Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 506 Someone's pursuing you?

At 10 a.m. on January 25, outside the municipal party committee compound on Zhengyi Road in Beiping, the snow was swept to the side of the road and piled up into a gray-white mound.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. Red lanterns hang on the bare branches of the sycamore trees, swaying slightly in the cold wind.

The security guard at the post rubbed his hands together, exhaling white breath, and watched the Volvo XC90 with the Beijing license plate slowly drive away.

That's too low-key. Is this the only car the richest man in China drives?

Afei quickly followed in his restored Maybach.

This trip was to visit Leader Liu before the holiday. The location was a rather sensitive residential area, so Boss Lu could only drive in and out by himself.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Xiao Liu was still a little curious: "You're really something, coming out without bringing anything?"

"Or did you secretly give the boss a hint in the study?"

Lu Kuan scoffed, "A gentleman's friendship is as light as water; I don't talk about such things with him."

Dealing with high-ranking officials is an art. One wrong step can make you seem frivolous and reckless, potentially bringing unwarranted trouble, and the door will be closed forever.

Excessive attentiveness can appear obsequious, while deliberate aloofness can be easily misinterpreted as arrogance.

Mr. Lu's acquaintance with this person began with the Olympics and also ended with the Olympics.

The success of this top-level event that shocked both China and the world was due not only to the immense contribution of drone technology facilitated by the latter during the earthquake, but also to the introduction of technology on more covert fronts.

Leader Liu highly affirmed and agreed with many aspects of him, such as his sniping tactics against Zhou Jun as a commoner and his long-standing unity of knowledge and action in his stance on the nation and the people, and regarded him as a friend and partner who could be trusted.

It's true that a wide road can be used to ask for favors.

But he always handled things perfectly, legally and compliantly, leaving no room for the latter's interference or arrangements to be seized upon.

This approach of "leveraging influence without becoming dependent" makes it both a reliable partner and a respected industry leader in the eyes of officials.

This is a much safer and more stable mode of interaction than satisfying rent-seeking.

This is especially true for the ambitious administrators of Dongda University.

Liu Yifei twirled the end of her long hair in her hand and laughed when she heard this: "You say that the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water, but other people don't see it that way. I think those people from LeTV and Damai are going to curse you to death."

I wonder what Boss Lu would think if he knew he had been given the elegant title of "Prince Ruyang's Mansion".

Three days have passed since the major industry upheaval on the 22nd. Today is Chinese New Year's Eve, and LeTV is still stuck in a red and white "404" error, which is both laughable and absurd.

The "Anti-Piracy Alliance" launched a series of coordinated attacks, employing both feints and decisive blows, catching LeEco and the evil axis off guard and allowing them to be ambushed by the "Ten Fragrances Softening Powder."

Even though Chairman Liu found out afterward, there was nothing he could do.

Many things are discussed in advance and preventative measures are taken so that stakeholders can weigh the pros and cons and assess the rationality of various decisions.

Now, a group of internet giants, local TV stations represented by Hunan and Taiwan, and copyright holders have launched a vigorous anti-piracy appeal online. Are there any leaders who would go against public opinion and turn back the clock to unblock LeTV?

That's too sensitive.

Moreover, anyone with discerning eyes can see the underlying rules and logic behind the swift actions of the Beiping No. 1 Intermediate People's Court.

Who would want to go up against this hotshot?
Furthermore, the "Anti-Piracy Alliance" has acted in a completely unconventional manner:

Have we communicated with the relevant administrative body, the Copyright Department?
He spoke to me earnestly and repeatedly.

We've already communicated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Information Management Department, the actual technical support provider, haven't we?
However, they are only responsible for execution. To do what they want, they either need a letter of cooperation from an administrative agency or a coercive order from a judicial agency.

There was no other way but to resort to legal means to resolve this matter. It was legal and compliant, and it left the leaders of the Copyright Department speechless.

It's not that we don't respect you, it's just that we really can't solve the problem.

In fact, the former director of the Copyright Bureau was not unhappy with the current situation.
The relationships between the various levels are intricate and complex; let's leave the headaches to the First Intermediate People's Court!

Lu Kuan laughed and said, "Many people have criticized me, but who do they think they are?"

"I bet there's a lot of people criticizing me now for letting Zhijie Video go its own way and leaving pirate websites with nowhere to go, right?"

"Haha! That's right, a lot of them are my fans." Xiao Liu laughed, "They originally wanted to watch pirated dramas on LeTV, but now they're doomed and have no choice but to come back and buy a subscription!"

"By the way! Yang Mi has sent me several messages these past few days, wanting to wish me a Happy New Year."

