Qin Xian's cryptic "maybe not" left Ji Fei confused, sparking her curiosity. She was about to press him for more when he simply shrugged. “Just guessing. After all, that outcome isn’t entirely without merit. Let’s see what they decide.”

Ji Fei’s interest was piqued even more. She thought the most likely outcome would be for everyone to go their separate ways.

As they were about to leave the hospital, Qin Xian received a call from their lawyer.

The fan who had injured them had confessed.

The endless waves of online backlash had ultimately left no room for any die-hard fans to defend their idols. The three celebrities were completely ruined.

It was as if their love and support had turned into a joke, and fans of all three began abandoning them en masse. No supportive comments could be found anywhere.

Even the young girl in custody, after learning the full story through her lawyer, broke down in tears, cursing Sun Mo bitterly, and lost all her spirit. Her parents, initially hoping to use moral leverage to pressure Ji Fei and Qin Chao, backed off once they realized the powerful forces behind the couple. They considered redirecting their moral blame onto Sun Mo, hoping he would rally fans to their cause, but with him drowning in scandal, the bizarre parents could only accept the legal consequences like quails.

Once the fan’s case was settled, Qin Chao called Ji Fei and Qin Xian to his studio.

When they arrived, Gao Hao had just finished showing Pei Mingxuan the contract.

Seeing Ji Fei and Qin Xian, Pei Mingxuan stood up and bowed to Ji Fei.

“Thank you, Teacher Ji, for your help. I owe you a big one.”

Ji Fei waved her hand dismissively. “I was just here for the gossip. No need to be so formal.”

Just then, Pei Mingxuan’s phone started vibrating intensely once more.

As if it were a regular occurrence, she reached to hang up again, but this time, Gao Hao intervened. “Maybe answer it this time? Some people just won’t give up.”

Curious, Ji Fei glanced at them, prompting Qin Chao to explain, “It’s Sun Mo. He keeps calling her from different numbers.”

“He’s still calling you?” Ji Fei was surprised. “What does he want? Is he begging you to come back?”

Pei Mingxuan let out an involuntary snort of disdain, clearly uninterested in dealing with him. If not for the importance of the current meeting, she would’ve turned her phone off by now.

Sensing Ji Fei’s curiosity, Pei Mingxuan reluctantly answered the call and even put it on speaker.

“Ah Xuan, help me…” Sun Mo’s voice was pleading, showing just how devastated he was by the events of the past twelve hours. He instinctively sought out the person he trusted the most, Pei Mingxuan.

“Didn’t we terminate our contract?” Pei Mingxuan’s tone was icy. “So, Mr. Sun, please stop harassing me.”

“Ah Xuan, I was wrong. I was deceived. It’s all lies. Ah Xuan, please come back. We can sign a new contract. I’ll agree to any profit split you want, and I’ll do whatever you say. The company’s decided to drop me, and if you don’t save me, I’m done. I still have dreams to fulfill, I still…”

“Sun Mo, have you forgotten how you treated me? Do you think I’m foolish enough to help someone who betrayed me?”

Sun Mo paused, stammering, “I… I didn’t mean to hurt you, it’s just…”

“It’s just that you couldn’t give up your self-interest, right? So… Ha, I’m the same. I have to protect my own interests too! You’re a completely disgraced artist now. I see no value in you. What makes you think I’d take back this trash? Are you dreaming?” Pei Mingxuan’s voice was ruthless.

“No, no! I still have value. I have my acting skills! I could’ve been an award-winning actor… It’s all that witch’s fault, Xu Meng’s!”

His voice was choked with sobs, as if he were on the verge of tears.

“Oh? So, you two fell out? Weren’t you two supposed to be inseparable? Weren’t you sure no one could come between you? And yet, you cheated on her with Yang Hong? After all these years, I never realized you had… those inclinations.”

> **[Haha, Pei-jie, you’re going straight for the heart! Truly merciless!]** Ji Fei couldn’t contain her laughter any longer, practically shaking with amusement.

Others were also struggling to stifle their grins.

On the other end, Sun Mo seemed to be gasping, clearly caught off guard by Pei Mingxuan’s cold mockery.

After a few heavy breaths, he finally spoke again, though with difficulty. “Pei Mingxuan, we’ve been through so much together. From the days when no one knew us, we swore to reach the top. Back then, I treated you well too, and you were grateful. Have you forgotten everything? I made one mistake; you can’t just abandon me now.”

But Pei Mingxuan’s heart had long turned cold. “You broke your promise first. Your endless pestering now is simply pathetic.”

Having been spoiled by fame, Sun Mo’s ego could only hold his temper for so long. Finally, he snapped, yelling as if he’d drag them both down if he had to.

