157: Chapter 157 Tang Yingxue's Complete Fall

On the way back to the company, Li Cheng calculated while driving.

"Brother Fan, the theater troupe is secured, and the actors are set. The only major thing left is the distributor. For a forty-million production, if no one helps push for theater screenings, the box office will never take off."

After speaking, he glanced at Director Ning in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

"Director Ning, do you have any familiar distribution channels?"

A flash of embarrassment crossed Director Ning's face, and he looked away.

"...None."

Li Cheng waited for two seconds, but when no further explanation followed, he pressed, "Not even one?"

Director Ning's temper flared. "I make movies, I'm not a schmoozer. I've argued with a few distribution managers in the past, and now they won't even pick up the phone when they see it's me."

The car was silent for three seconds.

Jiang Fan leaned back in the passenger seat, eyes closed.

"Go find Su Yuyan."

Li Cheng paused, then immediately gave a thumbs up. "Sister Su's connections are top-tier."

Su Yuyan had been operating in the industry for over a decade; she understood the ins and outs of theater distribution better than anyone.

He had promised her a slice of the pie in the film project earlier, so now was the perfect time to make use of it.

When the car arrived at the company, Director Ning left first.

Jiang Fan walked into his office and sat down. Before he could even get comfortable, his phone vibrated.

It was a WeChat message from Tang Yingxue.

[I've arrived in Shanghai.]

Jiang Fan checked the time: 3:00 PM.

They had just parted ways in Star City the day before yesterday, and she was already chasing after him today?

He typed a quick reply.

[Jiang Fan: The song isn't finished yet.]

She replied instantly.

[Tang Yingxue: I'm not rushing you for the song. There's a collaboration I'd like to discuss in person. Are you free this evening?]

Jiang Fan stared at the screen for two seconds.

Tang Yingxue wasn't the type to fly over on a whim just because she was bored.

If she mentioned a collaboration, there was likely legitimate business to discuss.

[Jiang Fan: 7:00 PM. You pick the place.]

[Tang Yingxue: The Chinese restaurant at the Bulgari Hotel. I'll book a private room.]

At 5:00 PM, Li Cheng knocked and entered.

"Brother Fan, I heard back from the people at Gucci regarding Shen Nian's endorsement."

"What did they say?"

"It's an annual contract with an endorsement fee of 8.6 million for the role of Asia-Pacific Promotional Ambassador. The exclusivity clause is limited to the luxury goods category, so it won't affect negotiations for other categories."

Jiang Fan leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.

Shen Nian's popularity as a champion was still at its peak, so this price was quite reasonable.

"Sign it."

Li Cheng nodded, noted it down, and flipped through the small notebook in his hand.

"Vio also replied. They're offering six million for a one-year endorsement of the S-series."

"That works. Have legal review the contract; if the terms are fine, move forward with it."

"Got it." Li Cheng turned to leave, then paused with his hand on the doorknob. "Oh, right, Brother Fan, are you free tonight? Want to grab a drink?"

"No, I have plans."

Li Cheng chuckled and tactfully closed the door.

Jiang Fan stretched in his chair.

Shen Nian's business progress was faster than expected.

With the champion halo, the brands were clearly offering a tier higher.

If he seized the momentum and signed a few major contracts now, her income for next year would be secure.

He wrapped up work at 6:00 PM and took a taxi straight to the Bulgari Hotel.

A waiter led him down the hallway and opened the door to the private room.

Tang Yingxue had already arrived.

She was wearing a black dress, her hair tied in a low ponytail, with small silver hoops on her ears.

A thin layer of black stockings covered her legs, and she wore stilettos.

Her makeup was light, but she looked radiant.

Her skin had an inner glow, a stark contrast to how she looked as a mentor in Star City just two days ago.

Jiang Fan sat down opposite her.

Tang Yingxue poured him a cup of tea and slid it over.

"You look great today." Jiang Fan picked up the cup and took a sip.

Tang Yingxue's hand paused. She looked up at him, the corners of her mouth twitching. "I have Teacher Jiang to thank for that."

Jiang Fan didn't respond. He set the cup down, picked up the menu, and flipped through a few pages.

The waiter served a few dishes, then exited and closed the door.

The room fell silent, save for the sound of dishes clinking.

Tang Yingxue picked up a piece of beef, chewed it slowly, and wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

"My skin condition has improved since that night. It's very noticeable." She set down her chopsticks and folded her hands on the table. "I've used every top-tier skincare product out there, but I've never seen results like this."

Jiang Fan didn't stop eating.

Tang Yingxue stared at him.

"Is Xu Qingya the same?"

Jiang Fan swallowed what he was eating.

"Teacher Tang, don't ask too many questions. As long as it doesn't harm you, that's all that matters."

Tang Yingxue pursed her lips and didn't press further.

The room was silent for a few more seconds.

She took a few bites of food, then set down her chopsticks. "I heard you're preparing a film?"

