Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 113 Director Chen is not in good health, you must work hard!

Go out and get some coconut juice?
The instruction given by Chen Xiu came to Chen Sicheng's mind.

After his face turned pale and then red, he managed to force an awkward smile and nodded in agreement.

"Wait a moment, I'll be right back."

Everyone at the table, including Wang Baoqiang, could only watch as Chen Sicheng was treated like a waiter by Chen Xiu, and no one spoke up to smooth things over.

They all knew that their words didn't carry much weight, and that speaking out of thin air would only bring them humiliation.

Sitting to Chen Xiu's left, Wei Feng's first thought upon seeing his boss return was to get revenge for himself. He felt as if he had just drunk a bowl of chilled plum juice on a sweltering summer day.

In a flash, the pleasure went straight from head to toe!

Chen Sicheng returned just five minutes after leaving, carrying two bottles of coconut juice. He quickly unscrewed one bottle and made a gesture as if to pour it for Chen Xiu.

"Hey, I don't drink."

Chen Xiu reached out and blocked the rim of the drink cup, then gestured towards Wei Feng with her chin: "Wei Feng likes coconut juice, pour him some!"

"Sigh~~"

Chen Sicheng felt a sharp pain in his teeth. Looking at Wei Feng's smug little expression, he felt like he was about to grind his back teeth to powder.

After standing there frozen for two seconds, Chen Sicheng, who had already taken a step back, composed himself and took another step back.

"Producer Wei, please."

"Thank you, Director Chen, you've worked hard."

This simple thank you sounded particularly sarcastic to Chen Sicheng.

He forced himself to stop hitting Wei Feng, poured him some coconut juice, and was about to sit down when Chen Xiu launched a second wave of mental attacks.

"Director Chen, since you're already standing up, don't bother others. See who else wants a drink and pour them some."

"Hehe, okay, who wants a drink?"

Chen Sicheng gritted his teeth and said, and seeing his appearance, no one dared to utter a sound, except for…

"I'd like to drink it, please!"

Xiong Ben placed the cup in front of Chen Sicheng, tapped the table, and gestured for him to pour him a drink.

With a dark expression, Chen Sicheng poured coconut juice for Xiong Ben, then asked everyone again who wanted some.

This time, no one jumped out to criticize him anymore, and he could sit down in peace.

However, less than two seconds after sitting down, Chen Xiu's "concern" was already being shown.

"Mr. Chen, I heard you suffered from heatstroke the day I returned to Beijing. Are you alright?"

"Hehe, no problem, no problem."

Chen Sicheng waved his hand and smiled. He knew in his heart that Wei Feng's actions against him must have been at Chen Xiu's behest, otherwise Xiao Yang wouldn't have been so easily pulled over.

However, as much as he understands, Chen Sicheng now has no way out.

Earlier today, he received a call from Wanda Ye Ning.

During the call, Ye Ning repeatedly asked him not to go against Chen Xiu, and that all matters concerning the crew should be based on Chen Xiu's requests, and that he should not act on his own initiative!

This attitude made Chen Sicheng clearly see Wanda's inclinations.

He's already indirectly offended Chen Xiu; if he offends Wanda as well, his future in the film industry will likely be bleak...

It was precisely because he had considered this unbearable outcome that Chen Sicheng could only back down again and again in the face of Chen Xiu's demands, because he had no other choice now.

He could only wait quietly, watching how Chen Xiu planned to deal with him.

Fortunately, Chen Sicheng didn't have to wait too long.

As soon as the waiter brought all the dishes to the table, Chen Xiu stood up with her lemonade, ready to say something.

Everyone stared at him intently, holding their breath, and no one touched their chopsticks.

"Before we eat, I'd like to announce something to everyone."

Chen Xiu scanned the crowd, finally fixing her gaze on Xiao Yang.

"Since Director Chen hasn't been feeling well these past few days, Xiao Yang will be temporarily taking over the directing duties for the crew. Considering the actual effort involved, I've decided to make Xiao Yang the second director for the 'Detective Chinatown' crew. He will be assisting Director Chen in completing the remaining filming work!"

"Huh?" *N
A collective murmur of doubt arose at the dining table.

Chen Sicheng and Xiao Yang had different reasons for their doubts, but the degree of their doubts was the same.

Chen Sicheng wondered why he hadn't been replaced, or even why his position hadn't changed much.

Xiao Yang was wondering why he hadn't really risen to the top and why he'd only become the second-in-command.
Their expressions were so similar, as if they were made from the same mold.

"Clap clap clap!"

The sudden applause made everyone instinctively look towards Reba.

She was clapping her hands gently in support of Chen Xiu's words, and the others quickly followed suit.

Raising her hand to signal the applause to stop, Chen Xiu then turned her gaze to Chen Sicheng: "The early stages of filming relied entirely on Director Chen's efforts. I hope you can recover soon and return to the crew!"

"I'm all better now and will be able to return to the set tomorrow. Thank you for your concern, Director Chen."

Chen Sicheng picked up the apple cider vinegar in front of him, lowered the glass, and toasted Chen Xiu.

Although he hadn't figured out Chen Xiu's plans yet, the fact that he hadn't been replaced meant that the two sides hadn't completely broken off relations, and the cooperation should continue.

After taking a sip of lemonade, Chen Xiu sat down again and invited the others to start eating. "Come on, everyone, relax a bit, don't be so reserved."

After the dinner, Xiao Yang, who had been full of ambition, seemed somewhat absent-minded.

