Chapter 138: An Unexpected Partnership

As the car drove along, Lin Zheng Ran asked where they were going.

Jiang Jingshi replied, “I know a restaurant that serves great French cuisine. How about I take you there to try it, Zheng Ran?”

Lin Zheng Ran thought it was a bit over the top:

“No need, Jiang Jie. I came out this afternoon to talk business, not for a meal. Besides, I have to head back tonight. Let’s just find a simple spot to chat.”

Jiang Jingshi looked at Lin Zheng Ran with gentle eyes: “But last time, we agreed there was still one meal left to have.”

“True, but the French place you mentioned is probably expensive. I’m worried about when I’d pay you back. Last time, you covered the bill anyway.”

She laughed: “Do we really need to keep score like that?” Then she thought of something: “Alright, if you don’t want to go there, tell me—what did you eat last night?”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t know what she meant: “Tomato scrambled eggs from the school cafeteria.”

“Was it good?”

He shrugged: “Not really. You can imagine what school cafeteria food is like.”

Jiang Jingshi covered her mouth with the back of her hand and smiled: “I figured as much. So how about this—skip the restaurant. Tonight, I’ll cook you some tomato scrambled eggs myself. It’s home-style cooking, and we can go straight to my music team’s office.”

The driver kept quiet, but he was surprised that Boss Jiang would cook for someone. He’d worked with her for years and never seen anything like it.

Jiang Jingshi made an excuse for the meal: “Cooking is just a hobby for me anyway. And I make great tomato scrambled eggs—it’s not pricey. If it bothers you that I’m spending, how about you buy the tomatoes and eggs?”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled; he didn’t care much about the food: “That works. Let’s do dinner that way. Thanks for the effort, Jiang Jie.”

“It’s nothing.” She told the driver, “Head to the mall.”

The driver nodded: “Yes, Boss Jiang.”

The car turned toward the mall, and Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Jingshi ended up casually picking up some tomatoes and eggs.

Then they went on to Jiang Jingshi’s music team studio.

When they arrived, several singers were still practicing in the studio. Seeing Jiang Jingshi, many stood up and greeted her: “Boss Jiang is here.”

“Hello, Boss Jiang!”

Jiang Jingshi nodded to them in response.

Lin Zheng Ran walked alongside Jiang Jingshi, taking in the setup of her music studio. It was worlds apart from Lily’s studio.

For starters, the space was at least twice as large.

It had a three-story design with circular staircases on both sides besides the elevators, plus personal lounges, break rooms, and everything you could need.

The style was sleek and modern.

And even though it was full of singers, the soundproofing was top-notch.

Lin Zheng Ran had visited Lily’s studio many times, where you could hear the sounds clearly from outside without getting too close, though the singers practiced with headphones and didn’t bother each other.

But here in Jiang Jingshi’s place, as Lin Zheng Ran passed by a practice room and glanced through the glass wall at the singer inside, he could barely hear the performance unless he listened closely.

He couldn’t help but note the difference between a well-funded company and one struggling to get by.

Jiang Jingshi seemed to catch Lin Zheng Ran’s reaction and said with a touch of embarrassment:

“I poured way more money into this music studio than into the Taekwondo side. Singers need a lot of resources, but even so, our New Star List exposed our weaknesses—we’re still not quite there.”

Lin Zheng Ran gave an honest take: “That’s not true. Your music team is strong, Jiang Jie. Compared to other studios’ competitors, they’re basically unbeatable.”

Jiang Jingshi said meaningfully: “Yet we still lost to you?”

Lin Zheng Ran just smiled.

“Just luck.”

Jiang Jingshi smiled back; she didn’t buy the luck excuse—skill was skill.

They entered the office, and Jiang Jingshi’s space was simpler than expected.

Besides the water cooler, sofa, desk, and filing cabinet, there was nothing else.

Before closing the door, she instructed her staff, learning from past mistakes: “Don’t disturb me unless it’s important, and remember to knock first.”

Her team thought to themselves that they always knocked anyway.

But they nodded.

Jiang Jingshi shut the door and pulled the curtains.

Lin Zheng Ran blinked curiously.

Jiang Jingshi gracefully picked up a file from her desk and sat next to Lin Zheng Ran: “I’ve looked into things over the last couple of days. Take a look.”

Lin Zheng Ran took the file and flipped through it, finding details on a company called Pan Cheng Electronics.

Jiang Jingshi explained:

“This Pan Cheng Electronics has been making big moves in the internet sector over the past two years. They’ve competed with our Jiang Group several times, but as an established company with loyal customers, we’ve mostly held them off.

Of course, you can’t win forever—they’ve beaten us a few times too. Still, overall, they haven’t gained much ground.”

Lin Zheng Ran kept reading.

He saw photos and info on New Star Music’s singers from before.

