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

"I can't manage them anymore, I'm exhausted." Feng Qianqian sighed. "I used to think that managing artists was like investing. If you identified a promising stock, you would invest your life savings and hard work, and you would always get a return."

Now, I've discovered that this market... is irrational. Sometimes you see a promising talent, and then, without warning, it offends some powerful force and is ruined, without even a ripple.

Pingjie wholeheartedly agreed: "Exactly! Take that Lu guy, what's his name again? Right, Lu Fan. Wasn't he quite popular before? Handsome, seemed pretty good at fighting, and I heard he even had some mysterious skills? How did he suddenly become a pariah? Are all those rumors online true or false?"

"It's hard to tell what's true and what's false," Feng Qianqian sighed. "In this industry, if they want to promote you, they'll turn white into something beautiful; if they want to put you down, even drinking water can be interpreted as having ulterior motives. I've heard that more than one group is pulling strings behind the scenes to crush him. Even some old stories are being dug up and used to create new stories."

"Old stories? What stories?" Sister Ping became interested.

"It seems to be about... the savior thing." Feng Qianqian lowered her voice. "I only overheard it, but they said they found the 'real person' from back then, and the evidence looks pretty convincing. If that's true, then all the benefits we got from that connection before... wouldn't that be a joke?"

However, the timing of this crucial evidence's sudden emergence is a bit too coincidental. Sister Ping, you have many connections; have you heard anything about this? Who is this so-called "real person"?

Ping was silent for a few seconds, seemingly weighing her options: "Now that you mention it... I think I heard Mrs. Li mention it a couple of days ago at the mahjong table. You know Mrs. Li, right? Her husband is involved in overseas investments."

She said that recently someone, through her husband's connections, has been inquiring about a young man who was injured while training in South Korea a few years ago and returned home. His surname seems to be Lee. They even want to arrange a job for him; the intention is quite obvious. I didn't pay attention at the time, but now that I think about it…”

Feng Qianqian's eyes, hidden behind her face mask, flickered slightly: "A trainee from South Korea? Injured and returned home? That makes sense... Sister Ping, could you help me inquire further?"

"I'm not asking for nothing. I have an internal pre-order slot with a niche designer brand. It's for their key handbag for next season, and I remember you said you really liked that designer."

Ping smiled: "Qianqian, you're so sensible. Okay, I'll keep an eye out for you. But... it's fine to inquire, I don't want to get involved in any trouble. The winds are blowing in the dark right now, and there are some people we can't afford to mess with."

"Don't worry, Sister Ping, it's just curiosity, pure curiosity," Feng Qianqian laughed. "In our line of work, it never hurts to know more. Maybe... it'll be something to talk about later, or maybe we can get some benefits from it?"

"How could I not know you!" Sister Ping said, as if she could see right through Feng Qianqian. "You're such a shrewd person, always trying to get the most accurate information! No wonder you became a top agent."

Feng Qianqian chimed in, "Hey! I had no choice, unlike you, Sister Ping, who married a good husband."

"Haha, I didn't have the drive to fight back then, I just relied on men." Sister Ping's face lit up with a smile.

Inside the coffee shop, Li Gang stood up: "Then I'll leave this matter to you."

"Leave it to me, no problem." Old Cat also stood up.

Li Gang lowered the brim of his hat and quickened his pace to leave.

Old Cat watched Li Gang leave before slowly sitting down. He sneered and then took out his phone.

"Mr. Wang, it's me, Old Cat. Yes, Li Gang contacted me. He's offering a high price: a 20,000 yuan deposit, and 50,000 yuan upon completion."

Wang Zhentao's emotionless voice came from the other end of the phone: "What did you ask me to investigate?"

"Three things," Old Cat said quickly. "First, investigate a former South Korean trainee named Li Chen. We need detailed information about his movements, especially before and after his withdrawal and after returning to South Korea."

Second, check the accounts that have been most aggressive in attacking Lu Fan recently to see if there are any unusual financial transactions or specific private contacts.

Third, keep an eye out for anyone who has recently been in contact with witnesses of the drowning incident in South Korea two years ago.

After a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, a soft, ambiguous chuckle came through: "That kid Li Gang, he's got some brains now, he knows to dig to the root of the problem. What did you reply?"

"I agreed and said I'd give you an answer within a week." Old Cat paused. "Uncle Tao, Li Gang also gave me access to a private section of an anonymous overseas forum, saying that I could exchange it for 'technical means.' I think he's really willing to invest the money to dig."

"I know that forum. It's a mixed bag, but there's some real stuff there." Wang Zhentao's voice turned colder. "You forwarded the account and key Li Gang gave you to my people. As for the information he wants..."

Old Cat immediately chimed in: "I understand. As for Li Chen, I'll 'process' a resume for him that looks real but has vague or misleading key points."

Those marketing accounts pick one or two insignificant, fringe figures and create seemingly unusual transaction records. As for the witnesses…

I would tell him that someone had indeed made contact, but the trail had gone cold, making him feel like there was progress, but without getting to the core of the matter.

"Hmm." Wang Zhentao seemed fairly satisfied. "You still take his money, and play your part to the fullest. Also, use your forum to spread some rumors and muddy the waters a bit."

"Understood, Uncle Tao." Old Cat nodded, then asked cautiously, "Then... what are my benefits?"

"I'll give you whatever Li Gang gives you. Also, once this is over, I can have someone put in a good word for your troublesome cousin so he can have a better time in there." Wang Zhentao said, then hung up the phone.

Inside the hotel, Wang Zhentao hung up the phone and looked down at Ping in his arms: "You just said that Feng Qianqian asked you what she wanted to know?"

"She subtly inquired about that trainee Li Chen who came back from South Korea, and... hinted that someone wanted to silence the young man," Sister Ping answered truthfully. "She even traded a reservation for a handbag from a niche brand for information."

"What did you reply?"

"I told her that I seemed to have heard Mrs. Li mention that someone was inquiring about this person, but she didn't go into details. She asked me to continue keeping an eye out for her." Sister Ping looked up at Wang Zhentao. "Zhentao, do you need me... to pass on any information to her?"

Wang Zhentao gently traced circles on Ping's arm with his fingertips: "She's asking about this because of Lu Fan, trying to dig into Li Chen's background and find flaws. You pass her a message, but make sure it's the 'right' message."

"Then what should I say?" Ping snuggled against Wang Zhentao.

Wang Zhentao slapped Pingjie on the chest, and Pingjie let out a soft cry.

Wang Zhentao, with a smug air, said contemptuously, "Tell her that after Li Chen returned to China, some people did contact him, wanting to arrange a job for him, but Li Chen was stubborn and didn't accept. Now he's in his hometown, a small county town, and he's not doing very well. He still holds a grudge about what happened back then, and he's especially angry about the person who 'impersonated him.'"

Also, it's vaguely mentioned that there seems to be a "big shot" secretly looking after Li Chen, perhaps feeling indebted, or perhaps... afraid he'll say too much.

Wang Zhentao chuckled: "We need to make Feng Qianqian, and Lu Fan behind her, believe that Li Chen is a potential witness with grievances who has been temporarily appeased, and that there might be another intermediary behind him. Draw their attention to the big shots and the behind-the-scenes deals."