Chapter 515: What Kind of Things Are Ants

As the two chatted, Liu Tianxian never finished her sentences, and even when Huang Jiaozhu said Yan Zi had backed down, she still didn't finish her sentences.

This made Huang Jiaozhu very uncomfortable, and Yan Zi very uncomfortable too; when had she ever humbled herself so low, begging someone to come out for a meal and drinks to apologize.

With no choice, they could only book a hotel; anyway, they didn't know if the Principal would come, so they booked the hotel first.

"It can only be this way; whether the Principal comes or not is hard to say." Huang Jiaozhu hung up the phone, looked at Yan Zi opposite him, and placed his hopes in Liu Tianxian.

"No matter what, thank you anyway." Yan Zi's face showed disappointment.

If she didn't swallow her pride and compromise, her days ahead wouldn't be easy; backing down at least let her keep going, still able to harvest the leeks.

Otherwise, if things kept getting this dark, she could only quit the industry.

Huang Jiaozhu said nothing, silently nodding; that couple was really too difficult to deal with, he'd learned his lesson.

Over there, Liu Tianxian's vanity was also satisfied; she'd never made things this hard for anyone before, but she was also angry inside; this struggle had lasted at least a month.

The length of time, the intensity of the competition—unprecedented.

Every day she was on edge, deeply afraid the other party would do something to her man, deeply afraid the other party would have her man taken away.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Tianxian asked: "Tomorrow they've booked the hotel, are you going?"

"Of course I'm going; I've never seen Yan Zi humble herself like that before." Fang Hong said.

This matter should end too; driving Yan Zi to death wouldn't do him any good either; if the other party was pushed to desperation, he'd also have a hard time.

As long as he left the other party a sliver of survival, he could avoid greater conflict.

"You really do like watching people look embarrassed." Liu Tianxian gave him a light smack.

"Then are you going?" Fang Hong looked at her.

"Of course I'm going; I have to back you up, what if someone bullies you? I'm still quite a good fighter." Liu Tianxian clenched her fist, flexed her biceps, showing how strong she was.

"Hahaha!" Both of them burst out laughing.

Liu Xiaoli shook her head; these two really were, birds of a feather flock together.

The next day, at a high-end luxury hotel in Beijing, Fang Hong wore a fluffy mink coat, looking very wealthy.

The weather had turned cold now, so wearing clothes like this didn't seem too out of place, just drew a higher rate of people turning to look.

And Liu Tianxian's outfit was also simple: sunglasses, a white wool coat, hair combed back in a slicked-back style, carrying an LV bag, looking like a fresh, elegant noblewoman.

On her lower body she wore leggings and nude stockings; when she walked, one could see her slender, beautiful legs, a kind of allure.

Zhang Songwen was also following along; after all, he was a victim too.

At the entrance of the luxury hotel, Zhang Songwen showed a troubled expression: "Principal, I feel I still shouldn't go!"

"Why?" Liu Tianxian was puzzled.

"I feel it wouldn't be right for me to go." Zhang Songwen felt that it was fine for their big shots to discuss the matter.

If he went, he'd seem a bit redundant.

"How is it not right? You're a victim too!" Liu Tianxian said.

"Although this matter started because of me, I didn't suffer much harm; on the contrary, you all put in a lot of effort for me, stood up for me." Zhang Songwen felt he hadn't suffered any harm.

On the contrary, the Principal had gone to war with people for his sake, spent so much money, spent so many resources.

Now they were even making the other party come apologize to him; he felt somewhat guilty about it.

Of course he was grateful inside, but having someone apologize to him felt like too much.

"Standing up for you is only right; after all, you're a Jade Rabbit artist. If I can't guarantee the public-opinion safety and reputation of Jade Rabbit's artists, then I don't deserve to be your leader." Fang Hong said.

This struggle could be said to have benefited him greatly; at the very least, it made Jade Rabbit's artists have more confidence in Jade Rabbit.

It could also make artists outside who want to switch agencies choose Jade Rabbit first; this is a kind of effect, just like a brand—why do people all like to buy branded goods?

Precisely because the brand is strong and doesn't rip off ordinary people.

"Exactly." Liu Tianxian chimed in,

"I just feel I haven't done anything, and coming here rashly to accept someone else's apology feels somewhat like reaping without sowing." Zhang Songwen felt guilty.

"Oh just stop overthinking it; you're a Jade Rabbit artist, we have the responsibility to protect you. You're the victim, you suffered mental harm, seeking justice is only right." Liu Tianxian's tone carried a casual air.

Having said that, she looped her arm through Fang Hong's.

Zhang Songwen said nothing more, his heart full of gratitude.

These two really were too good to their artists, devoted and responsible.

