Chapter 27: The Number Two Lie-Flat Assistant Is Online

After arriving in Beijing, Wang Jiajia had been staying at her second aunt Wang Shulan's place, and she was chatting with Wang Shulan when she received the WeChat message from Liu Dongxu.

Pata!

Wang Jiajia's hand trembled, and the phone she was holding dropped straight to the floor.

"Jiajia, what's wrong?"

Wang Shulan gave her niece a suspicious look.

"Nothing, Dong Xu needs to talk to me about something."

Wang Jiajia picked up her phone and hurried to her room; just as she was thinking how to explain to Liu Dongxu, another WeChat message came through: I knew it—how could Chu Yourong possibly like Zhang Xian? Turns out she's pregnant!

Eep!! This book is originally published on TW Chao Kepu, offering you error-free, non-disordered chapter reading.

Wang Jiajia took a deep breath and cursed inwardly: Can't you just spit it all out at once? You scared the hell out of me!

Zhang Family.

After learning his son hadn't become a cuckold, Zhang Dongshan exhaled deeply, but he didn't leave Zhang Xian's room—he pulled up a chair and sat down.

"Zhang Xiaoxian, I want to talk to you about something. 'Apple Fragrance' has become popular, and lately a lot of people have been inviting me to perform, but many gigs are out of town—I'm hesitating whether to take them."

"Take them!"

"You absolutely must, Dad—you're a singer, you need the stage!"

"Don't worry about home—I'll take care of Zhaodi!"

Zhang Xian knew exactly what his father was worried about and responded without hesitation.

Which singer doesn't crave the stage?

Singing in livestreams is, frankly, a last resort—if there's a bigger stage, of course you should shine on it.

Besides, while 'Apple Fragrance' is still hot, the pay for commercial gigs won't be low—you get to enjoy the stage and make more money at the same time, two birds with one stone.

And the higher your father's income, the higher mine will be!

Your dad's only fifty-three—he's still in his prime. As a son, I shouldn't hold him back.

"Alright, I'll take two gigs first and test the waters."

Seeing his son so supportive, Zhang Dongshan's face lit up with a smile, and he silently thought: That brat's grown up—he's become more sensible.

"There's another thing—I plan to register a music company and sign my agency contract to the company, so future income can go through the corporate account and save a lot in taxes."

Zhang Dongshan added.

"Sure, no problem."

"Grow big, grow strong, create new glory!"

Zhang Xian nodded vigorously—he supported any money-making venture unconditionally.

"I want you to be the company's legal representative and handle its daily operations."

Zhang Dongshan continued. His reasoning was simple: his son had no job, now that they had a company, why should he work for someone else?

Besides, he was over fifty—this company would eventually be his son's anyway, so why not let Zhang Xian run it from the start?

"Uh, this..."

Zhang Xian had been happy until he heard the second half of his father's sentence—he froze.

If he ran the company, how could he ever lie flat?

That won't do at all!

"Dad, I think I'm better suited for behind-the-scenes creation—running a company just isn't for me."

"And creation needs inspiration, and a free, unburdened lifestyle—only in such an environment can inspiration truly flourish and produce more great works."

"Once you get that office vibe, you'll never create anything good again—you don't want my creative path to end, do you?"

Zhang Xian quickly found himself an excuse.

Hearing this, Zhang Dongshan frowned: "Zhang Xiaoxian, aren't you exaggerating? Setting up a company means just me as an artist, maybe you as a behind-the-scenes creator—we won't have much business at all."

"It's not about how much business there is!"

Zhang Xian waved his hand: "I can be the legal representative, but for actual operations, let's hire a professional—I'll ask Chu Yourong if she has any recommendations."

"Alright then."

Zhang Dongshan thought it over carefully. In China, once famous musicians focused on business operations, they rarely produced great works again—it was true.

"I'll register the company these next two days—I've already thought of a name: Xianqing Yizhi Music Co., Ltd. 'Xian' sounds the same as your name, 'Xian.'"

Clearly, Zhang Dongshan had founded this company entirely for Zhang Xian—the name even tied into his son's name.

"The name's a bit long—how about 'Xianyu Music'?"

Zhang Xian offered a small suggestion. Since the company was meant for him anyway, "Xianyu Music" fit better.

"A salted fish turning over!"

"Hmm, that name works—it literally describes me!"

