Chapter 36: I Don't Like Women...

Years later, Shi Heng could only wish he could slap himself twice. How could he have trusted this woman so easily?

Shi Heng cleared his throat. Considering he was currently entangled in a contract dispute with his company and hadn’t yet secured a new agency... Emotionally, he was already somewhat moved by Jiang Sui, but reason told him he couldn’t sign with her. If Jiang Sui’s only problem was attracting trouble, perhaps he could overlook it, but the real issue was that she would likely find it almost impossible to make her way in the entertainment industry. He wasn’t running a charity, after all—there was no need to get involved.

After pondering for a moment, he finally said, “How about this: the program has invited you back to participate in the live broadcast and recording, hasn’t it? From now on, if your followers increase by five million before the show ends, I’ll agree to sign with you.”

As he spoke, he pulled up Jiang Sui’s social media account and, with a businesslike expression, continued, “Right now, you have three million. So, you need to reach eight million followers.”

This was, in truth, a condition meant as a gentle refusal. After all, gaining five million followers was no easy feat. Unless she suddenly exploded in popularity—and not for being infamous—it was nearly impossible for someone like Jiang Sui, who lacked both background and a team.

“All right, it’s a deal,” Jiang Sui agreed without hesitation.

Shi Heng frowned. Why did he have the feeling he’d just walked into some kind of trap?

Jiang Sui understood that the five million was Shi Heng’s way of testing her potential.

In fact, he was already wavering. He wanted to sign with her, but was afraid she’d end up dragging him down instead. After all, as a top-tier agent, there was no shortage of people eager to work with him—even if he was still young and hadn’t truly made his mark, he was already considered a rising star in the industry. It was only natural for him to be cautious.

Since she wanted to sign with Shi Heng, she couldn’t afford to keep lowering herself. She didn’t want to look like some desperate sycophant. If she didn’t have the ability to match her ambition, even if Shi Heng did sign her, he’d never truly value her. So of course she had to accept his terms.

Shi Heng hadn’t expected Jiang Sui to agree so readily. He was even a little surprised as he sipped his coffee. He knew full well she had no backing and no agency; if he terminated his contract and signed with her, it would mean the two of them would be relying solely on each other.

Wasn’t that a bit too risky for him? But since the words had already been spoken, all he could do was let things stand for now. Five million fans weren’t going to just materialize overnight.

Jiang Sui took a small, satisfied sip of coffee, then looked up at Shi Heng.

But as her gaze lingered on his forehead, she stared a moment longer than necessary. Jiang Sui was, after all, a remarkable beauty, and being scrutinized like this made Shi Heng a little self-conscious. Though his heart fluttered in a boyish way, he still muttered, shy and quiet, “I don’t like women…”

Jiang Sui: “…”

Wait, had Shi Heng misunderstood something?

But his preference for men didn’t surprise her. Judging by how possessive Ji Sicheng was toward Bai Xue in the original script, being willing to let Shi Heng stay by Bai Xue’s side meant he must fully trust him. So it wasn’t odd that Shi Heng didn’t like women.

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder—was Shi Heng the dominant or the submissive one?

“Hmm…” She pondered for a moment, then said, “If you have time lately, Mr. Shi, you should try to spend more time with your parents. It would be best if you could arrange for them to take a trip somewhere.”

“What do you mean?” Shi Heng’s face darkened. “Why would you say that?”

Jiang Sui smiled gently. “In short, if you want your parents to remain safe and sound, just do as I say. I bear you no ill will—I won’t harm you.”