Liang Xiaoliang was well aware that the Su Ning of today was not the Su Ning of the past. He still offered some polite consolations, but observing Shen Huai and Jiang Chenfeng, he sensed something increasingly off, so he did not linger and left instead.

Liang felt this trip was indeed worthwhile.

The assaults, Shen Huai’s withdrawal from the program, and even the scandal bubbling online seemed trivial now, considering it was all over just a kiss on the forehead. However, the implications of their attitudes were deeply unsettling.

Liang knew exactly the kind of person Shen Huai was—a man always in character, never dropping his facade of cultured grace no matter where he was. Yet now, he was pushed to a point where he could no longer maintain that act, his face as dark as if dripping with black ink.

Liang was not just into gossip for gossip’s sake, which was a trivial personal indulgence. His rush here after the initial stage was driven by sensing a storm brewing, like a shark smelling blood.

The relationship between Guang Ying Entertainment and Shen Film Industry had indeed deteriorated, and Shen Huai was undoubtedly scheming something. Liang was certain this would shake up the entire circle in Hai Cheng, potentially affecting Gui Jiang nearby.

Entertainment companies often formed regional cliques.

Qilin Entertainment dominated in Gui Jiang, holding top tier in the idol industry and unchallenged in the local circle. The situation in Hai Cheng was more of a balanced power dynamic. Liang closely monitored it.

Initially, Guang Ying Entertainment and Shen Film Industry, both established companies, held a strong alliance and led the Hai Cheng circle.

However, many companies had grown significantly in recent years, mainly due to cultural industry incentives introduced five years ago by Hai Cheng. This included new studios and venues capable of hosting large concerts.

The studios used by Idol Star Map were part of those cultural hubs, leading to rapid expansion of several industry leaders and new dynamic companies in Hai Cheng, including Orange Video, a subsidiary of a major internet company.

The stature of Hai Cheng’s entertainment circle was rising, but so was the heat of competition between old and new powers.

With the death of the elder Mr. Su two years ago, the changes in Hai Cheng’s circle were dramatic, akin to an upheaval.

Guang Ying Entertainment had made numerous investments recently. These weren’t entirely blind, but they couldn’t stave off decline and instead hastened the company’s fall.

Shen Film Industry might lean on the big tree of the Shen family in the capital, but Shen Ting’s branch operated independently. Despite Shen Ting’s attempts to keep appearances with his celebrity son, were Shen Film Industry’s investments successful? Not necessarily.

If Guang Ying Entertainment was hollowed out by numerous small, messy investments, like a tree slowly eaten by termites, then Shen Film Industry was being hollowed out by failing major investments, yet it was well-concealed.

But Liang knew the truth. His networks and sources were exceptional. For instance, Shen Film Industry had recently funded two mega-budget films over 500 million each without public realization.

They masked losses with ghost ticket sales and inflated global rights numbers. Meanwhile, Shen Ting appeared frugal but secretly spent millions on art at auctions.

While everyone said Guang Ying Entertainment was finished and Shen Film Industry was financially robust, the reality was not so. Recent crackdowns on high actor fees had slashed Shen Huai’s income significantly. Often, he had to bring funds into projects himself, and not all his projects succeeded.

Moreover, Shen Ting’s competence was mediocre, blinded by confidence much like Su Hongda. The real powerhouse had been the elder Mr. Su, whose sharp investments had enriched both companies in the past.

Liang had thought that even a sinking ship has three thousand nails; Shen Film Industry, backed by the Shen family, could hold out for a few more years. But the current situation was more severe than he anticipated.

Evidence of this was Shen Huai’s almost desperate meddling in Guang Ying Entertainment’s affairs, persecuting its trainees, and last night’s heavily manipulated scandal on Langbo, which other media eventually replicated fearlessly.

His phone conversations last night with some insiders started evasively but ended with blunt truths—Shen Film Industry hadn’t paid them for a long time.

Major companies being squeezed in their operational environment could indeed struggle to just keep running, perhaps truly reaching a critical point.

If external sustenance was unavailable, one might turn to longtime partners.

Moreover, Shen Huai had a significant advantage—the marriage contract and the substantial inheritance left by the elder Mr. Su, which Shen Huai was eager to claim.

