The Breakup Didn’t Stop Me From Owning the World - Chapter 7

The driver was already waiting outside. After Li Ruonan and Lan Muyu got into the car one after another, the driver asked, “President Li, where are we heading?”

Li Ruonan frowned but didn’t answer. The driver didn’t dare ask why and simply started driving around the city.

Li Ruonan observed Lan Muyu, who had been glued to her phone since getting in the car, and felt increasingly unsettled.

After all—though President Li had many flaws, being called poor was a first in her life.

Yet Lan Muyu remained oblivious and asked, “What if I delete last night’s Weibo post now? Then later, have Starlight post a welcome message for me joining them. How does that sound?”

Li Ruonan didn’t respond, just kept staring at Lan Muyu.

Lan Muyu finally looked up from her phone. “Or maybe I don’t need to trouble Starlight—I can post it myself. I just thought their official account would be more appropriate?”

“Let them handle it,” Li Ruonan said, sending Lan Muyu the contact details of Starlight’s talent director. “Your agent is still being selected. Until then, if you need anything, contact this person.”

“Got it. Where are we going now? Don’t I need to go back to Starlight to get familiarized?”

“No need. Your team will be assembled for you. Your personal studio will just be nominally under Starlight.”

“Personal studio?”

“Mm. Didn’t you read the contract carefully? I’ll allocate an entire floor for you in the Li Corporation’s Yuncheng branch office. You’ll get film and TV resources from Starlight, but the rest you can manage yourself.”

That sounded even more flexible, but Li Ruonan always demanded something in return. Lan Muyu grew wary. “Sounds too good to be true?”

“Mm. You’ll pay your own team’s expenses.”

Lan Muyu: “…”

She cursed herself for trusting Li Ruonan too much—she’d only skimmed the profit-sharing clause and ignored the rest.

She knew it couldn’t be that simple!

With business settled, Li Ruonan finally voiced her lingering question: “Where exactly am I poor? Why did you make Fu Yao pay at the café earlier?”

Lan Muyu turned to her, fox-like peach blossom eyes glinting mischievously. “You wouldn’t even let me turn on the AC. Where’s your money?”

“The AC is one thing. What happened earlier is another.”

“Oh, so you admit you have money—you just won’t let me use the AC?” Lan Muyu grumbled.

Li Ruonan replied pointedly, “I gave you a chance. You refused it.”

Give up half her contract earnings just to turn on the AC? Lan Muyu cursed the capitalist’s shrewdness in her mind again.

Li Ruonan added, “If you’re unhappy, you could always ask your parents to turn on the AC for you. I’m sure they’d love to hear about your life in Yuncheng these past few years—especially about that Ms. Fu.”

What, recount her earth-shattering, tear-jerking, and ultimately cuckolded love story of the year?

Lan Muyu immediately shook her head.

Li Ruonan asked the driver, “Xiao Zhang, is the AC off? Why is it so hot in here?”

“It’s already on. Should I lower the temperature?”

Li Ruonan smirked. “Set it to the lowest. Wouldn’t want anyone accusing us of being broke.”

The driver checked the rearview mirror. Seeing no objections, he cranked the AC to max. Bitterly cold air blasted from every vent.

Lan Muyu: “…”

But since it was already open, Lan Muyu didn’t dwell on it further and changed the subject: “Speaking of which, you have to take responsibility for me now.”

“Responsibility?”

Lan Muyu declared righteously, “When I was praising you in front of Fu Yao earlier, you acknowledged it yourself. Now we’re in the same boat—you have to protect me.”

“Oh? How should I protect you?”

The whooshing sound of the air conditioner filled the air. Lan Muyu rubbed her arms, where goosebumps had already risen. She narrowed her eyes slightly and said through gritted teeth, “For example, covering my living expenses, giving me unlimited access to water, electricity, and internet.”

Li Ruonan turned her head and looked at Lan Muyu with something akin to pity. “Do you know what your greatest strength is?”

“Being smart!”

“No.” Li Ruonan shook her head disdainfully.

