Ever since his rebirth and return to the Shen family, Shen Mingzheng had realized that the path he chose was not an easy one, and the people here were far from simple.

Old Master Shen was particularly inscrutable, representing not a broad and smooth road, but rather a thorny path. Here, there was no such thing as kinship, as evidenced by the fate of those like Shen Huai, who were discarded by the family after failing.

Shen Huai’s hands were cleaner than the likes of Jiang Chenfeng, having not directly involved himself in many matters and having destroyed many pieces of evidence. Although it seemed unlikely that Shen Huai would end up in prison, his reputation was ruined and his business was a failure, rendering him useless in the eyes of the Shen family.

After arriving in Hai Cheng, Old Master Shen had Shen Huai taken away, allegedly to lie low abroad, but his actual whereabouts remained unknown.

It was probable that he would never be seen again.

Shen Huai had been a national heartthrob, but his disappearance was quickly forgotten by the public, as the entertainment industry constantly churned out new stars to take his place.

Shen Huai was just a reflection of the Shen family’s ruthless modus operandi, a practice with which Shen Mingzheng disagreed. However, not being in a position of power, his disagreement was moot.

In his previous life, he had paid a painful price for such “disagreements.” This time around, he had camouflaged his true intentions, climbing the ladder covertly, but now at this crucial junction, it seemed his disguise was futile.

In such an environment, perseverance was painful.

Old Master Shen expected a particular answer from Shen Mingzheng, but he found it difficult to articulate.

I promised Su Ning.

He thought.

What would happen to Su Ning if I broke my promise?

Lying to Shen Antang now would likely lead to worse consequences. Yet, Shen Mingzheng couldn’t fully align with the Shen family’s ways, going against his conscience and promises, even if it meant standing against the old man.

Shen Mingzheng started to speak, “I think…”

But before he could finish, a loud bang came from the wall behind them, the sound of something being thrown against it. It was Su Ning, who had heard enough and kicked a stool in frustration. His voice wasn’t audible, but the noise of the impact was unmistakable.

Shen Mingzheng was startled, then abruptly turned to Shen Antang and stopped speaking.

“He seems to have something to say,” the old man remarked calmly, even chuckling. “Let him in; I’d like to meet him too.”

Soon after, Su Ning entered the room.

Before he could speak, Old Master Shen took over the conversation.

“No need for introductions, I know who you are,” Shen Antang said. “Su Ning, Su Honghui’s son. I met you once at a family gathering when you were a child. You’ve grown more refined since then.”

His tone was amiable, as if looking at a younger relative, but his next words shifted the tone.

“I’ve heard about you, especially how you convinced Liang Xiaoliang. It seems you had the right people and hit him where it hurts. Very opportune.”

“But Su Ning, I’m not easily swayed. If you think you can persuade me with words, you’re mistaken.”

Su Ning remained silent, listening, while Shen Mingzheng, tense since Su Ning’s arrival, seemed even more nervous than when he learned the 400 million yuan transfer was blocked.

Shen Mingzheng eventually said, “Yes, you’re right.”

“So I’m not trying to persuade you.”

Old Master Shen stared at him.

“I’m just stating the facts. Please, proceed with the original plan for investing in media,” Su Ning turned to Shen Mingzheng, “Don’t worry about me.”

Was this a strategic retreat?

Old Master Shen raised an eyebrow but seemed unimpressed, then heard Su Ning continue, “I have secured investment.”

He had always kept his phone with him, and now he showed that a call had been ongoing from the moment he entered the hospital.

The voice from the phone spoke up, “Hello, Old Master, long time no see,” Liang Xiaoliang’s voice was respectful. “About that 400 million yuan, Shen Mingzheng need not worry anymore; Su Ning and I have discussed it, and we from Qilin Entertainment have decided to invest.”

Old Master Shen was genuinely surprised and asked, “Why?”

Su Ning explained quickly.

“Sang Le has withdrawn from the competition.”

“Since Shen Huai’s scandal, Sang Le’s situation became more awkward, his popularity declined, and he couldn’t make much of an impact anymore. The production just hasn’t announced it yet, waiting for the right moment,” Su Ning said. “So, the spot for promotion from the replacement competition increased from one to two. Given the current voting trends, it’s highly likely that Li Chu and Qu Shoubai will be promoted.”

These minor figures’ affairs didn’t concern Old Master Shen much, but he still didn’t see why this was worth 400 million yuan to Liang Xiaoliang.

“If both Li Chu and Qu Shoubai make it, given their current popularity, it’s not hard for both to debut. The rivalry between Qilin and Guang Ying Entertainment won’t be as intense. I don’t plan to delve deeper into the idol market after this; having Li Chu alone is sufficient,” Su Ning explained. “More importantly, General Manager Liang recently found Li Chu and offered him a high price to switch sides, but Li Chu declined.”

