Life countdown begins, ice queen bursts into security room

Zhou Ming stared at the bold text on the screen, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

He placed his phone face down on the table. He picked up the teacup next to him and took a sip; the tea had long since gone cold.

It was he who spent three million to contact Liu Qingshan and publish an article to suppress "Journey to the West".

This matter cannot withstand investigation; once Liu Qingshan can't hold it in and speaks out...

The office door was pushed open, and Zhang Hong walked in, holding a document in his hand.

"Mr. Zhou, what about Liu Qingshan...?"

"I saw it."

"Also, the board of directors just issued a notice for an emergency meeting at 2 p.m. They specifically asked you to attend." Zhang Hong's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

Zhou Ming leaned back in his chair, well aware of the way the board members behaved.

With such a huge mess, someone has to step up and take the blame to quell the situation.

"Go and destroy all the original receipts for the PR firm transaction from last month that went through the finance department."

Zhang Hong took a step back. "President Zhou, the finance department's computers have been taken over by the audit department."

Zhou Ming slumped helplessly into the boss's chair.

At 2 PM, in the top-floor conference room of Qidian.com.

Zhou Ming pushed open the door and walked in. The long conference table was filled with the company's senior executives and directors.

Several executives who usually treated Zhou Ming like brothers were looking down at their laptops, not daring to make eye contact with him.

The chairman sat in the main seat, flipping through the reports in his hand.

"Zhou Ming, please sit down."

Zhou Ming pulled out a chair and sat down.

"You've seen the online reports about Liu Qingshan, haven't you?"

The chairman pushed a document to the center of the table.

"I saw it," Zhou Ming replied.

"Liu Qingshan was investigated because he launched a massive online attack on 'Journey to the West.' Later, someone filed a formal complaint against him for accepting bribes and manipulating public opinion. Relevant departments have intervened."

The chairman stared at Zhou Ming. "Our company's financial records show a public relations expense of three million last month, which you signed off on."

Zhou Ming defended himself, saying, "That money was a normal public relations expense. It went through a third-party process."

The chairman slammed the report in his hand onto the table.

"Normal expenses? The legal representative of the third-party company is Liu Qingshan's brother-in-law. Do you think the investigation team is just sitting around doing nothing?"

Zhou Ming broke out in a cold sweat.

"Moreover, everyone has seen the book's current sales and popularity. We not only missed out on a super IP, but we also found ourselves on the opposite side of public opinion."

The chairman tapped the table. "Someone has to take responsibility for this. The company can't be dragged down with this."

Zhou Ming closed his eyes, knowing he had become a pawn to be discarded.

"I resign to take responsibility."

"It's not a resignation," the chairman said, looking at him. "It's a dismissal. In addition, the legal department will cooperate with the investigation team to investigate all evidence of you taking kickbacks from the company over the past few years."

Zhou Ming opened his eyes; this was a case of utter annihilation.

Two security guards in suits pushed open the conference room door and walked behind Zhou Ming.

"Mr. Zhou, please."

On that day, Qidian.com sent an email to all employees.

Vice President Zhou Ming has been dismissed from his post for seriously violating company rules and regulations and harming the company's interests. He will cooperate with relevant departments for further investigation.

-

The conference room of Qitian Printing.

Jiang Fan threw the black marker in his hand on the table, finally finishing all 10,000 signed copies.

He leaned back in his chair, his right hand hanging limply at his side.

Song Siyi came over with a hot towel, took Jiang Fan's right hand, and placed the towel on his wrist.

Press your thumb on the acupoints on your wrist and gently massage.

The heat seeped through his skin, and Jiang Fan let out a comfortable breath.

"The Writers' Association has issued a notice that Liu Qingshan has been dismissed," Song Siyi said while pressing the button. "Zhou Ming is also under investigation."

"As expected."

Song Siyi changed her position and pressed on the tendons and bones on the back of his hand.

She was wearing a white T-shirt today, and the neckline was slightly open when she bent down to massage.

Jiang Fan opened his eyes, and his gaze fell directly on that spot.

"If you keep looking, I'll gouge your eyes out." Song Siyi looked up and glared at him, her hands still moving.

