Chapter 273 - 274: A Villain’s Triumph

Chapter 273: Chapter 274: A Villain’s Triumph

With that, Sister Zhi had already picked up her bag and was about to leave.

"I’ll go with you..." Li Yang stood up and said.

Sister Zhi glanced at him. ’Come to think of it, this does have something to do with him,’ she thought. ’But... what good would he be? He’ll just make things more difficult for me.’

"Forget it." Sister Zhi shook her head. "I should go by myself. You can just wait for me here."

"That won’t do!" Li Yang chuckled. "This whole thing has something to do with me, after all. Besides, I told you I wanted to work with you, right? Since you don’t believe in me, now’s my chance to show you what I’ve got. If you can’t get it done, I’ll help you win the contract back."

Sister Zhi gave Li Yang a surprised look. "Are you sure you can?"

"Of course I can. I have to!" Li Yang said decisively. "We’ll never know unless we give it a real shot."

Sister Zhi mulled it over for a moment before saying, "Fine, you can come with me. But let me warn you first: I’ll do the talking. You are not to say a word. If things really fall apart, I’ll give you the signal to speak. Deal?"

"No problem!" Li Yang readily agreed.

Before long, Sister Zhi led Li Yang to a high-rise office building.

They went straight into his office.

"Director Liang..." Sister Zhi said upon entering.

Li Yang glanced over. ’It’s that same jerk who was posturing in front of me yesterday.’

The same man who was chasing Qiu Yi.

When Mr. Liang saw Li Yang walk in, he was startled for a moment before letting out a cold sneer.

’Last night, at that hotel you supply vegetables to, I couldn’t do anything,’ he thought. ’But this is my turf now. You play by my rules. Who the hell do you think you are?’

’This is perfect. It gives me a chance to let off some steam.’

"Miss Bai," Director Liang said with a placid smile, "my apologies. I’m so sorry to have you come all this way."

"You’re too kind, Director Liang," Bai Zhi said with a hollow laugh. "Not at all. We’re all just trying to do our best work, aren’t we?"

Director Liang chuckled but said nothing.

"Director Liang..." Having no choice, Bai Zhi spoke first. "About what you said on the phone... I went back and thought it over, and I feel... perhaps we could discuss it again? I can’t speak for other matters, but there isn’t much time left before the car show. Switching models at this stage would surely be detrimental. Don’t you agree?"

Director Liang said with a grin, "I can’t speak for other things, but... you don’t have to worry about that anymore. I’ve already contacted another modeling agency. They’re a big company, you know, very experienced, and they’re available. They can start right away."

Bai Zhi felt helpless. After a moment, she said, "Director Liang, we’ve already begun our partnership. Why do this? If I’ve offended you in any way, I sincerely apologize."

Li Yang was genuinely surprised. ’I thought with Bai Zhi’s status, negotiating would be easier,’ he mused. ’But it seems reality is harsh.’

"Forget it..." Director Liang remained as cold and unreasonable as ever. "Since we’re at this point, I’ll give you a way out. That Qiu Yi of yours... she’s quite something. I like her. How about you have her come out and spend a night with me?"

He even chuckled as he added, "If she’s willing to spend the night with me, this whole business becomes much simpler."

Bai Zhi trembled with rage. She shot to her feet. "Director Liang, you—"

Director Liang’s face fell in an instant. "Bai Zhi, do you really think you’re still that supermodel you used to be? Take a good look at yourself now. If it weren’t for your past fame, do you think I’d bother working with a ragtag operation like yours? I tried to be nice, but you’re just shameless. In that case, we’re done talking. Get out now!"

Bai Zhi’s face was pale as she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Li Yang stood up and glanced at Director Liang.

"Get out!" Director Liang finally felt a sense of victory. "You little peasant," he said with contempt. "You can only act tough in a hotel. Now get the hell out."

Li Yang ignored him and hurried out after her.

In the car, Bai Zhi looked terrible.

"Sister Zhi..." Li Yang handed her a tissue. "If you want to cry, go ahead. We’re not the ones who were disgraced here. He is."

At Li Yang’s words, a few tears rolled down Bai Zhi’s cheeks.

"Am I really that stupid?" Bai Zhi muttered, wiping away her tears. "I actually thought I could use my old fame to find them work... But now... they’ve seen right through me. Yeah, who do I think I am?" She shook her head. "I have no dignity left."

There was nothing Li Yang could do about her pain, but after a moment’s thought, he asked, "Regarding the partnership, is he—that Liang guy—the final authority? Is there anyone else who can make the decision?"

"Of course, there are people above him who have the final say, but he’s usually the one who calls the shots," Bai Zhi said. "Why? Are you thinking of finding another way in?"

Li Yang nodded seriously. "Exactly. I want to try talking to someone else."