At the end of the second episode of the talent show “JUST ME,” the original footage of 100 contestant boys was suddenly replaced with a personal live broadcast of one contestant.

On stage, a slender boy in a white T-shirt softly spoke to the audience below, “I’m sorry to meet everyone in this way. I have something I must clarify with you all.”

Before he could finish, his voice choked up, and his eyes reddened as if he was about to cry.

This scene made countless female fans tear up.

“It’s okay, Susu, hang in there! We’ll always support you!”

“Yeah, Susu, don’t be afraid, be brave and stand up!”

“It’s not your fault, it’s your manager who’s too evil! We’re here to expose all his schemes today!”

…

“Get in there and confess honestly!”

Tui Buliu had just come to his senses when someone suddenly pushed him hard from behind. From the day he was born, no one had dared to treat him with such disrespect. 

Just as he was about to scold them, the door was already closed. He turned around, and a flash of white light suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Ordinary people might show some awkwardness when suddenly faced with flashlights.

But Tui Buliu was different.

Born into a wealthy family, he had always lived in the spotlight. After starting his own business, he became a sensation, admired by countless media and entrepreneurs. 

At 28, he made it onto the Forbes Global Rich List, sweeping across major global media outlets, his public appearances rivaling that of a star.

This made Tui Buliu accustomed to being watched. He quickly adjusted his gaze and began to survey his surroundings.

Initially, he thought the lights came from the media. After all, it was only natural for his company and the media to panic after his sudden car accident. But after seeing his surroundings clearly, he quickly dismissed that notion.

Below the stage were eyes filled with indignation, young men and women showing undisguised hostility, as if he were their sworn enemy.

“Tui Buliu! You heartless manager!” A stern male voice came from below the stage. Before Tui Buliu could see who it was, an unknown object rapidly approached him—a person threw an egg at him.

Many awaited his embarrassment, yet Tui Buliu agilely caught the egg and threw it back with a flick of his wrist.

With a “smack,” the egg accurately hit the young man’s face, sticky liquid flowing over his eyes and lips, the foul smell spreading in the air.

Silence, a deathly silence.

It took a full five seconds before the man furiously shouted, “Tui Buliu! How dare you throw an egg at me?!”

Tui Buliu glanced at him, his gaze as haughty as if he were looking at a bug, “Did I throw it at you?”

“How dare you deny it?” The man wiped his face, almost retching from the stench of the sticky egg, suppressing his nausea as he replied, “If you didn’t throw it, then what’s on my face?”

“I merely returned the egg I caught,” Tui Buliu adjusted his skewed sleeve, his expression unchanged, “Isn’t it because you failed to catch it properly that this happened?”

“You—”

“Moved? No need to be, it was just a small effort.”

“…”

With those words, the hundreds of people below the stage were stunned.

“Damn, is this really Tui Buliu? He’s so damn arrogant!”

“How can he say something like that, so shameless!”

“I’m just a passerby, but even though he’s annoying, I find it kind of thrilling?”

…

As the topic was about to veer off, Lin Su stepped forward, “Tui Buliu, we agreed before that you need to publicly apologize to me for your past actions.”

Only then did the people below remember the true intention of this live broadcast, shouting loudly, “Apologize! Kneel and apologize to Susu!”

Amidst the unpleasant curses ringing in his ears, Tui Buliu’s mind quickly extracted a series of keywords. Lin Su, manager, talent show, contract… He clearly had a car accident, yet he stood here unscathed, and he, who was originally a company chairman, had now become a heartless manager.

A dream? Or an illusion?

No, everything before him was too real. The glaring lights, the noisy shouts from below, he even smelled the mix of sweat and cosmetics on Lin Su…

Undoubtedly, he was in a real world.

Just not his original world, but inside a danmei novel.

The novel’s protagonist was Lin Su, holding a sweet and refreshing script, with a plot that was basically about flaunting wealth, falling in love, and entering the entertainment industry to slap various cannon fodder. This was the content of a novel given to Tui Buliu on his 29th birthday by his cousin, who was in high school.

“Brother, this cannon fodder has the same name as you, remember to memorize the whole text, maybe you’ll transmigrate.” His cousin gave him the book, smiling sweetly.

Tui Buliu read two pages and found the logic incoherent, full of loopholes, and the supporting characters were all tools, with only the protagonist having mindless fun.

Back then, he read two pages and tossed the book aside, never expecting to actually transmigrate into the cannon fodder with the same name in the book. And the current scene seemed to be heralding his downfall.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know the original plot, nor did he inherit the original owner’s memories. Tui Buliu had no choice but to step forward and stand in front of Lin Su, asking, “Could you explain why I need to apologize to you?”

Although it was an inquiry, his aura was so strong that it sounded more like a challenge.

Lin Su felt an unprecedented pressure, momentarily stunned.

He couldn’t understand how the previously sycophantic manager suddenly changed his demeanor.

