Chapter 62 Sixty-two Fire
After posting on Weibo, Yan Duo browsed the comments for a while. Seeing no more trolls appear, she put away her phone and prepared to go downstairs, but before she could get up, she unexpectedly received a call from Director Zhang.
“Yan Duo, our movie still needs a theme song. How about you sing it!” After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Director Zhang said over the phone.
Yan Duo was a bit surprised after hearing this, “Ah?”
If she remembered correctly, Yan Duo recalled that the singer for the movie’s soundtrack had already been chosen. Why was Director Zhang suddenly asking her to sing the theme song?
Director Zhang sighed, “The person we had chosen before declined at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts. I heard you sing yesterday, and you’re not any worse than professional singers. It would be the same if you sang it.”
After hanging up the phone, Yan Duo went downstairs and told Ji Ran about singing the theme song.
Ji Ran was frying eggs at the moment, and he wasn’t surprised at all when he heard this. “That’s great, just go and sing it then.”
Yan Duo tilted her head: “Why does it feel like a blessing in disguise?”
Because she went viral for singing off-key at the party, Director Zhang noticed her singing, and thus thought of her when he couldn’t find a suitable person.
Ji Ran said, “Whatever the reason they chose you, I believe you’ll definitely sing well.”
Yan Duo puffed out her chest, “Of course! I definitely won’t go off-key in the next song!”
Yan Duo had never considered being a part-time singer as a side hustle, but if situations like last night occurred again in the future, she at least needed to make sure she didn’t sing out of tune.
On New Year’s Day, Fan’s Entertainment didn’t take a holiday like other companies. The entire office building was bustling with people, even busier than usual.
Qi Sixian was busy in her office when she caught her young assistant peeking around the doorway, looking like he wanted to come in but didn’t dare.
“If you have something to say, come in and say it!” Qi Sixian glanced at the door and said.
The assistant outside carefully entered the office, closed the door behind him, and leaned in to Qi Sixian to say: “Sister Qi, I just went upstairs to deliver some documents and accidentally overheard Young Boss Fan arguing with his wife.”
Even though Fan Xian had already taken over the entire Fan Corporation, people in the company still habitually called him Young Boss Fan, while Huang Rui didn’t have an official position in the company, and everyone had always referred to her as Young Boss Fan’s wife.
Qi Sixian kept his eyes on his laptop, not at all surprised by the comment. “They’ve argued at the company before, so what’s the big deal?”
As the daughter of a wealthy family in T City, Huang Rui was willful and selfish. Not only did she frequently have public conflicts with Fan Xian, but she had also had several impulsive arguments with her. Qi Sixian had no good feelings toward her at all.
The young assistant frowned and said, “I thought so at first too, but when I was about to go downstairs after delivering the documents, I heard Mr. Fan’s wife loudly saying something like ‘that bitch Yan Duo.’ Do you think the reason for their argument might be Sister Duo?”
Qi Sixian’s typing paused for half a second before returning to normal, “These aren’t things you should worry about, nor should you speak carelessly. Go get to work.”
The assistant nodded twice, “Sister Qi, I understand.” With that, he went out.
Once the office door closed again, Qi Sixian got up and walked around the room. Yesterday’s incident with Yan Duo at the New Year’s Eve gala had made Qi Sixian suspect that Huang Rui was behind it. Now, arguing with Fan Xian over Yan Duo, she wondered if Fan Xian had done something to upset her
In the afternoon, Fan Xian suddenly called Qi Sixian upstairs via the internal phone. When Qi Sixian went up, he found that besides Fan Xian, there were three other men in the office. One was the company’s lawyer, Xiao Liu; another was in a suit and tie, holding a briefcase; and the third was dressed more casually, looking somewhat familiar, though Qi Sixian couldn’t immediately recall where he had seen him before.
Fan introduced to Qi Sixian: “These two are the lawyer and agent from Ji Ran’s studio. In a moment, you’ll hand over all of Yan Duo’s work to this Mr. Zeng.”
Through Fan Xianyi’s introduction, Qi Sixian suddenly remembered that this man had once appeared together with Ji Ran’s former agent, Shi Lei. But this wasn’t the point. Qi Sixian looked at Fan Xian in surprise, “Boss, what do you mean?”
Fan Xian replied, “The contract between Fan’s and Yan Duo’s agency has been terminated early. Starting today, she no longer belongs to Fan’s.”