“Being good-looking?”

“That’s not it either.”

“Then what is it?”

“You’re filled with an optimistic outlook on life, thorough consideration in everything you do, and the ability to shine with just a little sunshine. Not bad, really not bad.”

Lan Muyu nodded vaguely, feeling like something wasn’t quite right.

Then, in the next moment, she watched as Li Ruonan patted her head like an elder: “Keep dreaming.”

Lan Muyu: …

“Driver, turn off the air conditioner.”

The driver’s hand had just reached the switch when Li Ruonan spoke: “Who pays your salary?”

The driver withdrew his hand. Even though he was freezing, he didn’t turn off the air conditioner and continued driving Li Ruonan and Lan Muyu in circles around the city.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Fu Yao, who had failed to sign Lan Muyu, returned to Tianhao Entertainment and angrily tore up the contract for Lan Muyu on the desk. Still unsatisfied, she swept all the other documents off the tables as well.

“Knock, knock, knock.” The secretary entered.

Fu Yao turned her back to compose herself before asking, “What is it?”

“President Fu, the morning meeting is about to start. Will you be attending?” Seeing Fu Yao remain silent, the secretary added, “Vice President Fu Yiming is also here.”

Fu Yao thought for a moment. “Go ahead and prepare. I’ll be there shortly.”

After the secretary left, Fu Yao hurled a glass from the desk onto the floor. Fu Yiming was only a nominal executive and rarely showed up unless the company signed a batch of new artists. His presence today was clearly due to the failed signing of Lan Muyu. Fu Yao had studied acting and relied on professional managers to run the company, which had left her position as general manager vulnerable to covetous eyes for a long time.

Tianhao Entertainment had initially been funded by the Fu family’s early profits from the coal industry. But as the agency expanded, Tianhao spent heavily to poach artists from other agencies and invested in numerous film and TV projects to develop their talents. The backlog of productions gradually drained Tianhao’s finances.

The entertainment industry moved at a breakneck pace. Artists might seem glamorous, but their shelf life was short. Tianhao had to continuously provide them with resources, or they would fade as quickly as they rose, overtaken by newcomers. Without connections, self-investment was the best option.

Therefore, in order to firmly establish itself in the entertainment industry, Tianhao signed a three-year valuation adjustment mechanism (VAM) agreement at the beginning of last year, accepting an investment of two billion yuan for a 20% stake. If Tianhao Entertainment fails to achieve a net profit of one billion yuan after taxes within these three years, it must repurchase the two-billion-yuan worth of shares at an annual interest rate of 15%.

With half the VAM period already elapsed, the company has so far generated only about three hundred million yuan in net profit, which is undeniably concerning.

However, Lan Muyu’s debut film caught the attention of a renowned director, achieving remarkable success and demonstrating immense potential. Most importantly, the contract Tianhao intends to offer Lan Muyu would maximize the company’s profits. Fu Yao used this to paint a rosy picture for the shareholders, temporarily silencing the skeptics.

Originally, the plan was to leverage Lan Muyu’s fame to boost Tianhao’s visibility and give other artists exposure. But Lan Muyu’s outright refusal has left Fu Yao in a precarious position.

Fu Yao pushed open the conference room door and scanned the room. The turnout was impressive, with even the usually absent shareholders present.

She walked in with her secretary and took her seat at the head of the long table. No sooner had she sat down than Fu Yiming, seated beside her, spoke up: “When President Fu insisted on buying Weibo hot search spots to promote Lan Muyu, I thought it was a waste of money. But now, Tianhao has become an overnight sensation after being rejected—talk about saving on advertising costs!”

Someone immediately chimed in: “President Fu has a keen eye. We only spent on basic hot search placements, and Lan Muyu managed to dominate the top hot search spots for two days straight.”

“So, with Lan Muyu on board, our VAM might not be impossible to fulfill after all.”But the hot search about Lan Muyu not signing is still trending. Has she actually signed or not?”

“Given President Fu’s relationship with Lan Muyu, how could she not sign? Right, President Fu?”

