The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: I'll Tell You Who's the Boss

The press conference held no hint of leniency. As expected, shortly after its conclusion, the lawyer released an agreement announcing the severance of ties between the Nie brothers. It was published in the newspapers with the signatures of two individuals, stating a clean break without any ambiguity.

Originally, there were no obligations or responsibilities between brothers. Moreover, within the powerful Nie family, with Shi Si holding all the power, if Shi Si unilaterally severed ties, Shi Yan had no recourse, even if he didn't sign the agreement. Besides, even if Shi Yan didn't want to, he had no courage to refuse.

The night of the press conference's end, Shi Yan relentlessly tried calling Shi Si, only to have the calls intercepted by the secretary. The message was identical to Shi Si's speech at the conference: "The boss has decided to sever all ties with you. Please refrain from contacting this number, or face the consequences." The call ended abruptly, leaving Shi Yan desperate, unable to believe it.

He couldn't accept it. He needed to communicate directly with Shi Si!

Their bond as brothers had always been strong. In the affluent family, there had never been any clashes over inheritance. When their father passed away, the will revealed no mention of Shi Yan. Instead, it was Shi Si's voluntary decision to gift him a substantial sum. How could his protective brother possibly sever ties over an outsider's demand?

With this righteous thought, Shi Yan, barely clothed in a bath towel, attempted to rush out to find Shi Si, only to be blocked by the arriving lawyer.

When the lawyer presented the agreement to Shi Yan, he refused to believe it and angrily demanded to see Shi Si. Failing to convince him, the lawyer had no choice but to call the secretary, but the response was another call from Shi Si himself.

Placing the phone on the table and activating the speaker, Shi Si's voice, cold as ice, echoed: "Ending relations between relatives can occur not just through mutual agreement but also through death. Any connection naturally ends then. If you don't want to meet a tragic end, sign quietly."

At this point, Shi Yan couldn't afford not to believe. The reality was right before his eyes. While the lawyer remained expressionless, Shi Yan, standing there, felt on the verge of despair, almost fainting.

Xie Yihang, observing from the sidelines, was also petrified, sensing the irreversible tide.

As the agreement was published, the public sphere erupted. Fans were enraged at Shi Dong for being possessive, bullying his lover, and decisively ousting his brother. Nini receiving such love and sacrifice in a relationship was enviable!

Though there were some who vehemently defended Shi Yan, claiming deceit due to his undisclosed marriage, most non-Wei supporters mocked them, stating that their love for Nini had nothing to do with Shi Yan's actions. They were fans of Nini's talent and wished her happiness in her marriage.

Former Wei-san fans ceased their uproar. Some were bewildered, while others openly announced their switch to supporting Nie Fei, apologizing for Shi Yan's actions, hoping for unity within DDD after this storm.

Regardless of the fans' reactions, the turmoil was just a tempest in a teapot. The true collapse was within the higher echelons of CBC.

It was Shi Yan's status that led them to destroy Nie Fei. But now, how could Nie Fei suddenly marry Shi Dong? In the blink of an eye, their pride and support vanished, and Shi Dong kicked Shi Yan out of the family...

This dramatic turn threw CBC's upper management into turmoil. Worried for days, they realized that after Shi Dong ousted Shi Yan and debunked the rumors in numerous media outlets, there were no further actions. Nie Fei showed no intention of terminating his contract with CBC nor faced any hidden pressures. It seemed the matter had come to an end.

CBC's upper management felt a sense of relief. With two years left on Nie Fei's contract, if he intended to leave, he would have. It seemed he had no such intentions... Would Shi Dong, out of respect for Nie Fei, refrain from affecting CBC? This thought made the entire CBC anxious, eagerly waiting to serve their real pillar of support.

As the concert approached, Nie Jia returned to the company to confirm the song lineup. It was his first appearance after the showdown, visibly fatigued despite trying to conceal it behind sunglasses. As soon as CBC's higher-ups heard of Nie Fei's arrival, they rushed out to meet him, feeling apprehensive upon seeing his lackluster state, offering polite greetings.

"Fei Ge, did you have breakfast this morning?" Xiang Xianmin asked, rubbing his hands with a smile.

Nie Jia removed his sunglasses, impassive, casting a glance at Xiang Xianmin and the row of executives nearby, and replied apathetically, "I've gone through the schedule for tomorrow's concert."

"Alright, I'll immediately arrange a presentation for you. Please rest in our VIP room for now," a leader said.

Exhausted by these interactions, Nie Jia left directly, leaving everyone staring at each other, their faces falling.

Nie Jia didn't go to the VIP room. As usual, he entered the singing practice room, where he had left behind a guitar that he intended to take with him later. Coincidentally, the three members of DDD were also in the practice room and were surprised to see Nie Jia. Nie Jia quietly instructed his assistants to pack up all his belongings to take with him later since he wouldn't be coming back.

As his assistants dispersed, Nie Jia closed the door behind him. Suddenly, a fist filled with fury swung at him. It was an uncontrollable Shi Yan, furious like an enraged beast, charging at Nie Jia without a word. But Nie Jia didn't need a moment to react. He swiftly grabbed Shi Yan's incoming fist and twisted it, pressing Shi Yan against the door!