Since Huayi changed hands, Liu Yifei hasn't received any messages from Yang Mi for a long time, including the lack of response to Yang Mi's last Weibo post, which made her feel that her sycophantic behavior was somewhat pathetic.

Why be confident first and respectful later?
Xiao Liu knew that this small setback had put a lot of pressure on LeEco Culture, the new player.

Even if a way can be found to unblock it after the New Year, such a 404 incident has become a scar that LeTV can never erase, and user loyalty and the website's reputation will drop significantly.

They just chose the wrong side.

Boss Lu laughed and said, "Isn't that all about you? It has nothing to do with me."

"Are you sure it's okay? I remember you two had some contact on the set of 'Curse of the Golden Flower,' right? Back then you were still..."

She's washing it.

"Look me in the eyes!" Liu Yifei teased her husband, forcibly turning him around by pinching his chin while they were waiting at a traffic light.

Lu Kuan felt insulted: "What do you take me for? I like round-faced, chubby girls, which of those traits does she fit?"

Xiao Liu broke down and pinched the soft flesh on his arm fiercely: "Who is the round-faced fat guy?"

"Anyone who weighs over 130 pounds now is a round-faced fat person."

"Ahhh!" Liu Yifei's subordinate twisted the soft flesh three hundred and sixty degrees without any mercy, still not satisfied, and stepped over the center console to pull his beard.

Standing at 173cm tall and weighing over 130kg, Xiao Liu is now a complete chubby girl.

The woman, nearly seven months pregnant with twins, had a belly that looked like two round honeydew melons, stretching her cashmere maternity dress into a full curve that trembled gently under the seatbelt with every movement.

"Madam, please don't be angry! I was just joking. You're at the perfect age, plump but not greasy, and you taste delicious!"

"Get lost! You heartless bastard! Who did I become like this for? And you're still laughing at me!"

Liu Yifei angrily tugged at his ear, her double chin peeking out from between her fur collar.

Pregnancy hormones made her originally delicate oval face round and plump, with a few beads of sweat on the tip of her nose, and when her phoenix eyes widened, she looked just like the little girl holding a carp in a New Year's painting.

Joyful and auspicious for husband!
She suddenly cried out, clutching her stomach and shrinking back into her seat: "The baby kicked me... When they come out, let them kick you as hard as they want!"

Liu Xiaolv, who had transformed from a teenage girl into a young woman, leaned back in her seat, panting heavily. The little movements she had just made had left her a bit out of breath.

As his breathing became steady, his heavy chest rose and fell, making the washing machine both eager and helpless.

In the private space of the car, the young woman, fueled by pregnancy hormones, looked at her husband with seductive eyes and boldly flirted with him:

"Are you craving it? The flag-raising ceremony every morning isn't a pleasant experience, is it?"

The washing machine sighed deeply, and could only whine for the time being: "The flag-raising ceremony reminded me that my hardware structure is still as robust as ever. Once your software park fixes it, you can line the streets to welcome me."

"nausea!"

Boss Lu laughed and said, "You're just saying one thing and meaning another, aren't you? I think you're hoping I'll sweet-talk you now. You're clinging to me like an octopus every night, breathing sweet fragrance."

Xiao Liu turned to the side, her beautiful eyes fixed on the man: "I'm just occasionally a little interested in your body because of my irresistible hormones!"

"Once I've finished taking care of the babies, who will care about you? You'll just be a tool for me, and I'll get everything for free!"

Lu Kuan scoffed: "Keep being stubborn. I think it's necessary to put a big mirror in the bedroom so you can see what you look like later."

Xiao Liu snorted and ignored her, but the washing machine's suggestion still lingered in her mind like a persistent curse, stirring up a small pebble in the lake of her heart.

The young woman almost immediately pictured herself in front of the huge floor-length mirror, lost in passion and oblivious to everything else.

How sweat would dampen her temples, how her eyes would become unfocused and hazy, even her lips, clenched in restraint, and her toes, stretching and curling in pleasure...

Hormones are an irresistible magic potion for the human body, and that damned little thing progesterone is frantically stirring up her nerve endings.

"Ring ring ring!"

A sudden phone call interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey? Sweetie? You're already here?" Liu Yifei smiled and said, "Almost there, almost home, in twenty minutes."

Goodness, I was just feeling a surge of lust when the bottom came, and it's still broad daylight.

However, this impulsive urge came and went quickly. By the time Liu Yifei calmly stepped into the living room, she had already returned from her young married life to her teenage years.

She glanced around, then looked at Jing Tian and joked, "Seriously? You came empty-handed? No lunch!"

