Demon Consort Runs into the Beijing Crown Prince - Chapter 11

While Chu Muyun was lost in pleasant dreams, a video of him dancing in a nightclub had gone viral on Douyin. The likes and shares skyrocketed.

[This is such a treat for my eyes!]

[So alluring, so stunning!]

[I want to become Sadako and crawl through the screen to watch him live…]

Most viewers assumed the dancer was an ordinary person, but a few recognized him.

[Isn’t that Young Master Xie from What Brings Joy?]

What Brings Joy was a flop drama with few viewers, and Chu Muyun’s role was a minor one that disappeared after just two episodes. The scattered comments identifying him were drowned out by the flood of praise for his looks and dance moves.

The next morning, Chu Muyun was awakened by his phone ringing. The caller ID showed Sun Ping, his former manager at Tiansheng, who was practically dead to him.

“Come to the company today,” Sun Ping said.

“To finalize my resignation, right? Got it.”

Chu Muyun took his time getting up, washing, and dressing. He bought an oat milk sandwich set from a restaurant outside his residential complex and slowly ate it at a streetside table.

Even breakfast was expensive in this prime location surrounding the upscale neighborhood.

After finishing his meal, he hailed a taxi to Tiansheng.

Chu Muyun hadn’t filmed a drama or made a public appearance in over half a year, and he hadn’t set foot in Tiansheng during that time either.

The old entertainment company, established at the end of the last century, stood tall on the street, its skyscraper adorned with the four silver characters “Tiansheng Media.” The building’s facade was somewhat weathered, and the glass windows were dusty.

Chu Muyun showed his employee ID to the security guard before being allowed inside. The lobby buzzed with hurried footsteps as people rushed back and forth, some wearing black masks that made it impossible to distinguish staff from celebrities. He stepped into the elevator and headed straight for his manager Sun Ping’s office.

This is the last time I’ll ever come here.

Of course, if he had the chance, Chu Muyun would love to drag Sun Ping—the man who had forced him to attend drinking parties—outside and have him beaten to death with a cane. As a second-best option, stuffing him in a sack and giving him a good thrashing would also do.

“You’re here?” Sun Ping sat behind his desk, a slightly overweight middle-aged man with rat-like eyes that scrutinized Chu Muyun from head to toe. “How was your half-year vacation?”

“Not bad. I treated it like a vacation,” Chu Muyun replied.

“Short on cash?” Sun Ping chuckled, assuming Chu Muyun was putting on a brave face. He leaned back casually in his chair and asked again.

“None of your business,” Chu Muyun retorted. “I’m here to finalize my paperwork. Are you going to process it or not?”

If Sun Ping tried to drag this out any further, Chu Muyun would get up and leave, letting his assistant handle the paperwork. Jin Ming had promised to assign him an assistant as soon as possible during their last meeting.

“Whoa, your temper’s gotten worse. Did you snag a rich sugar daddy at the nightclub?” Sun Ping said, completely unfazed by Chu Muyun’s cold demeanor.

Chu Muyun frowned. How did this guy find out?

In truth, Sun Ping lacked the connections to infiltrate Zhou Wei’s or Lu Hanzhang’s social circles. He had stumbled upon a Douyin video by chance.

After being left on the back burner for over half a year, this little artist of mine must be desperate. He wouldn’t even agree to work as a bar host, so why would he stoop to being a male model? Can he even afford to eat anymore?

“You really think you can turn things around with this?” Sun Ping sneered. “Those rich guys are just playing around. They switch people like clothes. How much money do you think they’ll actually spend on you? Once they get bored, you’ll be right back where you started.”

“I told you it’s none of your damn business! Do you not understand human language?!” Chu Muyun wanted to punch him, but he didn’t want to dirty his hands.

Sun Ping’s oily face was disgusting.

Damn it, I should have waited for my assistant to be assigned and brought them along. I’d have them beat the shit out of this guy.

“Alright, let’s drop this.” Sun Ping, rarely softening his tone, realized the conversation was about to fall apart. “I didn’t bring you here to discuss contract termination. I have a script that’s perfect for you—the fourth male lead in a web series. If you sign the renewal, the role is yours.”

He believed Chu Muyun couldn’t possibly refuse this offer.

The sugar daddies found in nightclubs might be willing to throw a few small bills at “Sparrow,” buy him some perfume or jewelry—that was the absolute limit. Sun Ping’s shrewd gaze lingered for two seconds on the genuine bracelet adorning Chu Muyun’s wrist.

But getting someone cast in a production was a completely different ballgame. It required money, resources, and connections—things no casual “rich lady” with a bit of spare cash could manage. Even if she could, such treatment was reserved for long-term kept men, not fleeting nightclub romances with male models.

Sun Ping could see how desperate Chu Muyun was to act. Now, with a fourth male lead role in a web series on the table, what choice did he have?

Chu Muyun was genuinely surprised.

“Finally willing to give me some resources? Or is this just dangling a carrot to lure me into another decade-long trap?” His first contract had been for five years; the renewal would extend it to ten.

“Why are you talking like that? I just realized you still have untapped potential. If you focus on acting, you might have a chance to rise in the industry, so I decided to give you another opportunity. You haven’t found a new agency yet, have you? Here’s a ready-made chance. It’s just a web drama, but the original novel is quite popular, and the IP has recognition. Think it over carefully, this offer won’t last.”

Sun Ping was exaggerating slightly, the original novel’s popularity was only moderate. But Chu Muyun was so far down the ladder, he couldn’t afford to be picky.

“Which drama is it? What’s the original novel called?” Chu Muyun feigned keen interest.

“Lucky Star. You can look it up right now.”

“Got it.” Chu Muyun had gotten the information he needed. He smiled brightly. “Then I’ll be watching this drama’s viewership ratings.”

He stood up, “Oh, by the way, I have a new agency and will be starting a project soon. Let’s compare the buzz between our two dramas when the time comes.”

With Luo Yi, the marketing expert known for his controversial fame, generating buzz would be effortless.

Even if Luo Yi falls short, I’ll still have myself. At worst, I’ll just act cute and get the Great King to buy me trending spots.

As for the resignation paperwork, he’d have his new assistant handle it in a few days.

While speaking, Chu Muyun had been scanning the office for anything useful. The metal mesh pen holder on the desk would have to do.

Having visited this office several times, Chu Muyun knew there were no security cameras. As he stood up, he swiftly grabbed the pen holder and slammed it against Sun Ping’s forehead. Pens, pencils, and scissors clattered to the floor.

Chu Muyun slammed the door shut and bolted.

Behind him, Sun Ping’s furious roar echoed like a rabid dog’s.

The elevator was still on the floor. Chu Muyun rushed inside and frantically pressed the down button. Only when the doors closed and the elevator began its smooth descent did he finally exhale.

Panting heavily, his racing heart gradually calmed.

He chuckled to himself.

Sun Ping’s stunned, then enraged expression…

So satisfying!

He’d have to arrange for two burly bodyguards when the assistant came to handle the resignation paperwork, just in case Sun Ping tried anything. He could borrow them from Lu Hanzhang for a day, he definitely had some.