Although the Principal usually didn't say much, the fifty million in annual PR fees was all spent on them, all to guarantee their reputation.

If something came up, extra money had to be spent.

Like this time, such a huge storm—the Principal must have spent over a hundred million, yet didn't say a word.

Liu Tianxian was also kind-hearted, often checking in on them; before this matter blew up, she had specifically called to show concern and ask about the situation.

How could a couple like this not inspire absolute loyalty?

Led by the server, the three arrived at a private room; pushing open the luxurious double doors, what met their eyes was a resplendent private room.

The structure was wooden, but the furniture was European-style.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was the Beijing night view, like twinkling starlight, very bustling.

"Principal, Yifei." Huang Jiaozhu, who had been whispering with Yan Zi, saw the arrivals, immediately put on a smiling face, and hurried to greet them.

The Principal really came; originally, if the Principal didn't come, he'd just have a meal with Liu Tianxian and arrange another time next; it seemed Liu Tianxian was quite reliable after all.

This also showed that this couple was of one mind, husband singing and wife following.

In the private room were only Yan Zi and Huang Jiaozhu, no one else; Jack Ma definitely wouldn't come.

Although the Principal had the upper hand in this struggle, he wasn't yet qualified to make Jack Ma show up to talk to him; and in a setting like this, if he came and word got out, how embarrassing would that be.

Yan Zi also stood up; when she saw Zhang Songwen, her brow furrowed involuntarily, a bad premonition rising in her heart.

The Principal really wanted her to apologize to this person.

"Xiaoming." Liu Tianxian also greeted.

"Given this weather, you're not wearing much—aren't you cold?" Huang Jiaozhu was good at social graces, making solicitous small talk with Liu Tianxian.

"I'm fine, I didn't go bare-legged; my thermal leggings are very thick." Liu Tianxian casually lifted her leg.

"That's good, come have a seat." Huang Jiaozhu gestured with his hand, then stepped aside.

As he stepped aside, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian happened to meet Yan Zi's gaze.

The looks in all three people's eyes were complicated—Fang Hong's was assertive; Liu Tianxian's was indifferent; Yan Zi was somewhat unwilling and fierce on the outside but weak within.

She wanted to appear strong, yet still seemed a little afraid.

But her features were mature, and she carried a fierce, intimidating air about her—an air that made people feel strangers should keep their distance. A timid person seeing her would feel afraid.

Yet no one's status here was low, so naturally none of them felt that kind of dread toward her.

Zhang Songwen, for his part, was avoiding the other's gaze.

In the middle of the private room sat a large round table, already laden with fine wine and delicacies—course after course, every dish a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

Fang Hong took off his Mink Coat and said, "Everything you bought me is fur—something like this is usually worn by your rich ladies."

"What rich lady? This is the men's style, very warm." Liu Tianxian also took off her wool coat and hung it on the back of her seat.

Underneath she was wearing a sweater; once she removed the coat, her lovely figure was revealed.

"Even so, it doesn't look right on me. Next time don't buy me clothes like this—just get me a down jacket." Fang Hong said as he sat down.

"You already had one yourself; if you didn't wear it, whose fault is that?" Liu Tianxian was utterly speechless.

Before coming, he said wearing this outfit would show off; now he's saying this.

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But they were all wealthy people; no one thought there was anything odd about the Principal wearing that outfit—it seemed perfectly ordinary.

After the two sat down, they went right on chatting about household matters as if no one else were sitting there watching them.

"Ah, Principal, Tianxian, let's get down to business."

Huang Jiaozhu, acting as the middleman, naturally had to break the awkward atmosphere. He said again, "Everyone here knows each other, so I won't bother with lengthy introductions."

"Introductions are still in order. I'm not familiar with any of you—are you actors or businessmen? I really can't tell." Fang Hong tapped his head.

This put Huang Jiaozhu and Yan Zi in an awkward spot—what business is it of yours whether we're actors or businessmen? Knowing our names is enough.

"My name is Huang Jiaozhu; I'm both an actor and a businessman." Huang Jiaozhu introduced himself first.

"Oh," Fang Hong nodded lightly.

Liu Tianxian couldn't help but smile—this guy really is doing it on purpose.

Huang Jiaozhu could only swallow it and introduced Yan Zi beside him: "Her name is Yan Zi. We're classmates, and she's both an actress and a businesswoman."

"Oh, I heard you used to be a teacher, right?" Fang Hong looked at Yan Zi.

"Yes, many years ago, before I entered the industry, I was a kindergarten teacher." Yan Zi nodded calmly, unsure what the Principal meant.

Still, this wasn't any secret—many people knew.

