Chapter 281: Zhang Yongcheng Changes Roles

Jingcheng, Feimin Entertainment headquarters.

Xiang Fei sat in a large office chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the rosewood desk, eyes fixed on the investment report before him; Ren Quan stood beside him, impeccably dressed in a suit, his voice steady.

Who could have imagined that this artist once slated by Feimin for promotion was now the head of Feimin's investment department?

Xiang Fei gave a slight nod: "Well done."

Ren Quan smiled: "Thanks to Director Xiang for the opportunity."

Two months ago, Ren Quan boldly submitted to Xiang Fei a proposal titled "Capitalization Strategy for the Entertainment Industry," detailing future trends in the integration of the internet and entertainment. Xiang Fei read it through in ten minutes, then approved the establishment of the investment department and appointed Ren Quan as its sole director.

The decision proved utterly correct.

Feimin's investment footprint was expanding at an astonishing pace—Tencent, Alibaba, NetEase, Weibo… behind each of these future giants lurked Feimin's shadow.

"By the way, any news from Zhang Jizhong?" Xiang Fei suddenly asked.

Cai Wen nodded: "Director Dong will bring him over this afternoon to report on the post-production plan for 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes.'"

Xiang Fei hummed, his gaze deep.

At three in the afternoon, Zhang Jizhong entered Xiang Fei's office accompanied by Dong Xiaoming.

"Director Xiang, the edited sample of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' is ready. Would you like to take a look?" Zhang Jizhong respectfully handed over a USB drive.

Xiang Fei inserted it into his computer, skimmed through it quickly, and nodded: "Fine. Follow your plan."

Zhang Jizhong exhaled in relief, smiling: "Thank you, Director Xiang!"

Dong Xiaoming seized the moment to interject: "Director Xiang, 'Ip Man' is about to start filming. I'll arrange dinner with Ye Weixin tonight."

Xiang Fei lifted his eyes, a faint, unreadable smile on his lips: "Do as you see fit."

Dong Xiaoming smiled and withdrew.

At seven that evening, a high-end private cuisine restaurant in Jingcheng.

Inside the private room, Dong Xiaoming wrapped his arm around Liu Yifei's waist and whispered: "When Director Ye arrives, be sharp."

Liu Yifei wore a white dress, her makeup flawless, but her eyes were hollow; she nodded mechanically.

A few minutes later, Ye Weixin pushed open the door.

"Director Ye! Honor to meet you!" Dong Xiaoming stepped forward warmly to shake his hand.

Ye Weixin smiled in greeting: "Director Dong, you're too kind."

Dong Xiaoming introduced: "This is Liu Yifei, my girlfriend and also an artist under Feimin."

Liu Yifei bowed politely: "Hello, Director Ye."

Ye Weixin studied her for a moment, then smiled: "Good. Very spirited."

The three sat down. After three rounds of drinks, Dong Xiaoming asked casually: "Director Ye, have you decided on the female lead for 'Ip Man'?"

Ye Weixin set down his cup: "Yes. Xiong Dailin."

Dong Xiaoming clicked his tongue: "Xiong Dailin's fine, but I think Cixi suits it better."

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and sent a message.

Less than a minute later, the door opened and four young, beautiful girls entered—all seventeen or eighteen, dressed in revealing outfits, smiling sweetly.

"Director Ye, these girls are all your fans. They came specially to toast you," Dong Xiaoming said with a grin.

Ye Weixin quickly waved his hands: "This… isn't appropriate."

Dong Xiaoming grabbed one girl and pulled her onto Ye Weixin's lap: "What's inappropriate? They're all family!"

The girls giggled and clustered around, pouring drinks and cooing; Ye Weixin half-resisted, half-gave in, and soon was thoroughly drunk.

Two hours later, as the alcohol flowed freely, Dong Xiaoming brought up the female lead of "Ip Man" again.

"Director Ye, what do you think of Cixi? She's got talent, and she's got looks."

Ye Weixin, eyes glazed, looked at Liu Yifei and hesitated: "But what about Xiong Dailin?"

Dong Xiaoming leaned close to his ear and whispered: "Xiong Dailin isn't under Feimin, nor under Yongsheng."

As he spoke, he slipped an envelope into Ye Weixin's pocket.

Ye Weixin felt the envelope, then smiled: "Alright. Then it's Liu Yifei."

After the meal, Ye Weixin, flanked by two girls, went to a hotel suite Dong Xiaoming had booked.

Dong Xiaoming led Liu Yifei into another suite.

As soon as they entered, he shoved her onto the bed.

"Cixi, you did well today," he said, untying his tie with a grin.

Liu Yifei lay stiffly, staring blankly at the ceiling.

At three a. m., she gently pushed away Dong Xiaoming's hand resting on her chest and whispered: "I need to go back to school."

Dong Xiaoming mumbled an "mm-hmm," half-asleep: "Alright. I'll call you when I miss you."

Liu Yifei quickly dressed and fled the hotel like a hunted animal.

At dawn, in the Beidian dormitory.

Liu Yifei curled up on her bed, biting her lip until it bled, silent tears sliding down.

Her phone buzzed suddenly—it was a message from Dong Xiaoming:

"You're the female lead in 'Ip Man.' Happy?"

She stared at the screen, fingers trembling as she replied:

"Thank you, Director Dong."

After sending it, she tossed the phone aside and buried her face deep in her pillow.

She knew she had become Dong Xiaoming's plaything—but for her future, she had no choice.

Feimin Entertainment, CEO's office.

Xiang Fei stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking Jingcheng's night skyline.

Ren Quan stood behind and reported, "President Dong has already secured the female lead for 'Ip Man'; Liu Yifei has taken the role."

Xiang Fei chuckled lightly, "President Dong knows how to play."

Bai Long hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "President Xiang, President Dong's recent moves... are they perhaps too much?"

Xiang Fei turned, his gaze sharp: "The entertainment industry is like this: either you eat people, or you get eaten. Since President Dong likes to promote her so much, let her become famous enough to light up half the sky."

"I want everyone to know—"

"At Feimin, only obedient artists have a future."