Thus, even if it was Su Ning who had hit him, in front of Jiang Chenfeng, he adamantly claimed, “I fell myself.”

His relationship with Su Ning couldn’t break down at this time.

But the elder Mr. Su’s will had cleverly locked the “heir” status of Shen Film Industry, preventing Shen Huai from simply marrying Su Ning quickly to access the funds, especially as Su Hongda had also obstructed, forcing Shen Huai to resort to manipulations.

From this angle, this was a premeditated siege on Guang Ying Entertainment.

Only a lack of funds could break a person’s longstanding facade.

If Shen Huai had enough confidence, why would he stoop to such disgrace? And how did things get so messy?

Liang’s insights confirmed that the Shen family had not endorsed Shen Huai as the heir to Shen Film Industry.

Despite being Shen Ting’s only son, without the family head’s approval, he couldn’t decide on major issues alone.

Typically, the Shen family in the capital wouldn’t bother with Shen Film Industry’s operations unless there was a problem, indicating deep distrust in Shen Ting.

The more Liang thought about it, especially now that Shen Huai was aligning with Jiang Chenfeng, it seemed likely they planned to corner Guang Ying Entertainment into an untenable position.

They might soon use another party’s name to acquire shares, taking advantage of Guang Ying Entertainment’s unstable shareholders, then gradually devour the company.

Shen Huai could continue deceiving Su Ning, making the desperate coal tycoon Su Hongda trust only him in times of crisis, leaving the Su family vulnerable.

Once Shen Film Industry alleviated some crises by devouring a former ally, Shen Huai could then genuinely “achieve” proving his problem-solving prowess to his family, securing the heir title.

The elder Mr. Shen did indeed favor such tactics.

Many copyrights within Guang Ying Entertainment were highly valuable. Securing them amid chaos could be significant, and if the Shen family endorsed such actions, Shen Huai could secure the heir title, access the inheritance, and split profits with Jiang Hai Media, pleasing everyone involved.

Liang had nearly touched on the whole truth.

His professional acumen allowed him to see the bigger picture based on minor details. He could guess that Shen Mingzheng’s appearance at this critical juncture was particularly suspect.

What exactly did Shen Mingzheng intend by showing up now?

He hadn’t brought significant funds from the Shen family. If Shen Film Industry hoped for a revival, they must be aiming to cannibalize Guang Ying Entertainment and the elder Mr. Su’s inheritance.

This seemed the simplest and perhaps the only method available.

Even if Shen Mingzheng was managing things, he wasn’t a miracle worker who could magically produce such funds.

Did Su Ning know all this?

Was Su Ning aware that he was like a fish on the chopping block?

Liang walked on, his thoughts racing.

Despite his years in the industry, such intrigue was rare. He reached backstage just in time to see Su Ning sending Li Chu into an interview room. He was about to speak when he saw Shen Mingzheng standing close to Su Ning.

He swallowed his words as they appeared to be in a cordial conversation.

Shen Mingzheng, usually cold and distant, was surprisingly close to Su Ning in the noisy backstage, speaking in low tones, an unusual sight.

As Liang drew closer, he overheard their conversation.

“I was in such a hurry this morning that I forgot to bring your coat back,” Su Ning said. “I’ll have to give it to you next time.”

“It’s alright, keep it,” Shen Mingzheng replied.

“It doesn’t quite fit me,” Su Ning chuckled. “Your clothes are one size too big for me.”

Shen Mingzheng looked him over, seemingly assessing his build, then casually remarked, “I see,” before adding, “Shall I give you a ride home? We could talk in the car…”

The conversation seemed friendly enough, but to Liang, it felt like watching a horror movie. He stepped forward, interrupting them.

“Su Ning, I need to talk to you,” he said urgently. “Come here, now!”

His tone was anxious.

Su Ning, puzzled, asked, “What’s wrong?”

Liang hesitated, unable to speak openly there, and finally blurted out, “Let’s go have dinner, quickly.”

“Sure,” Su Ning smiled, “but first, let me drop off my assistant.”

Referring to Zhou Chunqing.

