Chapter 895

Li Zhibai didn't know who had found this person Feng Pai, nor did he know what his actual abilities or methods were.

Because this was not his company and his brother was in charge, Li Zhibai did not want his brother to misunderstand that he had any intention of meddling in this company—

Just as his brother had also been trying his best not to let him be kidnapped by the family company.

The paradoxical thing about this world is that even though there was nothing wrong between the two of them and they could be considered "a friendly older brother and a respectful younger brother," their relationship always became awkward because of some people and some things, making some original intentions go against their wishes.

Li Zhibai said directly: "Brother, I don't like him. In the future, for my film and television projects, including the company projects I produce, you should change the person in charge to interface with me."

Feng Pai's complexion turned the color of a pig's liver in an instant.

He opened his mouth to speak.

Li Shenyuan, however, gave him a look, warning him not to speak again.

Li Shenyuan nodded at Li Zhibai.

"If you have a suitable candidate, you can tell me."

"This is the family company; my candidates are reserved for my own studio," Li Zhibai said without any scruples. "You find someone yourself, someone with better ability, just don't be like him with a brain full of water."

Li Zhibai was now fully playing the role of a hot-tempered, nasty spoiled brat, not taking a company CEO like Feng Pai seriously at all.

Yet, Feng Pai really had no way to deal with it.

The one thing he hadn't figured out was Li Zhibai's temper, and the fact that Li Zhibai, having reached where he was today, was really not some Li family Second Young Master deeply trapped in his family's affairs, relying on family resources, and tightly bound.

For Li Zhibai to reach this point, his family background and resources couldn't be said to have played no role, but they certainly didn't play a decisive one. He was able to possess his current status and influence, firstly by his gifted appearance and personality, secondly by Zhou Ping'an's early eye for scripts, and thirdly by Lu Yanhe feeding him a few peerless good opportunities, which allowed him to step by step reach his current position as a truly top-tier artist in the country.

His family's resources weren't that they weren't enough, but that they were too mediocre; any company could provide them.

Feng Pai might have thought that in front of his own family company, Li Zhibai would inevitably have to make some cooperation and sacrifices, but he didn't realize at all that this spoiled brat, if he wasn't happy, no one could force him.

Feng Pai also didn't realize that although the Ruishi Group had established this company and entered the film and television production industry, the main reason was seeing that Li Zhibai had already gained a firm foothold in the entertainment industry and would likely be a star for the rest of his life, so they thought of a win-win situation, expanding their own business while also helping their youngest son strengthen his influence.

The company was there to serve Li Zhibai. The little income from the entertainment industry really wasn't enough for the Ruishi Group to look at. At most, it had some strategic significance for the company's brand image.

Li Shenyuan: "Feng Pai, you go out first."

Feng Pai wanted to say something but stopped, and under Li Shenyuan's unquestionable gaze, he got up and left.

Li Zhibai beamed with joy.

"Brother, I was really worried just now that you would lecture me for being unreasonable."

Li Shenyuan looked at Li Zhibai and said, "It's not just today or yesterday that you've been unreasonable."

"Damn."

"But it's fine, you can be unreasonable," Li Shenyuan said. "If something happens, Brother will back you up."

Li Zhibai raised the corners of his mouth happily.

"It's good to have you. If it were Dad here today, he would definitely scold me and make me apologize to him."

"Dad has always been polite to outsiders, why do you bother with him?" Li Shenyuan said. "And, although he never says it, he is very proud of the achievements you have made over the years. He used to think about pulling you back home to participate in the management of the family business, but he hasn't mentioned that in the last few years."

Li Zhibai: "He has the nerve to say that, scolding me for having a big temper and a straight brain on one hand, while wanting me to participate in company management on the other, not afraid that I'll bankrupt the family."

"..." Li Shenyuan was silent for two seconds, his stiff face couldn't hold it anymore, he turned his head, and the corners of his mouth started to smile.

Li Zhibai: "Seriously, Brother, if you're going to manage this film and television company, do it properly, don't let this kind of professional manager mess around."

Li Shenyuan said: "I'm still managing other family businesses, so I can't put all my energy into this side."

"Then send someone you trust over. It doesn't matter if they don't understand the film and television industry; the platform, production team, distribution... I can give them the resources I've accumulated over the years," Li Zhibai said. "I don't mind sharing these things with the family. I'm only worried about pig-like teammates like the one just now, who not only destroy the things I've worked so hard to accumulate but also make the family company a mess, pursuing short-term KPIs and failing to build a circular ecological environment."

Li Shenyuan nodded and said sincerely: "Hearing you say this, I feel that you have really grown up and matured a lot."

