Chapter 135 : Chapter 135

Chapter 135: “A thousand miles of Jiangling returned in a day, five hundred miles of Jiangling returned in half a day.”

Shen Weidi was unaware of what happened in New Zealand.

Li Yamin’s scandalous news was still repeatedly dominating the domestic charts, and Nora’s INS post sparked a new wave of mini-essay frenzy.

High-intensity internet surfing netizens didn't recognize Marcus, nor Nora, but they recognized Wanshu Zu.

He was unprecedentedly relaxed in the video.

Previously, there was shallow gratification content like “Three Minutes to Quickly Watch xxx” movies; now, there were bite-sized pieces like “Ten Seconds to Get to Know xxx.”

Self-media, eager to attract traffic to their accounts, loved to thoroughly label unfamiliar things, then launder content from peers, add AI voiceovers, and freshly release electronic virus-like 10-second short videos.

In this type of information, Wanshu Zu had long been labeled with superficial tags such as “ambitionist,” “arena of fame and fortune,” and “workplace textbook,” showing no signs of a living person.

The accompanying videos were stolen from BiliBili uploaders, poorly edited, set to common, overused BGM from short video platforms, and adorned with flashy effects and decorative text.

As soon as the INS post came out, Wanshu Zu’s public persona underwent a subtle change.

Anyone with a keen eye could easily dig up Marcus’s identity; he had appeared on variety shows, and the keyword used to market him back then was “the curly-haired younger brother who bit his tongue while speaking Mandarin.”

The curly-haired younger brother became the curly-haired older brother, who was the agent’s legal counsel.

Nora was the curly-haired older brother’s biological sister, suspected of having a profound relationship with the agent.

The agent had signed Nora not long ago, and immediately after, scandalous news spread about her and Li Yamin.

The four people who appeared were subjected to combinations and permutations to compose mini-essays, with diverse styles and content, each more absurd than the last.

Netizens were all bewildered.

Whose scandal was it with whom?

What did who do, and how were their names suddenly linked?

A joke also arose from this.

Pet enthusiasts’ impression of Wanshu Zu was: Ancestor’s biological father—Ancestor referring to the black cat forcibly named Little yellow chicken.

This group joked: There was no one the biological father couldn’t handle.

Let alone the complicated relationship of four people in total; adding forty more would be no problem.

They even provided a basis: Ancestor usually acted haughty and unapproachable, but when he met his agent-biological father, wasn't he as docile as anything?

There was no ancestor in this world harder to deal with than Ancestor, so since Ancestor was willing to be a good son, there must be truth in the unknown.

Li Yamin’s fans immediately jumped up: “What are you hinting at? Who is the ancestor and who is the son? Who are you cursing?”

At the same time, Shen Weidi’s fans also jumped up: “Your agent hasn’t managed Shen Weidi for a long time, and you’re still trying to take credit?”

The pet enthusiasts, unfamiliar with their entertainment industry, broke into a sweat: “No, friends, can you really rush to take something personally like this?”

Due to the inexplicable chaotic battle between several parties, it instead fostered the spread of the absurd conclusion that “the agent is the center of the universe.”

That said, although the spread was wide, those who watched only did so for fun, outwardly declaring, “That’s right, it’s the agent after all,” but few truly believed it in their hearts.

They simply felt it didn’t align with reality.

The dramatic tension was maximized, and if viewed from the agent’s perspective, it would also be very satisfying—that was enough.

Shen Weidi thought this was true.

Netizens were unaware of Wanshu Zu’s capabilities, but he was.

Because he was aware, he became increasingly anxious.

When Lishou Entertainment was just starting, the company needed a star who could quickly rise to fame to prove Wanshu Zu’s professionalism in the agent field and the company’s abundant resource channels.

Wanshu Zu also needed him and Li Yamin to offset each other.

But now the company was flourishing.

Within Lishou Entertainment’s organizational structure, the traffic economy could not shake the core, and countless traffic stars actively chose Lishou Entertainment because of Shen Weidi’s reputation, forming long queues, eager to get in.

Wanshu Zu also made his stance clear: it was time for him and Li Yamin to go their separate ways.

It was hard to say if Li Yamin would do something out of stress.

More crucially, Shen Weidi was already useless in Wanshu Zu’s heart.

Qiao Tian left, and Nora arrived.

In the future, all sorts of people would flood in; it was no longer Wanshu Zu unearthing talent.

