The night was deep, and Ou Yunchen had been staring at the Weibo post for a long time.
The coin he flipped back and forth between his fingers plunged Ou Yunchen into thought.
Who would have leaked the news of his past as a bartender at this point?
Could it be his former colleagues? Or the wealthy women who frequented the establishment?
However, Ou Yunchen first ruled out the wealthy patrons, as they were unwilling to publicize their visits to Athena for leisure.
That left his former colleagues. But they had signed agreements with Sister Hong. Who would want their family to know they worked such a job one day?
Ou Yunchen's phone finally rang, and the coin he was playing with was swiftly tossed up and caught in his palm.
— Ou Yunchen is on the line —
Ou Yunchen: "Sister Hong."
Sister Hong: "We found out. It's definitely a paparazzi, working for a paparazzi studio."
Ou Yunchen: "Why wouldn't they post such big news from the studio?"
Sister Hong: "I find it strange too. And this account was registered only a week ago. It's clearly aimed specifically at you."
Ou Yunchen: "Could they be trying to make a quick buck on their own, hiding it from the studio?"
Sister Hong: "If I tell you the name of this studio, you might not think so."
Ou Yunchen: "You're not going to say it's 'Lang Xing,' are you?"
Sister Hong: "That's the studio."
Ou Yunchen sighed. It really was under Fan Zhijie's wing!
Sister Hong: "Fan Zhijie is a very cunning man. He's the most unscrupulous among the paparazzi. He has a lot of dirt on people, and he's offended many as a result."
Ou Yunchen: "So for so long he's been safe, it's likely someone knows the secrets he's exposed and is actively acting as his protector."
Sister Hong: "My guess is that the person who gave him this information was sent by the protector. And to protect themselves, he wouldn't dare not to act, yet fearing trouble, he could only have his subordinates open a separate account."
Ou Yunchen suddenly sneered. He clicked on the 'Keen Senses' account and magnified the avatar. It was as if a pair of eyes could see through the screen to the contorted face of fear on the other side of the computer.
Ou Yunchen: "I'm really curious what kind of dirt this person can give a paparazzi to prove I'm that kind of colorful bartender."
***
Jin Youli came to find her brother, Jin Datong, somewhat angrily.
Waiter: "Miss Jin, your brother has a guest coming soon."
Jin Youli: "I know. I'll just say a few words and leave."
Despite the waiter's obstruction, Jin Youli insisted on going to the private room.
The moment the wooden door was opened, Jin Datong saw his sister and his face immediately darkened.
Jin Datong: "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to talk about anything at home?"
Jin Youli: "Why have all my bank cards been frozen! I was about to buy a car, do you know how embarrassing that is! You hurry up and call the bank and unfreeze them for me!"
Jin Datong glanced at his watch. He stalled, looking nervously towards the door.
Waiter: "Sir, please come in."
Jin Datong quickly pushed his sister into the adjacent private room, warning her not to make a sound.
When the door to this private room opened again, Jin Datong immediately turned around, bowing subserviently to welcome his guest.
Jin Datong: "Secretary Bao, you're here. Please, have a seat."
Waiter: "Mr. Jin, can we serve the dishes now?"
Jin Datong: "Yes, yes."
Chairman's Secretary: "No need to trouble yourself. I'm very pressed for time."
Jin Datong immediately signaled, and the waiter exited the room, closing the door tightly.
Jin Datong retrieved a black briefcase from behind him. As he opened it towards the Chairman's Secretary, stacks of cash were neatly arranged inside.
The Chairman's Secretary placed his hand on Jin Datong's, closed the case, and pushed it back.
Jin Datong: "This..."
Chairman's Secretary: "I know why you asked me here, but no matter what you do, it cannot change the Chairman's decision."
Jin Datong: "Secretary Bao, I'm truly at my wit's end. To secure this project, I sold everything I owned! Please, put in a good word for me with the Chairman again. Datong Textile must secure this project."
Chairman's Secretary: "Director Jin, you overestimate me. This is hardly something I can decide with just a few words. You've seen the recent news, right? Su's corporation secured investment from Colin. The higher-ups highly value this collaboration. This is no longer something the Chairman alone can decide."
Jin Datong: "Secretary Bao, isn't this going to ruin us? If you hadn't told me that we had a chance to collaborate, I wouldn't have been so determined to snatch the project from Su's corporation!"
Chairman's Secretary: "As you heard, I said it was a *chance* to collaborate. I never said it was 100% going to be your Datong Textile."
Jin Datong: "One thousand people in the factory are waiting to start work. I've canceled orders from many clients for this major project!"
Chairman's Secretary: "I'm here to tell you that I'm powerless."
Jin Datong practically knelt behind the Chairman's Secretary. If he hadn't been so desperate, he wouldn't have begged so humbly.
Jin Datong: "Please, just tell the Chairman again. Can you be more accommodating? Datong cannot do without this project! You can't just watch me let Datong go bankrupt!"
The private room door opened again. The Chairman's Secretary gave Jin Datong no room for negotiation and left directly.
Jin Youli had heard the entire conversation from the adjacent private room. She slowly opened the compartment door.
Seeing her brother kneeling there dejectedly with his back to her, she felt for the first time that her brother had truly aged. His white hair seemed to be increasing.
Ever since her brother established the Datong Textile factory, Jin Youli's life had been smooth sailing.
She relied on her brother and never lacked money. She never had to worry about where the money came from; as long as she asked, her brother would give her money.
Her brother, who was always so proud, had knelt before an outsider today. His begging posture deeply wounded Jin Youli.
Had her brother been conducting his business this way all along?
Jin Youli: "Brother..."
Jin Datong: "Youli, your brother will fix Datong again. Don't worry. You'll still be able to buy whatever you want."
Jin Youli: "Brother, does the factory owe a lot of money?"
Jin Datong: "Not much. You don't need to worry."
Jin Youli: "Tell me. I can help you share the burden."
Jin Datong: "I already told you not to worry!"
Jin Datong suddenly stood up and yelled at Jin Youli, startling her. She stumbled back and fell to the floor, her face pale, her mouth slightly ajar as she stared at her brother's retreating back.
Jin Datong: "Go home."
With that, Jin Datong opened the door and left the private room.
Jin Youli immediately took out her phone and called the accountant.
— Jin Youli is on the line —
Jin Youli: "Yes, it's me. How is the factory's operation recently?"
Jin Youli: "It owes a lot of money?"
Jin Youli: "How can it be so much..."
Jin Youli: "I understand."
— Jin Youli's call ends —
Jin Youli only then realized that her brother had mortgaged everything that could be mortgaged in Datong Group to the bank in order to compete with Su's corporation for the project. The money that could have been earned from the project was now lost due to the Chairman's change of heart.
Her brother had been under such immense pressure, while she, his sister, had spent her days eating, drinking, and seeking pleasure...
Jin Youli was completely despairing. Even if she sold all her assets, she couldn't possibly pay off the bank loans!
Was it possible that the Datong, which her brother had worked so hard to establish, would collapse just like that?
A spark of inspiration flashed through Jin Youli's mind: "Wang Ziran! Maybe Wang Ziran can save Datong!!!"
Jin Youli suddenly remembered her agreement with Wang Ziran. If she agreed to help the young master testify, perhaps Wang Ziran's plea would make the Chairman reconsider and give the project back to Datong out of consideration for his son!
Jin Youli immediately perked up and sent a message to Wang Ziran.