After I went bankrupt, the school heartthrob I humiliated actually wanted to…?

“What exactly are you trying to do?”

Song Qiuzhi, who had been pulled into the office by Gu Yan’s grip on her wrist, belatedly broke free from his hand.

Gu Yan turned around and stared at Song Qiuzhi for a moment, then said flatly: “What do you mean what am I trying to do? Is this a tradition at Xingstar Entertainment?”

“What?”

Song Qiuzhi didn’t immediately understand.

Gu Yan’s lips curved slightly upward as he said mockingly: “Does Xingstar Entertainment have a tradition of female artists immediately asking the boss if he wants to ‘do’ anything?”

Damn!

Song Qiuzhi’s vision went dark, and she almost couldn’t hold back from cursing.

How come she never noticed what a jerk Gu Yan was back in university?

This guy used to be like a loyal dog, usually quiet and reserved, but always available when called. No matter what she asked him to help with, he would agree without hesitation.

After not seeing him for several years, how had he changed so much?

Looking at Gu Yan who was now so close, Song Qiuzhi felt a sense of disconnect, and inexplicably, a hint of inexplicable grievance welled up in her heart.

“You acquired Xingstar Entertainment just to humiliate me? Do you have too much money and nothing better to do?”

Faced with Song Qiuzhi’s aggressive questioning, Gu Yan first glanced up at Xia Lan who was approaching from outside, then looked back down directly at Song Qiuzhi—

“Song Qiuzhi, first of all, I do indeed have too much money and nothing better to do. You guessed that part correctly.”

“Secondly…”

“What makes you assume I’m doing this to humiliate you?”

Just as Song Qiuzhi was about to say something more, Xia Lan had already reached the office door, so Gu Yan quickly added: “Alright, let’s not discuss this now.”

“Xia Lan is here, just listen quietly.”

“You…”

This tone that brooked no refusal made Song Qiuzhi feel a bit dazed, experiencing something that felt familiar yet completely reversed.

However, she really didn’t continue speaking, because Xia Lan had already entered.

“Mr. Gu, the notifications have been completed.”

The usually dominant and cold Xia Lan was now as nervous as a primary school student being watched by their teacher when facing Gu Yan.

“Mm,” 

Gu Yan nodded slightly and said: “I called you here for two things. First, what’s your personal view on the future development of the company’s Artist Department?”

Hearing this, Xia Lan was stunned for a moment.

Gu Yan clearly knew Song Qiuzhi, and she had been prepared to be scolded or even fired before entering the office.

But…

Mr. Gu had called her in to discuss business first?

Although unexpected, her excellent professional demeanor allowed her to respond quickly: “Mr. Gu, it’s like this…”

“The Business Department had a meeting with Mango TV last month about a collaboration. They have a new variety show that’s currently confirming guest participants. We’ve all looked at the show’s proposal and think it’s very good.”

Gu Yan was satisfied with Xia Lan’s business capability and his expression softened slightly as he nodded: “Mm, continue.”

“It’s a brand new music variety show, tentatively titled ‘New Generation of Chinese Music.’ They have an impressive lineup of mentors. Mango can offer at most 1 Class A spot, 3 Class B spots, and 5 Class C spots.”

What Xia Lan was saying was actually industry jargon.

The A, B, and C contestant levels represented how far you could advance in the show, something industry insiders all understood implicitly.

“What are their requirements?”

Gu Yan asked directly: “Just tell me everything.”

Hearing this, Xia Lan first glanced at Song Qiuzhi, and seeing that Gu Yan didn’t intend to exclude her, she understood even more.

“Ahem, it’s like this, Mr. Gu…”

“Mango TV’s demands are a bit excessive. They want 5.6 million in unmarked cash sponsorship fees, and they specifically requested our top artist Yi Xue.”

Standing to the side, Song Qiuzhi appeared calm, but internally she was cursing non-stop.

Several million in sponsorship fees was one thing, but they also wanted to poach Xingstar Entertainment’s current star performer?

As expected of Mango TV, one of the industry’s top three…

Thinking of this, Song Qiuzhi instinctively looked at Gu Yan, believing that based on the personality he had shown since their reunion, he wouldn’t agree to such excessive demands.

“Fine.”

However, Gu Yan’s sudden response immediately proved both of them wrong.

Xia Lan had also genuinely thought Gu Yan wouldn’t agree.

But the fact was right in front of them—this guy had agreed to Mango TV’s excessive demands without even thinking about it.

“But they must add one more Class A spot, this point is non-negotiable. You can relay this to the Business Department and let them continue the negotiations…”

“Now, about what happened outside the conference room earlier.”

Gu Yan suddenly changed topics, his gaze becoming sharp: “Director Xia, please answer me…”

“Why are you targeting Miss Song Qiuzhi?”

Having risen to her current position at Xingstar Entertainment, Xia Lan naturally wasn’t inexperienced.

“Mr. Gu, we have no personal grudges.”

Xia Lan slightly lowered her head and said: “As the Director of the Artist Department, I must keep an eye on artists with unsatisfactory performance.”

“Is that so?”

