The neon lights blazed as dusk settled.
Under the guise of tutoring Zhang Xiao'ao at school, Su Tang was instead at the "base camp," strategizing how to deal with Ma Delu.
"Look, you made a mistake again? Go, copy this problem one hundred times..." After dismissing Zhang Xiao'ao, Su Tang unfurled a large poster and placed it on the table.
It was a poster for the "Ai Tianshi" model selection contest launched by Ma Delu's company.
"I need to find a way to get in..." Su Tang bit her lip, looking at the "great beauties" on the poster and the selection criteria, murmuring to herself.
"Boss, you're not thinking of going yourself, are you?" Dashu asked cautiously.
"She probably won't. The boss isn't built for it!" Lao Yuan chuckled, shaking his big head.
"Bang!" A metal thermos flew from Su Tang's hand, hitting... Lao Fang's head precisely?
"I, I, I, I didn't say anything," Lao Fang rubbed his head aggrievedly.
Ignoring the three old men, Su Tang secretly glanced at her not-so-ample chest, sighed, and then said loudly, "Don't sweat the small stuff! You don't have to be a model to get in, do you? For example, this!"
The three old men simultaneously stood up and pointed at the poster where Su Tang was indicating.
"Mascot?"
"Part-time job?"
Su Tang smiled mysteriously and said, "My master once told me that if you can't get information directly, you should try to understand it indirectly. This time, it's a bit of a gamble, but I can't give up without trying to get in!"
"Let's do it! Let's do it!" Lao Yuan winked at Dashu.
"We've already taken the job. If things go wrong, then..." Dashu shook his head.
"Then... let's do it!" Lao Fang said cheerfully.
And so, Su Tang's "undercover plan" began to unfold.
Two days later.
Hechuan City Workers' Club Plaza, colorful flags fluttered, and the crowd was immense.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Esteemed guests! The 'Ai Tianshi' model preliminary selection contest is about to begin. This event is a key cultural and entertainment initiative for 'Ai Tianshi' this year, with strong support from Anshi International..."
On the plaza, a black "bear" and a yellow "duck" scurried suspiciously through the crowd.
"Su, are you sure you brought me here to listen to foreigners speak a foreign language?" the "bear" grumbled.
"Shut up! If you don't want to follow me, get lost." The "duck" kicked the "bear."
In a lively setting, mascots were always the most popular. But strangely, when people weren't paying attention, mascots were just props. For instance, now, the backstage area, marked with a "Staff Only (No Trespassing)" sign, was packed with staff. Two mascots entered without anyone stopping them.
Ma Delu appeared with a group of guests, beaming, and guided them around the backstage and into a small lounge.
"Everyone, the support for this model contest truly honors me, Ma. Please rest here for a moment. You'll go directly from backstage to the stage later. And about the speeches later, I hope you'll speak highly of us."
Inside the lounge, various auspicious words were spoken. The guests were immersed in the world of making big money, or rather, promoting fashion culture, and naturally didn't notice two suspicious mascots quietly opening the door, sticking to the wall, and slipping out through a side door.
"I'm suffocating! I can't take it anymore, Su Tang. I'm here. Do whatever you want,"
Outside the lounge was an open space for storing miscellaneous items. Zhang Xiao'ao couldn't bear the confinement of the mascot costume and refused to continue. Su Tang looked ahead helplessly, realizing it was precisely where the models changed clothes and not a suitable place for the foolish boy to follow. She sent Zhang Xiao'ao back and, shedding her costume, sneaked in.
This was probably a place any man dreamed of entering.
The models' changing room was filled with a certain allure. Even as a woman, Su Tang couldn't help but blush at the sight of so much bare skin.
"Hurry up, everyone! Get changed quickly. First group, hey! Is the first group all here? Hurry up!" A stylishly dressed woman bustled among the models, urging them to prepare for their entrance.
Su Tang blended in with the models, looking left and right, feeling that there was nothing out of the ordinary. She wondered inwardly—she had come in such a hurry but hadn't figured out what to do upon arrival, flitting around like a fly. However, the scene before her seemed normal.
Everything was normal, and Su Tang was a bit disappointed. Just as she was about to slip away, her arm was grabbed tightly.
"What number are you? Why haven't you changed yet? Find her some clothes, quickly! Oh, her makeup isn't even done. This is infuriating." The stylish woman suddenly appeared behind Su Tang.
"Sister, I'm not a model. I'm a mascot. See the bear costume outside?" Su Tang said with an embarrassed smile. "I was just curious and came in to take a look."
"You're not here to compete?" The stylish woman frowned, about to lose her temper.
"Something's wrong! Contestant number 13 is having an epileptic fit. She's already been assigned to a group! What do we do?" A staff member with a badge rushed over.
