MACRM Chapter 51

Lin Zhu was in the general manager’s office at Canxing Entertainment.

The publicity materials had been passed back and forth by Canxing several times, and everything they copied over was trivial. Lin Zhu brought people over and was blocked on the second floor with a few rounds of evasive excuses. He simply had his assistant clear the way, barged into the Resources Department, and finally figured out what was going on.

Canxing had been secretly negotiating resources for Zhong Yao behind their backs.

None of it was anything presentable, yet it all “happened” to overlap with the endorsements they were currently discussing. Competing brands never use the same person. That’s an unwritten rule in the industry. Since Canxing was nominally Zhong Yao’s company, there were naturally a lot of businesses approaching them under his name.

Zhong Yao’s contract was airtight, and Lin Zhu watched it closely. Canxing couldn’t force him to sign endorsements he didn’t want, but the early-stage talks weren’t restricted. As long as the rumors were released, even if nothing was finalized, other brands would think twice before continuing negotiations.

Clozeya had probably heard that Canxing was approaching other menswear brands for Zhong Yao, which was why their attitude suddenly changed when they were nearly ready to sign.

Resources that weren’t negotiated wouldn’t be entered into the system, so publicity couldn’t have copied them. Lin Zhu had someone pin down the department head, then searched the desk himself and found the list. After skimming it, he went up to the top floor and slapped the list and contracts onto the general manager’s desk.

“Zhong Yao’s developing well right now, and this is exactly when he needs to branch out and boost name recognition. Helping an artist develop is what the company should be doing.”

The general manager had prepared for this, intent on dodging: “There’s only half a year left. We all want to part on good terms…”

Lin Zhu cut in: “Nine months and seven days.”

The general manager froze.

“Heh, spare me the courtesies. I know exactly what you’re planning.” Lin Zhu met his eyes. “You’re set on making these nine months miserable for us. Sabotage as many endorsements as you can, show us what happens when we defy the company. Then the next step: cry victim all over the internet, play up old emotional connections, block all our paths. As long as we clash with Canxing, we’ll be painted as ungrateful. You want to crush us into signing the renewal.”

Media loved a face-slapping moment. Zhong Yao’s return had sparked major traffic, and Lin Zhu had been guarding his clean reputation step by step. If Canxing fueled a public conflict, it would definitely hurt him.

The company wouldn’t push a cash cow into the fire for no reason. They simply thought they’d become too disobedient, so they were using the industry’s usual tricks to teach them a lesson. If they didn’t want to be sabotaged everywhere for the next nine months, they’d have to swallow the terms and sign the renewal.

The strategy the higher-ups had discussed for half a month was laid out by Lin Zhu piece by piece. The general manager’s expression shifted, though he tried to stay calm. “Nothing like that is happening…”

Lin Zhu didn’t bother engaging. He turned to leave.

“Stop!”

The general manager hurried around his desk. “I don’t know who leaked things to you… but since Zhong Yao only sent you, that means he still doesn’t want to burn bridges with the company, right?”

“No need to worry about what Zhong Yao does. I came here on my own.”

Lin Zhu pulled out his phone, casually scrolling through Weibo. “You think this is some brilliant plan? You think Zhong Yao’s afraid of a little bad press? Every celebrity studio on earth gets attacked. If an artist clashes with the company, fans side with the artist, not management. You have a brain, right?”

The general manager flushed, teeth clenched. He moved in front of Lin Zhu, voice low and threatening. “It won’t destroy him, but he’ll be covered in filth… Are you sure he’s not afraid? If he wasn’t afraid, he could’ve kept acting back then. Why did he disappear for three years?”

Lin Zhu stopped and looked up, gaze steady.

“You think he doesn’t know why you’re here? Think about it. If you walk out of here and he gets dragged into a storm with the company, what will he think of you? Even if he doesn’t doubt you, will he think you’re incompetent? After what he’s been through… if someone close to him repeats a mistake, would he keep them at his side?”

The higher-ups knew how Lin Zhu treated Zhong Yao and where his weak spot was. The general manager’s eyes lit up as he coaxed, “Fine… I admit the company prepared for a crisis scenario, but it’s only a precaution. We don’t want to fight with him. You two are close right now. Help persuade him. Keep him here. Your commission rate can go to fifteen percent of his income!”

He grabbed Lin Zhu, then continued, “You know, I know, everyone wins. You keep your resources and development plan. The company won’t interfere again. Nothing changes. You stay as his agent. We can give you an independent contract, no need to take other artists, solely managing him…”

Before he could finish, his collar tightened. He was slammed against the wall.

