CHAPTER 275: CHAPTER 205: BULLIED? EXPLOSIVE YOUNG AUNT_2

"Okay, Chu Tian, you’re the best!"

Yiyi, the little foodie, saw the food and her eyes lit up. She quickly took it.

"Alright, Qingqiu, you go ahead and get busy. We’ll see each other when we get back. I’m going to have a word with Teacher Lu."

Lu Yongxin? Say what?

Xu Qingqiu was stunned for a moment before remembering Lu Yongxin had wanted to chat with Chu Tian privately. She immediately understood.

"Okay, just let me know when you’re leaving, and remember to call me when you get there. If you can’t find her, tell me too!"

"I know, don’t worry."

When Chu Tian found Lu Yongxin, he was sitting and chatting with the director.

"Teacher Lu, I have an emergency and need to head back. I’m afraid I won’t have time to catch up with you later," Chu Tian said, hurrying over during a break in their conversation.

"What? You’re leaving? Is it that urgent?"

"I can’t help it; the matter is quite pressing."

"Well, okay then. Let’s meet again when I’m back in the Capital, shall we?"

Seeing that Chu Tian was really leaving, Lu Yongxin felt a great sense of regret. He had finally gotten such an opportunity and had planned to ask if Chu Tian knew of a suitable variety show for him, or even if Chu Tian wanted to create a variety show centered around him. He had clearly felt that the vitality of talk shows was waning. Without finding a new breakthrough, he feared he might lose a significant chunk of his popularity.

Unfortunately, just when he had finally met Chu Tian, Chu Tian had to leave due to an unexpected issue. It simply wasn’t the right time, he supposed.

"No problem, we’ll meet in the Capital!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chu Tian hurried off. He had already booked his plane ticket before leaving the venue, then said goodbye to Xu Qingqiu and took a taxi back to the hotel to collect his luggage.

"Who was that just now?" the variety show director beside him asked, puzzled.

"Oh, that’s a friend, and also Xu Qingqiu’s assistant," Lu Yongxin responded with a smile.

But as he spoke, he suddenly paused, his eyes flickering before he continued, "Of course, he’s also the owner of an entertainment company. You’ve heard of ’King of Mask Singer,’ right? It’s his show."

"Oh? That show’s really popular now. Where did this guy come from? I’ve never heard of him."

「...」

Lu Yongxin had added that last bit for two reasons. Firstly, he was well-acquainted with this director and thought teaming up with him again would be beneficial. Secondly, he wanted to see if he could leverage the director’s potential connection to Chu Tian to facilitate future collaborations. Even if that didn’t work out, perhaps the director had other resources. Getting closer would make any future cooperation smoother.

Chu Tian had no idea this old fox could spin such a complex web from a single thread, planning so far ahead. Even if he knew, he wouldn’t mind. Having partners would only expand his influence, which in turn would help Xu Qingqiu more effectively.

Even though Xu Qingqiu was at her zenith, her foundation was still too shallow; her glory seemed like a castle in the air.

Is one divine album that impressive? Very impressive! So much so that one can proudly claim there’s nothing comparable! But a single divine album can’t sustain a singer forever.

The world was now speculating that it might be a collection of long-accumulated works or a compilation from many artists, all attributed to a virtual persona named ’Youmeng.’ The goal was to create a legend. Even though this album had swept the entire Chinese music scene, its impact wasn’t yet convincing enough. Unless there was a second and a third album, most companies were just watching, assessing Xu Qingqiu’s value while observing the outcome of the collective pressure applied by many record giants. After all, Xu Qingqiu’s main adversary was Baise Entertainment, and it was common knowledge that behind Baise Entertainment stood Habes, one of the three giants of the global recording industry! Going up against such a titan, the momentary brilliance created by one divine album wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to convince other companies to defy a recording behemoth to sign such a singer, unless she could withstand this counterattack and continue to shine.

In fact, a third album wouldn’t even be necessary. As long as a second album was released, the song quality held up, and Xu Qingqiu’s popularity persisted, then, without a doubt, a horde of companies would swarm to her like sharks that had smelled blood.

Indeed, some companies had already been making contact recently, as the world never lacks gamblers. But without exception, they were all looking to capitalize on her perceived vulnerability—either hoping to offer "timely help" without explicitly committing, or making outrageous demands. Li Chunhua rejected all of them. Xu Qingqiu had no intention of joining them in the first place, and even if she did, their sincerity was clearly lacking.

「 」

After leaving the recording location, Chu Tian took a taxi back to the hotel, packed his things, and rushed to the airport to catch a flight straight back to the Capital.

"University of Finance and Economics, School of Finance... South Gate... Here it is!"

After getting off the plane, Chu Tian didn’t even go home. He drove straight from the airport, following the address Xu Qingqiu had sent him, and finally arrived.

"Hey, young man, what are you doing here?"

Chu Tian was about to enter when a security guard stopped him. Seeing the guard’s wary expression, Chu Tian explained that he was there to find his younger sister.

"Younger sister? What’s her name? What’s her major? Come here and register first."

After dutifully registering, Chu Tian thought that would be it. However, the guard then made a call, checked something, and promptly stopped him.

"No, that’s not right. There’s no such person. What exactly are you here for?"

Seeing the guard’s attitude harden instantly, and noticing another guard approaching with a restraining fork, Chu Tian was stunned.

Seriously? They know if the person exists just by asking like that? And what the hell is with that restraining fork? Who do they think I am? Has it really come to this out here? Can’t a stranger even enter a school anymore?

Though shocked, he had no intention of breaking their rules. Since they wouldn’t let him in, he decided to make a call.

"Hello? Who is this?"

The call connected immediately. The person on the other end clearly didn’t know who he was and sounded confused.

"You’re Xu Ruyan, right? I’m a friend of your older sister. I’m outside your school right now. Can you come out and get me?"

"Ah? AH!"

A startled cry was followed by a flurry of CLATTERING sounds, and then the phone hung up, leaving him puzzled.

Hung up? Why did she hang up? Did she drop the phone by accident? Or did someone come in? He’d heard a lot of noise—could there have been a fight?

The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. Ignoring the two vigilant guards still standing beside him, he picked up his phone and dialed again.

"BEEP... The number you have dialed..."

Clearly, she hung up again. I’ll just have to call back!

"BEEP..."

He called again. This time, it went through.

"Ugh, are you ever annoying! Stop calling! Tell my sister I’m really fine, and she doesn’t need to come looking for me, okay?!"

Wow! This little girl sure is temperamental. Her voice sounded full of energy; she didn’t seem like someone who was being bullied.

But why wouldn’t she meet him? Could she have some reason she can’t talk about? He’d come all this way; how could he just leave? If Xu Qingqiu asked, what would he say? That he didn’t even see her sister?

"Xu Ruyan, I’m at your school entrance right now. The guard just checked and said there’s no record of you. What’s going on? You have to meet me today, otherwise, I’ll have to call your sister."

"...Hmph... You’re such a pain!"

"BEEP..."

Why did she hang up again?

Chu Tian stared at his phone, speechless. Is she going through a rebellious phase? But she’s already twenty, a sophomore in college. Isn’t that a bit late for a rebellious phase? Can it even start this late?

He refused to give up and called again. Since she hasn’t blocked me, I’ll just keep calling.

"Alright, alright! I get it! Just wait for me to change clothes, okay?"

The call had barely connected when she rattled off her words and hung up again.

"Hah..."

Chu Tian had no fight left in him. This isn’t the gentle, sweet younger sister-in-law I imagined. She’s clearly a ticking time bomb!

Wait a second... did I even tell her which gate I was at?