CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 455 - 447: Discovering Clues

Long Group

Long Zitao was reviewing the proposal for a new real estate project.

This project was for Shenghai’s Qinghe District shantytown redevelopment in Tian’an City, with a total investment of more than 730 million.

"Mr. Long, my company has already secured the exclusive development rights for this project."

Fang Qin, in her thirties, wearing an elegant cashmere jacket and a pure wool business skirt, smiled warmly.

"Mr. Fang, my company has also investigated this project, but I want to ask one more question,"

"Why didn’t your side choose a local developer to collaborate with?"

Long Zitao placed the proposal down, his demeanor calm as he looked at her steadily.

Fang Qin smiled gracefully and replied, "The local personnel relationships are too complicated; working with outsiders is much smoother."

Her words made Long Zitao chuckle slightly; he understood what she meant.

He had already investigated this woman and confirmed that she was, as she claimed, the sister of a prominent figure in Tian’an City.

She had also provided him with a document bearing the signatures and official seals of the relevant authorities overseeing the development area as proof.

This document stated: "Confirmed as the sole land refinement investor for the designated plot."

The capital brought into this project wasn’t particularly significant to him.

However, this was the first major investment project he had taken on since assuming control of Long Group.

Previously, the company had always been managed by his father.

Now, having achieved little in the acting industry, he was beginning to shift his focus to the family business.

"Mr. Long, there’s another reason we selected you for this collaboration."

"We hope to leverage your fame to achieve better sales outcomes."

Fang Qin’s almond-shaped eyes gleamed with charm as she subtly adjusted her gaze.

Long Zitao, however, remained unfazed—he was surrounded by women of every kind, each more captivating and varied than the last.

"Haha! If it’s for advertising, my outdoor billboard fees start at a million."

"Mr. Long certainly keeps business matters well-defined!"

Fang Qin smiled lightly, her elegance undiminished; this woman knew how to utilize her natural advantages.

"Mr. Fang, my company agrees to this project in principle."

"As for specific equity percentages and rights and obligations, we’ll continue negotiating the details."

Long Zitao felt confident about the project and suspected that Fang Qin’s interest stemmed largely from his celebrity status.

After all, nowadays, many people’s trust in products comes from the endorsers. But he wasn’t planning to endorse this project.

Real estate projects might be lucrative, but they often contained too many unspeakable complications, especially in third- or fourth-tier cities.

He had no intention of tarnishing his reputation over something like this.

"Then here’s to a successful partnership."

Fang Qin extended her hand, and Long Zitao rose to meet her, their hands clasping tightly.

"Mr. Fang, how about a casual lunch together? Right here."

"I’d be honored, Mr. Long."

Fang Qin did not decline, considering this a standard business courtesy.

Wu Group

Wu Jingxiang was looking over the documents Wu Hao had brought back: "Cousin, I can’t believe you actually managed to get these!"

Wu Hao’s face showed a trace of smugness: "It seemed impossible, but in reality, it’s just about understanding their rules."

Wu Jingxiang nodded: "When oversight becomes mere formality, things like this can happen."

"Cousin, we can’t leave any evidence behind for this matter; otherwise, we might get caught in the fallout ourselves."

"Don’t worry! This isn’t a major crime; the appointed individuals involved will take the blame themselves."

"Not a major crime? This involves forging documents and fabricating projects."

"There are too many people implicated, but in the end, it will likely just get swept under the rug as something minor."

Wu Jingxiang considered this, then smiled faintly: "Cousin, I guess I’m still not fully familiar with certain domestic practices."

"Haha! It’s the same everywhere; you must have seen similar cases during your time abroad!"

"Indeed, the world operates on similar principles; I’ve been thinking too narrowly."

The two laughed together, both viewing the act of profiting from illicit activities and crime as second nature.

"Now we’ll see if our Little Taotao takes the bait!" Wu Jingxiang’s eyes were as cold and sharp as blades.

"Highly likely—he’s quite eager to prove himself," Wu Hao remarked confidently.

