After resolving all of his family matters with the help of the police, Shen Youquan focused on dealing with the two lawsuits that had been raised against Fan Jialuo as quickly as possible.

The amount of liquidated damages had originally been determined by him, but after he amended it, it had been reduced to the lowest amount stipulated by the contract—Fan Jialuo had to pay back 30% of the agreed remuneration, and that amounted to only 16 million yuan.

Shen Youquan had previously sold several stocks to gather the 'ransom money', and this amount just so happened to make up for the difference.

But Fan Jialuo unexpectedly refused his help and told him calmly, "I also happened to have just sold a property. So Mr. Shen, I will pay the money back myself. I suggest you use this money for charity. It will be good for your family."

"Yes, yes, I will definitely donate this money. Mr. Fan, are you free anytime soon? I'd like to bring my baby to see you. How about having a meal together?" Shen Youquan replied gallantly.

In his mind, there was no longer any difference between Fan Jialuo's words and those of an imperial edict.

"There's no need. The karma between us ends here. Your child will live very well in the future."

Fan Jialuo hung up the phone and then transferred the required penalty amount to KN Group's bank account. He had sold the property that Fan Kaixuan had given him, and also settled the remaining ten or so lawsuits using that cheque of five million yuan given by Fan Kaixuan as well.

Now, he was completely free from any debt, and had nothing more to do.

Shen Youquan stared at the dim screen of his mobile phone, feeling completely lost. But in the next second, his frown was replaced with a gloating smile as he recalled the words Fan Jialuo had spoken about his daughter.

And so, the liquidated damages that had totalled up to almost 130 million yuan were settled in this manner, with Fan Jialuo only taking a few days to break free of his largest debt.

With these matters settled, Fan Jialuo changed into a more formal suit and made his way to Xinghui Entertainment Company.

—

While the events of the past few days had played out, Zhao Wenyan was still engaged in fighting a public opinion war with Su Fengxi.

After being sued by Xinghui Entertainment, Su Fengxi's lawyer directly told her, "You can't win this lawsuit because the opponent has too much evidence against you. If you don't want to go to jail, you'd better find a connection so that you can walk through their doors to seek an out-of-court settlement."

Thus, Su Fengxi showed her cards one by one.

First, she approached the chairman of Zhang's Consortium to deliver Zhao Wenyan a message, indicating that it was time to stop.

The Zhang Family had been a giant in the entertainment industry long before the Zhao Family had taken control of it.

The current head of Zhang Family had connections in both the military and the political circles. Furthermore, his father was so formidable that his hands and eyes could penetrate the sky, way beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Zhao Wenyan, forced by the unfathomable strength of the Zhang Family, had to agree to settle the matter out-of-court.

—This round was Su Fengxi's victory.

However, a reconciliation taking place out-of-court did not mean that everything would proceed smoothly. If the two sides failed to reach an agreement, they would eventually end up on the litigation stage.

Zhao Wenyan asserted that Su Fengxi should pay back the losses incurred by Xinghui Entertainment over the past few years tenfold, which was a sum that amounted to more than 3 billion yuan.

But the current Su Fengxi was on the verge of bankruptcy. Where would she get so much money?

Fortunately, there were many 'spendthrifts' and 'foolish people' around her, and one of them had some financial capability. He even took the initiative in offering to help Su Fengxi pay off her debts.

When he came to know about this, Zhao Wenyan was amused.

It just so happened that he knew this man's wife and that he also had a hidden card related to this person — a photo of this man and Su Fengxi in bed together.

Thus, he secretly passed the photo to his wife. The man's wife's family was much more powerful than his own, and so the compensation transfer of more than 3 billion yuan was immediately frozen.

—This round was Zhao Wenyan's victory.

Su Fengxi was so incensed that she used all kinds of means to get her hands on the video taken by an assistant of the day when she and Zhao Wenyan had argued, which had resulted in him stripping away her mask.

After editing out the beginning and the end segments of the video, she directly uploaded it onto the internet, in addition to posting several screenshots of her past sweet and loving chats with Zhao Wenyan, with the caption—【If you don't love me, please don't hurt me. Can't you let me walk away in peace?】

In the video, Su Fengxi could be seen standing sideways with a painful expression on her face, while Fan Jialuo gently embraced Zhao Wenyan's neck from behind, his whole body clinging to Zhao Wenyan's back, as he bit his ear and spoke in a very intimate manner.

Such a scene, coupled with the sweet words that Zhao Wenyan had once sent to Su Fengxi, made for nothing more than the greatest kind of irony ever displayed.

Su Fengxi's fans immediately determined that Zhao Wenyan was a heartless rat, and that Fan Jialuo was the third party who had driven a wedge between them and had caused the couple to grow apart, and started to denounce these two people altogether.