His expression changed instantly. He opened his mouth to shout, but Lin Zhu’s knee cut off the sound.

“Back then…”

His emotions surged so sharply his head throbbed. He gritted his teeth, focused, and stared into the man’s eyes. “Three years ago, when you sent reporters to force Zhong Yao to clarify that everything had nothing to do with the company, and even push a newcomer at his retirement press conference, were these the conditions you offered them?”

The general manager froze, panic flashing across his eyes. Lin Zhu shut his own eyes briefly and turned his face away. “Forget it. You don’t need to answer.”

It had been a long time since Lin Zhu lost his temper like this. His chest rose and fell, his gaze icy. “You think I’m scared of this? Still dreaming of using him… How many times have I told you to stop watching those shitty soap operas? Did you really think threatening me would make me grit my teeth and help you drag out this mess for twenty more episodes?”

The general manager paled. His lips moved uselessly.

Lin Zhu tightened his grip, eyes closed.

This was Zhong Yao.

Someone that good… if he could be scared by these threats, he wouldn’t have barged into that conference room three years ago to volunteer himself.

“Listen… just let go and hear me out…”

The terrified general manager tried to calm him down, but Lin Zhu cut him off, voice low. “Believe it or not, if I walk out today, tomorrow’s trending topic will be about a young hotheaded agent clashing with the company and causing a misunderstanding that led to early termination.”

As long as it didn’t harm Zhong Yao, Lin Zhu had endless ways to torment Canxing. He didn’t back down, stabbing each word into the man. “I know plenty of your dirty secrets. The variety show. Zheng Yi. I’ll go public with everything. I’ll say I was unhappy with my treatment, and has nothing to do with Zhong Yao…”

“You’re insane!”

The general manager had been frightened senseless. He didn’t dare call for help. His voice was hoarse. “What if… what if you and Zhong Yao split someday? Your future will be ruined!”

Unmoved, Lin Zhu yanked off the man’s tie, balled it up, and shoved it into his mouth. Ah, now he has blessed silence.

Young Master Lin had kept a low profile since entering the industry. Few knew his background. He didn’t actually depend on this job to live. And with the allowance his older brother had forcibly given him to “support” Zhong Yao, he had more than enough to pay Zhong Yao’s penalty outright.

Holding the general manager down, he was debating whether to just redeem Zhong Yao today when the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Knowing he might not be able to resist beating someone, Lin Zhu had stationed two large assistants outside. He didn’t expect anyone to get in. He looked up instinctively and froze.

Three years later, losing control again at Canxing headquarters, pinning the general manager to the wall and plotting to buy back his artist, Young Master Lin went ice-cold all over.

He backed away in a rush, straightening up, blushing down to his collar, tripping over his words, “Z-Zhong… Zhong Yao…”

Zhong Yao, for once, looked shaken.

The collar of his shirt was slightly askew, his tie not properly straightened, sleeves pushed up to his elbows. Maybe he had rushed over too fast, because there was still a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Lin Zhu had never wanted him to see him like this. He pressed his lips together, turned his gaze away, hands tucked behind his back as he tried to come up with some kind of explanation. But before he could speak, Zhong Yao was already striding toward him and pulling him firmly into his arms.

Lin Zhu jolted in surprise. He didn’t even have time to react before that familiar warmth and strength soothed him without leaving room for resistance.

Zhong Yao held him close, and through the fabric of their clothes, his slightly quickened heartbeat settled into Lin Zhu’s chest like dust finally falling to the ground.

He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but suddenly didn’t know what to say.

On the way here he had thought of so much. He wanted to ask how much Lin Zhu had worried back during that press conference, wanted to ask where he had been, whether they had spoken. He wanted to ask if Lin Zhu had felt terrible after he left, what Lin Zhu had done afterward, how he had spent these three years.

But the moment he saw Lin Zhu, every thought evaporated.

Sensing something wrong with Zhong Yao’s mood, Lin Zhu grew worried. He shifted slightly in the man’s arms. “Ge, what’s wrong? Did something happen outside? It’s alright, I’ll figure something out…”

Zhong Yao tightened his embrace, holding him even closer.

Lin Zhu’s focus was already slipping. Wrapped in Zhong Yao’s steady warmth, he slowly calmed down, his mind clearing a little.

He thought back to Zhong Yao’s schedule that afternoon. His heart suddenly fluttered, an idea vaguely rising.

