Fresh Gossip Has Appeared, How Could We Stop... (Continued)

[Crazy person: Feiwen! I'm warning you, if you don't agree to my terms, I'll blacklist you in the industry. As long as I'm around, no one will dare buy your songs. Then you can just wait to starve!]

Wen Feiran had repeated this process hundreds of times already. He methodically switched accounts, browsed his message lists, and picked out messages to answer.

There were all kinds of people out there, and with so many alternate accounts, he was bound to run into some crazies. Wen Feiran had developed the ability to block them out automatically, so they didn't spoil his mood.

After spending a full hour on that, Wen Feiran opened his account balance and let out a long breath.

When he transmigrated back, he had not only been in terrible physical condition but also deeply in debt. Even covering basic living expenses had been a problem.

He had once been subjected to a massive online exposé. Although two years had passed, he still worried that something bad would happen if he was recognized. He also didn't want to deal with complicated interpersonal relationships, so he had set up more than a dozen alternate accounts online and used the skills he had learned in the quick-transmigration worlds to make money.

As long as there was money to be made, he took part in anything. He had only meant to try his luck, but to his surprise, he had actually made a name for himself with every account. After half a year of serious work, he had not only paid off all his debts but also saved enough to cover his expenses for the next year.

Now he had escaped that unscrupulous agency and was no longer bound or restricted. Everything was getting better.

Wen Feiran put down his phone, stretched like a cat, and curled up on the sofa, ready to bask in the sun and doze a little longer.

The sound of money being scattered suddenly rang out in the quiet room. Wen Feiran lazily opened his eyes and picked up his phone.

It was an unfamiliar number.

Wen Feiran hesitated for a few seconds and let it ring.

He had blocked Li Tao's number, but Li Tao still wouldn't leave him alone, harassing him from different numbers. Wen Feiran was thoroughly fed up and resolved to change his number that afternoon.

After he hung up, the unfamiliar number persistently called again. This went on four or five times before Wen Feiran sighed.

What if it wasn't Li Tao? What if someone had something important to talk to him about?

He hesitated for a few seconds, then tentatively answered. "Hello."

The voice was completely unfamiliar, polite and friendly. "Hello, may I ask if this is Wen Feiran?"

Wen Feiran was on guard and put on an act. "Wen Feiran? Who's that? I don't know him. You have the wrong number."

The person on the other end had already recognized his voice. "..."

"Mr. Wen, I'm the assistant director of Forward All the Way. I sent you a private message before. It said: We contacted your agent and heard that you've terminated your contract. We were wondering if you were still available to..."

Wen Feiran had seen the message. It was word for word.

"All right, what can I do for you?" Wen Feiran finally admitted who he was.

"Well, we'd like to invite you to take part in the recording of the next episode of the variety show."

"Sorry, I've already left the industry." Wen Feiran's refusal was swift and decisive.

The assistant director found this hard to believe, but he had considered the possibility during Wen Feiran's disappearance. He replied calmly, "We respect your wishes, but we still hope you'll give us another chance. Would you have time to come to our company today?"

"Sorry, I don't have time." Wen Feiran lied through his teeth without feeling the least bit guilty.

The assistant director pleaded, "We'll definitely offer you terms you'll be happy with, and your payment for recording the last episode hasn't been settled yet."

Wen Feiran immediately perked up. "It hasn't been settled? Wasn't it all transferred to the agency?"

"Your excellent performance earned you the title of most popular celebrity guest, so we'll be giving you an extra bonus," the assistant director said.

"All right, send me the address."

When he had first transmigrated back, Wen Feiran had once lain awake all night over a single cent. The experience had left a psychological scar, and he had been fixated on money ever since.

He went to change his phone number first, then took a ride to the address the assistant director had given him.

The place was far more impressive than his old agency. As Wen Feiran walked through it, he couldn't help feeling out of place.

He stood at the door and took a deep breath before tentatively knocking.

No answer came from inside for a while, but the next moment, the door opened from within. Beaming, the assistant director welcomed him in with courtesy and respect.

The assistant director poured him a cup of tea. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me. I'm really happy."

Wen Feiran knew the entertainment industry was a snobbish and coldhearted place. An insignificant nobody like him had no value. Last time, his agent had stood him up and left him locked outside for over an hour, but this time he had been personally welcomed in. He was a little flattered, and his impression of the assistant director improved.

Wen Feiran politely took off his mask and hat and smiled at him.

The assistant director froze on the spot, forgetting even to blink.

Wen Feiran was still dressed in a loose T-shirt and black pants, blending perfectly into a crowd without standing out in the slightest. But when the assistant director saw his face, the blood in his whole body boiled, as if he could see a bright future beckoning to him.

"You're so good-looking, so why did you deliberately make yourself ugly?" the assistant director demanded indignantly. "Who styled you? I'll fire them right now!"

Wen Feiran looked utterly bewildered. "Didn't you need a stepping stone to make the other celebrities look good? That was the only look I could have."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The assistant director fell apart on the spot. He looked at Wen Feiran ingratiatingly. "It was... my fault. There was a problem with how we positioned you back then, and you had to suffer for it."

"It was all right." Wen Feiran didn't want to exchange pleasantries anymore. He got straight to the point, looking at him intently. "How much is the bonus, and when can you give it to me?"

"The bonus will definitely satisfy you." The assistant director took the opportunity to pull out the contract for the next episode and place it in front of him. "You can take a look at this first."

Wen Feiran was just about to refuse when the assistant director opened it to a page and pointed at a number.

Wen Feiran took the hint and stared at it for a full three minutes. He even seemed to have forgotten how to count, counting the zeros after the one three times. "Can I really get this much money for one episode?"