Half a month later.
Inside the president’s office on the top floor of Youwan Entertainment, Xià WÇŽn Yú was incredibly busy.
Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows was the never-tiring skyline of Chang city, but the person inside clearly had no time to appreciate it.
Xià Wǎn Yú was wearing a slim-fitting black dress today with a brooch pinned to the collar. Her long hair was meticulously tucked behind her head, revealing her fair neck.
The documents on her desk could no longer be described as a mountain.
The hot Americano her assistant had replaced half an hour ago had already gone completely cold.
However, the ashtray beside it was clean, as she could not even squeeze out the time to light a cigarette and relax lately.
She was pushing herself so hard, throwing herself into work with an almost self-abusing attitude, for a reason beyond the usual pressure of the company’s expansion phase —
That reason was Jinse Technology.
Or rather, it was Su Jin.
Lately, that woman, whom she regarded as her number one rival and was always ready to clash with, had been eerily quiet on the business battlefield.
There were no intense bids as expected, no secret attempts to poach her staff, and even the usual public relations media wars had ceased.
Jinse Technology was like a boxing opponent who suddenly vanished halfway through a match, leaving her to throw punches at thin air.
‘What is Su Jin up to?’
‘Is she brewing a bigger conspiracy? Or does she simply not care about Xià WÇŽn Yú at all, feeling that there is no need to even make a move?’
As the saying goes, the unknown is the greatest fear. Being ignored made Xià Wǎn Yú more restless than being defeated.
*Ring—*
A short ring broke the dullness of the room.
Xià Wǎn Yú withdrew her gaze and glanced at the caller ID. It was the department head in charge of new talent operations.
She pressed the answer button. “Speak.”
“General Manager Xia, sorry to disturb you.”
“What is it?”
“Regarding the newcomer, Shen Yu. Her debut single demo has passed the internal review. The production team and recording studio schedules have been coordinated. We can start formal recording as early as next week.”
“According to the process, we should push forward with full force, but… you mentioned before that we should pay special attention to this newcomer. Do we need to arrange a little… during the recording process?”
The manager spoke subtly, but the meaning was clear: did he need to trip Shen Yu up?
If it had been half a month ago, Xià Wǎn Yú might have agreed without hesitation.
But at this moment, her fingers tightened slightly on the receiver.
Silence lasted for two seconds.
“No need,” Xià WÇŽn Yú’s voice rang out. “Everything will follow the normal process. I want to see a high-quality finished product as soon as possible.”
The manager on the other end of the line was clearly stunned, seemingly not expecting this answer.
“Uh… yes, General Manager Xia. I understand. Then we will proceed according to the normal process.”
“And one more thing,” Xià WÇŽn Yú added in an indifferent tone.
“Regarding Shen Yu’s future development, execute it according to the company’s standard plan for promising newcomers. There is no need to ask me for special instructions every time. I only want to see the results.”
“Understood, General Manager Xia.”
After hanging up, Xià Wǎn Yú gently placed the receiver back on the landline.
It was not that she had suddenly found her conscience; it was that she was afraid of her own demise.
A few days ago, she had received an anonymous email. There was no text, only an attachment — an audio file.
When she clicked play, it was her own voice.
[Mess up your hair a bit… Yes, that’s the expression. Look a bit more aggrieved, a bit more unwilling. Don’t worry, my office is soundproof. Nothing can be heard outside.]
This was exactly the conversation she had when she stopped Lin Luan and tried to force him to submit last time.
It was followed by a line of text.
[Stay away from Lin Luan and treat Shen Yu normally. Otherwise, you won’t be the only one hearing this recording next time.]
There was no signature, no source IP, only a naked warning.
‘Who is this?!’
‘How could they get a recording like this?!’
Xià Wǎn Yú had felt terrible the moment she received the message.
‘How can just anyone threaten me?’
‘Wait, why is it that I can’t be the one threatening others?’
“I am Shen Yu! Please give me your guidance!”
In the recording studio, Shen Yu gave a ninety-degree bow.
Today, she was wearing white canvas shoes, simple light blue jeans paired with a loose sweatshirt printed with a cute pattern, and her long hair was tied into a neat ponytail. Her clean face held a hint of nervousness.
“Welcome!”
A few friendly voices responded to her.
A young recording assistant smiled at her, and the musicians responsible for the accompaniment also nodded. The atmosphere was not exactly enthusiastic, but at least it was not cold.
There were no other singers in the recording studio. This recording was truly Shen Yu’s first single.
“Alright… since Shen Yu is here, everyone hurry up and start. We have a heavy task today.”
A slightly impatient female voice rang out.
Shen Yu looked toward the source and saw a woman who appeared a bit unkempt.
She looked to be about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, wearing a crumpled plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows.
Her hair was short with a few strands of purple highlights, poking out somewhat messily.
She wore no makeup, her face was a bit pale, and she had a pair of black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose. The eyes behind the lenses were not large, but they held… a faint sense of the walking dead.
To put it simply, she had the unmistakable aura of a weary office worker.
She was the person in charge of this recording and one of the producers the company sent to handle Shen Yu’s initial debut tracks. Everyone in the industry called her “Sister Chu,” and her real name was Chu Han.
In short, she was the guide Youwan Entertainment had assigned to Shen Yu for the industry.
It was said that the newcomers she had scolded into tears could circle the recording studio once over, but the works polished by her hands often became massive hits.
“You’re Shen Yu, right? I’ve seen your files and listened to your demo. Your tone is okay, and you have some talent, but your technique is crude and your emotions are superficial,” Chu Han said, getting straight to the point as she walked over.
“Today, we’ll try recording the verses first to find the feeling. Don’t be nervous, but don’t be too relaxed either. I don’t raise idlers here, nor do I serve ancestors.”
“U-Understood! Sister Chu!”
Shen Yu nodded quickly and instinctively stood a bit straighter, like an elementary student facing a dean.
Chu Han gave a grunt in response.
Her gaze lingered on Shen Yu’s face for a moment before habitually scanning the recording studio to confirm the equipment status and personnel.
Her vision swept past the resting area.
In the shadows by the wall near the door, a man stood quietly.
It was Lin Luan.
He was wearing a plain dark gray hoodie and jeans that were a bit faded from washing. He was holding a transparent plastic bag with a convenience store logo, containing a few bottles of mineral water and some rice balls.
“Your boyfriend?” Chu Han asked.
“I… He is my agent, Sister Chu,” Shen Yu answered awkwardly.
Lin Luan merely sighed.
‘Why does everyone keep saying we are a couple?’
“I am her agent, Lin Luan, Sister Chu.” Lin Luan stepped forward and extended his hand, wanting to shake hers.
But Chu Han did not shake Lin Luan’s hand. She merely glanced at him before turning around.
“Alright, unrelated personnel please wait at the door. The recording is starting immediately.”
Lin Luan’s hand stopped in mid-air.
The corner of his eye twitched.
It was obvious who she meant by “unrelated personnel.”
‘Fine, fine. You’ve kicked a piece of cotton with me. I’ll get out then.’
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