The mention of this was a bit awkward for Liang Xiaoliang, who quickly changed the subject.

In fact, after secretly approaching Li Chu at the training camp with a lucrative offer, Li Chu had flatly rejected him, stating, “I’d rather die than leave my boss. Now get lost.”

The youth’s bluntness made it clear where his loyalties lay.

This wasn’t about money.

Liang Xiaoliang was somewhat aware of what had happened to Li Chu and understood that no matter what was said outside, Li Chu would never leave Guang Ying Entertainment, or rather, Su Ning.

A contract alone couldn’t fully bind a “natural-born idol,” but affection could, and this type of bond was irreplicable.

Moreover, Liang Xiaoliang had underestimated Li Chu.

Especially after two stages in the replacement competition, a top-level idol could significantly alter the entire industry, even redefine its rules. How profitable was the thriving idol industry?

Liang Xiaoliang knew better than anyone.

Missing out on investing just half a million back then would have been a massive loss.

Just the domestic market alone was huge, not to mention the international opportunities. Just knowing that an international luxury brand had expressed interest in Li Chu after seeing his performance clips posted online showed the global appeal of a vibrant, compelling stage presence. Plus, Li Chu was young, with a long career ahead, the potential earnings off him could be many times the 400 million yuan, making any investment worthwhile.

But more importantly, it was about Su Ning.

Liang Xiaoliang had indeed met with Su Ning a few times recently, including discussing the upcoming group promotions for Qilin. Each meeting deepened his understanding that Su Ning’s discovery of Li Chu wasn’t just dumb luck.

He felt that such events would continue to happen, again and again.

Compared to Su Ning, Li Chu seemed less important.

“Qilin’s investment isn’t a loan; we don’t plan to take this money back,” Liang Xiaoliang said. “After some time, it will convert into shares owned by Qilin.”

“We plan to start a long-term collaboration with Guang Ying Entertainment in the form of official shareholding.”

By then, Su Ning knew Su Hongda had managed to gather 150 million yuan and felt it was sufficient because he anticipated such a scenario.

With the current financial crunch, it was normal for Guang Ying Entertainment to bring in new shareholders, and Liang Xiaoliang was an excellent partner. However, Su Ning wouldn’t let them seize control; evidence still ruled.

Liang Xiaoliang left many things unsaid.

Su Ning had hinted at this possibility to him after a dinner following a program session.

Liang Xiaoliang had been observing, waiting to see how things would play out with Jiang Chenfeng and Shen Huai, watching Li Chu’s rise to fame, and noting the increasingly stable collaboration between Su Ning and Shen Mingzheng. Shen Mingzheng had indeed invested two hundred million yuan, and despite Old Master Shen’s interference, he had remained committed to his agreement with Su Ning.

These two might not see it, but Liang Xiaoliang could.

—Just wait and see. Their steadfast manner will lead to marriage eventually; it’s clearly more than just friendship.

You could tell they were well-matched from the start.

Liang Xiaoliang still remembered the yam cakes from that time; perhaps that’s when the idea first formed.

With such a vast family as the Shen’s, Liang Xiaoliang would not go against Old Master Shen’s wishes just for some profit, but as he saw it, the situation could still be turned around.

The old man was aging and would eventually have to step down. The competition for his successor was already intense, and many were placing their bets, like Jiang Hai Media had bet on Shen Huai.

And Liang Xiaoliang? He chose to bet on Shen Mingzheng.

Fortune favors the bold, and at midlife, he wanted to gamble like the young once more.

On the surface, he was investing in Li Chu, but in reality, he was betting on Su Ning and Shen Mingzheng, the future heir of the Shen family.

That made the four hundred million yuan well spent.

Just hang on a little longer, and it would all pay off.

After the conversation, the room fell silent for a while before Old Master Shen finally broke the quiet.

He picked up a cup from the tray in front of him, placed it before Su Ning, and gestured for his assistant to pour the tea, the clear liquid filling the cup.

The atmosphere seemed to change with this action.

“Interesting,” he said. “You must have anticipated that your investments might conflict with the Shen family’s optimal choices, hence your preparations.”

“Do you not trust our family?”

Su Ning shook his head, “No. I know the Shen family doesn’t lack this money, not four hundred million, not even forty billion.”

Primarily, Shen Mingzheng hadn’t provided the ultimate answer Old Master Shen wanted regarding the underlying aspects of the investment.

Previously, Liang Xiaoliang had also mentioned the dynamics in Hai Cheng.

