Chapter 265 - 265: Wrecking the Scumbags, The Hidden Truth (2)
Nine hundred million in termination fees, doubled, would amount to 1.8 billion.
“Alright, I want you to work on increasing that amount during this period,” Si Fuqing said with a cool tone. “Additionally, investigate all the illegal activities committed by Tianle Media.”
She recalled Jiang Changning mentioning that Tianle Media never treated their artists as humans, especially those with lower popularity.
Just last year, four artists under Tianle Media had died—either declared suicides or sudden deaths due to excessive stress.
The company had completely shrugged off any responsibility.
But, of course, things were never that simple.
“No problem, Miss Si,” Ling Feng paused, then chuckled, “You’re very kind, Miss Si.”
Having fought legal battles for many years and encountered various types of people, Ling Feng found someone like Si Fuqing to be quite unique.
Si Fuqing raised an eyebrow, her tone leisurely, “Perhaps, Attorney Ling, you misunderstand me. I’m far from being kind.”
Caught off guard, Ling Feng quickly replied, “I’ll do my best to handle the matters Miss Si has mentioned.”
Investigating Tianle Media, deeply rooted in the entertainment industry of the Great Xia Empire and entangled in a vast network of relationships, would be a daunting task for Xingting Law Firm.
This was a massive undertaking.
Ling Feng gazed at her phone, contemplating the best strategy.
“What did Miss Si say, Sister Ling?” asked a young man from the driver’s seat, “Is there something we need to do?”.
“We’re investigating Tianle Media,” Ling Feng glanced at him, “Get some more people on it.”
“Got it!” The young man agreed enthusiastically and hurried off to make arrangements.
Only four hours after the announcement of Xu Xiyun’s withdrawal from the competition, Wanchuan Entertainment finally posted on Weibo at nine in the evening.
“@WanchuanEntertainment: Effective immediately, our company has terminated the contract with Mr. Xu Xiyun [Image]”
The image showed the termination contract and the company seal.
Fans rejoiced in the comments.
[Heavens be praised, the contract is terminated!]
[Great news, Xu Xiyun no longer has to endure his new boss’s exploitation.] [Thank you, Teacher Si, for speaking up! Grateful to you!]
[Among so many, only Teacher Si spoke up, weeping with gratitude. Teacher Si is truly wonderful! ]
[Now that Xu Xiyun’s contract is terminated, the next target is Lou Lianghua. Initially, we thought only Wanchuan Entertainment oppressed Xu Xiyun, but now we see the malice in Lou Lianghua’s heart. This isn’t over until he withdraws from the competition!]
Fans continued their onslaught.
The latest Weibo post of Si Fuqing was filled with uniform gratitude.
But she hadn’t checked the online developments yet. After leaving the training base, she first visited the largest cemetery in Lin City.
At this hour, the cemetery was nearly empty, save for the rustling wind. Si Fuqing reached a secluded spot surrounded by tombstones.
She squatted down, setting up two stones and slowly wrote two names in the dirt—one on each side. Lu Qingning.
Ye Wanlan.
Then, she placed a stick of incense before each name.
“Sister, Little Lu, I’ve come to see you again,” Si Fuqing knelt on one knee, her head bowed slightly. “I’m sorry I haven’t visited in three years and couldn’t pay respects at your actual graves. I hope this makeshift memorial won’t upset you.”
The wind stirred, lifting leaves around the stones.
All was silent.
Moonlight bathed the two names in a pale glow.
“Sister, in the years after your departure, I also died,” Si Fuqing whispered. “But then I came back to life, finding myself in the Great Xia Empire you often spoke of. It’s a wonderful place, and I’ve met good people who treat me well. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Recently, I’ve done some good deeds, much like how you once helped me. It’s made me quite happy.”
She was five when Ye Wanlan found her.
Ye Wanlan, two years her senior, became her ‘older sister.’
Lu Qingning was even older than both of them.
Both had taken great care of her, teaching her many things during their school davs.
Until Lu Qingning and Ye Wanlan passed away.
When she was finally able to stand on her own, there was no one left to guide her.
“Our Eternal Quartet, three of us gone, leaving only the Yu surname,” Si Fuqing smiled softly. “But I can’t return yet. I wonder how she has fared these past three years.”
“Given her strength, matching mine, she’s probably fine. When I return, we’ll have our duel.”
“Sister, you and Little Lu, rest peacefully.” She reached out, caressing the two stones, her smile fading into a chilling calm. “I will avenge you.” Si Fuqing sat quietly for a while longer. Once the incense burned out, she erased all traces and left the cemetery.
Walking slowly, she took out her phone and called JI Xingzhi, “Hello, yes, it’s me. Can you get a gaming pod for ‘Eternity’?”
“Eternity,” a holographic game.
Linked through VR gaming pods, the neural connections and brainwaves of players are projected into a virtual game world.
This technology perfectly simulates the five senses: hearing, smell, sight, and so on, making the experience almost indistinguishable from reality.
The only difference lies in the perception of time.
The activity in the human brain is rapid, and holographic technology leverages this to accelerate time in the game world compared to reality.
In “Eternity,” the time ratio compared to the real world is ?????????????? in normal mode, and it can even reach as high as 10:1 in sleep mode.
JI Xingzhi, pressed for time, would enter “Eternity” to practice summoning.
Advanced players in “Eternity” could even bring items from the game world into the real world.
Holographic gaming represents the pinnacle of gaming evolution.
Given the current global technological capabilities, which are still far from achieving such advanced holographic experiences, players of “Eternity” are genuinely elite individuals who traverse the corners of the world.
“Ordinary pods are easily purchasable, but the kind you need has to be customized,” JI Xingzhi responded, surprised. “Tell me the truth, big brother, are you being hunted or something? Can’t even buy a gaming pod?”
“Something like that, it’s complicated,” Si Fuqing didn’t want to delve into it, nodding. “How long for a custom pod?”
“Let me check… The JI family doesn’t have any slots right now, I’ll have to look elsewhere,” Ji Xingzhi frowned. “Once I secure a slot, it can be delivered in three months.”
“Okay,” Si Fuqing replied. “Arrange the customization for me, I’ll pay you later.”
“Hey, do I need money? Just help me out when I’m in a pinch,” JI Xingzhi responded heartily. “But, are you planning a comeback?”
“Something like that,” Si Fuqing said nonchalantly. “I haven’t logged into ‘Oracle’ for so long, and it’s just a keyboard-controlled game. ‘Eternity,’ being a holographic game, must have evolved even more, right?”
“Yeah, a lot has changed,” JI Xingzhi sounded a bit melancholic. “Without you carrying me, I can’t access several areas without you. Why are you always a top-level player wherever you go?”
He was finally going to ride the coattails of a pro.
“Yeah, I’ll bring you along,” Si Fuqing raised an eyebrow. “I hear the sound of a plane. You’re back in the country?”
“Just reached the transit station,” JI Xingzhi said. “A few more hours and I’ll be home. We can meet soon!”
He couldn’t wait to meet his ‘big brother.’
Wondering what he looked like, JI Xingzhi walked towards the waiting area, his eyes catching an advertisement, “Wow, big brother, look at this star. So good-looking! I swear on my twenty-something years of being single, this is the most attractive person I’ve ever seen!”
Si Fuqing responded nonchalantly, ‘What does she look like? To get such praise from you?”
“Hold on, I’ll take a picture,” Ji Xingzhi said excitedly, taking out his phone..
“Named Si Fuqing, even the name sounds impressive!”