Even some netizens who were just passing by couldn't stay silent, and so scolded Zhao Wenyan for being ruthless and for destroying the bridge after crossing the river. Through this series of actions, Fan Jialuo's recently gained reputation seemed to be on the verge of being blackened again.

In order to not be outdone, Zhao Wenyan immediately released a photo of Su Fengxi dating a popular male star in a coffee shop with the caption—【Is this what you call walking away in peace?】

In the photo, Su Fengxi and Yu Yi could be seen meeting in a dark corner and talking. Their entangled gaze, sweet expression and ambiguous movements revealed the truth behind their extraordinary relationship.

Before the netizens, who were eating melon seeds, had time to digest the amount of information provided by this photo, Su Fengxi had already released the complete photo.

It turned out that there was a Jiang Gan sitting next to the two of them, and each of these three people were actually holding their phones, looking as if they were playing games together.

Because of this, their manner of speaking and behavior would inevitably make them seem closer to each other.

Su Fengxi sarcastically commented:【Some people's hearts only look for filthy connotations!】

Yu Yi and Jiang Gan immediately stood up to support Su Fengxi. They emphasized how they regarded Su Fengxi as a senior in the entertainment circle. It was only because of Zhao Wenyan's narrow-minded thoughts and through his use of underhanded tactics that he could slander a simple gathering between three people into becoming a secret affair.

What an eye-opener!

The netizens who had been cracking melon seeds had already set up their keyboards and were ready to spray at Zhao Wenyan.

However, Zhao Wenyan then published three more photos in a row, all taken in the same neon colorful KTV box that was decorated with dazzling shadows. Judging from the clothing of the three figures, it was an event that happened on the same day.

In the first photo, Su Fengxi was kissing Yu Yi's neck.

In the second photo, Su Fengxi was hugging Jiang Gan's neck and kissing him instead.

In the third photo, Su Fengxi was lying on the sofa, kissing Yu Yi with her red lips, but her other arm was around Jiang Gan's neck and was dragging him to her side. Presumably, after the kiss with Yu Yi, she would reward Jiang Gan with a kiss too.

Jiang Gan's expectant and shy expression couldn't be hidden under the speckled neon lights of the KTV box.

Zhao Wenyan added his comment: 【Who's filthy?】

Melon seed-munching crowd: Wow! This kind of messy relationship is hard to accomplish ah!

Su Fengxi's image of being the unattainable goddess lounging high up on a pedestal was completely destroyed, and she realized that Zhao Wenyan had deliberately released that first photo, the incomplete photo of that date, solely for the purpose of baiting her into refuting it, after which he would clarify the whole series of events.

Only after she refuted his 'false' claim and clarified the scenario, an action which aroused the sympathy of the netizens in her direction, did he then release the three steamy photos showing her kissing the two people, thus making a startling reversal and directly ending her in one fell swoop.

She had walked into his trap step after step, completely ignorant of his means. So, instead of escaping the whirlpool, she had now been stained with so much dirt that she would never be able to white-wash herself again.

Yu Yi and Jiang Gan had also quietly hidden after the release of these three photos, and no one else stood up to speak for her, because they were all already unable to protect themselves.

—This round was once again won by Zhao Wenyan.

Reaching this point, Su Fengxi's only option was to remain silent. She did not know how much black material concerning her Zhao Wenyan had in his hands, so she dared not act rashly and lead the war.

These past few years, by relying on her own charm, she had never feared the act of stirring up trouble or even running amok in the entertainment industry.

But not once had she thought that this man, who had been so obedient to her throughout their relationship, would actually have remained so sober and cold.

How deep and terrifying must his mind be if, even as he was perfunctorily being toyed around by her, he could still think to obtain evidence on her infidelity, evidence which could be used to completely destroy her in the future!

Su Fengxi retreated timidly and Zhao Wenyan also didn't take any further action.

Sure enough, he knew that the cards in his hands had to be revealed one by one to fully exhibit their effectiveness.

As soon as he heaved a sigh of relief, his assistant told him that Fan Jialuo was coming.

Zhao Wenyan couldn't help but pull at his tie nervously upon hearing the news of this person's arrival.

"What would you like to drink, Jialuo?" Zhao Wenyan asked as he brought a tea bag, a bag of coffee and a bottle of juice from the pantry.

"I don't drink, thank you."

As Fan Jialuo took a seat in the corner where the strongest sunlight fell, his white to transparently-pale skin seemed to shine. His calm eyebrows were dyed brightly by the scorching sun, and his pitch-black eyes drooped slightly.

He soon revealed his deep thoughts. "I had a premonition that a job would be suitable for me, so I came here."

"What job?" Zhao Wenyan pulled a chair up to Fan Jialuo's spot and sat face to face with him. The incoming sunlight burned Zhao Wenyan's skin, but he didn't show the slightest hint of discomfort.