“In recent years, the Hai Cheng entertainment industry has grown rapidly and will eventually lead the sector. But the current scramble for power keeps the situation fluid, and it’s unclear who will ultimately hold sway,” Su Ning said. “The media has been leaning towards Jiang Hai Media, but with its recent downturn and Shen Film Industry’s restructuring, if we also acquire Guang Ying Entertainment and reach into the media sector, we stand a good chance of becoming the uncontested leader in Hai Cheng.”

“The most crucial aspect here is power—the power to set the rules. At this critical moment, it’s about seizing power first, so Mingzheng’s investment in media cannot be less. I understand what you want, Old Master.”

“Money and people are just appendages to power.

In such a dilemma, one should know what to prioritize as someone in that position.

This was the answer Old Master Shen wanted to hear.

Su Ning could see that the old man didn’t care how much money Shen Mingzheng wanted to give Su Ning, whether forty million or forty billion. Among the many heirs and potential successors the Shen family was grooming, many had investments returning ten or a hundredfold, casually throwing around large sums of money for a laugh; the Shen family wasn’t short of money.

To be a successor, one must not lose sight of what’s most important.

But he hadn’t expected Su Ning to be the one to articulate this.

Old Master Shen watched him for a long time, his look profoundly different.

“With this mindset and personality, I like you. I thought Mingzheng could do better, but I was mistaken,” he said. “It’s good for young people to be ambitious, but as for who ultimately controls Hai Cheng, I’ll be watching closely.”

After the old man left, Shen Mingzheng quickly explained, “Su Ning, what I said before… wasn’t what I meant. Don’t misunderstand.”

He was anxious, clarifying that he hadn’t intended to treat Su Ning merely as a useful ally; he had never thought that way.

“I know,” Su Ning looked at him. “Don’t worry.”

He understood what kind of person Shen Mingzheng was.

One should judge a person not by what they say but by what they do. Having interacted with him for so long, Su Ning wouldn’t misunderstand.

Su Ning had contacted Liang Xiaoliang in secret because the stakes were high, and having a plan B was a safeguard for both of them, proving his foresight correct.

This wasn’t due to a lack of trust but rather an understanding that a stable partnership required efforts from both sides. He didn’t believe Shen Mingzheng was using him; on the contrary, after visiting his place, he felt Shen valued their relationship highly.

Today, it was actually his conversation with the old man that truly confirmed that underneath his seemingly indifferent exterior was a genuine disposition. However, such a person was easily exploited.

Facing such a “test” from Old Master Shen, if they were both unprepared, it would only lead to mutual destruction. Su Ning was not the type to wait for support; he always took the initiative.

“Let’s leave,” Su Ning said. “This isn’t the place to talk.”

After all, Shen Mingzheng had his tea nearly knocked over, grasping Su Ning’s hand under the table for reassurance.

“Not in a hurry,” Su Ning smiled. “We’ll discuss the wedding and everything else later.”

Old Master Shen didn’t press them, replying with a smile, “Alright, the young people should decide for themselves. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

With the matters concluded, the old man didn’t linger and soon left with his entourage, leaving them alone in the room.

But before he left, he had one more thing to say.

“The way you handle things and your character, I like it. I used to think Mingzheng could do better, but it seems I was wrong,” he said. “It’s good for young people to be ambitious, but I’ll be watching closely to see who ends up in charge of Hai Cheng.”

Once the old man left, Shen Mingzheng immediately began to explain: “Su Ning, what I said before… I didn’t mean it that way. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

He was anxious, seemingly eager to clarify that he didn’t view Su Ning merely as a useful tool; he had never thought of him that way.

“I know,” Su Ning reassured him with a glance. “Don’t worry.”

He understood what kind of person Shen Mingzheng was.

People should be judged not by what they say but by what they do. Having been together for so long, he wouldn’t misunderstand.

Su Ning had secretly contacted Liang Xiaoliang because the situation was critical, and having a plan B was to safeguard both of their futures, proving his foresight correct.

It wasn’t about mistrust but an understanding that maintaining a stable partnership required effort from both parties. He didn’t see Shen Mingzheng as merely using him; rather, after visiting his home, he felt that Shen truly valued their relationship.

Today’s interaction with the old man only solidified his belief that beneath Shen Mingzheng’s seemingly indifferent exterior was genuine sincerity, but such people were often easily taken advantage of.

If they had both been unprepared for such a “test” by Old Master Shen, it could have ended disastrously for both. Su Ning wasn’t one to passively await aid; he always took charge.

“Let’s go,” Su Ning suggested. “This isn’t a place to talk.”

Not to mention that Shen Mingzheng’s comments weren’t genuinely indicative of his feelings but were a necessary front under pressure.