After Zhang Yun finished her rehearsal, she checked into the hotel arranged by the production team.
Upon entering the hotel, Zhang Yun immediately took out her phone and charged it.
He had just restarted his phone when he saw that there were more than 160 missed calls, and his heart skipped a beat.
When I called back, no one answered.
Zhang Yun edited a text message: "Brother, I'm sorry. My phone was collected and put aside by the staff during rehearsal, and it ran out of battery and turned off automatically. I didn't mean to not answer your call."
After sending the text message, Zhang Yun waited a while and called back, but still no one answered.
Zhang Yun called back three more times, but each time the call was immediately disconnected.
"Brother, I was wrong..."
Zhang Yun began composing text messages, using elaborate apologies and sweet words to coax her protagonist.
...
In an extremely upscale private club, Gu Chen's phone rested on a carved purple zither table, constantly ringing with text messages, but no one paid any attention to it.
Gu Chen sat on the matching purple zither wood chair next to the carved wooden table, his handsome face displaying an inscrutable expression.
"Young Master, the boss is busy and can't come for the time being. He asked me to pass on his regards. Have you thought it over?" A bespectacled man in a suit stood opposite Gu Chen.
Unlike Cheng Lujin, who was decked out in counterfeit goods, this person's clothes, cuffs, collar clips, watch, and even the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose were all high-end or limited editions.
Three days ago, an unknown number called Gu Chen, saying that there were clues about his family and asking him to come to Yunxiu Club for a private talk.
Gu Chen lived with his mother and grandmother since he was a child. Later, when he grew up, his mother came to work at Haitan, and he came to Haitan to study with her.
From the time he could remember, he had never seen his father, nor had he ever heard his mother mention him.
Although he had no expectations of this so-called father, he still couldn't help but come over.
Then he saw a familiar face. It wasn't that he knew the person well, but rather that 80% of the people in the country knew him.
Gu Jianyun, ranked 15th on the Forbes World Rich List and the richest man in China.
The first thing Gu Jianyun said to him was that he was Gu Chen's grandfather and asked Gu Chen to go back with him to inherit the Gu family's billions of assets.
Oh, and he also brought Gu Chen a DNA test report, which confirmed that he was Gu Jianyun's grandson.
Gu Chen did not question the authenticity of the report.
After all, no billionaire would be so idle as to produce a fake DNA test report to fool an unknown nobody like themselves.
Although the report was genuine, Gu Chen still refused it.
Upon hearing his refusal, Gu Jianyun coldly said, "You probably don't quite understand what you're refusing. I'll give you three days to consider. Three days later, at this time and place, I believe you will give me a satisfactory answer."
After Gu Jianyun finished speaking, he stood up expressionlessly and left the club.
Three days later was the day Zhang Yun went to the Yanjing Gymnasium to rehearse for the finals. Gu Chen made up an excuse and didn't ride with him in Cheng Jin's car.
Since he had already made up his mind to refuse, he wouldn't be a deserter.
Moreover, he didn't want Zhang Yun to know these things, fearing that he would feel guilty about it.
“I’ve made up my mind. I refuse,” Gu Chen said.
A hint of surprise, yet also a touch of expectation, flashed in Liang Wenxu's eyes behind his glasses.
"Young Master, you may not understand the boss's character. As your future subordinate, I feel it's necessary to remind you that the boss doesn't like being rejected."
"Besides, you still don't understand the boss's power enough."
Liang Wenxu adjusted his glasses and took a document from the bag beside him.
"Does the young master know what your boyfriend went through to clear your name?"
Upon hearing him mention Zhang Yun, Gu Chen's breath hitched, and he took the documents from Liang Wenxu's hand—
That's an employment contract, with all the benefits including five social insurances and one housing fund... Ugh!
That was the contract Zhang Yun signed with Huayu Entertainment. The contract stipulated that the contract would expire when Gu Chen paid off the 200 million yuan in breach of contract penalty owed to Huayu Entertainment.
Gu Chen's heart ached for a moment; he had become a burden to the angel once again!
Why? Why do you have to go to such lengths for me? How can I ever repay you?
Gu Chen's eyes welled up with tears.
"Young Master, do you know why you were able to see this contract?" Liang Wenxu's question brought Gu Chen back to his senses.
He choked for a moment before asking, "Why?"
"Because for you and your boyfriend, the giant entertainment company Huayu, which is as insurmountable as a mountain, can be turned into your company with just one order from the boss."