Originally, according to Fan Xian’s wishes, he didn’t want to charge Ji Ran the penalty fee as if he were selling Yan Duo, but the company wasn’t his alone. To satisfy everyone, Fan Xian accepted Ji Ran’s original proposal: a 20-fold penalty fee, plus the normal commission on the film and advertising contracts Yan Duo had already signed for the upcoming year. All in all, the Fan Company wouldn’t suffer a loss. Therefore, aside from Huang Rui making unreasonable demands, the other shareholders didn’t pursue the matter.
Qi Sixian stood frozen for a few seconds before composing herself. She had always been clearly aware that Yan Duo wouldn’t stay at Fan’s for long, but she never expected this day would come so soon.
While he was lost in thought, there was a knock on the office door. Fan Xian personally went to open it, and then Yan Duo and Ji Ran walked in together.
Come in.
Yan Duo glanced at Fan Xian who opened the door, lowered her head and softly called out, “Brother Fan.”
After lunch, Ji Ran suddenly took out going-out clothes for her to change into. Yan Duo was puzzled and asked why. Ji Ran told her directly, “We’re going to Fan Corporation to terminate the contract.”
Hearing the words “terminate the contract,” Yan Du blurted out, “Why terminate the contract?” Ji Ran wasn’t in a hurry to explain and told her to change clothes, saying he would explain in the car. Trusting Ji Ran, Yan Du didn’t refuse. Then, on the way to the company, Ji Ran told her about the previous accident on the film set and last night’s incident.
Even though she understood Ji Ran’s worries and the awkward position she faced in the company, Yan Duo felt extremely guilty when facing Fan Xian, who had always been so caring toward her.
Fan Xian looked at Yan Duo, his eyes unable to see anyone else. Even though he knew Ji Ran was standing beside Yan Duo, he could barely control himself.
“Don’t be unhappy. Although we won’t be in the same company anymore, we’re still senior and junior colleagues. If you miss us in the future, feel free to ask me… and Sister Qi out for dinner anytime.”
As he spoke, Fan Xian made way, inviting Yan Duo and Ji Ran to enter.
Hearing his words, Yan Duo looked up at him gratefully and nodded firmly, “Mm-hmm.”
Ji Ran glanced at Fan Xian and was about to assert his claim by taking Yan Duo’s hand, but Yan Duo completely failed to notice Ji Ran’s jealousy. As soon as she entered the office, she walked toward Qi Sixian, completely missing Ji Ran’s outstretched hand.
Fan Xian turned to look at Ji Ran’s darkened face, and suddenly his mood improved considerably.
Qi Sixian observed the expressions of the men and said to Fan Xian and Ji Ran, “There are some things I need to instruct Yan Duo about. You don’t mind if I take her away for half an hour first, do you?”
Yan Duo’s presence was really just a formality. Although this matter concerned her, she didn’t need to handle it personally.
But Fan Xian didn’t want to see Ji Ran showing affection with Yan Duo right under his nose, and Ji Ran didn’t want to see Fan Xian looking at Yan Duo with that tender expression either, so neither of them objected. Thus, Yan Duo, who had just arrived at the office for a minute, was taken to Qi Sixian’s office.
As soon as Yan Duo left, the two men who had been smiling quickly dropped their smiles and began to enter serious negotiation time.
Qi Sixian took Yan Duo back to the office and asked her, “Was what happened yesterday done by Huang Rui?”
Yan Duo nodded, “Ji Ran found evidence. It was indeed her.”
Yan Duo couldn’t understand it. She had only met her once, so why would she try to eliminate her completely? Just because Fan Xian used to like her? Yan Duo couldn’t comprehend it.
Qi Sixian nodded, “That makes sense now.”
Initially, Ji Ran had proposed terminating the contract with Fan Xian due to the film crew’s issues, but Fan Xian didn’t agree. It wasn’t until yesterday’s incident that Fan Xian finally made up his mind, which explains why Huang Rui was angry with Fan Xian this morning.
Yan Duo held Qi Sixian’s arm, feeling rather down, “The sudden contract termination is so unexpected. I’ll miss you all.”
Although Sister Qi had mentally prepared her for this possibility, it still came as too much of a surprise. The shock was so great that Yan Duo found herself resenting Ji Ran for taking matters into his own hands.
Qi Sixian understood Yan Duo’s feelings and comforted her, “Don’t blame Ji Ran for interfering in your affairs. Although Huang Rui is best friends with your sister-in-law Chu Tian, her scheming and tactics are on a whole other level. If you had stayed at Fan’s company, there’s no telling what else she might have done. So leaving early is actually better for you.”
