As Zong Chun finished his long speech, Yu Rouyin's expression had already soured, but she didn't want to rebuke him too harshly.
"Mr. Zong, in my eyes, you're a senior, a teacher. I respect you greatly, I..."
The smile on Zong Chun's face gradually faded, his expression slowly darkening. He could see Yu Rouyin's furrowed brow and her obvious reluctance to agree. He felt Yu Rouyin was being coy and disrespecting him.
"Rouyin, do you know why your company has only asked you a few times about your expiring contract and hasn't pressured you further?" Zong Chun suddenly asked.
Yu Rouyin was taken aback. "Expiring... they can't pressure me even if they want to."
In truth, she knew she had certainly offended her former company. The negative trending topics had been increasingly rampant in recent days. The management company should have been handling it, as the contract was still valid, but they had done almost nothing. Yu Rouyin even suspected that her former company was behind some of the forces attacking her online, naturally aiming to force her to return. However, their methods were much milder than she had originally anticipated.
Given all the ways the former company had exploited her in the past, how could such a company that devoured people whole and specialized in deceiving naive young men and women suddenly develop a conscience?
Things had been so peaceful lately that Yu Rouyin thought it was because she had aged, and they felt they couldn't find any more value in her, which was why they hadn't used heavy-handed tactics.
But now, hearing Zong Chun speak this way, Yu Rouyin felt uneasy.
"Of course they're reluctant to give up a money tree like you who can both earn money and... entertain," he said.
Yu Rouyin's expression instantly darkened.
"It's because of my influence that they've let you off. I told them you're the one I want," Zong Chun said slowly. "The reason your company is still willing to negotiate this show for you before you leave is also because of me. I want to make this show my engagement gift to you."
Yu Rouyin's face was full of shock and doubt. "How would they listen to you..."
"I told your CEO that if they give you freedom, I'd help their company secure investments and connections," Zong Chun explained.
Yu Rouyin seemed to realize something and suddenly felt nauseous.
Although Zong Chun had made his fortune through his wife, he had been in the industry for many years and had his own network of connections in various channels. But this shouldn't be enough to make the company back down.
What the company really feared was the capital behind Madam Zong.
The company naturally understood that Madam Zong wouldn't be happy to find herself a rival, but what they were more worried about was if they refused Zong Chun, he might find an excuse to whisper in his wife's ear, making Madam Zong hate their company. With her connections, it would be easy for her to deal with them, even if they told Madam Zong the reason, it might not help.
The fact that Madam Zong was willing to let her husband appear on a show with a potential rival showed she wasn't very bright. In a fight between husband and wife, they would be the ones to suffer.
So they didn't dare offend Zong Chun and could only endure this once.
After understanding this, Yu Rouyin suddenly felt that the man before her was both stupid and evil, unknowingly using his wife's influence to obtain other women, yet still thinking he was so great.
Yu Rouyin maintained her composure and could only respond diplomatically, "Actually, even if the company tried any tricks, it would be useless. My determination to leave is very strong. At most, I'd suffer a bit, but as long as I don't die, it's fine. As for this show... I'm very grateful to you, Mr. Zong. I'll repay you in the future, but this sentiment, I really can't accept it."
Yu Rouyin was sincere about repaying him, after all, this show was the best opportunity she could encounter.
Zong Chun hadn't expected that after explaining everything so clearly, Yu Rouyin would still not accept. She was really ungrateful, truly a heartless woman. He didn't want to admit that Madam Zong was right, so he gave Yu Rouyin one last chance.
"You've really hurt me. I suddenly feel unwell..." Zong Chun said, pretending to clutch his heart. "Could you call the Director for me? I probably... can't perform."
Yu Rouyin was stunned, and in an instant, all the blood in her body seemed to flow backwards. She couldn't believe he would threaten her so despicably.
"Mr. Zong... this is your show too. If you don't go on stage, it would be a serious performance incident."
"I'm old, my heart isn't good. I believe the fans won't blame me. Afterwards... if it's serious, I might need to stay in the hospital for observation and withdraw from the show. Anyway, so many groups have already withdrawn, I'm sure the Director will find a way to handle it," Zong Chun said, acting like he didn't care about the consequences.
Yu Rouyin, however, began to tremble all over.
"The whole internet is criticizing you now. I don't think the fans want to see you anyway."
Yu Rouyin's eyes reddened, her voice hoarse, "Mr. Zong, do you really have to be so ruthless?"
Pei Mingxuan was still in the assessment period. Yu Rouyin knew her situation was very complicated. The other party's studio primarily focused on being an industry watchdog, never harboring any misconduct, so they might not be willing to take her on. Therefore, she had never placed all her hopes on Pei Mingxuan's side.
