Chapter 92: His Heart Had Long Since Stopped Softening

Between entertainment companies, competition was only natural. In recent years it had grown especially fierce, the air between them thick with hostility. Because they restrained one another, Xiao Jingxuan’s new company had seized the opening and risen like a rocket, impossible to stop. As for those small firms that wanted to grow slowly and steadily, how many of them had ever succeeded?

So if what Ji Yanjin said was true, and not just one but several companies had already approached her without receiving a clear answer, then she was in deep trouble. Even if she ultimately agreed to sign with any one of them, she would still become mortal enemies with the rest.

Yet according to her original plan, she would not join any company at all. That would mean offending every company that had come calling.

Damn it. Forget how hard it would be to survive without joining one; even if she did sign with one, the others might band together to shut her out, and the company that signed her could very well abandon her on the spot.

Damn it, what did it mean to provoke the fury of the crowd? She was just a little actress with no backing, no influence, and no connections. Who could she afford to offend? In the end, no one would be stupid enough to pull a stunt like this. It was practically making a joke of someone’s reputation and credibility.

As Chu Luoxi thought of it, ice seemed to gather in her eyes. She had assumed that if some idiots were ignored, they would eventually quiet down. She had never imagined that, while she knew nothing at all, they would stir up such a massive disaster for her. And after something this serious had happened, only now had a phone call come in to ask after her.

“What is it? Is the problem very serious?” Seeing Chu Luoxi’s grave expression, Ji Yanjin finally sensed something was wrong and asked cautiously.

He was only an entertainer, and in the past he had been in a group. The entertainment companies over on the island were infuriatingly exploitative, too, and every day’s schedule was packed to the brim. He was worked to the bone, with almost no interaction with other artists. So when it came to the unwritten rules of the industry and the ways people handled one another, Ji Yanjin did not understand much at all, and he had not even considered the terrible consequences that this matter could trigger.

If it was handled poorly, the outcome would be catastrophic.

Not to mention anything else, Chu Luoxi would not even need to think about staying in the industry in the future. She would certainly be blacklisted collectively by these companies.

Frowning slightly, Chu Luoxi gave a calm smile. “It’s not that serious, but it isn’t trivial either. It depends on how it’s handled. First, tell me how many companies have come looking for me. Did they go through Imperial Film? And what is your company’s position on this?”

To put it bluntly, this whole mess had been caused by Wang Yanan. As long as she refused to admit that it had anything to do with Chu Luoxi, things would be easier.

The problem was whether anyone would believe it. Especially since Wang Yanan was her roommate, practically someone close to her. Just what exactly had she done? And what Chu Luoxi feared most was that someone would seize the opportunity to stir things up. If they really pushed her into direct opposition with a host of entertainment companies, the consequences would be severe.

The urgent task was to get to the bottom of what had happened and to learn what the company was thinking, so she could tell whether the situation had slipped beyond control.

Realizing the matter was serious, Ji Yanjin lost any appetite for watching the show. Though he could not fully grasp the consequences, he at least understood that if Chu Luoxi found herself at odds with so many companies, the only one who would suffer would be her. So he no longer hesitated. After thinking it over, he repeated what his manager had told him.

“On that day, my manager asked me whether I had a good relationship with you. Then he asked strangely if you had a very close roommate, and even mentioned the idea of signing with your roommate together. That was basically it. Nothing went any deeper.”

“Signing together?” Chu Luoxi’s eyes widened, and furious flames seemed to leap in them. Truth be told, since her rebirth, she had never been this angry before. Although Ji Yanjin had only given her a few brief phrases, she could already guess what had happened. Wang Yanan must have entertained those who came looking for her, shamelessly claimed to be close to Chu Luoxi, and even said things like if they were signing, then they should sign together.

With a sharp crack, Chu Luoxi slammed her hand on the table and stood up, the urge to kill someone rising straight from her bones. “Wait here. I’m making a phone call.”

Use her as leverage? Wang Yanan had really calculated well. Who gave her the right and the nerve? Chu Luoxi’s expression remained composed, but her gaze had gone deep and dark. She was already furious to the extreme. She still wanted to step on Chu Luoxi and climb higher? Hmph. Wang Yanan would have to have the ability for that first.

“Mm, go ahead!” It was the first time Ji Yanjin had ever seen Chu Luoxi this angry. The pressure of that restrained rage made his heart actually tremble, so he hurriedly went along with her words, practically before his brain could even catch up.

No longer in the mood to watch Ji Yanjin clown around, Chu Luoxi walked straight out of the private room. Finding a corner, and seeing that no one was around, she dialed the number.

Within the grounds of Leisure Pavilion, things were fairly safe, so Chu Luoxi felt comfortable calling Ye Xin. This time, she intended to be ruthless. Last time, she had handed someone over to Zhu Xueshuang, after all, because the two of them had direct grievances. But this time, Wang Yanan had truly crossed her. She would not show the same mercy Zhu Xueshuang had.

“I want the records of everyone she met after leaving the man surnamed Tang. If possible, I’d like to know exactly what they discussed. Also, separate out the people from the entertainment companies, and if you can, include their thoughts and decisions afterward.” Chu Luoxi made her demands without politeness. The more detailed the information, the better she could plan her response.

Besides, as absurd as the request might sound, Ye Xin could absolutely do it. The only difference would be the price. Chu Luoxi knew this very well, and she trusted it completely.

“Fine. But the price won’t be the same as usual. You should know that.” Ye Xin sounded languid. Though he was a little puzzled about how Chu Luoxi seemed to know his capabilities so clearly, a private investigator should not normally be able to reach that level. Still, for him, it was not much of a challenge.

Chu Luoxi gave a soft laugh, as though she had already expected him to say that. “I know. Name your price. It can depend on the material. The sooner, the better.”

The reason she dared say that was because she knew Ye Xin’s principles. In general, he did not charge outrageously; he was always rather fair. So she was not worried that he would gouge her once the task was done. No matter how much it cost, she wanted that information. Unless, of course, she simply left the entertainment industry now.

After ending the call, Chu Luoxi felt somewhat more at ease. She was no saint. Even if she could no longer make it in the entertainment world in the future, she would never let Wang Yanan off the hook. After more than twenty years in the industry in her previous life, her heart had long since stopped being soft.

“Haah.” After a sigh, Chu Luoxi turned to go back to the private room, only to be so startled by the person standing behind her that half her soul seemed to fly out of her body. Her pupils tightened, and even her speech turned unsteady.

“Xiao, Xiao...”