Eldest Senior Sister Became a Sensation After Being Blacklisted Online - Chapter 21

Song Cheng opened her mouth to speak, but Liu Zimang pressed a finger to her lips. “Blink if you agree with what I’m saying.”

Staring at Liu Zimang’s face, so close she could feel her breath and smell her faint, pleasant fragrance, Song Cheng felt a visceral shock. Her grip tightened on the paper in her hand as she struggled to suppress the thoughts surging within her.

No, she told herself repeatedly. This can’t happen.

Liu Zimang’s interruption shattered the Heart-Clearing Mantra she had been silently chanting, unleashing the overwhelming urge to pull her into her arms.

Throwing down the paper, Song Cheng swiftly wrapped her arms around Liu Zimang’s slender waist. Flames flickered in her clear eyes. “What do you want me to do?”

Liu Zimang hadn’t anticipated this move. Surprised, she naturally reached out with her other hand to trace the contours of Song Cheng’s face. “I want you to stay with me.”

Her soft, delicate voice brushed over Song Cheng like a feather, sending a tingling sensation straight down to her tailbone.

In that moment, she finally understood why her Junior Martial Uncle could never resist a beautiful woman.

Who could resist the fragrant softness in her arms and the sweet whispers in her ear?

Besides, female cultivators practicing Dual Cultivation weren’t unheard of in the cultivation world.

She had been too young to appreciate the allure of beauty before. Now, with a beauty in her arms, she’d brave even a mountain of knives, let alone the entertainment industry.

“Alright,” she said, her voice slightly hoarse, no longer suppressing her inner desires as she stared intently at the alluring figure before her.

Her gaze seemed to burn through Liu Zimang, a subtle danger hanging in the air. Amidst her growing anticipation, a sliver of rationality reminded her that this wasn’t the time.

Gritting her teeth, she pushed forcefully against Song Cheng’s shoulder. But Song Cheng, trained in martial arts, wouldn’t budge easily. Forced to turn her head away, Liu Zimang was still pondering what to say when she heard the click of high heels in the corridor. Panic flashed across her face. “Someone’s coming! Let go of me.”

Tease me and then run? It’s not that easy.

No, she needs a lesson.

Song Cheng’s gaze drifted to Liu Zimang’s delicate earlobe. Leaning down, she nipped it lightly.

In that instant, Liu Zimang’s body went limp. The same shameful longing that had infuriated her earlier surged back, and a soft moan escaped her lips involuntarily.

Zhang Yux approached the door and saw the two figures inside pressed tightly together, their intimate embrace leaving her unable to enter or retreat. She lowered her head and deliberately cleared her throat. “I wanted to discuss something with you.”

Liu Zimang, who had been leaning against Song Cheng’s chest, blushed crimson and frantically pressed her hands against Song Cheng’s body to push herself up.

Unfortunately, her hand landed squarely on Song Cheng’s chest.

Song Cheng let out a muffled groan and glanced down at her still-intact chest. “It wasn’t big to begin with. If you keep pressing like that, it’ll disappear completely.”

This stopped Liu Zimang in her tracks, her face burning even hotter. In her panic, she blurted out, “If yours disappears, I’ll still have mine!”

Zhang Yux, standing in the doorway, was stunned by this brazen remark. What kind of wild, provocative words are these?

What shocked her most was that after five years of being classmates and three years of working together, she had never known that the usually aloof and icy Liu Zimang possessed such a bold, even aggressive side.

This…

Song Cheng nodded nonchalantly. “True.”

Zhang Yux: “……”

If you want me to leave, just say so. You don’t need to be so shameless in front of me.

Just as Song Cheng was about to leave, Liu Zimang suddenly spoke up, “How’s the situation?”

Zhang Yux stopped in her tracks, turned back, and walked inside. After settling into a seat, she said slowly, “Pretty much as expected. Whether Phoenix Sky Entertainment rises or falls depends on you two.”

Noticing Song Cheng’s nonchalant expression, Zhang Yux rested her chin in her hand. “You probably don’t know this, but she spent every penny she’s saved over the past few years to acquire Phoenix Sky Entertainment.” She patted her chest. “And she still owes me money.”

Liu Zimang used the pretense of adjusting her bangs to glance sideways at Song Cheng, trying to gauge her reaction.

Song Cheng’s expression gradually turned serious. After a moment’s thought, she said, “I’ll take on endorsements and commercials.”

How can we manage without money? I’ll just have to endure a bit longer and let Liu Zimang recoup her investment.

After another moment’s thought, she still felt uneasy. Reluctantly, she pulled out the bank card Wu Guifang had given her from her wallet. “How about you use this for now?”

Liu Zimang’s jaw dropped, and Zhang Yux covered her mouth as she stood up from the sofa.

“You can pay me back when you’ve earned it,” Song Cheng added earnestly.

This money isn’t even mine.

Liu Zimang’s expression froze instantly. She shouldn’t have held such high expectations for Song Cheng.

Well, at least I managed to convince her to abandon her defeatist attitude and stay in the entertainment industry. That’s good enough.

