◎What If It’s Su Yicen?◎
In the speeding business car, Su Yicen closed his eyes. On his clear, cold, and noble face, his brows furrowed tightly into a knot as he endured his grandfather’s scolding over the phone.
Su Dingran’s voice surged with anger, heavy and hoarse, as he questioned Su Yicen.
“That plot of land in Hangbei Suburb was finalized three years ago. Why did you stop it on me?”
The Su Corporation mainly operated in real estate. Development and investment in this area were the group’s core business. Starting from last year, at his grandfather’s request, Su Yicen had gradually taken over some of the Su Corporation’s operations.
From a short-term perspective, the plot Su Dingran mentioned was surrounded by schools, hospitals, and shopping malls. All supporting facilities were complete, forming a small commercial district. Being in the suburbs, the land prices weren’t too high either. Investing in real estate development now would indeed yield a modest profit.
But after Su Yicen’s investigation, the lines in that suburban area were severely aged. It might not show in the next couple of years, but with this safety hazard, the investment carried enormous risks.
Investing in real estate was a high-stakes gamble. One couldn’t just focus on the immediate thin profits.
Explaining this to Su Dingran clearly wouldn’t work. The old man had fought in the business world his whole life, building his fortune and wealth through one gamble after another. He had been lucky enough to win every time.
But since he had gotten involved this time, Su Yicen wouldn’t just ignore it. He steadied his voice, his tone firm.
“I’ve raised the issue of the aging lines more than once. Once the buildings are completed and owners move in, any accident would destroy the entire Su Corporation.”
Su Dingran fumed, “What do you know? They’re just apartments with forty-year property rights, all small units with low voltage. I’ve done land investments my whole life—do you think I don’t know as much as some young punk?”
Su Yicen’s tone rang out resolutely, refusing to yield. “I’m not as knowledgeable about business as you, but I know that no matter what we do, it has to pass the test of conscience.”
“Since I’ve learned of the potential risks with this plot, the Su Corporation isn’t left with just this one project to develop.”
“If you want me to take over the group, this project must be stopped.”
It was a threat—a naked threat.
Su Yicen would not budge on this matter. He calmly laid out his thoughts, hearing only the old man’s rapid, furious breathing on the other end.
After a long moment, he finally calmed his agitated emotions.
“I don’t care what you do.” Su Dingran snapped harshly. “The board meeting is this afternoon. You come explain it to the directors yourself.”
‘Beep—’
After the prolonged hang-up tone, Su Yicen slowly set his phone aside. He pinched the space between his brows, looking utterly pained by a headache.
In the confined space of the car, Su Dingran’s angry outburst couldn’t be fully muffled by the phone’s speaker. Feng Zheng sitting in the front and Driver Old Wang could hardly avoid hearing their conversation.
Feng Zheng felt somewhat troubled because they were on their way to the roadshow event before Su Yicen’s work premiered.
The production team had done plenty of promotion in advance. Fans had already posted on-site photos in the super topic. Whether inside or outside the venue, support signs with Su Yicen’s name were visible everywhere.
Having mentally prepared to apologize to the director, Feng Zheng asked him.
“How about we tell the director something came up last minute and we can’t make the roadshow?”
The urgent matters had collided unexpectedly, impossible to predict.
Participating in the roadshow wasn’t in the contract. Even if he really didn’t go, there wouldn’t be much backlash, but it would leave the fans who had come all this way in vain.
With the matters clashing, Su Yicen couldn’t let go of either side, but he knew he had to make a choice.
As he agonized, a message notification chimed—a pleasant, ethereal sound, specially set for a special person.
It was Song Chan’s exclusive message tone. Thinking of her eased the furrow in Su Yicen’s brows a bit, and he temporarily set aside his worries to pick up the phone.
【Chanchan】
The contact name was just those two characters—the self-introduction she had given him when they first met.
He tapped into the chat. There was only one new message.
Chanchan: 【Can you help me with something?】
His gaze tightened behind the gold-rimmed glasses. That short line seemed like it was about to be seen through by him.
No one knew Song Chan better than Su Yicen. With her personality, unless she encountered a problem she truly couldn’t solve on her own, she would never seek help from others—let alone come to him.
His conflicted heart suddenly cleared up. Nothing was more important than going to help her.
As for reasoning with those stubborn old codgers at the board meeting, Su Yicen directly decided not to go. No matter what, he absolutely wouldn’t approve the development of that suburban plot. There was no room for discussion.
But he didn’t want to disappoint the fans who had come all this way just to catch a glimpse of him.
Su Yicen broke the silence in the car. He asked Feng Zheng.
“When does the roadshow end?”
Feng Zheng checked his watch and calculated. “The roadshow starts in two hours. With the film screening and audience interactions, it won’t wrap up until five or six in the afternoon.”
Though Su Yicen still didn’t know what help Song Chan needed, clearing his entire day for her should be enough.
With a plan in mind, Su Yicen said steadily, “Tell the director I’ll appear as a surprise guest at the end of the roadshow.”
Hearing this, Feng Zheng hesitated. “You could just skip it altogether.”
Su Yicen understood Feng Zheng’s concern. Changing plans last minute and still failing to show would damage his reputation even more.
“It should be fine time-wise,” Su Yicen said on his own. “They came all this way from afar just to see me. I can’t just not show up to meet them.”