As Liang Wenxu spoke, he took out another document from the folder and placed it in front of Gu Chen. It was the equity transfer agreement for 30% of Huayu Group, in duplicate.
Huayu is a listed company, and a 30% controlling stake is enough to make me its largest shareholder.
Liang Wenxu waited a while, giving him time to read the contract, before saying, "Young Master, even if you clear your name, you can only be a star with your boyfriend."
"Young Master should know more about the dark side of the entertainment industry than I do. Even if you and he are both excellent, your excellence is insignificant in the face of capital."
"Even the best swimmers can drown. How long do you think you can keep your relationship a secret, young master? Once the media finds out, you and he will both lose everything."
"Especially your young boyfriend, who signed this kind of contract with Huayu Entertainment at such a young age for your sake. Once his reputation is tarnished, he may have to work for Huayu Entertainment for the rest of his life."
"He just got into university; his life is just beginning."
Liang Wenxu paused for a moment before continuing:
"But as long as you agree to the boss's request, you can sign your name on this contract right now. From then on, you will be the largest shareholder of Huayu Entertainment, and no one will be able to touch your little boyfriend."
"To put it bluntly, the boss is already old. If you, young master, are still interested in him after he passes away, you can simply take him as your sugar daddy."
"I've already warned the young master that the boss doesn't like being rejected. A mere entertainment company like Huayu can crush your young spirits. Have you considered what you and the boss will face if the boss gets angry?"
Gu Chen remained silent.
Liang Wenxu waited patiently for a full half hour before raising his hand, glancing at his watch, and saying:
"The boss is almost here. Now, young master, have you decided on your answer?"
...
Zhang Yun realized something was wrong the next day.
He sent Gu Chen countless text messages and made countless phone calls last night, but received no response. This is very unusual!
Logically speaking, even if Gu Chen was angry and didn't want to talk to him, he should have found a reason to reply so that he wouldn't worry. But not only did he not reply, he also turned off his phone!
Tonight is the final, and Zhang Yun can't go out, so she can only contact Cheng Lujin to go find Gu Chen.
"System, is Gu Chen in danger?" Zhang Yun asked.
"No, he is safe now."
Zhang Yun was relieved, and then asked, "Could you help me find out his location?"
“He is currently in a very private place, where all signals are blocked, so I cannot monitor him. However, I can monitor his physical health, and all his indicators are normal.”
"All right……"
Zhang Yun's heart, which had been at ease, started racing again. For some reason, he had a bad feeling.
The morning passed in anxious waiting when there was a knock on the door of Zhang Yun's lounge.
He rushed over to open the door and saw that the staff sent by the production team to help him with his styling were standing outside.
Despite being deeply disappointed, Zhang Yun maintained excellent composure, and the camera failed to capture any suspicious expressions on her face.
Zhang Yun changed her clothes and sat absentmindedly in front of the mirror while the makeup artist and stylist styled her hair.
Suddenly, the phone rang. It was Cheng Lujin calling, and Zhang Yun answered it quickly.
"Hey? Brother Cheng? What happened?"
There was a pause on the other end of the phone, then Cheng Lujin's voice came through, "Zhang Yun, Gu Chen is gone."
Zhang Yun's pupils contracted, and he suddenly exploded: "What do you mean by 'left'? You... explain yourself clearly?"
The two stylists who did his hair were taken aback. Neither of them expected that the gentle and polite angel boy in front of others would have such a volatile side.
The camera immediately pointed in their direction.
Zhang Yun forcibly suppressed his anger, tried to restore his expression to normal, and asked in a low voice, "What exactly happened?"
"Gu Chen is gone! His family came looking for him. His grandfather, Gu Jianyun, is the richest man in China. They want him to go back and inherit the family business. He's leaving China to develop his career in the United States!"
Cheng Lu Jin felt angry again when she thought about the argument she had just had with Gu Chen.
"That scumbag! You went to great lengths for him, he worked so hard, and even gave him everything... everything, but as soon as his billionaire grandfather came looking for you, he immediately dumped you! Damn it, I just regret not kicking him a few more times earlier!"
“...I won’t allow you to say that about him.”
Zhang Yun's voice on the other end of the phone was tinged with tears, but she was still trying her best to protect Gu Chen. Cheng Lu Jin suddenly felt a pang of heartache.
He felt sorry for Zhang Yun!
Is a heart as precious as a diamond really less valuable than money and power?
Gu Chen, I really misjudged you!
We're breaking off all contact!
"I……"
Cheng Jingang had only uttered one word when Zhang Yun abruptly interrupted him.
"I'm still getting my hair and makeup done, I'm hanging up now!"
