“Does it really have to be this way?” Yu Yan swallowed twice, staring blankly at the object in his hands, motionless for a long time.

Half an hour ago, he met with He Zhiyu in the car, where they formulated the next steps of their plan.

Immediately afterward, He Zhiyu pulled out two silver reflective fencing suits from a large Balenciaga woven bag, even including helmets and shields, fully prepared.

Since hearing that He Zhiyu’s father might take action, Yu Yan had asked Yu Chen to find someone skilled in combat to help mediate, and Yu Chen agreed.

But unexpectedly, even with that, He Zhiyu still seemed so timid.

He Zhiyu quickly put on his outfit, saying, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, my dad doesn’t care whether you’re my biological sibling or not. To him, we’re just a nest of snakes and rats, colluding together.”

After speaking, he immediately put on his helmet and carefully checked if it would fall off.

“I’ve also got knee pads and a waist protector, want me to give you one?” He Zhiyu’s voice came from inside the helmet, sounding a bit muffled.

“No need.”

“You’re still young, you don’t realize how important the waist is.” He Zhiyu clicked his tongue in regret, shaking his head.

After hesitating for a long time, Yu Yan gritted his teeth, put on the fencing suit, and donned the helmet.

The silver reflective fencing suit was quite eye-catching as they walked down the street. Before they even entered the main door of Chao Xing, the security and reception stopped them.

Yu Yan called Yu Chen, and only then were they allowed upstairs.

After knocking on the door, the office door was quickly opened from the inside.

Through the helmet, Yu Yan saw the scene in front of him through the small diamond-shaped openings created by the visor.

His older brother and Shen Yucheng were sitting on one side of the sofa, and He Zhiyu’s father was sitting on the other. On the coffee table was an exquisite tea set, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of tea.

Yu Yan: “…”

He shouldn’t have listened to He Zhiyu!

It turns out Shen Yucheng is the one who knows martial arts and was called by his brother to mediate!

“You guys… just came back from the club? Why haven’t you changed your clothes?” Yu Chen’s tone was slightly unsure.

Yu Yan struggled to take off his helmet, gasping for air.

He Zhiyu’s father looked imposing even without being angry, giving off an intimidating presence. A man in his forties or fifties, his vitality was striking.

“You must be Xiao Yan?”

“Yes, hello, Uncle,” Yu Yan said with a stiff expression.

He Zhiyu’s father nodded, his tone dismissive, “You look all gentle and polite, how did you end up hanging out with him?”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s because I have charm and made such a good friend,” He Zhiyu threw his arm around Yu Yan’s shoulder.

The two were very close, and Yu Yan almost lost his balance from the pressure of the helmet.

He Zhiyu’s father scoffed, “In your twenties, still letting others pay for your childish antics.”

Before He Zhiyu could speak, Yu Yan immediately responded, “It’s not childish antics, it’s a work issue.”

Perhaps to He Zhiyu’s father, his work in the entertainment industry seemed trivial.

His father’s voice was deep, “You don’t understand him. He’s always been impulsive. When he was young, he saw others taking horse-riding lessons and wanted to try, but after two classes, he quit and doesn’t even know how to ride now. He saw someone win an award for piano and wanted to learn too, but after two years, he couldn’t even play a song. He barely passed university, secretly took a leave of absence and went into the entertainment industry. Maybe in two months, he’ll lose interest and move on to something else.”

Knowing his son well, He Zhiyu’s father was clearly very familiar with his upbringing.

“I’ve been in the entertainment industry for over a year, and I haven’t given up,” He Zhiyu’s voice came from behind Yu Yan’s helmet, before he quickly retreated again.

Yu Yan sat down on the nearby single sofa, and He Zhiyu sat on the armrest of another one beside him.

“Uncle, He Zhiyu can ride horses now; he learned for a movie role.”

Yu Yan had watched the movies He Zhiyu was in. Though he only had a few scenes, he could see He Zhiyu’s love for acting, or at least his passion for the camera.

Yu Yan carefully chose his words, “I don’t know if you’ve seen the movies he’s been in, but his performance is really good, and he truly loves it. As you said, he’s already in his twenties, with his own thoughts. This is his career; maybe you could try letting go and give him a chance?”

“Right!” He Zhiyu spoke up, seeing his father wasn’t making any moves.

Yu Yan had never really had in-depth conversations with elders before, except for the brief chats with Yu Lin and Jiang Mo when he was passing through. But Yu Lin and Jiang Mo were always accommodating, so Yu Yan didn’t feel uncomfortable. Now, he wasn’t sure how to talk to He Zhiyu’s father, and felt unsure inside.

Meanwhile, Yu Chen and Shen Yucheng sat by without saying a word, like two mascots.

Perhaps because of the Yu family’s influence, He Zhiyu’s father didn’t directly rebut Yu Yan and instead turned the conversation to Yu Chen.

“Mr. Yu, your younger brother is entering the entertainment industry as a manager. What does your family think about it?”

Yu Chen chuckled lightly, “Mr. He, my parents and I are of the same opinion. As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters. We can only support him as best we can, but we can’t control the direction of his life.”

He Zhiyu immediately added, “Look at that, you’re a fascist, a dictator!”

Yu Yan almost choked, grabbing He Zhiyu’s arm and biting his teeth, saying, “Say less!”

He Zhiyu’s father didn’t respond directly to Yu Chen’s words. He took a slow drag from his cigar, his movements measured.

Seeing the conversation hitting a deadlock, Yu Yan looked toward Yu Chen and Shen Yucheng for help.