Feng Zheng acquiesced with a nod. “So, are we heading to the Su Corporation now, or the old suburban estate?”
Song Chan would definitely be at her company right now.
Su Yicen said, “Go to ZE Fashion.”
Meanwhile,
In Editor-in-Chief Lin Jinhe’s office, Song Chan stood ramrod straight with her head bowed, taking a scolding.
She had truly become that troublemaking student called into the teacher’s office for a lecture.
Lin Jinhe slammed the proposal onto the desk, startling Song Chan into flinching and instinctively stepping back.
She opened her mouth to explain but realized she had no excuse. She could only keep her head down and take the berating.
Lin Jinhe’s finger jabbed at the proposal as she questioned her. “Song Chan, do you know how big an impact this has on the company?”
Her sharp tone brimmed with anger. Lin Jinhe had always been strict, especially with Song Chan.
She had such high expectations for Song Chan, hoping she could take over her position and surpass her.
Seeing her head still bowed without a response, Lin Jinhe pressed on. “Wei Lai got coffee splashed in his face by you and stormed off. Sure, you felt good and satisfied.”
“But have you thought about it? Now the Pure White Series has no cover star. When the magazine goes on sale, are you planning to release a blank cover?”
The more she spoke, the angrier Lin Jinhe got. She picked up the proposal and flung it at Song Chan’s feet. It landed open right on the page with Wei Lai’s photo.
Meeting his face, disgust filled Song Chan’s features. Though he had the face of a demonic seducer from the mortal world, his character reeked of filth and vileness, with a sleazy vibe right down to his bones.
Lin Jinhe said, “There’s less than a month until the Pure White Series release. Can you find me a star with the same clout as Wei Lai?”
“Can you guarantee that whoever you find as the cover star will achieve the pre-sale results for the Pure White Series?”
Her questions hit like hammer blows. The more she said, the guiltier Song Chan felt. She could only bow her head and silently endure the fury.
Seeing her like this, Lin Jinhe sighed and shook her head helplessly. Her tone softened a bit.
“Song Chan, I’m not blaming you unfairly. You were way too impulsive this time.”
“Wei Lai’s diva behavior is well-known in our circle, but why does everyone still work with him? Because his popularity is massive enough. Do you get it?”
“Collaboration is mutual exploitation. If we want to leverage his fame, we have to put up with his rotten temper.”
Lin Jinhe came around from behind the desk and walked up to Song Chan. She lightly patted her shoulder.
“I know you felt wronged, but we’re in the service industry at the end of the day. We have to satisfy both readers and celebrities.”
She spoke meaningfully. “Little Song, listen to me. Go make nice with Wei Lai, apologize properly, and this whole thing will be water under the bridge.”
Memories of Wei Lai’s sleazy actions flashed through her mind once more.
This wasn’t something she could compromise on. Wei Lai had been harassing her—with strong insinuations at that.
Even thinking back now, Song Chan didn’t feel that splashing coffee on him had been excessive.
A jumble of messy emotions churned in Song Chan’s heart: grievance, unwillingness, anger.
She finally couldn’t hold back. “Editor-in-Chief, I admit I wasn’t professional.”
“I shouldn’t have let personal feelings affect my work, and I definitely shouldn’t have thrown coffee at a celebrity.”
In Lin Jinhe’s eyes, Song Chan was perfect in every way except for her stubborn streak—like a mule. Once she set her mind on something, no one could sway her.
Thinking she had finally softened, Lin Jinhe nodded in satisfaction and followed up.
“So what do you think we should do now?”
Lin Jinhe handed over her phone. “I have his agent’s number here. You apologize…”
At those words, Song Chan cut Lin Jinhe off, making her stance clear.
“But I don’t think splashing coffee on Wei Lai was wrong.”
“If the same thing happened again, I’d still do it without hesitation.”
For a split second, Song Chan even thought about what to write in her resignation letter.
Lin Jinhe knew her well—she was that stubborn mule, the kind that once decided on something, charged ahead regardless of right or wrong.
Song Chan didn’t see anything wrong with what she’d done. Forcing her to compromise was absolutely impossible.
Seeing Lin Jinhe’s expression gradually turn furious, Song Chan felt her job was definitely done for.
But as Lin Jinhe stared at her for a few seconds, that anger slowly died down.
Lin Jinhe picked up the proposal from the floor, tore out the page with Wei Lai’s photo, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it in the trash.
She handed the proposal back to Song Chan once more.
“We can do without Wei Lai. Now the cover star is your responsibility.”
“No matter who you find, as long as the magazine sales meet the minimum expectations, it’ll be fine with the boss.”
She gave Song Chan a deep look and sighed helplessly.
“But if it doesn’t meet them, for everyone’s sake, you can prepare to leave early.”
If it had just been a scolding, Song Chan might have felt better. But this helpless reminder made her heart feel utterly uncomfortable.
Just then, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
The faint buzz was like a brilliant light in the dead of night, rippling through Song Chan’s heart. She began to anticipate it—hoping it was Su Yicen’s reply.
Ignoring that Lin Jinhe was right there, Song Chan pulled out her phone. The screen showed his response.
Next-Door Neighbor: 【I’m coming to find you now.】
The short message didn’t say if he’d help or not. His actions spoke for him.
Song Chan’s suspended heart settled thanks to Su Yicen’s reply.
She asked Lin Jinhe.
“What if it’s Su Yicen?”
“Would that work?”