“Don’t be afraid,” Tui Buliu lowered his gaze to Lin Su, his tone unhurried, even calmer than the person involved, “I’m just verifying, not questioning you.”

Lin Su frowned in displeasure; he didn’t like his rhythm being disrupted. But he couldn’t cooperate with Tui Buliu’s clumsy performance here, acting like a shrew accusing the manager, which didn’t fit his public persona.

“Don’t you know what you’ve done?” Before Lin Su could speak, a man in a suit suddenly stood up beside him, looking indignant, “You’re forcing Susu to say it out loud, poking at his sore spot?”

Tui Buliu curiously raised an eyebrow, experiencing for the first time being interrupted in a conversation. He looked up at the man, “And you are?”

The man raised his chin, exuding an innate arrogance, “Lin Zheng.”

Lin Zheng? No impression at all, seems like an insignificant tool.

Tui Buliu’s expression remained unchanged, but the fans below were already discussing.

“Wow, it’s really Lin Zheng! I didn’t dare to recognize him just now! I didn’t expect him to be Lin Su’s brother; our Susu indeed has a script for a sweet novel!”

“Wait, Lin Zheng?! Is it the Lin’s Real Estate prince Lin Zheng?”

“Of course! Susu was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”

“Ugh, since Susu has such a good family background, why is he being bullied so badly?”

“Alas, it’s because he’s too kind, participating in the program with an ordinary identity, which is why he’s bullied by a blind manager.”

“But it’s all in the past now. I heard that after Susu was bullied, Lin’s directly paid a 10 million breach of contract fee and invested 200 million in advertising for ‘JUST ME.’ I want to see who dares to bully our Susu now!”

“Tui Buliu, what do you have to say now?” Amidst the discussions below, Lin Zheng’s angry voice rang out again.

“With all due respect,” Tui Buliu raised his eyes, seriously asking, “Is your brother incapable of civil conduct?”

Lin Zheng was taken aback, “What do you mean?”

Tui Buliu: “Otherwise, why are you speaking for him?”

“You—” Lin Zheng finally heard the sarcasm in the words, just as he was about to explode, Tui Buliu no longer looked at him and instead turned to the boy beside him.

“Lin Su, I was asking you just now.”

Lin Su’s mouth twitched, trying hard to control his expression, “It’s me.”

Tui Buliu lowered his gaze, patiently asking, “I want to hear you tell me personally.”

Lin Su widened his eyes in surprise, realizing that Tui Buliu had unknowingly taken control of the situation.

He was supposed to be the one questioning him! He was supposed to be the one forcing him to speak! But why had it turned out this way?

Lin Su didn’t want to explain, but the eyes below were all on him, clearly waiting for an answer. This was the backlash he had to face for using public opinion. Lin Su pursed his lips, having no choice but to speak up.

“When we signed the contract, you signed a three-year contract with me, stating that I only needed to complete dance and music training. But later, I found out it wasn’t like that at all. You made us accompany guests, perform talents for bigwigs in enterprises, and if I refused, you threatened not to let us debut. And when I felt unfit for the company and wanted to terminate the contract, I found out I had to pay a sky-high breach of contract fee of 10 million.”

Lin Su looked up at Tui Buliu, his eyes moist, almost crying, “I didn’t want to go this far, but if I didn’t have the courage to stand up, more people would be bullied by you.”

After he finished speaking, the entire venue fell silent. The bright stage lights shone in Lin Su’s eyes, sweat dripping from his temples.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over his eyes. Lin Su quickly looked up, meeting Tui Buliu’s deep, dark eyes.

Was Tui Buliu about to lose his temper and hit him?

Lin Su was startled, turned to leave, but a big hand suddenly rested on his shoulder. Lin Su’s body immediately stiffened.

“You did the right thing,” Tui Buliu’s deep voice followed, “It was the company that wronged you.”

“Wha-what?”

He actually apologized? No, that’s impossible, he’s not that kind of person! As things spiraled out of control, Lin Su, unusually, felt a bit flustered.

“If what you say is true,” the man looked him straight in the eye, speaking word by word, “You You Entertainment made artists accompany guests, threatened not to let them debut, demanded sky-high breach of contract fees, then the fault lies with the company. Here, I apologize on behalf of You You Entertainment to all the artists who have been harmed, and I agree to your contract termination. As for the company’s other artists, if you also wish to terminate your contracts, you may propose termination to the company.”

With those words, the scene was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

No one expected Tui Buliu to so frankly take on the mistake, and even handle this huge crisis so gracefully!

In the live comments, some still cursed him, calling him fake, a drama king, but more people began to change their views, thinking he wasn’t entirely bad, at least he was someone who dared to take responsibility.

Moreover, the contract with the artists was signed with the company, and the demand for sky-high breach of contract fees was also from the company. Maybe Tui Buliu was also coerced by the company?

“What about the breach of contract fee?” A media person below asked.

