Chapter 126: This was the second time he had taken the initiative to make a request of her.

Lin Feng frowned, feeling that the name sounded a bit vulgar. Yet, he was truly shocked that Chu Ling-shuang would show him something of such significance.

"You had better put this away, lest I be tempted," Lin Feng said, and he meant it.

His honesty, however, only made Chu Ling-shuang smile. "Would you?"

Faced with her cold, mocking gaze, Lin Feng crossed his arms and leaned back casually into his chair. "I can’t say for sure. I don't even know what I might do next."

To Chu Ling-shuang, his candor felt like the playfulness of a child; after all, anyone with ulterior motives would never voice their true thoughts aloud. He truly trusted her.

With a wave of her hand, Chu Ling-shuang tossed the seal onto the table before him, watching him with a look that was neither quite a smile nor quite a sneer. "Begin."

Though Lin Feng was reluctant to perform such a task, Chu Ling-shuang had already given the order. He pondered for a moment, but instead of reaching for the seal, he raised his eyes to meet hers. "Miss Chu, before I do, I need to discuss something with you."

This was the second time he had taken the initiative to ask her for something. Chu Ling-shuang’s eyes flickered, an inexplicable spark of light welling up within them. Perhaps it was curiosity, but more than that, it was the feeling of being needed. She relished this sensation, especially since the one dependent on her was the very "pet" she had gone to such great lengths to "tame."

She rested her chin on the back of her fair hand, her phoenix eyes narrowing as she studied him. "Go on, tell me."

Lin Feng cleared his throat, his gaze slightly evasive. "There are two days left until the program ends, and on the seventh day, we reach the shore. Could you leave my remaining rest time to me...?" He spoke quickly, fearing an immediate refusal, and added, "It has to do with the gift I want to give you."

He needed time to prepare? Chu Ling-shuang raised an eyebrow. She rested her hand on the table and, without hesitation, gave a crisp, icy reply. "Granted."

***

Walking out of Chu Ling-shuang’s room, Lin Feng let out a long breath. He was not a man to go back on his word; since he had promised a gift, he would follow through to the end.

Even if he hadn't initiated this, Chu Ling-shuang had helped him. Putting aside her previous torments, it was only fair to return the favor. Besides, if she were pleased, she might just drop more "gold coins"... No matter how he calculated it, he was the one coming out ahead.

Without hesitation, he went downstairs and borrowed a phone from a staff member before the program resumed. He dialed Zheng Bochao’s number, and once connected, he got straight to the point. "Old Zheng, I need to discuss something. I have an urgent matter, and I won't be able to attend the bonfire party on the sixth day."

"What?!" Zheng Bochao jumped, nearly falling off his chair. "We signed a seven-day contract! Brother, if you bail halfway through, aren't you afraid I'll sue you?"

Zheng Bochao’s booming voice echoed on the other end. Lin Feng laughed. "Old Zheng, stop trying to scare me. You know how much traffic I’ve brought to your show single-handedly. You’ve made so much these past few days that you’ve surely broken even by now, right?"

There was also the fortune they had siphoned off from the Xu family. Though Lin Feng didn't mention it explicitly, the implication was clear.

On the other end, Zheng Bochao laughed as well. "It’s not just breaking even; the revenue is ten times higher than expected." He didn't intend to hide it from Lin Feng, especially since he had witnessed the man's predictive abilities. With the prospect of Lin Feng becoming a massive sensation once the show ended, exceeding all expectations, Zheng Bochao knew that maintaining a good relationship with him was his top priority. If he couldn't hold onto such a valuable contact, it would be a failure of his own competence. For an exceptional person, opening a back door was a small price to pay.

"I can agree," Zheng Bochao said, turning the tables, "but what about the teaser for the sunset scene with Xiao Ran?"

Without a second thought, Lin Feng replied, "Use a body double."

Zheng Bochao’s mouth twitched. "No, this is a live broadcast. Even with post-production, we won't have time to Photoshop it."

"Just find a model, set the lighting, and shoot from behind. That should work, right?"

"That idea is feasible, but as for Xiao Ran..."

"Don't worry, leave her to me."

Since Lin Feng was confident, Zheng Bochao had no objections. "Fine, it's settled. I'll have Xiao Ran perform the opening dance first..."

Listening to Zheng Bochao’s rambling, Lin Feng narrowed his eyes and asked, "Old Zheng, do you know if there are any horses near this island?"

"Horses?!" Zheng Bochao was stunned, but he quickly searched his memory. "Yes, about half an hour away by boat, there’s an island called Tianya Island. There’s an equestrian club there, though I’ve never been... Wait, brother, do you want to go horseback riding?"

"That’s none of your concern." Lin Feng smiled. "By the way, I also need you to prepare something else for me..."

***

Over the next two days, the live broadcast continued as usual. The pairing of Lin Feng and Xiao Ran exploded in popularity across the internet, with highlight reels circulating wildly. Netizens were absolutely obsessed.

At the same time, the Xu family became the target of ridicule. After waking up from her fainting spell, Xu Nuo'er found her social media accounts flooded with mockery and abuse. Unable to bear the pressure, she left the island that same day to recuperate at home.

Someone had leaked the news that the Xu family had paid to be on the show. Whether they paid wasn't the point; the public was focused on the fact that they had paid to be insulted. Suddenly, Xu's Logistics Company became the target of the entire business circle. Competitors seized the opportunity to slash prices and sign new contracts, sweeping up all of the Xu family's business.

Xu Zhiqing’s former friends had all gone silent. Within the company, employees with foresight began to resign, only to be told that their severance pay would be delayed by three months. As this news spread, panic took hold among the staff.

In just two days, the Xu family's multi-million dollar company had collapsed. Fearing an angry mob of employees, Xu Zhiqing hid at home, not daring to go to the office or answer any calls. Xu Jie, whose face had been plastered all over the internet, was too terrified to step outside. He had thought he was finally free of his hardships, but before he could even settle into his life as a young master, the family fortune had vanished. He couldn't even afford the legal fees to sue Lin Feng for portrait rights infringement.

Xu Jie bit his lip, sitting on the sofa, clutching his drawn-up legs in a fragile posture. Looking at the haggard Xu Jie, Xu Tangde comforted him with pained eyes, "Xiao Jie, don't be afraid. Dad has already found someone to help. Just wait a little longer; Lin Feng will be finished soon..."