Chapter 303: Why Is It Always Fang Zhou Getting Hurt?

News of Fang Zhou’s stabbing quickly trended online.

“Devoted Male Streamer Takes a Stab for Love, Fate Unknown!”

With tens of thousands of viewers witnessing it live, the topic skyrocketed to the top of entertainment news, accompanied by other eye-catching headlines:

“Obsessed Fan Attacks in Broad Daylight – When Will Fan Culture Stop Endangering Celebrities?”

“Top Star Qiao Sisi Nearly Stabbed – Was It All Staged?”

“Are Reality Show Security Measures Up to Standard?”

The show’s staff were in a frenzy, urgently contacting their PR team to minimize the damage.

Due to Fang Zhou’s injury, the live broadcast was cut, and the show was abruptly paused. They issued a statement saying they would resume at a later date.

“Director, what do we do now? We’re only a few episodes away from finishing the season, and now this happens. Can we even complete this season?” an assistant asked, worriedly glancing at the flood of notifications on their phone.

Last time, a mudslide sent Fang Zhou and Zhang Zhiyin into floodwaters, costing the staff their year-end bonuses. Now, with Fang Zhou stabbed, they feared their current bonuses might also be at risk.

Most of the crew just wanted to earn their paycheck quietly. Why was it so difficult?

Director Liu, slumped in his chair, looked equally despondent. “This season has been full of twists and turns. It’s been really tough for us.”

He sighed, burdened by unspoken worries. As the head of the show, he couldn’t afford to collapse under pressure.

The assistants, heads down, felt the weight of the setbacks. Bringing in a star like Qiao Sisi was supposed to elevate the show, setting the stage for future seasons. And while the show had reached unprecedented popularity, even earning an award for an episode set in the mountains, it also brought continuous trouble.

This latest incident with the obsessed fan seemed premeditated. The attacker had tracked Fang Zhou and Qin Yun during the live stream, attempting to harm Qiao Sisi.

The silver lining was that Qiao Sisi was unharmed. Fang Zhou took the hit, sparing the show from dealing with Qiao Sisi’s hefty insurance claims.

But Fang Zhou’s injury still hurt the show, though less severely in a financial sense.

It became clear that popularity was a double-edged sword; it could propel a show to fame or destroy it.

Taking a deep breath, Director Liu rallied the team. “We’ve got only two episodes left. Once Fang Zhou recovers, we’ll resume. Meanwhile, those who can should visit him in the hospital. The rest of you, consider this a break. Don’t worry, I’ll handle any issues.”

The staff reluctantly agreed. They couldn’t continue the show while Fang Zhou was injured, after all.

Thanks to Zhang Zhiyin’s previous investment, the show’s financial cushion was somewhat padded, keeping them afloat during this crisis.

But Fang Zhou’s repeated hospital visits made the staff wonder if he was cursed.

Meanwhile, high up in an office building, Han Xi had just finished a meeting with Dong Donghui and was about to return to her office when she noticed her assistant acting nervously.

“Spit it out,” she said coldly. “What’s the issue?”

Han Xi was known for her decisive nature and disliked hesitation.

The assistant, after some internal struggle, handed her his phone, showing her the news.

“President Han, Mr. Fang is in the hospital.”

Han Xi paused, her eyes narrowing as she took the phone to read the details. The live stream had captured Fang Zhou being stabbed, even with blurred footage, it was evident.

Her face turned icy, and she asked, “When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

The assistant, a tall, sturdy man, shrank under her gaze. “It happened an hour ago. You were in a meeting, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

Receiving this news had left the assistant equally shocked and uncertain whether to inform her during a crucial meeting.

Han Xi clenched her fists, handed back the phone, and stated coldly, “Unless it’s a matter of company survival, Fang Zhou takes priority.”

Her words shocked the assistant. Was this the same President Han everyone knew? Her seemingly irrational statement was uncharacteristic.

Previously, when her house was burglarized during a board meeting, she had scolded the assistant for interrupting, emphasizing business over personal matters.

Yet now, she broke her own rule for Fang Zhou, her ex-boyfriend.

The assistant blinked, bewildered by her uncharacteristic concern. Was Fang Zhou that important to her?

“Why are you standing there? Get the car! We’re going to the hospital,” Han Xi ordered, her patience thinning.

The assistant snapped out of his daze and hurried to comply. “Yes, President Han, I’ll bring the car right away!”

He mentally upgraded Fang Zhou’s status, considering him a potential future boss.

Perhaps, one day, Fang Zhou might indeed become the company’s next president’s spouse.