In Qian Duoduoâs plan, Qian Xingxing was his legitimate son and heir, though that concept was no longer in vogue.
Howeverâ
âXingxingâs mother came from the Federation Nobles. Although she passed away early and Qian Xingxing didnât have much contact with his maternal relatives afterward, that branch of the nobility is in decline, a shadow of its former self.
But he still holds the ten percent of shares the old man gave him.
And this is the child he watched grow up. Despite having a naivety ill-suited for the times and a foolish kindness in the business world, his intelligence is also apparent. If he can just change the boyâs perspective on business and the company, then one day, Qian Xingxing can become an outstanding successor.
His first step was to have Qian Song pressure the artists under Qian Xingxing. In the midst of improper pursuits and competition, Xingxing would surely learn to think deviously.
But he hadnât expected the former top artist under Qian Songâs management to fail to even make a splash.
No matter. He had a backup planâ
Perhaps Qian Xingxing, with his privileged upbringing, could wade through the torrent without being sullied himself. But what about the people around him?
There is no friend that money canât buy.
He had it all figured out. Step by step, he would teach Xingxing how to be a capitalist.
He would make the people around Xingxing leave him. He would make him watch those he helped betray him for personal gain. He would drive him into a corner. And finally, he would shatter his long-held beliefs.
He would let him know about the existence of the illegitimate son. At that moment, the boy would finally understand the meaning of "profit above all."
But he never expected that his other, foolish son would screw everything up.â
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The moment the media reported on Wang Henliâs situation, the Federation Live Broadcast Companyâs public relations department had already begun preparing a press release.
The issue wasnât major, nor was it particularly serious. In any case, it wasnât the kind of thing that would reach Qian Duoduoâs ears.
Qian Duoduo was leisurely watching the data from Qian Xingxingâs branch company soar and contemplating who to take down next when he received a call from his illegitimate son.
âA call during work hours? Slacking off.â
"What is it?" Qian Duoduoâs voice was ice-cold, practically dripping frost. "Why are you calling me instead of working?"
"Somethingâs happened! Dad, what do I do... I..."
"Shut up. Calm down. What happened?"
"I... Dad, itâs that Wang Henli under my name. We have to find a way to bail him out."
"?" Qian Duoduo asked, "Is your brain made of paper?"
"The scandal and the evidence are already out. Heâs a wasted chess piece. Better options have already emerged. Bail him out? Are you still half-asleep from this morning?"
"Thatâs not it, Dad. Itâs him... He knows about our relationship. He said if we donât get him out, heâll tell the entire Star Network about us."
Everyone knew that the Federation Live Broadcast Company had only one "crown prince." After his wifeâs death, Qian Duoduo had never remarried, a fact that had once been a widely praised story.
If an illegitimate son were to suddenly appearâone who was about the same age as Qian Xingxing, and who even worked at a subsidiaryâ
it would definitely affect the companyâs stock price, as well as Qian Duoduoâs personal image.
"How could you let him find out so much!?"
"...Heâs met you before, too," Qian Song said, feeling wronged. "We look alike!"
"Donât you have any leverage on him? People he cares about?"
"He said he doesnât care about anyone but himself."
"Then silence him. Cut off all media accessâ"
"Itâs no use." Qian Song had thought of that too. "For some reason, he recorded a video beforehand. He said that if he went to jail, the video would be sent to countless people, and..."
"Then youâve done a great job signing talent," Qian Duoduo said, enunciating each word. "Letting him pull all this right under your nose."
Qian Song: ...
Qian Song: "I... Iâ"
Qian Duoduo ended the call.