"Tch! An artist's wife is so vulgar! She's in the kitchen!" Taking advantage of Liu Xiaoli's presence, Da Tiantian became quite arrogant.
"I brought you some jujubes from northern Shaanxi, Qinling cliff honey, and some walnut, sesame, and donkey-hide gelatin cakes that my relatives made themselves. They're all good stuff!"

"They're all worthless stuff," Little Liu chuckled. "Don't you know we're short on cash right now? We're just waiting to eat you rich folks!"

"Huh?" Jing Tian looked at Lu Kuan, who had changed his clothes and was getting down from his head, and asked somewhat timidly, "Teacher Lu, is Wenjie short of money right now? Maybe I should ask my family..."

Jing Tian's outfit today also fits the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year. The well-tailored high-necked red sweater wraps around her slender figure, and two delicate black buttons on the shoulder line perfectly outline the superior lines of her shoulders and neck.

Her signature short hair is charming and makes her face look even more radiant and clear.

At this moment, she looked at the man she admired with an expression of complete acceptance, her eyes conveying a frank and warm feeling.

"We're desperately short! Extremely short!" Lu Kuan looked her up and down, teasing Jing Tian with the same interest as his wife: "Do you have 20 billion?"

"If you have 20 billion, I'll sell her to you and take her home directly."

Da Tiantian looked over in confusion, following the gesture of the tall Boss Lu standing in front of her. It was Xiao Liu, who was lounging on the sofa and smiling.

Liu Xiaoli, who had cut a fruit platter and handed it to him, smiled and said, "Xiao Lu really knows how to do business. Why is it so expensive? Give me a 50% discount!"

Da Tiantian giggled and said, "No need for a discount, it's buy one get two free right now, but I need to scrape together the money!"

Judging from the way he said it, he's obviously someone who can just scrape together whatever he can get his hands on, no matter how he did it.

Jing Tian was thoughtful. After joking around for a few moments, she sat down on the sofa and then turned to Lu Kuan: "Teacher Lu, to be honest, if we're short on funds, my family can help out a bit, but it might not be enough to cover your shortfall."

She wasn't an ignorant girl; she had been hearing about the current political and business situation frequently at the dinner table at home these past few days.

The Lu Kuan that Da Tiantian saw in the past possessed an almost stubborn, pioneering artistic core. His artistic conception, thinking, and spirit seemed to differ from those of the fifth and sixth generations.

But from her elders, she seemed to see other social attributes of this young director beyond his unruly artistic soul.

Even her uncle, who had been in his new post for a year, praised her highly and urged his niece to get closer to and interact with her.

Lu Kuan smiled and said, "No need. Wuyue Culture is scheduled to go public after the holiday, and its financial situation will only get better."

He sighed deeply: "From now on, my only worry will be how to spend all this money."

Da Tiantian thought he was joking out of revolutionary optimism, and her beautiful eyes secretly lingered on the man, finding him uniquely charming as a man who could find joy even in hardship.

She never imagined that this was the absolute truth.

Ten years from now, the world will see a wave of IPOs. Zhijie will go public, Wenjie Mall will go public, and huge amounts of foreign capital will slowly flow back to China.

From a basic business perspective, holding large amounts of cash can actually be a burden for companies. Excess cash reduces capital efficiency and leads to a decline in return on assets.

Management is prone to falling into the trap of blind expansion or inefficient investment, resulting in wasted resources. At the same time, a large amount of idle funds will continue to depreciate in an inflationary environment, weakening the company's actual purchasing power.

He is also thinking about new directions.

"Ahem..." Liu Yifei, who had been observing the situation quietly, looked at her with a strange hint of jealousy.

I'm still right here!
Even a sister-in-law wouldn't look at her brother-in-law like that, would she?
Jing Tian turned her head to look at her blankly: "Is your throat uncomfortable? Then you should eat less sweet fruit, it will make you phlegm."

The innocent girl moved the fruit plate to a wider part of the road and then obediently stuck toothpicks into it, her movements practiced and natural.

"Okay, you eat too." Today is New Year's Eve, and Lu Kuan has received a lot of New Year's greetings on the phone. Before they could even exchange a few words, Lu Kuan put the phone to his ear and went outside.

Seeing that her "brother-in-law" had left, Liu Xiaolv's face suddenly turned cold: "Jing Tian! Have you been doing your morning exercises lately? I suspect you've been slacking off for a while now!"

"No! I'm very serious!" Da Tiantian couldn't help but retort. She came today hoping to find a suitable role for herself, but instead, she was immediately met with a smear campaign.

She sprang up from the sofa and twirled around like a light lark.

The charming and adorable girl didn't make any exaggerated movements; she simply placed her hands lightly on her incredibly slender waist.

