Dilraba's rise to fame began with her appearance on Running Man.

Reba opened her mouth, her mind a jumbled mess.

She gathered her thoughts before speaking, "My affairs...are related to Tang Yan and Luo Jin?"

"That's right." Deng Zhe nodded. "It was them who did it."

"Why?" Reba asked, puzzled. "I didn't provoke them."

"These people will do anything as long as it benefits them."

Deng Zhe spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something extremely ordinary, "It's very common. You'll encounter many more in the future."

Reba fell silent. She looked out the window at the rapidly receding street scene, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her—grievance, anger, and confusion.

After a long pause, she asked in a low voice, "Then... who are Fang Ming and Minister Yan?"

"Fang Ming is my subordinate," Deng Zhe said. "Minister Yan is the Vice Minister of Culture."

Reba gasped.

The Vice Minister of Culture. That level of person was already an unattainable figure in her eyes. Yet, Deng Zhe's tone on the phone just now was as if he were chatting with an ordinary friend.

She suddenly realized that she had never truly known the person next to her.

"Why aren't you asking anymore?" Deng Zhe glanced at her.

Dilraba shook her head: "I won't ask anymore. I'm afraid if I know too much, you'll kill me to silence me."

Deng Zhe burst out laughing.

He freed one hand and ruffled Reba's hair: "It wouldn't warrant murder to silence her. But..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, a wicked smile playing on his lips: "Offering yourself in return is no problem."

Dilraba blushed, crossed her arms, and leaned back, saying, "Pah! You filthy scoundrel! Don't even think about it!"

She glared at Deng Zhe and added, "Hurry home, I'm hungry!"

Deng Zhe smiled and stopped teasing her. He stepped on the gas, the car accelerated, and headed home.

As the street scene outside the window receded, Dilraba leaned back in her seat, watching Deng Zhe's profile as he focused on driving, and the chaotic emotions in her heart slowly calmed down.

No matter what, with him by my side, it seems like there's nothing to be afraid of.

As she thought this, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upwards.

At the same time, Yang Mi was still sitting in his office.

On the computer screen in front of her was a document displaying the company's shareholding structure. The 18.75% next to her name was particularly glaring.

Deng Zhe's last words were like a thorn, piercing her heart.

She wasn't unaware that in recent months, Zeng Jia and Zhao Ruoyao had indeed disagreed with her on some decisions.

But Yang Mi always felt that it was a normal business discussion, since everyone has a different perspective on issues.

But now...

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

When he opened his eyes again, his gaze had become resolute.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Attorney Li," she began, her voice regaining its usual crispness, "prepare a share buyback plan for me. Yes, Jiaxing's. As soon as possible."

After hanging up the phone, she stood up and walked to the French windows again.

Yang Mi looked at the bustling scene and let out a soft breath.

The road ahead is still long, she thought.

But at least, she knew which direction she should go.

In a high-end residential community in Shanghai.

Tang Yan nestled on the sofa, dressed in pajamas, holding a tablet in her hand, her fingertips swiping across the screen.

She was looking at Weibo. On the trending topics list, the hashtag #DilrabaStealsTheScenes# was still in the twenties, followed by a light orange "hot" character.

Opening the comments section, the top few highly-rated comments all criticized Dilraba, the tone wasn't harsh, but the target was clear.

She glanced at it a few times, showed no expression, left the topic, and then clicked into her own super topic.

Fans posted heavily edited photos of her attending an event yesterday, and the comments section was filled with comments like "Sister is so beautiful" and "Tangtang is shining brightly today too."

She twitched the corners of her mouth, put down the tablet, and reached for the water glass on the coffee table.

The cup had just touched my lips when my phone rang.

Tang Yan glanced at the screen; the caller ID showed it was her agent. She answered and held the phone to her ear.

"Hello, Sister Wang."

"Tangtang." The voice on the other end of the phone sounded urgent. "That matter with Reba has to be stopped."

Tang Yan paused for a moment, the water glass stopping in mid-air.

She frowned. "Why? Did Jiaxing contact us?"

"It's not Jiaxing." Sister Wang's tone was very certain. "Jiaxing isn't even worth our time. It's Zhexing Interactive Entertainment. Their CEO, Mr. Fang, called personally."

"Zhexing Interactive Entertainment?" Tang Yan's voice rose slightly, and she instinctively sat up straight. "How could they be connected to Dilraba?"

Of course she knew about Zhexing Entertainment. It was an entertainment company that had suddenly risen to prominence five years ago, with a mysterious background but incredibly good resources.

The company's roster includes actors such as Hu Ge, Huo Jianhua, Liu Sisi, and Zhao Liying, as well as singers such as Deng Ziqi, Zhang Liangying, Zhang Jie, and Li Ronghao—all of whom are top-tier celebrities.

In the entertainment industry, Zhexing Entertainment is a top-tier giant, and they usually don't have much interaction with individual studios like theirs.

Mr. Fang made the call personally? Tang Yan's heart skipped a beat.

"I don't know why they got involved," Sister Wang said in a low voice, tinged with lingering fear.

"But Mr. Fang's tone was very clear: we should stop immediately and not touch Dilraba. Tangtang, this matter may not be so simple."

"Sister," Tang Yan pursed her lips, her voice softer than before, "you should quickly tell the online trolls to stop."

"The notice has already been given; everything is to be withdrawn," Sister Wang said.

"I've also had someone contact them to see if we can bring it down from the trending topics list. Tangtang, please keep a low profile lately and don't post anything related to this on Weibo. Just pretend you don't know anything about it."

"I understand," Tang Yan said.

The phone hangs up.

She tossed her phone back onto the sofa, leaned back into the soft cushions, and let out a long sigh.

Before she could even sort out her thoughts, Luo Jin's phone rang beside her.

Luo Jin glanced at the caller ID, his expression immediately becoming respectful as he answered the phone.

"Commander, is there something you need from me?"

After hearing what was said on the other end of the phone, Luo Jin's respectful expression froze for a moment.

"Commander, I..." He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but was interrupted.

He listened for a few more seconds, his face gradually paling. He looked up at Tang Yan on the sofa.

Tang Yan was also looking at him.

Their eyes met, and they both saw the same fear in each other's eyes.

"Commander, I understand." Luo Jin's voice was a little dry. "I'm already handling it."

After a few more words were spoken, Luo Jin nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, don't worry, it definitely won't affect the regiment. Okay, okay, goodbye, regimental commander."

The phone hangs up.

Luo Jin remained in the same position as when he answered the phone, the phone pressed against his ear, not moving for several seconds.

Then, his arm dropped down, and the phone slipped from his palm, falling onto the thick carpet without making a sound.

He took a step forward, his legs seemed a little weak, and he slumped into the sofa, right next to Tang Yan.

"The commander said..."