Bian Yue looked at the panic on his face and softened her tone, a stark contrast to her previous coldness, gently saying, "Don’t worry, as long as you tell the truth, I assure you that you won’t be implicated."
Meng Qi’s face was deathly pale, and he said, trembling, "It’s... it’s Wang Dan’an, he didn’t trust your collaboration with Xinghe and Lixing, he threatened me... he forced me to put this surveillance in your office, President Bian, I didn’t want to, I was coerced!"
Bian Yue frowned; she had already guessed the matter was tied to Wang Dan’an, but still felt indignant at Meng Qi’s words.
Her voice grew cold, "What did he threaten you with?"
"My...my parents... President Bian, Wang Dan’an previously signed Ah Si and me with oppressive terms. It was not until I came to you that I started to have an income..." Meng Qi’s eyes reddened, his expression filled with grief and indignation, "But my family’s situation is not good, my parents have exhausted their all to support me; they are now working under Wang Dan’an. If I don’t obey Wang Dan’an, he will make my parents lose everything..."
"So, it’s not the contract that Wang Dan’an used to threaten you when he sent you and Ah Si to me, but something else?"
"That’s right... he threatened me with my parents and threatened Ah Si with... with compromising photos of Ah Si." Meng Qi said helplessly, "So, if he wants to do anything to us, we can only accept it."
Bian Yue was astounded, "Compromising photos of Ah Si? What photos?"
"Previously... Ah Si wanted Wang Dan’an to give him resources to break out, Wang Dan’an deceived Ah Si, letting him go entertain rich ladies in the circle. Those people... they just treat us as toys, no one cares about Ah Si’s self-respect, they all trample on him." Meng Qi closed his eyes in pain, heavily saying, "That’s why Ah Si kept asking you if you wanted him. He was really scared from being abused."
"Wang Dan’an took photos of these?"
"Yes... and after that, Wang Dan’an didn’t give Ah Si any resources, President Bian, actors like us are as worthless as grass, our lives are insignificant, no one cares about our fate. Wang Dan’an has exploited us time and again, but the promised resources were never realized. President Bian... I’m sorry, I betrayed you, if you want to fire me, just do it."
Bian Yue had not expected Wang Dan’an’s methods to be so despicable.
In the business world, there are many who resort to tricks, but so deplorably dirty .
He had broken the baseline of humanity.
The times Bian Yue had seen Wang Dan’an were mostly in glory and fame; she truly hadn’t realized his skin hid foul stench and his soul was sullied.
Bian Yue took a deep breath, turning to look at Meng Qi who was starting to cry on the couch, her voice somber, "I will handle this matter, and I will deal with your parents’ situation. You and Ah Si are now actors under my name, I won’t let others bully you. But Meng Qi, if there is a second time with the surveillance, I won’t let you off."
Meng Qi had not expected Bian Yue to stand on his side, let alone think of standing up for him.
He looked at Bian Yue in a daze, tears flickering in his eyes, "President Bian..."
Bian Yue frowned, saying sternly: "You can go now."
Meng Qi slowly got up, still feeling like it was all a dream. He walked out the door slowly, unable to resist turning his head several times to look at Bian Yue, his eyes full of admiration.
Not long after Meng Qi left, Bian Yue headed for Red Mountain Film and Television.
When Wang Dan’an heard Bian Yue had arrived, he was taken aback at first, then instructed his assistant to accompany him to greet her downstairs.
The reception was full of formality, and upon seeing Bian Yue, he greeted her with all smiles, being overly courteous.
As the saying goes, one does not slap the smiling face, and what Wang Dan’an was betting on was that Bian Yue wouldn’t make things too ugly.
He smiled as he walked towards Bian Yue, saying in a clear voice, "President Bian, why didn’t you notify me before coming over?"
Bian Yue also smiled, her tone unflappable, "Since the birthday banquet, I haven’t seen President Wang again. So today I specially came over to visit you."
Wang Dan’an’s smile was hearty as he extended his hand towards Bian Yue, gesturing, "President Bian, this way, please."
Bian Yue’s eyes held a thought-provoking expression, and she followed Wang Dan’an’s lead without saying a word.
Both had their own thoughts as they sat down in the office.
Wang Dan’an’s office was quite retro, reminiscent of the last century, hosting a few valuable antique vases, and a jade display cabinet that filled an entire wall.
But Bian Yue’s gaze was drawn to a photograph on the desk.
It was a picture of what seemed to be the Hope Primary School, with Wang Dan’an standing amidst a group of simply dressed children, a charitable smile on his face.
Bian Yue had always heard that Wang Dan’an was very dedicated when it came to charity.
Seeing this picture, it seemed it was true.
"How long has President Wang been supporting left-behind children?" Bian Yue asked discreetly.
Wang Dan’an laughed and waved his hand, "Ever since Red Mountain was established, I have always been involved in charity work. You know, President Bian, I like children. For Red Mountain, this money is just a trifle, but it can help these kids."
Bian Yue commented lightly, "President Wang is indeed a philanthropist."
Wang Dan’an, seated in the Grand Master’s chair, humbly declined the praise with an ’I dare not’ and then smiled at Bian Yue, "President Bian, please don’t stand. Let’s sit down and talk if you have something to say."
Only then did Bian Yue retract her gaze and sit down.
Her posture was calm and composed, with a tendency towards restraint and depth that made people unable to discern her thoughts. She was no longer the inexperienced girl from before, a completely different person.
Wang Dan’an couldn’t guess the reason for Bian Yue’s visit and didn’t dare to take her lightly. He laughed, "I haven’t had the chance to congratulate President Bian yet. Securing Lixing and Xinghe as major shareholders, with them backing Honey, your future is unstoppable."
"Thank you, President Wang. I came today to share my joy with you," Bian Yue cracked a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, fixing her gaze unblinkingly on Wang Dan’an and spoke slowly, "I wonder if President Wang will gift."
After speaking, Bian Yue took out a rabbit ornament from a bag beside her.
Wang Dan’an’s expression changed dramatically, first looking at Bian Yue with shock, then quickly concealing his emotion with a hearty laugh, "Isn’t this the kind of trinket young girls like? I’m too old for such things, how would I use it?"
"You also know you’re getting on in years," Bian Yue said with implied meaning.
Wang Dan’an looked at Bian Yue with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, speaking again, his voice cooling, "President Bian, what exactly are you trying to say? Just say it."
"You had Meng Qi place this surveillance in my office. What are you planning?" Bian Yue’s expression was as cold as ice, "Do you really want me to spell it out?"
The smile on Wang Dan’an’s face vanished as he said coldly, "Bian Yue, it’s not fun when you speak like that."