Chapter 2: Please Hold the Line

After agreeing with his parents, Chen Fan belatedly realized something. It seemed he hadn’t asked the woman’s opinion yet.

“Better give her a call,” he thought.

At Star Ocean Company, the most prosperous entertainment firm in Su City in recent years, a large conference room was filled with dozens of people, yet the atmosphere was eerily silent.

They were discussing the recent explosive popularity of the novel "Flame Emperor" and the rights to adapt it.

At the head of the table sat a woman exuding an intimidating aura.

“Drum... drum...” Her slender fingers tapped slowly on the desk.

“I’ve given you enough time, haven’t I?”

“Drum...”

“You also promised me there would be no problems, right?”

“Drum...”

Those below swallowed nervously, exchanging glances. Eventually, a somewhat plump middle-aged man was pushed forward.

“President Peng, we have done our best to reach out, but so far, the author hasn’t responded to any of our private messages.”

“So, you mean you haven’t been able to contact him at all?”

President Peng, Peng Jiaxin, spoke evenly, expression unchanged, but everyone could hear the anger beneath her words.

The man was instantly drenched in cold sweat.

“President Peng, may I give it a try?” a man sitting at the corner of the table suddenly spoke, drawing everyone’s attention.

Peng Jiaxin frowned slightly. Who was this guy?

Her assistant bent down quietly and whispered, “President Peng, he’s the newly appointed Art Director, Wan Yongwang. Since you said to bring everyone who could contribute from the animation team, I invited him as well.”

Peng Jiaxin lifted her chin and looked at the man dressed rather shabbily.

“Wan Yongwang, you know what happens to people who boast, don’t you?”

Wan Yongwang stood confidently and straightened his clothes.

“My girlfriend’s classmate is also a novelist. Novelists probably have their own circles. Maybe if I ask around, I can help get in touch with the author.”

“That makes sense.”

“Indeed, communication between authors should be easier for them than for us.”

The crowd murmured in agreement.

Peng Jiaxin rubbed her temples. These people... have they already resorted to grasping at straws?

She was about to say more when her phone suddenly rang.

The screen displayed two big characters: “Husband.”

Because of the angle, the assistant behind her caught a glimpse of the words.

In that instant, the assistant felt as if the sky had fallen.

Husband?

President Peng’s husband?!

When did President Peng get a husband?!

Peng Jiaxin swallowed her doubts and stood up.

“Then this matter is yours now. I expect good news by Monday.”

“Understood, President Peng.”

“Alright, meeting adjourned.”

With that, Peng Jiaxin strode out of the conference room, her assistant quickly following.

The executives left behind exchanged bewildered looks.

What was President Peng thinking? The meeting ended so abruptly. The high-level managers, prepared for hours of scolding, were caught off guard.

After leaving, Peng Jiaxin answered the call.

“Hello, what’s up?”

Her tone was gentler than the assistant had ever heard.

The assistant held her breath, ready to feast on the unfolding drama.

“Uh... I just wanted to ask, will you have time in a couple of days? My parents want to come see you.”

Since they had already whisked her son away to get married, it was only proper to meet the other party.

“When?”

“In three days.”

“Monday?”

“Yes.”

Peng Jiaxin glanced back at her assistant.

“Inform everyone, the meeting is postponed to Tuesday.”

“Yes.”

Chen Fan felt sheepish—her domineering CEO vibe was too strong!

“It’s okay, you can come by after work.”

“Tomorrow is the weekend. Are you free?”

“Uh... yes.”

“Then accompany me tomorrow morning to buy some gifts for my parents. I don’t quite know their tastes.”

“Okay.”

After a brief chat and confirming the meeting place for tomorrow, Peng Jiaxin hung up.

The assistant wanted to pry into who this “husband” might be, but Peng Jiaxin swiftly switched back to work mode.

As an emerging company, Star Ocean had more than just one animation department needing the CEO’s attention.

...

Elsewhere, after leaving the conference room, Wan Yongwang immediately dialed his girlfriend’s number.

“I remember you said your ex-boyfriend just quit and is now writing novels, right?”

Guo Yue’er, who was out shopping with her best friend, stopped in her tracks.

“Husband, I really have nothing to do with that guy.”

“Mm-hmm, I know.”

They had even been intimate; what could there possibly be?

Wan Yongwang didn’t push the subject. He continued,

“Just tell me yes or no.”

“Uh... yes, he’s writing novels and even quit his job for it.”

Guo Yue’er had known Chen Fan for many years and had countless mutual friends. They had even teased Chen Fan for quite some time because of this.

“What’s going on?”

Wan Yongwang suddenly brought up Chen Fan, piquing Guo Yue’er’s curiosity.

“Can you ask him if he knows the author of ‘Flame Emperor’? I have something urgent to discuss.”

“Okay.”

“Quickly!”

“Yeah, I’m calling him now.”

Guo Yue’er’s best friend, Lv Chunjiao, didn’t catch much of the conversation, but seeing Guo Yue’er’s anxious explanation, it was clear this definitely involved Chen Fan.

“Chen Fan went to see Wan Yongwang again? Why can’t he just give up?”

After learning about Guo Yue’er and Wan Yongwang’s relationship, Chen Fan had approached Wan Yongwang more than once—not to pick fights, but to remind him to be mindful of Guo Yue’er’s special days, her dietary restrictions, and preferences—a thorough show of care.

Wan Yongwang had laughed it off, saying he knew what Guo Yue’er liked and that Chen Fan needn’t worry.

He even gave Guo Yue’er a playful pat on the rear.

Guo Yue’er blushed and tapped his chest shyly. They embraced and walked away, leaving “Chen Fan” alone outside the gates of Star Ocean Company.

“Don’t speak ill of him. Brother Fan is a good person.”

“That’s just because you’re kind-hearted, Yue’er. If it were anyone else, who would still want to bother with him?”

Guo Yue’er sighed.

“I’ve known Brother Fan for so many years and always treated him like a brother. I never thought anything romantic. I don’t know what I did to make him misunderstand.”

Lv Chunjiao entered Star Ocean Company behind Guo Yue’er and naturally continued the conversation.

“Yue’er, your charm is overwhelming. Not just him—after spending time with you, I can’t help but be drawn to you.”

Lv Chunjiao wasn’t lying. Guo Yue’er had managed to hold onto Wan Yongwang, a major company department head, largely because of her innocent appearance. When she acted coy and pitiful, even another woman felt sympathy.

“So, do you think if I take the initiative to contact him this time, he won’t misunderstand again?”

Chen Fan wasn’t young anymore. If she kept delaying and ended up single in her thirties, she would blame herself.

“There’s no helping it. You’re contacting him for your boyfriend’s sake, aren’t you?”

“That’s true.”

Lv Chunjiao helped Guo Yue’er convince herself, then skillfully pulled Chen Fan’s number from the blacklist and dialed.

“Beep... the number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try again later...”