Capable individuals would come knocking on his door, allowing him to choose.

Shen Weidi had to find his own way out.

He was very nervous.

Wanshu Zu was even more intimidating after being discharged from the hospital than before.

After a trip to New Zealand, he suddenly gained an inexplicable calmness.

Wanshu Zu used to be calm as well, Shen Weidi thought.

But it was different now.

The former agent’s gaze, when sizing people up, was filled with scrutiny, meticulously dissecting and assessing your value.

Now, when he looked at people, it was like using a surgical knife to separate muscle fibers, seeing straight through to the heart hidden beneath flesh and blood.

“You thought for so long, and then came to me, demanding that I do things?”

Wanshu Zu said.

“I am requesting.”

Shen Weidi clenched his sweaty palms, while following the outline he had prepared for several days, he tried to calm himself down and said, “I know I’ve done a lot of messed-up things in the past, causing you and the company a lot of trouble. I’ve reflected…”

“That’s not how negotiations are done, Shen Weidi.”

Wanshu Zu interrupted his rhythm, “You shouldn’t show weakness to me.”

Shen Weidi: “…”

“All the messed-up things you did were the result of my indulgence, and the trouble you caused was part of the buzz. Traffic is useless without buzz.”

“Before, we had a good working relationship. Your only mistake was not listening to me; I told you to wait at the company, but you ran to the hospital.”

Wanshu Zu’s gaze pressed down on him; it wasn’t cold, nor aggressive, just very heavy.

“Why did you come to the hospital?”

The shift in the conversation’s rhythm occurred within just two sentences.

Even though Wanshu Zu directly taught him not to show weakness in negotiations, Shen Weidi didn’t understand negotiations at all.

When a man asked a question, someone had to answer.

“I don’t know either.”

Shen Weidi swallowed, “I saw Li Yamin, he…”

“What Li Yamin does, what does it have to do with you? Is it because you are his irreconcilable nephew? Whatever he does, do you have to rush to do it too?”

Shen Weidi remained silent for a long time.

After a while, Wanshu Zu spoke indifferently: “You should refute me. You already waited at the company for the plan to be implemented. Li Yamin was the emotional one; you didn’t want him to mess things up.”

Shen Weidi was a little annoyed.

He had prepared for this evening’s conversation for a long time, not quite confident and prepared, but with full determination.

But Wanshu Zu sat steadily on the study’s only chair, calmly teasing him, watching his discomfiture after mustering his courage, clearly not intending to have a proper conversation.

Shen Weidi was somewhat distracted; he had always felt that Wanshu Zu looked down on him.

The Li family treated him as a tool, and Wanshu Zu was no different, merely dangling benefits to make him feel that all decisions originated from himself.

Wanshu Zu noticed his distraction and sneered: “Shen Weidi, do you think I’m very idle?”

The agent stood up, walked around the table to stand before him, and looked down at him.

“You and your uncle are cut from the same cloth. Someone says two words, and you start brewing a bitter melodrama, your mind filled with how innocent you are. I don’t care how wronged you feel, what you want to think is your business, just don’t waste my time.”

Shen Weidi felt pushed back by the pressure.

Wanshu Zu hadn’t managed him for a long time, and he had almost forgotten the powerlessness he felt when he was under his control.

Five years had passed.

Wanshu Zu’s aura had become even more terrifying, yet he himself hadn’t changed at all in these five years.

He had clearly gained a lot of attention, with as much online abuse as praise, and he had always thought he could handle pressure.

But when facing Wanshu Zu directly, he still had no confidence whatsoever, feeling incredibly weak.

“Try taking a step back,” Wanshu Zu said.

Shen Weidi stiffened all over, frozen in place like a statue.

…

“I know he looks like he’s about to cry, don’t make that sound, have some empathy.”

In the sea of consciousness, Chu Zu spoke before the System.

The Little yellow chicken’s mood was very complex.

It whispered, “Host… I’m a very empathetic chicken, I won’t make that sound—but why are you making him cry?”

“He hasn’t cried yet, has he?”

“He’s at the point where you could count down three, two, one.”

“He hasn’t thought it through; he just thinks he has.”

Chu Zu watched Shen Weidi’s expression turn pale, then red, then green, and said faintly, “This person deep down believes he can’t accomplish anything on his own, and thinks he can sprint ahead just by relying on me. But I’m a tyrant; I don’t have sympathy votes. If he doesn’t make it clear, I’m too lazy to even glance at him.”