Her hope had always been to use this live broadcast show to demonstrate her professional abilities and attract attention. During the last episode, she had received some inquiries about signing contracts, but they were still wary of the negative rumors surrounding her. However, she believed that if she continued to perform well, more companies would notice her.
For example, today, although the whole internet was criticizing her, it also brought her the highest peak of attention. As long as she performed well, she could definitely reverse public opinion. She was full of fighting spirit, waiting for this chance to turn things around!
She thought that even if there was a misunderstanding that caused conflict, even if she rejected his advances, as a professional actor, he would choose to respect the stage. Otherwise, it would be a breach of contract! Even if he didn't perform well, she would bear all the pressure and perform well herself.
But she never expected...
If she lost this opportunity, it meant she had no hope left at all...
Seeing Yu Rouyin completely defeated, Zong Chun smiled and resumed his gentle demeanor, raising the ring box in front of Yu Rouyin.
"Marry me. Be a good girl, and I'll save you."
Backstage, Ji Fei's heart suddenly stopped, and she abruptly stood up, startling Pei Mingxuan. But when she turned her head, she saw the Qin family was about to leave the backstage area.
Ji Fei and Qin Zhao unexpectedly said in unison, "I'll see you off..."
Pei Mingxuan looked confused and was about to tell them to stay, as they were about to go to the waiting area to start the live broadcast. But she saw them leaving the room at an almost jogging pace.
Pei Mingxuan had no choice but to follow, needing to keep an eye on the time. She hated making mistakes the most.
As soon as they came around the corner, they heard the Director's angry shout from the far end of the corridor.
"What! Mr. Zong is feeling unwell and won't be on stage? You want to find another actor to help at the last minute? This isn't just a matter of whether it's possible or not, it's a matter of time! You're about to perform, there's no time at all! Are you trying to leave me with dead air? Give me some time... What the hell are you guys doing? If you don't want to perform, then don't! I won't put up with this anymore!"
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
That almost colorless voice, choked with tears, filled the corridor.
Then Pei Mingxuan heard Ji Fei's voice.
"Oh? That..."
Pei Mingxuan thought: Why do I have a bad feeling about this?
The live broadcast channel opened.
"It's about to start, I'm so excited!"
"Waiting to see a large-scale public execution!"
"Yu Rouyin, get out of the entertainment industry!"
"The entertainment industry is already criticized enough, and now there's this blatant gold-digger, climbing up through her body, destroying other people's families. If this third wheel isn't dealt with, it's really unacceptable."
"Yu Rouyin, come out and apologize! Apologize to the poor women you've persecuted! Apologize to those innocent men you've ruined!"
"I suggest investigating Yu Rouyin's financial transactions. We might find evidence of illegal activities."
"I think both her bedroom activities and taxes might be dirty! She should be sent straight to jail."
"Rouyin is the most beautiful, Rouyin is the best, Rouyin be yourself!"
"Wow, there are actually fans with twisted values standing on her side. Looks like they're cut from the same cloth."
"Actually... to be fair, Yu Rouyin's acting skills are quite professional."
"Professional my foot, all her roles are just flirtatious characters. Isn't that just playing herself?"
"It's starting, it's starting! Let's watch carefully now, and then we can watch the top-tier group's face-slapping later. We'll definitely get more laughs!"
"I've already dug a pit for the Imperial Consort Group in advance!"
"Am I the only one who feels sorry for Teacher Zong? It's pitiful that he's being taken advantage of just because he's a kind-hearted senior!"
"Everyone, remember to criticize the vixen later, but don't blame the honest man. Our Teacher Zong is like Tang Sanzang, he won't be bewitched by demons!"
"A platonic female friend? Hah, what a ridiculous theme. A platonic female friend is just a mistress!"
"Quick, everyone! A netizen has posted a self-made short drama video. They say it goes well with the Imperial Consort Group's stage play and can enhance the flavor!"
Strangely, even before anyone had taken the stage, people had already begun to oddly promote peculiar videos.
At the hospital, Madam Zong's expression was fierce as she spoke into her phone, "It's been posted? Good, start buying trending topics! I want her to be mocked and cursed by comments throughout the entire stream!"
But in the next second, the curtain on the stage suddenly dropped again.
A stream of question marks floated across the comments.
The host came on stage and awkwardly said, "We apologize, everyone. Due to Teacher Zong's sudden illness, we've decided to swap the performance order of the two groups. Next up, please welcome the Qin Zhao & Ji Fei duo with their themed performance: 'The Downfall of a Beauty!'"
