CHAPTER 348: GOING TOO FAR AFTER BEING GIVEN AN INCH

"Boss, I checked everything like you said, but I didn’t find any issues. Are you sure the forum was hacked?"

"What, you think I’m lying?"

"Of course not, Boss. If the other side could infiltrate the forum right under your nose without leaving a trace, there’s only one possibility—their skills surpass ours. When did Qingzhou produce so many top-notch experts? This is something worth looking into."

The young man tapped his finger lightly on the desk, his alluring peach-blossom eyes shimmering.

"Any leads on the hacker from the last breach into Qingge Group?"

The voice on the phone let out a sigh, "Like a stone sinking into the sea, completely vanished."

"Then start investigating through the darknet."

Roger was stunned, "The darknet?"

"I suspect this is the same person as the hacker who infiltrated Qingge Group last time."

The boy’s calm and perceptive voice rang out slowly.

Roger immediately sat up straight, incredulity evident in his tone, "That’s impossible, right...?"

"If he were truly that powerful, why would he bother hacking into a minor high school forum just to steal the title of the campus heartthrob? What a waste of talent..."

As he spoke, his voice gradually faded. Even the Boss, such a formidable hacker, also mixes around high school forums, doesn’t he?

"Got it, Boss, leave it to me. You can rest assured."

"By the way, Boss, FlyCompany’s hosting a CTF competition this month. Are you interested?"

Leng Yunyang raised an eyebrow, "CTF competition?"

"Organized by Feilian Group, they’ve got deep pockets—the prize money is exceptionally lucrative. The winner even gets an invitation to Black Hot. That’s Black Hot we’re talking about! If it weren’t for the age restrictions on contestants, I’d want to participate myself."

Black Hot, also known as the Black Hat Conference, is the premier global gathering of the world’s best hackers.

"There’s gossip that the Phoenix Association is leading Tianlu Bank’s cybersecurity team at the conference. Boss, do you think we stand a chance of receiving an invitation from the organizers?"

Although they’re somewhat renowned in Hua Country, internationally, there are too many skilled competitors. Take Feilian Group’s experts, for instance—they may have no ranking on the darknet, but no one dares to underestimate them. They’ll naturally receive the organizers’ invitation and exchange expertise at the conference.

Leng Yunyang tapped his fingers lightly on the keyboard, and the computer instantly displayed information about FlyCTF.

"Naturally, I’ll get in legitimately."

He filled out the registration form and submitted it successfully.

~

The efforts of the morning had not been in vain; by the afternoon, Gao Yuyue could gallop freely on horseback, her arrogant laughter echoing through the tranquil surroundings.

Shen You’an stood at the edge of the grassland, watching Gao Yuyue’s retreating figure. She frowned and instructed a nearby stable keeper to follow up and take a look.

She took out her phone and returned a call to Qi Baotan.

"An’an." Qi Baotan’s voice sounded somewhat downcast.

"My classmate picked up the phone this morning and passed along your message. I already know."

"Mm, An’an, I’ve got a flight to Qingzhou tonight. Do you... have time tomorrow?"

Shen You’an frowned, "So rushed?"

"President Xu has to work around Luuo Yunqi’s schedule, so I have no choice but to fly to Qingzhou alone."

"Working around Luuo Yunqi?" Shen You’an’s tone grew colder.

"So they’re deliberately making things inconvenient for you? What, they think you’re an easy target to bully?"

The girl’s voice was calm and icy, carrying an inexplicable sense of intimidation.

"An’an, I... Anyway, I have time this weekend. I’ll treat it as a trip to Qingzhou and get to see you in the process."

"That’s a separate matter. Bullying is not acceptable. Enjoy your weekend in Chunzhou."

After a pause, she added, "If you want to see me, there will be plenty of opportunities. No need to inconvenience yourself like this."

With that, she decisively hung up the call.

The napping Zhao Heng was stunned awake when he picked up Shen You’an’s call.

"Boss, what are your orders?"

"People are starting to bully us, and here you are, taking it easy."

"What?" Zhao Heng immediately sat upright. "Boss, what do you mean?"

Shen You’an briefly explained the situation.

Zhao Heng frowned deeply, clenching his teeth with anger, "Unbelievable! Do they think they can push around Other Shore Entertainment? Boss, hold tight—I’ll take care of this right now."

Shen You’an gazed at the silhouette emerging on the horizon and responded indifferently with a "Mm."

"Don’t be mad at Baotan; she didn’t want to cause trouble for you."

"It was my oversight. Rest assured, Boss."

After hanging up, Zhao Heng immediately contacted his assistant for an investigation, quickly uncovering the entire story.

