Chapter 55

At 7:30 in the evening, Jiang Ji walked down from the second floor with his guitar.

Zhong Yang was sitting on a high stool by the bar counter, stood up, “Shi Yao hasn’t come yet? Do you think he’ll come?”

“Don’t know,” Jiang Ji walked towards the stage, “If he doesn’t come, I’ll go to the production team to find him tomorrow.”

“Are you going to beat him up?” Zhong Yang was eager to try, “Then I’ll go with you.”

Jiang Ji took the song list for tonight from the server’s phone and browsed through it from top to bottom.

“Hey, have you checked Weibo?” Zhong Yang nudged him with his elbow again, “The production team bought you a trending topic.”

“No.”

Zhong Yang handed the phone to him, “Here, it’s still trending, ‘Jiang Ji beats up members of Urban Collapse band’, take a look.”

Jiang Ji didn’t take it, his gaze still on the song list, “I don’t want to see.”

“You have to see it, the comments below want to label you as a gangster. If you don’t want to read, I’ll read it for you,” Zhong Yang said, opening a popular Weibo post and reading the comments below, “This one says, ‘The members of Urban Collapse are really pitiful, being beaten up like this…'”

Jiang Ji reached out and took the phone from him. Compared to listening to Zhong Yang’s exaggerated reading of these comments, he would rather take a glance himself.

Sure enough, the comments below were heated:

“These members of Urban Collapse are really pitiful, being beaten up like this, can they still compete normally?”

“Isn’t there any criminal responsibility for beating people up like this?! Does the production team not care?”

“I heard that Jiang Ji was expelled from school because of a fight, he’s just a high school dropout thug.”

“I heard it was because Urban Collapse told Jiang Ji in advance that they would choose their band, and then Jiang Ji started the fight… He really can’t take losing.”

“If you can’t take losing, why participate in any competition? Just keep performing in the bar.”

“Even with this situation, they’re not letting them withdraw from the competition? Asperatus must have connections!”

…

Zhong Yang encouraged him, “Didn’t you just apply for Weibo? Why not post an explanation.”

“Not posting.” Jiang Ji, with little interest, looked at a few comments and handed the phone back to him.

“Bro, can you stop being so indifferent… If you don’t post, I’ll explain on behalf of the band account for you. This is really twisting the truth!”

“Posting will only make things worse,” Jiang Ji handed the song list to the server, “Just don’t look at it.”

He didn’t care about the online public opinion at all. If Zhong Yang hadn’t brought it over for him to see, he wouldn’t have been interested in knowing how those strangers were evaluating and perceiving him.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, Jiang Ji took it out, and Zhong Yang keenly glanced at the caller ID: “Shi Yao? Is he really coming?”

Jiang Ji stood up and walked to the area near the stairs, answering the call, “Director Shi.”

“Jiang Ji,” Shi Yao said on the other end of the phone, “I’m outside your bar. How about you come out, and we find a place to talk?”

“I don’t have much time,” Jiang Ji said, “You come in, and we’ll talk on the second floor of the bar.”

“Alright.”

The call ended, and a few seconds later, Shi Yao pushed open the glass door and walked into the bar.

Zhong Yang asked Jiang Ji in a low voice, “Bro, you’re not really going to beat him up, are you? Be careful not to stir up trouble.”

Jiang Ji didn’t respond. When Shi Yao approached, he turned around without a word and walked towards the second floor, with Shi Yao following behind.

Watching the two of them go upstairs one after the other, Zhong Yang frowned worriedly and muttered, “Hope nothing bad happens…”

After pacing back and forth on the stage twice, he picked up his phone, scrolled through the contacts, found a number, and dialed it.

Arriving on the second floor, Jiang Ji gestured towards the couch, “Have a seat.”

He leaned against the pool table himself, showing no intention of sitting down.

Shi Yao also didn’t sit down, standing in front of him, looking around, “Living in a place like this must be tough, right?”

Jiang Ji glanced at him but didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to bother with such nonsense; he was waiting for Shi Yao to get to the point.

But Shi Yao seemed to completely ignore the incident of the secret filming and instead brought up something else, “Jiang Ji, about the signing contract we talked about last time, how are you considering it? Did Qingzhuo talk to you later?”

