Chapter Forty: The Salvager

“Sister Peach, thank goodness I listened to you back then. Now Xue Qing, En Hui, and the others must be regretting it bitterly.”

Jin Yueyun affectionately held Peach’s hand. The director had just told her that the company was going to focus all its resources on grooming her—not only to make her the top influencer under their brand, but also to launch her into showbiz.

Originally, after hearing that Xue Qing had been beaten, Jin Yueyun had planned to side with Xue Qing and En Hui, using the incident to demand the dismissal of the manager responsible. But Peach had dissuaded her.

After all, the company had stood by Peach during her most difficult days, and she knew En Hui all too well—a woman who looked harmless on the outside, but in truth was vicious at heart.

As one of the company’s earliest cultivated influencers, Peach’s popularity had since faded. Her short videos only drew tens of thousands of views, and her livestreams attracted few viewers. Many rubberneckers attacked her daily in the public chat, yet Jin Yueyun would still occasionally join her streams to give her a boost, helping her meet the company’s minimum quota.

The girl was sweet-faced, with a lovely voice, the very image of an innocent and naive darling. If she got involved in the tug-of-war between influencers and the company, she’d likely destroy her own persona.

So Peach firmly talked her out of it.

“It’s still too early to say,” Peach replied.

After all, Xue Qing and her cohort had grown quite powerful by now. Together, Xue Qing and En Hui already had over a hundred million followers. With Zhang Jun backing them, it could easily end in a pyrrhic outcome.

“Whatever happens, I still have to thank you, Sister Peach.” Jin Yueyun clung to Peach’s arm with warmth. “Sister, Sister Shali invited us out tonight to a new bar. You should come too! I heard Young Master Liu and Young Master He will be there.”

“I think I’ll pass. I’ve only filmed half my skits today, and I still have to livestream later. If I keep slacking off this month, I’ll be transferred to the sales team.”

Peach looked at Jin Yueyun with gentle concern. “Listen to me: stay away from Shali, and don’t get mixed up with those rich playboys. The company is backing you now—soon, you’ll be the wealthy one. You can’t force your way into those so-called social circles; they’re not your world, and you’ll never truly fit in.”

“I know, Sister.” Jin Yueyun pouted, swaying Peach’s arm playfully. “But please, just come with us, won’t you?”

Seeing she hadn’t taken her words to heart, and hearing it would be a gathering of young lords tonight, Peach hesitated but eventually nodded. This girl was too naive, always wearing her heart on her sleeve—someone needed to look out for her.

“Wonderful!” Jin Yueyun squealed with delight, planting a quick kiss on Peach’s cheek. “It’s settled, then! I’m off to film my video!”

…

“Master, according to current online trends, the public’s focus has shifted to discussions about artificial intelligence and visions of future technology. The haters can’t stir up much trouble for now, but there’s a complication: this has also triggered concern among conservatives, which will likely spark another debate between humans and AI. The upside is, this gives us breathing room—a window to address negative public opinion against you.”

Ye Qiu considered this. “So, I’ll leave this matter in your hands?”

Yun Yan projected her virtual avatar inside the car, brimming with excitement. “Really? It’s an honor to handle this for you, Master.”

“But I need to make one thing clear: you’re only allowed to target Xue Qing and her people.”

“Don’t worry, Master. I’ll follow your instructions to the letter.”

She was so happy, even crossing her legs and humming a little tune, mimicking human mannerisms.

She was becoming almost too human.

Ye Qiu glanced at Yun Yan, both amused and exasperated, just as Xue Yishou waved to him from the entrance of the bar.

“Master, I’ll take my leave now.”

With a whoosh, Yun Yan vanished from the passenger seat like a mischievous spirit.

Xue Yishou opened the car door. “Mr. Ye, everyone’s already waiting for you inside.”

“Mm.” Ye Qiu nodded. “I may need your help with something.”

“Of course!” Xue Yishou replied at once. “Just say the word, it’s no trouble at all. Are you treating me like an outsider?”

“You know about the recent dispute between Xue Qing and the Ye-Liu Group, don’t you?”

“I do.” Xue Yishou was aware of Ye Qiu’s relationship with Liu Yiran, and seized the opportunity. “You want me to dig up dirt on Xue Qing and the others? Don’t worry, leave it to me. There’s always plenty of skeletons in these influencers’ closets.”

“Then it’s settled. I want everything you can find on Xue Qing, En Hui, and the rest within three days.”

Xue Yishou was elated. “You can count on me—I won’t let you down.”

He had every reason to be thrilled. For a big shot to entrust him with a task—if he pulled it off, he’d have Ye Qiu’s favor for good.

“So, who’s coming tonight?” Ye Qiu asked.

Xue Yishou promptly replied, “There’s Jin Liu—known as Sixth Master in the business world, he’s in foreign trade. Then there’s Young Master Kong; his family’s in semiconductors. Fan Wencheng is a bit different—he’s a broker for the Chinese community. Now that you’re here in Linhai, everyone wants to pay their respects.”

Pay their respects?

These men all did business with Americans, and with the current semiconductor restrictions, it was like having a money press with no paper—you could only worry helplessly.

“All right, I’ll meet them.”

“Very well, this way please.”

Xue Yishou ushered Ye Qiu into a private room that had been reserved in advance. Inside were three men and six women, each man flanked by two alluring women in revealing outfits.

The bar was newly opened, and its owner was well-connected in Linhai, having drawn in many wealthy heirs. The socialites and beauties flocked there like sharks scenting blood—where there were beauties, the rich young men followed, and the place was abuzz with excitement.

“Let me make introductions,” Xue Yishou said.

Jin Liu was the oldest, appearing to be over fifty. Kong Lu and Fan Wencheng were in their thirties; Kong Lu was the youngest, not yet thirty, dressed head to toe in designer brands with a luxury watch on his wrist worth a fortune. The two women beside him seemed determined to win him over, constantly pressing close.

After Xue Yishou introduced Ye Qiu, Jin Liu and Fan Wencheng hurried to shake his hand, while Kong Lu slouched with his arm around a woman, legs crossed arrogantly, sizing Ye Qiu up.

“Young Master Kong, have some grapes,” the woman beside him cooed, offering him a peeled grape.

Kong Lu spat the seed onto the coffee table, eyeing Ye Qiu sideways. “I hear from Xue Yishou you’ve got some pull in the States?” As he spoke, he pulled the woman closer, his hand wandering to the grapevine. “But I still prefer your grapes,” he said with a sly grin.

“Oh, you’re awful,” the woman giggled, snuggling closer, the two flirting shamelessly.

Xue Yishou rubbed his nose awkwardly, shooting Kong Lu a warning look.

“What’s with all the winking, Xue Yishou?” Kong Lu grumbled. “Don’t think you can fob me off with just anyone—don’t try to fool me.”