The Han family was in complete disarray.
Han Qu, no matter what, was the legitimate eldest grandson of their family.
In any prominent and wealthy family, there is often a desire to perpetuate the family line for generations, placing significant importance on the family heir and eldest son.
During the years when Han Gaozhi was building his career, Han Qu was spoiled rotten by the elders and relatives in the family, and there was a reason for that.
This time, trouble arose; if Han Qu said he was trending on Weibo, he trended, and if he said he was detained, he was detained. Even though he himself did not lose a single hair, the mere public disgrace was enough to shake the entire Han family from top to bottom.
But the old generation’s way of thinking simply couldn’t keep up with the times.
The mastermind behind the entire event was Bo Jue, the main planner was Xie Lianyun, who struck back tit for tat.
Back then, how Han Qu used his job’s fans and blacklisted hot searches and terminology to manipulate Corona, now he himself received the same level of treatment.
The name FALSE hung in the hot searches and wouldn’t come down; Han Qu’s own scandals were dug up by the SPF series of marketing accounts from top to bottom, spreading wildly without end.
Suspected of involvement with banned substances, suspected of forcing female artists to accompany drinks, brawling in nightclubs during his studies abroad, and his foreign accounts full of degenerate heir’s offensive remarks…
Passersby have been feasting on these melons from Monday to Thursday, finding that this field of melons is seemingly endless, unable to finish even if nibbled all night.
[Holy crap!! More dirt on Han Qu has been dug up; back then, to snatch shares, he actually backstabbed someone—]
[Does the melon above have anything on that mixed-model who was pressured into an abortion while juggling three relationships at once? I haven’t flipped open my workbook at all today, damn it!!]
[My thesis!! My thesis!!! I originally thought I’d finish the news by Monday and lock my phone, but now it’s like running at ten thousand horsepower every day!!!]
[Writing papers 10086, BTW Han Dog was dug up for smoking □□ abroad… this kind of person would probably be even worse domestically, I have a very bad feeling…]
However, Han Qu no longer had time to deal with these issues.
He didn’t even have time to manage the mess FALSE was facing.
He had to cover up everything he had been developing in secret before Han Gaozhi became aware.
Otherwise, it would all be over.
Han Qu, a person vastly different in private and public, largely because he was not only suppressed by Han Gaozhi in person but also relied on his father for business and assets.
Han Gaozhi came from a distinguished family, but having suffered a major setback in his youth, he had to start from scratch.
His son, on the other hand, grew up in luxury, returning from five years of study abroad barely able to speak fluent English, relying entirely on family power to get where he was today.
Little in the way of education or manners, but plenty of ambition and appetite.
He was aware that his father, in his prime, was unlikely to step aside in the company, spurred by three or four confidants, he started scheming, moving connections and businesses behind the scenes and in the open.
From his early twenties to now, playing the role of borrowing power had indeed become quite transparent to him.
Acquiring CaiBi Media and several other companies to their current positions, occupying a lot of resources, there were many dealings in the dark.
These were not subject to investigation, and being investigated at such a critical juncture was even more disastrous.
Four or five relationship lines, three cash flows, and several secret projects for transferring funds…
Absolutely must not be discovered.
From Monday when Han Qu was arrested to Thursday when scandals erupted again in the hot searches, the stock price of Eshan Venture Capital was a sorry green, continuously falling under the influence of public opinion.
That was still acceptable, but simultaneously, forces both domestic and abroad started causing trouble, clearly premeditated to bring down the Han family.
Big clients said to grab, the market said to mess, even several senior executives had submitted their resignations.
Han Gaozhi had been in this battlefield for decades and immediately realized something was off.
Being targeted and schemed against in business was common.
But the opponent was acting covertly, not caring about costs, not seeking any return, even willing to operate at a loss to ensure the job was thoroughly done.
This was too eerie.
Something was definitely wrong, absolutely wrong.
While Han Gaozhi tried to maintain control, he listened as his secretary frequently reported on what that damned son of his had done again, feeling a tightness and a rising anger in his chest.
After searching everywhere, he eventually called on an old friend to step in for him and ask Pei Ruye for a favor.
Pei Ruye did not decline, only stating that he was too busy for meals but could meet during a break in his meetings.
When the secretary relayed this message, she dared not look her boss in the eye.
She had watched President Han rise to power over the years, never before had he been slighted by someone so much younger.
Han Gaozhi’s face was ashen, but he eventually agreed.
He had a vague suspicion that there was a deeper layer involved, possibly linked to the Xuan Yu Group.
However, the elder Mr. Long of the Long family had long since retired, and the second and third generations had little to do with their family. It was impossible to ask them for information at this time.
Torn, Han Gaozhi made his way to the Pei Corporation building.
He then sat desolately outside the conference room for twenty minutes, like a grandson waiting, until finally, Pei Ruye emerged, surrounded by a group of people.
“President Han,” the man motioned for the others to leave first and stopped by his side with a smile. “It’s been a few months, why do you look so haggard?”
“President Pei, it’s rare that you have time,” Han Gaozhi restrained his emotions and said, “Since you’re busy, let’s be frank.”
“Some things don’t seem to be just about business, but I, Old Han, have never wronged my conscience, please show me a clear path.”
