Chapter Seventy-Five: Xie Jinchuan’s Sense of Crisis

Shen Qingli watched his departing figure with a sense of regret. Green Coriander couldn't help but retort, "Host, do you really want to keep all the shares to yourself?"

Did she have that much money on hand?

"Of course, if I could, I wouldn't give up a single share," she replied. After all, if she could pocket all the profits herself, it would be an extraordinary stroke of luck. Now she had to divide the spoils among several others—might as well be carving the flesh from her own bones.

"Can you use the Superstar Blessing Card now?" Shen Qingli’s sudden question left Green Coriander momentarily stunned. "Yes, it can be used."

"Alright, use one."

No sooner had Green Coriander confirmed the use of a Superstar Blessing Card than Dong Yang hurried over, his face alight with excitement. "President Shen, there's a singer who has been off the radar for three years and just returned to the country today. He wants to sign with our company."

Shen Qingli showed no particular surprise; after all, she had orchestrated this herself. "What's his name? What's his background?"

This singer's reputation was considerable. Even without checking, Dong Yang could answer right away.

The singer’s name was Gu Qingming. He had debuted at eighteen and quickly shot to stardom, remaining a sensation until he decided to go abroad at twenty-one in search of inspiration and new musical horizons.

He was gone for three years.

During that time, there was no news of him whatsoever. His fans flooded social platforms daily, asking when he would return, but their pleas vanished like stones dropped in the sea.

Now, the first thing he did upon his return was to contact Mingguang Entertainment. For the company, he was a veritable gold mine! They wouldn’t even have to chase after business; brands and sponsors would be lining up to collaborate.

After hearing Dong Yang’s report, Shen Qingli nodded, satisfied. His record seemed clean enough—so long as they didn’t bring in another like Rong Qiaoyi, who had brought no benefits and only wasted a Superstar Blessing Card.

"Get in touch with his team," she instructed. "Let’s discuss a partnership."

No one knew of Gu Qingming’s return, so the airport was calm and quiet.

"Qingming, Mingguang Entertainment is just a newly established little company—it’s hardly a match for your status," his assistant said, visibly aggrieved on his behalf. With his fame, a single hint of his return would have big companies clamoring to sign him.

But Gu Qingming, unfazed, seemed almost eager to hand over his fortune to a small firm.

Gu Qingming’s eyes curved with mirth. At twenty-four, he looked scarcely older than a college student, brimming with vitality and a sunny disposition. "Lang, I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry. So, where are we headed now?"

Ping Lang sighed, knowing there was no persuading him, and resigned himself to lead Gu Qingming toward the car they’d booked in advance. "Let’s go. We’ll meet the head of Mingguang Entertainment first."

If their offer wasn’t good enough, Ping Lang would rather take Gu Qingming elsewhere.

Shen Qingli arranged the meeting at a music restaurant—a fitting choice, given Gu Qingming’s background in music.

Dong Yang sat beside her. Though normally a sharp and capable businesswoman, she now looked every bit the fangirl. "President Shen, how much do you think Gu Qingming has changed? He was just a kid when he left. Who knows whether he’s matured or changed completely?"

So many years without news—anything was possible.

Shen Qingli glanced toward the entrance, a knowing smile on her lips. "Why ask me? Isn’t he here now?"

Dong Yang looked up in surprise and was left speechless by what she saw.

Gu Qingming looked exactly as he had when he left three years ago—utterly unchanged.

He wore a simple shirt and jeans, his tousled bangs falling across his forehead, though they did nothing to hide the sparkling mischief in his eyes.

He had left with a clean slate, and now he returned just the same.

Dong Yang felt as though she’d stopped breathing—her dream idol was standing right before her!

Gu Qingming was strikingly handsome, the sort whose pure, clean looks caught your eye at once.

Shen Qingli had just searched a few of Gu Qingming’s old performance videos; on stage, he had been dazzling, radiating a rebellious energy. Now, that wildness had softened, replaced by a subtle gentleness, though a hint of defiance still lingered in his brows.

"Hello, I’m Shen Qingli," she said, rising to shake his hand, her thoughts momentarily elsewhere but etiquette never forgotten.

Gu Qingming’s tone was bright with laughter. "President Shen, it’s been a long time."

His familiarity caught Shen Qingli off guard. "Do you know me?"

She had no recollection of ever meeting Gu Qingming.

"You’ll understand in due time," he replied vaguely, offering no further explanation. That ambiguity instantly put Shen Qingli on her guard.

Surely she wasn’t facing another enigma like Rong Qiaoyi?

Yet there was nothing strange about Gu Qingming—nothing at all.

Ping Lang, noticing Shen Qingli’s confusion and seeing that she hadn’t yet invited them to sit, nudged Gu Qingming forward. But Gu Qingming remained standing, grinning foolishly at her.

What an airhead…

"Ahem." Shen Qingli snapped out of her reverie. "Please, sit down. You must be hungry after your flight. Take a look at the menu."

"You’re so thoughtful, Sister Shen," he replied, showering her with compliments, his smile so sweet it was almost suspicious.

From “President Shen” to “Sister Shen” in a matter of minutes—he certainly didn’t stand on ceremony.

Shen Qingli had many questions but held them back for the moment, focusing instead on business. "Why, after returning to the country, did you choose us over a major company?"

Ping Lang, seated nearby, perked up his ears. He was just as curious, but Gu Qingming had refused to tell him.

Gu Qingming looked at Shen Qingli, eyes crinkling with a smile. "No particular reason. It’s all the same to me. But if I can work with you, Sister Shen, isn’t that even better?"

His words were laden with ambiguity, and Dong Yang’s gaze darted back and forth between them, picking up a strange chemistry.

What was going on? Was there something between them?

Ping Lang was nearly scandalized. He’d been with Gu Qingming since he was eighteen and had never seen him interact with Shen Qingli before.

Gu Qingming came from a humble background. He loved music but had no money, so he performed in underground bars. His outstanding voice and clean-cut good looks caught the eye of a talent scout, and that’s how he became a singer.

With such a background, it was hard to imagine any connection between him and Shen Qingli.

"Oh," Shen Qingli replied awkwardly, not knowing what else to say. Dong Yang took over, asking the rest of the routine questions.