How can you ascend to heaven when you are a star?

Chapter 450: Old and cunning
"Old Sun, let's drink. You're not trying to get drunk after just a couple of drinks, are you?" Sun Shiping's friend at the table teased him when he saw his dazed expression.

"Old Sun, we all know how much you can drink. You're not leaving until you've finished a bottle." Another friend chimed in.

Sun Shiping was jolted awake, finally snapping out of his shock. However, he had lost all interest in drinking and only wanted to deal with the trouble caused by Tian Boyang and his son before Chairman Zheng called. He absolutely couldn't let himself become the scapegoat.

"Everyone." Sun Shiping stood up, clasped his hands in greeting to his friends, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, something unexpected happened and I have to go deal with it right away. I'll owe you the drinks for today, and I'll treat you another day."

After saying that, he ignored the surprised expressions of the others, picked up his clothes, and hurriedly left the private room.

The remaining five people looked at each other, completely bewildered, having no idea what had happened.

Sun Shiping quickly walked out of the hotel and came to a quiet place. His fingers trembled as he took out his phone and dialed Tian Boyang's number.

If we can shut Tian Boyang up, there's still a chance for things to turn around.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later..."

The mechanical beeping was like a bucket of cold water, making Sun Shiping feel uncomfortable all over. He was not giving up and dialed twice more, but the result was still that the phone was off.

Thinking that it was possible that Tian Boyang's phone had shut down automatically because he hadn't used it for a long time during his Alzheimer's period, he found Fan Cheng's number and dialed it.

This time, the call was answered quickly.

"Vice President, what is it?" Fan Cheng asked in a low voice, like a thief, with noise coming from the background.

"Fan Cheng, tell Tian Boyang and his son right now to keep quiet, and especially not to give any interviews or do any live broadcasts. I will give them a satisfactory answer later," Sun Shiping said quickly, his tone full of panic.

He had already made up his mind: whether he wanted money or resources, as long as Tian Boyang agreed to keep quiet, everything was negotiable.

"Okay, Vice President, I'll go tell them right now." Fan Cheng didn't dare to delay and quickly agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Sun Shiping's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He turned to look in the direction of the hospital, with only one thought in his mind: Fan Cheng, you must stop him. You must not let things get any worse.

late at night.

Sun Shiping arrived at the hospital wearing a hat and a mask.

The VIP ward area was quiet, with only the emergency lights casting a faint glow.

Outside ward 1208, there were far fewer reporters and internet celebrities compared to the daytime, with only a few dozing against the wall.

Sun Shiping hid in the emergency exit and observed for a while, then sent Fan Cheng a text message with a very simple message: I'm here, open the door quickly.

Soon, the door to room 1208 opened gently, and a head peeked out—it was Fan Cheng.

Sun Shiping crouched down, quickly slipped to the ward door, and slipped inside.

In the ward, neither Tian Boyang nor Tian Yu was asleep. The two sat on the hospital bed, and if it weren't for the hateful look in their eyes, one would think they had dementia again.

"Old Tian, ​​you...you're really better?" Sun Shiping took off his mask and hat, looking Tian Boyang up and down, his eyes filled with uncertainty.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do as you wished." Tian Boyang finished speaking with a cold snort, his tone full of anger and dissatisfaction, his icy eyes looking at him like he was looking at an enemy.

“Old Tian, ​​you’ve misunderstood,” Sun Shiping quickly said, trying to put on a kind expression. “I know the announcement during the day made you feel wronged, and we shouldn’t put all the blame on you, but you should also have heard about what has happened these past few days. Chairman Zheng had no choice. If someone wasn’t found to take responsibility, the association and the Golden Melody Awards would be finished.”

His words were both an explanation and a way to implicate Chairman Zheng. He wanted Tian Boyang to know that the investigation statement issued by the Golden Melody Awards organizing committee was Chairman Zheng's idea, not his, Sun Shiping's.

If you want to die, let's all die together!

"Don't give me that crap!" Tian Boyang said coldly. "You didn't come here just to apologize and explain, did you? Just say what you have to say."

On the other hospital bed, Tian Yu said, "Uncle Sun, before we talk, could you transfer the 1.05 million yuan you owe me first?"

Sun Shiping choked for a moment, inwardly cursing the other party for being so greedy, but said aloud, "No problem, give me a bank card number, and I'll transfer the money to you right now."

For him now, money is a minor issue; the key is how to keep his position as vice president.

Tian Yu was delighted and, without standing on ceremony with his uncle, immediately logged into online banking and gave him his card number.