Nie Jia harbored a fierce anger. He fiercely kicked Shi Yan's knee, causing him to cry out in pain and kneel. While Nie Jia held one of Shi Yan's hands behind his back, he used his elbow to press against Shi Yan's neck, reminding him of the suffocation from the night of the finals.

"I warned you not to provoke me. Not listening has its consequences," Nie Jia gritted his teeth and ominously whispered near Shi Yan's ear, applying more force to his neck.

Shi Yan, in agony, his face turning red, still defiantly cursed, "Do you think my brother will love you forever? We're blood brothers, something an outsider like you can never compare to! When my brother sees through you, you won't even know how you'll die!"

Chen Tian and Xie Yihang watched in shock but didn't dare intervene.

Nie Jia coldly chuckled, "Seems like you're proud of your family background. Do you think your brother will help you? Let me tell you, all the assets under Shi Si's name are already transferred to mine, including Wankai. Do you still have the audacity to threaten me?"

Shi Yan was stunned, and even Xie Yihang couldn't believe it.

That was Wankai Group… Could someone truly love another person to the extent of willingly handing over the pinnacle of power and wealth?

Chen Tian silently observed, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He didn't doubt these words. Nie Fei was different from everyone else. Apart from incomparable talent, looks, it was his dominating and free-spirited personality that set him apart. Whether it was winning Shi Dong's love or gaining high-quality fans, none of it was by chance or luck. It was inevitable.

Shi Yan was dumbfounded. Nie Jia released him, casually fixing his hair, revealing his domineering dark eyebrows.

"I'm here to check the setlist for tomorrow's concert," Nie Jia disregarded Shi Yan, walking toward Chen Tian.

Chen Tian handed his phone over. There were a total of 22 songs for tomorrow's concert, all popular songs of DDD, with a few slower-paced songs inserted for the singer's rest intervals. CBC had been sensible enough not to include the new songs "War Song" and "Erasing Traces Ahead" without Nie Jia's consent.

"You haven't been to rehearsals. The dance positions might still be the same as before," Chen Tian remarked.

Meaning, Xie Yihang would still be in the spotlight.

"It's okay," Nie Jia nodded in response.

Xie Yihang silently sighed in relief, tactfully staying quiet. Nie Fei, after clearing the negative news around him, now faced horrendous criticisms again. Despite Shi Yan sharing most of the blame now, Nie Fei's situation was at an all-time low compared to the past. Unlike Shi Yan, he hadn't done anything wrong. He believed that by performing well at the concert, he could win back the public's favor.

The assistants were a bit slow, returning after packing Nie Jia's things, just as Shi Si finished his work and arrived to pick up Nie Jia.

As soon as Shi Si entered the company, CBC was filled with a tense atmosphere.

"Fei Fei, are you okay?" Shi Si, guided by the CEO of CBC, walked into the practice room and immediately saw Nie Jia by the window, handling his phone. His expression softened instantly, his eyes holding nothing but love for his partner.

Nie Jia turned around, returned the phone to Chen Tian, and smiled at Shi Si, who stood at the door.

Chen Tian hurriedly explained, "Nie Fei, my social media accounts weren't in my control. The posts on Weibo…"

"I know it wasn't you. No need to explain," Nie Jia glanced but didn't look at him, tossing the guitar to Xiao Liu and jogging over to Shi Si.

Their eyes were only for each other, creating an atmosphere that forbade others from interfering. Everyone present consciously fell silent.

Shi Si naturally wrapped his arm around Nie Jia's waist, and they left together. Shi Yan panicked; he hadn't had a chance to see Shi Si in these past few days. Previously, he could barge into Shi Si's office, but now, he couldn't even enter the W.K. building's doors. He had refused to believe his brother would truly sever ties with him. Seeing them, he felt an urgent need to confirm.

"Bro... Brother, wait! I need to talk to you! Brother!"

He chased after Shi Si and Nie Jia, yelling loudly, but the accompanying bodyguards forcefully pressed him against the wall. Even though he shouted hoarsely and the entire company heard him, Shi Si didn't turn back, just smiled and asked the people around him lightly, "What do you want for lunch?"

"I want some junk food," Nie Jia said.

Unable to contain himself, Shi Si chuckled softly, kissed Nie Jia's fingertips, and left the CBC company holding his hand.

The bodyguards finally released Shi Yan, whose face was drained of color and sweating profusely. He walked into the elevator and left.

The corridor was crowded, and at that moment, someone disdainfully snorted, "Everyone knows you're no longer a Shi; they won't let you use that name. What's with calling yourself a brother, thinking you're a prince."

Whispers filled the surroundings.

Suddenly realizing, Shi Yan's face flushed red. He glanced around, but now, no one feared him. Even in front of everyone, they taunted and ridiculed him, bluntly telling him that without the 'Shi' name, he was nothing.

At that moment, Shi Yan deeply understood: Shi Si had truly disowned him.

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