“Why did he just leave?” Lin Su finally snapped back to reality after Hui Ji completely walked out of their sight. He said, a bit guilty, “Did I make him angry by greeting you just now?”

Tui Buliu’s face was calm, his tone cold: “You better have something to discuss with me.”

“Oh wow, you guessed it?” Lin Su said in a cheerful tone, seemingly unaffected by Tui Buliu’s attitude.

“Here’s the thing, I want to ask you to continue being my manager.” After saying that, he smiled at Tui Buliu, like honey glistening under the sun, exuding a naive sweetness.

“I’ve said I’m not interested, and you don’t need to come looking for me in the future either.” Tui Buliu turned to leave, unwilling to continue the conversation.

“Why?” Lin Su hurriedly caught up, “You’d rather manage Hui Ji than continue being my manager?”

Tui Buliu seemed to not understand the other’s persistence but nodded honestly: “That’s right.”

Lin Su was hurt by this statement, his bright eyes dimmed, and he said somewhat aggrievedly, “Is it because I made you apologize in public? Are you mad at me for that? But you were the one who bullied me back then, I just asked you to apologize…”

Tui Buliu: “It’s not about that.”

Lin Su asked again, “Is it because my brother has a bad attitude towards you?”

Tui Buliu shook his head: “I don’t care about his attitude.”

“Then why?” Lin Su’s voice grew more aggrieved, almost to the point of tears, “I didn’t do anything to you, why don’t you want to be my manager anymore?”

Tui Buliu looked down at him: “Want to hear the truth?”

Lin Su nodded: “Of course.”

Tui Buliu: “Even if the truth is hard to hear.”

Lin Su fell silent, and after a few seconds, he nodded cautiously, as if making a huge decision.

Tui Buliu: “It’s simple, it’s just because you’re too weak.”

Lin Su seemed completely unprepared for this reason, his eyes instantly filled with tears, and they fell as he blinked.

“You…” He wiped his tears awkwardly, but they only fell more fiercely.

He cried so pitifully, like a child whose toy was taken away, making even the hardest heart soften.

“I don’t refuse to be your manager because I dislike you or due to other external factors.” Tui Buliu said almost cruelly, “I made this decision purely because you don’t have the potential that Hui Ji has. I’m a businessman, I only invest in the most valuable people.”

This answer was too unexpected, and Lin Su was completely stunned.

Soon, his tears fell again, along with a big snot bubble.

As if Lin Su himself didn’t expect to have a runny nose, he wiped it with his hand, but only smeared it all over himself.

This made the cleanliness-loving Tui Buliu extremely uncomfortable. After hesitating for a while, he still pulled out the handkerchief from his chest and handed it over: “Wipe it.”

“No need for your fake kindness!” Lin Su seemed insulted, swatting away his hand in a fit of anger, “How can you be so sure I’m not as good as Hui Ji?”

The handkerchief fell to the ground and got dusty. Tui Buliu didn’t pick it up, just continued, “I’ve watched the first three episodes of the show. You might have decent overall conditions, but upon closer examination, you’ll find you have a significant shortcoming.”

Lin Su gritted his teeth and asked unwillingly, “What?”

“In the first three performances, your choreography was very simple,” Tui Buliu said slowly, “I suspect you might have some physical limitations that prevent you from doing intense movements.”

“Who said I have physical defects? Who said I can’t do intense movements?” Lin Su seemed stung, quickly retorting, “I was just holding back, deliberately choosing simpler choreography.”

As if to back up his claim, he added proudly, “For opponents of that level, this choreography is more than enough.”

“Maybe? Then good luck to you.” Tui Buliu didn’t seem to care about this explanation, and after saying that, he turned to leave.

“Wait, I’m not done talking.” Lin Su rushed over again, blocking his way, “Knowing this, you still won’t change your mind?”

Tui Buliu stopped, a bit annoyed: “I don’t understand why you’re so insistent on having me as your manager. From what I know, I wasn’t even a particularly good manager before, not even qualified.”

“That’s none of your business,” Lin Su started to throw a tantrum, insisting, “Just answer my question.”

Tui Buliu looked down at him, calmly saying, “Even so, I would still choose Hui Ji.”

Lin Su hurriedly asked, “Why?”

Tui Buliu looked down at him, his expression so calm it was almost pitying: “You’ll have to feel the answer yourself.”

“Tui Buliu!” Lin Su wanted to say more, but Tui Buliu didn’t speak further and turned to leave.

For Lin Su, this answer was a bit too harsh.

It’s actually quite simple, because he didn’t see anything moving in Lin Su.

Lin Su’s performance, though exquisite, with a sweet smile and melodious voice, was like a soulless craft. No matter how polished the skills, it didn’t stir any emotion in him.