“Discussed it. I’m not interested, and he didn’t have any other tricks,” Jiang Ji said indifferently.

“Is it dissatisfaction with one of the contract conditions? Do you think the signing period is too long?” Shi Yao, unusually gentle, suggested, “How about I personally reduce it by five years for you?”

Jiang Ji chuckled, “Are you talking about a reduced sentence?”

His tone was sharp and unapologetic, not intending to conceal anything. However, Shi Yao seemed to ignore it, maintaining a calm attitude. “Jiang Ji, after signing the contract, your band can successfully revive on the show, secure a good ranking, and the company will provide you with a detailed development plan. Various resources will follow. It’s much better than singing in such a small bar. Why hinder your own future when you’re so young? Trust me, Jiang Ji, just like Qing Zhuo and me, we sincerely wish the best for you.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ji felt a strong sense of discomfort, even a bit nauseated. Shi Yao, this hypocritical person, shamelessly compared him with Qin Qingzhuo?

However, he didn’t show it on his face, just lowered his eyes and thought for a moment before saying, “What Director Shi said… seems to make some sense. But I have another question that needs your answer.”

Seeing that Jiang Ji was showing signs of relenting, Shi Yao’s tone became even more amiable, “Go ahead, you can talk about anything.”

“If we revive in the show, can my band win the championship?”

Shi Yao seemed to have anticipated this question and laughed, “As long as you sign the contract, everything can be discussed.”

“What about Urban Collapse? Didn’t they also sign?”

“They,” Shi Yao showed undisguised contempt in his tone, “are just a bunch of losers, not qualified to negotiate conditions with me.”

“From Director Shi’s words, it sounds like we won last time? Then why didn’t the results presented reflect that?” Jiang Ji looked at him, a hint of mockery in his eyes. “And, will there be a day when Director Shi kicks us out just like today with them?”

He expressed himself bluntly, and Shi Yao finally frowned uncomfortably, “Jiang Ji, what do you mean by that?”

“Nothing,” Jiang Ji turned his face away, indifferent, “I just don’t want to be a dog or be kicked by a dog.”

“You…” Shi Yao had never suffered such humiliation. Anger rushed up, his face flushed, but when the word “you” came out, perhaps feeling that getting angry would damage his dignity, he swallowed the rest of the words.

After taking a few seconds to calm his emotions, he regained his usual demeanor, “Jiang Ji, I know a bit about your situation over the years. It hasn’t been easy for you, with a decline in family fortunes, your father leaving, your mother passing away, and you’ve been through a lot, right? But I heard your dad came back not long ago. How is he now? Are you getting along well?”

“How would I know if a dead person is doing well?” Jiang Ji said flatly, “Why don’t I take you there and you can ask him yourself?”

Shi Yao’s face changed slightly after being humiliated repeatedly. He knew persuading Jiang Ji to sign the contract wouldn’t be easy, but he didn’t expect Jiang Ji to be so resistant, refusing to budge.

At this moment, a slender mushroom-haired girl walked into the second floor entrance—Jiang Bei had somehow gotten hold of a phone and was casually tossing it up and down as she approached. She glanced at Jiang Ji and Shi Yao, but paid no attention to them, turning to enter her own room instead.

As Shi Yao watched the door close behind Jiang Bei, his gaze shifted to Jiang Ji’s face, and he lowered his voice slightly, “Almost forgot, you have a sister. Actually, your sister is quite interesting.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Ji looked at him expressionlessly.

“I only know a little bit about your sister’s situation. It’s already the best scenario for her to live with you, but for you, this little girl is indeed a trouble,” Shi Yao said.

Jiang Ji sneered, “You’ve been secretly filming me and investigating me just to find leverage against me?”

“Jiang Ji, I do want to sign you, and I only investigated your situation to better persuade you to sign the contract. If this bothers you, then I apologize,” Shi Yao said, handing the contract he had brought with him to Jiang Ji. “You’re only nineteen, it’s normal to be headstrong at your age, especially when you haven’t faced the harsh realities of society. I won’t take your words to heart. But if you sign the contract, I can indeed help you solve some practical problems, such as giving you an advance to pay off your debts, and helping your sister with her illness and education. What do you think?”

