77: I want actors, not singers.

Tang Chen got up and returned to the living room, sitting next to his wife.

His wife tilted her head and asked, "Hey, it's a good thing he's cleared his name, but his options have also increased, right? Shibei Sea and Fenghua Times will also send him invitations, won't they?"

"Fenghua Times and Guangying Entertainment are closely linked, so they probably won't look for Chen Fang. Even if they do, Chen Fang will check carefully and won't go. Shibei Sea might send an invitation, but I'm definitely the better choice. Among the agents on par with me, only Meng Yu still has the energy to manage people, but she has two singers and lacks actors, so it's impossible for her to take Chen Fang now."

His wife suddenly understood and nodded.

...

At the same time, many entertainment companies were rapidly discussing whether to extend an olive branch to Chen Fang, and what kind of olive branch to offer.

In a large flat in Capital.

Meng Yu, an agent from Shibei Sea, held the phone in her left hand and rubbed her temples with her right.

The voice of the artist director came from the phone's speaker: "His breath control, pitch, and emotional expression are all excellent. Most importantly, he has popularity now, and his physical appearance is superior. His commercial value is definitely no less than the two you currently manage."

"Director He, I know he's excellent. But the resources I have are limited. If I manage three singers alone, are you trying to make them fight among themselves? I need actors, talented actors, not singers. You should ask Qin Fan; he needs singers."

"But Tianji will definitely propose that Tang Chen be his agent."

"So, you want to put my name on it and have Qin Fan manage him? He just clarified his situation. With his current image, if you play a trick like that, aren't you just waiting for his fans to come and condemn our company?"

"Alright, fine."

"Try offering a higher condition."

"Hmm."

Meng Yu hung up the phone and tossed it aside.

...

As night deepened, the internet was noisy all night, while Qingtan Village and the surrounding mountains were peaceful.

Finally, the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, and the sky gradually brightened.

As soon as it was faintly light, Chen Fang and the other four guests walked out of the guesthouse.

Many staff members also gathered there.

Today, the four guests and some staff members were returning to the Capital, leaving the Director and others to complete the finishing work.

Chen Fang took breakfast from a logistics staff member and was called aside by the Director to a tree.

The Director smiled and said, "Teacher Chen, congratulations!"

Chen Fang said gratefully, "Thank you, Director Liu, it's all thanks to you for giving me the opportunity; I was able to clarify things in front of millions of people."

"Don't be polite; we helped each other out. Last night's viewership data was definitely explosive," Director Liu said, hands on hips, smiling. "Teacher Chen, I invited you over because I wanted to ask if you're interested in coming for our second season. Our first season had a cultural theme, so fewer people paid attention. But the second season is a lot of fun; the theme is 'Modern Paradise,' and it's estimated to be filmed in August or September."

Chen Fang's heart stirred.

Modern Paradise?

Wouldn't that be quite easy to create trouble?

But for something three or four months away, he couldn't give an answer now.

"Thank you, Director Liu, I'm very interested. But I haven't confirmed a company yet; I'll have to wait until I confirm a company before I can give you an answer."

"Oh, right, right, I forgot about that." Director Liu nodded, sighed, and joked with a smile, "Alas, next time we meet, you won't have become someone I can't afford, will you? But if that's the case, then that's great; you've made it."

Chen Fang smiled and politely said, "Not at all. If the schedule fits, I'll persuade my company to give you a discount!"

"Good, then see you next time."

The Director patted his shoulder and gestured with his chin towards the nanny van, indicating for him to get in.

Chen Fang smiled and nodded, "Mm, see you next time."

After Chen Fang and the other three guests said goodbye to the program staff and the villagers who came to see them off, they got into the nanny van and drove out of Qingtan Village along the winding mountain road in the dim light of dawn.

...

Chen Fang slept in the car and woke up around nine o'clock, opening his phone to check the online public opinion.

After a night of fermentation, several narratives had emerged.

The most mainstream one was: crying out for his injustice, condemning Yao Ting and others, with no other thoughts, just four words—empathy and condemnation.

A very small number of videos were analyzing the cause of the incident.

The mainstream view in the comment sections of these videos was that Yao Ting initiated this, and others were just trying to gain popularity.

A small number of skeptics believed that this was a planned setup against him.

And a very small number of conspiracy theorists believed that all his negative rumors were true and that someone was protecting him.

The last type of people, even if a court ruling was slapped in their faces, couldn't be woken up.

It doesn't matter. If I get angry over these people, won't my life be controlled by idiots?

Anyway, his commercial value is rapidly recovering, someone is fighting for him, and Yao Ting and others are living in fear, and that's enough.

Chen Fang closed his eyes and continued to rest and recuperate.

At noon, the four arrived at the airport.

In the VIP lounge, the four waited for their flight accompanied by staff members.

Zhao Jin quietly asked, "Teacher Chen, are you coming to Tianji? Do you need a senior to speak up for you?"

Chen Fang tilted his head and asked, "Does Teacher Zhao have a say?"

Zhao Jin's smile froze, and he looked away, "Haha, of course I do!"

Chen Fang scoffed, "You're lying, trying to get a favor for free."

"Haha." Zhao Jin was exposed and awkwardly looked up, his gaze drifting towards the ceiling, "Seriously, Tianji is quite conscientious."

"Then I hope we can become colleagues."

"I wish you good luck."

"And you too."

Soon, it was time to board, and the four got on the plane.

...

In the evening, after getting off the plane, Chen Fang and the three exchanged goodbyes and parted ways. He got into the nanny van sent by Kiwi Video and drove towards the villa.

His parents' residential area had more people, so family gatherings usually happened at his place.

The sun was setting.

Under the golden afterglow, Chen Fang, wearing a mask, stood at the villa entrance, took a deep breath, gripped the handle of his suitcase, walked to the door, and pressed the doorbell.