Chapter 19
Jiang Mo paced anxiously around his room.
Just now, a renowned intellectual property lawyer from Beijing had posted on Weibo, saying he’d contacted Su Qizhou and would represent him pro bono in a lawsuit.
Since that post went live, others had come forward claiming Jiang Mo had plagiarized their work, too. The lawyer even stated that he’d represent them all if their claims turned out to be true.
Although no lawsuit had officially started yet, in the public’s eyes, Jiang Mo’s name was now synonymous with plagiarism.
Jiang’s manager hung up a call, his face dark with frustration. “The brand XXX says you’ve tarnished their image. They’re canceling your endorsement and demanding a hefty penalty fee.”
Jiang Mo was both shocked and furious. “How can they do this?”
“They can, because there’s a clause in the contract allowing it,” the manager replied, his face growing darker. “And it’s not just XXX. Several other brands have contacted me; they’re all planning to cut ties with you as well.”
Panic filled Jiang Mo’s chest. “What about the company? What are they saying? I’ve made so much money for them—surely they won’t just abandon me?”
The manager sighed. “Mr. Jin just had PR issue a statement distancing the company from you. While they haven’t terminated your contract yet, if you can’t resolve this, you’re looking at an indefinite freeze on your career…”
Jiang Mo stared at him in disbelief, his head buzzing so loudly he couldn’t even hear what the manager said next.
The manager, seeing how shaken he was, sighed again. “Get some rest. I’ll go see if there’s anything else we can do.”
As soon as the manager left, silence filled the room.
Jiang Mo stood there, dazed.
Then he heard a phone ringing.
Could there be a turn of events?!
He rushed to grab his phone, only to realize that the ringing wasn’t from his phone but from the other phone on the desk—apparently, his manager had forgotten to take it.
Jiang Mo picked it up and answered.
Before he could say anything, the voice on the other end spoke quickly, “Lao Fang, I’ve asked around for you. Given your experience, they’d consider you senior-level, but you know how it is—new companies offer lower pay at first. With your skills, though, eventually…”
Jiang Mo froze.
What was this about switching companies?
His manager was secretly job-hunting behind his back?!
He was about to demand an explanation when his manager snatched the phone away and, after a brief exchange with the caller, hung up.
Jiang Mo couldn’t contain his anger. “So you’re planning to betray me too?!”
The manager, realizing the truth was out, scoffed, “Betray? You’ve been watching too many dramas. This is business. We’re just partners. Once you’re no longer valuable, of course I’ll find a new collaborator. Isn’t that just common sense?”
The manager shrugged, looking at Jiang Mo with contempt. “To be blunt, Jinyou Entertainment has already decided to abandon you. All your remaining resources have been reassigned. You’ve got no chance of making a comeback, so don’t bother dreaming. Take my advice—quit the industry and go find a real job.”
Jiang Mo was reeling from the harshness of reality. He gritted his teeth and grabbed his manager’s collar. “I trusted you…”
The manager pried Jiang Mo’s hands off with a smirk. “Trust? Please. I’m not Meng Yuansheng, willing to fall for your tricks.”
Jiang Mo froze.
“You’ve truly ruined a golden opportunity,” the manager continued, now that he had nothing to lose. “I’ve worked in this industry for years, and I’ve never seen someone as talented or loyal as Meng Yuansheng. He had endless creativity but hid it all for you. He’d do anything you asked, never fighting for recognition or money. He was completely devoted to you.”
“Honestly, even as an outsider, I was envious. But you? You wasted it all, threw away the one person who would’ve done anything for you, and destroyed yourself in the process. Serves you right.”
Jiang Mo, humiliated, spat, “You told me to do all those things!”
The manager sneered, “Still deflecting blame. I only made suggestions. You were the one who chose to follow through.” He added, “And, unlike me, you were supposed to be his partner.”
“Actually, it’s probably for the best that he left you. If he’d stayed, you’d have drained him dry.”
Furious, Jiang Mo shoved his manager out of the room. “Get out!”
But after driving the manager away, a darker fear and regret took hold.
It was over.
He had nothing left.
After all these years, he’d finally achieved fame and status, and now it was all gone.
Jiang Mo sank onto the bed, fingers clawing into his hair.
It felt like a nightmare.
Just two weeks ago, he’d been a top star, newly promoted to the management level at Jinyou Entertainment, with boundless prospects. How had everything fallen apart in just two weeks?
Wait! It was Xu Yi!
Xu Yi, Meng Yuansheng’s cousin, had seduced him and led him astray.
And then there was Meng Yuansheng. After all their years together, he turned his back on him over a minor incident, showing no mercy.
And that damned Gossip System account—it had sabotaged him time and again!
And all those spectators who loved to see him suffer…
Jiang Mo mentally tallied his grievances, feeling entirely blameless.
The more he thought about it, the angrier and more unwilling he felt.
Why should he have to leave the entertainment industry while Meng Yuansheng rose to new heights?
If he was going down, he’d drag Meng Yuansheng down with him!
