Chapter 136

“Hahahaha~ I knew it! That Wei Sheng kid is full of clever tricks. This Legal Education Short Drama is a huge success—absolutely brilliant! Quick! Go get Wei Sheng and that Teacher Wang Wu over here. Let’s put our heads together and get Season Two rolling as soon as possible. The audience is already begging for more!” The director at the Judicial Bureau was grinning from ear to ear.

They hadn’t spent a single cent—just helped the production team gather and provide some case materials—and yet the social impact had been tremendous. Word was, grassroots legal education efforts had made a huge leap forward. In the past, even with gongs, drums, and free eggs, it was hard to get villagers to participate in legal awareness campaigns.

Now? Townships were actively calling to request legal education events in rural areas. The reason was simple: the public was demanding it. Not only did they want legal education to come to their villages, they also hoped to receive some practical legal pamphlets. And of course, if the materials could be as clear and easy to understand as *The Fierce Wife Arrives*, that would be perfect.

Well, that’s easy enough.

“Teacher Wang, we’d like to invite you to adapt the script into a novel, compile it into a book, and publish it as an official promotional handbook for our legal education efforts.”

Liang Yi: “…”

The Judicial Bureau had spoken—how could he say no? Strictly speaking, they were his superiors in this line of work. Plenty of people in the industry were dying to cozy up to the Judicial Bureau.

Thinking about it that way, Wei Sheng really was his lucky star.

His first foray into investing in short dramas had already yielded such a massive return. Zhou Mingxing had guessed right—someone at the station had gotten jealous and gone behind their backs to whisper in the ears of the higher-ups. The gist of their complaints was simple—

With such a great script and a top-tier writer like Teacher Wang Wu on board, why wasn’t this project handed over to the station? How could Wei Sheng, such a young guy, be so selfish? After all the resources the station had given him, he turned around and bit the hand that fed him—what an ungrateful little wolf!

If it were just one or two people grumbling, the leadership might’ve brushed it off. But as *The Fierce Wife Arrives* kept climbing in total views across all platforms, dominating trending lists day after day, even outshining some big-budget dramas, the station heads couldn’t ignore it anymore. The numbers were enough to make anyone’s heart race with envy.

It was true—short dramas had been booming in recent years. Low investment, high return. The station had already started buying scripts and entering the market. But due to the inefficiencies of government-run entities, the whole process—script approval, team assembly, filming, post-production—was painfully slow. Compared to the lightning speed of internet companies like Wei Sheng’s, they were turtles.

But if they’d known *The Fierce Wife Arrives* would be such a hit, they could’ve made an exception! If everyone started doing what Wei Sheng did—bypassing the system to fund and produce their own projects—how would the station maintain control? If everyone followed his lead and started their own companies, wouldn’t that be undermining the public institution?

The whole situation had stirred up quite a storm within the station. The Discipline Inspection Committee summoned Zhou Mingxing and Wei Sheng for a second round of questioning to clarify the matter.

“What’s there to clarify? This was a straightforward business venture,” Zhou Mingxing said calmly, sipping his tea and enjoying the unexpected half-day off. “Wei Sheng already withdrew from that internet company. I did too. The company is now run by other shareholders. Even if we wanted to meddle, we couldn’t. It’s not our business anymore.”

He’d been helping Xiang Lei secure a role in a xianxia drama lately, drinking for days on end to network. His stomach was starting to protest. The summons from the Discipline Committee came at the perfect time—he took it as a legitimate excuse to take a break.

After all, when cooperating with a disciplinary investigation, one must maintain the proper attitude~

Wei Sheng’s response was just as blunt: the company was originally intended to support his mother in her old age.

“My parents are divorced. My mom never worked when she was younger, so she didn’t pay into a pension. Eventually, I’ll have my own family. If I’m still handing money to my mom then, my wife’s bound to have opinions, right?”

“So I figured, while I’m still single, I’d set up a little business for my mom. That way she’d have a steady income every year and wouldn’t have to come asking me for money when she’s old.”

Most importantly, both Zhou Mingxing and Wei Sheng raised the same question—

How could the station be so sure that investing in this short drama would’ve turned a profit? What if it had flopped?

Back then, even they weren’t confident. That’s why they went around looking for sponsors and investors. Plenty of people at the station knew about it. If the station had really wanted to back the project, why didn’t they invest? It’s not like they were stopping anyone.

By the time they left the station, night had already fallen, and the city lights were sparkling.

Zhou Mingxing called the nanny to confirm his daughter had eaten and was doing her homework. Then he put away his phone and arranged to meet Wei Sheng for dinner.

He also invited the other two shareholders of the company.

As soon as the brothers-in-arms sat down, Zhou Mingxing dropped a bombshell—

“I’ve decided to go independent. Just giving you a heads-up—it’s not up for discussion. I’ve thought it through.”

“Go back and think it over. If you want to come with me, start wrapping up your current projects. If not, no hard feelings. We’re all disciples of the same master. Before I leave, you’re free to find new gigs. Don’t worry about saving face for me.”

What face was left to save?

Ever since the old station director retired, the new one had been decent at first. But after their biggest rival, Pu Xiangdong, was taken down, the new director started to change. He surrounded himself with sycophants, all waiting for a chance to be promoted. Instead of nurturing their own projects, they kept eyeing the fruits of others’ labor—trying to snatch the harvest before it was even ripe.

Zhou Mingxing was tired. He didn’t want to keep playing games with these idiots anymore.

The reason Zhou Mingxing dared to break away from the system and go independent wasn’t just because of the network he’d built over the years. The real reason lay in the handful of people under his wing… He glanced at each of them in turn. Compared to other agents in the industry who signed dozens of artists at once, his roster was pitifully small.

But having fewer people didn’t mean they weren’t worth anything.