A former student from the Beijing Dance Academy performed a ballet arabesque with one leg planted on the ground. Her pointed toes stretched her jeans, revealing beautiful gastrocnemius muscle lines. The movement caused her sweater to ride up, subtly revealing two adorable dimples on her lower back, like wine glasses touched by the fingertips of an angel.

Xiao Liu squinted, keenly noticing her breathing technique, her slender and toned back, and the perfect posture formed by her shoulder blades and pelvis—signature physiques cultivated through long-term, structured training in "biomechanical construction."

"Alright, alright! What are you showing off for? We know you've reaped the rewards of your hard work!" Liu Yifei said irritably, stopping her from continuing her "pretending to be cute," and unconsciously pinching her own chubby cheeks.

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, and now I am at the bottom of the river.

That's absolutely hurtful!
"Some people, well, they've gone from being Little Donkey Liu to Little Pig Liu now, hehe!"

Da Tian Tian is now showing a bit of rebellious spirit occasionally, sneering as she displays her graceful figure, unrestrained and flamboyant.

Sunlight filters through the thin cashmere fabric, which, wrapped close to the skin, outlines the girl's unique, full, and healthy curves.

Liu Yifei was amused and annoyed by her smug and provocative little expression. The frustration of pregnancy mixed with her resentment at being overshadowed made her reach out without hesitation—

"Snapped!"

A crisp, yet slightly intimate and ambiguous sound made the washing machine, which had just pushed open the door, pause for two seconds.

The curvaceous and voluptuous Da Tiantian covered her small buttocks with a wronged expression, her face flushed, while the scumbag Liu Yifei on the side wore a mischievous smile.

"Did I come at the wrong time?" Washing Machine said insincerely, plopping down on the sofa.

"You've come at just the right time," Xiao Liu said with a smile. "I checked to see if she's been practicing her skills properly lately, and she passed the test."

Washing machine: Like a dog chasing a mouse!

The woman who had taken advantage of the situation naturally wanted to help her get some benefits: "Sweetie has a solid foundation in acting, and her performance in 'Meteor Shower' was also good. Isn't she capable of taking on more important roles?"

Goodness, the wife sexually harassed a sexy actress and then made her husband clean up the mess. What a sophisticated industry chain!

"Teacher Lu, is there a suitable role for me in 'Ball Lightning'? Even just one line would be great. I'd like to learn from the crew."

Jing Tian is already a junior in college. Her basic skills in this life are much more solid than in the previous life. She can be considered a beginner actress who has passed the basic requirements.

But like Liu Yifei before her, she lacks life experience and it's unlikely she'll have any more dramatic life experiences.

In other words, there's still room for deeper exploration into the topic of unrequited love.

Lu Kuan laughed and said, "Where's Lu Zheng? Didn't he arrange any projects for you?"

"Yes..." Jing Tian said awkwardly, "A TV series called 'The Great Biography of Sun Tzu,' which I co-starred in with Zhang Fengyi."

"I also have my eye on a script, which is also adapted from a novel, called 'My Beautiful Boss.' It's quite challenging, as I have to play two roles."

She didn't speak with much confidence; it's always a bit nerve-wracking to talk about these things in front of such an industry leader.

Jing Tian knew how harsh Liu Yifei's past experiences with adversity had been, and she actually hoped to experience it herself, as it would create a closer relationship for her.

Those who praise or criticize are the buyers; those who applaud are the bystanders.

Da Tian Tian doesn't have Bing Bing's original obsessions, nor is she willing to think so much. She still has the little thoughts of a young girl in love, but she is more indifferent in her dealings with people.

This was determined by her family background.

"Filming for 'Ball Lightning' will officially begin in late February. There's one role that hasn't been finalized yet, but it's not a very important one. If you're interested..."

"Of course I'm willing!" Jing Tian smiled broadly. "The ones Uncle Lu found for me are all too... too extravagant, they don't seem very down-to-earth."

"I also want to work my way up from one role to another. It doesn't matter if I don't have many scenes. I just want to be able to observe and learn more on set."

Xiao Liu chuckled inwardly; no one understood Jing Tian's little thoughts better than her.

Is that what you call liking the character? What you're really craving is...

Seeing her sincerity, Lu Kuan nodded and said, "Lin Yun, played by Zhou Xun, has a mother who sacrificed herself in the war a long time ago."

"This is a heroic and tragic female officer. Your portrayal of her in her youth, along with the makeup and styling, should be quite suitable."

Jing Tian's facial features possess a certain heroic quality. Her naturally arched eyebrows, with their clearly defined peaks and sharp, clean lines, are neither too rugged nor overly feminine. Coupled with her high, well-defined nose, she doesn't seem out of place playing a female military officer in her twenties.

