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"I couldn't possibly spend five million on a signing bonus for an unknown." Cheng Tianguang shook his head, unable to understand where Zhu Jianxin's genuine feelings were coming from. "Jack, you're an old hand at the company too. You've managed quite a few second- and third-tier celebrities. By rights, you should have developed some judgment and composure by now. Isn't he just a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old boy? So what if he's good-looking? So many newcomers enter the industry every year—are there really not enough attractive ones? Besides, from the way you describe him, the kid doesn't sound obedient. Even if we signed him, he'd probably be trouble."

"But his potential is truly exceptional." Zhu Jianxin did his best to recommend him. "If we don't make a move soon, Wen Yangke will sign him to Aodong Pictures."

"Wen Yangke?" Cheng Tianguang frowned, his hand pausing slightly as he drank his tea. "How did he get dragged into this again?"

Zhu Jianxin repeated, word for word, everything Cheng Yu had said to him at the cold drink shop earlier.

Cheng Tianguang fell silent in thought. He knew Wen Yangke well enough. As one of Aodong Pictures' veterans and the director of its production department, that old fox had not only a sharp eye but also formidable methods. The people he favored were generally never wrong.

What made Cheng Tianguang even more curious, however, was that Wen Yangke had not signed any newcomers in years. Now that he had taken the initiative to sign Cheng Yu, what exactly was Cheng Yu's background?

At that thought, Cheng Tianguang could not help growing curious himself. He picked up his phone and called Wen Yangke.

The two old foxes exchanged pleasantries for ages. Cheng Tianguang circled around the subject, probing for Cheng Yu's identity and background. Wen Yangke had initially been completely baffled, unable to understand why Cheng Tianguang, another old fox, had called him. Hearing this, he finally understood.

"You mean Cheng Yu?" Wen Yangke chuckled. "Forget it. You know C&C Jewelry, right? He's the Cheng Family's second young master. There's no way he'll join the entertainment industry. Besides, with that personality of his, he isn't suited to being an idol."

If he took the acting route, he could still maintain his own distinctive style. But becoming an audition-show idol basically meant selling a persona. Wen Yangke felt that with Cheng Yu's temper and character, he would never tolerate being controlled and manipulated by a management company. Not to mention pleasing fans.

Cheng Tianguang worked in entertainment, and the entertainment and fashion circles had always been closely connected. Naturally, he had heard of C&C Jewelry. For a moment, he was rather stunned. He had never expected the prospect Zhu Jianxin valued so highly to be C&C Jewelry's second young master.

After hanging up, Cheng Tianguang could not help confirming it with Zhu Jianxin. "He really told you that he wanted to join the entertainment industry?"

"Absolutely." Zhu Jianxin nodded so hard it looked as though his neck might break. "Although it did seem like a whim, I can say for certain that he does want to enter the industry."

As for whether he merely wanted to dabble in it or had some other purpose, Zhu Jianxin could not say. Boys that age were fickle by nature.

Cheng Tianguang was puzzled again. "Then why didn't he just sign with Aodong Pictures?"

Cheng Tianguang's question stumped Zhu Jianxin. After all, it was precisely because he could not figure out Cheng Yu's thoughts that he had rushed back to the company in a panic to call for reinforcements.

The two grown men stared at each other across the large desk for a while before Cheng Tianguang called his secretary and instructed the HR department to prepare a Grade B contract for a second-tier artist. Then, taking a five-million check with them, the two headed to the hospital.

Near noon, Cheng Shao had the housekeeper prepare nourishing soup and food for the patient, then personally drove it over. After the caregiver set up the dining table, Cheng Yu fed his grandfather lunch himself. He had been pampered since childhood and had never served anyone in his life. Even pouring water and feeding someone a meal felt particularly unfamiliar to him. Chen Simiao was not especially comfortable eating that way either. Yet neither grandfather nor grandson found it troublesome. One fed him clumsily, while the other ate slowly. Lin Sufen sat beside them, watching with a smile. Turning her head, she said, "Our Yu is becoming more and more sensible."

Cheng Shao nodded in agreement. He had noticed that whenever Cheng Yu was with his grandparents, his emotions were calm. He was also especially well-behaved and steady. Whenever he was with his parents, though, it was endless fighting. Never mind what Cheng Yu himself thought—Cheng Shao was exhausted just watching.

"Our Yu has always been good." Chen Simiao smiled and joined in, asking Cheng Yu, "You've behaved so well. What reward do you want?"

"There's nothing I want." Cheng Yu smiled faintly. He had long passed the age of asking others for rewards. "I just hope you get better soon, Grandpa."

Hearing that, Chen Simiao beamed so brightly he nearly blossomed. Just as he was about to give his grandson a loving hug, someone knocked on the door outside.

"May I ask if this is Mr. Chen?" Zhu Jianxin held a bouquet of flowers as he poked his head cautiously through the doorway.

Chen Simiao and Lin Sufen exchanged looks. Lin Sufen instinctively stood up. "May I ask who you are?"

"You're that agent?" Cheng Shao recognized him at once. "How did you find this place?"

Zhu Jianxin grinned. With a flash of movement, his plump body squeezed nimbly into the hospital room. He stepped forward and took Lin Sufen's hand. "Hello, hello. You must be Cheng Yu's grandmother, right? My name is Zhu Jianxin, and I'm an agent with Tianguang Entertainment. This is my boss."

Cheng Tianguang, who entered afterward, said with a smile, "Hello, Madam. Hello, sir. I'm Cheng Tianguang, the general manager of Tianguang Entertainment."

"Oh, hello." Lin Sufen shook Cheng Tianguang's hand somewhat blankly, then turned to look at her husband.

Chen Simiao frowned slightly before speaking. "Guests are guests. Please, have a seat."

Cheng Tianguang sat down on the sofa to one side, while Zhu Jianxin placed the fruit and flowers on the TV cabinet. He winked at Cheng Yu, looking a little smug. "Didn't expect me to find you, did you?"

Cheng Yu laughed silently and looked at Cheng Tianguang. "President Cheng must have learned my identity from Wen Yangke, right?"

Cheng Tianguang raised his brows, not surprised that Cheng Yu had guessed as much.

Zhu Jianxin, who had wanted to show off a little, touched his nose in disappointment and returned to stand beside Cheng Tianguang.

Cheng Tianguang smiled slightly. "Young Master Cheng is indeed quick-witted."

Cheng Yu curled his lips but said nothing.

From the moment he entered, Cheng Tianguang's gaze had unconsciously been drawn to Cheng Yu. He realized that Cheng Yu truly was as Zhu Jianxin had said: someone with the aura of a natural superstar. No matter how many people were present, no matter who they were, Cheng Yu was always the one most likely to draw everyone's attention. He was not only strikingly handsome, but possessed an even more distinctive temperament. His entire body seemed wrapped in a careless, wicked air, making him seem nothing like a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old boy.