Chapter 5

---Shadow City---

___Liu Xiyang's Residence___

"Leader, Secretary Mu contacted us to find out news about Zhang Qingyuan." Said the Vice Leader of Shadow, Mu Yao. Shadow is the name of a famous mafia in Shadow City. The name of this mafia association was taken from the name of this city. But as time went by, this mafia group spread to three other cities even though it was still based in Shadow City.

"Have you found Feng Qing for me?" Asked the person called the Leader named Liu Xiyang, the Leader of Shadow. "The last news is that he is in Leaf City but his whereabouts are difficult to track as if someone is hiding him. Plus the mysterious money received by the Moon Group seems strange. After receiving the money that was injected into the Moon Group and Feng Qing disappeared." Mu Yao explained.

"You suspect that the money is money from information we bought from the black market." Liu Xiyang said flatly. "Yes, the information is very expensive and if the person who sold the information about the spy is Feng Qing then we should be suspicious. Did Feng Qing put a spy in the Wind Group." Mu Yao said seriously. "Rest assured, although the money is indeed our money. The information is not from Feng Qing. But the person behind Feng Qing, we must find that person. I will go to Leaf City myself. Take care of Shadow while I'm gone." Liu Xiyang said before leaving. For Wind Group, he has a reliable Vice Director named Yu Ling Ling.

---Leaf City---

°Dormitory°

---2nd Floor---

@Qingyuan's room

Qingyuan woke up with a cold sweat. He went to the bathroom to clean himself. When he came out, the atmosphere was very quiet.

"Are you okay?" Huang Ziyu asked worriedly. "I'm fine. Why did you come back?" Qingyuan asked with a faint smile. "My sister, Huang Lixiu is at the police station. I have to see her. So I came back to get my wallet and my jacket." Huang Ziyu explained.

"I'll go with you." Qingyuan said calmly. "Is it okay?" Huang Ziyu asked worriedly. "It's okay. I'll get my car keys." Said Qingyuan smiled and returned to his room. Huang Ziyu returned to his room.

When Qingyuan came out, Huang Ziyu was already wearing his black leather jacket. Qingyuan handed him his car keys. "You drive." Said Qingyuan smiling. "Are you sure you want to come with me?" Asked Huang Ziyu again. Qingyuan nodded. The two then headed to the existing parking lot. The two got into the car and set off for their destination.

---police station---

Huang Ziyu immediately looked for his sister. "Gege, you finally came." Said Huang Lixiu pouting. Qingyuan looked at Feng Qing who had a cold face then looked at the three people who looked arrogant.

"You are his brother. Your sister almost became a victim of these three people." Said the policeman surnamed Hou annoyed. "You can't accuse us like that. We were slandered by him and this woman." Said Liang Yao pointing at Feng Qing and Huang Lixiu.

"The evidence is in front of your eyes. You still have a face to deny it. You are really shameless." Said detective Hou annoyed. "You just had a misunderstanding with us. So when this happened, you suspected us." Hong Qian said casually. "That's right. They must have wanted to frame us just like the Zhang family." Ju Shi added casually.

'So they were the ones who made a professional swimmer afraid of water. They were the ones who ruined Zhang Qingyuan's future. I haven't looked for you guys yet. But you still dare to bring Zhang Qingyuan's name out. Shameless. I will make you lose face today.' Qingyuan thought flatly. Qingyuan walked out of the room and went to the toilet and was busy with his cell phone for a long time.

"You shameless men. How dare you accuse me of your own actions." Huang Lixiu said angrily. "You think our Huang family is a family that you can step on as you please. Stop dreaming." Huang Ziyu said flatly.

The police station suddenly became noisy by a video circulating on social media. Liang Yao, Ju Shi and Hong Qian became the main characters of the video about their plan to frame Huang Lixiu and make Huang Lixiu listen to them just like the previous victims.

Huang Lixiu who saw the video was furious. "Shameless." Feng Qing said coldly. "I make sure the Liang, Ju and Hong families get the consequences of your actions." Huang Ziyu said coldly. The evidence is complete and the three are detained at the police station.

Huang Lixiu and Feng Qing were questioned before both were allowed to go home. Huang Ziyu looked for Qingyuan who was nowhere to be seen. "I'll take you guys home." Feng Qing said. "No need, I came with my friend." Huang Ziyu said smiling. "Thank you for saving my sister from those bastards." Huang Ziyu added looking at Feng Qing.