Da Tian Tian looked delighted, thinking that this trip hadn't been in vain, but then she remembered her family's instructions.

"Teacher Lu, when would be a convenient time for you during the first month of the lunar calendar? My uncle would like to invite you to a meal."

Boss Lu remained expressionless: "Sure, how about the third or fourth day of the Lunar New Year?"

Jing Tian smiled sweetly: "Okay, I'll tell you when I get back."

Lu Zheng mentioned this matter before, presumably because he felt that Jing Tian was reliable and was willing to deepen their relationship, perhaps even leading to other collaborations.

Uncle Jing took up a new post last year as deputy in the coal province. After leaving his hometown, he will go to Shanhaiguan to take charge of a region.

There's no harm in meeting; normal interaction is fine as long as there's no conflict of interest.
-
After finishing her meal, Da Tiantian lingered, reluctant to leave. She watched Lu Kuan go to his study, but had no other reason to disturb him, so she simply accompanied Liu Yifei for a walk in the manor.

Snowdrifts on both sides of the path curled into continuous clouds, and the unclogged cobblestone path was covered with a thin layer of frost, making a soft crunching sound when stepped on.

Every time Jing Tian came, she would feel envious and jealous of the two's "palace-like" residence, wishing that they could leave her a room there.

It's not that she, Jing Tian, ​​can't afford a luxury mansion, but rather that this kind of convenient location is more cost-effective.

The two women sat in the glass greenhouse tended by Liu Xiaoli. The afternoon sun shone through the double-layered tempered glass, casting a warm glow on the floor. The greenhouse's temperature control system kept it at 18 degrees Celsius, and the midday sun made them feel cozy and warm.

"Could you open one of your villas to the public as a bed and breakfast? I'd like to rent one long-term."

Jing Tian lowered her head and smelled the fragrance. The winter-grown kale stretched out its leaves with purple-red edges, and several pots of camellias that were budding were placed next to the wicker coffee table, with fuzzy flower buds among the dark green leaves.

"Be careful, those are my mom's treasures, more precious than me."

Liu Yifei leaned back comfortably in her chair, flipping through a formatted copy of "Simple Drama." She offered a suggestion, then refused without looking up: "No way! You're all big and little devils, what will happen if you're constantly hovering in front of the washing machine?"

Jing Tian scoffed, "You're judging a gentleman by the standards of a petty woman, aren't you? Besides, you don't even trust me? Your heart is truly filthy!"

Liu Yifei laughed and said, "What gentleman? He's just a person who separates his body from his body."

I won't give you a chance!

"Human-machine separation? What does that mean?"

The young woman pouted and said, "You'll understand when you grow up."

Da Tian Tian's phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. She took it out, glanced at the screen, and then put it back in her pocket.

This was repeated twice until Liu Yifei looked up from the magazine and asked, "Who's so persistent?"

"It's nothing, it's someone I'm not very familiar with, I don't want to answer." Jing Tian put her phone back in her pocket, her fingertips unconsciously crushing a rosemary leaf.

"Someone's pursuing you?" Xiao Liu closed the book and put it down. Why bother reading "Simple Drama"? I want to read "Exaggerated Drama".

Liu Yifei is quite pleased with her position as a gossipmonger, watching the romance between a top-tier rich and beautiful woman and a rising star.

Tell me about it! I'll give you some advice.

Da Tiantian looked refusing: "Advice my ass. I went back to see my uncle yesterday. He and his son came to visit, but I don't even know him very well."

"My uncle said that young people should communicate more, so I left my phone number."

Wang Sicong and Jing Tian were born in the same year, so they are indeed of similar age.

"They're probably after your uncle's power." Liu Yifei immediately lost interest; such a vulgar plot obviously wouldn't produce any interesting results.

However, she still asked out of sheer boredom, "Who is it? What do they do?"

"Wanda, Wang Jianlin and his son who is studying in England."

Liu Yifei was taken aback. She had met Wang Sicong before, at the Oscars ceremony early last year. (Chapter 412)
At that time, Ma Yun and Deng Wendi wanted to bring Wang Jianlin onto Huayi Brothers' bandwagon, but the latter firmly "declined." However, that didn't stop his son, who loved to join in the fun, from going to the Oscars.

That year, Fox had several excellent films competing for the Oscar, including "There Will Be Blood," with Murdoch as a heavyweight guest, not to mention Wendy Deng's plan to snatch the Oscar from "History Sky."

However, this did not diminish the film's impact on the audience, earning a standing ovation and ensuring its enduring fame.