Although Huang Rui would still have ways to deal with her even if Yan Duo left, it was still better than being under Fan’s control where she could be manipulated at will.
Yan Duo didn’t feel particularly impressed by Huang Rui’s scheming methods, but the fact that she could extend her reach to a film crew far away and the T City Television Station showed that her power and audacity were indeed boundless.
Even though she knew how powerful the enemy she faced was, Yan Duo still felt uncomfortable in her heart, but she didn’t want to share this feeling with Qi Sixian.
“I really can’t bear to part with you, Sister Qi.”
Qi Sixian patted Yan Duo’s head and said half-jokingly, “You go out and do well first. I’ll come find you when my contract is up.”
Her relationship with Huang Rui was not good. If Huang Rui didn’t join the Fan Corporation in the future, it would be fine, but if she became her supervisor, given their current relationship, Qi Sixian felt that the possibility of her continuing to stay at the Fan Corporation was not great.
Yan Duo’s eyes lit up, “Really?”
Qi Sixian nodded, “Yeah, let’s work together from now on!”
On the way back, Yan Duo sat in the passenger seat without speaking, the car was completely silent.
Ji Ran glanced at her through the rearview mirror and asked, “Still angry?”
Yan Duo said sullenly, “I don’t like it when you treat me like a child.”
Ji Ran took the initiative to admit his mistake, “I didn’t tell you about this because I didn’t want to distract you, but it really was my fault.”
Yan Duo’s voice was somewhat hoarse, with a hint of a sob: “Although you had good intentions, it made me feel stupid, so stupid that I don’t deserve someone as smart as you.”
Ji Ran listened to her words and suddenly remembered that she had also said she didn’t deserve him before in “Men’s World.” He felt some regret, “I was wrong. I’ll never hide things from you again, and I’ll let you Make your own decision.”
Yan Duo looked out the window, “That sounds nice, but dare you say you’ve never thought about having me join your studio?”
Ji Ran immediately denied: “Not at all, my plan has always been to form a studio specifically for you.”
Yan Duo: “Oh, so you’ve already found studio members for me, is that it? I’m still controlled by you, my future career neatly arranged by you, with no power to say no. What’s the point in that?”
Although Ji Ran had thought about helping Yan Du find studio members, he had no intention of controlling her. He only wanted to make things easier for her. Now that Yan Du had misunderstood, Ji Ran felt his actions might indeed have been inappropriate, so he compromised, “I promise you, from now on you’ll handle the studio yourself, I won’t interfere at all!”
Yan Du turned to look at Ji Ran, “Really? I don’t believe you.”
Ji Ran: “If you don’t believe me, who can you believe?”
Hearing this, Yan Du’s gloomy face suddenly brightened. She said with a smile, “Husband, you keep your word!”
With that, she took out her phone and made a call.
Ji Ran suddenly felt like he’d been played. Sure enough, he heard Yan Duo say into the phone, “Sister Qi, we can get the studio up and running now, hehe…”
Yan Duo was quite looking forward to continuing to work with Qi Sixian.
Ji Ran: …
This woman is really going all out for her career, actually putting on an act in front of him! Impressive!
After Yan Duo hung up the phone, Ji Ran said coolly to her, “So you’d rather trust Qi Sixian than your husband?”
“How could that be! I love my husband the most. My husband is the most, most, most important person in my life. How could I not believe you!”
After buttering him up, Yan Duo moved closer to Ji Ran, planted a kiss on his cheek, and explained seriously, “Because I like you, I don’t want to be your appendage, but to have the ability to stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”
She hoped that when netizens mentioned her, they would say “Yan Duo,” not “Ji Ran’s wife” who relies on Ji Ran for everything.
Ji Ran understood what Yan Duo meant, sighed inwardly, realized her persistence, and didn’t insist, saying: “But can you promise me one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“After you have your own studio, you can’t forget home and neglect me, okay?”
Yan Duo couldn’t help but laugh and cry when she heard Ji Ran being jealous about her studio, “Rest assured, let alone just a studio, even if we have children, you’ll still be my most beloved big baby!”
It turned out that men also liked to hear sweet talk. When Ji Ran heard Yan Duo call him “big baby,” all his resentment disappeared. He happily thought about making Yan Duo call him that more times tonight. He liked listening to her tremblingly call him by various names in bed.