Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

Before he could even ask the school for a long leave, his phone suddenly rang. It was Zhang Yimou calling, asking him to come to his house.

When a talent scout calls, how can one refuse? Li Xiang immediately told Master Chen to turn around and head straight for the Workers' Stadium—

Since moving here, he has been living just a few steps away from Zhang Yimou's house, so he has seen everything he should and shouldn't have seen.

Having changed into slippers as if familiar with the place, she entered the living room and saw Zhang Yimou and He Ting there, but the atmosphere was somewhat somber.

"Sit down." Zhang Yimou gestured to the sofa opposite him, lit a cigarette, took a couple of puffs, and then spoke.

"I asked you to come here because I have a personal matter I'd like to ask you to handle."

Li Xiang felt a chill run down his spine. Zhang Yimou never liked to ask for favors, especially for personal matters.

"Uncle Zhang, you said it, whether it's possible or not, I will do it without hesitation."

Zhang Yimou glanced at He Ting, who then took over the conversation, her voice filled with barely concealed anxiety: "It's about the children's schooling."

"I can't find my eldest child's birth certificate. I went to the hospital to apply for a replacement, but they couldn't find any record of it in their system."

I panicked and checked the birth certificates of my second and third children, but... they weren't there.

She paused, her fingertips clenching until they turned white: "Back then, Lao Zhang asked Zhang Weiping to handle this matter. He patted his chest and said he would definitely get it done, but who knew this would turn out like this."

There's no record in the hospital system, which means the children have always been unregistered. I'm... terrified.

He was about to speak when Zhang Yimou abruptly waved his hand, his brows furrowing into a knot, the cigarette butt ground firmly in the ashtray.

"As you know, Zhang Weiping and I have fallen out, but many people around me are either connected to him or have deep ties with people in the same industry."

I don't want this matter to go through them, otherwise it will cause a lot of trouble. You know how many people in the industry are waiting to see me make a fool of myself...

"I now even suspect that he deliberately set this trap for me back then."

Zhang Yimou's voice was extremely low, yet tinged with a hint of gritted teeth, "So I wanted to avoid him, but apart from the people around me, there are really very few I can trust."

He Ting chimed in, his tone slightly probing: "Your Uncle Zhang and I have been thinking about this for a long time. We figured you have a lot of ideas and don't get involved in those complicated things..."

"I just... I thought of you. But this is such a complicated matter, and we don't know if you could..."

Seeing the anxiety and trust in their eyes, Li Xiang immediately made a decision, especially since this was the day he had been waiting for.

Rather than waiting for Zhang Weiping to make trouble in the future, it's better to take the initiative to break the deadlock now, which can also be considered as repaying Uncle Zhang for his help all this time.

He leaned forward and said earnestly, "Uncle, Aunt, if you both trust me, I'll take on this task."

I reckon Zhang Weiping probably didn't have good intentions from the start. If you show any sign of wanting to leave, he'll definitely use it against you.

He paused, then changed the subject: "But to be honest, I probably don't have the ability to handle this perfectly myself."

If you pay someone else to do it, there's no guarantee that someone won't be greedy and expose this again.

So... I'd like to ask Mr. Zhao from Huace for help. Would you two mind?

He Ting was taken aback: "Your company's General Manager Zhao? Does she have that much influence?"

"Auntie, don't underestimate her." Li Xiang smiled. "President Zhao came from the system back then, and Huace is now a listed company."

For a woman to hold onto the CEO position without being sidelined, do you think it's possible without extraordinary abilities?

You need to understand the network of connections within the system; it's...

He Ting, having been through similar experiences herself, naturally knew how difficult it was for women to build their careers in this society, and immediately nodded: "She is indeed a remarkable person."

"That's right," Li Xiang replied.

"Let her handle this through the system. First, it's safer and won't leave any evidence that could be exposed. Second, it's also a fallback option for Uncle Zhang."

He glanced at Zhang Yimou and pointed out the matter for the first time: "And to be honest, President Zhao has been looking forward to cooperating with you for quite some time now."

If she can handle this matter well this time, you'll have another option in the future.

