All The Villain Wants Is Money - Chapter 14

That evening, Wu Borang took Zhang Shi and Xu Yucheng to the dinner party.

In truth, the so-called “bosses” who attended were a mixed bag from all walks of life. Some were genuinely wealthy, but there were just as many who were not. And the dinner party was not exclusive to those who dabbled in business. Anyone with the intent could easily sneak into a place like this.

Wu Borang and Zhang Shi were well aware of what kind of event this was. As soon as they arrived, they began desperately flattering a boss wearing a gold chain as thick as a finger, their faces full of obsequious smiles. They even pressured the visibly shocked Xu Yucheng, who stood stiffly nearby, to hurry up and offer a toast.

Xu Yucheng had been kept in the dark at first, but once he got there, how could he not realize what kind of place this was?

All around him, the more loosely-behaved attendees were already hugging and passionately kissing. Xu Yucheng felt nothing but revulsion.

What made it worse was that his agent and friend were both subtly urging him to join in in the degeneracy.

He was filled to the brim with disgust. He abruptly stood up just as he was about to hit his breaking point, muttered an apology and left the private room.

He hurriedly made his way to the bathroom and turned on the faucet, splashing water onto his face for a full three minutes. When he finally looked up, the reflection in the mirror was that of Wu Borang’s ice-cold gaze.

“Ah Cheng, I’ve always believed that you were a bar of gold that just hadn’t had the chance to shine yet. I thought you were someone who could adapt to the situation.”

Xu Yucheng’s eyes reddened. “So you want me to go along with these sort of unspoken rules? Rang-ge, how can you do this to me?”

Wu Borang responded, “I’m a businessman. My job is to maximize the profit I can get out of the assets I have. You know exactly how things stand right now. If we don’t get funding soon, the company won’t last much longer. If you go with Boss Sun, things will be much easier for everyone.”

When he thought of how stubborn Xu Yucheng usually was, Wu Borang softened his tone, trying to persuade him. “Boss Sun really likes you. You can see getting together with him as a blessing. After all, he’s always been very generous with his lovers. You won’t lose out on anything. Look around—who in this industry isn’t doing the same?”

Xu Yucheng opened his mouth to argue but couldn’t come up with a single name that was entirely clean.

Noticing Xu Yucheng’s silent demeanor, Wu Borang sensed he was on the verge of success and delivered the final push. “If you really can’t go through with it, fine. However, your road to stardom will come to an end once the company collapses. You’re so close to making it big — are you really willing to throw all that away now?”

Xu Yucheng fell into complete silence, but his fists were clenched in a tight hold.

He did want to get famous, of course he did. However, it was unbearably humiliating if sexual favours was the price he had to pay in return.

While he struggled with his thoughts, Wu Borang gave him a small nod and exited the restroom. “I’ll go back and keep Boss Sun occupied. You’ve got ten minutes—make up your mind and come in when you’re ready.”

Xu Yucheng lowered his head, lost in thought.

Wu Borang didn’t press further and left, confident in the outcome.

How could he not know what these young people were thinking? They wanted to get famous, practically going mad from desperation. If you added a bit of pressure and temptation, how could they possibly resist? Once they’ve tasted the sweetness, they’d turn around and thank him, grateful that he had acted as the go-between. He’d previously kept Xu Yucheng hidden only because he thought the kid could fetch a good price. Now that the company was in need, wasn’t it only right for him to give back to the company?

Speaking of looks, Xie Gu was still the most striking. But that guy had acted like a lunatic even back when he was just starting out, and now he’d completely lost it—terminating his contract, of all things?

Still, Wu Borang had heard about Xie Gu’s family background. That changed things. In this world, people laugh at the poor but never at the shameless—if you had money, you were the boss. Who knows, they might need to rely on him someday.

Meanwhile, Xu Yucheng was still in the restroom, caught in a tug-of-war between conscience and ambition. Suddenly, the sound of a toilet flushing came from one of the stalls, and a well-dressed middle-aged man stepped out, calm and composed. “Apologies,” he said. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

He looked every inch the successful businessman and Xu Yucheng recognized him instantly. Guan Hongtu, an executive from Liyuan Group, and the biggest name at tonight’s gathering.

Xu Yucheng had already made up his mind. But the moment he saw Guan Hongtu, all the courage he had managed to summon began to crumble. He was filled with shame and felt like his ugly side had been laid bare.

Yet, he had never wanted fame more than he did at that moment. Only when you had fame did you have a voice. And for that, he was willing to do whatever it took.

Guan Hongtu walked over to the sink and leisurely turned on the faucet. “I know you. You used to be bandmates with Xie Gu. The ‘Boss Sun’ you and your agent were referring to must be Sun Qian?”

Xu Yucheng remained silent, almost suffocating from the shame.

Xie Gu. It was always Xie Gu.

But Guan Hongtu didn’t seem to mind Xu Yucheng’s attitude. He simply stated, “I know how Sun Qian is. He likes good-looking ones, regardless if they’re a man or a woman. He always talks about love, but if some other pretty little thing comes within reach, well, his tastes might shift real quick.”

After he finished speaking, each word of his laced with meaning, he dried his hands under the hand dryer.

As he left the restroom, he added, “I have high hopes for you and your bandmate, young man.”

Xu Yucheng maintained his silence, but he suddenly realised what Guan Hongtu was hinting at.

Gaze now steady, Xu Yucheng followed Guan Hongtu out of the restroom and back to the private room.

When Wu Borang saw Xu Yucheng had returned, he assumed the young man had given in. Nodding with satisfaction, he nudged him toward Sun Qian. Xu Yucheng played along, toasting one drink after another, every compliment out of his mouth sounding utterly sincere. Sun Qian was all smiles, clearly thinking things were in the bag.

As the dinner party wrapped up, Xu Yucheng received a hotel key card.

He didn’t refuse. He even shyly asked if they could take a little something… to help set the mood.

Sun Qian gave a knowing smile and immediately agreed.

After receiving the drugs, Sun Qian went upstairs first to wait. Meanwhile, Xu Yucheng expressionlessly poured the drugs into another glass.

“Captain, what are you doing?”

Xu Yucheng flinched and sped up his actions. Then, he turned around as if nothing had happened and handed over the glass with a smile, “Nothing, I just saw your glass was empty and topped it up for you.”

Zhang Shi had just returned from the restroom. He didn’t suspect a single thing and laughed, “Thanks, Captain. You treat me so well.”

Zhang Shi’s words of gratitude shook Xu Yucheng to the core, but he said nothing. Instead, he returned the smile, “Well then, since that’s the case, shall we have a drink?”

“Sure.”

Half an hour later, Xu Yucheng hauled a sweat-drenched man to the door of a hotel suite.

At that moment, Xie Gu was working overtime in his office in Hanyun when a piercing alarm suddenly rang in his mind.

“Attention, host! Attention! Please check the career progression of the original protagonist!”

Xie Gu nearly tore the report in his hand from surprise.

Once he realized what the system was saying, he helplessly picked the report up from the floor and replied to the system, his tone laden with meaning, “Ah Tong, your windpipes sure are working well.”

“… AIs don’t have windpipes,” the system beeped again, “Host, please check the original protagonist’s career progression!”