“Since the two young ladies have already signed, I won't impose any longer.” Though Dong Tai was quite the spoiled heir, he understood the tactic of retreating to advance; he glanced at Li Qian and Xia Shiyun before departing.

“Sister Shiyun, let’s go change!” Li Qian said to Xia Shiyun.

“Mm!”

“This is trouble now, Manager. Those two newcomers have already signed with Dragon Guard Film and Audio Co. What should we do? If our company doesn't bring in new talent soon, then…”

“Enough, are you ever going to stop nagging? You don’t need to keep reminding me about the company’s current situation.” Dong Tai had just been shut out, already stewing in anger, and he clearly took it out on this middle-aged man.

“Manager Dong… How could you be so…” The middle-aged man suppressed his anger. He had been by Dong Tai’s side for so long; how could he still not understand him? Would he only realize things when the company was on the verge of collapse?

As the saying goes: A loyal heart treated as a dog's lungs. Usually, capable, even quite loyal subordinates, under bosses who don't cherish their efforts, endure immense hardship and suffer heavy losses. No matter who or what it is, they cannot escape this fate.

“Oh? What? Are you trying to take your anger out on me?” Dong Tai sneered, waving his hand dismissively. “Old Chen, let me tell you, if it weren't for the fact that your old man promoted you, I wouldn't even want you around. Fine, starting tomorrow, take some time off and rest.”

“General Manager!” The middle-aged man called Old Chen took a deep breath, and finally, at that moment, erupted, “Dong Tai, Tianyin will inevitably be ruined in your hands.”

Dong Tai, just about to get into his car, heard this, turned back, and snorted, “Then let me formally tell you, you’re fired.”

“You…” Old Chen, forty-eight years old, whose full name was Chen Yi, was the most outstanding planner at Tianyin Film and Audio Company, concurrently serving as the Planning Manager. He had always followed Dong Tai closely. In the early days, under Dong Tai’s father, he received significant promotion, officially attaining the position of Deputy Manager.

Over the years, Chen Yi proved to be an exceedingly loyal person, and his ability was widely recognized within the company. However, only Dong Tai seemed to target him at every turn. Ever since the passing of the highest Chairman, he had been suppressing Chen Yi, leading to the current sorry state of Tianyin under his management.

“Interested in a drink?”

The sudden appearance of a voice interrupted the downcast Chen Yi. Chen Yi looked up and saw a young man. Seeing the somewhat benevolent smile on his face, for some inexplicable reason, he managed a faint smile, though it was a heartbreaking one.

“Usually, when people lose their jobs, they either immediately look for new employment or head to a bar to drink themselves into oblivion!” The youth maintained his smile as he spoke.

“Yes, I don’t feel like looking for work right now. Drinking… Hm, since the young man is willing to accompany a dejected soul like me for a drink, I’d be happy to oblige,” Chen Yi gestured invitingly.

After the two left the Academy of Music, the young man glanced at the watch on his wrist. “It’s only six-thirty; I wonder if the bars are open yet.”

“I happen to know a good place!” Chen Yi still wore that look of dejection, but his tone suggested he no longer cared about the job.

“Please lead the way!” The young man smiled faintly.

“After you.”

“Is that Fatty Lin looking for death or what? He said Yi would be here, so why isn’t he yet?” Li Qian pouted, grumbling angrily.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xiaohou’s expression soured. He knew exactly what kind of person Li Qian was; he had felt it clearly over the past few months. Whether in the past or present, the devilish girl’s temperament and methods remained intact. He began to silently mourn for Fatty Lin, as he already saw Li Qian pulling Xia Shiyun towards the exit.

Moreover, as they walked, she muttered, “Hmph, when I get back to headquarters, I’ll let Fatty Lin taste how serious it is to deceive me!”

“Second Brother, I mourn for you!” Ye Xiaohou shivered and quickly followed them out.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Fatty Lin, who was currently drinking in a private room at the Black God Gang’s main headquarters, nearly spat out his drink and sneezed heavily. “Damn it, which bastard is talking about me. Shoot, Brother Yi? No way, he slipped away long ago. Shoot… Never mind him, since Brother Yi is gone and everyone else is busy, I get to enjoy this fine liquor in peace, tsk tsk!”