Zhang Yimou held a cigarette between his fingers and remained silent for a long time.

Smoke swirled in front of his eyes, then he looked up at Li Xiang, a complex smile playing on his lips: "You figured it out too, kid?"

"Oh my uncle, I'm not stupid. All those preferential treatments I've received since joining Huace, do you think they were just for me?"

Not making TV dramas? You know, our company's main focus is on TV dramas;

I don't sign other artists. Although I'm considered popular, I'm not so popular that the entire department revolves around me.

"They're giving away a house again, and they even specifically chose one near your house—their intentions are practically blatant. If I still can't see through it, I might as well quit the business."

"Besides, I'm sure you've already noticed this, haven't you?" Zhang Yimou nodded silently, tapping his fingertips on the cigarette box.

"But don't feel like you owe anyone a favor," Li Xiang changed the subject.

"I asked her for help with this, so I owe her a favor."

So you should continue as before. Even if you don't ultimately choose Huace, if a suitable project comes along and you share the profits with them, the favor will be even.

He analyzed, counting on his fingers: "Moreover, for this kind of thing, it's only safe if a major third party steps in."

If you really go through official channels, it's nothing more than completing the necessary paperwork and paying a fine.

Once all the procedures are in compliance with regulations, even if Zhang Weiping were to expose this matter in the future, with official backing, it wouldn't cause much of a stir.

Upon hearing the words "official endorsement," He Ting's eyes lit up, and he nodded before Zhang Yimou could even speak.

"Xiao Xiang is right! If the authorities can handle things properly, there won't be any problems later."

She reached out and nudged Zhang Yimou beside her, her tone urgent:

"You have to think about the children too! If it gets exposed in the future, how will the children ever be able to hold their heads up in the future?"

Let's listen to Xiaoxiang and go through the official channels. Fines should be imposed where they're due, and payments should be made, as long as this matter is completely resolved!

Actually, Zhang Yimou had this in mind when he called Li Xiang over.

Otherwise, no matter how close he was to Li Xiang, such a private matter involving family affairs might not have fallen on him.

He had known Zhao Fang for a long time, and had even met her a few times in his early years, but he never wanted to be completely tied to Hua Ce or Zhao Fang.

And Li Xiang's attitude certainly lived up to his guidance and high regard during this period.

He would take all the blame, including the favors owed, and not interfere much in his relationship with Hua Ce. This would be exactly what he wanted.

So without further hesitation, her tone softened: "Then I'll trouble you this once. We'll cooperate with whatever the fine is and whatever paperwork is required."

"What trouble?," Li Xiang waved his hand. "Even if it doesn't affect you two, it should affect my three adorable younger siblings, right?"

He paused, as if making up his mind, and looked up at the two of them: "But Uncle, since things have come to this, please don't blame me for being nosy."

Zhang Yimou and He Ting looked over at the same time, their eyes filled with doubt.

Li Xiang took a deep breath before slowly speaking, "How about... you and Auntie find some time to get your marriage certificate? That way, we can complete the last step."

Upon hearing this, He Ting's eyes lit up instantly, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on Zhang Yimou's arm.

Zhang Yimou naturally sensed this, and the lingering concerns in his heart completely vanished in the face of the expectations of those around him and the future of the children.

He could only sigh inwardly, "Fine, whatever you say. I'll get the marriage certificate done in the next couple of days."

Upon hearing this, He Ting's eyes immediately reddened, but she couldn't help but smile. She quickly turned away to wipe her face, her voice trembling slightly:

"I'll go cook two quick dishes. Xiaoxiang can have lunch before you leave."

Only Li Xiang and Zhang Yimou remained in the living room.

Zhang Yimou looked at him and suddenly laughed: "You little rascal, you're even more thoughtful than your father."

"It's all for the child's good." Li Xiang smiled too. "With all the paperwork in place, we can have peace of mind from now on, and no one can find fault with us."

Zhang Yimou nodded, said nothing more, but picked up the cigarette case on the table and handed one to Li Xiang.

The smoke rose again, but this time it lacked the previous heaviness; instead, it seemed to dispel the gloom that had accumulated in people's hearts for many years.