Chapter 20

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Which company Qi Linyuan was joining became a hot topic after news broke of his contract termination. The rumor had started from his former agency. Though the official account never named him directly, phrases like "fled at the first sign of fame," "young and reckless," and "came from variety shows" made it obvious they were talking about Qi Linyuan.

Not only did the old company mention his desire to end the contract, but they also implied he was ungrateful and had disappointed the company's efforts.

"Disappointed the company's efforts? Uh… What exactly did the company do for him? They didn't get him on any shows or give him any roles, right?"

"Didn’t they give him the chance to join ‘Ultimate Actor’?"

"Does that even count? Isn’t that the bare minimum for a signed artist? And most of his earnings went to the company, right? Even for ‘Book of Requiem,’ which was an outside project, the company just sat back and took their cut."

"Who cares. Every year a bunch of artists break their contracts, and they're all labeled ungrateful. As for the truth… excluding those who part ways peacefully, I’d say it’s about 70-30. Artists being ungrateful make up about thirty percent."

"Which company is he joining? Haven’t heard of any big names reaching out to him."

"Hmm? Not a big name? But it can’t be a small one either, right? His old company might be a pain, but they’ve got some pull in the industry. Could a small company really poach him?"

...

Gossipers were burning with curiosity—some even made spreadsheets, analyzing company after company, only to arrive at… nothing.

Qi Linyuan hadn’t started from the bottom; winning him over would require a high offer. But the companies able to offer that kind of deal either already had similar talents or, when asked, denied any involvement.

The mystery only deepened, so much so that even He Ransheng had his assistant keeping an eye out for any news.

"Is he switching jobs or moving to another planet? Why is there still no word?" Three days passed with no answer, and He Ransheng was losing his mind.

He wanted to grab Qi Linyuan by the collar and demand answers. But ever since Zhang Qingke had warned him, he’d been under the director’s deathly gaze and didn’t dare make a move—he could only wait, frustrated and helpless.

"I’m the victim here!" He Ransheng was deeply aggrieved. "Sure, I bullied him ninety-nine times, but this time I’m truly innocent! Why won’t Director Zhang believe me?"

His assistant thought, after bullying him so many times, is it any wonder? But for the sake of his own paycheck, he kept quiet and kept refreshing his phone.

Finally, three massive exclamation points appeared over his head.

"Ran-ge! It’s out! They’ve announced his new company!"

He Ransheng whipped around and snatched the phone from his assistant. The screen displayed a forwarded official announcement: Qi Linyuan was joining a new company. And the account making the announcement…

"Fengqi?!" He Ransheng’s voice nearly cracked.

If He Ransheng was this shocked, others were even more so.

No one expected Fengqi to quietly establish a film and entertainment company, let alone that their first officially announced artist would be Qi Linyuan.

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After all, he was just a newcomer! A true rookie! He was only shooting his very first drama!

Qi Linyuan himself hadn’t expected to be the first official announcement. Looking closely, he realized the company’s account’s very first post was about him, giving him the odd sense that his presence marked the official launch of Fengqi Entertainment.

His agent must have seen the online buzz, because a voice message soon arrived: "President Qiao said you’re different from the others. He didn’t say how, just that he hopes you won’t let them down."

Them, again. Listening to that word, Qi Linyuan’s mind flashed back to his past life: Ji Yuchen rescuing him from despair, and his own numbness upon reading the news of Ji Yuchen’s accident and confirmed death.

He rubbed his forehead, dragging his mind out of those memories. The new Ji Yuchen’s image resurfaced: younger, more vivid, and just like in the past life, he had met Qi Linyuan.

But this time, the man he encountered wasn’t a desperate, overlooked youth who had honed his craft with no opportunities and stood on the edge of despair. Instead, Qi Linyuan was just beginning, seemingly surrounded by countless chances. This young man was strange—at once harmless and perhaps not—but whatever Ji Yuchen saw, he made the same judgment: this young man had boundless potential.

It all felt fated... Qi Linyuan reflected.

His agent texted again: "Are you on set right now?" He replied, "No," and within seconds, his phone rang.

"Hello? Linyuan? Can you get time off the evening after next? The company is holding a welcome event."

Qi Linyuan had an instinctive aversion to social dinners, but since this was Fengqi, he didn’t assume the worst—he was just about to refuse out of habit.

