Chapter 58: An Unexpected Reunion and a Frayed Alliance

While many people were unaware of Gong Yingying and Ji Wenlin’s marriage, those acquainted with the couple certainly knew.

Zhou Qiang, for instance.

Having worked with Gong Yingying on film sets for several years, Zhou Qiang was a seasoned veteran. He had seen Gong Yingying bring her son, Ji Wenyan, to the set countless times.

Over time, Ji Wenyan and Zhou Qiang had developed a rather close relationship.

It was only when Ji Wenyan entered high school and began attending a boarding school that their contact dwindled, as he could no longer visit as frequently.

Additionally, Zhou Qiang had left his position as assistant director to establish the Yahu Live streaming website.

To meet again so unexpectedly at First High School left both of them utterly astonished.

Meanwhile, Li Zerui, standing nearby, felt a chill grip his heart. He couldn’t fathom why his luck was so terrible today!

Not only had he provoked Ji Wenyan, but even Zhou Qiang knew him!

What an unfortunate coincidence!

“When I arrived, there was a ‘No Entry for Unauthorized Personnel’ sign at the gymnasium entrance. Why are you here?”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhou Qiang finally voiced his question, perplexed as to Ji Wenyan’s presence.

Given that the participants were almost all female students, he certainly hoped Ji Wenyan wasn’t planning to compete in drag.

Li Zerui, who had been speaking moments earlier, had long since been forgotten by Zhou Qiang, tucked away in some corner of his mind, completely disregarded.

Zhou Qiang simply wished to continue his conversation with Ji Wenyan.

Now, seeing Ji Wenyan, Zhou Qiang was flooded with memories of his younger days—a mix of joy and hardship, truly unforgettable!

“I’m here to accompany my girlfriend. Oh, I forgot to introduce her! This is my girlfriend, Bai Mengze. She’s also a student at First High. Isn’t she beautiful!”

“Indeed, she’s stunning. You’re a lucky young man.”

“She’s participating in the competition this time! I heard, Uncle Zhou, that you started a live-streaming website, so…”

“Alright, I know what you’re thinking! During this live broadcast, I’ll have someone give your girlfriend a few extra shots.”

“Hehe, thank you, Uncle Zhou.”

Ji Wenyan hadn’t anticipated such a fortuitous encounter with Zhou Qiang.

Nevertheless, it was an excellent opportunity.

It had fallen right into his lap.

Bai Mengze would be able to shine brightly this time!

As the beautiful girl he was cultivating, this campus belle competition was merely the first step. There would be many more opportunities in the future!

“Zhou Qiang, about my side…”

“Ah, my apologies, I forgot you were still here.”

As Zhou Qiang and Ji Wenyan chatted animatedly, Li Zerui finally couldn’t hold back and spoke up. Hearing his voice, Zhou Qiang immediately snapped back to reality.

He had come to First High for this live broadcast at Li Zerui’s invitation, yet he had completely forgotten about him.

“Uncle Zhou, you know this person?”

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing that Li Zerui knew Zhou Qiang, Ji Wenyan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. His subsequent words caused Zhou Qiang’s expression to freeze, unsure of the animosity between the two.

From Ji Wenyan’s tone, their relationship seemed far from amicable!

“Nothing, it’s just that his daughter, Li Zhongyi, caused trouble earlier. She was in the wrong and got reprimanded by the principal. So, he just tried to ‘accidentally’ splash my girlfriend with water from his cup. After I stopped him, he got angry and demanded I bring my parents here to apologize.”

“What! Such a thing happened!”

“Station Chief Zhou, it’s all a misunderstanding! I didn’t know this was Young Master Ji, which is why I spoke out of turn.”

“If my father weren’t Ji Wenlin, you’d think you could just bully people? Look at your age, still trying to use your seniority to bully the young. How shameless! Just because your daughter, Li Zhongyi, is a treasure, does that mean others aren’t their parents’ treasures!”

After hearing just a few sentences, Zhou Qiang immediately understood the full story.

Zhou Qiang wasn’t overly familiar with Li Zerui; he had been introduced by others.

However, after a few interactions, Zhou Qiang knew he wasn’t an easy person to get along with.

He was narrow-minded and obstinate. When faced with problems, he never thought of resolving them properly, always resorting to underhanded tactics.

It was only because his father-in-law had good connections that others turned a blind eye to Li Zerui.

However, it was better to offend a gentleman than a petty man.

Zhou Qiang hadn’t distanced himself from Li Zerui because of this, choosing instead to cooperate for a win-win situation.

After all, their relationship was purely professional.

Now, with an enmity against Ji Wenyan, and with Li Zerui being the instigator, Zhou Qiang knew he needed to quickly distance himself from this trouble.

“President Li, regarding our previously discussed terms, consider them void! We never signed a contract; it was merely a verbal agreement. This live broadcast is at the invitation of First High’s principal and has nothing to do with you.”

Zhou Qiang declared directly.

He considered his presence today a favor to Ji Wenyan, and it was better to sever ties with Li Zerui.

He had even considered live-streaming for Li Zerui’s daughter…

This time, Li Zerui’s daughter wouldn’t get a single shot!