Xu Tingyu had not failed to consider this possibility.
Xie Yu's workload had suddenly decreased recently, and Cai Lan had been experiencing one problem after another. The company's situation was getting worse day by day.
Moreover, Qi Shifeng had been very cold towards her lately.
In other words, she was facing problems on all fronts and needed a chance to rise from the ashes.
With her ambition, it was not out of the question that she would involve herself in the game to seek a comeback.
And Xu Tingyu was the perfect stepping - stone for her.
After all, there was a juicy story and countless topics to hype.
The two of them had old grudges, so even the motive was ready - made.
If handled properly, Xu Tingyu could be sent to jail directly.
At present, Xu Tingyu was indeed the prime suspect.
However, if all the reasoning was correct, then Xie Yu had miscalculated.
No matter how much she involved herself in the game, she couldn't have become a vegetable as a price.
What exactly had gone wrong in this?
Since human lives were at stake, Xu Tingyu didn't dare to make wild guesses. She just looked at Shen Yan and asked, "Have you solved your problems?"
"Yeah, everything's on track. I also brought you a gift. I'll show it to you later."
Of course, Shen Yan wouldn't mention that the trouble he'd faced was all thanks to Qi Shifeng.
Qi Shifeng not only "competed for favor" with him openly but also seized every opportunity to keep Shen Yan away from Xu Tingyu.
However, Shen Yan wasn't one to be bullied. This time when he went back, he not only solved his own problems but also gave Qi Shifeng a taste of his own medicine.
Tit for tat.
As for chasing Xu Tingyu, it was all about each one's own capabilities.
"That's good. I've had a lot of troubles recently. You'd better not come around me. I don't want you to get involved."
Xu Tingyu didn't know about the hidden rivalry between Shen Yan and Qi Shifeng. She just rubbed her temples tiredly.
Shen Yan had also appeared in those scandals. But because he had too many ex - girlfriends, there weren't as many angry voices directed at him.
However, if he continued to be with her, things might be different.
Shen Yan knew what she was thinking. He excused himself to get the gift, then sat across from Xu Tingyu. With a "snap", he opened the gift box.
It was a gorgeous hairpin.
Made from a whole piece of top - grade imperial green jade, the exquisitely carved dragon - coiled head of the hairpin was decorated with pearls and rubies. In one's hand, it felt extremely substantial.
Xu Tingyu had once seen a similar hairpin, which had been sold for over 40 million.
The one in Shen Yan's hand now was no less valuable.
She didn't take it but looked up at Shen Yan and asked, "You're just giving away a gift worth tens of millions like that?"
Shen Yan was really generous to her.
One thing in those online scandals was true: Xu Tingyu's company was indeed made possible because of Shen Yan.
But it wasn't like the scandal said that Shen Yan had set up the company for her.
Rather, 20% of the startup capital came from Shen Yan.
When he came to see her and saw her living situation, his eyes had immediately turned red. He insisted that she start her own business.
He not only provided the money but also lent a hand. He stayed in her city and accompanied her to go through all the procedures for over a month.
After the company got on the right track, she converted that 20% of the startup capital into equity for him and gave him dividends every year.
This man had accepted it without any hesitation, but then he would buy all kinds of things for her.
Most of the precious jewels in her bank safe were from him.
"It's not that expensive," Shen Yan evaded the question and focused on the latter part, "I just think it goes really well with the dance you performed this time."
This time Xu Tingyu's solo was a folk dance. Shen Yan had fallen in love with it at first sight. He'd immediately thought that something was missing from her hair.
He'd asked his assistant to keep an eye out for such auction items. Half a month ago, he'd finally found it.
The moment he saw the picture, he'd known it belonged to Xu Tingyu.
In the end, his wish came true, and the collection was successfully in his hands.
Xu Tingyu didn't believe his claim that it wasn't that expensive, but she picked up the hairpin and played with it for a while.
"It's really beautiful. Thank you, Shen Yan."
When she said this, it meant she would accept the gift.
Shen Yan immediately smiled, "You're finally smiling."
Since he'd seen her last night, she'd been in a really bad state, with a dull and absent - minded expression.
He didn't care about Xie Yu or the scandals. All he wanted was for her to be happy.
"Besides, why do we need to say thank you to each other? What's our relationship?"
He put his arm around hers and squeezed it tightly, as if trying to transfer his strength to her in this way.
Xu Tingyu smiled, "Don't worry. I won't be defeated."
Neither the online scandals nor Xie Yu's matter would be the straw that broke the camel's back.
She was far more resilient than anyone could imagine.
Even if it was really Xie Yu trying to frame her this time, she wasn't afraid.
"Of course I know, Tingyu. You've always been the best in my heart."
Shen Yan's voice carried a smile, but he was very serious.
The two of them looked at each other and smiled. They had a tacit understanding that no outsider could break into.
Although Xu Tingyu believed she had done nothing wrong, to prevent any potential problems, she still held an online meeting with the company's public relations team.
"There must be someone behind this. So there's a high chance that more will be revealed later."
"We only have a month left before our tour in Kyoto. There can't be any problems with the public opinion."
"You must pay attention to the online trends and prepare the relevant announcements. Be ready to release them at any time."
Xu Tingyu was very strict and meticulous at work. Everyone who worked with her knew her temper.
So they all gave a brief report on their recent work.
Actually, their tour work model was quite mature. The biggest problem at present was the performance of the Try team.
However, Shu Shu had already contacted other teams.
"Don't announce the termination of the cooperation for now. We don't want a public backlash. First, release the revised posters and publicity materials, and also announce the list of guests."
Xu Tingyu had originally wanted to have a complete showdown with the talent agency. But since the agent had already apologized, she wouldn't be so unforgiving.
Most importantly, Yan Zhou was really the biggest victim now. She couldn't bear to make things worse for him.
After explaining the next steps to the staff, the hotel food was delivered.
As soon as the meeting ended, Shen Yan stuffed the chopsticks into Xu Tingyu's hands.
"No matter how important work is, eating is the most important thing."
He was wearing casual clothes, and the meal was ordered by him, taking everyone's taste into consideration.
Holding the chopsticks, Xu Tingyu looked at the table full of delicious food and smiled, "I never knew you had the potential to be a good husband and father."
Most men didn't like to be teased like this, but for Shen Yan, it was the best compliment.
So he raised his eyebrows and looked at her intently, "It's not too late for you to discover it now."
It was never too late for anything between them.