The matter of including the song would wait until after the game expo. Chunan wasn't in a hurry anyway.

So during the rest of the expo, he took Xiaohan to have a blast. After all, that was her sole purpose for coming.

Meanwhile, Chunan squeezed in time to meet Lao Zhao. They wrapped up remaining issues and finalized two upcoming games: the previously mentioned Call of Duty, and a casual strategy battle game that had done well in the last world.

Since Call of Duty’s development cycle would be long, they needed quicker revenue. The strategy game, with its shorter cycle, was perfect. Their studio could handle both projects without strain.

From now on, Lao Zhao’s team would handle most work. Chunan would only step in for game design hurdles. He wouldn’t interfere elsewhere.

Notably, Chunan’s 2.5 million investment gave him a 45% stake in the studio—making him the top shareholder, even over Lao Zhao. But he had no plans to exploit this role yet. That eased Lao Zhao’s worries.

Lao Zhao figured Chunan truly had no hidden agenda. Once they made big money, they’d just buy back the shares.

By the final post-expo dinner, Xiaohan had pieced together Chunan’s shady moves. Watching Lao Zhao’s group laugh and walk away, she shot Chunan a sideways glance. "You hustled their studio into your hands. No guilt at all?"

"They sold willingly. Why feel guilty?" Chunan shrugged, looking utterly innocent.

Xiaohan stared at him.

She realized her childhood friend was far less harmless than he seemed.

"Tsk. What if Lao Zhao gets rich and wants his shares back?" she pressed. "What if you refuse, and he snaps—grabbing a knife to take you down with him?"

"Huh? Scared of widowhood?"

"...I’m serious."

She always felt his tactics were underhanded.

"Don’t worry—he won’t," Chunan said firmly, smiling. "And I won’t mistreat them later."

From the start, he never wanted a partnership. Those games were safest in his own hands.

Starting a new studio would be messy. Taking over an existing one was smarter. Things had gone smoother than expected.

They were just naive youths untouched by society’s harshness… easily hustled into handing him such an advantage.

Of course, he truly wouldn’t use his shares to meddle. As Lao Zhao said, owning part of the studio meant Chunan would work harder—exactly what Lao Zhao wanted.

At most, his effort would be a tiny bit more than Lao Zhao imagined.

"You’re really… scheming," Xiaohan muttered.

Chunan patted her shoulder, voice weary. "This is society. Learn from it. Don’t get hustled like them someday."

"...Do I look that stupid?" Xiaohan frowned slightly.

Chunan studied her, then shook his head. "No."

Because she was a bit more foolish than Lao Zhao’s crew.

"Then fine," Xiaohan huffed, checking her phone. "Time’s almost up. Head to Dawn Entertainment?"

"Mm. Let’s go." Chunan packed his things and stood.

This was their last stop in Jiujiang.

…Though he wasn’t entirely sure why.

This Dawn Entertainment visit had nothing to do with He Dong. Chen Peng had called last night, suddenly asking if Chunan wanted to enter the film industry.

Surprised, Chunan agreed to meet. More exposure for Xiaohan meant more fans—no downside for him.

Dawn Entertainment’s tower dominated the city center, the grandest building around. Xiaohan had only seen such places on screens. Stepping inside, she felt like a wide-eyed kid.

Chunan entered for the first time too. But in his past life, he’d worked beside a TV station just as imposing. Familiarity dulled the awe.

Chen Peng grew more impressed as he greeted them.

Dawn Entertainment had vetted their backgrounds before signing—no random newbie gets a contract. Chen Peng knew Chunan’s history well. The more he learned, the more he valued Chunan’s calm demeanor.

Put simply, this guy had star potential.

Plus… after recent meetings, Chen Peng felt they perfectly matched his drama’s lead roles. Not pushing for this would be a shame.

"Brother Chen," Chunan smiled as Chen Peng approached.

"Come, no formality. Sit and chat." Chen Peng led them to a room, then turned to Chunan. "Thought over yesterday’s offer?"

Chunan glanced at Xiaohan. "You want Xiaohan as an actress?"

Xiaohan stared at Chen Peng, waiting.

Chen Peng paused, nodding. "I reviewed things. You two fit my drama’s leads perfectly. Want to try?"

"Me?" Chunan blinked. "I’m just Xiaohan’s manager."

"Trying won’t hurt—who says managers can’t act?" Chen Peng grinned. "Your song ‘Yuedong’ fits the theme too. Starring would boost your debut massively."

Before Chunan could reply, Xiaohan blurted, "Yes! We’ll do it! What’s the drama? Any lead scenes? Like the heroine slapping the hero?"

Chen Peng: "..."

Chunan: "..."