Brother Li playing a criminal? How hot would that be!

The variety show the director of Lone Warrior had mentioned was the highest-rated survival reality show to date. It had run for over twenty seasons, drawing legions of die-hard fans to its livestreams and launching plenty of newcomers to stardom.

The guests from its earliest seasons had all become A-listers, appearing regularly on screens big and small. The remaining regulars were influential figures who carried serious weight in the industry.

There were countless people hoping to collaborate with them on a show. Even CCTV had to get in line.

The director of Lone Warrior had finally managed to secure a slot, and he didn't want delays to invite trouble...

Who knew what unexpected rival might swoop in over the next few days?!

"Li Lu, don't forget who signed Jian Li over everyone's objections when the entire internet was trashing him! Now that he's popular, are you going to forget who helped him?!"

Phone in hand, Li Lu rolled his eyes, though his tone remained as diplomatic as ever. "Director, don't worry. I'll make sure everything is arranged properly. Wait for my call!"

After hanging up, he didn't rush to contact Jian Li. Instead, he leisurely ground some beans and made himself a pour-over coffee.

It wasn't that Li Lu had forgotten the help they'd received. The entertainment industry was simply that ruthless.

No matter who had done you favors before, once you became famous, your standing was all that mattered.

Jian Li had five million followers on Weibo now, after all. If people could still order him around like before, how was he supposed to command respect?

How would he turn down endorsements or appearances that didn't suit his status?!

As a professional manager, Li Lu knew the game inside out.

As long as he didn't openly offend anyone, he could arrange the schedule however he saw fit.

At that thought, Li Lu took a pleased little sip of coffee.

Quality beans really did make a difference.

The aftertaste had a fruity hint of hazelnut.

He was about to take another sip when his phone suddenly rang. He glanced down and saw that it was actually Jian Li.

"Weren't you going to rehearse your lines? How do you have time to call me?"

"I'm at 88 Bainian Road. Come get me, now!" Jian Li kept his voice low, as though he were up to something shady.

Li Lu inexplicably grew nervous too. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you've been kidnapped?!"

Had someone targeted him the moment he got famous?!

No, that couldn't be right.

With Jian Li's fighting skills, he should at least be able to put up a fight...

"Something like that." Jian Li seemed reluctant to explain, then snapped impatiently, "Stop asking questions and get over here!"

With that, he hung up, composed his expression, and left the bathroom to sit back down on the sofa.

"You're back. Don't be nervous, we're just chatting." The auntie in the pink qipao smiled as she cracked sunflower seeds. "Where were we? Oh, right. Look at you, already twenty-five. That's the perfect age to get married. Wait any longer, and you won't have much left to compete with!"

"Exactly," the auntie in the purple qipao chimed in. "Oh, you young people shouldn't be so picky. Keep putting it off, and you'll miss the best age to have children too!"

The smile on Jian Li's face was on the verge of cracking. "Auntie, I'm not planning to give birth-no, I mean, I'm not planning to have anyone else give birth!"

"Wouldn't that mean you're obstructing the continuation of the human race?" The auntie in the green qipao tossed aside the sunflower seeds in her hand. Suddenly, something occurred to her, and her face lit up. "Could you be homosexual? What's the English word again? Oh, right, gay!"

Jian Li raised both hands and waved them frantically. "I'm not! Don't make things up! I'm really not!"

"Anyway..." He sprang to his feet in agitation. "I've got something to do. I'll be leaving now."

Before he had even finished speaking, Jian Li fled in a panic, losing a slipper on the way.

When Huo Xiao came out wearing an apron and carrying a platter of fruit, he found the sofa empty. His face instantly darkened. "Where is he?"

The pink, purple, and green aunties all pouted. "He ran off."

"Who knew the boy couldn't take a little teasing?"

"A few sensitive questions, and he couldn't sit still anymore."

"Xiaoxiao, you need to keep your eyes open when choosing a partner!"

"Anyway, he's the one who can't handle pressure. It's not our fault."

Huo Xiao pressed his lips together without a word. A few seconds later, he put down the fruit platter and ran outside.

He searched back and forth outside the villa's gates several times, but he couldn't find Jian Li anywhere and had to give up.

When he returned, dejected, the pink, purple, and green aunties were leaning by the doorway with sunflower seeds in their hands.

"Oh, he's a grown man. It's not like he'll get lost. What on earth are you worrying about?"

"Why are you glaring at us? At worst, we'll produce a dating show for you two. You can go on it and woo him properly!"

"Don't worry. Nothing the three of us invest in ever fails to become a hit. Make him famous, then keep his contract firmly in hand. How could he run away from you then?"

Huo Xiao was speechless.

If I'd known they'd scare him off, I wouldn't have brought him home.

Boohoo...

The publicity campaign for Lone Warrior's second season was even more aggressive than the first. Its official website announced a powerhouse collaboration with City Hunter.

Fans of both shows instantly erupted with excitement, grabbed their keyboards, and charged onto Weibo. Within half an hour, the related topics had reached the trending list.

#What? Brother Li playing a criminal? How hot would that be!#

#The variety show where morals follow good looks#

#Can't wait for the regulars to take down the challengers#

#How long until that fiery clash between cops and criminals?#

The comments piled up like a towering platform, all cheering on their respective idols.

The spectacle was magnificent, almost like New Year's celebrations.

Firecrackers crackled, and gongs and drums thundered.

In a hospital room, however, someone roared in outrage. "Why am I not in the starting lineup?! I'm a guest on Lone Warrior too! Am I supposed to be a substitute?!"

His manager looked troubled. "Xiaohang, I don't know what's going on either. All Lone Warrior told us was that your current physical condition makes you unfit to participate."

"I'm practically recovered! Besides, my brother's an investor. How could they have the nerve?!" With a bandage wrapped around his forehead, Lu Yuanhang's expression twisted.

His manager sighed quietly. "Word is that Mr. Lu's funding has been pushed out. A new investor has taken his place."

"A new investor?!" Lu Yuanhang's eyes widened. "Who would dare offend my brother?!"

"They say it's the Huo Group." His manager lowered his voice, looking secretive, yet deliberately leaned toward Lu Yuanhang's ear. "Huo Xiao wants to pursue Jian Li, so..."

"What?!" As though something had set him off, Lu Yuanhang screamed hysterically, "That bitch thinks he's worthy?!"

Before he could finish cursing, the hospital room door suddenly opened.

His manager immediately pulled back and turned around. "Mr. Lu."

"Mm." Lu Siqi acknowledged him and walked slowly over to Lu Yuanhang.

He had barely approached the bed when his adoptive younger brother began shrieking. "Brother, Lone Warrior kicked me out! I don't care! I won't let them do this!"

"Can't you just buy the whole show?!"

"I want to be the center!"

"Brother-"

Lu Siqi rubbed his brow irritably. "Stop making a fuss and listen to me."

"If you can't get onto Lone Warrior, City Hunter can arrange a guest appearance for you."

"And I'll go with you."

"Really?" Lu Yuanhang instantly beamed. "Brother, you're not lying to me?"

Lu Siqi nodded. "Really."

When Jian Li received the call and heard the news, the corners of his mouth merely lifted into a rakish smile. "Perfect."

"I'll deal with both of them together."