Rebirth 05: From Coal Mine Owner to Mobile Phone Tycoon

The words were a bit convoluted, but Zhou Mei still understood them.

"This is Mr. Lu."

Lu Yuan nodded awkwardly.

Zhou Mei was quite surprised. She never expected that Lu Yuan would be starring in Qu Xueer's music video. Wasn't he supposed to be very busy?

"Oh right, he's not a celebrity, he's from mainland China..."

"Coal boss"

Zhou Mei interrupted Qu Xue'er's introduction. Qu Xue'er looked at Zhou Mei and then at Lu Yuan.

"Oh, so you two know each other."

"Yes, we're still very good friends."

Lu Yuan nodded

"My relationship with Miss Mei'er is quite special."

Zhou Mei tensed up instantly and desperately tried to wink at Lu Yuan, reminding him not to expose their private relationship.

A mischievous smile appeared on Lu Yuan's face, which made him even more charming.

"Mei'er and I are close friends; she knows my strengths and weaknesses, and I know hers well."

Everyone nodded in understanding, unlike in later generations when this phrase had become a famous meme.

Back in 05, no one really thought of it that way.

But Zhou Mei immediately understood what Lu Yuan meant and gave him a playful glare.

"It's easier to talk if you know each other."

"Mr. Lu is not in the industry, so he only agreed to make a cameo appearance if the timing is right."

"But Wei Min, the Wei family, started insulting Mr. Lu without any explanation."

"They even took advantage of their status, thinking that Lu Yuan was a newcomer in the entertainment industry, and bullied Mr. Lu at will."

"I couldn't stand it anymore, so I slapped Wei Min across the face and then stopped going anywhere with her."

That's roughly how it happened, although there was the incident at the door where they bumped into each other and dirtied Wei Min's clothes as the starting point.

But ultimately, it all stemmed from Wei Min's arrogance.

"I originally contacted her hoping she could do you a favor, and in exchange, I'd help her out tonight?"

Zhou Mei didn't understand; was there something about her involved?

"Me? Help me with what?"

"Wei Min's teacher was Mei Baojiu, the son of Mei Lanfang, who was the president of the Inland Chinese Opera Performance Association."

"But I'm not an opera singer."

"But after all, he's a senior figure and knows a lot of people in the entertainment industry. If you want to develop your career in mainland China, it would be good if he could help you get some resources."

"But who would have thought that after all these years, she would have become this kind of person."

"A person will not undergo significant changes without experiencing major upheavals."

Lu Yuan spoke up now, not wanting to miss any opportunity to strike back at this wicked woman.

"The reason why she seems to have changed is simply because she was too good at disguising it before, and no one noticed."

Everyone listened to this and seemed to understand; it did indeed make sense.

If this had happened to someone of higher status or position than Wei Min today...

Wei Min probably wouldn't, and wouldn't dare to, treat that person the way she treated Lu Yuan.

And this person happened to be Lu Yuan, which caused Wei Min to reveal her true self.

"Sister Xue'er, there's no need to feel sorry. Being able to see through a so-called friend at such a small cost is a huge gain."

"As for the so-called mainland resources, I can also do my part."

Qu Xue'er didn't know if Lu Yuan was just being polite or if he really had some influence, but having some influence was better than having none.

It's like an older sister watching her younger sister, all alone, packing her bags and venturing into a completely unfamiliar city.

No matter how complicated or inconvenient the connections, regardless of whether they are useful or not, find everyone you can, just in case they can offer some assistance.

"What resources could a coal mine owner, a nouveau riche, possibly have?"

The untimely voice rang out again, leaving Lu Yuan utterly speechless, inwardly cursing.

"How old are you! It's always you!"

Not only was Lu Yuan speechless, but everyone else present was also speechless.

How can this person be so shameless? She lost all face in front of so many so-called juniors of hers.

Not only did he not leave, but he also went up to continue mocking Lu Yuan. How dare he?

If she really has no sense of propriety, then everyone should step in to help her maintain her dignity.

"As I just said, from now on we're strangers, we owe each other nothing, and we won't help each other."

"If you insist on stirring up trouble again and again, then let's go directly to Sir Zheng and see if he's willing to let you stay here!"

Wei Min was anxious, but there was really nothing she could do at the moment. Everything else had to be put on hold in the face of that matter.

"I know I was a bit impulsive just now."

"Don't rush, Zhou Mei is here too. I really did bring a friend with me today, someone my master introduced me to from the mainland."

"He's very influential in the mainland. Regardless of whether you help me later or not, let's meet him for Zhou Mei's sake first?"

Qu Xue'er hesitated. Her aversion and disgust towards Wei Min was genuine, but so was her concern for Zhou Mei's future. She was conflicted for a moment.

So he looked at Zhou Mei. If Zhou Mei had any ideas, he was willing to risk his reputation. He could simply cut off all contact after today.

Zhou Mei, however, looked at Lu Yuan. She was still in a daze, not having fully processed what had happened, and was somewhat out of sorts.

Subconsciously, one can only seek help from the people closest to them.

"Why don't we see how things go first? Even if the outcome isn't good, I'll still be there to back Mei'er up."

Lu Yuan thought about it and considered whether it was the superficial investment relationship or the deep, private communication that bound them together.

He needs to maintain the persona of being kind to Zhou Mei.

At that time, others will not feel that they are weak and easy to bully.

They might also believe that they are wholeheartedly concerned for their artists and are loyal and righteous, which is why they are willing to endure such humiliation.

"This is Chairman Wang, the real investor in Orange Sky Media. He has been developing in the mainland film and television industry for the past few years. The two films he invested in last year grossed more than 600 million RMB at the box office."

Following Wei Min's introduction, everyone looked at the middle-aged man with a receding hairline standing next to her.

Chairman Wang held a wine glass in one hand and waved to everyone with the other. His short, stocky frame was encased in an obviously overly tight suit, and the overhead light illuminated his thinning hair, making it gleam greasy. He habitually leaned forward when speaking, as if trying to encompass every listener within his own sphere of influence.

Lu Yuan said he had no recollection of this person at all, and that 600 million yuan in box office revenue would have placed him in the top 30 in 04.

Of course, if it's just one movie, then two movies would really be a bit lacking.

In 04, Lu Yuan recalled that the highest-grossing film of the year was Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle," but its total box office was only 1.7 million yuan.

A major IP like Harry Potter only sold for over 2000 million, while Shrek only sold for over 1000 million.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but sigh at the current prices.

But in Wei Min's eyes, if a movie can earn an average of 300 million yuan at the box office, then it is definitely a mainstay of the film industry.