After wasting half his life, Zhang Dongshan truly had become a salted fish turning over—he thought the name was perfect.

The next day.

Rongshu Entertainment conference room.

Company president Yu Kai sat in the center.

"Director Li, what's your take on Chu Yourong?"

This meeting was specifically called to discuss terminating Chu Yourong's contract—last night, #ChuYourongMarried# and #ChuYourongPregnant# had dominated the top two spots on Weibo's trending list.

Public opinion is currently extremely unfavorable toward Rongshu Entertainment; earlier, Yu Kai had planned to pressure Chu Yourong into submission because the company's second major shareholder wanted her.

But to Yu Kai and the others' surprise, Chu Yourong chose to fight back outright, releasing negative rumors that the company had shelved her and that executives had tried to enforce sexual favors.

Whether these rumors were true or not, netizens preferred to believe in shelving and sexual coercion—first, because people sympathize with the weak, and second, fans love Chu Yourong herself, not Rongshu Entertainment as a company.

Therefore, if a conflict arises, public opinion will inevitably side with the artist.

Additionally, due to the news of her marriage and pregnancy, Chu Yourong's commercial value has rapidly depreciated; the situation has now reached a point of mutual damage, so Rongshu Entertainment must reconsider how to resolve the matter of Chu Yourong.

"I believe we should reach a settlement with Chu Yourong as soon as possible."

"It's clear she's given up entirely—she doesn't even care about her own future. Continuing to drag this out will only harm the company's image and might even affect other artists."

Li Zhenchuan, Director of the Artist Department, expressed his opinion.

"Feng Director, what do you think?"

Yu Kai turned to Feng Jing, Director of the Legal Department.

"I agree with Director Li. From the company's perspective, we should settle with Chu Yourong as soon as possible—a dignified separation would be better."

"Right now, the compensation amount is still negotiable, but the longer we wait, the harder it will be to negotiate—after all, Chu Yourong's future income will surely plummet, and she may eventually be unable to pay even if she wants to."

After hearing Feng Jing's words, Yu Kai nodded: "Alright, let's talk to her quickly and resolve this dispute as soon as possible!"

One week later.

By the river.

Zhang Xian sat calmly, fishing.

The day before yesterday, he had broken the Air Force Curse and caught a half-kilogram crucian carp, which greatly boosted his confidence.

Two meters away from him, Chu Yourong was bundled up tightly; having frequently come fishing with Zhang Xian, she had gradually grown to enjoy the activity.

Sitting by the river, gazing at the calm water, she felt an unusual inner peace.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

It was her agent lawyer, Jiang Hong, calling.

"Miss Chu, good news—Rongshu Entertainment has agreed to terminate your contract."

"The compensation amount is also within the range you previously said you could accept."

On the other end of the line, Jiang Hong's voice carried a hint of delight.

"How much do they have to pay?" Chu Yourong asked.

"Twenty-four million."

"Fine, I'll transfer the compensation to their account as soon as possible."

Chu Yourong accepted the compensation—after all, she still had five years left on her agency contract. Even though the company's second major shareholder was at fault for initiating the contract termination, that man was a seasoned operator—he only gave hints, made no explicit threats, and the company's subsequent actions were entirely legal.

After all, it was the company's right to assign work to whom it chose—or not assign it—and there was no grounds for complaint.

Since it was Chu Yourong who proactively requested termination, compensation was inevitable; thus, her original goal had always been to buy her freedom with money.

But before Chu Yourong caused trouble, the company stubbornly refused to let her go; only after she publicly announced her marriage and pregnancy, destroying her own commercial value, did Rongshu Entertainment finally relent.

Twenty-four million was not a small sum, but Chu Yourong could still afford it—it was within her acceptable range.

"Miss Chu, if you have no objection to this compensation amount, I'll sign on your behalf."

"Sign! Sign right now!"

Chu Yourong only wanted to regain her freedom as soon as possible.

"Alright!"

Jiang Hong replied and hung up; Chu Yourong then contacted her bank's VIP manager to schedule a large transfer.

"Zhang Xian, come with me to the bank!"

Chu Yourong reeled in her fishing rod and walked over to Zhang Xian.

"Why are we going to the bank? Are you transferring money to me?"

Zhang Xian teased with a grin.

