Page 35

Before today, everyone knew that Shen Huaiyu's parents were dead and that he had a younger brother in the hospital, lying there in a vegetative state. Because of his good looks, he had caught the eye of President Lu from Xuanyuan Group. But after today, Shen Huaiyu had become one of the lucky few—someone protected by an important backer and with a bit of wealth of his own.

Even in a place like White Jade Capital, where money flowed like water, 5.6 million was no small sum.

"You really do have good luck. You always run into capable people willing to help you." Someone looked at Shen Huaiyu with both envy and jealousy. "But then again, Cheng Lang got so much money back for you. Didn't you give him a share?"

"I—" Shen Huaiyu had just started to speak when Cheng Lang cut him off.

"I'm not interested in inheriting anyone's estate." Cheng Lang smiled at the waiter who had spoken. "Jealous? Given the chance, I'd help you out like that too."

The man's expression changed. "You—"

"Enough!" The floor manager hurried over and interrupted them. "What time do you think it is? Don't any of you need to work?"

He then looked at the waiter who had repeatedly provoked Shen Huaiyu. "Cen Xiaobei, can you stop targeting Shen Huaiyu all the time? What did he ever do to you?"

Cen Xiaobei shot Shen Huaiyu an indignant glare. Shen Huaiyu had done nothing to him. He simply couldn't stand people like Shen Huaiyu. He had clearly fallen to the same level as the rest of them, so why did he still act so high and mighty?

And before Shen Huaiyu had come to White Jade Capital, Cheng Lang had been closest to him. Ever since Shen Huaiyu arrived, Cheng Lang had devoted most of his attention to Shen Huaiyu and practically ignored him. What a guy who valued beauty over friendship!

Thinking that, Cen Xiaobei glared hatefully at Cheng Lang, turned around, and stomped off with an exaggerated sway.

The floor manager looked at Cheng Lang. "Don't hold it against Cen Xiaobei. He's just got a loose tongue. He isn't a bad person, and he doesn't mean any harm."

"Don't hold it against me either." Cheng Lang looked at the floor manager with an innocent expression. "My tongue's just a little sharp. I'm not a bad person, and I don't mean any harm."

The floor manager: "..."

With a headache coming on, the floor manager chased them away. "Get back to work already!"

Cheng Lang grinned as he headed to work. The moment he entered the dance floor, two people stopped him.

"You're Cheng Lang?" The lean man in a black T-shirt looked at Cheng Lang with a complicated expression. "My fellow apprentice and I saw the video of you cursing people out online today. Your mouth really is sharp."

Cheng Lang sized up the two men, who seemed completely out of place amid the dance floor's atmosphere, and asked with a smile, "I'm Cheng Lang. What can I do for you two?"

"Let me introduce us. I'm Yao Liangsheng, and this is my senior apprentice brother, Yao Liangjing. We're both crosstalk performers at Grand View Stage. These past few days, quite a few Grand View Stage audience members have told us that our crosstalk isn't as entertaining as yours. My brother and I came here tonight specifically to seek your guidance."

Cheng Lang: "..."

Cheng Lang had just been about to say something when Chen's assistant approached, looking grave. "Chen wants you in his office."

Cheng Lang: "..."

In the third-floor office, Chen was equally speechless when he saw Cheng Lang. He had realized that ever since he started dealing with Cheng Lang, this feeling of speechless helplessness had never improved.

"You've seen the video online, right?" Chen asked.

Cheng Lang shook his head with an innocent expression. He wasn't a professional debt collector; he wasn't dedicated enough to review videos of himself cursing people out. Was he supposed to summarize the lessons learned so he could perform even better next time?

Before Chen even spoke, he let out a sigh. "I know you're naturally flamboyant and always have your own ideas about how to do things—"

Cheng Lang looked deeply wronged and couldn't help defending himself. "I'm not flamboyant. I'm actually very timid and low-key."

Chen looked at Cheng Lang in disbelief, wondering how he had the nerve to say that with a straight face.

"...Anyway, I hope you can keep a lower profile when you're out and about. You have to understand that, given White Jade Capital's standards, our most important duty is protecting our guests' safety and privacy. Under these circumstances, White Jade Capital isn't suited to becoming the focus of public attention."

Fortunately, the video spreading wildly online today had not explicitly named White Jade Capital. Otherwise, Chen would have had a headache figuring out how to explain it to President Qin.

Cheng Lang nodded obediently.

Watching Cheng Lang lower his eyes and pretend to be meek and well-behaved, Chen felt a faint ache in his temples. "That's all. Go back downstairs and work."

After Cheng Lang left, the manager of White Jade Capital's publicity department pushed open the door to Chen's office. "Finished lecturing him?"

Chen gave a derisive snort. "That kid's craftier than a monkey in a fur coat. The moment I started, he played dumb and acted obedient. I couldn't say anything too harsh."

"Young people are bound to be a little high-profile." The publicity manager said with a smile, "But I think he has a good sense of propriety in both his words and actions. Cultivate him properly, and he might turn out to be a real talent."

"You've taken a liking to him?" Chen shot his friend a sidelong glance. "Still, he might not be interested in a job with your publicity department. Do you know how much he can make in one night now? The kid dreams of earning a hundred million at White Jade Capital!"

The publicity manager laughed speechlessly and said nothing more.

Downstairs, Cheng Lang stepped onto the stage precisely at nine in the evening. The guests below began to get excited the moment they saw him.

Cheng Lang keenly caught the ill-intentioned mood in the air and couldn't help saying, "I'm honored by your support. I hear that you've all been helping make my name in all sorts of places—"

Before he could finish, someone below shouted, "You deserve it!"

Cheng Lang looked toward the voice. "You're the big brother who used me to roast people at Grand View Stage, aren't you?"

Having been exposed, the man was not ashamed but proud instead. "You're much better than those crosstalk performers. I pay to listen to crosstalk, so naturally I want my money's worth. If they can't do it, they should listen to how you do it."

Cheng Lang looked especially aggrieved. "I make a living off my face. Yet you people insist on—"

Before he could finish again, someone below raised his voice and asked, "Don't you make a living off being shameless?"