Chapter 74 We Must Drink to Our Heart's Content

In this private room spanning over a hundred square meters, a massive round table more than five meters in diameter dominated the space.

Meng Xiaotian, Yu Yanhong, and Zheng Huayu barely occupied one corner of the table, while the cameraman could only stand quietly in another corner, filming the trio in silence.

Despite the table heaped with delicacies from land and sea, Zheng Huayu picked at his food absentmindedly, his appetite clearly lacking.

“Huayu, what’s wrong? Is something on your mind?” Yu Yanhong asked with concern.

Just moments before, Yu Yanhong had been bantering playfully with Meng Xiaotian, but the instant she saw Zheng Huayu, a glint flashed in her eyes and she pressed herself ever closer to his side, both subtly and boldly.

After all, Meng Xiaotian had paid her to join him and boost their popularity together, but if she could somehow get close to Zheng Huayu, it would be her ticket to greater things.

With Zheng Huayu’s level of fame, money wouldn’t even be an issue—Yu Yanhong was more than willing to pay him herself.

Zheng Huayu cast a discreet glance at Yu Yanhong’s daringly low-cut V-neck, which seemed on the verge of revealing everything, swallowed, and said, “It’s nothing really… It’s just that my students are so lacking in talent. The singing techniques I’ve developed, they just can’t grasp them, and it’s left me feeling frustrated.”

“Oh, don’t be down! How about this: later I’ll come by and give you a massage to help you relax and loosen up a bit. You’ll feel better in no time.”

“My special ‘Dragon Tendon Technique’ can cure all ills, you know~”

Yu Yanhong practically whispered into Zheng Huayu’s ear, her voice so soft even Meng Xiaotian couldn’t hear. But even if he missed the words, he could guess what this vixen was saying.

Meng Xiaotian was in a foul mood himself. He never imagined Su Chen would actually manage to bring in an A-list star and revive his plummeting viewership. In fact, the number of viewers online far surpassed the numbers from the morning, even siphoning off the audience Meng Xiaotian had painstakingly built.

So now, all Meng Xiaotian could do was rope in Zheng Huayu, hoping to ride his coattails for some extra clout. Yet even with Zheng Huayu’s presence, he wasn’t sure if his own numbers would really rise.

All he knew for certain was that watching Zheng Huayu and Yu Yanhong flirt only made him feel worse.

Tonight, that vixen would definitely end up with Zheng Huayu. Who was Meng Xiaotian supposed to vent his own frustrations with?

Damn it!

Meng Xiaotian was seething inside, but didn’t dare show it. Though he was older and had debuted longer than this brat Zheng Huayu, the entertainment world now respected only fan base and status. With his current popularity, Meng Xiaotian could only bow and scrape before Zheng Huayu.

That bastard Su Chen—this was all his fault!

As Meng Xiaotian stewed, he heard laughter from Zheng Huayu’s side, and realized the conversation had shifted to him.

“…Out of the whole day, only Xiaotian met my expectations. That’s the only thing that’s put my mind at ease,” Zheng Huayu declared. “Xiaotian, if you can master even a tenth of what I’ve taught you today, it’ll be enough to keep you going in this industry for a lifetime!”

Despite his urge to protest, Meng Xiaotian put on his most sycophantic expression. “Yes, yes, Brother Huayu, everything you taught me today will benefit me for life!”

“Hahaha! Good! Come, let’s have a drink!”

Zheng Huayu raised his glass, and Meng Xiaotian immediately stood up, holding his glass with both hands and lowering it beneath Zheng Huayu’s as etiquette demanded, clinking lightly before draining it in one go.

Zheng Huayu nodded in satisfaction, sipping his wine. This was how juniors should respect their seniors—proper and fitting! People like Su Chen, who didn’t even know the basic rules of the entertainment industry, were bound to be eliminated by him sooner or later.

“Xiaotian, since you’re so eager to learn, let me tell you about some advanced techniques for my singing method.”

“Of course, Brother Huayu, I’ll listen carefully!” Meng Xiaotian bowed and scraped, playing the devoted follower to perfection.

With Yu Yanhong pouring drinks at his side, both men drank heavily and soon were somewhat tipsy.

Seeing Zheng Huayu’s slightly flushed face, Meng Xiaotian discreetly pulled out his phone under the table and opened his livestream.

When he saw nearly a million viewers online, a flash of delight shone in his eyes!

He hadn’t expected bringing in Zheng Huayu would actually work!

All at once, Meng Xiaotian’s bad mood vanished. He even considered pushing Yu Yanhong into Zheng Huayu’s arms tonight—let her keep his Brother Huayu company!

Heh, with a million viewers, what wonderful things might they be saying about him?

Eagerly, Meng Xiaotian opened his own stream and started reading the live comments.

But his smile froze on his face.

“When Meng Xiaotian was on ‘The Optimists,’ I thought he was pretty nice. How did he end up like this?!”

“Yeah, Su Chen’s such a decent guy, and yet Meng Xiaotian smeared him, saying he was disrespectful. I can’t imagine what he thinks respect is.”

“Haha, what does ‘respect’ mean in showbiz anyway? Isn’t it all about status, acting like someone’s lackey? Look at him now, he’s doing just that.”

“Whoa! Did you guys notice? The camera angle in this stream must be from near the door—the cameraman can only film them eating!”

“Poor cameraman. It’s just his bad luck. If he’d followed Su Chen, he’d be enjoying good food and games all day. Following Meng Xiaotian, he can’t even get a seat at the table!”

“Tsk, tsk. Another fallen fan!”

...

Reading these comments, Meng Xiaotian was dumbstruck!

He’d thought everyone in the stream was there to watch his broadcast, never imagining they were all there to criticize him!

He had no idea what had happened!

Just as he was stewing in misery, Yu Yanhong suddenly helped Zheng Huayu up from his seat and said to him, “Xiaotian, I’m feeling a bit dizzy. I’ll ask Yanhong to take me back first.”

“Take your time with your drinks—enjoy yourself!” Zheng Huayu said as he left the room with Yu Yanhong clinging to him, leaving Meng Xiaotian sitting there alone.

In that moment, Meng Xiaotian felt like nothing more than a clown…

Meanwhile, on Weibo, Su Chen’s actions that night were causing a storm, even drawing the attention of the official media!

Soon, a post from the national broadcaster shot to the top of the trending list, claiming the number one spot with unstoppable momentum!

“As a celebrity, outstanding character is the most essential quality an artist should possess.”

The post was a retweet with a comment, accompanied by the video recording of Su Chen’s livestream from earlier that night.

Elsewhere, as night deepened, the live broadcast of “Tomorrow’s Star” had finally ended.

Su Chen bid farewell to the cameraman, called a car for the paparazzi, and saw Wang Bingling safely back to the hotel before stepping out to enjoy the night breeze by the roadside.

Behind him, the two paparazzi exchanged a look, both seeing the resolve in each other’s eyes.

Almost in unison, they stepped forward and knelt before Su Chen on both knees.

Bang!