Fan Zhijie's paparazzi studio immediately shifted its focus, quickly removing all unfavorable news about Ou Yunchen.
This did not signify surrender, but rather the prelude to a new battle.
—Little Paparazzo on the phone—
Little Paparazzo: "Mom, please stop nagging, I'll definitely take care of myself."
Little Paparazzo: "You've received the money, right? Good, then I can rest assured..."
Little Paparazzo: "It's okay, this is all I've saved over the years, I haven't done anything illegal!"
Little Paparazzo: "Don't worry, the company bosses treat me well, I'll definitely come home to see you for New Year's this year!"
Little Paparazzo: "Alright, alright, I have to go to work now."
—End of Little Paparazzo's call—
After hanging up, Little Paparazzo looked at the photos on his desk, a snapshot of him with his family before he left his hometown.
He picked up the photo and meticulously wiped it with the corner of his shirt. It had been seven or eight years since he last returned since starting work in the city.
Fan Zhijie: "Missing home again?"
Little Paparazzo: "Boss, I've finished this project. I want a long leave. My mom's health is getting worse, and my sister is married. There's no one to take care of her..."
Fan Zhijie: "Alright, as long as this project is done well, you can have as much leave as you want!"
Little Paparazzo: "Boss, thank you. You've taken good care of me all these years..."
Fan Zhijie patted Little Paparazzo's shoulder.
He was a bit reluctant. After all, Little Paparazzo had followed him through thick and thin for many years. There was never a shortage of new recruits in the paparazzi business, but only this Little Paparazzo had always stayed by his side.
Adjusting his mood, Fan Zhijie took out a non-disclosure agreement.
Fan Zhijie: "Sign it."
Little Paparazzo: "Boss, I want to ask you one more thing."
Fan Zhijie: "Go ahead."
Little Paparazzo: "If I really get caught, don't tell my family... I don't want my mom to worry about me..."
Fan Zhijie: "I understand, I understand. Sign it, sign it."
Only when he saw Little Paparazzo sign his name did the heavy stone in Fan Zhijie's heart finally lift.
A very important clause had been added to this non-disclosure agreement, but Little Paparazzo was completely unaware. He still thought it was a standard confidentiality agreement like any other project, simply forbidding the unauthorized dissemination of information obtained by paparazzi.
But it was precisely this clause that, even if things blew up, would allow Fan Zhijie and his paparazzi studio to escape smoothly, as long as Little Paparazzo took all the blame.
Little Paparazzo logged out of his company account and used his newly created private account to post a message about Ou Yunchen.
***
The unfolding drama, with one wave after another, once again astounded netizens.
A Weibo account named 'Keen Sense of Smell' followed the trend and posted about Ou Yunchen's mysterious origins.
—Weibo Content—
Keen Sense of Smell: "Wake up, girls! The president of this entertainment company is not the lofty profession you imagine! It's rumored he was once a top bartender at an entertainment venue! Involved in a rather colorful profession!"
—End of Weibo Content—
However, this Weibo post did not garner much attention. Many netizens even dismissed it as baseless clickbait.
But that was just fine. As Fan Zhijie would tell Little Paparazzo, this was "letting the bullet fly for a while"!
***
The ladies' section of Athena had become rather quiet lately, while the upscale area was increasingly lively.
More and more young people gathered here, making many of the former wealthy patrons hesitant to frequent Athena.
The DJ on stage shouted loudly: "All consumption tonight is on Young Master Wang!"
Instantly, several confetti cannons shot white paper streamers into the air, and the descending streamers sent the entire venue into a frenzy.
Who was Young Master Wang?
Curious men and women searched the venue for the handsome figure. Waiters, holding champagne bottles with cold smoke, circled the stage and delivered them to the VIP booths one by one.
A Cai, raising his voice, toasted Wang Ziran: "Young Master Wang, you're really making an impression tonight! I didn't expect you to either not play, or play big!"
Wang Ziran: "Come, cheers! Tonight, we won't go home sober!"
A Cai: "Brothers, a toast to our Young Master Wang!!!"
A Cai: "But speaking of which, Young Master Wang, is there something happy going on? You never used to come out to play when I invited you, always clinging to Su Ruiyi. What's going on today?"
Wang Ziran: "I've seen the light, is that not allowed?"