“But I’m still listening to him instead of telling him to get out.”

Chu Zu was very clear, “He’s the protagonist, after all; I’ll give him some leeway.”

None of the Li family children were normal.

Although not everything could be attributed to their upbringing, the personalities of the uncle and nephew were inextricably linked to their family.

But Shen Weidi was different from his uncle.

He was 25 this year, and every day he was lauded was unstable.

Li Yamin, when pushed to the brink, started acting foolish, thinking Wanshu Zu would fall for it.

Shen Weidi, when pushed to the brink, had no choice; no one indulged him.

He would just throw a fit.

Throwing a fit was fine, but it had to be in the right place.

Chu Zu: “Someone needs to be found to be his cheerleading squad.”

The Little yellow chicken had nothing left to say and could only back down, turning its attention to the main text.

…

Shen Weidi also couldn’t decide whether or not to listen to Wanshu Zu.

“Gu An——”

Wanshu Zu suddenly called out towards the door.

Within two seconds, Gu An pushed open the study door: “I’m here, boss.”

He walked into the room, gently closed the door, and seeing that the atmosphere inside wasn’t quite right, he deliberated, then stood to Shen Weidi’s side-rear, lightly pressing against Shen Weidi’s lower back to help him stand steady.

Wanshu Zu: “Did he talk to you?”

Gu An: “Briefly.”

“And you just let him daydream?”

Gu An glanced at Shen Weidi; the back of his neck was covered in sweat.

“Little Shen has the capital to dream,” Gu An said.

His tone was steady, facing Wanshu Zu’s pressure just like Shen Weidi.

“His popularity has always remained high. During his quiet period, his search index declined somewhat, but his fan loyalty is strong, and the fan base is large. Barring any major unforeseen circumstances, it can slowly recover through proper management. The matrix analysis provided by the consulting firm also corroborates my judgment.”

The matrix analysis Gu An spoke of was similar to Japan’s entertainment industry’s artist power rankings, also known as the "territory ranking."

The territory ranking positioned artists on a coordinate chart with "recognition rate" as the x-axis and "attention rate" as the y-axis, dividing artists into tiers based on their current level of attention and popularity.

China had referenced Japanese entertainment and released corresponding Chinese celebrity idol new media territory rankings.

However, these were often inflated, had low credibility, and were not very useful for reference.

Each management company had its own internal "territory ranking" and would also consult big data service companies for survey data to roughly determine an artist's position.

Wanshu Zu was clearly not interested in this content, but Gu An didn’t stop and continued to speak.

“Within the hot circle category, Shen Weidi is an unevenly developed player with relatively low audience affinity but very high topic engagement.”

“In the past three years, only two breakout traffic stars, who relied on BL adaptations, made it onto the charts. Their fans’ combat power was very strong, but the number of paying fans statistically was more than twelve times less than Shen Weidi’s.”

“Shen Weidi is already a very capable top-tier star.”

Gu An said, “He means that his competitors are your other artists—for example, Li Yamin.”

Wanshu Zu’s expression softened slightly.

He took a step back and leaned against the edge of the table, clearly marking the study as his territory: “Continue.”

“I know you might think Shen Weidi is again just winging it. He doesn’t consider the resource allocation caused by differences in positioning, nor can he articulate his own standards for being the hottest top-tier star. There are many things to consider in this aspect, and he doesn’t have time—”

Gu An originally wanted to say that Shen Weidi was busy with promotional events and didn’t have time to spend on this, but then he remembered that Shen Weidi had been holed up and inactive for nearly a month, wasting ample time, so he quickly rephrased.

“He hasn’t had the opportunity to understand the things that we, the agents, need to discuss with him.”

Wanshu Zu raised an eyebrow: “It sounds like it’s my problem.”

Shen Weidi wanted to retreat again.

Gu An wasn’t here to extinguish the fire; he was adding fuel to it, and precisely roasting him alone!

Faced with his boss’s deadly rhetorical question, Gu An nodded directly: “You could say that.”

As if he felt no pressure, he continued to push Shen Weidi forward.

“You’ve spent almost all your time on Li Yamin, leaving Shen Weidi to our team to manage. But his main agent is you, and he only trusts you, so we don’t have much say.”

“Then change the main agent.”

“I won’t change!”

Shen Weidi grew anxious and blurted out.