He seemed sincere and heartfelt, evoking emotions and reasoning. However, only Jiang Ji knew what “threats” lay hidden behind these “enticements.”

After Shi Yao finished speaking, he waited for Jiang Ji’s response, but he didn’t expect Jiang Ji to just stare at him with a cold and stern expression, his dark eyes making him feel uncomfortable.

After being stared at for a while, Shi Yao began to feel uneasy. He spoke again, his tone meaningful, “Regarding your sister, you probably wouldn’t want more people to know, right? And you probably wouldn’t want her to be sent back and return to her previous life, would you?”

“You f*cker what are you trying to do?” Jiang Ji raised his hand and grabbed Shi Yao’s collar, “Are you courting death?”

“Jiang Ji, calm down,” Shi Yao’s tone was calm, as if he had complete confidence, “I’m just analyzing the pros and cons for you.”

Jiang Ji’s grip tightened, veins bulging on the back of his hand. After pulling Shi Yao towards him and slamming him against the pool table, the balls on the table scattered in all directions with a crisp sound of impact.

“Director Shi, put away your hypocritical face. I’m not falling for it,” Jiang Ji said in a low voice, his tone threatening, “There’s a saying, ‘barefoot people don’t fear those with shoes.’ You should know what that means, right? You’ve investigated so much about me, but have you found out how my father really died? Guess what would happen to you if you mess with my sister? What kind of end would you meet?”

His voice was low and contained a subtle threat, his eyes sharp and fierce. Especially the implications hidden in his words made Shi Yao shiver for a moment… What did he mean? Was Jiang Ji’s father’s death related to him? Did Jiang Ji kill his own father?

For a few seconds, Shi Yao, who had been composed, was now at a loss for words.

Just then, footsteps sounded on the stairs, and he subconsciously looked towards the door— it was Qin Qingzhuo.

“Qingzhuo,” Shi Yao blurted out in relief.

Jiang Ji followed his gaze towards the door, his fingers loosening their grip as he released Shi Yao.

Shi Yao stepped back somewhat awkwardly, raising his hand to straighten his collar.

“What’s going on here?” Qin Qingzhuo approached.

In fact, just a glance at the scattered billiard balls on the table and that contract, coupled with what Zhong Yang had told him over the phone, he could roughly guess what had happened.

“Jiang Ji, I was just analyzing the pros and cons with you,” Shi Yao resumed his usual calm tone, “There’s no need for you to be so impulsive.”

“Is this about the contract?” Qin Qingzhuo’s tone was gentle, immediately diffusing the tension in the air, “Shi Yao, you seem to be in a hurry. I haven’t had a chance to get back to you yet, and you’ve come to Jiang Ji yourself. But it’s just as well, I came here to tell you that Jiang Ji has agreed to sign.”

Shi Yao’s expression momentarily showed surprise, not quite catching up, “What do you mean, Jiang Ji agreed to sign? But he…”

“Yes, but not with you,” Qin Qingzhuo said, placing his contract on top of the one in his hand, gesturing towards Jiang Ji, “Jiang Ji, come and sign this contract.”

Shi Yao was momentarily puzzled, not understanding the current situation. After a few seconds, he regained his composure, recognizing the words “Qin Qingzhuo Studio” at the top of the contract and understanding what was going on. He furrowed his brows, “Qingzhuo, isn’t this a bit unethical of you?”

“Director Shi,” Qin Qingzhuo smiled faintly, his tone relaxed, “I think what I’m doing is far more ethical than threatening a kid half my age. Also, regarding Asperatus’ revival on the show, I’ll handle the follow-up discussions with the higher-ups. No need to trouble Director Shi with it.”

With that, he handed the pen to Jiang Ji, “Go ahead and sign, Jiang Ji. You don’t need to have any concerns, and nobody can threaten you.”

Author’s Note:

Yesterday while surfing the internet, I saw the hairstyle of Teacher Qin, who had a brain teaser. It turned out to have a name, called Wolf Tail Mullet Fish Head. If you’re interested, you can search for it in Xiaomou’s book, and it’s quite beautiful!!