Song Qiuzhi remained silent, but Gu Yan spoke up: “Director Xia, is it really just business?”

For some reason, hearing Gu Yan’s emotionless questioning, Xia Lan instinctively felt uneasy, feeling that this young new boss was setting a trap for her.

So, Xia Lan just kept her head down and didn’t answer Gu Yan’s question.

“It’s fine if you don’t answer…”

Gu Yan smiled and said calmly: “But when I acquired Xingstar Entertainment, I did a detailed background check.”

“For instance—”

“Director Xia Lan jointly purchased a property in the Purple Bamboo Garden Complex with her husband six years ago.”

As soon as these words were spoken.

Song Qiuzhi’s breath caught.

Purple Bamboo Garden Complex?

She suddenly looked up at Xia Lan, her gaze full of scrutiny… if that was the case, everything made sense.

However, in the next moment, the sharpness in Song Qiuzhi’s eyes quickly dissipated, replaced by a hint of dimness. When you really thought about it, Xia Lan’s targeting of her wasn’t without reason.

After Xinlan Real Estate’s capital chain broke, they fell into a massive credit crisis, and the construction of Purple Bamboo Garden Complex was forced to halt, with no progress even now.

“Gu Yan, let’s drop this matter.”

Song Qiuzhi actively looked at Gu Yan and said: “Director Xia… indeed was, just doing her job.”

Hearing this.

Xia Lan raised her head to look at Song Qiuzhi, her expression somewhat surprised.

In her view, Gu Yan had exposed her real reason for targeting Song Qiuzhi to help her get revenge or something similar?

Pay cuts, demotion, or even being fired—she had mentally prepared for all of these.

But why?

Why would Song Qiuzhi, whom she had targeted for so long, call for a stop at this crucial moment…

Meanwhile, after hearing Song Qiuzhi actively make this “request,” a barely noticeable pleasure appeared between Gu Yan’s brows.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, let it go.”

“Alright.”

Gu Yan nodded, then looked back at Xia Lan: “Director Xia…”

Xia Lan suddenly being called out, still felt awkward.

“Mr. Gu…”

Gu Yan just calmly looked at Xia Lan, yet it brought her indescribable pressure.

“Director Xia, don’t let this happen again, besides—”

“What could she have decided anyway?”

Xia Lan clearly understood that the “she” Gu Yan referred to was Song Qiuzhi, and also understood the meaning behind his words.

Even though Song Qiuzhi was the daughter of Xinlan Real Estate’s boss, she was also a victim—a victim of the sudden implementation of land reform policies and Xinlan Real Estate’s complete collapse.

“Go handle what I’ve assigned you, give me a conclusion within 24 hours.”

“I’ll be watching how you work from now on, understood?”

Gu Yan’s words were clearly prepared in advance, delivered without any hesitation.

“Yes, Mr. Gu, then I’ll go attend to work now…”

Xia Lan nodded repeatedly in agreement, then slowly backed away, finally pushing open the door and leaving the office.

Only Song Qiuzhi and Gu Yan remained in the office.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit strange.

Gu Yan glanced at Song Qiuzhi, then walked behind the desk on his own and sat down in the luxurious executive chair.

“Song Qiuzhi.”

“Ah, ah? I’m here.”

For some reason, facing Gu Yan with his full presence now, Song Qiuzhi suddenly felt a bit flustered.

Gu Yan’s eyes held a barely noticeable emotion as he said flatly: “The show I just discussed with Xia Lan, the Class A contestant spot, and the company’s subsequent promotion, copywriting planning, styling—everything, I can give it all to you…”

Song Qiuzhi suddenly looked up at Gu Yan, her eyes full of disbelief.

What?

Gu Yan just said he could give me all those things?

Hold on, bro…

So, this guy wasn’t trying to humiliate me, but was coming to repay my kindness?

The pure eighteen-year-old college student Gu Yan, though from a poor background, was sensible—he had seen through her initial approach of “keeping” him was actually meant to help him financially.

After becoming successful, he had spent four years searching for her to repay that kindness?!

Thinking of this, Song Qiuzhi suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment—it all made sense, everything lined up.

“I accept.”

Song Qiuzhi’s tone was somewhat excited—since Gu Yan was here to repay kindness, it would be foolish not to accept these resources, right?

She was confident she could become famous through this opportunity, because those songs that had never appeared in this world would definitely be a game-changer when released.

However, seeing Song Qiuzhi’s excited quick response, Gu Yan suddenly paused.

“You’ve already figured it out? Good, I won’t need to waste more words.”

Gu Yan crossed his hands in front of him, leaning his upper body slightly forward, his lips curved in a mocking arc—

“During school, you kept me…”

“Now it’s my turn to keep you, also for three years.”

“And the payment will be a Class A spot in Mango TV’s new show, along with the company’s subsequent resource priority.”

“Is that clear enough?”

As soon as these words fell, Song Qiuzhi’s smile instantly froze.

What?

This dog Gu Yan wasn’t here to repay kindness at all, he actually still wanted to humiliate her?!

Bastard, you’re inhuman!

Although but—

The conditions he offered were really tempting, making it very hard to refuse…