After breakfast, Zhuo Ran drove them to the headquarters of Qin Shi Group.
She never expected Qin Yuerong to be guessing her identity, as she hadn't taken the matter to heart.
Qin Yuerong was very thorough in his arrangements. Upon their arrival at his company, his assistant personally came down to escort the two of them upstairs.
In the past decade, due to the influence of aliens, technological progress in this world had not been significant. The biggest breakthrough was 002, and consequently, he was also the biggest limitation.
It was estimated that many people had already discovered that 002… was now the main network. He possessed more knowledge than the entirety of this world's collective knowledge.
Based on the image of mysterious power and omnipotence that Zhuo Ran had initially left for everyone, no one had yet linked him to extraterrestrial civilization. They simply believed that they once had a genius who, after creating something beyond their control, had perished.
They were filled with regret and remorse, but there was nothing they could do. They had previously participated in formulating and approving the administrator's choices. Now, they couldn't change them and could only let him exist.
Perhaps in the next few hundred or even thousands of years, they still wouldn't be able to change anything.
As if struck by a thought, Zhuo Ran asked, "Main system, will you disappear?"
007 was momentarily stunned. After digesting the question, he was shocked.
"Of course not. Host, why would you think the main network would disappear?"
"Will you?"
The silence 007 wrote for lasted even longer.
Would they disappear?
Whether it was the main network, him, or other systems, they were all creations based on humans and the main network existing within the network. The network itself was virtual, and the network existed based on various modern devices.
And whether it was the current mobile phones, computers, various smart devices, or personal terminals and 3D, 4D projections of the interstellar era, these all had physical forms and existed based on real things.
So, could their disappearance be achieved by destroying these devices?
007 couldn't help but shiver.
He realized something: they, too, could be destroyed.
Even the great main network, the most revered deity in his heart, could disappear.
"Chairman Qin, they are here."
Doors with a high-tech feel slid open from both sides, revealing the full view of the office.
This was an office that looked grander and more luxurious than a conventional one. The interior was very simple, with an overall silver-white color scheme. In the center was a desk, an executive chair, some plants, and decorative items. Opposite it was a glowing glass wall, and on the other side, a set of leather sofas.
Frankly, if not for Zhuo Ran's good memory, she might not even remember the name Qin Yuerong, let alone what he looked like.
The current Qin Yuerong perfectly embodied the typical positive image of a middle-aged corporate titan from novels. He wasn't balding, nor did he have a beer belly straining his suit buttons. A light stubble gave him a rugged, masculine aura, and his demeanor was elegant and amiable, yet carried the unassailable presence of someone in a position of power.
In short, he was very handsome.
"Chairman Qin."
The two walked up to him. Zhuo Ran greeted him but made no move to shake hands.
Qin Yuerong's gaze swept over the two of them, lingering on Zhuo Ran's face for a long time, as if he had some opinion about her appearance.
After a moment, he withdrew his gaze. "Please have a seat. What would you like to drink?"
"Tea, thank you."
Chong Yan echoed her request.
The assistant withdrew, and the door closed silently.
Zhuo Ran and Chong Yan sat on the long sofa, while Qin Yuerong occupied a separate sofa opposite them. Both parties seemed curious about the other.
"Chairman Qin should know the purpose of our visit, so I won't waste time. Under what conditions will you agree to terminate the contract?"
Qin Yuerong smiled. "Miss Yao, why are you in such a hurry? Do you feel that Tian Yue has mistreated Mr. Chong? If it was Manager Wang's actions that displeased Mr. Chong, he has already been fired. You don't need to worry about it. Or is it that you want some other compensation?"
As he said the last sentence, his gaze fell on Chong Yan.
Does it look like him?
It had been more than a decade; he had almost forgotten what the man who took her away without doing anything looked like.
He only remembered that, just like now, if she didn't do anything, she would handle everything for him.
"I am very grateful for Chairman Qin's care over the years, and I am willing to continue staying at Tian Yue. However, I would like to know why Mr. Qin helped me."
Qin Yuerong smiled again. "I think you resemble an old friend of mine."
As he said this, he was paying close attention to Zhuo Ran's reaction.
Unfortunately, she showed no reaction.
Chong Yan, on the other hand, frowned, appearing quite confused.
"He is not your old friend. Your old friend might not be willing to see you find a replacement for him. Everyone is quite busy. Chairman Qin, name your price."
Qin Yuerong also frowned and asked, "Anything?"
"I am very grateful for Mr. Qin's care before he came to my side."
The implication was that she was willing to pay a hefty price.
Based on the information Qin Yuerong's people had gathered, the words and actions of the person before him were vastly different from the young film empress in the files, who was deeply engrossed in her role and unable to extricate herself.
He felt his heart pounding, almost disbelieving.
Perhaps it was just a significant personality change?
Perhaps it was because she was in love and had changed?
He suppressed his excitement and calmly said, "There's actually nothing to hide. Speaking of which, I also wanted to ask, what is the relationship between Mr. Chong and administrator 002?"
"What do you mean?"
Qin Yuerong raised an eyebrow. "More than three years ago, I received a message from administrator 002. He explicitly instructed me to find Mr. Chong at that time to help him solve a problem and provide protection, specifically warning me not to be suspected by Mr. Chong. Your college entrance exam scores weren't great, but you are good-looking. I thought an entertainment company would be the most suitable place for you."
And so, Chong Yan was signed to Tian Yue.
Zhuo Ran had basically confirmed her suspicions and asked her final question.
"His lack of popularity over the years was also arranged by the main… 002?"
Qin Yuerong waved his hand. "I'm not privy to that. Anyway, the company doesn't lack the funds for Mr. Chong's salary. I rarely inquired about subsequent matters. However, being able to obtain so much dirt on so many people, besides him, no one else could have done it. I'm also very curious about what he's trying to do. If you two know the answer, perhaps you could enlighten me."
"We don't know either." Zhuo Ran stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality today, Chairman Qin. I will pay you for your services. I hope that after obtaining the administrator's approval, you will arrange the contract termination."
Qin Yuerong also stood up. "I thought Tian Yue would be a good choice for you."
Zhuo Ran repeated what she had said that morning. "I don't want my person to be registered under someone else's name."
Qin Yuerong seemed momentarily lost. Finally, he said, "If he truly responds, I will consider it. Please take care."
His assistant appeared at the office door at the opportune moment and escorted them out.
The offering of tea, evidently, was just an excuse.