"I just helped a little. I just hope your sister doesn't become like my friend." Feng Qing said flatly. "Sorry, I'm going to the toilet." Qingyuan said approaching Huang Ziyu, Huang Lixiu and Feng Qing. "You take your sister home first. I'll take a taxi home." Qingyuan said with a smile.

"But..." Huang Ziyu was interrupted. "Your sister is more important. She must have been a little shocked when she met those scoundrels. You should take her home." Qingyuan said with a smile. "Ge, your friend is very nice. I'll treat you to a meal when you guys have a day off." Huang Lixiu said with a smile. Huang Ziyu had no choice but to take Huang Lixiu home with him.

"Do you need me to drive you?" Feng Qing asked. "I'm hungry. Treat me." Qingyuan said with a smile. Feng Qing shook her head and smiled.

---restaurant---

The restaurant on the side of the road looked deserted, only Feng Qing and Qingyuan were there. "When will you be back?" Qingyuan asked calmly. "Tomorrow. You helped me and I helped you. We're even." Feng Qing said flatly. "So soon. Tomorrow..." Qingyuan was interrupted.

"You don't need to drive me. I got information, the leader of Shadow is coming to this city. You have to be careful." Feng Qing said seriously. "Don't worry, they won't know it's me. They don't have hackers so it's not easy to find me. You have to be careful. Then you have to catch the spy in Moon Group or it will be dangerous for you." Qingyuan said seriously.

"Don't worry, I will clean up the spy once I get back. Thank you for helping me." Feng Qing said smiling. "I invested in you. Not including helping you." Qingyuan said smiling. "You always do unexpected things. Don't worry, I will make sure you don't have to work hard and you won't starve to death." Feng Qing said laughing. "I really hope CEO Feng keeps his promise." Qingyuan said smiling.

The two of them then ate their bowl of noodles happily. Unbeknownst to them, their interaction was seen by someone. "It turned out to be you." Liu Xiyang said smiling faintly.

When Qingyuan returned, it was already nighttime. He met Huang Ziyu who had just returned. "Where did you go?" Huang Ziyu asked worriedly. "I was hungry, so I went to eat something." Qingyuan said smiling. The two of them entered the dorm together.

The atmosphere was very chaotic with a big commotion and right in front of Qingyuan's room. Even when the two entered, no one noticed except Liu Bingwen who smirked when he saw Huang Ziyu and Qingyuan. Huang Ziyu and Qingyuan looked at each other in confusion.

"Gege, you have to take responsibility after raping a girl. You can't be an irresponsible person." Hong Mei Lan said in a loud voice. "Why are you so sure that the person in the room is Zhang Qingyuan?" Liu Bingwen shouted casually.

"Who else is in my brother's room if not him?! Don't be too defensive of the guilty!" Hong Mei Lan said looking at Liu Bingwen annoyed. "Are you crazy?" Huang Ziyu asked coldly. Everyone looked at Huang Ziyu and were shocked to see that there was Qingyuan beside him. Hong Mei Lan was also shocked as was the woman Hong Mei Lan was hugging.

"This..." Several men and women said in confusion. "Why are you with Huang Ziyu?" A participant asked. "Today I went out with Huang Ziyu for a while. When I came back, you were in front of my room. Still saying that I raped a girl. Do you need to go to a mental hospital?" Qingyuan asked with a murderous aura.

Everyone looked frightened by the aura emitted by Qingyuan. Su Lanying arrived with security guards. "Bring that man out." Su Lanying ordered. The security guards entered Qingyuan's room and dragged someone out.

Everyone was shocked because the person was a staff from their program. And this staff was very close to Hong Mei Lan. "Director Su, can I submit my resignation? If I continue here, not only will my life be at stake but my reputation will also be destroyed." Qingyuan said coldly.

"I will give you an answer later. Today, you..." Su Lanying's words were cut off. "He came with me. He also has an event with me tomorrow." Shangguan Ruo Xuan came in. "Go." Su Lanying said. Shangguan Ruo Xuan pulled Qingyuan with him.

"They are so sure, aren't they?" "I think they are conspiring to harm Zhang Qingyuan." "Poisonous action." "Luckily today Zhang Qingyuan went out with Huang Ziyu. If he had stayed in the room, he would have been finished." Various speculations were heard. "Hong Mei Lan and Yu Hua stay here. The others go back to your rooms." Su Lanying said, chasing everyone away. Everyone dispersed.

The next day, Yu Hua was kicked out of the survival program. Hong Mei Lan was given a warning. The decision about Qingyuan's resignation was still being discussed.

