Chapter Twenty-One: Secretly Liking, Tormenting Teammates

For the sake of his own reputation, Chen Fang decided that it would be best to find a cushy position for Pang Tong in the future, one where he could simply lie back and relax. Managing a personal account, after all, was a task that should be entrusted to someone else.

After posting the video with minimal fuss, Chen Fang and Pang Tong wandered about, searching for a place to eat.

The evening breeze was gentle.

The wind in May was refreshingly cool.

It was like the wind of youth—filled with freedom and yearning.

Chen Fang was growing increasingly accustomed to life here, and he even found a certain pleasure in it.

“Fatty, what’s your dream?” Chen Fang asked.

Pang Tong was taken aback by the sudden question.

Chen Fang’s own dream was, of course, to make money!

And if, in the process of making money, he could become a top-tier superstar, so much the better.

After all, in his younger days, Chen Fang had dreamed of being a star.

That dream had been impossible in his previous life on Earth, but here, it was within reach.

Pang Tong chewed on a skewer and thought seriously for a long moment. “To be honest, I want to sing. But I know I’m just not good enough, so my dream has changed.”

Chen Fang paused and looked at Pang Tong.

Actually, it would be difficult to make Pang Tong famous, but not entirely impossible. Chen Fang had his system, and with those legendary songs from Earth, he could write a few suitable tracks for Pang Tong as lead singles. Even if Pang Tong didn’t become a superstar, gaining a bit of fame would be no problem.

“I can write songs for you,” Chen Fang said seriously.

In this world, Pang Tong was Chen Fang’s only true friend.

Back when Chen Fang couldn’t make any money, it was always Pang Tong who helped him out.

Just for that, Chen Fang could support him for life.

A brother in hardship was far more precious than a wealthy friend.

Pang Tong looked at Chen Fang’s handsome face and shook his head firmly. “With my abilities, singing your songs would be a waste of your talent. What you need to do is focus on singing, become a superstar, so I can brag about you later! Hahahahaha!”

“My dream now is to open a music restaurant, play your songs every day, ride your popularity, attract a bunch of fans to dine there, and make money hand over fist!” Pang Tong patted his chest, not feeling the slightest bit ashamed about riding on Chen Fang’s coattails.

Chen Fang shook his head with a smile.

This fatty!

His dream was so modest.

“When I make big money, I’ll invest in you,” Chen Fang promised.

He believed that day was not far off.

The two joked and reminisced about the past, feeling a touch of nostalgia.

...

Future Stardom Entertainment’s conference room.

“Everyone, do you still think a B-level contract is too high?” Xi Yuanyuan spoke.

For a moment, the room was silent.

It was no exaggeration to say that Chen Fang’s song “Fragrant Rice” was a masterpiece. Though the arrangement had some shortcomings, Chen Fang himself promised that the official version would be even more explosive!

How many years had it been? How long since a truly phenomenal song emerged in Huaguo?

No one could remember.

Those present only knew that Huaguo’s entertainment industry had been dormant for far too long. Years ago, An Tinghan’s rise stirred things up a bit, but lately even she had faded, with no new works released.

Even the most elite music producers wouldn’t dare claim they could create a hit song in just a week.

But Chen Fang had done it.

Is a B-level contract too high? Not at all!

In fact, it was a bit low!

“Yuanyuan, go see Chen Fang. Meet all his demands if possible.”

“We must sign him before any other entertainment company does!”

“This Chen Fang must be signed! I want results!” The middle-aged man seated at the head of the table stood up, his words effectively placing a B-level contract on Chen Fang’s desk.

A newcomer receiving a B-level contract—a first in the industry!

But Chen Fang was worth it.

At that moment, Xi Yuanyuan spoke again. “President Qian, I have another request. I want to be Chen Fang’s exclusive agent, and I can no longer represent Kang Zikai.”

Kang Zikai was the young idol Xi Yuanyuan currently managed.

He had some looks, but no talent whatsoever.

More importantly, Kang Zikai had been bothering her lately.

This was her chance.

Xi Yuanyuan wanted to sever ties with him completely.

President Qian, the middle-aged man, pondered for a moment. “Fine, but only if you sign Chen Fang.”

“Understood.”

Xi Yuanyuan strode out of the conference room on her long legs.

She had to move quickly!

With Chen Fang’s performance today, many entertainment companies would be eyeing him. They might not be able to offer the tempting B-level contract, but Future Stardom’s reputation was poor; many people were aware of past incidents and were reluctant to join.

So the B-level contract wasn’t as advantageous as it seemed.

“Chen Fang, I told you—I’m going to train you!”

Xi Yuanyuan was in excellent spirits.

Training a fresh young talent was far more interesting than managing trainees and pretty-boy idols.

Of course, there was one more thing.

Chen Fang was handsome.

Far more handsome than any other male artist in the company.

Looking at his face every day was enough to lift her mood.

...

Some rejoice, others despair.

Chen Fang was in high spirits, but Cheng Jie was anything but.

The moment Chen Fang finished his performance and stepped offstage, his company called, first to berate him, then to announce they’d be cutting his resources. The worst blow was their hope that he would reach out to Chen Fang and, if possible, sign him.

Cheng Jie felt as if he’d swallowed a fly.

After being mocked by Chen Fang, he now had to swallow his pride and ask if Chen Fang would be willing to sign with his company.

Just the thought made Cheng Jie feel utterly pathetic.

But there was no choice!

It was the task assigned by the company.

If not for his upcoming appearance on a dating show, and the need to hype up a CP with An Tinghan, the company might have shelved him entirely.

“Where’s Chen Fang?” Cheng Jie asked through gritted teeth.

Wang, his agent, had confirmed with the staff that Chen Fang left right after stepping offstage.

“I’ll try to find out where Chen Fang lives. Take a break for now. If you don’t want to participate in the next competition, I’ll talk to the production team and let you focus entirely on the dating show.” Although it wasn’t really Wang’s responsibility, Cheng Jie’s business was his business.

Now, the company was unhappy not only with Cheng Jie, but with Wang as his agent.

“The dating show must go smoothly this time.”

“This is a slot the company arranged for you a year in advance. Do whatever it takes to get along with An Tinghan.”

Wang reminded him.

If he could generate some scandal with An Tinghan, this setback wouldn’t matter.

Cheng Jie took a deep breath and nodded.

Meanwhile.

Chen Fang and Pang Tong were chatting enthusiastically.

Neither drank alcohol.

Pang Tong disliked it, and Chen Fang was abstaining, except on special occasions, like when alone with Ji Mei—then a little wine was acceptable.

“I’m off to the restroom,” Chen Fang said, rising.

Pang Tong waved him off.

Left alone, Pang Tong grew bored and picked up his phone to scroll through short videos.

“An Tinghan?”

He paused.

It was An Tinghan’s personal account.

The video was simple, just outlining her schedule—she would participate in a dating show in June, giving her fans a chance to see a different side of her.

“No wonder she’s the nation’s goddess, so beautiful.”

“Let me give you a like!”

Pang Tong tapped the little heart.

What he didn’t notice was that he was still logged into Chen Fang’s personal account...