Over the years, he had poured his heart into nurturing them. Shen Yi and the others might not be top-tier celebrities, but they were steady, scandal-free, and low-risk. With their slow-and-steady approach, they were making just as much money as some of those high-risk stars.

More importantly, Zhou Mingxing knew their character well. He was about seventy percent sure they’d stick with him.

And honestly, even if you didn’t factor in loyalty, the current environment at the TV station wasn’t exactly suitable for people like Shen Yi and Wei Sheng—those who were all about the work and not into playing politics.

Thinking of this, Zhou Mingxing let out a cold snort. The new station director was so blinded by flattery and praise, he never even realized that while Wei Sheng had taken on some side gigs, he only did so after completing all his official duties.

Let’s not forget—over the past two years, weren’t the station’s two flagship programs both carried by Wei Sheng? Sure, J Province TV Station was a long-established provincial broadcaster with a solid production team.

But anyone in the industry knew: sometimes, 99% hard work still couldn’t compare to that 1% of talent. There were plenty of provincial stations across the country with strong teams. Nobody lacked money or manpower. So why couldn’t they produce hits like *Retracing the Path of Poverty Alleviation* or *The Wage Earners*?

In the end, wasn’t it just that they lacked that little bit of… magic?

Zhou Mingxing wasn’t a superstitious man, but after so many years in the industry, he had to admit—some people were just born to go viral. No use being jealous.

You think Wei Sheng was too busy chasing side income and let down the station’s support? Why don’t you stop and think—how much money has he made for the station these past two years?

And not just money. What about all those envy-inducing awards? Those were real, hard-earned personal achievements!

To be blunt, if Zhou Mingxing so much as hinted that Wei Sheng was considering jumping ship, provincial stations across the country would scramble to poach him. Forget local stations—even the major streaming platforms were eyeing him right now.

Then there was Shen Yi, Zhang Hanxing, Yang Junyao, and even the youngest, Xiang Lei—they each had their own strengths and loyal fanbases. If they wanted to switch jobs, platforms would be lining up to make offers.

Zhou Mingxing had given them a heads-up in advance to mentally prepare them. If he left J Province TV Station with his team, it would mean completely burning bridges with the new director. Anyone who stayed behind would either have to grovel immediately or get ready to be sidelined.

There were only three options: stay, find another job, or leave with him.

Shen Yi didn’t hesitate. She slammed her cup down on the table, lifted her delicate chin, and was the first to speak: “I’ve made enough over the years. I was already planning to slow down and ease into retirement. If I switch to a new boss who piles on the work, who knows how they’ll treat me? I’m getting old, my joints aren’t what they used to be. Better to have you drag me along till I retire, Brother Zhou.”

Zhang Hanxing and Yang Junyao quickly followed suit. “We’re with you, Brother Zhou. Nowhere else feels like home. You’ve always treated us so well!”

Zhou Mingxing’s mouth twitched.

He used to think these two were unambitious slackers. But now that he thought about it, there was something to be said for that. At least they wouldn’t stab him in the back when it really mattered.

Xiang Lei glanced at Wei Sheng, then at Zhou Mingxing, and mumbled, “I—I’ll do whatever Brother Zhou says.”

Zhou Mingxing looked around the room, then fixed his gaze on Wei Sheng. “Teacher Wei, what about you? You’ve been bringing your study materials to every shoot lately, grinding hard for the exam. After the New Year, the station will open up a few permanent staff positions. Are you planning to stay and take the test, or are you coming with me?”

Seeing the sparkle in Wei Sheng’s eyes, Zhou Mingxing suddenly had a bad feeling. Before Wei Sheng could say a word, he quickly added, “This is all voluntary. You’re free to choose. Whatever you decide today is your own business. Don’t you dare try to guilt-trip me later!”

As soon as he said that, Shen Yi and the others looked secretly regretful.

Wait, we could’ve used guilt as leverage? Noted!

No wonder Wei Sheng had kept quiet all this time.

Too bad they’d already pledged loyalty to Zhou Mingxing. It’d be awkward to go back now and start negotiating terms.

Hearing how wary Zhou Mingxing was, Wei Sheng was speechless. “Do you really think I’m the kind of person who’d use favors to manipulate someone?”

“You totally are,” Zhou Mingxing muttered silently to himself.

But Wei Sheng did have something else to ask.

“Brother Zhou, now that you’re going independent, are you planning to join an existing company or start your own?”

As soon as he asked, the other three—excluding the clueless little goose Xiang Lei—all perked up with interest.

Zhou Mingxing sighed in resignation. He knew it! Wei Sheng was his destined nemesis.

He *was* planning to start his own company.

“That’s great!” Wei Sheng beamed. “Brother Zhou, will the new company be looking for investors? I’ve got some savings—I could invest and become a shareholder!”

“Ahem~ I’ve got some retirement money too. Brother Zhou, what do you think?”

Zhou Mingxing: “…”

Fine! A boss who doesn’t want to be a shareholder isn’t a good employee.

And just like that, the shareholder meeting for the new company wrapped up in a private room barely ten square meters in size.

Xiang Lei didn’t have any money, nor did he know the first thing about investing. When Wei Sheng asked if he wanted to chip in, the kid looked up with his clear, innocent eyes, full of trust as he glanced at his “Master” and his senior brothers and sisters. “I don’t have money to invest, and I don’t need any dividends either. Just following Brother Zhou has already made me a lot of money. It’s fine if I don’t get any shares.”

Zhou Mingxing shot him a look that made his teeth ache. He could leave anyone else behind, but not this kid. If he didn’t take Xiang Lei with him, with that soft, dough-like personality of his, it was only a matter of time before some greedy scumbag at the company sold him out.

(End of Chapter)