Chapter 2240 - 2243: I Grant You a Chance to Flatter a Beauty

Eight o'clock in the evening, prime time, the final episode of the local station's talent show "Heavenly Voice Singer" finally went national. The show was broadcast live on time. Because all the previous episodes were only on local cable with no real audience base, a lot of people figured this show wouldn't get many viewers.

But the moment the live broadcast started, the viewer count instantly shattered records.

The people at the TV station were gasping that it was unbelievable.

For Shen Qiang, though, all of this was exactly what he'd anticipated.

Sitting in front of the stage, he logged into the livestream on his phone.

The screen was packed with bullet comments.

"I'm here for Goddess Weiyin."

"Yeah, all here for Song Weiyin."

"That Qian Ning is amazing. Song Weiyin teaming up with her is just perfect. They're both my favorites."

"Yeah, I heard the guy who composed the song is a genius, and he's supposedly the man Song Weiyin likes."

"Someone just shoot that songwriter guy already!"

"Goddess Weiyin, Goddess Qian Ning, my idols, they're all mine."

"Uh… I thought I was the only one here to cheer for Qian Ning."

Looking at these harmless bullet comments, Shen Qiang smiled faintly.

And just then, as he turned his head, Shen Qiang saw Gong Ziyi, obviously late.

That made Shen Qiang breathe a sigh of relief.

Because compared to other times, what he cared about most right now was Gong Ziyi—only with Gong Ziyi at his side would he have a chance to keep him emotionally stable after wiping out all his subordinates.

It's just that someone as punctual as Gong Ziyi suddenly showing up late absolutely could not be chalked up to something like traffic.

But that was something he couldn't ask.

Gong Ziyi sat down next to Shen Qiang, watched the performance already underway on stage, then suddenly smiled slightly and said, "Shen Qiang, you've lost."

Shen Qiang laughed. "Where's that confidence coming from?"

Gong Ziyi chuckled, arching a teasing eyebrow. "Because I guessed your new song. So next up, you're going to be embarrassed."

Hearing that, Shen Qiang smiled. "Yeah? Let's hear it then."

"You only win for real if you write a song in a style similar to Ai Ruoling, that Queen of electro dance tracks, and make it even better. So I don't even have to guess your new piece—I already know what it is."

Hearing that, Shen Qiang turned to him and smiled. "Figures. The one who understands me best is always my enemy."

Gong Ziyi laughed, eyebrow cocked, mocking. "But that's exactly why you've already lost, you get it? The people coming to hear Qian Ning sing are expecting some inspirational track that shows them how to live beautifully just to spite you. And you suddenly switch to a dance track—no matter how good the song is, it's just shoving a gold brick at someone who's starving to death. Useless."

Shen Qiang smiled, calm. "If you didn't say crap like that, I might actually think you're a gentleman."

Gong Ziyi laughed, taking it as Shen Qiang backing down.

"Since you're yielding, I won't make this hard. Let's talk business. How's it going with getting Qian Ning to sign with our company?"

Shen Qiang smiled. "Her agent is Fang Xiaozhi. My advice to Qian Ning is to work with you. But as for the Gathering, that's something you'll have to discuss with Fang Xiaozhi after the performance."

Gong Ziyi smiled. "I knew you'd agree."

He put a contract in front of Shen Qiang. "Go backstage and have Qian Ning sign it right now."

Shen Qiang snorted with laughter. "Nice plan. If Qian Ning signs now, then no matter how stunning she is, you're the one who cashes in. Song Weiyin is also working for you. Then you get to strut."

"The terms are very generous," Gong Ziyi said with a small smile.

Shen Qiang watched the performance on stage, calm. "But that wouldn't make me happy." Turning to look at Gong Ziyi, he smiled. "Because then I couldn't humiliate you in public. So no matter what terms you offer, you'll have to wait until Qian Ning's performance is over."

Seeing that absolutely non-negotiable look on Shen Qiang's face, Gong Ziyi threatened coldly, "You're not afraid I'll have ruined her before the performance even ends?"

"Then this place will become your burial ground." Shen Qiang smiled, perfectly calm.

Hearing that, Gong Ziyi snorted. "Shen Qiang, too many hard lines just make people laugh. Why insist on being my enemy?"

Shen Qiang smiled. "Wipe that shameless look off your face. I don't even know you. Mugging me halfway doesn't count, and then you ordered your men to stir up trouble around my Heshenghe, set traps for me in Beijing. If I were even a bit weaker, I'd have died in your hands already."

Gong Ziyi chuckled. "Then let's be upfront. Have Qian Ning sign the contract now, and we're good friends."

Shen Qiang smiled. "Pretending to be tolerant of others is just your own incompetence. You don't dare hurt anyone, so you dress up your cowardly weakness as forgiveness." Glancing sidelong at Gong Ziyi's expression going instantly cold, Shen Qiang smiled. "Besides, you're the kind of guy who's always swaggering around. All of a sudden you start playing little games with me—why not just say what you're after?"

Gong Ziyi raised an eyebrow with a smile. "No agenda."

"You're worried Qian Ning won't choose to work with you after the performance," Shen Qiang said with a smile. "That's what's weird. Since I've already told you she'll work with you, what are you still afraid of?"

"Could it be that during Qian Ning's performance, you did something that'll make her never, ever work with you?" Shen Qiang looked at Gong Ziyi with a mocking smile.

Gong Ziyi froze for a second, then forced a dry laugh. "Nothing like that. You're overthinking it. But since you're so stubborn, whatever. The show's already started, it'll be over soon. We can talk about it then, it won't be too late."

Hearing that, Shen Qiang smiled. "You're hiding something from me."

"Do I have some obligation to report to you?" Gong Ziyi raised an eyebrow, smiling.

Shen Qiang smiled. "Right, there's one more thing I need you to help me with."

Gong Ziyi laughed. "You're asking me for help? That's rare. The all-powerful, storm-summoning Medicine King Shen actually needs something from me. That's hilarious. How about you smile a little sweeter at me, or kneel here and polish my leather shoes—then I'll agree."

Hearing that, Shen Qiang smiled, then coolly arched an eyebrow. "Gong Ziyi, you'd better not provoke my temper, because if it blows, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."

Gong Ziyi laughed arrogantly. "You're the one who needs a favor from me."

"Wrong. I'm giving you an opportunity to suck up," Shen Qiang said coolly, raising an eyebrow. "Once Song Weiyin's program ends, she has to rush straight back to the set. It's thousands of kilometers away and I'm not at ease. I need you to bring some strong escorts and help get her back."

In an instant, Gong Ziyi's eyes went cold. "You're messing with me?"