"Amateur! So unprofessional! How could I take on this job? This will ruin my reputation!" The stylish woman stomped her feet in anger upon hearing the staff member's words, paying no mind to Su Tang.
Seeing that the other's attention had been diverted, Su Tang tiptoed, trying to run.
"Stop!"
Unfortunately, Su Tang's small movement was noticed.
"Come here, let me see!" The stylish woman suddenly pulled Su Tang over and examined her closely.
"How old are you? Your figure is, well, acceptable. Your face, wow! Looking closely, not bad." The stylish woman appraised her like a fish at a market.
"Sister, I'm 17, I'm still a minor, you can't!" The shrewd Su Tang had already guessed what she was about to face from the woman's unfriendly gaze.
"Fill in for contestant number 13! Just for one round! Otherwise, I'll call the police!" the stylish woman threatened.
"I can't!" Su Tang's skin crawled, her small hands waving like a mini electric fan.
"Call the police! The model's jewelry seems to be missing!" The stylish woman, a tough character, resorted to threats.
It's over! If my aunt found out, I'd never live it down.
"You have to be on for the opening. Sister, I'm really short on people. Just walk a few steps with the group and pose. I'll have someone to replace you during the individual show later." The stylish woman said, using both carrot and stick. "You're a student, right? You don't want a criminal record, do you!"
Damn it! Do they have to do this to me!
"Sister, spare me. I really don't know how..." Su Tang pleaded with a sob in her voice.
Tsk tsk, the stylish woman was truly a professional! Seeing Su Tang's look of忍辱含羞 (enduring humiliation with a shamefaced expression), she looked so pitiable that, amidst her helplessness, she felt a hint of joy.
And so—
"It's simple! I'll teach you. Watch! Shake your arms, lift your neck, twist your hips, swing your thighs, and point your ankles!" After a rough lesson, the stylish woman, without waiting to see if Su Tang had grasped the essence, tossed a swimsuit at her.
"Sister! If you make me wear this, you might as well call the police!" Upon seeing the swimsuit, Su Tang's crying turned into anger.
"Alright, alright, bring her the most conservative one!" Seeing that her substitute had finally agreed, the stylish woman quickly gave instructions.
A gray wetsuit, or rather, a swimsuit designed based on a wetsuit, appeared before Su Tang.
Alas, so be it. At least it wasn't revealing.
With a sense of nameless grief and indignation, Su Tang put on the swimsuit.
The opening march had already begun on stage. The models, with one hand on their hips and the other waving, walked from backstage to the front of the stage with smiles.
"Sister, is this really okay? This, this, tight-fitting, clingy... it's the same as not wearing anything..."
Su Tang, peeking through the crack of the stage door, sent a desperate cry to the stylish woman.
"Go, go, go, go!" The stylish woman, pretending not to hear, pushed Su Tang, and Su Tang's debut began.
"Introducing contestant number 12, Ou Liya."
"Introducing contestant number 13, Wei Jiajia."
...
Stepping onto the stage precisely as the host announced, Su Tang finally took her first step onto the stage.
What's there to be afraid of! I'm naturally beautiful! What's there to be afraid of! Really!
The moment she stepped on stage, Su Tang was forced to accept the situation. She recalled the movements the "madam," or rather, the stylish auntie, had taught her and confidently walked to the front of the stage.
"Clap, clap, clap..." The applause erupted.
Dashu, Lao Yuan, and Lao Fang, who were waiting backstage for Su Tang to give the signal, looked at their boss with expressions of disbelief as she appeared on stage with such a captivating gait.
"What a shame," Lao Yuan smacked his lips. "Why did she step crookedly?"
Yes, Su Tang stepped crookedly. She perfectly executed the rough instructions from the stylish auntie, but on her very first step onto the stage, she got her foot twisted.
The young girl's misplaced confidence, the crooked model's walk – the judges, who had witnessed too many storms, were surprised, no, they were amazed.
A white-haired man in sunglasses, seated behind the judges, suddenly removed his sunglasses and stared intently at Su Tang for a long time. He then leaned back and said to a subordinate who had already plastered himself to his side, "This one is good."
Amidst the cheering crowd, a handsome young man watched Su Tang's performance with a frown. After a bitter smile, he disappeared into the crowd.
The debut performance on stage ended in just a few minutes. Su Tang, panting, was frantically changing her clothes in the dressing room.
"Girl! What's your name? Are you interested in participating in our activities?" The stylish woman, as if transformed, followed Su Tang, saying obsequiously, "You were born for this. Your family conditions aren't good, are they? Come work with me! It's okay if you don't model. In a year, I can get you to Korea's MAMA!"
"Go to your MAMA!" Su Tang finally couldn't hold back and cursed the stylish woman.