Chen Sicheng, who had been worried about himself, felt relieved. However, the glances he occasionally gave Xiao Yang were full of calculation.

When the dinner ended, Chen Xiu told everyone to leave first, and when he went to pay the bill, he first gave Reba a look, indicating that he would go find her later, and then glanced at Xiao Yang.

Ten minutes later, Chen Xiu, along with Wei Feng and Xiong Ben, waited next door for Xiao Yang, who had returned.

As soon as he entered the door, Xiao Yang started complaining to Chen Xiu, "President Chen, how come Chen Sicheng has become a director again?"

"What are you saying? He was originally the director of 'Detective Chinatown,' what do you mean by 'becoming'?"

"This, this, this can't be right!"

Xiao Yang's voice trembled slightly, and his wounded eyes seemed to suggest that he too had been betrayed.

In response, Chen Xiu offered this explanation: "Don't look so aggrieved. I told you to be the director of 'Detective Chinatown,' and you've done it now, haven't you?"

"Forehead……"

"Did you become one?"

"Yes."

Chen Xiu just announced in front of the main actors that Xiao Yang is the No. 2 director of the "Detective Chinatown" crew. Everyone heard it, so Xiao Yang naturally couldn't deny it.

"Now that you've become the director of 'Detective Chinatown,' I've already done what I promised you. Why are you still looking at me like that?"

"Chen Sicheng is also the director of the production team! If he wants to make things difficult for me..."

Xiao Yang's worries vanished instantly when Chen Xiu's eyes changed.

Looking at the stunned Xiao Yang, Chen Xiu asked with a smirk, "You're the director, and he's the director too. What makes him difficult for you? It's as if he has a lot of power in the crew."

"Um, this..."

Xiao Yang snapped out of his daze and realized that he had fallen into a cognitive trap.

Normally, the director has the most say in a film crew.

If a director wanted to target someone, it would be incredibly easy, but in the "Detective Chinatown" crew, the director was just a high-level tool and couldn't really target anyone.

Glancing at Xiao Yang, who was muttering to himself, Chen Xiu patted him on the shoulder with a smirk and began to make empty promises.

"Don't worry, you're the real No. 2 director. When the movie is released, your name will appear in the director's column. Besides, Director Chen gets sick so easily. If you work hard, No. 2 director might just become No. 1!"

Xiao Yang's pupils contracted, and he slowly turned his head, his Adam's apple bobbing as he looked at Chen Xiu.

This pancake really worked for him.

Xiao Yang pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing instantly. He said to Chen Xiu, "President Chen, I'll make the movie however you want me to, without any reservations!"

"Hehe, okay, go back and get some rest!"

Chen Xiu stood up and watched Xiao Yang leave with a smile.

After the door was closed, Wei Feng understood and went over to lock it from the inside before returning to the sofa and sitting down next to Chen Xiu.

"Boss, since Xiao Yang is already enough, why do you still need to keep Chen Sicheng?"

"Why not stay?"

Chen Xiu's counter-question completely stumped Wei Feng.

After exchanging a glance with Xiong Ben and receiving a hint, Wei Feng's slightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed: "You want them to check and balance each other?"

"Hmm! The director has a lot of say in the crew. Even if you kick Chen Sicheng out now, how do you know that Xiao Yang won't become the next Chen Sicheng?"

Seeing Wei Feng's seemingly confused expression, Chen Xiu simply laid it all out.

"People's hearts are like water. Instead of gambling on whether Xiao Yang will change in the future, we might as well let them have a tug-of-war. We'll be in the middle. Whoever has the advantage, we'll press down on them; whoever is weaker, we'll push them. As long as they can film according to the established plan, that's fine."

"However, it seems that Chen Sicheng wants something more..."

“Capable people definitely have big appetites and want a lot, while those who lack ability are content with the status quo. If Xiao Yang’s resume had a representative film that grossed 4 million yuan at the box office, like Chen Sicheng’s, his asking price would definitely be much higher than it is now.”

At this point, Chen Xiu shook her head dismissively.

"Actually, if Chen Sicheng is willing to listen to me, follow my instructions, and film well, I won't be stingy with the money I should give him."

Wei Feng and Xiong Ben nodded in agreement. They had witnessed and experienced Chen Xiu's generosity firsthand, so they naturally understood the significance of his words.

"However, Chen Sicheng's sense of autonomy is too strong!"

Chen Xiu expressed her biggest dissatisfaction to the two: "We're only filming the first 'Detective Chinatown' movie, and he's already asking me for autonomy. If the movie becomes a big hit, what does he plan to want for the next one? Final cut rights? Investment rights? Profit sharing rights? With such a big appetite, how can we not suppress him?"

"However, we have to consider the cost when doing things. If we kick Chen Sicheng out of the crew directly, there will be a lot of trouble later. The cost will outweigh the benefits, so it's not worth it. Let's tighten the skin for him now, loosen it a bit, and then find someone in the same niche to compete with him, so that he feels that he might be replaced. That will do."

"Boss, I understand."

Wei Feng looked at Chen Xiu with shining eyes and said, "Are you teaching me how to manage a film crew?"

"If you still don't understand, I'm getting sick of this fatherly attitude. From now on, you'll be managing the crew on your own, so make good use of these things!"

Chen Xiu shrugged and chuckled.

He really disliked talking in such roundabout ways, but there was no other way; if he didn't explain it that way, Wei Feng wouldn't understand.

(End of this chapter)