Chapter 78: Playing Along

Unaware of the events unfolding around her, Shen Qingli slept soundly at home, oblivious to the passage of time. It wasn’t until evening that she finally awoke; upon unlocking her phone, she was greeted by over a dozen missed calls, all from Dong Yang. The last call had come just half an hour ago. Something serious must have happened.

As she dialed Dong Yang back, Shen Qingli hurriedly changed her clothes, preparing to rush out. “Hello, President Shen, you’re finally awake! Someone took photos of you dining with Gu Qingming, and now the entire internet is abuzz about him!” Gu Qingming’s return to the country had stirred up such a commotion, a testament to his remarkable influence.

Shen Qingli pressed her lips together. She had intended to unveil Gu Qingming a few days later, but now it seemed she would have to move up the timetable. She sent a message: “Green Cilantro, please help me find out who leaked the news.” The person hadn’t published immediately, but waited until after their meal to post. Why? Wouldn’t releasing it on the spot have drawn even more attention, perhaps even a crowd of fans?

“Understood, I’ll look into it right away.”

Calling a cab for herself, Shen Qingli instructed Dong Yang to handle the company staff while she hurried downstairs.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingming made no public response, waiting instead for Shen Qingli’s signal. But even by seven in the evening, there had been no word. Ping Lang grew more anxious than Gu Qingming, pacing back and forth in the living room. “Why hasn’t President Shen replied? This is maddening.”

In contrast, Gu Qingming lounged lazily on the sofa, not even bothering to move his fingers. “Lang, why are you so anxious? Sooner or later, the truth will come out. It’s just been revealed ahead of schedule.”

Ping Lang shot him a glare. “What do you know? Stop talking and just be the pampered star you are. I’ll handle this.”

Gu Qingming sighed, falling silent. Ping Lang was waiting for Shen Qingli’s call, but so was he. Though it had only been an afternoon since they parted, he already missed her—longed to hear her voice.

Just then, as both men waited, Ping Lang’s phone rang. The caller was Shen Qingli.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Ping Lang said to Gu Qingming as he answered. Gu Qingming, previously motionless, leapt up and hurried over to listen in.

“Mr. Ping, would you be able to bring Qingming to the company now?” Shen Qingli had made up her mind: since someone else had stirred up the hype prematurely, she might as well ride the wave and launch Gu Qingming now. Why waste free publicity?

Ping Lang considered the suggestion and found it feasible. Before he could agree, Gu Qingming impatiently snatched the phone and spoke to Shen Qingli, “Sure, Sister Shen, I’m available right now. Where is your company?”

Shen Qingli was caught off guard by the sudden change in caller, but quickly gave the address.

“Alright, I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. Goodbye, Sister Shen.” After hanging up, he handed the phone back to Ping Lang, who grumbled, “You’re negotiating on your own now. Maybe I should just quit.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Lang. I still need you. Don’t be angry; you’re vital for the business side. What would I do without you?” Gu Qingming joked, gently pushing Ping Lang toward the door. Ping Lang had no choice but to follow.

Twenty minutes later, the two arrived at Mingguang Media, only to discover that Qiao Yi Entertainment was right across the street. Ping Lang squinted, studying the building for a while, then sighed and shook his head, uncertain what to make of it.

Inside, neither noticed a person leaving the Qiao Yi Entertainment building: Ye Qingqing. Watching Gu Qingming and Ping Lang’s backs as they entered Mingguang Media, a shadow lingered in her heart. Why had Gu Qingming chosen Shen Qingli’s company when theirs had extended an olive branch?

“Mr. Gu, Mr. Ping, President Shen is waiting for you upstairs,” Dong Yang greeted them, his smile impeccably polite yet somewhat unsettling.

In the meeting room, Gu Qingming suppressed his excitement and called out, “Sister Shen, I’m here.”

Ping Lang, standing aside, thought, “... I’m here too, you know! What’s with this kid?”

Upon hearing Gu Qingming’s voice, Shen Qingli paused for a moment, then smiled and invited them to sit, getting straight to the point. “The news is spreading wildly on social media, and suppressing the trending topic is impossible. What’s your take?”

Gu Qingming remained silent, waiting for Ping Lang’s opinion. After all, business matters were best handled by Ping Lang, lest he refuse to manage Gu Qingming’s affairs in the future.

“Since we’re already trending, we might as well seize the opportunity and make the announcement. Free traffic shouldn’t go to waste,” Ping Lang said with ease. He wasn’t worried about negative press for Gu Qingming; over the years, Gu Qingming had never been involved in any scandals. Even if rumors surfaced, they were baseless and easily clarified. After all, their fans weren’t mindless enough to blindly attack.

Shen Qingli pressed her lips again, feeling that a rushed announcement would seem perfunctory. “I plan to have Qingming appear on a show first, then use the publicity from the program to announce his return and contract signing.”

Ping Lang thought it over and agreed—her plan was indeed the best approach.

“Dong Yang,” Shen Qingli called.

Recognizing that the deal was settled, Dong Yang immediately entered with a stack of documents, handing them to Gu Qingming. “Mr. Gu, this is the contract. Please review it and sign if there are no issues.”

Gu Qingming didn’t even glance at it, grabbing a pen and signing straight away. Ping Lang nearly fainted in exasperation.

Shen Qingli was equally surprised by his speed. “Aren’t you worried this might be a shady contract?”

“Sister Shen, even if you wanted to sell me off, I’d let you,” Gu Qingming replied with a mischievous smile that could charm anyone.

Unfortunately, Shen Qingli was immune to his allure and instead gave him a peculiar look.

How did Gu Qingming seem even more flamboyant than the fox she’d encountered before?

Green Cilantro, always on the lookout for a chance to criticize him, muttered, “So careless—definitely the type to follow any woman with a wave! Not trustworthy at all!”

Shen Qingli disagreed, unexpectedly defending Gu Qingming, which left Green Cilantro flustered.

Oh no, has the host really fallen for this puppy? What about the immortal?

If Shen Qingli stopped loving the immortal, wouldn’t that spell disaster?

No, it had to hurry and report this to the immortal.