Timer release got screwed up and didnt publish chap 57. feel free to check it out. Timers...
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The scene shifts to the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations, where Lü Heng was tearing his hair out over the task Zhong Wanhong had assigned him. If Robin, who had no experience with concerts, couldn't figure it out, how was he supposed to?
But since it was an order from the Captain, he had no choice but to give it his best shot.
"Sigh..." Lü Heng sighed, setting down his phone. He realized that relying on online research would be too slow and prone to errors. It would be better to consult a professional directly.
And so, he set out.
Lü Heng had no connections in the entertainment industry. After some thought, he decided to visit the nearest Ningke Apparel store, the most upscale shop he knew of that was affiliated with Ningke Mutual Entertainment, a subsidiary of the entertainment giant.
He remembered bringing Robin here to buy clothes shortly after she had transmigrated, though they hadn't ended up making a purchase.
Upon arriving at the store, Lü Heng stated bluntly, "I need to speak with your manager."
Though he didn't specify the nature of his business, his identity as an agent of the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations was enough to secure immediate cooperation. Soon, the store manager hurried over, drenched in sweat.
Just as the manager was panicking, fearing he had committed some grave error, Lü Heng revealed his purpose: he needed someone skilled in organizing concerts.
To say the manager was stunned would be an understatement. A high-ranking official from the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations had come to him for something so trivial? Still, he couldn't refuse, no matter the request.
The reason was simple: in this world, the Bureau wielded astonishing power, a coercive authority that surpassed even the police and military. After all, you couldn't expect an organization tasked with saving the world to lack the necessary authority.
"Please wait a moment," the manager said, contacting his boss. How could a mere clothing retailer possibly know about concert planning? He had no choice but to escalate the matter.
His boss was equally clueless and had to pass the request up the chain. Layer by layer, the message cascaded through the corporate hierarchy until it reached Ningke Mutual Entertainment's headquarters in Longcheng, eventually landing on Chu Xingyu's desk.
And so unfolded a truly bizarre turn of events. One moment, Chu Xingyu was speculating that Robin, being a solo artist, likely couldn't organize a concert on her own. The next, he received a phone call.
The good news: his suspicion was confirmed. Robin indeed couldn't organize a concert.
The bad news: he was being asked to help organize Robin's concert.
Chu Xingyu: "Huh?"
What? Have I defected to the enemy?
His own concert preparations were nearly complete, and his biggest rival wasn't even good at organizing concerts. Both should have been cause for celebration, so why did combining them lead to this mess?
Holding the phone, Chu Xingyu cautiously asked, "Is this concert request your personal wish, or the Bureau's official directive?"
Lü Heng paused to consider before replying, "You could say it represents the Bureau's official stance."
Indeed, Zhong Wanhong had authorized Lü Heng to say this. In a sense, from the moment Robin expressed her desire to hold a concert and asked Zhong Wanhong for assistance, it ceased to be merely her personal endeavor. Instead, it became an official event organized by the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations.
There's probably no stronger backing in the world than this.
Between two entertainment companies, you might see tactics like fabricated scandals, maliciously edited videos, manipulated public opinion, or inflated follower counts to sabotage rivals. But... even if industry rivals hated each other, even if every entertainment company hoped Robin's concert would fail, no one in their right mind would dare to attack or sabotage her now.
After all, attacking Robin was essentially attacking the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations. What difference was there between that and storming a police station with a plastic toy gun and opening fire? Was he in a hurry to die?
Lü Heng, oblivious to Chu Xingyu's inner turmoil, continued, "Of course, the Bureau will provide appropriate compensation. I'm not an expert in these matters, so you can name your price."
Lü Heng wasn't worried about Chu Xingyu making an outrageous demand. It was like an old man trying to scam the police—it simply wouldn't happen.
But this wasn't really about money. Having risen to such a position at Ningke Mutual Entertainment, Chu Xingyu certainly wasn't lacking in funds.
The real problem was this: if Chu Xingyu turned around and helped Robin organize her concert, wouldn't his own meticulously planned concert go down the drain? All the initial investments, the countless resources poured into the project, would vanish without a trace.
Well, ultimately, it still came down to money. If he defected to the enemy, his company would suffer massive losses, and his future prospects within the company would be severely damaged.
As these thoughts churned in his mind, Chu Xingyu clenched his fists, anger rising within him. Gritting his teeth, he forced his voice to remain calm and steady. "Alright! I understand! I'll help!"
You've messed with the wrong guy this time!
Chu Xingyu was furious! The result? He stayed angry for a bit.
"Good," Lü Heng said. "When are you free? I'll come to your office, and we can discuss the details in person."
"Anytime works for me," Chu Xingyu replied. "Just let me know when."
He wouldn't dare sabotage the concert preparations with petty tricks. The worst-case scenario for causing the company losses was a demotion and pay cut. But if the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations caught wind of his treachery and threw him in jail... well, he definitely didn't want to be dropping the soap in prison.
Then, a thought struck him. Every cloud has a silver lining! He might lose favor with the company, but he'd gain the Bureau's trust!
With renewed motivation, Chu Xingyu hung up the phone and began pacing his office, immediately strategizing how to pull this off flawlessly.
Just then, another call came through. Chu Xingyu picked up his phone and saw Xu Huiyan's name on the caller ID—the very artist he had been heavily promoting recently.
"Um..." Her voice sounded soft. Before she could say more than two words, Chu Xingyu interrupted, "Your concert... let's postpone it."
To his surprise, Xu Huiyan didn't react with anger. Instead, she seemed relieved. Ever since learning that Robin was also holding a concert in the near future, no one could truly understand the immense pressure she had been under.
Ningke Mutual Entertainment had invested heavily in her, pouring money and effort into her career. Failure would likely spell the end of her journey in the entertainment industry. But asking her to compete with Robin? That was simply ridiculous.
Jealousy or resentment toward Robin? Perhaps such feelings might arise if their skills were comparable. But when the gap between them was so vast, would an ant ever envy a giant for being taller?