The line went dead silent. Just as I’d expected—he probably had no idea I’d already dug up every dirty secret he had.

A nobody tabloid reporter with no backing, daring to make outrageous demands of Tianxing? Scheming like this… did he really think he’d live long enough to spend the money?

“What do you mean by this, Chairman Ye?”

“Day trading with leverage… it’s far too easy to lose everything. I can make you lose ten million in the first hour. Twenty million in the second. Forty million in the third. The losses will keep doubling. Either shut your mouth, or prepare for bankruptcy. I won’t just wipe out your account—I’ll leverage you into debt until you’re ruined.”

That was my leverage. Behind me stood Tianxing, with capital far beyond his wildest dreams. I’d rather burn fifteen billion than pay five billion for that damned video.

“Are you joking, Chairman Ye?”

“What do *you* think? Did you really believe your tracks were covered? Go tell the person behind you this: if that video leaks, I’ll bankrupt him within a day. Let him test me. Does he really think he can play dirty tricks on *me*?”

If I backed down this time, yes, I’d save Usher. But what about the second time? The third? Was he worth doubling down on? Clearly not.

Tianxing employs hundreds. I can’t clean up after every single mistake they make. Better to sacrifice the pawn to save the king. Let them see my ruthlessness. Who *can’t* cut off a limb to save the body?

“Chairman Ye! Think this through! I’m only asking for five billion! But pushing Tianxing to the cliff’s edge like this—”

“Ridiculous! Tianxing is vast. We can afford such losses. And Usher? I won’t protect him anymore. Do as you please! But trying to blackmail me with such gutter tactics? Bullshit!”

In the entertainment industry, no one outmatches Tianxing’s capital. Destiny or Ghost alone are worth far more than five billion today. Who was he trying to scare?

At worst, I’d work for two or three years straight. I could afford the time. I could afford the money. But being blackmailed? Not in this lifetime. Unless he found another fool willing to bleed money alongside him—and even then, their combined capital would need to surpass Tianxing’s. Otherwise, I’d bury them both.

“…”

“Cat got your tongue, Manager Chen? Busy plotting against me? Or scrambling to lie to Yiheng?”

“When did you find out?”

The moment I said “Yiheng,” he knew I wasn’t bluffing. Every thread of his scheme had been unraveled.

“I don’t owe you an explanation.”

I chuckled softly, glancing at You Lin in my arms. I owed this victory to my precious wife. Sister Jing had retired years ago, living freely while traveling the world. But her influence lingered. Most current agents still kept ties with her—after all, she’d once managed Destiny. Her status was untouchable. When she investigated, no one grew suspicious, and she uncovered secrets others couldn’t. Without You Lin, I’d never have persuaded her to help.

“This deal’s dead. But Manager Chen… would you like to make a new one?”

“What do you mean?”

A faint smirk lifted the corner of my lips. I rested my head on You Lin’s shoulder and playfully nipped her lip.

“A sharp man like you must have kept an exit strategy. How many of Yiheng’s photos do you have?”

“Are you trying to buy me off, Chairman Ye?”

“Call it that. We’re both smart. Money’s money—who you earn it from doesn’t matter. You have no contract binding you to Yiheng. Take my money, live lavishly. That five billion? You’d never have kept it all. Not even fifty million. But I’ll pay top dollar. A price any rookie would kill for.”

Five billion alone would be a fortune. Even earning a million a day, it’d take over a year. But Yiheng had planned meticulously. That photographer? He was just a hired hand. I’d barely forced myself to call him “Manager Chen.” How could Yiheng possibly give him five billion? But I could. Because I was willing to pay.

“You’ll need time to think, Manager Chen. I’ll give you one day. You won’t get a single cent for Usher’s photos. Whether you live in comfort for the rest of your life… rests on your choice.”

I hung up. What professional ethics do tabloid reporters have? They’re mercenaries—paid to serve whoever holds the cash. Lately, he’d been glued to Yiheng. Plenty of photo ops. Anyone who’d survived this long in that world wouldn’t miss such a chance. He’d have snapped everything—permitted or not.

I knew. Because I operated in those shadows too. The entertainment industry is a cesspool. The pure-hearted died long ago. How could they ever rise to fame?

