Lu Tianxu does not allow Ji Fanxing to be belittled in this way.

Beside him, Liu Qi set down his teacup. "Old Bi, I truly don't understand why you insist on this. Just clarify the fake news and be done with it—it's exhausting and unnecessary."

Bi Deng lifted his gaze. "Who said this is fake news? I have a genuine scoop here, and it could not be truer."

Liu Qi did not believe him. While pouring his own tea, he asked, "Ji Fanxing writing songs for Lu Tianyu, is it her lead single?"

"Lu Tianyu came to my program yesterday and personally cheered for her?"

"Then tell me—who leaked this information?"

"Of course it was Lu Tianyu himself."

"Pfft!" Liu Qi sprayed his tea, and after a moment of sputtering, he shook Bi Deng's shoulders vigorously. "You old Bi Deng, come on—tell me exactly what happened!"

"Big lunkhead, speak properly. No hitting or kicking." Bi Deng disdainfully shifted aside, straightened his sleeves, and continued, "Yesterday I went to the stadium to pick you up, but you said you were outside and told me to wait. So I rested for a bit..."

Seeing Bi Deng's casual tone, Liu Qi grew impatient. "Why not start from the creation of the world? Get to the point!"

"My car happened to be parked beside Chu Hao's, so those two probably didn't notice me. Lu Tianyu said everything outright." With a shrug, Bi Deng added, "Once he spoke, I simply listened."

"Unworthy of you, old Bi Deng—you heard it clearly even through two car doors." Though the process was absurd, it confirmed the scoop was genuine.

"So what is your plan? That Ji Fanxing girl is slippery, her resistance to pressure is exceptional among young people—your little tricks won't intimidate her."

"I originally intended to wait for Ji Fanxing to come forward and admit it, then have marketing accounts fabricate some romantic news about her and Lu Tianyu, turning the matter into a scandal. For a newcomer like her, associating with a top star would be disastrous. Lu Tianyu's fans alone could shatter her composure, after which I could sign her by claiming to help resolve the issue, and she would accept."

Bi Deng stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with cunning. In his mind, Ji Fanxing was arrogant and unaware of the world's dangers; a firm hand would soon teach her obedience.

"You want it so badly, yet now she ignores you entirely—what can you do?"

"This is simple. Give the netizens more fuel, stir up the matter further, so that when she refuses to admit it, it is taken as default. Even if she does come forward, it will be too late; netizens have already branded her as scheming. A bit of guidance, a touch of half-truths, and the effect will be the same."

"You old Bi Deng—bullying a girl like this? How shameless!" Liu Qi spat.

Bi Deng grew displeased. "Hah, I am shameless? If it were not for your uselessness and your failure to complete Boss's task, it would not be my turn!"

Mentioning Boss, Liu Qi's voice lowered. "I heard the old man is gathering forces around the little young master. How is Boss faring?"

"...Not well. The eldest young master tried to assassinate the little one not long ago; the old man was enraged and it affected Boss. Boss's entire network in Britain has been purged—those who escaped are scattered, but those who could be salvaged have all reached Dragon Country...

So we must cultivate our Dragon Country operations carefully, giving Boss the foundation to rise again."

"...Very well. Proceed. If there is anything I can do, call me at once." Liu Qi lowered his head, silently apologizing in his heart for Ji Fanxing. Compared to Boss, the girl could only bear the grievance.

On the flight to the capital, Ning Ze remained uneasy, his finely sculpted features shadowed by faint worry.

"Fanxing, is it truly all right? I sense this matter is more complicated than it appears. Lu Tianyu's fans differ from your sister's—they are numerous..."

"It's fine. Those fans can at most hurl insults online; we simply won't check our phones."

Ji Fanxing feared revealing that someone behind the scenes wanted to harm her, which would only burden Ning Ze with extra worry, so she offered this reassurance.

"Fanxing..."

"Sleep, sleep. There are many matters to attend to upon reaching the capital. I have sent you the script; study it thoroughly. I will be checking."

That morning, Ji Fanxing had already forwarded the script she had written. It consisted entirely of the country's past blockbuster films and television series.

The nation's film and television, like its music, was monotonous and dull. With these assets, she could claim eight hundred million in profits and the shares of Teng Hai.

At Jiangshan Entertainment, Shen Zhiyao felt her temples throb as she faced Lu Tianyu with gritted teeth.

"So the online leaks might be from you?"

"Yes... because I truly want to use Fanxing's song as the lead, and I said something similar yesterday."

"Lu! Tian! Yu!!! How many times must I tell you not to get recognized? How careless can you be?"

Facing Shen Zhiyao's fury, Lu Tianyu, aware of his guilt, lowered his head and dared not speak. "Forgive me! It was very late yesterday; only one car was parked nearby, and it did not seem occupied, so..."

Standing motionless, Shen Zhiyao pressed her forehead for a long moment, then sighed. "Never mind. Ji Fanxing's talent is extraordinary. Even if the rumor spreads, it will not be a catastrophe. Still... the song cannot be used as the album's lead."

Lu Tianyu's face drained of color. "Ah! Why?!"

Your new album Pure Love has been in preparation for nearly two years. The theme song was originally to be selected from the company's top composers, Lan Ai and Yan Xiansheng. Using Ji Fanxing's song will not only degrade the album's tone but, if it does not suit, will provoke fierce fan backlash. This is far too risky—I refuse."

"Ji Fanxing is an immensely capable person. How could she degrade the album's standard?!" Lu Tianyu sounded anxious.

He knew her strength and talent intimately. From the moment he heard her first song, he was captivated; after seeing her live performance, he became an unwavering fan.

Lu Tianyu would not allow Ji Fanxing to be belittled in this manner!

"I know Ji Fanxing's abilities as well, yet we cannot be certain whether her talent is truly that stable or if the quality of the songs she writes matches what she demonstrated in competition. Moreover... given her experience, she does not possess the qualifications to compose for you, Lu Tianyu. Even if you are the boss's nephew, you cannot be so willful. What you have achieved is no longer merely you, but the collective effort of our team and the millions of fans who support you!"

Shen Zhiyao, a top-tier broker, had nurtured countless excellent artists not only through her sharp eye but also through her absolute rationality in work. Lu Tianyu's expression froze; after a long silence he still had no words. Shen Zhiyao took a deep breath. "Go rehearse. I will handle this matter."

After a few steps, Lu Tianyu finally spoke. "But I still wish to try. Not because I am willful, but because Ji Fanxing is worth it..."

Shen Zhiyao's steps faltered, her expression softening. She was about to reply when her phone rang—it was the assistant.

The assistant's voice, urgent and frantic, came through. "Sister Shen, bad news! Someone has leaked more online. Lu Ge's fans can no longer be restrained! They are uniting to attack Ji Fanxing!"