---Bright Entertainment---

°Fan meeting building°

"Ouyang Lian really brought Zhang Qingyuan with him." "They really perfect match." "I want to see their duet." "I want to see it too." The whispers of Ouyang Lian's fans were heard by Qingyuan. "You brought me here because of your fans." Qingyuan said softly. "They want to hear your song. You are also coming out soon so I thought of satisfying my fans." Shangguan Ruo Xuan whispered casually. Qingyuan shook his head helplessly.

"Today, A Yuan will perform a song for you." Shangguan Ruo Xuan suddenly said. Qingyuan stared at Shangguan Ruo Xuan in disbelief. The fans seemed excited to hear it. Qingyuan had no choice but to sing. Qingyuan played the piano on stage calmly.

[Life flows like a boat, navigating joys and woes

Longing for distant shores

Aware this moment may tear heart apart

Better to roam alone

Many depart, none return

How can we resist gazing at each other amid the blooms?

Your face glows like lanterns in the night

Love fades on stone bridge, get bond remain

How can we endure the binds of longings?

Like a grand dream, a lone cup of wine

May this world hold

Both sorrow and warmth

To hide a broken heart away with laughter and tears

A debt a cross time awaits

A simple tale unfolds

Nothing compares to soft rice and sweet tea

May this fate intertwine

Half in regret, half in longing

Radiant memories tint your gaze

The world bitterness

Still accompanies my dreams

Drifting a far on the shore of your life

Quietly watching over you]

The piano sound stopped and Qingyuan stood up from there. Applause was heard enthusiastically. After that, the fan meeting was continued by Shangguan Ruo Xuan. Occasionally the host would ask some questions to Qingyuan and answer briefly.

When he returned to the dormitory, he was immediately called by Su Lanying to the Lightning Entertainment office.

---Lightning Entertainment---

@CEO's office

"We have discussed it. You will be leaving for health reasons. Then you have to record a song and dance for the farewell event." Su Lanying said seriously. "I know. When can I go back?" Qingyuan asked.

"Do you really not like this place?" Su Lanying asked frowning. "Without Hong Mei Lan, maybe I would like it. Besides, I need to study for the university entrance exam." Qingyuan said casually. "Tomorrow, your brother will help you carry your things. He heard that you were injured and is very angry." Su Lanying said, massaging his temples. Qingyuan smiled faintly. Su Lanying must have been scolded by Jiang Qianfan for making Zhang Minzhe worry.

Morning came quickly, Qingyuan was dragged by Huang Ziyu and Liu Bingwen to the sports field. "Even if you go out, you have to keep in touch with us." Huang Ziyu said seriously. "You two, since when did you get so close?" Qingyuan asked in confusion.

"Ever since your incident, we've been discussing how to do it if you can't go out but still be safe on the show." Liu Bingwen explained. 'The male lead cares about cannon fodder like me. Something's not right.' Qingyuan thought in confusion.

"You guys don't have phones so..." Qingyuan's words were cut off as both of them took out their phones. Qingyuan had no choice but to add them to his friend list.

"We'll contact you." Huang Ziyu said excitedly. Qingyuan nodded. The three of them returned to the dorm together and the scene they saw was not pleasant to look at. A slap was about to hit Zhang Minzhe again when Qingyuan blocked the slapper's hand, which was their father, Zhang Ping.

"What do you want to do?" Qingyuan asked angrily. "Because of his instigation, you dared to hurt your little sister. So I taught him a lesson." Zhang Ping said angrily. "This place is not a place for you to show your power. Then I was the one who got hurt because of your beloved daughter. When did I hurt your beloved daughter?" Qingyuan asked angrily.

Qingyuan's white shirt was rolled up showing a wide stitch on Qingyuan's left arm. "Open your dog eyes and see is your beloved daughter hurt or am I the one who is hurt?!" Qingyuan said angrily. Zhang Minzhe stared at Qingyuan's left arm in shock. Zhang Ping was silent. Most of the trainees stared at Zhang Ping in disgust. Many trainees felt that Hong Mei Lan's actions were quite disgusting plus Zhang Ping. They seemed sure that Hong Mei Lan would be a pest on this survival show.

A person who would do anything to become a champion.

...Liu Bingwen...

...Huang Ziyu...

...Yu Ling Ling...

...Liu Xiyang...

...Mu Yao...

Note: The song sung by Qingyuan is Liu Yuning's song - Only Wish (刘宇宁- 惟愿). The ending song of The Story of Pearl Girl. English translation from Youku.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***