Destiny and Ghost didn’t succeed by accident. They stayed clean because You Shu and I got our hands dirty. But how many people like us are there? If I had to compare: You Shu and I were Zhuge Liang—valuing virtue over talent. Others were Cao Cao—talent over virtue. In chaotic times, the latter thrives. But Tianxing, anchored by Destiny and Ghost, has long passed its warring days. We won’t tolerate tainted character. Usher did this to himself. No one to blame but him.

…

…

“Ye Xi… are you really my husband? When did my husband become so ruthless?”

My methods had stunned You Lin. She’d sat silently on my lap the entire time.

“What choice did I have? Let them slaughter me like livestock?”

I sighed deeply, pulling her closer. It had been days since we last saw each other. The heat in my body, nearly cooled for sleep, surged anew.

“Aren’t you afraid he’ll leak the photos?”

You Lin must have felt the change. She quickly stood up, careful not to provoke me further. Dian Dian was waiting in the room. This wasn’t the time. The long night ahead held plenty of moments for release.

“Let him leak them. I wasn’t planning to use Usher again anyway. Call it a failed investment. A lesson learned. We shouldn’t have brought him into the spotlight in the first place. He made money, his ambitions grew wild… now he even looks down on his own family.”

I never expected it. A simple, honest boy transformed so drastically by fame and fortune. In a way, I’d made him—and destroyed him.

Tianxing would never keep him. Since You Shu’s era, we’ve despised tainted artists. We’d never let him fall into rivals’ hands to become our nightmare. We were never saints. He’d have to leave the industry. He could still live freely, using his past earnings to start a small business—enough for a lifetime. Maybe even support his family… if he still cared for them, instead of seeing them as burdens.

If his grandparents had known their grandson would become this person, they’d never have let us take him that day.

“What about the fans? Have you thought of an explanation?”

“Anything. As long as Destiny and Ghost stand firm. He brought this on himself. We lifted him up, gave him Tianxing’s resources… and he squandered them.”

The brighter your star, the thinner the ice you walk on. The world isn’t kind—especially in entertainment. Countless people wait to drag you down the moment you shine. How could he be stupid enough to walk straight into the crosshairs?

“Will he give you the photos?”

“Expect ethics from a tabloid reporter? My price will be high enough. He won’t refuse.”

For them, snapping a photo worth millions is near impossible. But handing me Yiheng’s photos? He’d earn the same value as Usher’s leak. Where else would he find such easy money?

“Why buy unknown photos?”

“My silly wife… pregnancy brain really is real. Releasing them now would be a loss. But once he gives them to me, he’ll never tell Yiheng. Yiheng will keep promoting those rookies. He dared stab me in the back this time. Do you think I won’t cut his head off?”

He actually thought Usher could threaten me. Only Destiny and Ghost could threaten Tianxing. I’d abandon every other artist if I had to.

If I don’t bankrupt Yiheng this time, how will he learn? Does he think leading the pack is easy? I’d bleed 150 million to destroy him—I have the capital to play this to the end.

“No wonder Mom says you’re a madman. So ruthless… Where did the old you go?”

“He’s always been home. Never left…”

My ruthlessness was for outsiders. You Lin knew my true nature. Tianxing’s position bred too many enemies. Mercy to foes meant death for yourself.

I used to think You Shu had it easy. Only after taking over did I see how vicious people could be. Only family can be trusted unconditionally. Even closest friends need watching. It’s not about trust—it’s survival.

“Alright, I’m going to sleep with Dian Dian. Keep my phone. If he calls again… handle it.”

I gently nipped You Lin’s lip, then stood up. The trouble was settled—for now. Time to spend days playing with Dian Dian and her mother.

…

…

“Daddy, you’re so slow… I was almost asleep~~”

“Sorry, sweetheart. Daddy’s here now. Sleep time!”

I grinned sheepishly and dove under the covers, pulling Dian Dian close. I’d only have a few more years to hold her like this. Once she grew older, that privilege would belong to You Lin alone.

“Daddy… were you working?”

“Mm. Earning money for my girls.”

I pinched her little nose. You Shu had dragged me into this company. If I slacked off, he’d never truly retire. Besides, he was already just a figurehead. I handled daily decisions; only major ones needed discussion. My parents and You Lin’s parents were busy circling the globe, determined to see the world.

“When Dian Dian grows up… can I earn money with Daddy to take care of Mommy?”

“No. Let Mommy and Dian Dian stay kids. Daddy will handle the earning.”