Gu An was still supporting him, the executive agent who had long been overlooked now bore most of Shen Weidi’s weight, “I’ve listened to you for years, what right do you have to want to kick me out? If anyone should be kicked out, it’s Li Yamin!!”

Once a gap was opened in the conversation, the remaining words poured out smoothly and fluently.

“You also said that all the messed-up things I did were the result of your indulgence, and the trouble I caused was part of the buzz. Going to the hospital was because Li Yamin was losing his mind…”

“My only mistake was talking about Qiao Tian in front of the camera; I will compensate for that part of the loss.”

He gritted his teeth, “As long as I have you, I can make up for it.”

The data provided by Gu An gave him confidence.

“I’m no worse than anyone,” Shen Weidi said.

Now, Gu An didn’t need to support him; instead, he had to tug at the back of his shirt to prevent him from charging directly at the boss once he got worked up.

Wanshu Zu told Gu An: “Go on with your work.”

Gu An nodded, lightly patted Shen Weidi’s back, and secretly let out a sigh of relief as he turned around.

Everything he said was something the boss already knew.

Weekly emails synchronized this information within the team, making it practically useless chatter on a normal day.

The boss wanted to hear something from Shen Weidi, which was why he called him in—but this was too brutal; even he found it a bit overwhelming.

Once the door closed again, Wanshu Zu curled the corner of his mouth: “You think you’re no worse than anyone.”

Shen Weidi: “…Yes.”

“I think so too.”

Shen Weidi froze, a clear look of astonishment appearing on his face, so great that his features seemed distorted.

“If you want to be the hottest top-tier star in my hands, then I should be begging you. You don’t negotiate with your advantages, but just wait for me to show you favor? I’ve never seen a top-tier star like that.”

Shen Weidi said softly: “You don’t like this kind of person…”

“Does whether I like it matter? Many people don’t like me, but that doesn’t stop them from being honest in front of me.”

Shen Weidi: “…”

Wanshu Zu: “Do you still remember why you came to find me?”

“I remember.”

“Then I’ll give you a chance.”

Wanshu Zu said lightly, “There’s a project in New Zealand, a commercial film. Will you go?”

Shen Weidi was stunned, still flushed with embarrassment from his previous outburst.

Upon hearing Wanshu Zu’s words, blood rushed straight to his head.

What did that mean?

A project in New Zealand?

An international commercial film?

Wanshu Zu was just going to give him the spot so easily?

Shen Weidi answered reflexively: “Go!”

Wanshu Zu nodded.

He very straightforwardly gave the newly acquired resource to Shen Weidi.

The right resources had to be given to the right people to maximize their value.

Li Yamin didn’t need to gain recognition in commercial films; Lishou Entertainment would have plenty of suitable scripts for him to showcase his talent, so being a mascot in a commercial film was meaningless.

If the film flopped, he would also have to bear responsibility, which would be a net loss.

But if Shen Weidi wanted to become a top-tier star, this was the most suitable job for him.

Because resources could roll into more resources.

“After the contract is finalized, I’ll take you to meet Nora.”

“Nora?”

Shen Weidi opened his mouth, “Meet her… for what?”

Wanshu Zu was in a good mood and said unhurriedly: “To exchange fashion resources.”

Qiao Tian would only focus on domestic development.

International resources would be a waste for her, and she didn’t have any works that could serve as a stepping stone.

Shen Weidi could have them, as long as Wanshu Zu was willing to give them to him.

He could first gain exposure through big productions, then turn to Nora for introductions to secure as many magazine covers and inside pages as possible.

Finally, relying on his popularity in China and introductions from the fashion industry, he could snatch up high-end luxury endorsements that were previously out of his reach.

High-end luxury would further elevate Shen Weidi’s status and value, and his online and offline exposure would surge.

A six-month ground promotion in a prime location could be worth several trending topics.

Shen Weidi looked at Wanshu Zu.

His body was sticky with sweat, his hands were burning hot, and his heart pounded wildly: “You had already planned it all out.”

“Then why did you keep forcing me to say…”

Say those words that were difficult to utter.

Wanshu Zu adjusted his attire, preparing to leave: “I need you to give me a reason to continue choosing you.”

He pulled open the door, and Gu An was waiting outside.

Wanshu Zu turned his head slightly, glancing sideways at Shen Weidi, “If you’ve been under me for several years and don’t even have this much confidence, you might as well not be in this industry and just go home early.”

Wanshu Zu had stayed for less than an hour at most.

Shen Weidi went to the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of ice water, and sat dazedly on the sofa.

