I, the number one master of metaphysics, have achieved legendary status in the entertainment industr

"What do you mean?" Yu Tinglan stood up abruptly.

Seeing Guo Huai's confident demeanor, Yu Tinglan breathed a sigh of relief and slowly sat down. "This budget is indeed for a big production. What are your terms?"

"The conditions are very simple." Guo Huai leaned forward. "First, Jiaxing, as a co-producer, enjoys the credit and a portion of the profits, but the main decision-making power is with us."

Second, after the project launches, Jaywalk will need to allocate some publicity resources and coordinate with the artists' schedules. Third…”

He paused and looked at Attorney Chen beside him.

Attorney Chen continued, his voice flat and emotionless: "Third, given the recent industry trends, in order to ensure the smooth progress of the project and avoid unnecessary public opinion risks, I suggest that Jiaxing Entertainment temporarily distance itself from certain controversial artists under its umbrella during the project period. Especially... Mr. Lu Fan."

The air in the office seemed to freeze for a moment.

Yu Tinglan leaned back in her chair, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest: "After going through all this trouble, it's all for this. What if I said no?"

Guo Huai sighed, seemingly with some regret: "President Yu, we are all businessmen, and we value profit and risk control. You know Lu Fan's current situation better than I do."

Mainstream resources have almost dried up, commercial value has plummeted, and negative public opinion could explode at any moment. He's like a ticking time bomb, strapped to the ship of Jiaxing Media; if he explodes, the entire company will be affected. Our project involves a huge investment; we can't take that risk.

Attorney Chen added, "Moreover, we understand that Mr. Lu Fan's connection with your company began with a 'life-saving favor'."

This relationship was once a celebrated one, but if this "gratitude" itself is questionable, or even... a deliberate scheme by someone with ulterior motives, then, Mr. Yu, has your trust and support become a tool for being exploited?

Yu Tinglan's eyes suddenly sharpened: "Is this what you were trying to say? You'd better produce evidence, or I won't let you get away with this."

"Of course." Guo Huai glanced at Lawyer Chen beside him.

Attorney Chen took out several photos from his folder and pushed them in front of Yu Tinglan.

Yu Tinglan picked it up and took a look.

The first picture is a blurry CCTV screenshot from a winter night two years ago on the banks of a river in South Korea, showing a figure jumping into the water.

The second picture, slightly clearer, shows the back of the man who rescued the unconscious woman as he drags her ashore; his soaked clothes outline his thin figure.

The third photo is a slightly youthful snapshot of a boy, dressed in trainee attire, with the logo of a South Korean entertainment company in the background. The boy's profile bears a striking resemblance, about six or seven points, to the figure in the second photo who is rescuing someone!

"Li Chen, a former trainee of South Korea's 'Starry Sky Entertainment,' quit two years ago due to injury." Attorney Chen's voice was expressionless. "Based on our investigation, as well as the testimony and some physical evidence provided by Mr. Li Chen, including his purchase records of the clothes he wore that day, testimonies from fellow trainees, and so on."

It was he, not Mr. Lu Fan, who jumped into the river to save you, Mr. Yu. Mr. Lu Fan was indeed nearby at the time, but he was just one of the bystanders. He witnessed the whole thing and then used that to claim the identity of your savior.

"Impossible!" Yu Tinglan put down the photo, her gaze fixed on Attorney Chen. "My friend was with me back then, and she went to the hospital with me. Besides, I found Lu Fan's jade pendant. How could it be fake?"

Attorney Chen seemed to have anticipated Yu Tinglan's response. Looking into Yu Tinglan's eyes, she said, "Li Chen does bear some resemblance to Lu Fan. It was so dark that night, and your friend was flustered; it's understandable that she mistook him for someone else. As for the jade pendant…"

Attorney Chen remained calm and took out another set of photos, pushing them towards Yu Tinglan: "These are photos of Li Chen wearing that jade pendant from childhood to adulthood. We can't fake this. The jade pendant doesn't have a name on it, so Lu Fan can't just make things up."

Yu Tinglan picked up the photos on the table and flipped through them one by one. With each photo she looked at, her face grew more somber.

"President Yu, how's it going?" Guo Huai asked with a look of anticipation.

Yu Tinglan's expression changed: "It is that jade pendant, but..."

"President Yu, don't you believe me?" Guo Huai shook his head. "Lu Fan is a frighteningly cunning man. He probably investigated your background long ago and knew how important that jade pendant was to you, which is why he devised this impersonation scheme."

His true purpose is to get close to you, gain your trust and resources. As for who leaked this information, I think you know better than we do; perhaps they already had a prepared story to further mislead you. Their intentions... are despicable!

"You mean? Su Qin?" Yu Tinglan blurted out.

Guo Huai did not answer, but his expression was resolute.

Yu Tinglan lowered her head, staring intently at the photos and screenshots of medical records, her fingers trembling slightly.

Those images, the face of that trainee named Li Chen, were so detailed, the timeline so consistent, and the impact so strong.

She recalled the first time she met Lu Fan, and the composure he showed when he took out the jade pendant.

I recall the focus and exhaustion he endured when he expelled the fetal parasite from himself.

I remember his profile when he taught me how to make tea...

Was all of this just a performance built on lies?

A chilling coldness, mixed with the anger of being fooled, suddenly surged from the depths of my heart.

"Where did this...evidence come from?" Her voice was a little strained.

"Mr. Li Chen is currently not doing well in life and is doing odd jobs in South Korea. We came into contact with him by chance and learned about this past. He is disgusted by Lu Fan's impersonation and exploitation of you, and is willing to cooperate in clarifying the matter."

Attorney Chen said, "Of course, out of consideration for the witness's protection, he cannot appear in person at the moment. But we can guarantee the authenticity of this evidence. If Mr. Yu doesn't believe it, he can verify it through his own channels, or... ask Mr. Lu Fan directly?"

Guo Huai said earnestly, "President Yu, I know it's hard for you to accept right now. But you can know a person's face but not their heart. Is it worth ruining Jiaxing's reputation and future for such a scheming swindler?"

That espionage project is a chance for Jiaxing to reach new heights. If you agree, we'll sign the contract immediately. As for Lu Fan, a cold shoulder is best for everyone. Even… if you need it, we can help Lu Fan quietly leave this industry and never bother you again.”

Yu Tinglan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her eyes were filled with complex emotions: shock, doubt, anger, disappointment, and a hint of barely perceptible wavering.

She picked up the photo of Li Chen and looked at it for a long time.

"Leave the information," she finally spoke, her voice devoid of emotion. "I need time to verify it."

Guo Huai and Attorney Chen exchanged a glance, knowing that they had achieved most of their goal.

"Of course, Mr. Yu's caution is understandable." Guo Huai stood up, leaving behind his tablet and folder. "We await good news. However, Mr. Yu, time waits for no one. There are other interested parties for that project. Also, regarding Lu Fan... things could get complicated if things drag on."

After they finished speaking, seeing that Yu Tinglan's expression was not good, they got up and left.

After the two left, the office became completely quiet.

Yu Tinglan sat alone in the large office chair, staring at the glaring "evidence" on the table, without moving for a long time.

She picked up her phone, scrolled to Lu Fan's number, her fingertip hovering over the dial button, but she hesitated to press it.

Question him? Listen to his explanation?

What if he really was... a scam from the very beginning?

The words "I am repaying a debt of gratitude" still ring in my ears, but now they seem like the most ironic joke.

She slammed her phone down on the table with a loud thud.