They surrounded me right after the breakup.

6:30 p.m.

The office area of ​​Xingyue Media gradually darkened.

Only a few nightlights were on in the corridor.

Most of the workstations are already empty.

Jiang Han came out of the office.

The moment the elevator doors opened, he saw a familiar figure standing next to the reception desk.

Shan Yichun!

She was wearing a black hoodie with the hood pulled down low.

She wasn't wearing makeup, and her eye bags were very heavy.

His lips were a little chapped, as if he hadn't slept well for several days.

She looks completely different from the female singer with winged eyeliner who appeared on the Universal Music posters before.

She heard footsteps and suddenly looked up.

After realizing it was Jianghan, his shoulders visibly tensed up.

"General Jiang!"

Shan Yichun spoke first, her voice hoarse.

"Could I trouble you for a few minutes?"

Jiang Han glanced at the other person.

Of course he recognized her; she was Universal Music's top female singer.

Jiang Guangyao spent a lot of money to promote the leading lady.

He competes with Mao Buyi for rankings on the music charts every day.

Jiang Han pointed to the reception room at the end of the corridor.

"Come in."

Dan Yichun followed behind, cautiously entering the reception room.

The secretary poured a glass of warm water and placed it in front of me.

Shan Yichun took it in her hand and gently rubbed her fingers on the inside of the cup.

Jiang Han sat down opposite her.

"Speak your mind."

"President Jiang, Universal Pictures has cut off all my marketing and promotion budget."

"We've recorded several songs for the new album, but Mr. Jiang said the funding chain has dried up."

"The rest can't be recorded."

"The legal department resigned last week, and the agent also left."

Shan Yichun placed her phone on the table.

The screen displays the chat history with the agent.

The last conversation took place three days prior.

The other party said they couldn't continue.

Shan Yichun put her phone away and held the cup in her hands again.

"I'm not here to ask for resources."

"I wanted to ask if there were any seats available at Xingyue."

"Any spot is fine."

"I can start as a trainee, I can start as a harmony singer."

"You can sing demos, or work behind the scenes."

"I just want a place where I can sing."

Jiang Han leaned back in his chair, observing her expression.

"I've heard Chiang Kuang-yao's assessment of you."

He said you're suited to singing songs about strong, independent women.

"So what if you tried that song before? He was the one who decided on the lyrics and music."

"He made the decision."

Shan Yichun's voice suddenly changed tone, as if someone had touched a wound that had been hidden for a long time.

"The lyrics were revised several times."

"He adds a few lines to each version."

"What kind of nonsense is this about sisters not needing to rely on men?"

"He said this kind of song sells well, and female fans like it."

"Do you like it yourself?" Jiang Han asked.

Shan Yichun lowered her head and remained silent.

The reception room fell silent.

Jiang Han did not urge them.

After a long while, Shan Yichun suddenly picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Then he raised his head.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and tears were welling up inside.

"President Jiang, I'm telling you the truth."

I don't like any of those songs.

"But the company released songs for me and spent money on my promotion."

"I can only sing!"

"It's not just that I don't like the songs."

"There are many things I don't want to talk about."

"Now he's down."

"If I don't speak up now, I'll never have another chance."

Shan Yichun took a deep breath and placed the cup she was holding on the table.

"I've been in the industry for almost three years."

Do you know why I haven't changed companies?

"It's because I'm afraid."

Her fingers unconsciously rubbed against the cup a few more times.

Then the voice became very flat, as if it had been given up for a long time.

"Jiang Guangyao kept pressuring me with the contract, preventing me from contacting outside producers and from choosing songs myself."

"All arrangements must go through his hands."

Shan Yichun looked up at Jiang Han, her eyes filled with an indescribable mix of humiliation and relief.

"Jiang Guangyao made me have dinner with investors and even forced me to go home with him."

I want to refuse.

He said it was fine if he didn't go, but all announcements and publicity would have to stop.

"Everything depends on my performance."

"I went there later, more than once..."

Jiang Han's brows furrowed slightly.

He recalled the female celebrities he had seen in the private rooms of the club.

They were used as background figures and drinking companions by the big shots.

Those were at least transactions between adults.

It is a mutually agreeable exchange, a transaction where resources are traded for bargaining chips.

But what Shan Yichun is talking about is completely different.

It was pure coercion.

Using someone's career as a bargaining chip.

They keep people tied to their own hands, so they don't even dare to struggle.

"So you think that once he's gone, he'll be free?"

"Yes! But I need to find a new job before he falls."

Jiang Han asked, "How did you know I would want you?"

"I have no idea."

Shan Yichun lowered her head and swallowed.

"Among all the bosses in the industry, you're the only one who's different!"

"Everything I just said is true!"

"If you don't believe me, you can have someone check right now."

"I am willing to accept any background check from Xingyue."

"I am also willing to accept any form of trial."

Jiang Han stood up and walked to the window.

The twilight was gathering over Jingzhou outside the window.

The last ray of orange light disappeared into the horizon.

Jiang Han turned around from the window and looked at Shan Yichun.

"The stars and moon do not accept waste."

Shan Yichun's body stiffened slightly.

"But if Mao Buyi says you're capable, I can give you a chance."

"Tomorrow at 10 a.m.

"Go to the music department and report to Teacher Fang."

"Give me your name."

Dan Yichun was stunned for several seconds, then stood up and bowed very deeply.

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang!"

"I won't let you down!"

Jiang Han had already reached the door.

He stopped again and looked back at her.

"Before going to see Fang Chongwen tomorrow."

"Go to the administration department and get an access card first."

"If someone from Global Times contacts you again..."

"Transfer it directly to the legal department."

"Xingyue will handle the recording for you."

Shan Yichun stood still, her lips moving slightly.

I wanted to say more, but I didn't utter a single word.

She watched Jiang Han's back as he walked towards the door, her fingers gripping the backpack strap tightly.

"President Jiang, please wait a moment!"

Jiang Han stopped and turned to look at her.

"Mr. Jiang, thank you for taking me in, but I'd like to know why you trusted me."

"There was no recording, no chat log, nothing about what I just said!"

Jiang Han turned around, his hands in his pockets.

"I don't believe you, at least not now."

"If you have the ability, stay; if not, leave."

"As for what you mentioned, that's not what I want."

Shan Yichun looked up at Jiang Han, appearing somewhat hesitant.

"You have Jiang Guangyao's things, right?" Jiang Han asked.

"You said half a sentence, then swallowed it back."

Shan Yichun's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She sat back down in her chair and didn't speak for a long time.

"I have a video!"

After saying that, Shan Yichun took out her tablet from her bag and opened the video player.

Jiang Han glanced at it and exclaimed, "Wow!"

You really don't know how to avoid suspicion!

Can I see this directly?

Why didn't you say something so important sooner?

You can't tell because you're wearing clothes, but there's at least a D cup in the video.

Furthermore, Chiang Kuan Yew's oily face in the picture is truly disgusting!

It looks like a piece of clay that has been squeezed out of shape.

They dare to engage in underhanded practices even with a mere 8 centimeters?

Jianghan shifted its focus.

Since she was able to produce the video, Shan Yichun had truly placed all her bets on herself.

"Tomorrow, go to Junhe Law Firm and find Xia Yutong. Just tell her I sent you."