Chapter Forty-Two: The Check

Hearing this question, Zhang Yichuan cast a deep, meaningful glance at the troublemaking reporter and replied, “When I approached Zhou Miao about collaborating on a song, money was never discussed from start to finish. I even told him that if the final product didn’t satisfy me, I would reject it outright. The ten million—I offered that after hearing the finished piece. I believe the song is worth that much, and offering less would be an insult.”

Such praise was indeed lofty. The previously provocative reporter sat down, looking disgruntled.

Zhou Miao had yet to hear about the commotion at the press conference. At that moment, he was sitting in a café near his company, opposite a middle-aged man in a tailored suit. The man's neatly trimmed, graying beard lent him a touch of gentlemanly elegance.

Just as Zhou Miao was leaving the company to head home, he had been stopped on the street by two men in sunglasses and suits, who informed him that their boss wished to meet him. No matter which way Zhou Miao tried to go, the two men blocked him in silence, their faces unyielding. Zhou Miao had decided to see just which company’s boss was so bold.

The man took a sip of coffee and said, “Let me introduce myself. I am Hu Xiaoqian, owner of Tide. Xiao Qiu should have mentioned me.”

Zhou Miao had heard stories about the past between Tide and Rainbow, but he had no interest in getting involved. Signing with Rainbow didn’t mean he owed it any revenge, and he had no particular fondness for Tide either.

“If you have something to say, just say it. I need to get back to my homework,” Zhou Miao said, impatience tinging his voice.

Hu Xiaoqian didn’t take offense, cutting straight to the point. “I think highly of you. Join Tide, and name your terms.”

Zhou Miao smiled playfully. “Are you sure I can name any price?”

Without further words, Hu Xiaoqian showed his sincerity by pulling out a checkbook, tearing off a blank check, and handing it to Zhou Miao with bravado. “Fill in any amount you wish.”

With such an offer, Zhou Miao felt obliged to respond. Under Hu Xiaoqian’s admiring gaze, he picked up the pen and filled in ninety-nine billion, nine hundred ninety-nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine—the theoretical maximum for a single check.

Capping the pen, Zhou Miao smiled, “I’ve filled it in. Can I get the money tomorrow?”

Hu Xiaoqian’s eyelids twitched. After a moment, he suddenly pointed at Zhou Miao and burst into laughter.

“Haha, ha-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha…”

Zhou Miao watched him walk out of the café, laughing all the way. As if laughter could hide the embarrassment of not having the funds.

Then a thought struck Zhou Miao—had that guy just walked out without paying? The check remained, but without a signature, it was nothing but a scrap of paper.

Damn, he’d managed to take advantage after all. Zhou Miao paid the bill himself, and obliged the waitress’s request for a photo together.

Hu Xiaoqian, face dark, got into his car and made a call. “Go to Zhou Miao’s school and dig up any dirt on him. I want to ruin his reputation!”

Within days, negative news about Zhou Miao sprang up everywhere like mushrooms after rain. Zhou Miao had assaulted classmates, Zhou Miao had committed school violence, a former Rainbow trainee accused Zhou Miao of manipulative behavior that led to her dismissal—true and false rumors blended, leaving netizens dizzy and unable to tell what was real.

Then a photo surfaced, allegedly posted by a classmate, showing Zhou Miao riding his bike with Hu San on the back. The caption read: Zhou Miao is dating his desk mate.

If the other rumors were mere shadows, this photo was nearly conclusive.

In the picture, Hu San hugged Zhou Miao’s waist affectionately, smiling sweetly, the very image of a girl in love.

Countless female fans were devastated at the sight, frantically searching for information about Hu San. They soon learned her family ran a bakery, she had shared a desk with Zhou Miao for two or three years, and their relationship had always been close.

Within half an hour, Hu San’s social media account was discovered—full of selfies. Frenzied female netizens flooded her inbox with abuse and vulgar threats.

Hu San, in evening self-study at school, noticed something was amiss. Her classmates kept glancing at her, whispering about something.

A girl she was friendly with leaned over and said, “You and Zhou Miao are trending. Check Weibo!”

My affair with Zhou Miao? Hu San didn’t know what it was about, but her heart skipped a beat. She quickly pulled out her phone.

Opening Weibo, she was bombarded with countless messages from strangers, full of insults and threats that left her pale and trembling.

She checked the trending topics—the news of Zhou Miao’s romance was burning at the top. The photo was everywhere.

As a popular idol, she knew exactly what such exposure meant. Even though they weren’t truly in a relationship, netizens believed only what they saw. With that photo, any defense seemed powerless.

She left the classroom. Li Xueqin hesitated at the podium but let her go, thinking some time to calm down would help.

Running alone to the playground, Hu San gripped her phone, hesitated, and finally called Zhou Miao.

The phone was answered after a single ring—clearly, Zhou Miao was following the online developments.

“You’ve seen what’s happening online?” Hu San asked cautiously.

“Yes, just saw it,” Zhou Miao replied calmly. There were many who had turned against him, as well as those who insulted him for other rumors. He knew well why this was happening—when people can’t have something, they often try to destroy it.

“Are you alright?” Hu San asked, worried.

Zhou Miao laughed. “What could happen to me? It’s just a bunch of rabid dogs barking. I don’t even bother to care. But you, I bet you’ve been cursed a lot.”

“Mm…” Hu San’s voice was tinged with grievance, almost on the verge of tears. “They say such awful things.”

“I’m sorry for dragging you into this. Take a few days off, won’t you? People are out of their minds right now, and I don’t want you to get hurt,” Zhou Miao said softly. If not for him, Hu San wouldn’t have suffered online abuse.

“I know. But will this affect your career?”

“Heh, don’t worry. I’m not some idol relying on his looks. If things get tough, I’ll work behind the scenes. Didn’t you see the news? I just sold a song for ten million.”

Hu San burst into laughter, picturing Zhou Miao’s smug expression even through the phone.

“I miss you so much…”

“Then keep missing me. I won’t be back for a few months yet.”

“Will you come home for New Year?”

“Of course. I’ll bring you a gift.”

“What gift?”

“Peking duck.”

“Ah…”

“If you don’t want it, forget it…”

“I want it!”