Chapter 78: Troubles Never Cease

After spending the evening out, Lin Fan checked into a hotel alone, and early the next morning, he returned to Hangzhou.

Monday arrived.

Lin Fan was at Bihu Villa, studying business management on his computer. This was advice from Su Juanmo. He had graduated from Hangzhou Normal University, majoring in programming. Originally, he planned to stay in Hangzhou to find work after graduation, but without any family background, he ended up as just another corporate drone.

Now, he owned a hotel and an entertainment company, both sizable enterprises, yet his limited expertise was no longer enough to manage such a vast portfolio. Naturally, he needed to keep up and learn new skills. Mornings were spent at home, self-studying rather than returning to the company.

At eleven o’clock, he suddenly received a call from Sister Sun in finance, informing him that Genesis Entertainment was under investigation by relevant authorities, following a report alleging the company was broadcasting inappropriate content.

Upon hearing the news, Lin Fan rushed to the company. When he arrived, he found several officials from various departments present, and, to his astonishment, even personnel from the security bureau.

At noon.

Across from Genesis Entertainment, in the Wind Charm Western Restaurant, Su Juanmo arrived late. As soon as she sat down, she took a folder from her bag, her expression peculiar. “I’ve looked into it for you. It was Bai Jiahao who did it. Before coming, I spoke to the Bai family patriarch on the phone... But besides him, there’s another person who reported your company: Zhou Zheng.”

Lin Fan glanced at the documents in the folder. They were all sorts of compliance files Su Juanmo had obtained from the authorities. More thorough than before, with these documents, there would be no fear of future inspections.

An hour earlier, he had told Su Juanmo about the incident and asked her for help. She didn’t hesitate, immediately uncovering who was behind the scheme and helping him gather all the necessary paperwork.

“That Zhou Zheng doesn’t seem like a decent person...” Su Juanmo questioned him in an interrogative tone.

“He’s the hidden owner of Joy World Entertainment...” Lin Fan replied, then recounted the grievances between himself and Joy World Entertainment.

“A small company worth just a few million, and you want to acquire it?” Su Juanmo couldn’t understand why he’d want to buy a company with no prospects.

Lin Fan couldn’t tell her it was a task assigned by the system. He could only joke in defense, “Consider it a bit of mischief. That little company annoyed me before, so I want some payback...”

Su Juanmo rolled her eyes at him in exasperation. “Don’t forget to attend the meeting at Starlight Entertainment. I’ve kicked out several small shareholders and reorganized the shares and management. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all. You’re the general manager now; your word is law.” Lin Fan nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice.

Though he’d acquired Starlight Live and held the largest share, he entrusted management and decision-making entirely to Su Juanmo. Professional matters belonged in professional hands.

After lunch, Su Juanmo hurried off. Lately, she was overwhelmed—not only did her own hotel need financing and transformation, she also had to manage Starlight Entertainment part-time, doubling her workload. Yet, with Lin Fan gifting her a car, a house, and shares in Starlight Entertainment, she found it hard to refuse.

Once Su Juanmo had left, Lin Fan muttered to himself.

“I almost forgot about the revenge task assigned by the system. Looks like those two—uncle and nephew—still haven’t given up…”

“If you insist on provoking me, I won’t hold back. To complete the task, I’ll have to play the villain this time…”

After pondering his revenge plan, Lin Fan called Zhou Xiaodong, asking if he knew any private detectives.

He wanted to use a private detective to gather evidence of crimes committed by Zhou Zheng and Wang Dezhi, the uncle and nephew. Previously, while at the company, he’d heard rumors from other employees—Wang Dezhi using dirty tricks to exploit female streamers, forcing them to provide massages and other services to underground groups, Zhou Zheng’s involvement in fights, suspected money laundering, and more.

Within less than three hours, Zhou Xiaodong had assembled all sorts of evidence against the pair.

Next, Lin Fan called He Hongyu, asking him to help expose the evidence online.

At five in the afternoon, while driving to Starlight Entertainment, Lin Fan suddenly received a WeChat call from Zhang Yi.

“Lin Fan, are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you to a movie. Last time you gave me two dresses, so it’s my turn to host…”

Hearing this, Lin Fan turned the tables.

“Let me treat you instead. I’m heading to the company for a meeting now. Come to Starlight Tower later—it’s right in the city center, with two cinemas nearby. That’ll be more convenient.”

From her tone, Lin Fan could tell Zhang Yi had something she wanted to discuss. Recently, she’d occasionally messaged him on WeChat to ask how he was doing. But now that Lin Fan was a tycoon, Zhang Yi was in the weaker position and wouldn’t chat with him idly. Her initiative today clearly hinted at something she couldn’t easily say.

After the meeting, it was six thirty. Shi Jie’s secretary reminded him that Zhang Yi had been waiting in his office for some time.

He had a dedicated office at Starlight Entertainment—a privilege of being the major shareholder and chairman.

“You’re early today. Did you leave work ahead of time?” Seeing Zhang Yi in a white short skirt, dressed like a college student, Lin Fan felt refreshed, as if bathed in spring breeze.

She was his ideal muse; no matter what she wore, she always seemed ethereal, peerless. With her looks, Zhang Yi could easily outshine third- and fourth-tier actresses.

“I’m in a publicity role—the workload isn’t heavy…”

“I never imagined you’d become the chairman of a major company. Even winning the lottery couldn’t bring in that much money.”

Previously, Lin Fan had told her his fortune came from lottery winnings, but acquiring a company worth over two billion would be impossible without assets worth tens of billions.

“I met a benefactor… By the way, I have a gift for you.”

He picked up a box from the coffee table, prepared in advance.

Zhang Yi paused. The box was the size of a document folder—no guessing needed; it was obviously a necklace. Yet her face lit up, and she feigned ignorance, “What is it?”

“Open it and see…”

Lin Fan chuckled. He enjoyed seeing Zhang Yi’s shy, charming expression.

She opened it—sure enough, a delicate necklace. In the center was a diamond the size of a fingernail. The necklace, though not high-end, looked refined, not ostentatious like custom luxury pieces.

Lin Fan knew Zhang Yi’s nature; wearing a luxury necklace would be too conspicuous. Besides, if she wore such an extravagant piece to work, it would surely stir gossip.

But this necklace, elegant yet understated, fit perfectly with Zhang Yi’s reserved, unassuming temperament.

“Do you like it?”

“If it’s from you, I’ll love it, no matter what.”