Xiao Liu had little impression of him, only remembering that he was an ordinary-looking second-generation real estate developer.

"Your uncle lives in Shaanxi Province. What is the connection between Wang Jianlin coming from Dalian to Beiping and your uncle?"

She had met many high-ranking officials with her husband, but she couldn't figure out if the two had any "business" connections or if they were just casual acquaintances.

“Lu Zheng and Wang Jianlin are very familiar with each other, so it must be him who introduced them,” Jing Tian explained. “Originally, Uncle Lu planned to cooperate with Wanda, but Wanda had no film and television production business for the past few years, so they found Teacher Lu.”

"Oh!" Xiao Liu said thoughtfully.

She naturally didn't know that in her past life, almost all of Jing Tian's big productions were inextricably linked to Wanda.

Wanda Group was behind the 2011 film "The Warring States", and Lu Zheng's company was one of the producers of Wanda's "New Police Story" in 2013.

In the same year, Wanda Group held a grand opening at the Oriental Movie Metropolis in Qingdao, inviting many top stars from home and abroad. Jing Tian was also able to walk the red carpet with Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicole Kidman.

And "The Great Wall," which even dragged Zhang Yimou into the mess.

After Wanda acquired Legendary Pictures for $36 billion in 2016, the film's control fell into Wanda's hands, and Jing Tian was handpicked as the sole female lead, surpassing Andy Lau, Zhang Hanyu, and others. Her position on the poster was placed in the center alongside Matt Damon.

In this life, Da Tian Tian's fate has been interfered with and changed by the time traveler. She has been working hard since 06 to build a solid foundation. Her first role that made her famous for her contrasting image in "Meteor Shower" has made her a well-known campus belle at Beijing Film Academy.

In addition, her makeup removal livestream during the last "Sweet Concubine's Night Talk" has quietly made her a popular figure.

She just needs more breakout roles to build and solidify her persona and image in the audience's mind.

Liu Yifei smiled and asked, "What do your family members think?"

"They haven't said anything yet, just said they'd get to know me, but they can't control me, hmph!" Da Tiantian pouted, looking arrogant.

Xiao Liu said seriously, "You need to be careful. Fortunately, there are no more arranged marriages now. Just be discerning."

"If he's a spoiled brat, just kick him out."

Liu Yifei suddenly sat up straight, her pregnant belly protruding as she teased the younger man with the air of someone who had been through it all: "If you really can't get rid of him, I'll spread the word that you're the washing machine's mistress."

"He's now the kind of guy who can stop the second-generation rich kids from crying at night. I guarantee he'll scare those Wang Sicong and Wang Wucong so badly they'll run away with their tails between their legs!"

Upon hearing this, Da Tian Tian's almond-shaped eyes widened, her red lips parted slightly, and she even dropped the rosemary twig she was playing with to the ground.

You should have told me earlier!

I can bring my own funding to join the production team!

"What's with your eyes? Are you tempted?" Xiao Liu looked at her meaningfully, his tone teasing. "You want to move in with this? Do you think I can trust you?"

"Bullshit! Who's tempted? I'm not that shameless!" Da Tiantian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She shouldn't have shown much excitement just now, right?

Perhaps because the temperature in the sunroom had risen, Jing Tian's face was flushed, and she quickly changed the subject: "Actually, Wang Sicong didn't do anything, and his speech was quite normal."

"After dinner that day, we talked about movies, life as students studying abroad, and so on. Then they invited me to visit the Wanda headquarters in Beiping."

"That's it?"

"That's it." Da Tiantian pouted. "Mainly because we don't have much in common, it feels so boring."

Liu Yifei smiled and said, "Maybe they want you to be the spokesperson for Wanda, firstly to create an opportunity to get closer to him, and secondly to leave a good impression on your uncle."

"But to be honest, it won't hurt for you to have a good relationship with Wanda." Xiao Liu said calmly, "The world isn't all about fighting and killing. Wenjie and Wanda are just in business competition, don't overthink it."

"No, I just feel that he..." Jing Tian pursed her lips, her eyes glancing at the window of the study on the second floor of the villa next door.

It was just too far away to see that handsome face clearly.

The flower of worldly riches, with its fixed mind, offered a reason that no one could question:

"I just think Wang Sicong... is a bit ugly."

The young woman chuckled, speechless: "Huh?"
-
"Could it be that your appearance... is somewhat unpresentable?"

In the Wanda headquarters office, Wang Jianlin frowned as he looked at his son in front of him.

His words were only slightly more tactful than Jing Tian's.

Faced with Ma Yun and Liu Chuanzhi's various pressures and challenges, Lao Wang spoke frankly and without pretense, showing no concern for his son's feelings.