Tui Buliu: “The artist contracts are signed with the company, and matters related to the breach of contract fee will be handled by the company. If media friends have further questions, please contact You You Entertainment’s public relations department.”

“Wait, please answer my previous question directly.”

“Did You You Entertainment really force artists into accompanying guests and other transactional exchanges? How many artists have become victims?”

“Does your so-called apology and contract termination represent You You Entertainment’s stance?!”

…

Countless microphones were thrust forward, but Tui Buliu didn’t answer any more. He turned and left, his slender figure gradually disappearing in the light.

No, he can’t just leave like that!

Just as Tui Buliu was about to walk out of the room, Lin Su finally snapped out of it and chased after him. He grabbed Tui Buliu’s wrist, his round eyes showing a hint of stubbornness.

Tui Buliu didn’t like being touched, his face darkened slightly, “Is there something else?”

Lin Su seemed to come to his senses, quickly releasing his grip, his gaze turning innocent. He looked up at Tui Buliu, his tone carrying a hint of appropriate confusion, “I just want to know, why, why would you…”

Tui Buliu waited five seconds, and Lin Su still hadn’t squeezed out a complete sentence. His patience exhausted, he turned to leave, but just as he lifted his foot, Lin Su hurriedly circled around to block his way.

“Wait—ah!”

Lin Su ran too fast, not noticing the steps behind him, and missed a step, falling to the ground.

Tui Buliu was about to help him, but just as he bent down, Lin Zheng rushed over with a swinging fist.

“How dare you hit my brother!”

The attack came too suddenly. Tui Buliu reflexively raised his left hand to block, his right hand finding an opening to deliver an uppercut to Lin Zheng.

The intense pain made Lin Zheng’s features scrunch up. Just as he was about to react, another punch landed. This punch hit his nose, and the intense physiological response made tears instantly fall from his eyes.

Lin Zheng covered his nose, retreating, looking both embarrassed and shocked, “Tui Buliu, you dare hit me?”

The latter stood there unscathed, his voice calm and unhurried, “Want another punch?”

Lin Zheng: “…”

“Bodyguards,” Lin Zheng finally reacted, angrily ordering, “Grab him!”

The surrounding bodyguards, as if waking from a dream, rushed over to restrain Tui Buliu.

Tui Buliu was held aside by the bodyguards, his cheap suit and shirt wrinkled, his bangs falling messily on his porcelain-white forehead. He lowered his gaze, looking at Lin Zheng. Despite being restrained in a seemingly embarrassing manner, his expression remained as lofty as ever.

This expression particularly displeased Lin Zheng. Just as he was about to act, Lin Susuddenly rushed out to block him.

“Brother, what are you doing? Stop it!”

Lin Zheng’s hand stopped mid-air, looking incredulously at his brother, “I should be asking you, what are you doing?”

“I fell on my own, it has nothing to do with him.”

“If he didn’t push you, would you have fallen?”

“He didn’t push me, I…” Lin Su was momentarily speechless. He bit his lip, looking a bit embarrassedly at Tui Buliu.

Tui Buliu remained indifferent, while Lin Zheng took the initiative to ask, “You what?”

“Oh, anyway, he didn’t hit me, don’t interfere!” Lin Su pulled Tui Buliu from the bodyguards, asking somewhat guiltily, “Are you okay?”

Tui Buliu glanced down at him, not answering.

“I stopped you just now because I wanted to ask you something…” Lin Su stepped forward, hesitating, “Would you, would you be willing to continue being my manager?”

Tui Buliu quietly looked at him for two seconds before asking, “Why?”

Lin Su looked up at him, his eyes shining with clear light, “I feel… you seem a bit different, and the apology just now made me think you’re not as bad as I imagined.”

His words were both anxious and hopeful, paired with his pleading expression, almost making it hard to refuse.

“I’m not interested.” Tui Buliu had already turned to leave, his steps not pausing at all.

Lin Su didn’t chase after him again, his gaze following Tui Buliu’s disappearing figure until he was completely out of sight.

“Are you okay?” Lin Zheng leaned over and touched Lin Su’s forehead, looking surprised, “Have you gone mad? Have you forgotten what he did to you before? Why would you still want him as your manager? You can’t be fooled by his sweet talk.”

“How could I?” Lin Su shook his head, “I remember clearly what he did to me.”

Lin Zheng: “Then why do you still want him as your manager?”

“Brother, don’t you think,” Lin Su smiled, his expression pure and innocent, “keeping an enemy close makes it easier to take revenge?”

“There’s no need,” Lin Zheng shook his head, “anyway, what he did has been exposed. Even if public opinion lets him go after his apology, You You Entertainment will still skin him alive for his reckless promises on stage.”

“Then I’m a bit disappointed,” Lin Su looked in the direction Tui Buliu left, the smile on his face slowly disappearing, “not being able to personally send him to hell.”