"Let’s proceed with the plan, then. Cousin, make sure to transfer that sum quickly and withdraw as soon as possible," Wu Jingxiang instructed.

"Alright, but cousin, are we really giving up that business? It has annual cash flow in the tens of billions."

"That business is bound to blow up eventually. We’ve already cleaned our hands; we have money to spare, social standing, and reputation. Those things and our lives are what truly matter now." Wu Jingxiang stared deeply at him.

Wu Hao felt as though his every thought had been seen through, shivering involuntarily.

Though this cousin often seemed impetuous, he was exceptionally decisive in critical moments.

That business wasn’t something you could simply walk away from; the interests involved were too deeply intertwined.

Yet, in Wu Jingxiang’s hands, he had managed to untangle nearly everything within three years.

"Cousin, pick out a fur coat for me; I’ll be seeing Yuwei this afternoon," Wu Jingxiang instructed.

Galaxy Lifestyle Center

The three-day sports event had left the participating girls thoroughly exhausted.

Yu Qingjia leaned against her tidy bed, engrossed in reading a book—she had always been fond of world literature.

"Qingjia, I feel like something’s off with Duoduo." Wang Yiran said as she popped a juicy strawberry into her mouth. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"What’s off about her?"

"She usually returns to the dormitory on time."

"Haha! Just one day of not coming back on time and she seems off?"

Yu Qingjia closed her book, her slim, alabaster fingers playfully teasing the quiet little orange cat that had approached her.

"She didn’t come back on time yesterday either, and when she did, her complexion didn’t look good."

"You’re overthinking it. Duoduo has her own matters to attend to, besides, she’s rooming with Ren Yanan."

"Honestly, I don’t want to bother with it either. Next month’s our tour."

This remark brought a sense of alertness to Yu Qingjia—if a team member had issues before the tour, it would impact business.

"Duoduo’s business performance has been solid; she wouldn’t be foolish enough to make a big mistake."

"Let’s hope so! Maybe it’s just me overthinking. But lately, the team morale has been restless."

"This sports event exposed these girls to new experiences; they’re like birds breaking free from their cage."

Yu Qingjia felt a similar weariness.

Previously, their team had participated in business engagements, but those were typically limited to their own members.

Other collaborators were usually high-ranking but significantly older individuals.

This time, however, they had encountered people their own age—dazzling, talented men and women from various fields.

In such a grand setting, as connections grew, so did hearts grow unsettled.

"Sister Qingjia, we’re dealing with too much internal friction right now; fan loss is severe," Wang Yiran remarked.

"So many loyal fans have started jumping ship. My level 12 stans are now level 5 for Ye Yuwei."

"Fans love you to the point of sacrificing anything, but their abandonment can come in an instant."

The two fell silent, as a faint sorrow lingered in the air.

The three-day sports event had starkly demonstrated the overwhelming popularity of the Tian’ou girl group.

For them, it felt like an insurmountable mountain.

Traditional resources outside the group had started to dissipate, and the industry no longer saw them as their first choice.

"During these turbulent times, Galaxy absolutely cannot afford to disappoint our fans further."

Yu Qingjia’s heartstrings trembled; Wang Yiran was absolutely right—they needed to solidify their fanbase.

"I’ll talk to Duoduo tomorrow and hope nothing’s truly wrong."

Wang Yiran gazed at her team leader and friend, lost for words, unable to discern any clear solution to their predicament.

They had already done their utmost, yet their company’s resources lagged far behind Tian’ou’s.

At this moment, a faint resentment toward Ye Yuwei surfaced within her.

The breakout star of Tian’ou was Lv Fangxin, while Ye Yuwei was not far behind.

This stunning girl with her extraordinary beauty and impeccable singing and dancing had inflicted major damage on Galaxy.

Many of Galaxy’s long-time fans cursed her publicly, yet secretly became fans.

The flower-garden fan pages were filled with essays praising her, one after another.

It was clear what these fans truly loved.

And it wasn’t just Galaxy; Lai Ruoxuan’s girl group was suffering too.

It was the law of the strong growing stronger and the weak growing weaker.

Fans would always follow the brightest stars.