Besides, it was just the father and son in the office.

Wang Sicong sported a head of slightly messy short hair, with a few strands stubbornly sticking up at the ends, as if it had just been blown by the wind.

He was wearing a wrinkled plaid shirt under a down jacket, with a suspicious coffee stain on the collar, and he exuded a nonchalant air.

The rich kid's self-esteem was deeply hurt by his father's questioning.

Do you want to listen to what you are saying?
They said I'm... ugly?

I wasn't born of you!

Old Wang coughed lightly twice. His son would be going back to pick up his graduation certificate after the New Year. He would have to stand on his own two feet in the future, and he couldn't teach him too much hardship.

He stood up and walked over to Wang Sicong, who was looking indignant, and slapped him on the back of the head: "Lower your head!"

"Your hair..." Wang Jianlin couldn't help but reach out to smooth out the few unruly strands. "Can't you comb it neatly?"

"And another thing, yesterday I asked you to come with me from home to the Jing family's place, but you insisted on going by yourself. What kind of shabby clothes were you wearing? You're so unkempt!"

Old Wang couldn't help but compare someone again: "Didn't you say you studied Lu Kuan for a long time? Look at him, whenever he appears in front of the camera, isn't he always dressed in a suit and tie?"

“Since you’ve said you’re willing to join Wanda and take charge of Wanda Pictures, you need to start building your persona and image from now on.”

This very point, which his wife Liu Yifei had always criticized, has become the "perfect child" that Wang Jianlin always talked about.

Wang Sicong was speechless, inheriting some of his father's straightforwardness and stubbornness: "I'll just mention two points!"

"First of all, your son doesn't have that ability. You hope your son will become a dragon, and I hope you will too! Why don't you take off soon and become the richest man in mainland China?"

"What I look like is just a combination of what you and my mother inherited. Do I have any say in how I look?"

"Secondly! I believe I had a fairly pleasant chat with Jing Tian yesterday. We talked about movies she was interested in, especially Lu Kuan's movies."

Wang Sicong said proudly, "I talked to her about the influence of the French New Wave on contemporary film language. Truffaut's jump cuts and Godard's alienation effect are both reflected in 'History of the Sky'."

He plopped down on the sofa, crossed his legs and shook them: "I also specifically mentioned the production quality of Shakespearean plays at the National Theatre in London and invited her to see King Lear at the Globe Theatre in London when she has time."

"Sir Ian McKellen's version is absolutely textbook-worthy in terms of stage direction."

Old Wang looked his son up and down, and was surprised by his persistence and meticulous preparation.

But upon closer reflection, considering his dignified and carefree appearance, and the scene where he feigned profundity while discussing film art and philosophy with the beautiful Jing Tian...

Wang Jianlin inexplicably thought of Xiao Zhang from the village who helped feed the pigs for the army when he was in the army.

He always wore a faded old military uniform with a pair of glasses he'd picked up somewhere clipped to his collar, and he would read "War and Peace" every day while feeding the pigs.

Two words wrong in three sentences.

If you're not cut out for art, you can't fake it!

Old Wang couldn't bear to dampen Wang Sicong's enthusiasm any further, so he said earnestly, "Son, are you really interested in that girl?"

“What’s wrong with making friends?” Wang Sicong said matter-of-factly. “It’s the same principle as getting together with my fellow clansmen, Fuli and Zhong Shuzi!”

"It's not that you're saying her uncle has a bright future, I'm just thinking about Wanda's future, okay?"

"Besides, I'm just copying Lu Kuan's tactics. Look how well he promotes himself by associating with his wife!"

Wang Sicong is now a "Lu Kuan scholar," claiming he has studied him extremely thoroughly: "Starting from the August 825th birthday incident, just watch, every now and then there's a big news story: Fox News live broadcast, romance, speechlessness, pregnancy... I even suspect it's all self-directed and self-acted."

"And the results? The movie grossed, Mytube was successfully sold, blogs and microblogs saw a surge in popularity, and now—"

"What kind of person would be so shameless as to release a bundle of his wife's five TV series to tempt fans to buy it?"

"The amazing thing is that so many people are actually buying them!"

Wang Jianlin felt embarrassed. LeEco Culture's collaboration with Damai.cn this time was ostensibly due to this ridiculous package deal. It was already New Year's Eve, and the website was still 404, like a dead dog.

Old Wang suddenly became interested in his son's thinking, given his overseas study background: "If you're going to copy him, how are you going to create hype?"

"Look, Lu Zheng set up the company just to promote Jing Tian, ​​right? She wants to be famous too, right?"

