The conference call sounds drifted through the hospital room. After some mutual courtesy on the other end, they began presenting their chosen candidates.

[I think He Xu would be great—a rising star with considerable personal influence, a good fan base, and decent purchasing power.]

Jiang Chen listened along with Lu Chiyuan, while Snowball jumped onto Lu Chiyuan's body and, taking advantage of Lu Chiyuan's inability to see him, squatted directly in front of the phone.

As the other side began discussing, Snowball also started spilling gossip.

[This one won't work—he's about to be exposed soon.] Snowball said disdainfully, [He's the shared boy toy of a circle of wealthy women, but he uses their money to support his own boyfriend. Some wealthy women have already noticed something's wrong and are preparing to expose him.]

Jiang Chen was startled: [Supporting a boyfriend? Isn't he male?]

Lu Chiyuan's eyes brightened slightly. He didn't pay attention to how the executives were praising the person's character, but looked thoughtfully at Jiang Chen.

How could he forget that Jiang Chen had a bug ability?

Snowball said: [You heard correctly. He both leeches off wealthy women and engages in homosexual relationships—the wealthy women are all confused. His rising star status was also bought by wealthy women. After he's exposed, he'll quickly disappear without a trace.]

Snowball glanced at the phone screen showing the people on the other end, looking at the person currently speaking: [These two also have an affair.]

Jiang Chen couldn't see the people, Lu Chiyuan couldn't see the cat—only Snowball understood this gossip completely.

Jiang Chen was hesitating whether to move closer when Lu Chiyuan first turned off his camera and microphone, then looked at Jiang Chen: "Could you help me hold this?"

Lu Chiyuan indicated his hand was uncomfortable. This was exactly what Jiang Chen wanted, so he said it was no problem.

Lu Chiyuan had originally planned to move over, letting Jiang Chen sit on the bed, but then thought it inappropriate. He simply got off the bed and sat on the sofa with Jiang Chen, the two sitting shoulder to shoulder.

Snowball moved its bottom and squatted on Jiang Chen's lap.

In the video, everyone saw Lu Chiyuan's screen go black and didn't know if he was there, falling into momentary silence.

Lu Chiyuan turned his microphone back on: "Next."

This was a rejection. The other party wanted to say more but was interrupted by another person taking over.

The new person presented a photo. Jiang Chen found it somewhat familiar. After looking carefully for a moment, he realized: [Isn't this Gu Tingsen's female companion?]

Including the water room and parking lot, this was the third time he'd seen her today.

Snowball said: [Yes, a rising starlet. She appears fine on the surface, but behind the scenes she uses Gu Tingsen's connections for tax evasion. She'll be reported soon. Although Gu Tingsen will help her once to avoid being implicated, her image will be damaged and she'll be soft-banned, which is very bad for endorsements.]

Lu Chiyuan raised an eyebrow. Before the other party could speak, he had already called for the next candidate.

Snowball stared at the screen, spilling gossip one after another.

[This one won't work—plastic surgery face. The company isn't doing its job; his face will collapse soon.]

[This one is even worse—involved in cult organizations, bewitching and brainwashing a group of teenagers, encouraging them to doxx ordinary people online and harm minors. This has alarmed higher authorities, and he's going to be finished too.]

Jiang Chen ate gossip while listening to Lu Chiyuan ruthlessly call "next." He had the illusion that Lu Chiyuan was also eating gossip with him—he didn't even need to remind him; the decisions were already being made.

At this rate of selection, the silence on the other end grew louder and louder. Finally, only one candidate remained—an unremarkable small actor who had recently become popular from a drama but had no backing capital and quickly faded.

The person recommending him purely found him appealing and included him as a backup, never expecting him to be chosen.

Lu Chiyuan didn't speak. He was waiting for Snowball's voice, but after a long while, Snowball still hadn't spoken.

Jiang Chen also found it strange and poked Snowball: [No more gossip?]

Snowball flipped through his little notebook: [This small actor is quite good—professionally trained. Although his acting seems green now, he has a solid foundation and will surely become great in time. If we're choosing a spokesperson, he's not bad. However...]

Snowball paused for a turn: [He's about to die—suicide.]

Jiang Chen flinched, blurting out, “Call the police, save him…”

Before he could finish, he realized he’d spoken aloud. He quickly covered his mouth, but both Lu Chiyuan and the people on the other end of the video call had heard.

He tried to cover it up. “I zoned out…”

Realizing the mic was still on, he shut his mouth again, awkwardly glancing at Lu Chiyuan.