Even when facing financial difficulties, Fu Yao had never felt so cornered. The veins on the back of her clenched hands bulged as she struggled to respond.

At that moment, a gleeful voice beside her taunted, “Well? Aren’t you going to answer everyone’s burning question?”

“Lan Muyu refused,” Fu Yao took a deep breath and stood up. “But I will find another way to fulfill the VAM on time.”

“Easier said than done. What’s your plan? We don’t have the funds to repurchase the shares,” Fu Yiming blocked her path.

Fu Yao explained patiently, “Tianhao has several TV dramas yet to air, and a movie we invested in at the beginning of the year will be released during the summer season.”

“But hasn’t it passed censorship yet? With the current crackdown, who knows when those dramas will air?”

“We also have several projects in pre-production slated to start filming in the second half of the year—”

Before she could finish, someone interrupted, “So all you have are backlogged dramas you think will turn a quick profit and scripts you personally favor?”

Another voice chimed in, “I heard Miss Fu studied acting in college. If managing the company is too difficult, perhaps it’s time for a change in leadership?”

“I agree.”

“So do I.”

Just as Fu Yao found herself isolated and unsupported, the door to the conference room suddenly opened. Jiang Qianrou walked in, dressed in a floral chiffon blouse paired with a white bodycon skirt, exuding an air of scholarly elegance. “I disagree,” she announced.

Though unsure of Jiang Qianrou’s intentions, Fu Yao quickly stepped forward to greet her, guiding her to sit beside her. She introduced, “This is Jiang Qianrou, granddaughter of director Jiang Yu. She just returned from abroad.”

While those present were unfamiliar with Jiang Qianrou, the name Jiang Yu rang a bell. Jiang Yu was among the first generation of directors in China, with many of his films well-known even among the younger generation. He was a highly respected figure in the film industry with extensive connections.

Jiang Qianrou’s parents were both university professors. Influenced by her family from a young age, she had won first prize in a screenwriting competition during high school and later went abroad for further studies.

With a hint of curiosity, Jiang Qianrou asked, “Wasn’t today supposed to be for signing the contract? What were you all discussing? Did I come at the wrong time?”

“No, no, no, we were just joking with President Fu,” someone quickly replied. After all, Jiang Qianrou’s family’s film resources were not to be underestimated, and her presence as a screenwriter commanded respect in the industry.

“President Fu, when shall we sign the contract?” Jiang Qianrou turned to Fu Yao.

“The documents are in my office. Come with me.”

Thus, the meeting came to an abrupt halt due to Jiang Qianrou’s arrival. As soon as she stepped into Fu Yao’s office, Fu Yao got straight to the point, “I broke up with Lan Muyu.”

“Why?”

Fu Yao hesitated for a few seconds. “It seems she was seeing someone else.”

“How could she, when you’re so—”

“It’s fine. I’m just a little upset,” Fu Yao said, pulling Jiang Qianrou onto the sofa and lowering her eyes. “Just a tiny bit.”

“From now on, I’ll help you. Just like we agreed at the beginning—I’ll write the scripts, you’ll act, and we’ll make Tianhao the most powerful entertainment company.”

“Yes, let’s work hard together.” Fu Yao wrapped her arms around Jiang Qianrou and slowly leaned in for a kiss.

When the kiss ended, the lingering warmth still in the air, Jiang Qianrou asked worriedly, “But what about Lan Muyu’s Weibo? How should we handle the PR?”

Fu Yao smiled dismissively, unlocking her phone and playing a recording, “—Lan Muyu, are you breaking up with me because of her? She’s not really your sister, is she?
—But my sister is indeed prettier than you. She traveled thousands of miles to see me, and she’s devoted and gentle to me.”

Jiang Qianrou gasped. “This—”

Fu Yao tapped Jiang Qianrou’s lips. “Exactly as you think. Lan Muyu is the kind of person who cheats and breaks contracts while acting entitled. The pure, kind, and inspirational image she built from that movie will soon crumble.”