"Don't act like an elder in front of me, what grown up and matured a lot," Li Zhibai immediately rolled his eyes.

Li Shenyuan laughed again.

Li Zhibai: "By the way, this."

He took a project proposal out of his bag.

"This, this is a project I've taken a liking to, 'The Hundred Dollar Coffee Shop'," Li Zhibai said. "I don't know who in the company bought this original script, but it's written very well. Although it's a romance-themed script, I could read it and was moved. I plan to do this project. Later, you find someone you trust to come to the company, let them be in charge, I'll lead them, and I'll also star in it."

Li Shenyuan showed a look of surprise upon hearing this.

"You're starring in it yourself? I see you haven't been acting in TV dramas lately, only movies."

"Yes, but this script is indeed written well and meets my standards for taking on a role," Li Zhibai said. "So, I'm willing to act. If I star in it, I can also use this project to bundle the two dramas the company was planning to shoot together to negotiate with the platform, which is beneficial for the asking price."

Li Shenyuan frowned.

"There's no need to use your influence to bundle those two dramas. I've said it before, the original intention of this company is to help you, not to hold you back."

"It's not holding me back," Li Zhibai shook his head. "In fact, this is how the industry works. Without background and connections, you have to play cards that make the other side interested, and then they will follow. Any drama I take on will benefit other projects of that film and television company. They are all old hands and understand this implicitly, but you guys aren't clear about it, which is why I need to be so blunt."

Li Shenyuan only then understood what Li Zhibai was talking about.

"I understand."

"In addition, I am willing to star in our family company's projects, but my requirements for the script cannot be lowered; this is a prerequisite. I also hope that our family company can produce good things. The ability of a film and television production company to make money is limited, and it can't compare to our family's other industries. To some extent, in the cultural and entertainment industry, the most valuable thing is to establish a broad brand image through mass media. The brand value brought by good things is far higher than the money earned by a single film or television project."

"Yes, I agree with your view on this point," Li Shenyuan said. "So, for the script you said wasn't good, we'll just treat the investment as a loss and won't shoot it."

"There's no need to let it rot in our hands either. It's at least a script from a big screenwriter. If you really don't plan to shoot it, just sell it to other companies or platforms. Someone will pay for it, so it won't lose too much," Li Zhibai said. "Feng Pai should have made these things clear to you, but he doesn't seem to have told you."

"Him." Li Shenyuan shook his head helplessly. "He actually wasn't found by me, but introduced by a friend of Dad's for many years."

"This can still be a nepotism hire."

"Don't forget, in the workplace, nepotism hires work because for those in power, nepotism hires are more trustworthy," Li Shenyuan said. "I can't fire him either, I can only say I'll find someone to balance him."

"Fine," Li Zhibai nodded. "Knowing he isn't your person, I'm relieved. In at least half a year, at most two years, I will definitely get rid of him."

Li Shenyuan: "... Don't mess around."

"Keeping him is messing around. Dad's biggest problem is that he still believes in that set of 'jianghu' loyalty and brotherly friendship. The times have changed. Back then, it was about sticking out for each other, but today, it's all a burden," Li Zhibai said bluntly. "To be honest, if you guys are looking for Feng Pai, you might as well invite my former agent Zhou Ping'an; his ability is definitely greater than Feng Pai's."

"You and him didn't part on good terms, and you're still willing to cooperate with him?"

"If he could be hired full-time to work for our family company, to be honest, I could temporarily forgive his previous actions of favoring Ma Zhiyuan," Li Zhibai said. "His problem was never a lack of ability, but having too many schemes, seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages, and only choosing what is most beneficial to himself. But for a company, this is not a bad thing."

"He is already at Shijin now, and the platform and resources Shijin gives him will only be more than what we give."

After all, Shijin is seriously going to enter the cultural and entertainment industry.

Ruishi is just building a fortress chariot for their own little young master that can attack or retreat.

Li Zhibai said: "I'm just saying, but seriously, Brother, you must find someone else you trust to come over. Feng Pai better not try to interfere with my film and television projects. If he dares to interfere, I will directly do something to send him to court."

Li Shenyuan glared at him.

"Is this something you can say?! If you dare to do that, I'll break your legs."

"Heh, now it's not certain who can beat whom between you and me," Li Zhibai bent his arm, showing off his biceps.

A clear look of contempt appeared in Li Shenyuan's eyes.

Li Zhibai: "..."

Li Shenyuan took off his suit jacket and took off his watch.

"You can try it now."

Li Zhibai's eyes widened.

He turned his head and looked out the window, "Oh my, Brother, look, the sky is so blue today."