The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

Chapter 165 A Reprimand

"you--"

Wang Zhonglei was furious upon hearing this and shouted, "Are you just going to do nothing?"

"I will explicitly deny this when I give interviews, and I won't concern myself with anything else!"

Gu Ning said, "If I keep arguing, it will only make things worse and prevent the situation from calming down. What do you think, Mr. Wang?"

Wang Zhonglei paused for a moment before asking, "Who do you think did it?"

"Lu Chuan!"

Gu Ning said, "I only had some conflicts with him, and I haven't offended anyone else. Only he has this motive!"

"Where's the evidence?"

Wang Zhonglei said, "Director Lu Chuan has already joined Huayi Brothers and even received Huayi's stock. Without any proof, how can I believe you?"

"I have no evidence!"

Gu Ning said calmly, "Without any evidence, didn't President Wang also call to question me? I'm a victim in this matter too, and I've said what I needed to say. Huayi can do whatever it wants!"

"you--"

Before Wang Zhonglei could say anything more, he heard a busy tone from the receiver. Enraged, he threw his phone away: "You bastard, how dare you hang up on me!"

Liu Yang took the phone from Gu Ning and said worriedly, "President Gu, with your tough stance, I'm afraid Huayi won't let this go easily."

"What else can I do if I don't do this?"

Gu Ning countered, "Huayi knows very well that I didn't say those words, but they still take it as if I did. Once I soften my stance, they will inevitably make all sorts of demands."

Moreover, I offended Huayi by refusing them before.

Liu Yang thought about it and agreed, then asked, "So what do we do now?"

"The company will continue to operate as it should. Reporters will definitely continue to go to the film set, and I will handle it then."

Gu Ning asked, "How's the preparation for 'Scarlet Heart' going? When will filming begin?"

"Everything is basically ready, and we're scheduled to officially start filming at the end of the month!"

Liu Yang said, "Director Li would like to ask you to come over on the day filming begins."

"Okay, tell Director Li that I'll be there when filming starts." Gu Ning nodded.

Liu Yang then reported on some recent developments at the company before leaving.

"Boss, that Lu Chuan has gone too far."

Zhang Tianai came up behind Gu Ning, placed her hands on both sides of his head, and gently rubbed them, saying angrily, "You actually used something like this to frame you."

Gu Ning reached out and pulled her into his arms, pinching her chin as he said, "How's your acting coming along lately?"

"It's alright, I tried my best," Zhang Tianai said.

"Is that so?"

Gu Ning placed her other hand on her leg, which was covered in black stockings, feeling the smoothness of the stockings, and said, "Then I'll check it out tonight."

Zhang Tianai wrapped her arms around Gu Ning's neck and breathed softly, "So, what kind of role does the boss want me to play?"

"Maid, please. Bring your own costume!" Gu Ning slowly moved her hand upwards.

Zhang Tianai's eyes were glazed over as she said, "Playing a maid is a bit difficult. How about I ask Gulnazar to act alongside me?"

Gu Ning ran his fingers across her lips and said, "When did you two become so close?"

"Didn't the boss ask me to be her guide before? We got to know each other after a while."

Zhang Tianai shifted slightly, whether to seduce Gu Ning or to make things easier for him, it was unclear.

Gu Ning withdrew her hand and said, "Get up."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai pouted, got up from his embrace, and straightened her clothes.

"Snapped!"

Gu Ning rinsed his fingers with water from the teacup and slapped her on the bottom.

"ah."

Zhang Tianai covered her buttocks and said aggrievedly, "Why did the boss hit me?"

"Who gave you permission to act on your own?"

Gu Ning said calmly, "I will give you what I owe you. I'm not a stingy person, and you shouldn't overthink things, understand?"

"Boss, I didn't mean anything by it—"

Zhang Tianai's expression changed slightly, and she wanted to explain.

"Alright!"

Gu Ning interrupted her, saying, "If you have any faults, correct them. Go back and prepare. I'll contact you tonight!"

"Um."

Zhang Tianai didn't dare to say more, nodded, and left the office.

Gu Ning shook her head. Zhang Tianai probably just wanted to please Nazha by bringing her along.

But ambition is something that grows slowly. Whether she has it now or not, she still needs to be given a nudge.

"Mr. Wang, haven't you seen how people are criticizing me online!"

Feng Xiaogang said angrily, "Everyone says I'm incompetent at winning awards, so they resort to these kinds of tactics. They say they criticize me when I can't win, but praise me when I do—they're just opportunistic!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhongjun wanted to say, "Aren't you one?"

Every time she fails to win an award at the Hundred Flowers Awards, she resorts to all sorts of sarcastic remarks during interviews, each time going more outrageous than the last.

This time, after winning the award, you praised the Hundred Flowers Award to the point that it's even better than the three major European awards.

However, he would never say this out loud; on the contrary, he really liked people like Feng Xiaogang.

What's wrong with "whoever feeds me is my mother"?

Such a person will be very obedient if you satisfy his appetite.

"No matter what people say online, you mustn't respond at this time!"

Wang Zhongjun said, "Your response will only escalate the situation. The company is about to go public and cannot afford to be affected. Don't forget that you are also a shareholder."

It was precisely because he understood Feng Xiaogang that he called Feng Xiaogang over, essentially to keep an eye on him personally.

"That Gu Ning made two films, got lucky and they did well at the box office, so he's got a death wish!"

Upon hearing about the IPO, Feng Xiaogang stopped mentioning the online criticism he received and instead began criticizing Gu Ning.

"Don't worry, the company won't let him off so easily, but your top priority right now is to finish the post-production of 'If You Are the One.' This is the company's first film after its IPO, and we can't afford any problems!" Wang Zhongjun instructed.

"Don't worry, Mr. Wang, the final stages are already in place, and it should be finished in a week at most!" Feng Xiaogang assured him.

Wang Zhonglei pushed open the door and walked in, saying, "Big brother, I've contacted Gu Ning!"

"Mr. Wang, what did that kid say?"

Before Wang Zhongjun could speak, Feng Xiaogang hurriedly asked.

"He said he didn't do it, but Lu Chuan did it!"

Wang Zhonglei cursed, "That bastard said he'd clarify things in an interview, and he won't care about anything else!"

"Lu Chuan?"

Feng Xiaogang seemed to be thinking about what he heard. He had come from the army in his early years and had worked his way up to his current position, so he was no fool.

He knew very well that it was unlikely that Gu Ning was the one who did it, but he didn't know who it was. He needed to vent his anger, so he could only curse Gu Ning.

Lu Chuan certainly had this motive, and with Gu Ning saying that, the probability is even greater.

Wang Zhongjun gave his younger brother a wink and said, "Does he have any evidence?"

"No, it was all just his guess!" Wang Zhonglei said.

"Lu Chuan is one of us, it's unlikely he would do something like that. His saying this clearly shows he knows we signed Lu Chuan; it gives him an excuse and also sows discord among us. He's young, but he's got quite a mind of his own!"

Wang Zhongjun sneered and looked at Feng Xiaogang, saying, "Xiaogang, you should go back first. The company will suppress this matter as soon as possible. During this period, don't show your face or say anything online."

"I understand, Mr. Wang."

Feng Xiaogang agreed and got up to leave the office.