Being moving is the most precious quality for singers, idols, actors, and other artists.

It’s because they burn their passion on stage, using their strong vitality to move others, that they can bring intense satisfaction to the audience in a short time.

The impact of an excellent performance is no less than a romance or a night of passion; it brings extreme joy to a calm life. Even recalling it days later can still make one’s heart race.

But Lin Su didn’t have that ability.

At least not yet.

“You don’t understand anything! You don’t even know me…” Lin Su stopped here, staring at Tui Buliu’s back, biting his lip, clear eyes showing straightforward hatred.

“Tui Buliu, you’ll regret this.”

He changed his mind.

He originally wanted to keep Tui Buliu close and then take revenge, but now, he thought of a better way—to crush the person Tui Buliu favored, to destroy his proud judgment.

Seeing the person he heavily invested in unable to debut, his expression then should be quite interesting, right?

Lin Su dialed Lin Zheng’s number, his voice sweet again: “Brother, can you do me a favor~”

*

The program’s recording continued, and in the fourth episode, Hui Ji maintained his usual high standard, finally bouncing back to achieve the top overall score.

At the same time, Hui Ji’s poor online reputation began to turn around, even gaining a fan site.

And because of Zhou Jue’s intervention, Lin Zheng was too busy to interfere with Hui Ji, allowing him to focus on training.

Everything was moving in a good direction.

It was at this time that Tui Buliu received a new task from Yong Baosheng.

“You want me to take other artists to Fashion Week?” Tui Buliu sat on the guest sofa in the president’s office, asking Yong Baosheng across from him, “Why make such an arrangement?”

His tone was calm, his expression composed, exuding a subtle pressure, looking more like a president than Yong Baosheng.

“Hey, it’s just that Li Yi has other things to attend to and really can’t get away,” Yong Baosheng said awkwardly, quickly adding, “If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have asked you.”

You You Entertainment only has the twin stars to rely on, the whole company depends on them, so how could they be unavailable?

Tui Buliu put down his teacup, calmly saying, “You’re hiding something from me.”

“This…” Yong Baosheng looked troubled.

Tui Buliu stood up directly: “In that case, I’ll be leaving.”

“Hey, wait!” Yong Baosheng quickly blocked the office door, hurriedly saying, “Leaving already? I’m still organizing my words!”

Tui Buliu raised an eyebrow at him.

“Let me be honest with you,” Yong Baosheng sighed, troubled, “You know the twins are Li Yi’s kids, right?”

“I’ve heard.”

“You don’t know, the younger twin likes to mess around outside, and Li Yi just happened to catch him a few days ago. Li Yi was very angry and said he didn’t want to manage them anymore. This kind of thing…” Yong Baosheng shook his head, also speechless, “If it were just a regular manager and artist, it wouldn’t matter, but they’re father and sons, and Li Yi is also a company partner. If he really doesn’t want to take them, I can’t force him! But the trip to France has been scheduled for a long time, I had no choice but to ask you.”

“I apologize for that,” Tui Buliu said, but his attitude was firm, “but Hui Ji’s talent show is at a critical stage, I can’t leave.”

“Just do me a favor,” Yong Baosheng followed him, persuading kindly, “Besides, Hui Ji is in closed training, what’s so important that you can’t leave? Even if something happens, you can communicate online!”

Tui Buliu was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Did you say France?”

Yong Baosheng quickly nodded: “Yes, yes, this weekend to Paris, just a week’s trip.”

“Alright,” Tui Buliu finally nodded, “but I have a condition.”

“That’s negotiable, tell me.”

Tui Buliu: “After Hui Ji debuts, I want to draft the new contract.”

“This…” Yong Baosheng looked troubled.

“Of course, I’ll be fair and won’t favor any side.” Tui Buliu said seriously, “If you’re dissatisfied with any clause, you can raise objections.”

Yong Baosheng hesitated for a while but eventually nodded.

“Then it’s settled,” Tui Buliu said before leaving, “The twins’ schedule is important, I only trust you with it.”

Tui Buliu nodded in agreement, but his mind was already planning a backup for Hui Ji.

According to his previous agreement with Yong Baosheng, once he leads Hui Ji to debut in the C position, his contract with You You Entertainment can be voided.

At that time, Hui Ji might stay with the company, but he might not.

The entertainment industry is too small, and Tui Buliu doesn’t have much passion for this field. Once free, he might enter an investment company or start his own business.

Before leaving, although he couldn’t terminate Hui Ji’s contract with You You Entertainment, he at least didn’t want to leave any hidden dangers.

He never shortchanges his partners.

Author’s Note:
Hui Ji: ?6