Given the current situation, the force behind the scenes not only aimed to suppress his business both domestically and internationally but also intended to expose and break through the vulnerable joints within the Han family’s network of interests.
The fact that they hadn’t completely made their move yet was a very clear warning.
Pei Ruye took a sip of water and handed the glass back to his assistant.
“President Han, some things can’t be considered old grudges.”
“They can only be considered retribution.”
A chill ran down Han Gaozhi’s back, and he instinctively asked aloud, “Is it really—”
The man shook his head slightly and said calmly, “You have always been insightful.”
“It’s just that you never thought that one day this fire would burn you too.”
At the “Chosen by the Gods” program building.
When Huo Ren returned to the company, he walked briskly as if carrying the wind.
He hummed a tune unconsciously, relaxed to a point that even his assistant was surprised.
The long-standing guilt and concern could finally be put to rest, like unlocking a rust-covered shackle, finally allowing for release.
Everything was moving towards a better future.
Chi Ji had recently awakened and couldn’t walk on his own at this stage, needing to rest after speaking a few sentences.
But with the right nutrition plan and rehabilitation care, he could recover significantly in another six months.
As they said their goodbyes, Chi Ji hugged him for a long time, patting his back.
“Relax, Ren Ren,” he laughed. “Let’s go fly kites in autumn.”
Bo Jue stood by, helping to support him, the back of his hand still marked with red pen from correcting the thesis: “Don’t worry, we’re here.”
When he returned to the company, the little white wolf was in such good spirits it was as if he was a completely different person.
He no longer felt any guilt about being happy.
Now, “Chosen by the Gods” was entering the finals stage, with rehearsals on Thursday, another on Friday, and the official finals on Saturday. Large, conspicuous posters were plastered everywhere.
The four mentors were prominently featured, and the other contestants also displayed unique characteristics, presenting a bright contrast to the initial auditions.
When Gu Shaochu withdrew from the competition, he recorded a VCR that was very friendly, easing some of the current audience’s anxiety as he said goodbye to the contestants and the production team.
The production team also posted a clip of a group of young contestants going out for barbecue, huddled together, laughing like high school students.
As a male group selection program, “Chosen by the Gods” was closely watched by several companies, all trying to meddle in the rankings wherever they could.
Although the final lineup of six had not been settled, even contestants ranked in the thirties who were eliminated could go viral overnight with just a short video; their sudden fame was clear and straightforward.
Huo Ren and the other veterans had previously discussed and finally decided to record two segments for the finale.
The first segment would feature ten contestants split into two teams for a dance routine, and the second segment would give each contestant three to five minutes of individual showcase time.
The higher the ranking, the more security it provided to the fans.
When he returned to the dance studio, he saw five or six youths dripping wet beside a bathtub.
“Up, up—”
“Teacher Huo is back!! Hurry up!!”
“Oh my, did I twist my waist—”
Huo Ren cleared his throat loudly and pushed the door open.
Teacher Wei, leaning against the glass wall, waved his hand: “I’ve said this isn’t for just anyone to dance.”
Zhu Xizhi rubbed his knees and sighed deeply: “It’s not just slippery, it hurts when I fall.”
Fu Mingnian silently pulled him up and explained to Huo Ren: “The show is already arranged, teacher, we didn’t mean anything else… Don’t be angry.”
Back in the day, Chi Ji had danced the bathtub dance at a concert, as freely and lightly as a mermaid among bubbles.
Later, many YouTubers tried to replicate the dance to capture its essence and movement, all ending in failure.
Although at that time, many vile bloggers attacked it as ‘too provocative,’ ‘indecent,’ and ‘deliberately flaunting sexiness,’ even using it as a handle for criticism.
But to anyone with clear eyes, the dance Chi Ji performed was absolutely phenomenal.
Art is art, and beauty is pure beauty.
Huo Ren patted off the water stains on their clothes and asked, “Where did the bathtub come from?”
The kids didn’t dare to speak, quietly glancing at Wei Jie.
Wei Jie, the dance instructor air-dropped from the main company, expressionless: “I disassembled it from the large bed room upstairs, the cart is just next door.”
“It’s not danced like this.” Huo Ren bent down, caressing the smooth edge of the glass bathtub, his eyes holding a fond smile.
“As long as you master the technique of maintaining your center of gravity, it’s not difficult at all.”
Shi Jianian leaned on the opposite edge, looking up curiously: “Teacher Huo, can you show us?”
“Of course not.” Huo Ren said seriously: “If anyone should, it would be Teacher Pei.”
He really wanted to see that.
Joking aside, Huo Ren explained the key points in a few words and helped Shi Jianian get into the bathtub to try again.
Bo Huan pulled up a small stool to sit nearby, after watching for a while suddenly said, “Teacher Huo, can we get concert tickets through you?”
The youths immediately perked up.
“Give us a discount, teacher!!”
“I’ve never been able to get a ticket to your Crown concerts before, it’s too hard—”
“Teacher, will Director Yun come to your concert?”
“Now that we’re so familiar, can you give us front row tickets!!”
Huo Ren shook his head firmly: “No.”
The youths all sighed together: “Okay then…”
“Make it into the top six, and you can even perform on stage,” the young man smiled. “Consider it your debut gift.”
Author’s Note:
There’s more coming tomorrow morning, MUA!