The Breakup Didn’t Stop Me From Owning the World - Chapter 10

As time passed with no response from either side, the enthusiasm of netizens inevitably waned. Just then, Tianhao Entertainment, always attentive to its fans, released an announcement when supporters flooded their official account seeking confirmation and sending blessings.

Tianhao Entertainment’s Fu Yao would join hands with Lan Muyu to hold a press conference tomorrow, addressing recent online rumors and giving the public an explanation.

When celebrities were caught in compromising situations before, they’d either desperately cover it up, issue breakup statements, or find lookalike stand-ins. Who’d willingly step forward to admit it like Fu Yao and Lan Muyu?

Fu Yao had played female leads in several of Tianhao’s in-house productions. Though not widely famous, her face was somewhat recognizable. With both their careers just taking off, weren’t they afraid fans might lose interest after the shipping hype faded?

One could only say Fu Yao lived up to being the heiress of Tianhao Entertainment—a wealthy socialite dating without concern for consequences. As for Lan Muyu’s stance, didn’t the notice say, “join hands”? But netizens remained divided:

Everyone disperses! A press conference obviously means they’re going public.

Tianhao sure loves drama. Couldn’t they just post a hand-holding photo and tag each other?

Rich people love stirring up publicity.

Or maybe there’s more unrevealed dirt? Showbiz couples turning on each other isn’t exactly rare.

Ahem, is this what I think it is? A messy breakup?

Suddenly I’m interested again.

Don’t speculate wildly upstairs, unless you want a lawyer’s letter.

Meanwhile, Li Ruonan retreated to her study after dinner. Unfamiliar with entertainment industry affairs, she relied on Star Glory’s multiple contingency plans.

Lan Muyu lounged lazily across her king-sized bed, savoring the AC’s coolness before facing another powerless blackout in hours. Her playful legs dangled off the edge, swinging intermittently until an incoming call interrupted her nearly completed game level.

An unfamiliar number. Lan Muyu promptly declined and returned to her game—only to find her character devoured by monsters.

The same number called again. Stabbing the answer button in annoyance: “Who is this?”

A gentle female voice responded: “Lan Muyu? This is Fu Yao’s classmate Jiang Qianrou. Do you remember me?”

Lan Muyu paused momentarily—then realized with Fu Yao’s number blocked, this approach made sense. Settling back against the headboard, “You are…?”

“Jiang Qianrou. President Fu often mentioned you to me.”

Oh? “President Fu” now?

Fu Yao discussing her with Jiang Qianrou? Surely not to praise her celestial beauty or brilliance?

Amused, Lan Muyu’s lips curled: “Do tell—what exactly did Fu Yao say about me?”

The response clearly surprised Jiang Qianrou. Shouldn’t she be furious by now? This contradicted Fu Yao’s description of Lan Muyu as petty, jealous, and obsessively possessive.

Jiang Qianrou paused for a few seconds. Lan Muyu wasn’t in a hurry either, simply waiting until she finally received a response: “President Fu says you’re wonderful. She likes you very much. If—”

Huh? Likes her very much? So much that she drugged her and handed her over to investors?

Lan Muyu waited a long time without hearing the rest of that sentence, but she could roughly guess Jiang Qianrou’s intentions. Trying to cozy up to her on Fu Yao’s behalf—should she say Jiang Qianrou’s feelings for Fu Yao weren’t deep enough, or that Jiang Qianrou was just too good at enduring? But since Jiang Qianrou had sought her out, it meant there was still something Fu Yao wanted from her.

“Miss Jiang, there’s no need for pleasantries. I’m not one to guess at hidden meanings—why not just state your purpose directly?”

“Miss Lan is straightforward. You should have already received a file in your email. Have you seen it?”

Lan Muyu picked up the laptop beside her, opened her inbox, and played a voice recording.

Jiang Qianrou waited quietly on the other end until the recording finished, followed by the sound of something hitting the floor, before asking, “Miss Lan, right now the internet is praising you and President Fu as a match made in heaven. What do you think people would say if they found out you two broke up—because you cheated?”

“That… that was just my sister. There’s nothing between us. I—I was angry and said nonsense that day. It… it shouldn’t be taken seriously.”

Hearing the obvious hesitation in Lan Muyu’s voice, Jiang Qianrou coaxed gently, “You know how much damage this would do to you if it got out now. But since we’ve known each other, President Fu doesn’t want to treat you that way.”

“Then… what should I do?” Lan Muyu deliberately sniffled, letting her voice carry a hint of a sob.

“Actually, it’s not as difficult as it seems. As long as you apologize to President Fu at tomorrow’s press conference, withdraw from Starlight Entertainment, and join Tianhao Entertainment, this recording won’t be leaked.”

“But… but I—”

Seeing Lan Muyu hesitate, Jiang Qianrou pressed on, “Once you join Tianhao, you’ll still be President Fu’s girlfriend. Promoting your relationship publicly will boost both your careers. Establishing yourselves in the entertainment industry will be effortless. Then you two can take on a few endorsements deals together—wouldn’t it be great for everyone to profit?”

