The fashion brand known as "True Self Apparel," which Lau Tianqi had mentioned, belonged to a prestigious conglomerate along the western coast. Its products, known for embodying fashion-forwardness, competitive design, and the concept of unleashing one's true self, were highly sought after by the younger generation in their twenties and thirties. In just a few short years, it had rapidly become one of the most well-known casual fashion brands, both domestically and internationally.
Although it was still a step below the country's top-tier fashion brands, it was nonetheless impressive. With a market value in the billions, its influence was significant. Naturally, its endorsement contracts were highly coveted by stars of all sizes in the film and entertainment industries; calling them hotcakes would be no exaggeration.
This time, to generate buzz for a new sportswear line, True Self Apparel planned to offer three seven-figure, two-year endorsement contracts to various film and television stars. One of these contracts was intended for Gu Feishuang. The female lead she was preparing to play in her new show was a perfect match for their new sportswear line, allowing for a comprehensive advertising campaign via product placement.
Of course, their willingness to offer Gu Feishuang, a largely unknown third-tier starlet, a contract worth seven figures was not just for the reason mentioned above; there was another factor.
The new show Gu Feishuang was set to star in was a major production by Huashi Media, one that had attracted the attention and optimism of many wealthy individuals and investors. True Self Apparel shared this sentiment and was thus happy to help things along by making a small investment of their own.
But now, Lau Tianqi was using this opportunity to blackmail Gu Feishuang into a dirty compromise, an utterly despicable act.
"Sister Li, you may be my agent, but you don't have the right to ask me to do this, do you? If you're so keen on it, go do it yourself. Why are you trying to drag me down with you?" Faced with such a vile threat, Gu Feishuang remained resolute and refused without hesitation. A lost contract could be pursued again; lost money could be earned back. But if she bowed her head and lost her self-respect, what was the point of living? To be someone else's puppet? That was not how Gu Feishuang wanted to live her life.
"You... you're so ungrateful! Gu Feishuang, don't forget you have a contract with the company. If your lack of cooperation causes us to lose a deal that was within our grasp, you will be held responsible!" Seeing Gu Feishuang's refusal to play along, Sister Li trembled with fury. She pointed a finger at Gu Feishuang's nose and scolded her harshly.
"But this unreasonable demand goes far beyond the boundaries of the contract I signed with the company." At the mention of her contract, Gu Feishuang couldn't help but shudder slightly, but she held her ground and refused to compromise.
"Unreasonable? Feishuang, are you really that naive? Do you think the company will let you get away with ruining its plans? You're just a third-tier actress who's barely started to gain some fame. Forget about the company executives; any agent with a bit of seniority could easily crush you. Take my advice. Are you really going to wait until you're blacklisted to feel regret?" Sister Li, clearly sensing the panic in Gu Feishuang's heart, pleaded earnestly.
"Blacklisted… I…" This time, upon hearing that word, Gu Feishuang's face turned pale, and she was left speechless. For a third-tier actress like her, "blacklisting" was the most terrifying word imaginable, bar none.
"Miss Gu, while I take no pleasure in ruining a beautiful flower, if someone dares to disrespect me, Lau Tianqi, then don't blame me for being ruthless." Seeing her reaction, Lau Tianqi couldn't help but laugh wildly inside. He squinted his eyes and joined the ugly verbal assault on Gu Feishuang.
In his view, no small-time starlet would ever resist to the end and accept being blacklisted. Heh, he'd seen plenty of stubborn newcomers before. But in the end, didn't they all obediently climb into his bed, letting him toy with and violate them as he pleased? He refused to believe that a mere third-tier starlet like Gu Feishuang could be an exception.
"Disrespect you? Why don't you take a look in the mirror and see what you really are. So what if I don't give a damn about you? What are you going to do about it?" Just then, a cold, mocking voice cut through the air, causing the arrogant smile on Lau Tianqi's face to freeze before twisting into a mask of intense fury.
"What did you say? If you've got the guts, say that to my face again!" he snarled, glaring at Chen Fei, his ugly eyes filled with a chilling menace.
What a joke! Did this kid know who he was? He was a major shareholder of True Self Apparel. While not in the top three, he was still an existence that ninety percent of the country's population had to look up to. His status was venerable, on a completely different level. Yet now, he was being mocked by a nobody, a young man in a hat who looked to be in his twenties. To make matters worse, this person had interrupted his 'good fortune'—how could he possibly swallow such an insult?
"You, you're… Brother Fei, is it really you?" Suddenly seeing the familiar tall, 1.8-meter frame and hearing the voice that once made her heart race, Gu Feishuang looked up in disbelief. Her gaze met Chen Fei's clear, smiling eyes, and she couldn't contain her excitement.