"By the way, most of the pre-sale money has already been repaid," Song Siyi said while massaging his hands. "We have plenty of funds in the account now. I'll return the 56 million to Su Yuyan through the company account tomorrow."

Jiang Fan stared at Song Siyi for a moment.

Song Siyi lowered her head when he looked at her, focusing on the movements in her hands.

"No rush," Jiang Fan said.

"It doesn't sound good if word gets out that we're always in debt to people," Song Siyi retorted softly.

More than 50 million yuan, Su Yuyan didn't even ask for an IOU, she just transferred it to her.

This relationship went beyond the scope of ordinary cooperation. As the legal representative of Qitian Culture, she always felt uneasy about this debt on the books.

Jiang Fan leaned back in his chair, letting her rub his wrists.

"I borrowed the money through my own abilities, why should I pay it back?" Jiang Fan looked at her. "At worst, I'll repay it with my body."

Song Siyi tightened her grip on Jiang Fan's hand, squeezing his thumb and forefinger tightly.

Jiang Fan gasped.

"You murdered your husband!"

"Who's your husband?" Song Siyi rolled her eyes and threw the hot towel back into the basin.

"Also, these past few days, film and television companies have been calling our company non-stop. Several big companies are vying for the film and television rights to 'Journey to the West.' The highest bid has already reached 50 million. What are you planning to do?"

"I won't sell it yet." Jiang Fan stood up and stretched his sore shoulders.

Filming for the TV series is about to begin.

However, TV series have a long time span and a long production cycle. With hundreds of people on set, he doesn't have time to pay attention to these trivial matters.

Jiang Fan took out his phone.

"I called Su Yuyan over and handed over the filming of the TV series to them, so I don't have to pay back the money."

"So you planned to do this from the very beginning when you borrowed the money."

"Otherwise what?"

The next morning, Qitian Culture Media.

Su Yuyan walked into Jiang Fan's office in high heels, where Song Siyi was pouring water for him.

Su Yuyan took off her sunglasses and her gaze swept over Song Siyi.

Song Siyi wore a silk shirt and a black pencil skirt today.

Her hair was simply tied back, giving her a radiant and dewy look.

Her skin was fair with a rosy glow, and her eyes and brows exuded a spring-like charm.

He looked much better than when I saw him at the orphanage a while ago.

Su Yuyan, having been through similar experiences, understood perfectly well how this state of mind came about.

She glanced at Jiang Fan, who was sitting in the boss's chair drinking water, his expression calm.

"Teacher Su," Song Siyi greeted.

Su Yuyan walked over, grabbed Song Siyi's hand, and smiled warmly at her.

"Don't call me Teacher Su, it's too formal. Just call me Sister Yu Yan."

Song Siyi was taken aback. How could a diva be so approachable?

"Sister Yuyan".

"That's right. Siyi, you look great these days. What skincare products are you using?" Su Yuyan pulled her to sit down on the sofa.

"I didn't use anything, I've just been sleeping well lately." Song Siyi felt a little guilty, glancing at Jiang Fan out of the corner of her eye.

Su Yuyan's smile deepened.

Xu Qingya, that icy and aloof woman, is currently riding high on the popularity of "As You Wish," with over 100 million fans, firmly surpassing Xu Qingya.

She was outnumbered and outmatched by Xu Qingya.

Song Siyi is the head of Qitian Culture and holds Jiang Fan's business empire and financial power.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Seeing that Song Siyi doesn't seem to have any ambition to win favor, she's an ally.

"Siyi, Qitian Culture has expanded so much now, can you manage it all by yourself?"

"It's alright. The printing plant is on track, but there are too many people coming to me about copyright issues, and I'm having trouble handling them," Song Siyi said honestly.

"The entertainment industry is a very murky place. Those film and television companies offer high prices on the surface, but behind the scenes, the contracts are full of traps. Since you're not in the industry, you're likely to get taken advantage of." Su Yuyan patted Song Siyi's small hand.

"If you ever have any unresolved decisions in the future, just tell me first. I'll help you make the decision."

"Thank you so much, Sister Yuyan."

Song Siyi was no match for Su Yuyan. She was easily charmed by a few words, and the two even started matching lipstick shades.