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yun stood there for a moment before looking at the two stylists and the staff member holding the camera, and said apologetically, "Excuse me, could you please give me some private space?"
His skin was fair and delicate, and his eyes, like black pearls, were brimming with tears. He exuded a poignant and sorrowful aura, like a delicate crystal doll that was about to shatter at any moment.
Who could resist such an angelic and adorable boy?
The staff member in charge of filming turned off the camera first.
The older stylist also comforted him, saying, "There are still two hours before the show starts, we're not in a hurry, kid. You're still young, there's no hurdle in this world that can't be overcome..."
Seeing Zhang Yun's tears streaming down her face, the older stylist said nothing more, told the others to leave the room together, and thoughtfully closed the door behind them.
"Host, I found a DNA test report between the protagonist and Gu Jianyun in a hospital's records. It was done five days ago. The protagonist is indeed Gu Jianyun's grandson. Also... someone used Gu Chen's ID card to buy a first-class ticket to the United States tonight at 10 p.m.."
The system's cautious voice echoed in my mind.
Zhang Yun's mind went blank for a moment.
His flight is at 10 o'clock, so he should be on his way to the airport now, right?
Is he really unwilling to even watch his own final match?
Thinking of the scene yesterday morning when Gu Chen kissed him goodbye with reluctance and promised to come to the game, Zhang Yun couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
He sat on the ground, hugged his knees, buried his head in his knees, and sobbed softly.
Why are you crying?
What do you have to cry about?
You're just a sycophant who's here to complete a mission. He's the protagonist, and he's not indispensable to you. In the previous world, didn't he also have a harem?
You only have yourself to blame for being so foolish. You got too caught up in the task and gave your heart away.
So Zhang Yun, you deserve all of this!
But why?
My heart was aching as if it were being stabbed and twisted by a knife, yet I couldn't feel any hatred at all.
Zhang Yun always believed that his affection for Gu Chen stemmed from sympathy for his past experiences, admiration for his talent, liking his appearance, and the physical compatibility between them.
But at some point, this affection changed. Without its owner's knowledge, it quietly crossed the line of affection and turned into love.
He loves him so much!
She loved him so much that she lost herself; she loved him so much that even when she heard Cheng Jin say that he had abandoned her for money and power, she still couldn't feel a trace of hatred.
He had ridiculed countless times the devoted second male and female leads in melodramas, who remained faithful their whole lives only to benefit others.
But when it actually happened to him, he finally understood that it wasn't that others were too foolish, but simply that they loved too deeply.
The moment he learned that Gu Chen had left, the world seemed to lose its color in his eyes.
Zhang Yun didn't know how long he had been sitting on the ground until the staff came back in and told him that his time was almost up and they needed to help him change his clothes and put on makeup again.
He was like a puppet on strings, completely at their mercy.
Soon, the stylist redid his look and did his makeup.
The production crew informed Zhang Yun to prepare to go on stage.
Before the finals began, the four finalists had to sing a song with the four mentors as a warm-up act.
Once on stage, Zhang Yun's gaze instinctively drifted to the seats reserved for his family and friends, but they were completely empty; not a single person was there.
That's right, he doesn't have any relatives or friends.
He was all alone.
It always has been.
The weather wasn't very cool in early October, and the air conditioning in the final venue wasn't set too high, but Zhang Yun still felt very cold.
Gu Chen, you are so cruel!
How could you let him experience the warmest embrace in the world, and then abandon him, leaving him all alone again?
"System, can you help me connect the live video of the final to the TV in his waiting area?"
As Zhang Yun sat down in the contestants' waiting area after stepping off the stage, he asked the system in his mind.
“No problem, the airport TVs already have Orange Channel, I just need to change the channel, but I can’t guarantee he’ll watch it.” The system seemed to know that he was in a bad mood, and it wasn’t as erratic as before.
"It's okay, let's connect."
Zhang Yun closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his expression had returned to normal.
He raised his hand and contacted the staff, telling them that he wanted to change the song he would perform in the final.
Zhang Yun's current popularity is comparable to that of many top-tier singers. Whether he wins the championship or not is no longer important. Moreover, judging from the current situation, the championship is basically in his pocket.
He wanted to change the song, and the production team naturally had nothing to say about it.
Zhang Yun sent the accompaniment and lyrics that the system had uploaded to his phone according to his request to the staff member responsible for playing the accompaniment.
"This song..." The staff member who saw the lyrics was surprised for a moment, and then quickly asked someone to print out several more copies.
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