Lu Chiyuan said, “Don’t worry about it. Let’s continue the meeting.”

The video conference resumed. Snowball chimed in, [Host, don’t worry. It’s still a few days before he takes his life.]

[Why would he do that?]

Jiang Chen reined in his emotions, ensuring he wouldn’t blurt out his thoughts again, and continued talking with Snowball. Snowball’s gossip had a predictive edge, able to glimpse short-term outcomes.

[His company’s exploiting him. After he made a hit drama, not only did he not earn money, he ended up owing the company. They’re pressuring him to attend drinking parties and engage in shady deals. If he refuses, they’ll blacklist him, saddling him with huge debts. He’s depressed and already having suicidal thoughts.]

Snowball sighed, [Human scheming is endless, huh.]

Jiang Chen fell silent for a moment. [If he could get an endorsement with Huanyu, would things improve?]

Snowball pulled up its data panel for calculations. [Your idea treats the symptom, not the cause. The root issue is his company. An endorsement might just lead to more exploitation. If you want to help, the solution is to get him out of his contract. Huanyu has investments in the entertainment industry. If you can convince Lu Chiyuan, there’s still a chance.]

Jiang Chen instinctively glanced at Lu Chiyuan. The original body was just a security staff member, handling Lu Chiyuan’s travel safety, with little involvement in company affairs.

Would speaking up seem too out of place?

What would Lu Chiyuan think?

Jiang Chen weighed it in his mind. What if his words could save a life?

“Brother Lu,” Jiang Chen started, then realized the mic was still on. Glancing over, he saw it had been turned off at some point.

Lu Chiyuan turned to him, not annoyed by his interruptions, but encouraging. “Got any good suggestions?”

Emboldened, Jiang Chen said, “I think this candidate’s solid. He’s got a wholesome look, and his image fits national tastes. I’ve seen his dramas before, but there’s a small issue—his company has a bad reputation, and he’s got conflicts with them.”

“When choosing an endorser, influence is one factor, but positive value alignment is another. Generally, you don’t pick someone with issues—it’s asking for trouble.”

Lu Chiyuan didn’t accept Jiang Chen’s suggestion. By highlighting the artist’s flaws, Jiang Chen had raised concerns that could affect the company’s decision.

Jiang Chen knew this but wasn’t focused on the endorsement. “Brother Lu, I mean this person has investment potential. Huanyu has stakes in entertainment companies. Why not poach him, maximize his value, then talk endorsements?”

“Star-building? Have you considered the upfront costs? Or the sunk costs of this endorsement project?” Lu Chiyuan countered.

Jiang Chen froze. He hadn’t thought that far. His goal was to save someone, not to calculate hidden expenses.

Disappointed but not surprised, Jiang Chen asked, [Snowball, any backup plans?]

Before Snowball could reply, Lu Chiyuan added, “But I’ll consider your suggestion. I trust your judgment.”

He turned on the mic, wrapping up the meeting without finalizing the endorser, instructing the team to revise their proposals.

No decision meant there was still a chance. Jiang Chen felt he could push further.

Lu Chiyuan ended the meeting and turned to him. “Ever thought about switching jobs?”

“Huh? Switch jobs?” The topic shifted so abruptly that Jiang Chen was caught off guard, his mind racing. Shoulders slumping, he said, “Brother Lu, are you firing me?”

Lu Chiyuan was amused by his pitiful look, a slight smile forming. “Not security—come be my assistant. If you agree, I’ll have Lu Mingxuan prepare a new labor contract. Assistants get weekends, national holidays, full benefits, and double pay for overtime.”

Lu Chiyuan dangled the bait—being an assistant was far easier than security.

This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. First, Jiang Chen’s inner thoughts helped him avoid issues, making it ideal to keep him close. Second, the original Jiang Chen knew martial arts, justifying his security role. But with this Jiang Chen, Lu Chiyuan wasn’t sure.

If he lacked self-defense skills, the job could be dangerous.

Relieved it wasn’t a firing but a reassignment, Jiang Chen relaxed.

[Being an assistant means seeing my boy every day!]

Feeling it was a win, he said, “I’m in.”

Snowball straightened, waving its round paws. [In this moment, I want to recite a vow: In sickness or health, in poverty or wealth, in age or death, you’ll love him, protect him, and unconditionally…]

Jiang Chen grabbed Snowball by the scruff, dragging it aside. [Shut it, this isn’t a wedding.]

[Got it,] Snowball replied smoothly. [I’ll save it for when you get married.]