A Cai scrutinized Wang Ziran, but no matter how he looked, Wang Ziran didn't seem like someone who had let go. His happiness was definitely not due to a smooth relationship.
A Cai: "That's more like it! When you're young, you should live a life of pleasure, with beautiful women in your arms every night!"
As he spoke, A Cai grabbed a female companion and pushed her towards Wang Ziran.
A Cai: "Here, you, entertain Young Master Wang tonight. Young Master Wang, we can't hang ourselves on one tree!"
The woman quickly poured Wang Ziran a drink. These girls were regulars A Cai brought out; besides being readily available, they also received various gifts from A Cai.
A Cai's phone rang, it was an alarm.
Wang Ziran: "Why do you set an alarm when you're out playing?"
A Cai: "It's time. I have to send gifts to Taozi."
Wang Ziran glanced over. A Cai was indeed in Taozi's live stream, it seemed she was broadcasting tonight.
Wang Ziran: "You're blaming me, aren't you also hanging yourself on one tree!"
A Cai continued to send gifts, remarking: "What can I do? I'm just pathetic. I like her dangling me. If she doesn't, I feel uncomfortable!"
As they were talking, A Cai suddenly noticed the clavicle chain Taozi was wearing. It looked familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before!
—A Cai's memory—
A Cai: "Taozi, what are you looking at?"
Taozi: "My friend is messaging me, asking which of these two patterns I like."
A Cai: "They're both pretty. What for? Are you getting a tattoo?"
Taozi: "Certainly not! My friend makes jewelry. She designed these herself and wants to give me one as a gift."
A Cai: "Hey, you have such a talented friend."
Taozi: "Stop it!"
—End of A Cai's memory—
A Cai remembered. The clavicle chain Taozi was wearing was exclusively designed for her by her friend!
A Cai quickly opened his WeChat Moments and scrolled through a post Wang Ziran had made earlier. At the time, he had thought the shape of that clavicle chain was familiar!
After careful comparison, he realized that the person in the picture, who was not revealed, was none other than Taozi!!!
What 'girl across the way, look over here' nonsense, it turned out Taozi had already started hanging out with Wang Ziran!
No wonder Taozi had been rejecting him since meeting Wang Ziran!!!
A Cai suddenly understood why Taozi had rejected him, and also why Wang Ziran had suddenly come out to play!
Only he was the fool, being played like a monkey by these two!
A Cai poured himself a full glass of wine and downed it in one gulp.
Wang Ziran: "Why are you drinking by yourself?"
A Cai ignored Wang Ziran and poured another glass.
A Cai: "Young Master Wang, I've always considered you a brother, and I still do. This glass is for you."
Wang Ziran: "Then I'll toast you too. We're brothers, why be so polite!"
Wang Ziran still hadn't noticed A Cai's strangeness, thinking he was just going to get drunk and act out again.
A Cai: "Alright, I'm drinking!"
Wang Ziran: "Then I'll just sip."
A Cai poured a third glass and drank it down in large gulps, which finally made Wang Ziran realize something was wrong.
Wang Ziran: "A Cai, what's wrong?"
A Cai: "Young Master Wang, I'm the fool, I'm a terrible fool. If your feelings are genuine, I wish you happiness!"
At this moment, the live stream A Cai was watching reached the 'Truth or Dare' segment for Taozi.
—Taozi's live stream—
Taozi: "Ah? Lost the game again? Okay, I choose dare."
Fan: "Taotao, call a guy and confess your feelings."
Taozi: "That's easy, I'll call my dad!"
Fan: "No!!! It has to be a guy!"
Taozi: "No!"
Fan: "Quick, quick, quick!"
Taozi: "Fine then."
—End of Taozi's live stream—
A Cai stared intently at Wang Ziran's phone. Wang Ziran, at this moment, had no idea why A Cai was acting so strangely.
A few dozen seconds later, Wang Ziran's phone rang. Before Wang Ziran could pick it up, A Cai snatched it and quickly hung up.
A Cai: "Young Master Wang, I'll definitely make you happy today!"
Perhaps fueled by alcohol, A Cai took off his shirt, jumped onto the coffee table, and flung his shirt into the air.
Everyone assumed A Cai was truly drunk and egged him on with laughter.