As the midday market break arrived, Ou Yunchen finally breathed a sigh of relief. The education center had performed exceptionally well all morning.
Crystal: "Mr. Ou, there's a Mr. A Ming at reception. He doesn't have an appointment, but he'd like to see you."
Hearing A Ming's name, a flicker of joy finally lit up Ou Yunchen's weary expression. His calendar still marked today as the day Bai Mingyu would fulfill his promise!
Ou Yunchen: "Please show him in."
A short while later, A Ming was escorted into Ou Yunchen's office by Crystal.
It was A Ming's first time visiting Ou Yunchen's workplace, and it was nothing like he had imagined. He had never conceived that Ou Yunchen's company would be so large.
Ou Yunchen: "Would you like something to drink? I have everything here."
A Ming: "No, no need. I'm not thirsty."
Ou Yunchen checked the time.
Ou Yunchen: "Let's go, I'll treat you to lunch."
A Ming: "No, no, I'm not hungry."
Ou Yunchen could sense something strange about A Ming. He had felt a shift in his demeanor since their last meeting at the coffee shop.
At first, he'd attributed it to the exhaustion of caring for a child, but today it seemed as though A Ming was hiding something.
Ou Yunchen sat down on the sofa, and A Ming followed suit, hesitating, unsure how to begin.
Ou Yunchen broke the silence first.
Ou Yunchen: "Did you receive the flowers I sent? I was too busy today, or I would have come to the hospital to be with you. How was the surgery? Is it over?"
A Ming: "Yunchen ge..."
A Ming took a deep breath, and the atmosphere grew tense.
Ou Yunchen: "What is it?"
A Ming: "Yan Shizong asked me to tell you..."
Ou Yunchen's nerves immediately tightened. Yan Shizong? Why would A Ming mention Yan Shizong?
A Ming: "Yunchen ge, can you withdraw from the competition for 'The Rosy Danube'?"
Ou Yunchen: "He said that?"
A Ming: "He said that if you agree to not let Zhou Man's work participate in the Golden Horse Awards, then he... he will..."
A Ming stammered, unable to finish. He had cursed himself countless times on the way here, knowing that being coerced like this would surely shatter his image as a brother in Ou Yunchen's eyes.
But A Ming was at his wit's end. He had always been taken care of by Ou Yunchen, and he already owed him too much...
Or perhaps he should say it out loud: Ou Yunchen also owed him. It must have been Ou Yunchen who leaked the news about Bai Mingyu's illegitimate child!
He and Apple had suffered so much online abuse; they were physically and mentally exhausted. All thanks to Ou Yunchen!
Ou Yunchen: "What did Yan Shizong say?"
A Ming suddenly knelt before Ou Yunchen, refusing to get up.
A Ming: "Listen to me!"
A Ming: "Do as Yan Shizong says. Only this can save my child..."
Ou Yunchen: "The surgery didn't happen?"
A Ming: "Yan Shizong has kidnapped Bai Mingyu. Only if you withdraw Zhou Man's work can the surgery proceed."
Ou Yunchen: "What?"
A Ming: "The child can't hold on much longer, Yunchen ge. I beg you, just withdraw. Don't compete with Yan Shizong."
Ou Yunchen's head buzzed. Yan Shizong was truly a despicable scoundrel! How could he use A Ming's child to threaten him!
Or perhaps, Ou Yunchen had underestimated him. Yan Shizong becoming the dreaded boss of the entertainment industry wasn't solely due to his exceptional talent; he was no saint!
Now, Ou Yunchen was in a dilemma. To become a full member of Capital Entertainment, Xi Ou had prepared for a long time, almost waiting for the perfect moment!
This was supposed to be the best era for Xi Ou to embrace!
How could he give up now!
Ou Yunchen: "I need to consider it. Xi Ou has been preparing for a long time. A Ming, I can't give you an answer right now..."
A Ming: "Please, Yunchen ge, save the child. I'll do anything you ask. If I had any other way, I wouldn't be begging you."
Ou Yunchen: "A Ming, if it were anything else, I wouldn't hesitate. But this involves work."
"Withdrawing isn't just a simple decision. It involves countless staff members who have prepared for the new film. My one word of withdrawal means the future of Xi Ou."
A Ming: "Yunchen ge!!!"
A Ming suddenly shouted loudly, finally gathering his courage.
A Ming: "You caused this!"
Ou Yunchen: "What do you mean?"
A Ming: "If you hadn't leaked the matter of Apple and Bai Mingyu, the child wouldn't be involved!"
Ou Yunchen was stunned. Was A Ming blaming him?
A Ming: "That paternity test, you sent it, didn't you?"
Ou Yunchen remained silent. He didn't know if he should lie at this moment. He could lie, but he didn't want to deceive his only friend.
A Ming: "It was for yourself! You must have used this as leverage for some unsavory deal, right?"
Ou Yunchen: "Do you really think so?"
A Ming: "Although I'm grateful to you, and I don't know how you got Bai Mingyu to agree to the surgery, since you provoked Yan Shizong, you bear the responsibility to the end!"
Ou Yunchen ignored A Ming, who was still kneeling. He stood up and walked to the window. This was indeed his sordid deal. He had thought he could change the outcome and, incidentally, save the unfortunate child.
But who would have thought his pity would become a sharp blade pressed against his throat by the enemy.
At this moment, Ou Yunchen's phone rang. The caller ID showed Liu Jinhua.
Ou Yunchen looked at the kneeling A Ming, torn about how to speak to Liu Jinhua.
A Ming: "Yunchen ge, if you don't agree, I'll stay kneeling here."
Ou Yunchen glanced at his phone, then at A Ming's resolute attitude.