Shen Yucheng ignored him, while Yu Chen simply shrugged, as if saying he couldn’t do anything.

Calm down!

A flood of book titles flashed through Yu Yan’s mind: The Self-Cultivation of a Manager, High-EQ Negotiation Skills, Entertainment Industry Management…

Think, think!

“Uncle, how about this: give He Zhiyu a few years. If he hasn’t made any progress in the entertainment industry or loses his passion, he’ll listen to your arrangements.”

“What kind of progress are you talking about?” He Zhiyu’s father’s tone rose sharply.

“Fame, and winning the Best Actor award.” Yu Yan chose the simplest way to prove his point.

He wasn’t sure about the dynamic between the He father and son, but he guessed that what bothered Mr. He might be He Zhiyu’s tendency to lose interest after a short time, especially in entering the entertainment industry.

He had initially thought Mr. He was a rather unreasonable person and had been anxious for some time. But after meeting him in person, he realized that his worries were unwarranted.

Mr. He still remembered funny stories from He Zhiyu’s childhood, which showed that he was not a neglectful father.

“Uncle, I heard that He Zhiyu didn’t even have dinner at home for the New Year’s Eve last year. With the way you two are at odds, I’m sure you’re not happy either. Why don’t you sit down and talk it through? You could give him two years to try.” Yu Yan pressed on.

Mr. He snorted lightly, “Why don’t you ask him why he didn’t have dinner at home?”

Yu Yan instinctively felt there was some misunderstanding, and looked at He Zhiyu in confusion.

The latter whistled awkwardly and turned his head away.

Mr. He calmly explained, “He smashed the storage room at home.”

“It wasn’t on purpose,” He Zhiyu lowered his voice.

No wonder!

Yu Yan’s eyelid twitched. He quickly called for help, “Brother, say something.”

Yu Chen thought for a moment, “Uncle, I think this isn’t a bad idea. Give him a few years to try. Young people like pursuing their careers, and maybe after two years, he’ll calm down and come back to accompany you.”

Mr. He’s expression seemed to soften a bit, but he still didn’t speak.

Yu Yan tugged at He Zhiyu’s arm, hoping he would soften and say a few good words to make his father back down.

“Speak.”

He Zhiyu paused for a moment, then understood Yu Yan’s intention and immediately said to his father, “I can win Best Actor, but only if you don’t sabotage my opportunities!”

“Enough, shut up.”

Looking at He Zhiyu in his fencing outfit, Yu Yan sighed and covered his face.

Sometimes, he really couldn’t blame Mr. He!

Shen Yuming poured tea for Mr. He, “Perhaps letting him go and explore on his own will make him realize his shortcomings.”

This made sense.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

“Two years.”

Mr. He suddenly spoke, “I’ll give him two years. If he wins Best Actor within that time, I won’t interfere with his career.”

Two years would only be enough for a few movies. With He Zhiyu’s current acting skills, expecting him to win Best Actor within two years was almost a pipe dream.

“Alright!” Yu Yan agreed without hesitation. He just wanted to secure the deal first.

He Zhiyu was also thrilled, “Second Brother, I didn’t expect you to believe in me this much.”

“Stop talking, let’s sign the contract first.” Yu Yan urged softly.

“Oh, right, my dad often says he doesn’t keep his word.” He Zhiyu muttered.

“This kid.” Mr. He chuckled a few times.

Yu Chen had his assistant draft a simple contract, which stated that if He Zhiyu wins Best Actor within two years, his father would no longer interfere with his career. However, if he doesn’t, he would have to obediently follow the family’s arrangements.

He Zhiyu, full of confidence, signed the contract and insisted that Yu Chen and Shen Yuming sign as witnesses.

It wasn’t as difficult as imagined, and it was settled in just a few words.

Perhaps this past year, Mr. He had been considering backing off. The relationship between father and son had been so strained that neither of them was willing to take the first step, and they hadn’t had a heart-to-heart conversation.

This opportunity came just in time, giving them a chance to find common ground.

The informal contract temporarily met the father and son’s requirements.

After signing the contract, seeing that it was getting late, Yu Yan naturally suggested that they all go out for lunch.

Mr. He stood up, glanced at He Zhiyu, and finally spoke, “You all go ahead. I have some family matters to handle.”

He Zhiyu’s eyelids twitched, and he immediately grabbed onto Yu Yan’s arm, “Don’t go, I’ll come with you.”

Yu Yan, understanding that the father and son probably had something to discuss, pried He Zhiyu’s fingers off his arm one by one, “Then I won’t keep Uncle here.”

“Ungrateful, fickle, and valuing romance over friendship!” He Zhiyu shot off at him.

“Still not leaving?” Mr. He shot him a sideways glance.

“You won’t hit me, will you?”

He Zhiyu followed him, hurriedly putting on his helmet, his voice growing muffled.

“Now you’re scared?”

Yu Yan breathed a sigh of relief, “What should we eat? Is there anything good nearby?”

“Let’s go to the restaurant downstairs,” Yu Chen suggested.

Shen Yuming stood up as well and reminded, “Send the contract to Minghua in the afternoon.”

“So soon?” Yu Chen frowned.

“Yeah, the building will be delivered by the end of the year.” Shen Yuming nodded.

Yu Chen glanced at the time, “You guys go eat, I’ll have a meeting with someone.”

“Brother, I’ll have someone pack it for you,” Yu Yan said, intending to let him off the hook, though he didn’t want to get involved in company matters.

What started as a meal for five eventually ended up with just Yu Yan and Shen Yuming.