Zhang Yux, however, was far from calm. She strode forward in disbelief, tilting her head to study Song Cheng. “How can you say that with such righteous conviction? Let me tell you, you’ll never find a wife acting like this.”

Song Cheng instinctively turned to look at Liu Zimang, but Liu Zimang kept her face turned away. “I have 500,000 yuan that Xu We transferred to my phone. I’ll transfer it all to you. This money…” She paused, gritting her teeth before adding, “…you don’t need to pay it back.”

Liu Zimang’s eyes curved into a smile. I knew she cared about me.

Otherwise, why would someone as money-loving as her give me so much?

Concealing her inner thoughts, she turned slightly. “No need. Just don’t slack off at work.”

Song Cheng’s heartache eased slightly at these words. “Then remember to tell me if you need money.”

“Enough already! I came here to discuss work, not to watch you two lovebirds flirt,” Zhang Yux said, making a show of shivering.

Both women ignored her.

“You two chat first. I’m leaving,” Song Cheng said, taking a step away. The conversation between Liu Zimang and Zhang Yux might involve core plans, making her presence inappropriate.

Besides, even if she stayed, she wouldn’t understand much.

She had only taken two steps when Liu Zimang called out, “Stop right there! Didn’t you hear Yu X say that Phoenix Sky Entertainment’s rise depends on you too?”

Song Cheng paused, turned around, and walked back to the desk, leaning casually against it.

“Acting or singing—which do you prefer?” Seeing the confusion in Song Cheng’s eyes, Liu Zimang made the decision for her. “You should focus on singing. I’ve already called Teacher Yang Qiong, and she’s available tomorrow. Considering your lack of foundational training, she’ll start with the basics.”

After a moment’s thought, Liu Zimang added, “To maintain your momentum, I’ll have Yu X secure a music-related variety show for you. We’ll take on endorsements and commercials if they’re suitable, but we’ll pass on anything that doesn’t fit. Any objections to this plan?”

Song Cheng opened her mouth to speak, but seeing Liu Zimang’s stern expression, she shook her head.

Having settled the matter, Liu Zimang turned to Zhang Yux. “Keep the signed artists with potential, and terminate the contracts of those without it. If they still refuse to leave, you’ll have to put in some extra effort to see if any other companies in the industry want them.”

Zhang Yux rubbed her temples and nodded. “Alright. But now that some people are gone, we’ll need to bring in fresh talent, right? Also, don’t you think Song Cheng needs a manager?”

“I’ll keep an eye out for new talent. As for a manager, isn’t that what you’re here for?” Liu Zimang replied casually, her tone and manner strikingly similar to Song Cheng’s.

Zhang Yux nearly choked on her own breath and shot to her feet. “Liu Zimang, do you even have a heart? I’m already responsible for you and managing this company for you!” She pointed an agitated finger at Song Cheng. “And now you’re telling me to take care of her too? Why don’t you just split me into three pieces?”

Song Cheng stared at her outstretched finger. “I could try.”

Realizing the danger, Zhang Yux quickly retracted her hand and scurried behind Liu Zimang for cover, shoving at Liu Zimang’s arm. “Do something!”

“So, can you handle it?” Liu Zimang pressed her advantage.

Zhang Yux cursed Liu Zimang inwardly as “Liu the Skinflint,” but finally gritted her teeth and said, “Fine.”

Hearing this, Liu Zimang smiled. “She didn’t do it on purpose. Why don’t we let her off this time?”

Song Cheng snorted softly, averted her gaze, and turned away. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Zhang Yux nodded frantically. What nerve would she have to dare provoke someone as powerful as Liu Zimang again?

With the main points settled, they moved on to the details. Song Cheng, lost in a fog of jargon, leaned against the desk, shifting positions several times, but the discussion dragged on.

Liu Zimang kept glancing her way, realizing that keeping her there was putting her through unnecessary discomfort. She quickly wrapped up the conversation and, just as Song Cheng was about to leave, reached out to grab her arm. “Are you feeling better now?”

Song Cheng nodded. “Much better. I’m fine.”

She had already recovered about eighty percent. Based on past experience, a few more days of rest should bring her back to full health.

“What exactly happened to make you faint like that?” Liu Zimang hesitated before asking.

Song Cheng didn’t know how to answer. Should she tell Liu Zimang she was an outsider, a soul from another world? That would terrify her!

After a moment’s thought, she replied, “I helped with a rather complicated matter. I’ll explain in detail when I have the chance.”

Hearing this, Liu Zimang knew she didn’t want to elaborate, and a wave of disappointment and worry washed over her.

Remembering the injury on Liu Zimang’s leg, Song Cheng ignored her emotional state and crouched down to carefully roll up her skirt.

Startled by the touch, Liu Zimang instinctively recoiled, but Song Cheng didn’t stop.

Seeing no injury on her leg, Song Cheng finally stood up, relieved. “Who hurt you before?”

Reluctant to reveal the humiliation of that day, Liu Zimang turned away. “I just bumped into something by accident. It’s fine now.”