While taking notes, Sun Shiping looked at Tian Boyang and said, "Old Tian, ​​I know you feel wronged, but listen to me. The current public opinion is so big, which is not good for you, me, or the association. Although the association has put all the responsibility on you, it has also thought of a way out for you. The association will not let down any meritorious person."

At this point, he leaned forward and continued, "The association's original plan was that once you and Xiaotian regained consciousness, future collaborative projects would be prioritized for your family's cultural company. You know how many projects the association has every year; it's a lucrative opportunity, enough for you and your son to live a life of luxury."

Upon hearing this, Tian Boyang's eyes lit up. As a member of the music association, he naturally knew just how lucrative this opportunity was. If they could secure it, their descendants would be able to enjoy the benefits.

Sun Shiping had been observing Tian Boyang's expression. Seeing that Old Tian was interested, he immediately continued, "It's a pity. Before I could tell you about this, you and Xiaoyu said so many things that were detrimental to the association in front of the media. Now Chairman Zheng is very angry and is planning to cancel this preferential treatment."

"No!" Tian Yu immediately got out of bed and said anxiously, "Uncle Sun, I'll change my mind, I'll change my mind, okay? You talk to Chairman Zheng and make sure the project goes to my family's cultural company, right, Dad?"

Tian Boyang frowned, glared at his son, and scolded him for losing his temper.

Others might be fooled by Sun Shiping's words, but how could he easily believe those old foxes in the association, whom he had known for so many years?

Original plan?
Pooh!
They probably didn't expect him to come to his senses, and they were worried that if he continued to talk, he would reveal more inside stories about the Golden Melody Awards and implicate the Music Association. That's why they thought of offering some business opportunities to shut him up through cooperation. They've never seen Chairman Zheng be so generous before.

"Old Sun, you should have said so earlier. Now that the reporters know, even if we change our story, no one will believe us," Tian Boyang said, frowning, regretting his impulsive actions that evening.

So what if I get expelled from the association?
He's willing to take the blame no matter how big the problem, as long as the benefits are sufficient.

Seeing that there was a chance, Sun Shiping immediately said, "Old Tian, ​​I've already thought of a plan for you. You and Xiaoyu continue to pretend to have cognitive impairment. When you face reporters and netizens tomorrow, talk nonsense and act like you can't remember anything, so that everyone thinks your cognitive impairment hasn't improved. In a few days, I'll take you back to Beijing under the guise of treatment. Then you can wait at home for a month or two until everyone forgets about this, and you'll be cured. The project will still be given to you then, how about that?"

He thought the plan was perfect, as it could shut up Tian Boyang and his son, attribute the previous revelations to the ramblings of someone suffering from an illness, and protect his own reputation—a win-win-win situation.

Tian Boyang remained silent for a few seconds, as if he was seriously considering and weighing the pros and cons.

However, Tian Yu couldn't help but speak up, saying loudly, "This is a good idea. Isn't it just about playing the fool? I can do that."

After speaking, his gaze became unfocused, his mouth was half-open, and he stared motionless out the window, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth...

When Sun Shiping saw this, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. He still suspected that the other party's previous cognitive impairment was an act.

Seeing his son's performance, Tian Boyang wanted nothing more than to slap him, but in the end, he couldn't help himself and looked at Old Sun, saying, "Fine, considering how many years we've known each other, I'll trust you this once. But you have to promise that the project won't fall through, otherwise..."

"Don't worry!" Sun Shiping patted his chest and said, "As the vice president, I guarantee that as long as you cooperate, you'll get your share of the benefits. We've known each other for so many years, would I lie to you?" Tian Boyang nodded, thinking about how to pretend to have cognitive impairment tomorrow.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Sun Shiping finally felt relieved after a night of worry. He then logged into his mobile banking app and transferred 1.05 million yuan to Tian Yu.

This is the real hush money.

"Old Tian, ​​it's getting late, so I'll head back now. I'll be waiting for your live stream tomorrow." Sun Shiping gave a few more instructions, then put his hat and mask back on and carefully pushed open the door to leave.

Tian Boyang looked at Fan Cheng in the ward, thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Fan, we need to rest, you should go back to sleep too."

"Okay, Teacher Tian." Fan Cheng replied. He was exhausted and sleepy after a long day. If it weren't for the vice president's call, he would have gone back to the hotel to rest long ago. "By the way, after I leave, you must lock the door from the inside to prevent those reporters and online anchors from barging in."

"Mm," Tian Boyang replied.

Fan Cheng didn't say anything more and tiptoed out of the ward.

Now that he's better, there's no need for him to stay here any longer.