“So, Jiang Jie, are you saying Pan Cheng Electronics was behind the music competition incident?”

Jiang Jingshi nodded:

“Exactly. New Star Music and my guy Jiang Cheng took money from Pan Cheng Electronics. They’re launching a new product and probably wanted to stir up buzz through the competition to draw clients their way.”

Jiang Jingshi added:

“Of course, this is all under the table—no solid proof on the surface. But no one else would dare pull something like that. They have a vice president who loves shady deals, and since their last plan failed, I’ve heard they’re eyeing the New Star List now, so expect moves soon.”

Lin Zheng Ran examined the file’s details on Lily and the music studio in his town.

“Moves… like taking over our studio?”

Jiang Jingshi nodded with a smile:

“Most likely. Even though you’ve beaten me twice, Zheng Ran, before I met you, I never lost that badly. You don’t have much backing,

but I have money and connections, and yet I still lost. So it’s not just my people who’d be shocked—other companies would be too.”

Lin Zheng Ran said thoughtfully: “I guess you’re just that fair, Jiang Jie. If you wanted to win, there are plenty of ways, but you wouldn’t stoop to them.”

Jiang Jingshi couldn’t hold back a laugh:

“You’re putting me on a pedestal, Zheng Ran. Things are different now with the internet making everything transparent. The Jiang Group is just the biggest in the city—we can’t do whatever we want. A hollow win is no better than a loss. And before I met you, I never thought my well-funded team would lose.”

She caught herself: “I’ve gone off track…”

She said seriously:

“Anyway, Lily’s talent means Pan Cheng Electronics will want her if they’re smart, especially since your studio has no real support. Taking over a place like that would be easy for them. They’re watching the rankings closely, so they’re probably about to act.”

Lin Zheng Ran finished the file and closed it:

“Yeah, especially since our studio’s boss won’t agree to a buyout. She’s all about chasing dreams and nurturing new talent, even if the team hasn’t hit it big. If Pan Cheng Electronics can’t poach people, they’ll find other ways to force the issue.”

“That’s right. And there’s something I didn’t tell you before—a while back, I even talked to your studio’s boss about buying them out, including Lily.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at Jiang Jingshi in surprise.

Jiang Jingshi said meaningfully: “Why so shocked? I figured if I could get Lily, you’d come too. What I really want is you, Zheng Ran.”

The two locked eyes, and Jiang Jingshi’s face turned a light shade of pink:

“Of course, my poaching plan failed. They had no interest in being bought out and turned me down. So that proves something—I couldn’t get her, and neither can Pan Cheng Electronics. But they’re not as gentle as I am, so…”

“So the studio will be in trouble.”

“Not necessarily.” Jiang Jingshi leaned back on the sofa, crossing her legs:

“But it’s likely. The good news is we know what they’re up to, so we can head off problems. Still, I have to say, Zheng Ran, that little studio can’t support a talent like Lily for long.”

Her voice softened as she looked at Lin Zheng Ran: “You won’t stick around there forever, right? I checked Lily’s contract—she could leave easily if she wanted.”

Lin Zheng Ran suddenly laughed and looked back: “I get what you’re saying, Jiang Jie. You still hope Lily and I come to your side?”

To his surprise, Jiang Jingshi shook her head with a pleased smile:

“No, I already asked last time and you turned me down, so I won’t push. What I mean is—if you trust me, how about we start a studio together?”

“You and me?”

“Yes.” She pointed to herself then to Lin Zheng Ran, sincerely:

“I’d be the deputy GM, you’d be the main one. I’d help you out. You’re young, but with me guiding you, you’d pick up the ropes fast. We can put both our names on it, or just mine if you’re worried about risks. We draw up a contract, and you can add your name later. I’d have fewer shares, and I promise I won’t cheat you—it’s genuine.”

She let out a breath, a bit nervous he’d say no: “I know partnering on a company is risky without full trust. So you’d bring the people, I’d bring the money. Even if it tanks, you won’t lose much. And I believe we’ll make money together because we’re investing in talent.”

Her eyes grew warm:

“Think about it, Zheng Ran. Lily and Heqing are young, but their talents are shining through. They’ll grow fast, especially without a solid backing—they’ll face obstacles. But with your own company, they’d be free. And I’d be there to help for real.”

Lin Zheng Ran hadn’t expected Jiang Jingshi to suggest this at all.

Especially since, from her description, it seemed like there was no downside for him.

Jiang Jingshi took the file from his hands:

“I know you’ll wonder why I’m doing this. Besides getting you, there’s no other gain for me. But honestly, I think it’s worth it. Call it appreciation for talent.”

Though maybe other feelings were at play too.

Just as she finished, a knock came from the door: “Boss Jiang, urgent matter!”

Jiang Jingshi called out: “What is it? Speak up.”

The person at the door answered: “It’s about that studio we’ve been watching—it’s in trouble!”