Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Tyrannical CEO Mode

Ren Qian and Wen Run made a lap around the fortress of the arts, where singers abounded, yet their abilities varied wildly. Some had decent vocal skills and breath control, while others seemed to be mere riffraff joining the fray. Those from well-off families preferred to show off their gear, adorning entrances with expensive equipment.

Take, for instance, the drum set enthusiasts, who insisted on buying every possible cymbal—hi-hats, splash, Chinese cymbals, you name it—displaying them in dazzling array. Yet, in stark contrast to the impressive collection, the drummer’s technique was abysmal. The one with the outlandish punk hairstyle managed to use only a single cymbal throughout the entire song, producing nothing but awkward, amateurish clangs. It was grating, enough to churn anyone’s stomach.

What was the point of playing the drum set then? Rather than enhancing the music, it only dragged down the quality. The same applied to the flutist—whose performance was less blowing a flute and more stirring a cesspit, utterly ruining a classic song.

This crowd, inexplicably, still wore smug expressions, leaving Ren Qian to suffer through the entire spectacle...

But amidst the mediocrity, he did stumble upon a female singer who truly caught his eye.

She occupied only a small space, with no staff, just a manager lounging nearby, sipping tea and barely paying attention. Yet she threw herself into her performance, treating the modest stage as her own concert, switching between the guzheng and the pipa, busy and tireless. Loose strands of black hair framed her face and ears.

Most importantly, her audience included genuine fans, passionately chanting, “Go Murong Xue! Go Murong Xue!” Such fervor was rare among followers of a second-tier singer.

Yet the treatment she received from her company was infuriatingly poor. Ren Qian felt a surge of injustice.

Was Murong Xue’s talent lacking?

Her voice was captivating, with a nasal timbre that compelled repeated listening, reminiscent of the Hong Kong singer Janice from his previous life. The kind whose opening notes would bring anyone to their knees. With such vocal gifts and relentless dedication, how could she not be promoted, but instead suppressed?

No wonder her company faded into obscurity.

He silently memorized the name behind her—Insight Entertainment.

Insight Entertainment? What a shameless name.

“Nurse sister, lend me your phone for a moment. I need to call Queen Aunt—there’s a treasure trove here.”

Even though the shadow of Queen Aunt’s cooking still lingered, discovering a newcomer with boundless potential was crucial. He had to muster his courage and make the call; after all, Queen Aunt had done him countless favors, and it was time to return some.

“Why do you still love me, me, me, this rogue? Is it because you’re foolish or just a failure?”

Queen Aunt’s ringtone was, fittingly, “Rogue.” No surprise—the lyrics resonated deeply with her. After all, her decades-long entanglement with Brother Lin mirrored the story the song reflected.

“Aiya, good son-in-law, what brings you to call me today? Are you craving your mother-in-law’s cooking? Come over this weekend—you and Wen Run are always welcome~”

Nurse sister rolled her eyes nearby, wanting to retort: Even if we ended up begging on the streets, we wouldn’t eat your food!

“Ahem... Well, I’ve discovered an outstanding female singer. Highly recommend that Rolling Poetry sign her.

I believe she could bring Rolling Poetry Entertainment profits on par with top-tier stars.”

...

“She’s Murong Xue from Insight Entertainment.”

...

“There’s a penalty for breaking the contract? A million in compensation isn’t much. Can the company cover it for her? I can vouch for her. She has the potential to reach Queen-level.”

...

“What! All procedures completed already?”

Ren Qian was stunned; in just half an hour, Queen Aunt had handled the breach and signing. Truly, the titan of the entertainment industry—small, obscure companies dared not defy her. Not only did they agree to every condition, they nodded and bowed, smiling obsequiously.

“Thank you, mother-in-law...”

“What are you thanking me for! Next time, have Wen Run bring her golden-turtle husband for a meal. I’ve learned new recipes lately, guaranteed to be so delicious you’ll bite your tongue.”

Ren Qian: “...”

Why is she always fixated on this?

He composed himself, slipping into his usual mode of telling bald-faced lies.

“The taste of mother-in-law’s cooking moves Wen Run and me to tears every time we recall it.

Just thinking of a table full of your inventive dishes makes me choke up. But lately, we’ve been terribly busy, no time to come for a meal...”

Ren Qian spoke against his conscience.

For the sake of his precious life, he could toss aside a little dignity!

Queen Aunt laughed heartily at his words, hanging up, content and ready to share the joy with Father-in-law. No doubt, Father-in-law’s stomach would suffer tonight.

Nurse sister giggled quietly beside him.

Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, reached out and pinched Ren Qian’s waist, warning fiercely: “If you ever dare to lie to me with your eyes wide open—

Heh, you know the consequences.

I’ve slaughtered chickens and gutted fish since childhood; in elementary school, I could send a snarling dog packing with a kick; in middle school, my classmates called me Big Sister.

If you dare to stir up trouble...”

Ren Qian’s spine turned cold; he wailed inwardly. He was truly miserable—having crossed over, he’d managed to win a beautiful girlfriend, but was limited to hugs and cuddles!

As a principled man, he’d considered forcing his way...

But that would truly be his undoing.

He could only enjoy sweet moments when nurse sister was in a good mood. When she was happy, he could flirt a little, and she’d tilt her head and laugh, those dimples dangerously charming. When unhappy, if he dared to touch her, he’d witness firsthand the vast and profound martial arts heritage of five thousand years.

Don’t ask how Ren Qian knew—he still felt a chill between his legs.

“I might have the heart to lie, but not the courage...”

Ren Qian straightened his chest, adopting a ‘let bygones be bygones’ attitude, shook his head and fell silent, turning his gaze to Murong Xue.

Her manager, heavily made up, eyes gleaming with petty, vulgar ambition, radiated a “I’m virtuous, mind you!” air.

A flicker of disgust crossed Ren Qian’s face.

There was never a shortage of such small-minded people—having fallen from grace, they wallowed in filth and tried to drag others down with them. Such maliciousness was truly appalling.

She had likely already colluded with some lust-driven executive.

If Murong Xue submitted quietly, all would be well. Otherwise, she’d be left to suffer contract tampering and pay astronomical penalties.

A minute later, her phone rang. Seeing it was her superior, her painted face creased with a smile.

“What? Brother Li, you’re no longer interested in Murong Xue? What about my payment…”

After a while, she incredulously put down her phone, unable to believe that this woman would be noticed by Rolling Poetry, and that the company would pay a million in penalty for her!

Talk about landing in a pile of luck!

Still puzzled, she was approached by a man whose eyes brimmed with contempt. He waved coldly: “Go back to your company—Murong Xue has nothing to do with you anymore! She belongs to Rolling Poetry Entertainment now!”

“But…”

“There’s no ‘but.’ I’ll take her to Rolling Poetry.”

The manager was completely intimidated—Ren Qian’s tone was so commanding, she could only meekly relay the news to Murong Xue.

Nurse sister, starry-eyed, stared unblinkingly at ‘Brother Qian’ in his overbearing CEO mode.

This state made him anything but gentle, but why was her heart pounding so wildly?

“So handsome, so handsome~”

Smack—a hand landed on her head, snapping her out of her reverie...