“Endorsements? I can get endorsements?” Lan Muyu exclaimed excitedly. “So… you really won’t release this?”

“Of course not.” Sensing her prey taking the bait, Jiang Qianrou added, “By then, we’ll be on the same side. We’d want this recording gone even more than you do.”

“I’ll do it. But what about my contract with Starlight?”

“You and President Fu are truly in love. If you apologize to Starlight in front of the press tomorrow, with the support of the public, Starlight won’t dare to stand in the way of true love. Just be firm about terminating the contract.”

After hanging up, Lan Muyu grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down. Straining her voice to fake that tone had nearly suffocated her.

She carefully reviewed Jiang Qianrou’s words. If this had been her past self, she might have genuinely agreed, happily returning to Fu Yao’s side, only to fall right into Jiang Qianrou’s trap—alienating Starlight and leaving herself with no choice but to rely on Tianhao.

A cold smirk tugged at Lan Muyu’s lips. She had already left on her own, yet these two still wanted to push her around like this?

Did they really think she was still the same Lan Muyu from her past life?

Hah, she had someone to rely on now!

She was going to cry to Li Ruonan!

Lan Muyu acted on her thoughts immediately, barging into the study without knocking. The doors slammed against the walls from the force, accompanied by Lan Muyu’s voice, “Your little sweetheart has been bullied. What are you going to do about it?”

Li Ruonan stared at this bandit-like behavior, momentarily stunned.

Lan Muyu took a few steps forward, placing both hands on the desk. “Tianhao Entertainment wants to graze sheep on your head.”

“Graze sheep?” Li Ruonan grew more confused by the second. She turned to her computer and asked, “Do any of you know what ‘grazing sheep’ means?”

Dead silence came from the computer.

Li Ruonan glanced at Lan Muyu before addressing the computer again, “I have something to attend now. Let’s take a five-minute break.”

Now it was Lan Muyu’s turn to freeze. “There are people in your computer?”

“From Xingyao Entertainment. They’ve already found you a manager and were just reporting their solution regarding your situation.”

Lan Muyu took several steps back. A manager? She had just talked about grazing sheep on Li Ruonan’s head in front of her future manager and PR team?

Lan Muyu felt socially ruined.

She quickly turned toward the door, but before she could take more than a few steps, Li Ruonan pulled her back. “What exactly happened? Do you want to raise sheep? Actually, alpacas are quite cute too. If you like them, we could get a few.”

Lan Muyu covered her face. “You’re the one who wants to raise them! Do it yourself if you want them!”

“Then what do you want to raise?”

Lan Muyu sighed, muttering, “Jiang Qianrou just called me. Our conversation at the café last time was recorded by Fu Yao. They want me to admit to a relationship with Fu Yao and sign with Tianhao, or else they’ll release the recording to ruin me.”

“I’m sorry, if I had—”

Lan Muyu tugged at Li Ruonan’s sleeve. “They just want to destroy me. I’m so pitiful—my career is a mess, my love life is a mess, and now I have to live under someone else’s roof. My life is such a failure.”

“No, you’re wonderful,” Li Ruonan said stiffly, trying to comfort her.

“Forget it, it’s fine. I’ll go now. I just need some time alone.”

Li Ruonan reached out to pull at Lan Muyu’s arm again. “Don’t overthink things.”

Lan Muyu pointed at the time on her phone, turning away despondently. “But I need to hurry and shower before the water and electricity get cut off. I’ll be fine alone. I’ve gotten used to it over the years.”

“No water or electricity cuts tonight,” Li Ruonan said helplessly. “And no internet cutoff either. Can we talk properly now?”

The corners of Lan Muyu’s lips curled up, but the smile vanished the moment she turned around. “You won’t go back on your word, will you?”

“I won’t. So, how do you want me to help you?”

Lan Muyu pointed at the computer and walked over. She recognized the woman sitting at the center of the conference room—Ling Shan, the wife and manager of the award-winning actor Fu Qian. With her exceptional PR skills and sharp eye for scripts, she had propelled Fu Qian to become the youngest actor to win the prestigious Best Actor award.

Both were already in their thirties, yet their relationship only grew stronger, making them one of the entertainment industry’s most admired couples. In her past life, Fu Yao had tried to recruit Ling Shan to Tianhao, offering countless benefits after multiple visits, but failed to persuade her. Yet in this life, Li Ruonan had managed to get her on board?

Lan Muyu immediately shot her an approving look.

“Hello, Teacher Ling,” Lan Muyu greeted politely, quickly warming up to the people on the other end of the call.

That was originally a team assembled for Lan Muyu, and Li Ruonan hadn’t intended to interfere—until she heard Lan Muyu say, “I have a video here of Fu Yao cheating, dated earlier than the recording in Fu Yao’s possession. I wonder if it would be useful?”

Li Ruonan abruptly turned to look at Lan Muyu. So Lan Muyu had known all along how to counter Fu Yao, yet deliberately came to her acting pitiful and even mentioned something about releasing sheep?

Little Yu had grown bold. It seemed the power would have to be cut off by eight tonight.