*
After posting that explosive tweet, Gu Xingshi had gone back to work.
With Meng Yuansheng and Cheng Xin’s stellar performances in the first round, Gu Xingshi had become quite popular among other managers, who were constantly greeting him wherever he went.
To escape the attention, Gu Xingshi tried to slip away and rest in a quiet spot. Just as he settled down, the Gossip System suddenly shrieked, [Host! Something’s happened to Meng Yuansheng!]
Startled, Gu Xingshi rushed toward the training room.
On the way, the system explained what had happened. Jiang Mo had just posted on Weibo, claiming that he and Meng Yuansheng had been in a relationship, and that Meng Yuansheng had only joined the talent show out of spite after a fight.
Gu Xingshi cursed inwardly, but right now, Meng Yuansheng’s well-being was his top priority.
When he arrived at the training room, he found Cheng Xin, phone in hand, muttering furiously, while Meng Yuansheng himself seemed calm, even trying to reassure Cheng Xin.
Gu Xingshi was taken aback.
Meng Yuansheng greeted him with a nod.
Seeing that Meng Yuansheng wasn’t shaken, Gu Xingshi sighed in relief and turned to the scowling Cheng Xin. “A Xin, what are you mumbling about?”
Cheng Xin replied bluntly, “Jiang Mo’s a damn bastard.”
Gu Xingshi laughed. “A Xin, I’ve known you for years, and that’s the best thing I’ve ever heard you say!”
Meng Yuansheng just smiled, a mix of warmth and amusement as he looked at them both. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.” He turned to Gu Xingshi, “Remember, Jiang Mo and I don’t have any compromising photos, messages, or payment records. Even if he posts about it, he has no evidence.”
Gu Xingshi nodded, suddenly recalling that Jiang Mo, ever paranoid, had forced Meng Yuansheng to regularly clear their phones and social media. After six years of dating, they didn’t even have a single photo together.
The jerk had truly shot himself in the foot!
Speaking of photos…
Gu Yuansheng rubbed his chin. He might have something useful on his phone.
As they expected, Jiang Mo’s post quickly sparked online debate. But due to his history of lying, most users demanded proof.
Unable to provide any, Jiang Mo was ridiculed as a fool.
[Seriously! First plagiarism, then false accusations, and now a fake relationship? Does Jiang Mo have a lifelong grudge against Meng Yuansheng or something?]
[I didn’t think it was possible to hate anyone more than Jiang Mo. Meng Yuansheng deserves so much better.]
[Let’s light an incense for Meng to ward off the bad energy…]
[Incense lit!]
*
Jiang Mo was in-rage. He was telling the truth—why didn’t anyone believe him?
No!
There had to be a way to prove it!
Just then, he thought of Xu Yi.
Xu Yi was Meng Yuansheng’s cousin. Surely the fans would believe him.
Jiang Mo contacted Xu Yi, and after some persuasion, Xu Yi agreed.
Xu Yi then shared Jiang Mo’s post, adding a message dripping with sarcasm, [Cousin, you and Brother Mo have been together for six years—why let things get to this point? Brother Mo knows he was wrong. Come back to him!]
To prove his identity, Xu Yi even posted an old photo of himself with Meng Yuansheng.
Some fans started to waver.
Seeing the doubts spreading, Jiang felt a twisted sense of satisfaction.
So what if Meng Yuansheng was a “genius composer” or a “born idol”? He would ruin him regardless.
And Xu Yi, who had always been jealous of Meng Yuansheng, hoped that if Meng Yuansheng’s relationship were exposed, it would ruin his career. Maybe he could even step into the spotlight himself.
But as the two basked in their victory, a flood of new comments suddenly appeared.
[Disgusting pair!!!]
[Ugh! You’re made for each other—dirtbag and dog. Perfect match!]
What was going on?!
A bad feeling crept over Jiang Mo.
At that moment, Xu Yi called him in a panic, “Brother Mo, someone’s posted our bed photos in the comments! What do we do?”
Jiang Mo froze. “What… bed photos?”
Xu Yi cried, “From the hotel in Ning City, when my cousin caught us… Ahhh!”
He screamed suddenly, startling Jiang Mo. “What happened now?”
Xu Yi wailed, “People are saying they’ll dox me and send the photos to my parents… This is all your fault! If you hadn’t dragged my cousin into this…”
Jiang Mo hung up angrily as Xu Yi continued ranting.
Then his phone rang again. This time, a stern voice on the other end said, “Mr. Jiang, I’m calling from the legal department at XXX brand.”
Jiang Mo, still fuming, snapped, “Yes, I know—you’re canceling my contract.”
“It’s more than that. Due to the severe impact on our brand’s image, we are legally entitled to demand breach-of-contract damages, including but not limited to penalty fees…”
Hearing the amount, Jiang’s face froze, and his phone slipped from his hand to the floor.
It was over.
This time, it was really over.
Yup it’s over, bye bye Jiang Mo! Thank you for the chapter