A rogue is always a rogue; shamelessness remains shamelessness. This Fatty Lin was precisely the type who steals half a day of leisure and savors a bit of joy. He was currently sitting in the private room, watching an educational film on the plasma screen—the male underneath, the female on top, the ‘Guanyin Sitting on a Lotus’ pose—which made him gulp down his drink fiercely, showcasing the extent of his shamelessness. Frankly, he was just secretly watching an adult film by himself.

“Cheers!”

The two clinked glasses, draining the slightly bluish liquor in one go. After finishing, the young man couldn't help but exclaim, “This is truly a good place. Though this bar seems a bit small, it has a strong European bar atmosphere, and this liquor is also excellent—smooth and sweet on the palate.”

“Haha, the young man speaks the truth. This is my first time seeing you here, Old Chen. It seems you’ve brought quite an impressive person. Come, let me mix another round for you two!” A man with a paunch and dark, robust skin could tell he was very strong, but his tone suggested he was likely the bar owner.

“Heh heh!” Chen Yi didn’t know who the young man was, but at least he couldn't sense any danger or any other particular aura from him. Having just been fired, he didn't possess any capital that others might look up to.

“What’s wrong, Old Chen? You look dispirited. Did that spoiled heir do it again…?”

Hearing the owner’s words, Chen Yi couldn't help but force a bitter laugh. “He already fired me.”

“What?” The owner’s face wasn't surprised, nor was it mocking; instead, it was full of righteous indignation. He exclaimed, “Damn it, Old Chen, that guy clearly doesn’t cherish talent. With your ability, you won’t lack offers in Shanghai!”

“Heh, we’ll see. I don’t really feel like working right now,” Chen Yi said, raising his glass with a wry smile.

The young man observed the owner’s expression, noting that Chen Yi was currently feeling the bitterness—after all, a talented individual working hard for a company for so many years only to receive merciless dismissal in the end.

“That’s fine too. You’ve given so much to that company already; taking a break is the right thing to do. Alright, tonight’s on me. You two drink as much as you want; just call me if you need anything,” the owner seemed very generous.

“Thank you, Old Liang,” Chen Yi raised his glass to the owner, then turned to the young man. “Come, young man, although I don’t know who you are, I feel you’re no ordinary person. Since you’re willing to drink with me tonight, I, Chen Yi, toast you.”

“Cheers!”

That’s how people are; sometimes, friendship is confirmed instantly. A single sentence, a subtle action, can ignite deep camaraderie. This is friendship. Someone once said, ‘A cup of wine, a lifetime of friends.’ Right now, it felt exactly like that.

“I saw what happened earlier, but I don’t understand why you were so insistent on bringing that duo into Tianyin Film and Audio Company?” The young man took a sip of his drink, smiling faintly as he looked ahead, asking.

Hearing the question, Chen Yi suddenly glanced at him, and his eyes instantly filled with a smile, as if he had suddenly transformed into a different person. He said, “Do you know? Tianyin can no longer withstand the constant strain. Setting aside internal matters, looking at the current trend of development, the older generation can no longer propel things forward; new energy must be injected to revitalize the entire company’s development trajectory.”

Pausing there, he took a sip of wine and looked at the young man again, continuing, “The reason I desperately wanted that duo to sign with Tianyin—to be honest, their potential is unmatched by any other industry players in Shanghai, whether they are already famous or currently shelved. However, I do know a little about Dragon Guard. Although I don't know their specific methods for pushing stars…”

“You’ve looked into Dragon Guard?” The young man seemed to react strongly to those two words.

“Yes, I’ve looked into them a bit.” A strange glint flashed in Chen Yi’s eyes as he looked at the young man and stated, “I dare say that Dragon Guard currently hasn't figured out exactly how to promote that duo. Moreover, if they use the wrong approach, even if they become famous, they won’t be able to stand on a higher stage.”

“If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you could completely make that duo famous, and even push them further?”

“Yes. Believe it or not, let me tell you, if Dragon Guard’s vision is limited to just surpassing Hollywood, then they are mistaken. Because what I intend to promote must transcend the entire nation, even the world—not only surpassing Hollywood but also surpassing the birthplace of British film production, the Netherlands!”

“The Netherlands?” The young man frowned; those two words did sound somewhat familiar to him.