Facing the powerful agent was difficult, yet it also seemed very simple.

Shen Weidi had done a lot of mental preparation for himself.

In his perception, Wanshu Zu was a very impatient person with things he looked down upon.

He valued profit, and all people and matters could be measured by their value.

Qiao Tian was the only exception—Shen Weidi had no idea what made her special.

Now Shen Weidi suddenly felt his thoughts were naive.

He was merely making arbitrary definitions within his own framed standards, linking grand words and external characteristics to a person’s entire life.

Because he didn’t care what Wanshu Zu’s personality truly was.

Whether he was a sophisticated egoist or an agent who maintained patience with artists, it didn’t matter to Shen Weidi.

His views and theories were all serving his own fantasies: Wanshu Zu had to be aggressive and ruthless, so he could be the one constrained by others.

Then he used that to console himself, that his anxiety and unease were all brought on by external factors, and he had no problems himself.

The truth was, Wanshu Zu saw things more clearly than he did.

Shen Weidi wanted to find a way out, and the agent could help, provided he figured himself out.

—Where exactly did the reason for your fear and unease come from?

A phone notification sound rang, pulling Shen Weidi from his dazed thoughts.

Gu An sent a message with two words: Go for it.

Xu Qiqi meticulously filled his schedule.

He was preparing for the upcoming agent performance qualification certificate exam, diligently serving as Ancestor’s shovel officer, managing his own self-media account, and also operating the Manager Dog Training bot.

After a brief chat with Wanshu Zu, Xu Qiqi actively contacted Qiao Tian.

They were both victims of the “scandal involving unspoken rules” and both took care of the critters at the same boss’s home.

A couple more chats and they quickly became familiar.

Xu Qiqi’s rental apartment was nearing its expiry.

While looking for a new place, he happened to discover that Qiao Tian was also searching for a new residence, so he simply suggested they share an apartment.

Qiao Tian considered it for a while, confirmed the various matters concerning co-renting with him, and finally agreed.

They found a two-bedroom apartment in an old residential area.

Qiao Tian had very few belongings.

Xu Qiqi felt embarrassed to let his live-streaming equipment occupy half the living room, so he simply moved it all to the bedroom.

He only needed a place to lie down.

Qiao Tian was overly competitive, and Xu Qiqi was also overly competitive.

The overly competitive sister and brother pushed themselves hard every day.

The little black cat, skilled at tormenting its shovel officer, and the little black Shiba, who couldn’t stop walking, ensured their ample exercise; both of them were extremely energetic.

One day, after arranging the little black cat’s meal and leaving Wanshu Zu’s home with the used cat litter, his phone vibrated just as he sat down on the subway.

The person who hired him as the little black cat’s honorary shovel officer sent him a message.

[Are you free this weekend evening?]

Xu Qiqi replied instantly: [Yes!]

[The boss wants to take you to a dinner, the other party is the China Film Group Corporation's Head of Import Projects. The boss will contact you with more specific details.]

The other party also gave him Wanshu Zu’s contact information.

Xu Qiqi almost jumped up on the subway.

He excitedly replied again with [No problem[ok][ok]], his hands trembling as he typed.

Following the boss meant good food!

Fat, meaty good food!

A thousand miles of Jiangling returned in a day, five hundred miles of Jiangling returned in half a day.

He had suffered a Waterloo in his career, and all his efforts after graduation had come to naught.

How much time had passed since then?

The time for a comeback had arrived!

The noble Xi Qiqi would ultimately climb to the pinnacle of his career!!

That evening, Wanshu Zu called.

Without going into detail, Wanshu Zu only mentioned two things.

One, Xu Qiqi was now publicly his junior schoolmate.

Two, the junior schoolmate was currently preparing to start a studio, which was supported by

Lishou Entertainment, and currently had only one artist, Qiao Tian.

Xu Qiqi tried his best to make his voice sound less like a sycophant, even though he now wished he could instantly transform into a little black Shiba.

After repeatedly agreeing, Wanshu Zu stated the time and location, then ended the call.

Xu Qiqi held his phone, squirming on the bed like a raging little maggot.

When he rushed out of the bedroom after his outburst, he nearly tripped over his live-streaming equipment.

He went to the living room, and Qiao Tian also rushed out of her bedroom.

The two excited people looked at each other, understanding each other’s reasons from their eyes.

Then, without speaking, they both performed a set of military boxing in place.

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