Tian Boyang immediately locked the door from the inside, then quickly went to the window, took his phone out of the flowerpot, and saw that it was recording a video. He checked the time and it had been recording for 11 minutes.

Eleven minutes earlier, Sun Shiping had entered the room.

"Dad, why did you put your phone in the flowerpot? Are you trying to grow a phone?" Tian Yu asked in surprise. He now strongly suspected that his father's Alzheimer's disease had not been cured.

"You don't know anything!" Tian Boyang retorted irritably. "This is our long-term meal ticket. With it, the association can't back out."

As he spoke, he found the video he had just recorded and clicked to play it.

Good, the picture is very clear, and the dialogue can be heard clearly.

It was just that the few things my son said were a bit silly, otherwise it would have been perfect.

Tian Yu curiously leaned over, and was stunned after seeing the video content. It took him a while to come to his senses, and he gave his dad a thumbs up.

"Dad, you're still the most cunning old man."

"What did you say?" Tian Boyang's eyes widened, regretting that he hadn't been able to resist and let this kid slip through the cracks and come into this world.

"Look at my loose tongue." Tian Yu patted his face lightly and said with a smile, "You're cunning. With this video, even if Sun Shiping wanted to deny it, he couldn't. If I had recorded Sun Shiping's words back then, that 1.05 million would have been in my account long ago."

The thought of having an extra 1.05 million in his bank account made him smile involuntarily.

Tian Boyang stood by the window, watching Tian Boyang walk out of the building, a cold smile appearing on his face.

'Old Sun, you better not be lying to me, or don't blame me for taking you down with me.'

……

The next morning.

In the VIP ward area on the 12th floor of Shenzhen Central Hospital, nurses were busy early in the morning, while reporters and internet celebrities who were waiting outside ward 1208 were not idle either. Some were leaning against the wall eating breakfast, while others were adjusting their mobile phones to adjust their cameras, ignoring the security guards' advice.

Yesterday, Tian Boyang and his son came to their senses and dropped some bombshells. Today, everyone is eager to see what other big revelations will follow.

Leave? That's impossible.

"Do you think Tian Boyang will reveal more inside information today?" a young reporter asked quietly, his eyes never leaving room 1208.

"It's hard to say," another older reporter shook his head.

"Why?" Everyone else looked over.

"Tian Boyang's revelations went viral last night, and the Golden Melody Awards organizing committee must have seen them by now. If you were in that situation, what would you do in the face of someone who knows the inside story of the Golden Melody Awards?" the older reporter asked.

"Shut his mouth and stop him from talking nonsense," a reporter next to him said.

The older reporter nodded and said nothing more, while the others instantly understood the implications.

To shut Tian Boyang up, the Golden Melody Awards organizing committee will definitely try every means, including coercion and bribery, to find a way to make him shut up.

Just then, the door to room 1208 suddenly clicked open.

Tian Yu, dressed in a hospital gown, walked out with a dazed look in his eyes and a trace of drool on his lips. He swayed as he walked, muttering incoherently, "Give me back the money, give me back 1.05 million..."

The corridor fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were on Tian Yu.

"He's having another episode?" a reporter asked in surprise.

"Could it be an act?" A social media influencer asked, his eyes filled with suspicion. He had also heard the older reporter's words. One night was enough for the Golden Melody Awards organizing committee to do everything they could to shut up Tian Boyang and his son.

Tian Yu looked at the internet celebrity who was speaking, his gaze suddenly sharpened, and he rushed straight over, grabbed the other person's collar and shouted, "It's you! You owe me 1.05 million! Give me back my money! Give me back my money now!"

When others saw this, instead of rushing to help, they all stepped back, took out their phones and pointed them at Tian Yu. One internet celebrity even shouted excitedly, "Family members, look! Tian Yu has had another attack!"

The passing nurses rushed forward immediately and directed the security guards to subdue Tian Yu.

Just then, Tian Boyang's voice came from the ward, "Xiaoyu, where are you going? Come back, I feel so dizzy."

Upon hearing this, the reporters rushed into the ward.

Tian Boyang was standing by the bed, his face pale, his eyes glazed, and his right hand trembling incessantly, as if he had suffered a stroke.

"Who...who are you? Why are you in my house? I didn't change the rating, I really didn't change the rating, I...I just think that guy surnamed Zhang is too inexperienced and doesn't deserve the award, yes, he doesn't deserve it."

As everyone watched Tian Boyang's voice grow softer and softer, gradually turning into a monologue, they were all unsure of what to do.

Are Tian Boyang and his son really having an episode, or are they just putting on an act?

……

(End of this chapter)