Wang Sicong confidently declared, "I think she's a pretty good person overall, with a clean background and a good personality. So I'll just play Lu Kuan! And Jing Tian will play Liu Yifei!"

"Pursue her, date her, and create dramatic scenarios to satisfy fans' curiosity, just like her doing that makeup removal livestream. Do more livestreams, I don't think she'll object, right?"

"Her family connections are there, so as long as I don't do anything reckless, it would be good if it works out, wouldn't it?"

Wang Jianlin listened to his son's unconventional idea and fell into deep thought.

Wang Sicong is a person who puts his words into practice; he thinks this way, and he also did this in his previous life.

The rich second-generation's girlfriends after Doudeer, such as Huang Yiming, Lanlan, and Xiaoyu, were all signed artists under his company, and their relationships were essentially "scripted collaborations".

The standard procedure is as follows: Wang Sicong provides traffic exposure, and the woman cooperates in the hype and participates in the subsequent sales revenue sharing.

Huang consistently generated trending topics through the "illegitimate daughter Shan Shan" incident;
Sun Yining became famous thanks to Wang Sicong's "simp" persona.
Lanlan gained millions of followers by pretending to be a girlfriend, while simultaneously running a clothing store to monetize her fame.

In the era of live streaming, this is a closed loop of traffic harvesting, influencer incubation, and live streaming monetization.

Now, he has been enlightened by the time traveler and has studied how Boss Lu made his fortune over the years. He has found that it is always related to Liu Yifei's active and passive hype.

Why can't I, who will be in charge of Wanda Pictures in the future, be like Lu Kuan, and Jing Tian can't be like Liu Yifei?
Besides, Jing Tian's family background is incredibly enviable, so what's the harm in it for me?

However, there is a fact that the parties involved are unwilling to admit or have not yet realized, but which is difficult for bystanders like Da Tian Tian and her biological father Wang Jianlin to ignore:

Building a personal brand requires personal charisma.

Lu Kuan's personal charm needs no further explanation, from his handsome appearance to his free and unrestrained temperament;

The artist's solitary pursuit and madness, the business tycoon's vision and decisiveness, and the idealist's passion and purity.

Women who had a lot of contact with him were either like Xiao Liu in her teenage years, who fell in love with Yang Guo at first sight and were doomed for life, or like Bingbing and Jing Tian, ​​who loved him but could not have him.
Zhang Yimou, Hou Xiaoxian, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin, who accompanied him, were considered his close friends;

He interacted with Lao Han and Liu, leaders within the system, as well as Uncle Jing, who invited him to dinner, on an equal footing.
Even Wang Jianlin, a competitor, often compares his son to this "other people's child" to express his hopes that his son will succeed.

Over the years, from top to bottom, from friends to enemies, some have disliked or resented him because of differing stances, but if we objectively evaluate him as a person—

Even people like Zhou Jun and Wang Xiaolei have to admit, despite their reservations, that he is a person with great personal charisma.

But you, Wang Sicong...

Old Wang looked at his son expressionlessly. There are no parents in this world who don't want the best for their children. He hesitated for a few seconds:
“You originally said you wanted to invest back in China, so I meant to give you 5 million to test the waters. If you spend it all, I’ll give you another 5 million. If it doesn’t work out, come back to Wanda.”

"Now that you have your own plan and have figured out how to set this up, I won't advise you, but I do have some words of advice to warn you."

"Dad, tell me."

Wang Sicong also put away his nonchalant demeanor; these were merely his protective shell, including the trolling attitude he displayed online in his previous life.

"If you don't have the ability to make your way in the world, don't try to take risks like him. Just be like your father, say what you mean and do what you can. Business cooperation is fine, but don't form cliques."

"That way, even if a real battle breaks out in the end, it won't come to the point where Zhou Jun's army is wiped out."

Wang Jianlin said after careful consideration, "Besides, if you can be with Jing Tian, ​​your family will naturally not object. We can give them some encouragement, but judging from their attitude, you'll have to work hard yourself."

In this land, it has always been an unspoken art of resource allocation for wealthy businessmen to arrange marriages with high-ranking officials.

From the political and business alliances formed by Hu Xueyan, a prominent businessman in the late Qing Dynasty, to the interest alliances built by the four major families through marriage during the Republic of China period, and then to the "matching of social status" between some real estate tycoons and local officials after the reform and opening up, the essence of such combinations is to internalize rent-seeking through blood ties.

"I understand, Dad. Lu Kuan has his personal charm, and I have my own way of creating hype. Just keep that in mind from now on."

Wang Sicong remained full of confidence, brimming with the fearless spirit of a newborn calf.

In this exciting and captivating Chinese entertainment industry, another young new player is about to enter the scene.

(End of this chapter)