Chapter 172 - 172: Face-slapping, Si Fuqing Is a Senior (3)
He reported the situation to the director, hesitating for a moment before speaking. “Director, I think I saw someone from the Great Xia TV at Si Fuqing’s place.”
“Great Xia TV?” The director sat up abruptly, his eyes wide with surprise. “Are you sure you didn’t see wrong?”
“It looked familiar.” The manager pursed his lips. “When we were near the Great Xia TV Tower, I thought I recognized someone. Director, Great Xia TV wouldn’t have signed Si Fuqing for a show, would they?”
“How could they?” The director chuckled. “Si Fuqing has clarified things, hasn’t she? But she’s too risky; who can afford to have her trending repeatedly?”
“Look at the people Great Xia TV has invited before—renowned for both morals and skills. Which of these criteria does Si Fuqing meet?”
The manager felt relieved.
Indeed.
Even they knew how to avoid risks; how could Great Xia TV not Imow that Si Fuqing was unsuitable for partnership?
“By the way,” the director thought for a moment, “isn’t Si Fuqing a part of the Starry Star Girls? Their leader seems quite good. How about we switch the endorsement to her?”
The manager paused, “Meng Xue? But Tianle Media has said she’s making a name for herself in the entertainment industry, and the endorsements she’s taken recently are all top domestic brands. She probably wouldn’t be interested in us.”
The director pondered, “How much was the endorsement fee for Si Fuqing?”
“Three million.”
“Three million may sound like a lot, but it’s not a high sum in the entertainment industry.”
“Alright,” the director nodded, “raise the endorsement fee to twelve million and tell Tianle Media that we want Meng Xue. ”
Four times the original amount.
After all, Meng Xue was both more popular and more capable than Si Fuqing.
The manager understood, “I’ll go contact them right away.”
Indeed, there were barriers even between idols.
Si Fuqing and Meng Xue was a perfect example.
How else could one be the versatile team leader, while the other remains just a backdrop?
With Meng Xue as the spokesperson, he was confident that Daifei’s makeup line would soon skyrocket in popularity.
As for Si Fuqing, whoever wanted to sign her could do so. It was none of their concern.
Meanwhile, at the Pei residence.
Pei Mengzhi suddenly opened his eyes and took deep breaths. “Thank goodness, I’ve seen the sun of another day.”
He was genuinely fearful, worried that he would die in his sleep.
Wiping sweat from his brow, he prepared to check the news online when a call came in.
“Dad, you finally called back, ” he answered immediately. “Come back quickly; our family is doomed!”
Pei Yan frowned, “What happened? I heard from the branch office that the cash flow had run into issues, but it’s been sorted.’
Pei Mengzhi hurriedly recounted all the events.
Pei Yan’s expression changed, “Is this true?!”
Unlike Mrs. Pei, Pei Yan was a believer in these things.
He would always choose an auspicious time and date for the commencement of any project.
Having someone specially perform a ritual to bless the endeavor was indeed a good omen,
After all, in the thousands of years of history of the Great Xia Empire, countless people had lived and thrived under its reign, and it was only proper to pay respects to them.
“You better believe it, Dad,” Pei Mengzhi was almost frantic, “Why do you think I haven’t been able to find a girlfriend until now?”
“The reason you haven’t found a girlfriend is that you’re inadequate,” Pei Yan scoffed. “Don’t blame others, I’m embarrassed for you.”
Pei Mengzhi: “…”
Is this really my dad?
“Dad, I suspect it’s my mom who’s been cursed, ” Pei Mengzhi took a deep breath. “She’s become incredibly temperamental and refuses to listen to me.
She even tore up my protective talisman.”
“And she’s tarnished the company’s reputation. We’re even receiving legal notices now. ”
“Your mother…” Pei Yan frowned. “I’ll be back soon, and an apology will have to be made.”
“Of course we have to apologize,” Pei Mengzhi sighed in relief. “But it’s too late. We’ve already offended her. Dad, you should pray for yourself; money won’t solve this.”
Pei Yan strongly disagreed. “You don’t know the circles in this area. The truly renowned masters are the ones who are capable. There’s no need to place our hopes on a young girl?”
“I’ll contact Master Miaoguang from Liushan Temple for you. Visit him this afternoon and explain everything to him. I’m busy here; I’ll be back in the country in three days.”
Without waiting for Pei Mengzhi to reply, Pei Yan ended the call.
Pei Mengzhi slammed his fist on the table.
Why does no one believe him?
Pei Mengzhi thought for a moment, then made a call to Mrs. Pei, spewing lies. “Mom, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have trusted an outsider. Dad said he wants me to accompany you to Liushan Temple tomorrow.”
Mrs. Pei agreed, “Fine, I’m coming home now, and we’ll go right away.” Pei Mengzhi finally managed to leave the house.
He touched the talisman still in his pocket and let out a long sigh of relief. This was Pei Mengzhi’s first visit to Liushan Temple
Liushan Temple was expansive, located halfway up the mountainside, with young monks cleaning at the door step.
Pei Mengzhi found himself feeling uneasy.
His discomfort was only heightened when he was unexpectedly greeted.
“Brother Mengzhi, what brings you here?” exclaimed Zuo Qingya with delight.
“What a coincidence that we meet again!”
“To hell with coincidence!” Pei Mengzhi burst out in anger, unable to contain his frustration. “Stay away from me!”
“But Brother Mengzhi, you used to say I was sweet and cute,” Zuo Qingya responded with a hurt tone, “Why are you like this now.”
“I must have been blind,” Pei Mengzhi retorted with a mix of anger and laughter. “Just go away. If I see you again, I won’t be so polite.”
Stomping her foot in frustration, Zuo Qingya’s voice turned shrill. “Brother
Mengzhi, you’ve definitely been bewitched by Si Fuqing. Look at how you’re—”
Her tirade was cut short by the calm, detached voice of a monk cleaning at the entrance. “This is a sacred place of Buddhism. Please keep the noise down.” Zuo Qingya immediately fell silent.
Having made a prior appointment, Pei Mengzhi and Mrs. Pei were the first to enter the temple.
Master Miaoguang, despite being over eighty years old, radiated youthful vigor with his white hair and child-like complexion, a state of being that couldn’t merely be attributed to good care.
‘Mrs. Pei,” greeted Master Miaoguang respectfully, ready to listen to their concerns.
“We’ve come seeking your wisdom,” Lady Pei began earnestly. “A few days ago, we encountered a young girl spouting utter nonsense.”
Master Miaoguang listened attentively until the conversation turned to the topic of a talisman.
“What talisman?” he suddenly inquired, opening his eyes wide. “May I see it?”
Pei Mengzhi, holding the talisman tightly, responded, “I have it here with me.
I’ll show it to you, Master.”
He was visibly reluctant to part with what he believed to be his lifeline.
Mrs. Pei’s annoyance was evident as she chided Pei Mengzhi. “I’ve already told you that talisman is worthless. Why did you get another one?” she exclaimed in frustration. “It’s just a piece of paper. Do you actually believe that young girl is some kind of master? Showing off this trifle in front of Master Miaoguang is utterly preposterous. I really…”
She decided to tear it later, to avoid the irritation of seeing it.
However, the situation took a turn when Master Miaoguang, upon inspecting the talisman, adopted a solemn demeanor.
He brought his hands together in a respectful gesture and inquired earnestly, “May I ask where this talisman came from? Which esteemed master crafted this?”