"Someone like you could actually become a teacher? You didn't lead children astray, did you?"

The moment those words left Fang Hong's mouth, Yan Zi's face immediately turned very unpleasant. It was clearly an insinuation that her character was bad, that she might have corrupted the children.

A veiled accusation that her morals were flawed, that she was a problematic person.

Liu Tianxian said nothing, quite happy to see the other's ugly expression—after all, she was only here for the meal and tea.

The rest had nothing to do with her; of course, if the conflict got too heated, she could still step in to mediate.

After all, her man listened to her.

Zhang Songwen's face was expressionless, looking as if nothing at all had happened.

"Principal, Yan Zi teaching was something from many years ago; it's been a long time now. Let's not bring that up, alright?" Huang Jiaozhu spoke up.

The Principal really was too hard to deal with—everyone could have just apologized and been done with it, yet he insisted on taking a jab at people.

"I'm a kind-hearted person; I can't stand seeing people lead children astray and corrupt the young, so when I hear about it, I have to ask. Of course, you don't have to answer." Fang Hong said casually.

"Principal, I know I've offended you many times before. Consider this matter my fault—I apologize to you." Yan Zi's face flushed red, her expression stern.

She didn't want to get tangled up in all that messy business with him; if she did, there was no telling what else this man might come out with.

She was already in the weaker position; making a fuss like this would only mean endless slaps in the face.

"Is that what an apology looks like?"

As he spoke, Fang Hong picked up a bottle of premium liquor, popped the cap, and filled a glass to the brim: "An apology needs to look and feel like an apology—not just a single sentence and that's that."

Yan Zi was also very decisive. She walked to Fang Hong's side, picked up the glass filled with liquor: "Principal, I'm sorry. I've offended you many times—I beg your pardon."

Having said that, she downed it in one gulp, face neither red nor racing—worthy of a woman of the jianghu; that boldness clearly came from doing this often.

The others just watched without speaking; Huang Jiaozhu figured that should be enough.

"Look at what you're doing? You didn't hurt me—what are you apologizing to me for? You're the one who hurt him." Fang Hong pointed at Zhang Songwen.

Liu Tianxian pressed her lips into a smile—this was really too much of a torment. He didn't say anything before the apology and the drink.

Only after the apology and the liquor did he start being so cuttingly sarcastic.

This left Huang Jiaozhu quite speechless; he wanted to say something but ultimately held his tongue.

Yan Zi looked at Zhang Songwen, her expression turning unwilling. Apologizing to the Principal was no problem—the two were of equal standing, in her view.

But apologizing to Zhang Songwen was somewhat beneath her dignity, because in her eyes, Zhang Songwen was beneath her.

"Principal, I apologize to you for this matter," she said.

"I told you, you didn't offend me—I have no grudge with you. You're the one who hurt someone else, understand?" Fang Hong reiterated, his tone brooking no argument.

Yan Zi looked at Zhang Songwen, her heart wavering.

Zhang Songwen wore an expressionless face, saying nothing, doing nothing—whatever the Principal decided was fine with him.

After some inner struggle, Yan Zi still turned to face Zhang Songwen, filled a glass, and said: "Song Wen, whatever offense I gave you before—consider it a fart and let it go."

Having said that, she tipped her head back and downed it in one gulp.

Even if she was unwilling, there was nothing she could do. The moment Zhang Songwen stepped through the door, she knew it would be like this.

"It's fine, it's fine, I didn't really suffer any harm." Zhang Songwen was somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.

Yan Zi ignored him and turned back to Fang Hong: "Principal, this should be acceptable, right?"

"Acceptable what?" Fang Hong was baffled.

Yan Zi held back her temper and said: "Can you let me off now?"

"Let you off from what?" Fang Hong was puzzled.

Yan Zi took a deep breath and said: "Stop blackening me, stop spreading my negative stuff."

"I didn't spread your negative stuff. That's something you actually did. The Wangyi felt indignant and wanted to come at you. It has nothing to do with me." Fang Hong spread his hands, pushing all responsibility away.

"Principal, is there any need to be like this?" Yan Zi could barely hold it in any longer.

She had already apologized, and in the end he came out with something like this. Without the Principal pulling strings behind the scenes, would those Wangyi have verbally attacked and condemned her?

"I don't understand what you mean. You've provoked public outrage. If you want this matter settled, publish an apology in the newspaper to the broad masses of the people and see whether the people forgive you." Fang Hong said.

"Are you clearly determined to make things hard for me?" Yan Zi couldn't stand it anymore and slammed the wine bottle and glass heavily onto the table.

She had done everything she was supposed to do, yet they wanted her to apologize to those ants. What did those ants even count for?

(End of Chapter)