You call this having no internal power?!

Sometimes, you had to admit that human nature boiled down to one word-masochism.

After constantly being mocked, cursed at, and beaten up, Lu Siqi had actually gotten somewhat used to it. His anger no longer burned as fiercely as before.

He could even stand there calmly and continue patiently, "I just want a word with you in private."

"Is even that too much to ask?"

Jian Li took the meat skewer Huo Xiao handed him. "I'm busy."

Lu Siqi clenched his fists, then relaxed them. "Fine. You're busy, so I'll say it here."

"Your contract's coming up for renewal, right? I can offer better terms and even make you a rising A-lister."

"Won't you consider switching companies?"

Since threats weren't working, he could only tempt him with benefits.

He knew better than anyone how badly Jian Li needed money.

Despite stubbornly insisting that he wouldn't help Jian Jingfeng repay his debts, that weakness and filial devotion should still be ingrained in him.

Sooner or later, he would have to deal with that enormous gambling debt.

Li Lu, who was also eating skewers in front of the screen, immediately objected when he heard this. He slammed the table. "Holy shit, that's shameless! Poaching him right out in the open?!"

"Our Jian Li won't fall for your tricks!"

He spoke with righteous conviction, and everyone around him nodded in agreement. Then the next line came through the screen.

"How much are you offering?"

Jian Li curled his lips and leaned back.

Hearing this, Lu Siqi smiled as though everything had gone exactly as expected. "A minimum ten-year contract, guaranteed access to the best resources, and an annual income of ten million."

"Sounds pretty tempting. So," Jian Li said casually, "can you pay that annual income in advance?"

"In advance?" Lu Siqi froze. "What do you mean?"

Jian Li glanced sideways at him, looking thoroughly roguish. "Mr. Lu, you're a rising star in business, and you don't even understand industry terminology?"

Lu Siqi's expression darkened.

It wasn't that he didn't understand. It was just...

What talent agency paid its artists in advance?!

If he handed over ten million in annual pay first, could he still keep the artist under control?

"There's no precedent for that." Lu Siqi ground his teeth.

Jian Li kept smiling. "Then..."

Before he could finish, someone beside him suddenly cut in. "I can set that precedent."

"Huh?" Jian Li froze and turned toward the voice, bringing a handsome face with sharply defined features into view.

"Fifty million upfront. I'll cover any shortfall, and you keep any excess." Huo Xiao smiled. "As long as Jian Li agrees to switch companies, I'll transfer it immediately."

"So you're openly poaching him?!" Lu Siqi narrowed his eyes, malice lurking in their depths.

Completely unfazed, Huo Xiao lifted his chin slightly. "Right back at you!"

Watching from in front of the screen, Li Lu hurriedly took a swig of beer to steady his nerves. "Fuck, we probably won't be able to keep Jian Li this time!"

The undercover quartet was enjoying the drama.

Luo Xiaohong leaned over toward Yuan Feng. "Is making money in showbiz always this easy? You get paid before you even do any work?"

Yuan Feng pursed his lips. "There's no fun in earning money like that. I prefer challenging work that lets me realize my own worth."

Shi Huayi and Zhou Nan looked over and lowered their voices. "Don't talk like you two aren't in showbiz yourselves."

"We're all in the same boat."

Suddenly remembering something, all four froze.

Their gazes crossed as they studied one another, then they looked away as though nothing had happened.

"Open another bottle," Luo Xiaohong called.

Yuan Feng looked surprised. "Sis, isn't that your twelfth? How are you still completely fine? Do you have internal power or something?"

"Nonsense!" Luo Xiaohong reacted as though someone had stepped on her tail and slapped the table. "How could I have some mystical nonsense like that?!"

The camera suddenly zoomed in, giving the broken corner of the stone table a close-up.

Then Luo Xiaohong shouted toward the building, "Seriously, boss, is this table plastic? What kind of quality is this? One slap and it breaks?"

The owner sniffled, wanting to cry but unable to muster any tears.

That's a genuine marble tabletop. You broke it, and now you're calling it plastic?

Could you be even a little reasonable?!

The livestream comments exploded.

[You call this having no internal power?! Who's going to believe that?!]

[I knew Sister Luo was no ordinary woman. When she took hostages at the school today, she was so fucking much like my female dean! Combat prowess and authority rolled into one!]

[Does marble break that easily? That doesn't make sense, does it? Is this some special effect from the production team?]

[Doubting everything will only leave you confused. I think this scene's pretty real. Did you seriously not see how pained the owner looked? Furious but too scared to say anything. I'm dying!]

[I was still caught up in the deliciously trashy drama of two men fighting over another man, then Sister Luo slapped the table and had me rolling!]

[Try kicking our Sister Luo, and you'll be kicking an iron wall. Guaranteed three-piece package: fractures, cracks, and shattered bones!]

The undercover quartet had successfully derailed everyone's attention. Lu Siqi's face grew even darker. After a pause, he continued, "Jian Li, I'll give you time to think. If you're interested, you know my number."

"And Huo Xiao, you can't just break industry rules whenever you want. But if you're determined to go against me, don't blame me for playing rough!"

Huo Xiao curled his lips dismissively. "Whatever."

Then he turned to Jian Li. "Want a beef skewer?"

"Sure." Jian Li nodded. "Lots of protein."

A moment later, the scene returned to the criminals happily eating skewers together, while Lu Siqi stood beside them like an invisible backdrop.

He endured it for a while before finally reaching his limit. "I'll come back when there aren't so many random bystanders around."

Jian Li waved. "Off you go."

"Random bystander."

Lu Siqi was speechless. Let's see how long you can keep this up!

Their late-night meal cost nearly a thousand yuan, not including compensation for the marble table.

The stingy director held back his tears and sent a crew member to settle the bill. Then he called Chen Yifan over, dragged him into a private booth, and asked, "Can you make me proud tomorrow?"

"Not likely." Remembering what he had witnessed firsthand, Chen Yifan shook his head helplessly. "The criminals are all way too good in a fight, and they've got a shitload of counter-surveillance experience... In theory, winning will be very difficult!"

The director's face was clouded with worry. "What am I supposed to do? If I'd known it would turn out like this, I never would've agreed to combine the two variety shows!"

"How about..." Something suddenly occurred to him, and his eyes lit up. "We turn one of them and make him an undercover agent?"

"An undercover agent?!" Chen Yifan froze too. "Like Infernal Affairs? Standing on a rooftop, pointing a gun at your brother?"

"Sorry. I'm a cop."

"Holy shit, just thinking about it gives me chills!"

"But here's the problem."

"Director, who can you turn?"

That question plunged the director into thought. "Hmm..."

He recalled the scene at their late-night meal and suddenly realized...

There didn't seem to be a single fucking one he could turn.

Every one of them was crazier than the last!

The dorm room arranged by the production team slept four, with an extra folding camp bed.

Yuan Feng said he was the youngest and could make do with that for a few nights.

Nobody tried to talk him out of it. After all, these conditions were much better than what they had on missions out in the wilderness.

The bathroom was indoors. Jian Li went in first and was just about to undo his belt.

But someone unexpectedly pushed the door open, startling him.

"Holy shit! Why didn't you knock?" Jian Li hurriedly fastened his belt again.

Huo Xiao's face was grim. "I can't wait."

Jian Li stepped aside. "You go first."

He was about to walk out when Huo Xiao stepped forward and blocked him inside, his scorching breath washing over him.

"Don't you know what I can't wait for?"

Jian Li looked utterly bewildered. "..."

That thing-no matter how urgently you need to deal with it...

Don't you still have to handle it yourself?!