Chapter 34: The Press Conference (I)

“Brother, you really can’t blame me. I was just trying out that fun thing called the Dream Maze!” Ai Xiaomei said, looking completely innocent.

“What exactly did you do?” Yang Fan’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

“Well, this Dream Maze requires you to pick five people, so I chose Lin Ruo, Lin Xi, Zhao Jing, and Wu Qian. Hm, for the last one, I couldn’t think of anyone, so I made up a name. Let me recall what name I invented!”

Yang Fan toppled over.

“Oh right, it was Xia Yufei.”

“Get to the point!”

“Well, I had those five enter the maze to find you. But the fact that they gave you a massage really has nothing to do with me. That was entirely their own idea!”

“So who was it in the end?” Yang Fan was on the verge of collapse. Could she not just give the main point?

“I don’t know! I can’t cheat for them, and besides, I can’t see what’s happening inside. Even if the one who finds you ends up with you in your bedroom, I wouldn’t be able to tell who it is!” Ai Xiaomei replied carelessly.

“Then who would know?”

“Only the person involved knows, but don’t worry, the odds favor our side. Someone like Xia Yufei probably isn’t the one. Of course, if by any chance it is her, she’ll come find you, so don’t be too anxious!” Ai Xiaomei patted Yang Fan’s shoulder in consolation.

Yang Fan had no mood to speak anymore. Wasn’t his life messy enough already?

“Here, have a chip.”

“Get lost!”

He glanced to his side and saw Zhao Jing and Wu Qian sitting there.

“Who could it be? If it’s Zhao Jing, it’s fine, but if not? This whole mess is that girl’s doing.”

“By the way, brother, I forgot to tell you—last night, it’s quite possible that two people appeared in your room one after the other.”

“I…”

“So, it’s possible I’ve already wronged three people.”

“What did you expect? You’re doomed. You’re nothing but a scoundrel!” Ai Xiaomei declared proudly.

“Ding dong, Superpowered Sister’s Happiness increased by twenty percent.”

Yang Fan was devastated…

At eight forty, Yang Fan and his group arrived at the plaza of Jingtian Film and Television. It was already packed with crowds—fan clubs, media teams from all over the country, representatives of several A-list celebrities, investors. This lineup was a first for all of Tianning.

For Jingtian Film and Television, today was not only Xu Zihan’s press conference, but also a showcase for their resources.

On stage, a group of newly debuted handsome men and beautiful women were performing.

Zhang Chen and the others stared, entranced. Those without family members watched uninhibited, but those with family—like Wang Xin, Qin Jun, and Yang Fan—had to restrain themselves, especially since he wasn't in the mood.

Last night’s events remained unresolved. Yang Fan had tried hard to find clues from Zhao Jing and Wu Qian, but there was nothing unusual. Thinking back to Lin Ruo and Lin Xi’s expressions that morning, he found nothing there either.

This trouble was enormous. He couldn’t just ask directly, nor could he make wild guesses. If he guessed wrong, he’d have wronged yet another person.

Ai Xiaomei, thoughtless as ever, had truly landed him in a pit this time. Of course, if others knew, they’d slap him for being so lucky—after all, the more beautiful women, the better.

Lin Ruo and Lin Xi were stunning, Zhao Jing and Wu Qian were rare beauties, and even Xia Yufei, selected by Ai Xiaomei’s standards, would surely be attractive.

Three women make a drama, but there were already five—Yang Fan was spiraling further into despair.

As Xu Zihan’s relatives, they had access to the VIP section—the difference between watching up close and from afar was palpable. From afar, you see faces; up close, you see figures. Zhang Chen and the others couldn’t keep their eyes still.

Yang Fan curled his lip, noticing Liu Mingfeng, President Qian, and several wealthy businessmen from Tianning seated in that large area.

“Yang Fan!”

Liu Mingfeng called him. Yang Fan arranged for everyone to sit, took Ai Xiaomei by the hand, and walked over. Of course, Liu Haoyu and Qian Xue’er followed as well.

“Dad!”

“Yang Fan, my little Xue’er didn’t cause you any trouble, did she?”

“Not at all, Xue’er is very considerate,” Yang Fan replied.

President Qian was just making small talk. He was very pleased with his decision to ally with the Liu family.

“Yang Fan, this is Brother Chen. He and I go way back,” Liu Mingfeng introduced the man beside him.

Yang Fan squinted. Today really was a gathering of tycoons—even someone from the top two hundred wealthiest families, the Chen family, had come.

He knew about this from Wang Huai’s jacket—the value of that jacket was immense.

However, among the top two hundred, only Brother Chen had come. The rest, with their status, would never attend such an event.

“Brother Chen!”

“I’ve long heard the Liu family produced talented people. Seeing it now, not only is Brother Yang Fan impressive, but your son Liu Haoyu and this clever little girl here are remarkable as well.”

“You flatter us, Brother Chen!” Yang Fan laughed. The Chen family’s presence was surely due to Liu Mingfeng’s persuasion.

The tycoon group—rich and naïve—were there to be courted for investment.

“I’ve got a bottle of two-hundred-year-old imperial wine at home. Brother Chen, you must try it sometime.”

“When you get old, you don’t drink much, but such a rare vintage is worth a taste!” Brother Chen chuckled.

“It’s settled then!”

“Young man, you have great promise, truly!”

“Brother Chen, please make yourself comfortable. I’m going to check on Zihan.”

“Go ahead!”

Yang Fan disliked such social niceties. These cunning old men could bend their words to suit any audience.

Ai Xiaomei stuck close, followed by Liu Haoyu and Qian Xue’er. Backstage, Xu Zihan was still tense, but the four of them entered.

“Zihan!”

“You’re finally here!” Xu Zihan’s nerves eased a little.

Lin Ruo and Lin Xi stood nearby—Lin Xi was fine, but Yang Fan didn’t know how to talk to Lin Ruo.

Qian Xue’er was meeting Xu Zihan for the first time and hugged her in excitement. Yang Fan thought for a moment and quickly opened the rental warehouse.

“Rent: Public Relations Master.”

He applied it directly to Xu Zihan. The effect would activate at eleven o’clock, right when she took the stage.

With a Public Relations Master, she would surely shine with confidence.

Xu Zihan and Ai Xiaomei chatted, giving Yang Fan a moment to approach Lin Ruo and Lin Xi.

“Is everything secure?”

“With us here, you can relax,” Lin Xi replied, while Lin Ruo had no intention of speaking.

Yang Fan really wanted to ask Lin Xi, as she was the only one he could question. Eliminating possibilities one by one was his only option, but Lin Ruo never gave him a chance to talk to Lin Xi alone.

He waited for a long time, but couldn’t find an opening—the sisters even went to the restroom together.

When eleven o’clock approached, the boss of Jingtian Film and Television arrived, greeted Yang Fan and the others, and Yang Fan took Ai Xiaomei back to the VIP section.

At exactly eleven, colorful streamers soared through the air…