Chapter 167: then translation of chapter title

It was Huang Zhengming's assistant again; Jiang Cheng merely glanced up and said, "I'm not free."

If Huang Zhengming truly had something to discuss with him, he would be in the lounge, and even his assistant came over—proof that Huang Zhengming knew—but Huang Zhengming wouldn't walk those few steps himself; each time he simply had his assistant come over to summon him.

It was obvious he looked down on him in status, and Jiang Cheng knew that many businesspeople, during negotiations, use such small details beforehand to overwhelm the opponent's momentum, gradually seizing control of the pace.

But Jiang Cheng wouldn't play that game; although his position is indeed worlds apart from Huang Zhengming's, he has nothing to ask of Huang Zhengming, so why should he grovel?

If we don't see eye to eye, refusal is the answer.

The female assistant wearing glasses frowned at Jiang Cheng's words, her gaze sweeping over the few people in the lounge, lingering on Chen Shu for a moment, then she nodded and said, "I understand; I'll convey your meaning."

"Boss, do you think we should go see them? I feel they're not easy to talk to," Ye Qing whispered from beside him, because she had just noticed the female assistant's sharp gaze.

Jiang Cheng glanced at her and said, "You're too weak; you're easy to bully."

"First, you need to understand that our purpose in joining this show is fame, and the purpose of fame is to make money."

"No matter how capable Huang Zhengming is, can he give us money? No."

"It's nothing more than cooperating to make money, but surely there's also profit to be had from us; he would only cooperate if he could profit from us, yet his attitude lacks sincerity—he just wants to manipulate us. So do you think I should personally deliver money to him?"

"There's nothing wrong with giving money, but he doesn't deserve it."

Jiang Cheng finished speaking and gave Ye Qing a sideways glance.

Ye Qing stared at Jiang Cheng, her expression somewhat dazed; in her mind, Jiang Cheng had always been prim and proper, and rather laid-back.

This was the first time she had heard such talk of interest-based maneuvering from Jiang Cheng's mouth.

She felt surprised at once.

"It seems my understanding of the boss isn't complete."

Yet Jiang Cheng's words also gave her an enlightening feeling; reflecting on it, she realized she had been too weak, which is why she had always been the target of bullying.

Chen Shu, sitting nearby, watched Jiang Cheng's eyes flicker; she found it hard to believe these words came from someone under twenty.

This young man before her displayed a maturity beyond his years, sparking Chen Shu's curiosity.

Considering she is now in her early forties, if she had encountered such a man twenty years earlier, she would surely have admired him immensely.

"Boss, may I touch up my makeup?" Ye Qing whispered from beside him.

Jiang Cheng said, "What's wrong? Do you expect me to help you with your makeup?"

Ye Qing pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Thump thump thump.

Just then, a knock sounded; Jiang Cheng turned his head, and Huang Zhengming stood in the doorway.

He was tall and broad, standing in the lounge doorway as if blocking it entirely, smiling at Jiang Cheng.

"May I disturb you for a moment?"

Jiang Cheng rose and said, "Please have a seat, Teacher Huang."

Since the other party had come in person, Jiang Cheng certainly wouldn't stand on ceremony; basic courtesy was still required.

Huang Zhengming entered with a smile, but instead of finding a seat, he leaned on the table beside Jiang Cheng and gestured for Jiang Cheng to sit. Jiang Cheng did so without hesitation, taking a chair and watching Huang Zhengming, waiting for him to speak.

Huang Zhengming's gaze swept the room, and upon seeing Chen Shu present, he raised his voice: "Teacher Chen Shu is here too—long time no see."

Chen Shu smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Long time no see."

Huang Zhengming said, "Teacher Chen Shu, you've been living quite the carefree life—you haven't mingled in the circle for years, nor kept in touch with me; now it's hard to even hear you sing a song."

Chen Shu's face fell a little, but she forced a smile, nodded, and said nothing.

How could she be living carefree? Fans might not understand, but surely Huang Zhengming knows better.

These years she has had nothing noteworthy to show; her last concert ten years ago had empty seats, and standing on stage she could barely see anyone.

Even the empty house of that concert didn't make the newspaper headlines.

In the years since, many have approached her, but mostly to use her for hype, even to sensationalize and curry favor.

Fortunately, she had some savings from earlier years to live on, so she refused them all, avoiding tarnishing the reputation she had built.

!

But if she were really to sing, who would buy a ticket to listen?

So Huang Zhengming's words sound like mockery no matter how you hear them; perhaps she thinks she might be overly sensitive.

Seeing Chen Shu's reaction, Huang Zhengming raised his eyebrows, said nothing more, turned his gaze to Jiang Cheng and said, "You're quite hot right now; do you have any ideas about going further?"

Huang Zhengming was very direct, with no pleasantries; right at the start he threw Jiang Cheng a pie, but this pie was rather puzzling.

Jiang Cheng frowned, looked at Huang Zhengming, and said, "What do you mean, Teacher Huang Zhengming?"

Huang Zhengming smiled, then extended a finger, pointed at Ye Qing, then at Jiang Cheng, and said, "The doors of my company are open for both of you; I think this is an excellent development path. Sign under my company's name, and for this variety show I will at least get you into the top three."

"The show's producers have made a last‑minute overhaul, and many big names will join this episode; the buzz around the top three is easy to imagine, and plenty of big names will be there to support you, to play the green leaf."

Quite direct.

But Jiang Cheng also smiled, looking at Huang Zhengming.

"If I refuse to sign under Teacher Huang's company, will I not get a top‑three spot?" Jiang Cheng asked.

Both wore smiles as they looked at each other, like old friends chatting, but the knife‑like edge in their words made Ye Qing beside them tremble.

Her gaze lingered on Jiang Cheng for a moment, feeling dazed; her boss had always been gentle and harmless‑seeming, yet he never changed, no matter who he faced—and that was frightening.

Chen Shu's eyes also flicked between Jiang Cheng and Huang Zhengming, her complexion somewhat grim.

In this circle, it's not that singing well or writing good songs guarantees a way out; she recalled a saying she had seen somewhere: "The jianghu is not about fighting and killing, but about human relations and worldly affairs."

That saying is very apt.

Even with talent, one may not necessarily rise; such examples are all too common.

"Hahaha," Huang Zhengming laughed loudly.

Then he wanted to speak but couldn't, unable to hold back his laughter, as if he had heard some huge joke, leaving him unable to recover for a moment.

After a while he patted Jiang Cheng's shoulder and said, "Still at the age of dreaming, how nice."

(End of chapter)