Mu Shaoxuan had come to the Meng Group today to discuss a business deal with Meng Zhiyuan. Who knew he would walk in on something so shocking the moment he opened the door?
Seeing the hint of murderous intent in the man's cold gaze, he reflexively slammed the door shut.
Outside, the secretary, Xiao Liu, hadn't been able to see inside from where he stood. Watching Mu Shaoxuan open the door only to close it again left him puzzled.
"Mr. Mu, Mr. Meng should be inside. I just saw him go in myself."
Mu Shaoxuan said nothing. After thinking for a few seconds and remembering what Meng Zhiyuan was like, he braced himself and cautiously knocked on the door.
A moment later, a deep male voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Mu Shaoxuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He nodded to the secretary, signaling for him to get back to work, then slipped inside.
In the office, Jiang Ze sat on the couch looking utterly innocent, a few faint red marks still visible on his face.
Oh, Meng Zhiyuan had just pinched him.
Does Meng Zhiyuan have some kind of twisted fetish? Looks like I'll have to watch what I say and do from now on.
Jiang Ze silently made up his mind. After all, Meng Zhiyuan would later turn into a deranged villain. That twisted streak in his bones couldn't have developed overnight.
He had no idea that his thoughts had darkened the man's expression even further, leaving him irritated even at the sight of Mu Shaoxuan walking in.
"What is it?"
Mu Shaoxuan looked at him, then at the well-behaved young man on the couch. His face went from pale to green, then from green to red, as though someone had installed a color palette in it.
"Zhiyuan, you... you've lost your mind!"
Meng Zhiyuan's expression darkened further. He rubbed his temple, his head aching. The one beside him was noisy enough already, and now here came another.
Unbothered by his terrifying expression, Mu Shaoxuan remained as flippant as ever and plopped down on the couch beside Jiang Ze.
"Zhiyuan, I know you've been single for decades, but you can't be this depraved! Is this kid even of age?"
Although Jiang Ze didn't know who this man was, anyone who could speak so casually to the big shot had to be one of his childhood friends from the novel.
He remembered that those childhood friends had all been loyal and devoted in the original novel. When they learned that Meng Zhiyuan had met such a fate over a man, they had all offered their help.
But thanks to Protagonist Aura, every one of them had ended up quite miserably too.
If he wasn't mistaken, this flippant-looking man should be Mu Shaoxuan, the Mu Family's second young master.
A bona fide eighth-generation rich kid from B City, whose daily duties consisted of eating, drinking, and having fun.
Jiang Ze was unbearably envious.
This must be Mu Shaoxuan, one of the big shot's childhood friends. Tsk, tsk, tsk. What a waste of all that money. He could've lived the easy life for generations, but because Meng Zhiyuan fell for Shen Yun, he ended up...
Jiang Ze mentally shook his head in pity, leaving the rest unfinished.
Beside him, Meng Zhiyuan frowned slightly as he listened. Ended up how? Why did this kid only think things halfway through?
Still, judging by what he'd heard, Mu Shaoxuan's ending couldn't have been much better.
Shen Yun again. A flicker of murderous intent flashed through Meng Zhiyuan's eyes.
Seeing that the big shot was about to lose his temper, Jiang Ze assumed it was because Mu Shaoxuan had misunderstood their relationship and hurried to speak up.
"I'm an adult! I'm already twenty! And there's nothing going on between Uncle Zhiyuan and me..."
When he spoke, Mu Shaoxuan looked him up and down, then said doubtfully,
"It doesn't look like it either... I knew you weren't the type to go grazing on tender young grass, Zhiyuan..."
Jiang Ze thought he was truly brave and silently lit a candle for him in his mind.
"Mu Shaoxuan, spit it out already!"
Seeing Meng Zhiyuan lose his temper, Mu Shaoxuan wisely dropped the subject and got down to business.
"I really did come about something important this time. You know how I finally managed to get a project out of my old man last time? It's on the entertainment company side. Interested?"
Mu Shaoxuan's handsome face grew a little more serious as he looked hopefully at Meng Zhiyuan.
Was he here to drum up investment?
Jiang Ze thought it over. Although the novel had described Mu Shaoxuan as an idle, ignorant rich brat, he had a very sharp head for investments.
It seemed he could make a tidy profit from any project he casually invested in.
Seeing that Meng Zhiyuan remained unmoved, Mu Shaoxuan redoubled his efforts and continued.
"It's a variety show. We're planning to invite some famous actors and celebrities who generate plenty of buzz to go on a hiking trip."
Meng Zhiyuan lifted his eyes listlessly, his face still expressionless. He didn't seem interested at all.
"Isn't the allowance Old Mr. Mu gives you enough to squander?"
The Mu Family had built its wealth over generations in business, amassing countless assets. Mu Shaoxuan alone received an allowance of over a hundred thousand a month.
"Heh, I spent a little too much chasing a girl last month. Somehow my old man found out and had my cards frozen."
Both Jiang Ze and Meng Zhiyuan were speechless.
"This project is with Topboat Entertainment, and the director is Director Guo, who's well known in the industry. It'll definitely make money! I've got a feeling it'll make plenty, too."
Mu Shaoxuan made his promises with absolute confidence, though they did sound rather like pie in the sky.
Before Meng Zhiyuan could respond, Jiang Ze found himself thinking that this sounded familiar.
A hiking show... Director Guo... Holy crap, could this be the hiking variety show that blew up in the story? I remember Shen Yun took part too and won himself a ton of goodwill!
Meng Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow. He hadn't been particularly interested, but hearing that, he glanced at Mu Shaoxuan.
"Bring me the proposal, and we'll talk."
"Huh? You're interested?"
Mu Shaoxuan hadn't really expected Meng Zhiyuan to agree. He knew Meng Zhiyuan had never particularly liked entertainment-industry projects.
"Good thing I brought the proposal. Hurry up and take a look."
Mu Shaoxuan produced several sheets of paper from somewhere and slapped them onto the desk in front of Meng Zhiyuan.
While the two of them discussed the proposal, Jiang Ze wasn't idle either. He continued searching his memory for information about the show.
This show didn't just win Shen Yun a ton of goodwill. It also helped him establish an image as a kindhearted gentleman, so when Meng Zhiyuan finally fell and Shen Yun smeared the Meng Group, it sped up the company's bankruptcy.
Meng Zhiyuan's hand paused just as he was about to sign, and he heard Jiang Ze continue.
Still, the show was only a huge hit for a while. In the end, a scandal involving one of the celebrities came out, and the whole thing collapsed.
What a shame. It could've raked in money, but because of that, the project barely managed to avoid a loss.
His gaze flickered, and he turned to Mu Shaoxuan, who was happily waiting for him to sign.
"I can invest, but I'll decide which guests to invite."
Mu Shaoxuan was a little surprised. Meng Zhiyuan had never shown much interest in the entertainment industry. Why had he not only decided to get involved this time, but also wanted to handle such a minor detail?
Could it be...
He cast a complicated look at Jiang Ze beside him.
"I never thought you..." liked this type.
He had barely begun when Meng Zhiyuan, seemingly knowing what nonsense he was about to spout, silenced him with a look.
"Of course, of course. You're one of the investors. Naturally, you have that right."
In the end, Meng Zhiyuan signed, and Mu Shaoxuan left with the proposal and contract, pleased as could be.
Before leaving, he even secretly gave Jiang Ze a thumbs-up, leaving Jiang Ze utterly baffled.
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