"Mr. Lu, the club sent word that Qi Zhao just paid a one-hundred-million membership fee and became a VVIP client there." Cheng Jue reported to his boss as soon as he received the text message.
Lu Yanbei calmly adjusted his glasses. "He's really willing to pay a steep price!"
"People like that are just foolish with their money and have no life experience," Cheng Jue chimed in. However, he was curious about how his boss had set up the trap to lure that person in. A hundred million was no small sum!
Lu Yanbei wiped his lenses with a glasses cloth and spoke at a leisurely pace. "With enough bait, the fish will naturally take the hook."
"Bait? Could it be that all those people were invited by you, sir?" Cheng Jue suddenly understood. His boss was truly amazing! Those influential figures rarely showed themselves, yet they were willing to show up for just a phone call from the boss. It was unimaginable for anyone else. The club manager had sent him photos, and he recognized several famous faces at a glance. No wonder the third young master Qi fell for the trap so quickly!
Yun Shang Club was ostensibly the Gu family's property, but Lu Yanbei was the largest shareholder behind the scenes. Therefore, more than half of the one-hundred-million membership fee paid by third young master Qi ended up in Lu Yanbei's pocket. Cheng Jue hadn't expected his boss to have such a cunning side.
"However, if he's truly allowed in there, won't it cause trouble?" Cheng Jue couldn't help but worry.
"Some people are not meant to be met or befriended just because they wish to be," Lu Yanbei said, appearing calm and composed, as if he had already considered everything.
Cheng Jue caught a hint of a smile on his boss's lips and silently lit a row of candles for third young master Qi. Why did he have to provoke the powerful Mr. Lu?
Meanwhile, Qi Zhao, still unaware of Lu Yanbei's scheme, was captivated by the dazzling world inside Yun Shang Club and felt quite reluctant to leave. There were many novelties he had never experienced before, truly broadening his horizons. Among them were several newly developed technologies, full of a sense of cutting-edge innovation.
Qi Zhao, from a merchant family, quickly sensed the business opportunities. If these technologies could be introduced to Nancheng, it would undoubtedly elevate the Qi family to a new level.
"The one-hundred-million membership fee was worth it!" Qi Zhao reluctantly opened his eyes after a round of gaming. It was his first time experiencing such immersive gameplay; it felt like the real world. He had chosen a violent and bloody game, and within it, he found an unprecedented sense of exhilaration. The pure pleasure was far more intense than any pleasure a woman could bring him. He was almost instantly smitten.
His assistant, who had been by his side, was practically falling asleep. "Third Master, we've been here for several days with no results. Could we have been tricked?"
Qi Zhao glanced at his watch; it was already deep into the night. He had actually spent the entire day in this room? "The guests I saw that day haven't appeared?" Qi Zhao asked, rubbing his sore neck, slightly stunned.
The assistant shook his head. That was why he felt like he had been deceived. "It shouldn't be," Qi Zhao said confidently. Could he mistake those people? Besides, who had such great influence to make them conspire to trick him? Lu Yanbei had some power, but he wasn't at a level where he could command these individuals. Even if a few close acquaintances were willing to help him, getting all of them together was almost impossible.
"I'm exhausted from playing all day. I remember there's a place to soak in hot springs on the top floor?" Qi Zhao had been here for a few days but was still unfamiliar with all the facilities.
The assistant nodded helplessly. "Yes, the swimming pool and hot springs are both on the top floor."
"Let's go up and take a look." Qi Zhao had been intensely focused on battles in the game. Afterward, he naturally needed a place to relax.
*
Lu Yanbei hadn't mentioned any of the external dramas to Su He. She continued her life with a simple routine, occasionally visiting Grandpa Lu at the old residence, fishing and taking walks with him, living a very leisurely life. Since Su Lin had officially announced the establishment of his personal studio, Su He had gained her freedom. His fanatical fans, upon learning that he hadn't signed with Qing He, stopped bothering her.
One day, Su He took her newly finished artwork to the studio. Lan Xi personally came downstairs to greet her.
"President Su, you're finally here!" Lan Xi couldn't help but complain in a low voice.
"What, you miss me after not seeing me for a few days?" Su He playfully pinched her cheek, like a dashing young master teasing a demure maiden.
Lan Xi blushed and dodged her hand. "A few days? You don't even look at the calendar. The last time you were at the studio was over half a month ago!"
"Has it been that long?" Su He had been living too comfortably lately and had lost track of time.
"You forgot? You took ten days of honeymoon leave. Plus the leave you took before the wedding." Lan Xi counted on her fingers.
Su He smiled sheepishly. "Thank you for your hard work!"
"I'm fine, but Sister Jing has been working harder." Lan Xi managed the office, while Xu Jing was out handling matters. The hardship was naturally different.
"Everyone has worked hard! Everyone has worked hard! We'll give everyone year-end bonuses at the end of the year!" As they chatted and laughed, they entered the office.
"Hello, President Su!"
"Hello, Boss!"
"Hello, Great Creator!"
As soon as they entered, various greetings erupted. Most of the studio's employees were young and had distinct personalities. Those who respectfully called her President Su were generally older. The Gen Z employees found "Great Creator" more endearing.
Su He greeted them with a smile and entered her office with her bag. Xu Jing happened to need her for something and followed closely behind.
"There's something I might need your help with, Boss." Xu Jing, dressed in a sharp professional suit, exuded a powerful aura, making her seem more like the boss than Su He herself. However, a smile on her face softened her sharp demeanor.
Su He gestured for her to sit. "What can I help with?"
"It's like this. Su Lin is recruiting a female lead for his new song's music video. I want Yu Tong to try out. Her last drama is still in post-production, and she hasn't started a new one yet, so she's losing exposure. This is a major taboo for a newly debuted artist!"
Su He hummed and raised a new question. "Aren't you afraid people will say she's riding on Su Lin's coattails?"
"They just finished working on a drama together, so it's not really riding on his coattails, is it? Plus, after the behind-the-scenes footage came out, there were quite a few fans who were shipping their CP. Why not capitalize on the momentum and create a second generation of fans?"
Su He could barely accept this reason. "Are there any other reasons?"
"Keeping it within the family, so to speak!" Xu Jing squinted and smiled. "This is Su Lin's first album since establishing his studio. Shouldn't you, as his sister, offer some support?"
"Our Yu Tong can make a guest appearance as a favor."
Su He gasped, thinking it was indeed a good idea. It would show goodwill while keeping her own artist in the spotlight! She truly lived up to her reputation as a top agent in the industry! Her mind worked faster than that of ordinary people!