"Yes."

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"Not for now."

Tang Yingxue didn't push the issue and changed the subject. "When the song is released, I want you to coordinate with me for a round of joint promotion. You help me with a public appearance, and I'll help with exposure for your film. It'll be a win-win for both of us."

Jiang Fan thought for a moment and nodded. "That works."

Tang Yingxue raised her teacup and clinked it against his.

"Pleasure working with you."

After dinner, they left the private room. The lights in the hallway were dim and soft.

Tang Yingxue walked in front, her high heels making no sound on the carpet.

When they reached the elevators, she pressed the up button.

The elevator doors opened.

Tang Yingxue turned to the side and looked at Jiang Fan.

"Want to come up for a bit?"

Her tone was flat, but the tip of her left ear was flushed with a faint red.

Jiang Fan stepped into the elevator.

Tang Yingxue pressed the floor button. The two stood side by side in silence.

With a "ding," they arrived.

Tang Yingxue swiped her card to open the door. The moment the card was inserted—

Someone wrapped an arm around her waist.

Jiang Fan pulled her in from behind. Tang Yingxue's body stiffened, and she instinctively reached out to steady herself against something nearby.

Her palm slapped against the full-length mirror in the entryway.

"What's the rush..." her voice was slightly breathless.

Jiang Fan didn't answer. His fingers hooked the hem of her dress and pushed it up.

Tang Yingxue braced one hand against the mirror as her dress was pushed up to her waist, exposing the thin black stockings beneath to the air.

"Wait—let's go to the bed."

Jiang Fan pinned her against the mirror, giving her no chance to move.

Tang Yingxue's cheek pressed against the cold mirror, her breath fogging up the glass with a small patch of steam.

Then, she heard the sound of fabric tearing behind her.

"...My stockings cost over three thousand a pair," Tang Yingxue gritted her teeth, her voice a mix of annoyance and softness. "Do you all have to ruin everything like this?"

Jiang Fan ignored her.

Tang Yingxue's knees began to tremble; she only stayed upright because he was holding her waist.

She turned her head, catching a glimpse of the scene in the mirror out of the corner of her eye—

Her dress was bunched up at her waist, her stockings were ripped at the top of her thigh, and her entire face was flushed deep red.

Meanwhile, the man behind her was still wearing his shirt, perfectly neat.

She quickly turned her head back, pressed her forehead against the mirror, and bit down on the back of her hand.

Jiang Fan guided Tang Yingxue from the entryway to the living room.

The sofa backrest groaned under the pressure. In her struggle, one of Tang Yingxue's heels flew off, hit the coffee table, and bounced away.

By the time Tang Yingxue was thrown onto the bed, her dress had been pulled off somewhere.

She lay sprawled across the white sheets, most of her hair having come loose from her ponytail, sticking to her cheeks and neck.

"No more, that's enough... really, that's enough..."

Her voice trembled, and her hands pushed against Jiang Fan's shoulders, but she had no strength left.

Jiang Fan leaned down, his lips pressed against her earlobe.

"Teacher Tang, didn't you just say you wanted a long-term collaboration?"

Tang Yingxue turned her head to glare at him, her eyes brimming with moisture, the corners of her eyes flushed deep red.

She opened her mouth twice, but couldn't get a single curse word out.

Jiang Fan smiled, pressed his palm against the small of her back, and began to move again.

"Still... still going... ah!"

It was unclear how much time had passed.

Tang Yingxue lay prone on the bed, her face buried in the pillow, her shoulders rising and falling slightly with her breathing.

She had no strength left in her entire body; she couldn't even turn over.

Jiang Fan lay beside her, the system panel appearing before his eyes.

[Deep Compatibility ×3, Lifespan Value +6000]

[Current Lifespan Value: 50100 points]

[Remaining Lifespan: 123 days]

Fifty thousand.

Jiang Fan closed the panel.

Tang Yingxue took a long while to recover before tilting half her face out from the pillow.

"What kind of constitution do you... even have?"

"I'm naturally gifted."

Tang Yingxue wanted to curse, but her throat was too hoarse, so she could only let out a forceful huff.

She struggled to shift over and rested her head on Jiang Fan's shoulder.

"Those stockings cost thirty-eight hundred."

"I'll buy you ten pairs."

"...If only you were this straightforward when writing songs."

Jiang Fan reached out and pulled her close, saying nothing.

Tang Yingxue closed her eyes, her breathing gradually deepening.

After nearly three hours of exertion, she was truly exhausted.

For the first time in thirty-two years, she felt that a man's shoulder was so comfortable to lean on.

Tang Yingxue's consciousness slowly drifted away, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Fan turned his head to look at her.

Asleep, Tang Yingxue's aggression had completely vanished. Her brows were relaxed, her lips slightly parted, and her breathing was even.

He pulled the blanket up to cover them both and closed his eyes.