Chapter 84: Help Me

Perhaps it was the netizens’ ominous predictions coming true, but that very day, the trending topic “Tian Boyu becomes a father” shot to the top of the search charts. Alongside him, Su Wan-ning and the two children were also swept up in the online frenzy. The news reached Qin Jingchen’s ears directly, distracting him from his work.

After watching the video compilation sent by his assistant, Qin Jingchen’s expression was as dark as the bottom of a shoe. With a loud “thud,” he slammed his phone face down on the desk, the sharp sound echoing through the office. His assistant, standing before him, visibly flinched.

“President Qin, I’ve already looked into it. The trending topic was bought by Tian Boyu’s agency. Should we intervene in this matter?” the assistant asked cautiously.

“They want to soar to fame without knowing their own place,” Qin Jingchen said, his eyes growing cold. In his mind’s eye, he could already picture Su Wan-ning standing alongside Tian Boyu with the two children—a harmonious family of four.

Strangely enough, before joining this program, he had no interest in Su Wan-ning at all; theirs had always been a superficial business marriage. Yet, recently, he found his attention involuntarily drawn to her, even through a screen, unable to resist watching her every move. Now, seeing another man close to Su Wan-ning filled him with a surprising anger.

He let out a chilly snort, and the air in the office grew heavier.

“The agency… Have the company invest in the show in our name, and arrange for a new female guest to join,” he ordered.

The assistant opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but one look at Qin Jingchen’s face drove all thoughts from his mind.

“Yes, I’ll take care of it immediately,” he replied, turning to leave, silently sweating for Tian Boyu. What had begun as a bid for fame had now turned to disaster, especially since his ploy involved the boss’s wife. Now, it seemed, he would be completely sidelined.

Word spread quickly. Though the program team hadn’t officially acted, Tian Boyu’s manager had already hinted at the coming changes.

Tian Boyu panicked.

“How can this be? The agency never told me they were buying trending topics—why must I suffer the consequences now?” he exclaimed, springing to his feet.

He had only ever been a diligent worker in the modeling world. When his cooking videos unexpectedly went viral on short video platforms, countless agencies came knocking. Before signing, they had promised the stars, vowing to make him a top celebrity. Swayed by dreams of fame and fortune, Tian Boyu had signed away his future without a second thought.

But after signing, all he got were cooking spots and ornamental roles on shows. This life had long grown tiresome, and now the company was planning to freeze him out altogether.

His manager sighed. “I had high hopes for you. I thought this show would launch your career, but no one expected this. The decision came straight from the top—there’s nothing we can do.”

Tian Boyu slumped back into his chair, face ashen. Seeing his despair, the manager took pity and offered a hint: “Actually, all may not be lost. You should realize you’ve offended someone powerful. Maybe if you…”

“Someone powerful?” Tian Boyu frowned.

“Think carefully—what happened during the last livestream?” the manager hinted, then left.

Tian Boyu wrestled with the problem all night. By dawn, understanding finally dawned.

It was Su Wan-ning!

After washing up, he rushed out and called Su Wan-ning, still half-asleep, to join him.

“What is it?” Su Wan-ning asked, her voice tinged with sleepiness.

It was so early the livestream hadn’t even started. Tian Boyu pulled her aside where no one could hear.

“Sister Su, you have to help me, I beg you,” he pleaded.

Su Wan-ning was gradually waking up. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m about to be sidelined by the agency. Miss Su, you may be the only one who can save me.”

“Why?” Su Wan-ning was baffled.

“Because our pairing became a trending topic on Weibo. Someone important wasn’t pleased and pulled strings to have me replaced.”

Su Wan-ning frowned, finding it all too fantastical. “Our pairing? Who would care about that?”

Seeing her genuine confusion, Tian Boyu frowned in turn. “It must be your husband, President Qin. I heard he’s invested a large sum in the program…”

Su Wan-ning’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor. “Impossible,” she said decisively.

“It’s true, Miss Su. If you don’t help me, I’ll really be finished. I didn’t even know about the trending topic purchase beforehand—I beg your forgiveness!” Tian Boyu’s plea was sincere; Su Wan-ning didn’t doubt him. She just couldn’t believe Qin Jingchen would do such a thing, given their lack of real affection.

“I’ll ask him first, don’t worry,” she assured him, giving him a little comfort before heading directly to Wang Zan to inquire about the investment.

“Yes, President Qin invested a hefty sum and even brought in a new guest,” Wang Zan replied, grinning from ear to ear at the good fortune and sharing the news freely.

Su Wan-ning grew even more puzzled. After leaving the director’s room, she slipped into a corner and called Qin Jingchen.

“Did you have Tian Boyu sidelined?” she asked bluntly as soon as he answered.

Hearing her tone, Qin Jingchen assumed she was calling to demand an explanation. His reply was icy: “Yes. What of it?”

“Why? He’s just a newcomer. If you do this, you’ll ruin his life.”

“I didn’t order him to be frozen out,” Qin Jingchen immediately replied.

“Oh? Then why does everyone say you invested in the show and arranged for someone new to replace him?” Su Wan-ning was perplexed.

“That’s true,” he admitted.

Su Wan-ning ran her tongue along her back teeth, speechless for the first time.

“Isn’t that the same thing? Why are you targeting him?” she pressed.

Qin Jingchen answered only with silence, and Su Wan-ning couldn’t be bothered to argue anymore.

The show was about to begin filming, so she got straight to the point. “Whatever your reasons, I hope you won’t target him. How about this—I’ll promise you one condition in exchange for letting him stay.”

“What condition?” Qin Jingchen asked at once.

“Anything you want.”

“I haven’t thought of one yet. You can owe me for now. But why are you helping him?” This was what Qin Jingchen cared about most.

“The more friends, the more paths open to you. He hasn’t done anything unforgivable. If I can help now, I might need his help someday.”