Chapter 81: Termination of Contract

Mo Nianian, eager to curry favor with Jiang Hu, spent her days immersed in his fan club, naturally keeping abreast of all these matters.

A sliver of warmth pierced the gloom in Jiang Hu’s heart. How long had it been since he’d heard words of genuine concern? Yet, these admirers would always love only his facade. If they ever learned what he was truly like, they would shun him as if he carried the plague.

Jiang Hu closed his eyes, his expression growing cold and remote. “I’m satisfied with how things are now.”

Mo Nianian was taken aback, confusion nearly written across her face. What was the male lead getting at?

She continued to probe, “Here’s the thing—I’ve started a talent agency, and I want to invite you to join.”

“I’m being sincere here. We’ll split your earnings seventy-thirty—you get seventy, I take thirty. I’ll also help you handle the contract you signed with Zhou Ze.”

Jiang Hu’s dark eyes grew even more inscrutable as he studied Mo Nianian, unable to fathom her motivation.

Sensing his doubt, Mo Nianian explained, “I told you before, I really love the way you shine on stage, dazzling and unrivaled. The stage was made for you, and since you’re sincere with me, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

As she spoke, her eyes curved with a pure, earnest light.

Jiang Hu felt a faint tremor in his heart.

He looked down, thoughtful. “What is your real goal?”

Mo Nianian was momentarily stunned. Goal? What goal? Lowering his malice level? Well, she certainly couldn’t say that out loud.

She changed tack. “Of course, I just want you to be happy and safe. I’ve told you, I really like you!”

With that, she made an exaggerated heart gesture toward him.

Jiang Hu gazed at her for a long time, his eyes growing deeper and darker. Whether or not Mo Nianian spoke the truth, he didn’t want to let this opportunity slip away.

A drowning man will cling to even a single straw.

“All right, I agree.”

[Male Lead’s Malice -1, Current Malice Value: 91.]

Upon hearing the system prompt, Mo Nianian was even more delighted, her eyes curving as she blurted out, “You’re my absolute favorite!”

Looking at the beaming Mo Nianian before him, Jiang Hu felt his annoyance and revulsion gradually subside.

Perhaps she truly was unlike the others.

[Male Lead’s Malice -1, Current Malice Value: 90.]

Mo Nianian was nearly beside herself with excitement; she had once again found the key to success.

With Jiang Hu’s face, his talent, and her money, she refused to believe she couldn’t craft an international superstar.

---

“So tonight…” Jiang Hu ventured, testing the waters.

“What about tonight? Do you have something else to do?”

Jiang Hu almost thought up an excuse, but in the end, he shook his head slightly.

“Then go home and get some rest. Look at those dark circles—foundation can barely cover them.”

Jiang Hu gave Mo Nianian another long, searching look, one she couldn’t decipher.

After saying their goodbyes, Jiang Hu returned to his lodgings. Not long after he left, the system prompt sounded again.

[Male Lead’s Malice -1, Current Malice Value: 89.]

Mo Nianian: !!!

[See? This is efficiency. As soon as I start seriously working on the task, his malice value drops like clockwork!]

Though each decrease was small, little by little it would add up. Mo Nianian was full of confidence.

Feeling rather pleased, she thought, [Jiang Hu really can’t stand me in this world. Once I help him achieve his goals and dreams, we’ll move on to the next world. I’m sure I can finish this within five years!]

The system hesitated, but ultimately held its tongue.

Somehow, it felt the male lead wouldn’t be so easily shaken off.

The prospect of soon being rid of Jiang Hu filled Mo Nianian with boundless resolve.

She sought out Zhou Ze once more, this time employing every trick—threats and incentives alike.

Zhou Ze became even more convinced of Jiang Hu’s value and refused to let him go.

Fine, Mo Nianian thought. She’d given him his chance—if he didn’t cherish it, she’d have to resort to less conventional means.

She left him with a curt warning and departed.

Soon after, scandal after scandal erupted among Zhou Ze’s artists.

His prized star was caught hosting a wild party at a nightclub.

Several fresh young idols were exposed for having girlfriends despite maintaining an image of being single.

The leading man was arrested for drug use; the leading lady was caught having an affair with a young idol while still married.

One after another, these scandals exploded onto the scene, leaving Zhou Ze scrambling to contain the damage.

The company’s stock plummeted off a cliff, shareholders withdrew en masse, and Zhou Ze was beset by an unprecedented crisis.

There was no way all this was a coincidence; someone was clearly orchestrating it.

Zhou Ze had always maintained good relationships everywhere he went—people would usually give him some leeway, no matter what.

---

In the past, even if a journalist caught one of his artists in a scandal, they would contact him first, and things would be settled quietly.

For so many media outlets to simultaneously turn against him, disregarding his reputation and exposing everything—no one but Mo Nianian could be behind it.

He was so furious his eyes turned red. He swept everything off his desk in a fit of rage.

Barely containing his anger, he made a call. “Tell Jiang Hu to get to my office immediately!”

Half an hour later, Jiang Hu knocked on the half-open door and stepped inside.

Something hard and black flew at him.

Jiang Hu didn’t dodge. The object struck him squarely, leaving a large bruise on his forehead.

“Jiang Hu—well done! I took care of you for so long, and now that you’ve caught the attention of the Mo family, you want to cut ties with me?”

As he spoke, Zhou Ze hurled a file at him, the sharp edge slicing Jiang Hu’s cheek.

Jiang Hu remained silent.

Zhou Ze found this mute endurance infuriating, but just then, the phone in his office rang.

He answered, his voice thick with anger. “Speak!”

“Boss… the Sunshine Girls are in trouble too. Someone caught them ostracizing the new member.”

“Can’t you handle such a minor issue? What do I pay you for? Get out! If you can’t fix this, you’re all fired!”

After hanging up, Zhou Ze’s anger only deepened. His chest heaved, his eyes reddened. He jabbed a finger at Jiang Hu. “Call Mo Nianian. If you can’t fix this, Jiang Hu… just wait. All your filthy past will be exposed!”

Jiang Hu remained silent.

In truth, he didn’t care. He’d worn this mask for so long that exposure meant nothing to him.

But he still wanted to know—would Mo Nianian take him away with her?

He chose to place his faith in humanity one last time.

Mo Nianian soon arrived, getting straight to the point. “Zhou Ze, can you let Jiang Hu go this time?”

Zhou Ze’s laugh was cold, his eyes icy and dark. “Miss Mo, you certainly have your methods.”

Mo Nianian waved her hand dismissively. “Nothing special.”

After all, she had money. Anything solvable with money was no real problem.

She didn’t bother sparring with him. “Where’s Jiang Hu’s termination contract? Hand it over and I’ll leave immediately.”

Zhou Ze’s face darkened. “You think, after you’ve ruined my company, I’ll let you walk away with him so easily?”