"Oh my, why bother? Don't you want to earn money!" The stylish woman was unfazed, grabbing Su Tang's arm. "Today's event was just a small project. A foreign boss down there took a liking to you and is willing to send you for training. If you perform well, you can earn Euros."
Training?
Su Tang's heart suddenly became vigilant.
"Sister, even if I'm helping, I'm helping 'Ai Tianshi.' At most, you can only sign with 'Ai Tianshi,' right? Where is this foreign boss coming from?" Su Tang's eyes darted as she tried to extract information.
"You don't know anything! What can you achieve following that old bastard Ma Delu? You haven't signed with 'Ai Tianshi' yet, have you? Even if you had, don't worry. We can afford a breach of contract fee of one hundred thousand yuan for a little beauty like you." The stylish woman slapped Su Tang's thigh, startling her.
"Really?" Su Tang looked at the stylish woman innocently.
"Absolutely! Your conditions are excellent," the stylish woman praised.
"Then I need to discuss it with my family," Su Tang lowered her head, pretending to be cautious. "I don't even know which company it is..."
"Sister won't lie to you. We'll just provide training and packaging. When you're ready, your value will increase, and then we'll help you connect with major foreign companies. You can sign with whichever you like then." The stylish woman took out a business card. "Girl, what's your name? Can we exchange contact information?"
"My name is Ping Dan. I'll hold off on giving you my phone number for now. If I have any ideas, I'll call you." Su Tang, feigning caution, snatched the stylish woman's business card and ran off without looking back.
Watching Su Tang leave, the stylish woman took out her phone and dialed a number. When the call connected, she said, "Keep an eye on this girl. President Ou wants her, so we must get her."
On stage, the models elevated the atmosphere with their various poses. Su Tang squeezed through the crowd and finally spotted Dashu and the others.
"Dad! Why are you waiting for me here!" Seeing the three old men, Su Tang happily ran over and linked her arm with Dashu's.
Dad! Good heavens! Has this girl lost her mind? Thinking about Su Tang's performance on stage just now, Dashu broke out in a cold sweat.
"Just play along. Someone is watching me," Su Tang whispered to Dashu.
"Oh my, how is my daughter? Beautiful, isn't she! Hahaha!" Dashu patted Su Tang's head and laughed proudly.
"Don't look back. Take a taxi and go to your old house. Hurry!" Su Tang whispered instructions. "Lao Yuan, Lao Fang, don't follow me. Go find Zhang Xiao'ao and then head back to the milk tea shop."
In less than a minute, Su Tang had assigned roles to the three old men.
While Dashu pretended to say goodbye to Lao Yuan and Lao Fang, he glanced back and indeed saw a middle-aged man wearing headphones staring at Su Tang in the crowd.
Could it be that they really caught a big fish today? Dashu thought excitedly.
He hailed a taxi, got in, and closed the door.
"Driver, take me to Da Shiliu Village in the Riverside District." Dashu familiar name of the place.
Su Tang sat in the passenger seat, her eyes wide, looking outside. In fact, she had noticed someone following her as soon as she left the stage area. Such a simple trick was naturally not lost on Su Tang. After a moment's thought, she knew what was happening and then pulled Dashu into their act.
"What's going on? No one lives in the old house. Should I find someone to clean it up now?" Dashu asked.
"Don't mention it, it's a long story. Quickly arrange to have the old house cleaned up," Su Tang said, clutching her rapidly beating heart. Heaven bless, they actually caught a big fish.
Dashu's old house was actually a row of farmhouses. It used to be his home, but after he became successful, he moved to the city center. To put on an act now, Dashu quickly arranged for the old neighbors to help tidy up the yard.
The taxi drove into the village and stopped in front of Dashu's old house.
"Hurry inside first. That bastard is chasing closely. Tell all my old neighbors, don't worry." Dashu pulled Su Tang into the house.
Sure enough, a moment later, an SUV stopped in front of the house.
"Hey! No parking here, it's a fire lane!" A burly man with a large beard, carrying an axe, passed by.
"Oh, excuse me, brother. I'm looking for someone." The surveillance中年人 pretended to take out a cigarette, offered one to the big-bearded man, and then pointed at the house in front of him. "Does this household have the surname Ping? Is there a girl named Ping Dan?"
Upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, the big-bearded man immediately became vigilant.
"Shameless! Are you here to collect a debt at their home?" The big-bearded man grabbed the middle-aged man by the neck through the car window and threatened him, "Old Ping owes money, you go find Old Ping. Ping Dan is a good girl. I am her godfather. If you dare to cause trouble, our entire village will hunt you down!"
Having confirmed Su Tang's home and mistakenly believing she owed gambling debts, the middle-aged man's mission was complete.