"Let Cao Xiaohui come, he should know about it." He spread his fingers, as if trying to grab hold of a ray of sunlight, but only ended up grasping at air.

Zhao Wenyan immediately summoned Cao Xiaohui to the top floor and also asked his assistant to bring the best resources the company had at present, which included roles in movies, TV dramas, variety shows, endorsements and advertisements.

When Cao Xiaohui entered, he saw his boss sitting very close to Fan Jialuo, holding a contract in his hand, explaining the terms in it carefully, and analyzing the advantages of a particular resource, the directors and specifications of the actors required, the amount of investment that had gone into it, which role was more pleasing to shoot, the remuneration of such-and-such role and other such details.

He was doing all the work that an agent would normally do, and did it all without displaying the slightest bit of impatience.

Conversely, it was Fan Jialuo who was tilting his head to one side, supporting his cheek with a hand, sitting lazily in the yellow sunlight, looking as if he was dozing comfortably.

Is this still the same small artist and the boss pair?

This is clearly the little ancestor and his eunuch, right?

Cao Xiaohui had such thoughts secretly running through his mind. His originally cautious attitude inevitably turned into being even more careful.

He walked over with small steps and spoke in a flattering tone, "Mr. Zhao, are you looking for me?"

"Have you come across any good resources recently? Choose one for Jialuo."

Despite having said so, Zhao Wenyan did not think that Cao Xiaohui could find better resources than the ones he had.

Cao Xiaohui almost wanted to hug Zhao Wenyan's leg and start crying. How could his meager resources compare with those of the boss of the company?

—Don't you dare think he didn't see it just now. The contract President Zhao was holding in his hand was for the martial arts masterpiece that Director Zhang was preparing to shoot with the aim of winning an Oscar.

With such resources in front of him, would Fan Jialuo even look at what he had in his hand?

Cao Xiaohui was just about to lay down some more flattery, but Fan Jialuo suddenly opened his eyes and looked straight at him.

The flames from the scorching sun burned within his dark pupils, making it seem as if his eyes contained an indescribable penetrative power. His voice was as cool as rain, and easily trickled into the hearts of others, establishing control on their thoughts just as easily as well.

"You think about it, it's something perfect for me, it's related to psychics."

Psychics? Something flashed through Cao Xiaohui's mind. "I remember, there is such a job!"

He clapped his hands and said, "Lemon TV is going to shoot a reality show called 《The World of Strange People 》. The program will invite people with all kinds of rumoured supernatural abilities to participate in their challenges. The one who wins the final round will receive one million yuan as prize money.

"Is this the one you want? They also wanted to invite you to join them, but I figured that you definitely wouldn't be lacking better opportunities than this. It wouldn't be worthwhile to join a group of bizarre people, so I refused them on your behalf."

The corner of Fan Jialuo's lips twitched, and his fingertips tapped on the table lightly. "I'm going to participate in this program. Please arrange it for me."

In what world would Cao Xiaohui dare to disobey his orders? He naturally agreed.

On the other hand, during this conversation, Zhao Wenyan had already examined all the crew members involved in this program, after which he tried to stop the other. "Jialuo, I don't think this job is suitable for you. Do you know the director's purpose for creating this program?

"In fact, she is an atheist. She wants to regain her standing by garnering popularity for the show and getting high audience ratings. She will try her best to create humiliating problems for the contestants, letting them make a fool of themselves. These are all things that the audience loves to see.

"Other people are amateurs, just ordinary people. It doesn't matter if their image gets vilified as long as they can earn money from it. But you are a celebrity, you will face great pressure and criticism.

"Her background is also very strong. If she edits the scenes of your appearance with malicious intent and deliberately uses you as a gimmick, I'm not sure that even I can get her to change her mind.

"I suggest you don't take this job. If you are short of money, we can make movies and TV series. Why lower yourself? Your ability does not need anyone's affirmation."

Fan Jialuo slowly walked to the door of the office and turned his head in the direction of the scorching sun, upon which his eyes filled with light and flames. The firmness present in them was completely different from the usual tranquility his eyes seemed to exude.

"Zhao Wenyan, you don't understand. The reason why I'm doing these things is not for money and fame, but rather to stand in a shining spot, brightly visible to all those who should see it."

"Who do you want to be seen by? Can't they see you in a movie?" Zhao Wenyan really couldn't figure out the other person's thoughts at all.

Fan Jialuo did not look back anymore and just waved his hand. "Since it is a world of strange people, it is natural for them to be the ones to see it. Please arrange this job for me. Thank you."

His last sentence was clearly addressed to Cao Xiaohui, and the other party bowed at an angle of ninety degrees quickly as he agreed with utmost sincerity.

...