Punishment had become a routine part of her life, yet her rebellious spirit remained unbroken. When pushed beyond her limits, she would erupt, just as she had that day.

The result was another round of punishment.

Her younger brother once asked if she regretted it. Each time, she answered firmly: “No regrets.”

Even the most severe wounds would eventually heal, but if she truly compromised her principles, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

That’s why she was willing to risk being disowned by her family to enter the entertainment industry.

Sensing her reluctance to speak, Song Cheng didn’t press further. After all, she had her own secrets she couldn’t share. She changed the subject. “Want to head back? I’ll take you downstairs.”

“I have another engagement next, so I won’t be going with you. I’ll have Zhao Q call you a car.”

“No need, I have a car.” With that, Song Cheng headed for the door. “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Since her driver, Wang Dong, had been called away to deliver documents to Song Yu, she would have to wait a while for him to arrive.

Thinking it would be boring to just stand there, Song Cheng decided to take a walk around.

As she approached an artificial fountain, intending to figure out how the water was being sprayed, someone grabbed her leg.

She raised her hand to strike, but the old man who had grabbed her immediately released his grip and begged for mercy. “Forgive me, great master! I didn’t mean any harm.”

Seeing the old man’s sincere demeanor, she lowered her hand and gave him a quick glance.

He wore a robe adorned with a bagua diagram, and a banner lay discarded on the ground beside him, bearing the words “Divine Calculator.” Combined with his foot-long beard, he certainly looked the part.

She turned her attention back to the fountain and continued to approach it.

“Don’t bother looking,” the old man said sagely. “The reason it sprays is simply due to something called pressure difference.”

Prompted by this hint, Song Cheng mentally searched for the meaning of “pressure difference.”

“If you can’t understand it, don’t dwell on it,” the old man continued. “There are countless things in this world beyond comprehension, like why your soul ended up in this body.”

Song Cheng’s guard was at its highest, her hand instinctively reaching for her waist.

The old man raised both hands in a gesture of peace. “I mean no harm,” he said, settling into a cross-legged position. “To be honest, I’ve been waiting here specifically for you.”

Song Cheng remained wary. She could tell at a glance that he didn’t belong here, and this stranger made her uneasy.

She took two steps forward and forcefully grabbed the old man’s arm, confirming he possessed no Inner Force before releasing him. “Who are you? Why were you waiting for me here?”

“Junior Shen Gu. I’ve been waiting here to seek Senior’s protection.”

Song Cheng frowned slightly, the refusal on the tip of her tongue. Before she could speak, Shen Gu continued, “I wouldn’t ask for Senior’s protection without offering something in return. You recently lost something important, and that loss has left a hidden danger in your body. Though I’m not particularly skilled, I’m proficient in divination. Perhaps I can help you find a way forward.”

Sensing her growing anger, he pressed on, “Has your body not fully recovered yet? I can assure you, until that hidden danger is resolved, you won’t regain your full strength. Worse, your soul might reject this body, and you’ll become just another wandering ghost.”

Cultivators fear neither life nor death, but that’s only when they possess a Nascent Soul.

Having had her Nascent Soul destroyed by the Thunder Tribulation, she was now as vulnerable as any ordinary person, with only one life to lose. If what this charlatan said was true—that her depleted true q had left behind hidden dangers, potentially causing her body to reject her soul—then…

After a moment’s contemplation, Song Cheng found a seat and feigned nonchalance. “If you’re such a skilled diviner, did you foresee the trouble you’d encounter today?”

Shen Gu rose to his feet. “The Ancestor taught us that fortune and misfortune are intertwined. More importantly, what this junior considers trouble is merely a trivial matter to a senior like you.”

Song Cheng remained unconvinced, sizing Shen Gu up with disdain. “You’re the first charlatan I’ve ever seen who’s reached this level.”

“This junior has disgraced the Ancestor,” Shen Gu replied, his voice tinged with sorrow and indignation, “but it can’t be helped. From childhood, my Master divined that I was born without financial luck. Even if I acquired sudden wealth, I wouldn’t be able to hold onto it.” He nearly beat his chest in frustration.

“Enough with the ‘junior’ nonsense,” Song Cheng said, rising to her feet. “Tell me, how do you want me to solve your problem?”

Shen Gu quickly replied, “It’s not complicated. Just let me live with you, and the problem will resolve itself.”

Song Cheng scoffed softly, raising her hand again.

Shen Gu immediately crouched down, his face etched with distress. “I’m serious! I won’t freeload. I can cook and do chores.”

In the end, Song Cheng allowed Shen Gu to get into the car with her.

Unbeknownst to them, a watchful observer captured this scene and posted it online, sparking a frenzy of speculation about Song Cheng and Shen Gu’s relationship.

When Zhang Yux learned of this, her bl00d pressure spiked. She slammed her phone onto the table in fury. “Look at your protégé! She’s only been gone from Phoenix Sky for a few days, and she’s already causing this mess?” She stood with her hands on her hips, seething. “Does she have any awareness of being a public figure? First, she was photographed taking Xu We into her car, and now this charlatan! What’s next? Is she going to fly to the moon?”