"Brother, you've misunderstood. I'm Ping Dan's teacher, doing a home visit." The mission accomplished, the middle-aged man prepared to make an excuse and leave.
"Oh, oh, oh, then I apologize. Ping Dan just got home," the big-bearded man quickly changed his demeanor.
"Oh, no, I forgot I have something else to do. Another day," the middle-aged man said with a laugh and drove away.
Watching the SUV drive away, the big-bearded man made a gesture towards the old house. Dashu and Su Tang then emerged from the house.
"Second brother, this is my boss. Don't let her appearance fool you, she's loyal!" Dashu said cheerfully, shaking the big-bearded man's hand.
"It's fine. That guy just had eyes. He saw and left. I won't ask what you're busy with. Just give me instructions if you need anything." The big-bearded man said.
"Nothing much, just what I asked you to do earlier. Help me keep an eye on the house for a while, tell our old neighbors what to say if anyone asks about it, just as I taught you." Dashu said.
After a morning of running around, Su Tang and Dashu returned to the milk tea shop around two in the afternoon.
"This is what happened. I didn't expect to actually catch a big fish. Of course, it's not impossible that they genuinely took a liking to me and are preparing to groom me," Su Tang said, placing the stylish woman's business card on the table. "This woman is named Diana. I suspect her name is fake. She works for Ma Delu and also helps outsiders poach talent."
"What happened today was already quite dramatic. My suggestion is to involve the police," Dashu said worriedly.
"No rush. I know what I'm doing. The police can't do anything with this information now. Unless we can get further evidence," Su Tang said. "Trust me, someone will come looking for us soon enough."
Su Tang and the three old men were engaged in a heated discussion, but Zhang Xiao'ao, who was bent over his homework, remained oblivious. He actually understood Su Tang's words and knew what she was doing. However, he didn't care. Since he was already An Da, he would just deal with things as they came.
Inside the "Ai Tianshi" company building, Ma Delu slammed his fist on the table.
"Don't always use Mr. Ou to pressure me. With Anshi now, my strength is already far greater than before," Ma Delu said angrily. "You are disrespecting me and my event, my venue."
"President Ma, don't forget that the girl didn't sign a contract with you?" Diana said haughtily. "This is much better, saving you the trouble of lawsuits. Mr. Ou has already said that you will not be shortchanged."
"Sister, I, Old Ma, am not lacking that money now. You're not cheap either. Listen to me, Brother, don't do this sort of thing anymore," Ma Delu lowered his voice. "It's unethical!"
"Pah! You've made a fortune, but I haven't yet. You have this kind heart now? What about when you sold me to Singapore back then, did you say this?" Diana said, hands on her hips, unwilling to back down. "That girl, such good merchandise, how can I pretend not to see her? Moreover, Mr. Ou personally requested her, do you dare refuse?"
Ma Delu remained silent, indicating that he dared not refuse.
In the hospital, Dashu also remained silent, because he dared not refuse.
"Thank you, Dashu. You even sneaked over to bring me news. Cough, cough." Lying on the hospital bed, Ping An tried hard to suppress his cough, but the more he held it in, the worse it became.
"I had intended for the girl to have some fun and then stop. I really didn't expect to catch a fish this time. I had someone inquire about that Diana. For years, she's done nothing but introduce people for overseas training, overseas work, overseas medical treatment, and even overseas as mistresses. In short, she's not a good person," Dashu said. "Getting entangled with someone like her is not a good thing. I'd like to hear your opinion. Our idea is to set a trap and have her spend a few months in jail."
"That's not advisable. You're on dry land now. Don't wade into muddy waters again," Ping An finally managed to suppress a round of coughing. Since his recent injury, the hospital had prescribed imported medicine, which was effective but had the side effect of coughing.
"Su Tang, that girl, has grown up now. It's hard to say. She's been disciplined strictly and has become rebellious. Sigh, it's my fault; I spoiled her too much over the years." Ping An sighed. "That girl has the makings of a detective in her bones. Mr. Ke wanted to take her back then, but thankfully I was quick. For the past two years, I've resolutely refused to take cases, partly because I'm tired, and partly because I didn't want her to get involved in these matters. Who would have thought she'd get involved so coincidentally."
"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have secretly come to you for advice. What do you think?" Dashu asked.
"The arrow is on the string, and it must be shot! Su Tang is already in the game. If this isn't resolved, she'll definitely not come to any good," Ping An thought for a moment. "Sigh, because of this girl, I have no retreat. Then let's do it. I still have a few days before I'm discharged. During these days, you follow Su Tang closely. Hire a few reliable young men in secret to accompany her. With you being overt and them covert, I'll be at ease. As for Ma Delu or Diana, I'll ask someone else to handle them."
"That would be excellent," Dashu nodded.