His throat felt a little dry. He tilted his head up lightly. “Ge…”

“The flowers are beautiful…”

Zhong Yao lowered his head, his voice slightly hoarse, gaze sinking into his agent’s amber eyes as he spoke carefully and seriously: “I’m back.”

Lin Zhu’s body trembled. Tears spilled before he could stop them.

There were still people in the office. He didn’t want anyone seeing him this embarrassingly weak, so he buried his face into Zhong Yao’s shoulder, chest rising and falling sharply as he gritted his teeth and tried to steady his breathing.

Zhong Yao held him, letting him lean against him, and dipped his head slightly. “Let me handle it, alright?”

Eyes closed, Lin Zhu forced back his tears and nodded hard.

“There’s less than a year left, right?”

Zhong Yao didn’t seem to even notice the general manager’s disheveled state. He held his own agent in one arm and said pleasantly, “I need to save money to buy my agent a house. I’m not giving all of it to you. We’ll go through legal channels. Whatever compensation is required, we’ll pay.”

Zhong Yao’s contract had been signed years ago, with an absurdly high penalty fee. If they took it to court, the terms might very well be adjusted. The company might not even be able to keep him with the penalty.

The general manager broke into a cold sweat and stammered, “Zhong-laoshi, there must be a misunderstanding. Please don’t be upset. If you have any requests, you can just say—”

Zhong Yao nodded. “I do.”

The manager’s eyes lit up and he leaned forward eagerly. “Please, say it. We’ll absolutely meet your needs. The company stands with you, and we hope you won’t be swayed by a few false rumors—”

Zhong Yao cut him off. “My agent is leaving with me. Whatever his penalty fee is, count it together with mine. As for the legal procedures, same as mine.”

The general manager choked, face going pale, and forced out a strained smile. “You’re joking. Xiao Lin is doing very well in the company, and he gets along great with all the other staff. We guarantee that as long as he continues to fulfill his duties managing our artists, we won’t restrict him from working with you…”

That was exactly the issue Zhong Yao cared about most. His eyes sharpened and he cut in, “I’ll pay his penalty directly. End the contract now.”

Manager: “……”

Leaning against Zhong Yao’s shoulder, Lin Zhu couldn’t hold it in and let out a small laugh.

He was covered in cold sweat, his whole body still icy to the touch. Seeing him smile, Zhong Yao finally relaxed a little and pulled him protectively closer. “Can I use a card?”

…

Fifteen minutes later, the general manager personally printed out the agent’s contract termination, and Zhong Yao paid Lin Zhu’s penalty on the spot.

Zhong Yao had rushed over solely for Lin Zhu. Now that he had “bought” his agent back, he didn’t waste another second with the executives, escorting Lin Zhu straight out of Canxing’s building.

“Let’s go home. I have something to show you.”

After tucking Lin Zhu’s contract into his own pocket, Zhong Yao finally seemed at ease. With an arm around him, he stepped out of the elevator and spoke softly. “There’s a cabinet at home. It’s usually locked. Inside are things I don’t even dare take out often… they’re too easy to break…”

Lin Zhu, after spending all afternoon wrestling with people from the company and getting dragged through emotional ups and downs, was dizzy. He hadn’t even eaten lunch. His head felt foggy. “Instant noodles?”

Zhong Yao: “……”

He went silent, then laughed helplessly as he straightened Lin Zhu’s collar. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly froze mid-step.

Outside the building, camera flashes exploded like fireworks. Reporters surged forward, microphones shoved at them from every direction. The moment they stepped out, the noise of all the voices crashed over them.

From the broadcast hall all the way here, it had been impossible for Zhong Yao to move unnoticed. Sooner or later people were bound to spot him. Canxing knew by now that things were completely out of control. They wouldn’t help block reporters. They might even have leaked the news while the contracts were being processed.

Lin Zhu tensed, gathering himself to step forward, but Zhong Yao moved first, shielding him behind his back.

Many of these reporters clearly weren’t here with good intentions. They might even try to provoke open conflict between Zhong Yao and the company. Lin Zhu didn’t want Zhong Yao’s reputation to be affected. He tugged at the man’s sleeve. “Ge, let me—”

“It’s fine.” Zhong Yao ruffled his hair gently and smiled. “Didn’t you say I’m in charge?”

His tone was warm and gentle. The steadiness of it washed away the last bit of tension Lin Zhu had just gathered. He blinked, dazed, staring at him. His mind emptied into quiet and calm, and he nodded without thinking.