Volume 1, Chapter 138: Brother, I Want to Join You in the Entertainment Industry

In the Wangjiang Pavilion of Magic City—one of the city’s finest restaurants, where a view of the Huangpu River’s bustling nightscape is visible from the windows—a table was laden with exquisite dishes and fine wine.

"I never imagined it! Jiang Yu, you are the one behind 'Turkey-Flavored Rice Crust'! You hid that so well; if I hadn’t gone backstage today, I never would have discovered the secret. As a fan, I must treat you to a meal." Principal Wang said, his face brimming with excitement as he poured a glass of wine and raised it.

Jiang Yu, who was currently feeling like a country bumpkin visiting the Grand View Garden, politely raised his own glass upon hearing this. "Then thank you. Judging by your Weibo, I thought you were hard to deal with. I didn't expect you to be so approachable."

"Pfft, that’s just hearsay. Aren't there rumors about you having a terrible temper, too? Haha! For us, if we like someone, they’re easy to get along with. If we don’t, we just roast the hell out of them!" With that, he tilted his head back and downed the red wine in one gulp.

It made sense. Jiang Yu hadn't expected their temperaments to be so similar. He laughed and finished his own drink.

"Refreshing!" Seeing Jiang Yu match his pace, Principal Wang was even more delighted. "I heard—and I’ve got good sources—that those entertainment agencies have been turned upside down by you. Haha, brother, you’re something else."

"I didn't, I wasn't, don't talk nonsense!" Jiang Yu replied with a straight face. "I had no intention of targeting them at all."

"Alright, alright, no need for the corporate talk with me. Those old geezers—if I weren't so helpless against them, I would have dealt with them myself. Seeing you mess with them like that is a real treat, haha! But then again..." Principal Wang draped an arm around Jiang Yu’s shoulder with a smirk. "Brother, you really know how to play the game. Using 'Rice Crust' to support Jiang Yu? I thought I was good at playing the field, but you’re on another level."

Jiang Yu let out a dry laugh. "Still not as good as you. I just picked up a pseudonym; you, on the other hand—everyone knows you’re 'Principal Wang,' but everyone also knows you aren't in education—you’re in the business of young models."

Beside them, Su Muyu rolled her eyes. These two men were getting increasingly ridiculous.

Principal Wang coughed twice, his eyes darting with a mischievous glint. "Brother, I am the head of the *Zhu Xian* fan club. Aren't you afraid I’ll expose you?"

Jiang Yu fell silent, bowing his head before looking back up. "Fine, you win. State your terms."

Principal Wang grinned, then put on a menacing expression. "You’ve reached the point where Bi Yao is about to be resurrected, haven't you? Bring her back to life, and make sure Gui Li ends up with her!"

*Good grief,* Jiang Yu thought, *this guy is a die-hard Bi Yao supporter!*

"I’m asking you, are you going to resurrect her or not?" Seeing Jiang Yu remain silent, Principal Wang pressed him with a fierce look.

Jiang Yu looked at that aggressive expression and was just about to shake his head and refuse—prepared to walk away if he had to—when Principal Wang’s expression instantly turned pitiful. "I’m begging you, bring her back! How about a million? If that’s not enough, two million!"

Jiang Yu, who had been about to speak, froze. What was he to do? When a reader tries to corrupt an author with money, what is an author to do? Should he stick to his creative integrity? But the money was truly tempting!

Just then, a soft voice drifted into their ears. "I agree with resurrecting Bi Yao, but Gui Li must end up with Lu Xueqi."

"..." Jiang Yu looked at Su Muyu, torn between laughter and tears. *Goodness, why is my own 'young mistress' getting involved?* Wait, something wasn't right! Readers were demanding the author change the plot? This was turning the world upside down!

Jiang Yu looked at them both, his expression earnest and righteous. "I refuse!"

Principal Wang stared at him, stunned. *What a backbone!* Even Su Muyu narrowed her eyes and remained silent.