Liang was almost jumping with impatience. “I’ll have someone drive your assistant back,” he said, grabbing Su Ning and pulling him along. “Let’s go! I’ve already reserved a spot.”

Su Ning, unable to resist, followed. Before leaving, he politely bid farewell to Shen Mingzheng, who also reminded him to take care.

Chen Tao, noticing Liang Xiaoliang’s hurried and guarded demeanor, asked, “What’s Liang up to?”

Shen Mingzheng responded calmly, “They have something to discuss.”

After a pause, he added, “Prepare two smaller coats for the car in the future.”

Chen Tao nodded, understanding the implication without further question.

Soon, Su Ning and Liang Xiaoliang were settled in a

 private dining room. Liang, having uncovered significant secrets, spilled his theories to Su Ning.

“Honestly, telling you all this isn’t entirely altruistic,” Liang admitted, sweating from his revelations. “From Qilin’s perspective, turmoil in Hai Cheng’s circle benefits us not at all, especially if it empowers certain individuals. It’s only a matter of time before they turn their sights on Qilin.”

Without going into detail, Liang had clashed with Jiang Hai Media, which often extorted “protection fees” from celebrities or let rumors run wild—schemes orchestrated by Jiang Chenfeng. As for Shen Huai, he was far from benign.

If Hai Cheng’s entertainment circle fell under their control, the future looked bleak.

Regardless, Su Ning and Qilin were aligned in cooperation, beneficial to both sides, or Liang would not have willingly participated in this program.

Based on today’s performances, particularly Li Chu’s, which Liang watched intently, he was convinced of Su Ning’s integrity. Su Ning focused on substantial matters, not resorting to underhanded tactics.

Setting aside these considerations, Liang felt a personal kinship with Su Ning—both decisive and insightful, he genuinely valued talent.

After the waiter served their food and left, there was a pause before Su Ning, like before, began serving the dishes, only speaking after the waiter exited. “I really appreciate you sharing this with me, regardless of the reasons.”

Liang Xiaoliang was a solid collaborator, generally reliable and well-versed in industry dynamics after years in the circle.

For Su Ning, such goodwill, though often driven by self-interest, was always cherished.

“Since you’ve been so open with me, I won’t hide anything,” Su Ning said. “I was already aware of these issues. Shen Mingzheng had informed me before you did, and some of your guesses are spot on, but not everything is as you think.”

As Liang looked on in surprise, Su Ning continued, “Moreover, Shen Mingzheng has proposed a very interesting, special kind of collaboration.”

Su Ning was not naïve or oblivious.

He had known from the start about the potential takeover of Guang Ying Entertainment by Shen Film Industry, as well as Shen Huai’s excessive interference, something he had deduced even before their encounter at the press conference.

He had investigated the shareholder who suggested buying votes and found his ties to Shen Huai unnatural, including many other shareholders linked to Shen Huai, like the ambitious Mr. Ma.

According to the original owner’s memories, when Shen Film Industry was flourishing, Shen Huai barely had regard for him, maintaining only a superficial gentleness; otherwise, they would have married long ago instead of dragging it out.

Now, with his father dead and Su Hongda obstructing due to his own interests, thwarting the lovesick original owner’s proposals, Shen Huai’s recent compliance seemed all too convenient, indicating something amiss.

Subsequently, Su Ning noticed the emerging collaboration between Shen Huai and Jiang Chenfeng. During the Qilin performance, a brief backstage exchange between the two confirmed his suspicions and helped him piece together the whole situation.

What surprised Su Ning even more was that last night’s cyber showdown had Shen Mingzheng’s backing as well.

Clearly, Shen Mingzheng was not merely an investor in Idol Star Map.

After Su Ning had dealt with Shen Huai and Li Chu spoke candidly post-voting, Shen Mingzheng approached him again with several questions.

He glanced at Li Chu, now composed and ready for his interview, and asked Su Ning in a low voice, “Can I speak frankly with you?”

“Of course,” Su Ning replied, ready for the conversation, yet still slightly taken aback by Shen Mingzheng’s questions.

“Su Ning, what are your true feelings towards Li Chu? Are you trying to make amends for past wrongs, or do you genuinely pity him?”

“What is it that makes you go to such lengths for him?”