just now? Why'd you stop?"

Shi Zhujie's face turned beet red. Holding the milk tea, he didn't know whether to throw it away or not. After all, before Feng Yueshan arrived, he had bragged to Chen Mu that the milk tea was personally bought by Song Yuan when he picked him up this morning.

"Drink," Feng Yueshan said with a cold face. "Get out after you finish drinking."

Shi Zhujie bit the straw, his wrists trembling slightly.

Feng Yueshan looked at the person in charge: "You broke the rules. I don't need to say more, do I? Report to HR yourself, and then you get out too."

Feng Yueshan was the person least afraid of awkwardness. On the contrary, if an occasion was filled with awkwardness, he would definitely be the most comfortable one there—a realization he had gained from watching dramas unfold.

Security came in, and Shi Zhujie was practically forced to leave. That arrogant, punchable, and smug aura was extinguished like a fire doused with water, leaving his retreating figure looking extremely pathetic.

After dealing with all that, Feng Yueshan slowly walked up to Chen Mu.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

Finally, Chen Mu couldn't withstand the pressure and spoke first: "Young Master Feng..."

"Shen Lian's friend is my friend. You don't know how to call for backup when you're being bullied?"

Chen Mu looked dazed; he had never done such a thing before.

Seeing him like this, Feng Yueshan's brow didn't even un-furrow as he gave a small smile. "Fine, there really aren't many honest people like you left. Go ahead and film; this commercial is yours, and no one can take it away."

Chen Mu could only say, "Thank you, Young Master Feng."

Feng Yueshan didn't exchange much small talk with Chen Mu. It was as if dealing with Shi Zhujie and the person in charge was just something he did in passing during his inspection. Then, surrounded by the crowd, he took the elevator to the upper floors and quickly disappeared.

As for that Shi Zhujie or anyone from Xiguang Media, Feng Yueshan didn't care at all. Rotten bananas and spoiled oranges weren't worth his effort.

Shen Lian's message buzzed in: [Is it really going smoothly?]

Chen Mu typed: [It's really smooth.]