The next moment, she shot up from her seat, ran to Chen Fei's side, and clung tightly to his arm, refusing to let go. It was as if only this could give her the sense of security she needed amidst this filthy scene.
"Miss Gu, it's been a long time." The intoxicating fragrance, the touch of her soft, flowing hair, and the feel of her delicate hands on his arm made Chen Fei feel slightly dazed as a flutter of emotion stirred in his heart.
"Let go! Let go right now! Fei Shuang, what are you doing? Don't forget you're a public figure! If a reporter catches this and it gets out… do you want to have a career in this industry or not?" Seeing Gu Feishuang act so indiscreetly, hugging a young man's arm in public, Sister Li was appalled. What was this? Had she no sense of propriety? And in a public place, no less! If someone photographed this, it would be a huge scandal.
She conveniently forgot that while Gu Feishuang's actions were impulsive, her own behavior earlier—conspiring with Lau Tianqi to demand she submit to the "unspoken rules"—was far more audacious and reckless. It was clearly her own fault, yet she insisted on blaming someone else. She really had a talent for playing the double standard, a true professional in her trade.
As for such a self-righteous person, Chen Fei certainly wasn't going to be polite. He shot her a cold, sideways glance and said with disdain, "Who do you think you are, with a face like that? I'm talking to Fei Shuang. What gives you the right to butt in?"
"Who do you think you are, with a face like that…" Hearing Chen Fei's familiar sharp tongue, Gu Feishuang couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter. The oppressive weight on her heart immediately felt much lighter.
"Pfft! This guy's got a sharp wit. And he's not wrong, that woman is pretty ugly. No match for the actress."
"Serves her right. Acting like a damn madam. Even I couldn't stand to watch it. Ugh, what a piece of trash."
...
The plane had not yet taken off, and the other first-class passengers who had witnessed the nauseating scene were all feeling quite displeased.
Ugh, what trash. Do they really think a little money makes them special? If it weren't for those two brawny bodyguards, I would've rolled up my sleeves and jumped in! Ahem…
"You… you… what did you say!?"
Hearing Chen Fei's devastating words, Sister Li's round, chubby face flushed crimson with humiliation. She leaped to her feet, pointing a trembling finger at Chen Fei's nose. "Young man, you will apologize for insulting me right now, or else! And another thing, Fei Shuang is an artist signed to our company, and she must obey my orders!"
"Brat, do you have any idea who I, Lau Tianqi, am? Apologize immediately! If you don't, believe me when I say I'll make sure you don't walk out of Tongzhou City Airport!" Lau Tianqi roared, his face contorted with the ugly expression of the nouveau riche as he pointed a finger at Chen Fei. He was a shareholder of True Self Apparel, a billionaire! He had never suffered such a humiliation and simply couldn't accept it.
"Just shut your filthy mouth. You've got bad breath, seriously." Chen Fei simply pinched his nose in disgust and waved a hand in front of his face, as if Lau Tianqi truly did have terrible breath. This infuriated the man so much that his nose seemed to twist and steam practically billowed from his ears. He couldn't hold back any longer and swung his hand with considerable force toward Chen Fei's face.
"Brother Fei, look out!" Gu Feishuang cried out in alarm.
"Why is that old bastard hitting people? Does he really think—"
THUMP!
The other passengers and even the flight attendants in first class were quick to react, their voices rising in outrage to condemn the man's "violence."
But before they could finish speaking, a dull, heavy thud echoed through the cabin. They all stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, as Chen Fei landed a fierce kick squarely in Lau Tianqi's stomach. The latter was sent flying, crashing hard against the cabin wall. The sight left everyone present completely stunned and dazed.
Holy crap!
So vicious!
That fat pig had to be at least two hundred pounds, and he was sent flying with a single kick?
The onlookers remained frozen in shock for a long moment.
Then, they saw Chen Fei nonchalantly brush some imaginary dust off his pants with a look of utter disgust. He glanced at Lau Tianqi, who was writhing on the floor, unable to get up, and sneered, "Are you sick or something? A pig-headed fool like you thought you could slap me? Been watching too many cartoons? Did you think you were as light as a feather, with the Powerpuff Girls as your idols?"
He then theatrically circled the fallen man, stroking his chin as if deep in thought. Finally, with a look of profound sympathy, he sighed, "Ah, you do look rather pitiful. But given your IQ, you really can't say you didn't deserve that kick."
Pfft! The crowd instantly burst into tearful laughter.
You look rather pitiful, huh?
He really did, hahahaha
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