"So, a minor marketing company has the audacity to mess with Zhao Heng? What, do they think Other Shore Entertainment has no reputation in this industry?"

The assistant internally thought, "In the entertainment industry, your reputation is indeed not great. People always pick the easy targets."

Ru Caiying’s comeback was pending market evaluation, but she was still a former Best Actress. Officially, her studio was self-established, and unless she publicly declared it, no one would know she was under Other Shore Entertainment’s contract.

Pu Yutai, personally picked as the male lead by Director Cen, had immense potential.

The lead actors had separate publicity teams, but Luuo Yunqi and Qi Baotan were bundled together for promotions.

The marketing company, based in Chunzhou, was conveniently close. Why send Qi Baotan all the way to Qingzhou for a promotional shoot, and even arrange a red-eye flight?

"What exactly is Luuo Yunqi’s background?"

The assistant adjusted his glasses and revealed the findings of his investigation.

"Luuo Yunqi is a prospective signing for Radiant Entertainment."

As the saying goes, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Though Radiant Entertainment lost the backing of Xie Group, it remains one of the leading entities in the industry. If a newcomer secures a deal with Radiant Entertainment, half their path to stardom is already paved.

"Radiant Entertainment, huh. Hmph, the usual tactics—they’re trying to suppress Baotan to boost their newbie’s reputation. But let’s see if I agree. Inform Xintao that Baotan is too busy with her studies for next year’s art entrance exams and won’t have time to film promotional materials."

The assistant acknowledged, "I’ll handle it immediately."

Zhao Heng picked up a dart—"Thud!"—it landed squarely in the bullseye.

The Boss has been planning this for so long, waiting for the perfect moment to soar.

The entertainment industry, corrupted by capital, is due for a cleansing.

~

"Miss Luuo, I’ve made arrangements for Xintao to follow your pace. When do you plan on signing with the company?"

Luuo Yunqi lowered her gaze, inspecting her perfectly manicured nails, and replied leisurely, "I’ve already had a lawyer review the contract. Sorry, I’m not entirely satisfied."

The person opposite her sneered, "Miss Luuo, if it weren’t for Mr. Xie’s special instructions, do you think an unknown newcomer like yourself could land a B-tier contract with the company? I suggest you play smarter—you’ve yet to pass market tests. Stop playing hard to get, or you’ll end up with nothing."

"Oh, really? Xingheng also sent me an invitation. I looked over their contract template—it’s not bad. At least it’s sincere. Xingheng isn’t too far behind Radiant, right? I recall their CEO used to be one of your artists at Radiant."

The person opposite gritted their teeth in frustration, "Luuo Yunqi, don’t push your luck."

Luuo Yunqi’s expression turned icy, her words sharp, "I expect mutual respect and equality in our collaboration. Unfortunately, I don’t see sincerity from your company. In that case, there’s no need for a partnership."

Zhou Hong stared at her phone in disbelief after the call ended.

The audacity of today’s rookies—to hang up on her! Do they even know who she is?

Director of the Talent Agency at Radiant Entertainment, responsible for launching numerous first-tier stars. Many of those stars, like Liang Ruofan, who remains a leading figure today, owe their rise to her discerning eye. Being chosen by her is a blessing few could ever dream of.

Luuo Yunqi had the looks, charisma, and youth, coupled with Director Cen’s endorsement as a "Cen Girl." She had boundless potential, and Zhou Hong had already set her sights on her. Mr. Xie even emphasized that Luuo Yunqi must be signed.

She had assumed the girl would jump at the opportunity with gratitude. Who would’ve guessed she’d leverage the situation to demand the company handle Xintao for her? Her implied intention was to stomp on Qi Baotan to gauge whether the company was worthy of collaboration.

The company had interceded with Xintao, guaranteeing Qi Baotan would take a backseat. Who could’ve predicted the girl would then burn the bridge after crossing it and bring up Xingheng to present herself as a hot commodity?

Zhou Hong chuckled in anger. Are rookies really this cunning nowadays?

Xingheng is Radiant Entertainment’s nemesis.

If Xingheng manages to poach her, it would be a slap in Mr. Xie’s face.

Her true aim was clearly to demand an A-tier contract, an ambition that was nothing short of soaring. Such contracts, with their unparalleled distribution of earnings, benefits, and company resources, only go to established stars like Liang Ruofan.

No newbie has ever begun with an A-tier contract.

At this point, whoever budges first loses, shackled forever.

Resourceful little girl—such tactics at a young age—could someone be advising her?

Does she truly think she’s a big deal? Fine, let her waste time. Radiant Entertainment will never lower its head for a rookie.