Hearing this, Chu Yourong froze slightly—she had been so caught up in the joy of impending "freedom" that she'd forgotten one thing: completing the contract termination with the company also meant her agreement with Zhang Xian had expired.

She really did have to pay him!

Of course, for Chu Yourong, the fifty-thousand-yuan final payment to Zhang Xian was nothing.

But the thought of their relationship ending left her feeling strangely hollow.

"Did you finally reach an agreement with the company?"

Zhang Xian noticed the shift in her expression and exclaimed excitedly: "Then shouldn't you settle the final payment with me?"

"Yes!"

"That's exactly why I'm taking you there!"

Seeing Zhang Xian's greedy, money-focused expression, Chu Yourong suddenly felt her "sincerity" had been fed to a dog.

She had just felt a pang of loss—what nonsense! They were merely business partners, each getting what they wanted. It was her own fault for getting too invested.

"Got it!"

"Time to pack up!"

Hearing they were finally going to settle, Zhang Xian immediately stood up, packing his fishing rod and landing net into the tackle box.

Seeing how eager he was, Chu Yourong snorted and strode purposefully toward the roadside.

One hour later.

Outside the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

Zhang Xian stretched contentedly—less than a month had passed, and he'd already pocketed one million.

Even though he had a system, the income from his father and the Apple Fragrance copyright over these past days had already exceeded one million—but who ever turns down more money?

Besides, his bank balance wasn't anything impressive—barely over five million, not enough to buy even a decent apartment in Beijing.

"Let's have a meal together—I'll treat you."

Zhang Xian was unusually generous.

"Then I'm going to pick the most expensive place!"

"No problem—choose wherever you want!"

Zhang Xian waved his hand with bold generosity, thinking that he'd made a million off Chu Yourong, and now that they were parting ways, treating her to a nice meal was worth it.

Seafood barbecue stall.

Zhang Xian pointed at the skewers on the table: "These are really expensive, huh!"

"I want to start where we started and end where we ended."

Chu Yourong replied softly.

"That's not right—it should be by the river."

Zhang Xian still remembered: that day, he'd been fishing by the river when Chu Yourong suddenly rushed over and asked him, "Want a wife?"

"You go yourself!"

Chu Yourong rolled her eyes, then started grilling skewers on her own.

"Come, I toast you—congratulations on your rebirth!"

Zhang Xian raised his glass and winked at Chu Yourong.

"Thanks~"

Chu Yourong wasn't much of a drinker; she lifted her glass, clinked it against his, but took only a small sip.

Zhang Xian didn't care—he tilted his head back and drained the entire glass of beer.

"What are your plans now?"

Setting down his glass, Zhang Xian asked.

"I'll take a break first, and prepare new songs."

"By the way, I'll announce our breakup a bit later—it'd seem too frivolous otherwise."

Chu Yourong spoke of her future plans.

"No problem—you can announce it whenever you want!"

Zhang Xian had never shown his face; on Chu Yourong's social media comment section, he'd even earned the nickname "Big Ma."

"Big Ma" was short for "Mosaic Brother."

"What about you?"

"Now that you're free, planning to track down your first love and pick up where you left off?"

Chu Yourong propped up her slightly flushed face with one hand and asked.

"What are you talking about!"

"A good horse doesn't eat hay from behind!"

Zhang Xian shook his head smugly, but silently added to himself: then again, if the hay from behind smelled good, maybe it wasn't so bad to eat!

At this thought, Zhang Xian couldn't help but recall the red thread above Lin Xiwei's head.

In today's society, staying pure and clean was just too hard.

Ding!

System detected: Chu Yourong meets requirements for Lying Flat Assistant.

【Yes】 【No】 Bind?

Just as Zhang Xian was thinking he should invite his old lover out for a meal and catch up, the system alert suddenly rang.

Huh??

Zhang Xian froze for a moment, then instinctively glanced at Chu Yourong across from him—and soon, his lips couldn't help but curl upward...

This was Chu Yourong!

A superstar!

Her income was definitely not something his father could match!

【Yes】!

Must be!

Bind fast—don't let her get away!

Zhang Xian responded inwardly.

Ding!

Congratulations, Host has successfully bound a Lying Flat Assistant.

Ding!

Second Lying Flat Assistant online.

Name: Chu Yourong

Age: 22 years old

Occupation: Singer

Professional Skill: A-Rank

Health Status: A-Rank