But before he could finish saying "I might not be free," the agent continued, "It’s just a welcome party, no drinking, more like a casual gathering. President Ji—our chairman Ji Yuchen—will also be there. He mainly wants to thank everyone for trusting Fengqi and welcome you all aboard."

Only then did the agent realize Qi Linyuan had nearly declined, and hesitantly asked, "Uh… Is your shooting schedule already set? If it’s inconvenient…"

"No inconvenience at all!" Qi Linyuan replied without hesitation. "It’s very convenient! I’ll ask the crew for leave and book my ticket right away."

Who said he might not be free? Whoever that was, it was absolutely not him!

.

Fengqi Entertainment’s office was finally set in H City, not the same city as the group’s headquarters.

From the set where Qi Linyuan was filming, he had to go to the airport, fly over, and then take a cab to the address.

Of course, making artists take cabs to events was something his old agency might have done, but not Fengqi. As soon as he landed, someone was already waiting to pick him up—his new agent, Zhang Min.

"Second time we’ve met, and you’re still as dazzling as ever," Zhang Min greeted him with a smile.

Qi Linyuan shook his hand, replying, "You too, just as much the consummate professional."

After the pleasantries, both laughed.

Zhang Min didn’t waste time with empty talk. Once he confirmed Qi Linyuan hadn’t checked any luggage, he led him outside: "Do you know Feng Jing? He also flew in from out of town, landed twenty minutes ago. We’ve arranged a car for the two of you."

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Qi Linyuan nodded. "I’ve heard of him. He’s quite young, too."

Zhang Min burst out laughing.

Among this batch of signed artists—perhaps in the whole company—Qi Linyuan was likely the youngest. Hearing him call someone else young was, well, amusing.

In his previous life, Zhang Min had already become head agent by the time Qi Linyuan signed with the company, never serving as his personal manager. This arrangement only made it clearer how much Fengqi valued him.

This filled him with a surge of heroic loyalty: tonight, whatever happened, he was determined to get close to Ji Yuchen—nothing would stop him!

Thanks to that surge of resolve, Feng Jing was slightly startled when he first met Qi Linyuan.

From variety clips, he’d thought Qi Linyuan was the innocent, harmless type. But in person… he seemed a bit fierce?

Qi Linyuan quickly realized his own aura was off. He cleared his throat, reined in his presence, and explained, "I just suddenly remembered a scene from yesterday—I don’t think I acted it very well…"

Feng Jing immediately felt great respect: this guy might be younger, but his work ethic was worth emulating.

He naturally took a liking to Qi Linyuan and didn’t put on any airs. "I’m Feng Jing, twenty-nine. I was… well, that’s not important. From now on, we’re both Fengqi artists. I usually live in S City, but I’m filming in G City these days. If you’re ever in G City, come visit my set. And if you’re in S City when I’m not working, I can show you around."

Qi Linyuan introduced himself as well: "I’m Qi Linyuan, twenty-two, currently shooting my debut project. I don’t really have a fixed home—after graduation I rented a place in C City for work, but I haven’t decided where to settle."

Hearing this, Feng Jing enthusiastically invited him to S City. Qi Linyuan smiled and shook his head. "Property in S City is too expensive for me."

Feng Jing, a native of S City, hadn’t thought of that. He scratched his head and didn’t press the matter.

He glanced at Zhang Min, clearly wanting to say something but unsure if he should.

Zhang Min noticed and gestured for him to go ahead. "Chat away. I may not be your agent, but I am an agent, and keeping artists’ confidences is part of my job. I’ll respect that."

Feng Jing relaxed and, turning to Qi Linyuan, asked excitedly, "Have you met Ji Yuchen, Chairman Ji? He’s supposed to be there tonight, right?"

Qi Linyuan hadn’t expected this to be the topic and blinked. "I’ve met him a few times. To be honest, I’ve always admired President Ji—a large part of my decision to join Fengqi was because of him."

That immediately piqued the interest of both Feng Jing and Zhang Min, who listened intently.

Qi Linyuan patiently crafted his persona for the evening’s encounter: "I’ve admired President Ji for a long time, and after seeing Fengqi’s new product line advertised on ‘Ultimate Actor’ and learning a bit about the company’s philosophy, I admired him even more. He has integrity, vision—he’s an exceptional man. If possible, I’d like to say a few words to him tonight and tell him just how much I admire him…"