Jiang Yu rubbed his nose, stealing a cautious glance at Su Muyu before quickly looking away.

"Wait a second," Principal Wang said. "When you said 'refuse' just now, does that mean Bi Yao isn't being resurrected? And Gui Li isn't ending up with Lu Xueqi either?"

"Pfft—cough, cough!" Jiang Yu, who had just taken a sip of water, spat it out. Was Principal Wang really that sharp?

"Wouldn't you know if you just kept reading?"

Principal Wang looked at Jiang Yu with a resentful expression. "Read what? I’ve already finished the two chapters you updated today!" He leaned in with a sly grin. "How about we make a deal—you post two extra chapters?"

Jiang Yu pointed to the wine glass on the table. "I’ve been drinking. I’m a bit fuzzy now; I can’t write."

Wishing he hadn't touched the alcohol, Principal Wang looked tragic. "What about the day after tomorrow? I’ll gift you 100,000 on the day after tomorrow if you post two extra chapters!"

"We’re returning to Jiangxia the day after tomorrow to film; Director Chen has been waiting for a long time," Su Muyu said softly, taking a sip of her wine.

*Damn,* Jiang Yu thought, scratching his head in embarrassment, *I almost forgot about that.*

"Holy crap, what did you say?" Principal Wang stood up. "You have to film? And you're going to stop updating for several days again?"

Jiang Yu chuckled. "If I have free time, I’ll make up for it! I promise!"

"Fine, I suppose. The brothers have already gotten used to you skipping updates." Principal Wang sighed, then perked up. "Brother, can I talk to you about something serious now?"

Jiang Yu blinked, looking at the suddenly solemn Principal Wang. "Damn, you’re talking business? After a meal like this, shouldn't you be saying, 'Brother, let's go to a club and get some models'?"

Principal Wang gave him a look of disdain. "It's not that I look down on you, but if I actually said that, would you even dare to go?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yu looked back at Su Muyu with a guilty conscience. She remained expressionless, but as she stared at him, Jiang Yu could feel a chill emanating from her beautiful eyes.

"Haha, I was just trying to lighten the mood! I’m a decent man—even if you begged me, I wouldn't go!"

"Exactly, we are all decent men. I’m a successful young entrepreneur. Ever heard of Panda Live Streaming? I’m the founder!" Principal Wang said proudly.

Jiang Yu looked at him quietly. "Didn't that go bust...?"

"That’s irrelevant!" Principal Wang choked for a moment. "Brother, look—you can write songs and you can write novels. Can’t you let me in on the action?"

"Huh?"

"Don't 'huh' me. I mean, I want to play in the entertainment industry with you!"

"Don't talk nonsense. Everything I do in the entertainment industry is work; I’ve never 'played' in it. Besides, aren't you already playing in it every day? You should take care of your health!"

"Pah!" Principal Wang’s face darkened. "I want to collaborate with you!"

"Collaborate? You want me to write you a song? It's not that I don't want to, but your voice really isn't great. If the result is bad, it’ll ruin my reputation."

"I know my voice isn't great; I’m not talking about singing! How about we find an opportunity to collaborate on a film or television project? I’m looking to invest in a film studio, and I want to pull you in! Let’s start a business together, just us brothers!"

"I believe in your talent—it’ll definitely be a success. I’ll provide the capital, I’ll handle the operations, and you can contribute your talent as your share. How about that?"

Jiang Yu was stunned, and even Su Muyu looked a bit bewildered. They had thought it was just a casual dinner, but this had come out of nowhere.

Jiang Yu gathered his thoughts and, after a long silence, said, "Principal, I can't give you an answer right now. I need to think about it carefully. How about I get back to you in a while?"

"Of course, no problem." Principal Wang raised his glass and laughed. "Even if we don't do business, we're still friends!"

"That’s 'if the deal doesn't go through, the friendship remains,'" Jiang Yu retorted with a grin.

"Haha, just a little joke to lighten the mood..."