“Pei Mingxuan! Do you think you’ll have any prospects without me? You’re just a woman with no connections! I’ll spread rumors to ruin your career in this industry, and let’s see who dares hire you!”

> **[Wow, talk about sour grapes! It’s impressive how a person’s shamelessness can keep expanding.]**

Seeing Sun Mo’s near-psychotic threats, Pei Mingxuan replied calmly, “Oh? By the way, I recorded this entire call.”

Sun Mo fell silent instantly.

It was only then that everyone noticed Pei Mingxuan’s phone had indeed been recording the entire conversation. Truly the mark of a seasoned manager.

Qin Chao smiled approvingly, then turned to Qin Xian, who nodded in response.

Qin Chao suddenly spoke up, “Mr. Sun, you don’t need to worry about Manager Pei’s career. We’re in the middle of negotiating a contract with her.”

“Qin… Qin Chao? You’re hiring… her?” Sun Mo seemed to snap out of his haze, sounding disbelieving.

Pei Mingxuan glanced at Qin Chao.

Qin Chao smiled and continued, “By signing with us, the Qin Group will be your strongest backing, providing you with top resources to execute as you see fit.”

Pei Mingxuan was momentarily taken aback and stole a glance at Qin Xian. After all, she already knew that Ji Fei and Qin Xian were closely related to the Qin Group. Becoming Ji Fei’s manager would indeed put her under the Qin Group’s protection.

Gao Hao added, “Our studio currently has few artists. From now on, you’ll have full authority to decide who you sign. Besides me, you’ll be the lead manager, with complete responsibility for developing your team. With your skills and eye for talent, I’m sure future award-winning actors and top stars will emerge from under your guidance.”

Pei Mingxuan’s eyes gleamed with ambition.

“As long as you sign with us, we’ll take care of your obligations in the performance agreement. What do you say?”

Any remaining worries were gone.

“It would be my honor to join,” Pei Mingxuan replied without hesitation.

The pleading voice on the other end of the line kept repeating, “No, this can’t be happening… Pei Mingxuan, don’t leave me, don’t…”

But Pei Mingxuan, eager to sign, dismissed him with, “Harass me again, and I’ll release the recording.” She promptly hung up.

With that troublesome pest gone, Pei Mingxuan picked up the contract on the table and, though thrilled, carefully reviewed it.

Gao Hao spoke up, “There is one additional clause about Teacher Ji.”

The clause specified that Ji Fei had the freedom to choose her projects.

Pei Mingxuan felt a slight disappointment. Ji Fei’s performances in the last two programs had left her impressed; with her acting talent and natural looks, Ji Fei’s potential was limitless.

But learning that Ji Fei was the wife of the Qin Group’s president, Pei Mingxuan understood that someone of her status would understandably have work preferences.

Satisfied, Pei Mingxuan signed the contract with ease.

As she focused on the paperwork, she missed the mischievous grins exchanged between Gao Hao and Qin Chao.

Finally, they’d tricked her into joining.

When Pei Mingxuan, energized despite a sleepless night, eagerly threw herself into work, she quickly sensed something amiss.

She had indeed become the head of the studio, as Qin Chao and Gao Hao were preparing to step back.

While she had full control over artists, her only active talent was Ji Fei—who was prone to slacking off at any given moment and had special privileges.

The one comfort was that the studio was indeed backed by the Qin Group… assuming the relationship between the couple remained stable.

After this twist, Gao Hao and Qin Chao avoided Pei Mingxuan as if walking on eggshells.

Finally, Pe

i Mingxuan made up her mind and approached them in the office. “Before you both leave, let’s rope in a few more artists.”

Gao Hao, seeing she’d come around, agreed enthusiastically. “Have anyone in mind?”

Pei Mingxuan raised an eyebrow. “There are still a few more episodes of *Cut! My Acting Skills* left, aren’t there?”

Gao Hao frowned. “The remaining contestants each have their own problems, and some are rather challenging.”

Pei Mingxuan grinned. “Issues bring attention, and attention brings traffic. I’m not worried about problems; I’m only concerned about lack of talent. I don’t want any incompetents or backstabbers on my roster, so I’ll be doing some thorough evaluations.”

Gao Hao looked to Qin Chao.

Qin Chao shrugged, “It’s your call.”

“Oh, and you might want to make an announcement on Weibo about your new role,” Gao Hao suggested.

Pei Mingxuan laughed. “Why? Has something happened with Sun Mo?”

Gao Hao, expression strained, turned his computer screen to show her the latest trending topics.

> **#The Love-Hate Triangle Between Xu Meng and Her Exes, Now Claims She’s the Victim of Homophobic Malice**
>
> **#Yang Hong and Sun Mo Admit Their Love, Claiming Xu Meng Was Their Cover But Betrayed Them in the End**