Chapter 341: Self-Inflicted Humiliation, Admitting Defeat

Beijing, Guangxian headquarters.

"Chairman Wang, the folks at Xiaoma are asking, has the cast list for *The Patriot Yue Fei* been finalized?"

The well-proportioned secretary reminded him.

"Ah, I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it. Go and coordinate Liu Shishi's schedule with Tangren Media; I will notify the production crew and the other investors myself."

Wang Changtian slapped his forehead. When he took Wei Jin's call that day, he was in his post-coital refractory period, his mind blank, and he had nearly forgotten about this matter.

"Is President Wei helping Tangren secure this role?"

The secretary was a bit curious. Why would he not promote his own company's artists and do this instead? "Don't ask about things you shouldn't. Alright, go ahead."

Wang Changtian was not at all surprised by Wei Jin's philandering; he only lamented that Brother Wei was devoted in his own way, wanting to have both "Liu Yifei"s.

After dismissing the secretary, Wang Changtian picked up the phone to notify the investors. —— Yellow River Stone Forest, *Xuan-Yuan Sword* production set.

After finishing a scene, Liu Shishi was just taking a water cup from her Assistant when she saw Miss Cai running over with an excited look on her face.

"Shishi, do you know what kind of drama Wei Jin has arranged for you?"

Liu Shishi's expression was calm; she took a sip of water before answering.

"I only know it should be a big production; I didn't ask for the specifics."

Before Wei Jin left, Liu Shishi had only confirmed the schedule issue with Miss Cai and hadn't disclosed more, because she now had her guard up against Miss Cai.

"It's *The Patriot Yue Fei*, a big production initiated by the Hong Kong and Taiwan side, a big production with an investment cost of 150 million."

The excitement on Miss Cai's face could not be hidden. She had already learned about this drama through her connections in Hong Kong and had even communicated privately, but unfortunately, the other party had clearly stated they could only offer the second female lead.

Considering Liu Shishi's current status, and since it wasn't their own company's drama, there was no need to go and play a supporting role for others, so she had simply given up.

But she hadn't expected a turn of events; after all the twists and turns, the female lead role still fell to Liu Shishi.

Thinking of this, Miss Cai felt it necessary to remind Liu Shishi to properly maintain her relationship with Wei Jin.

"Shishi, don't blame K Jie for being realistic. Do you know that the production crew already had a preferred candidate for this role, and it was only because Wei Jin spoke up that the role was given to you?"

Speaking of this, Miss Cai's tone was somewhat emotional.

"The background of the initiators this time is not bad at all, yet the role was still changed. You should understand the logic behind this."

Liu Shishi pondered for a moment and understood Miss Cai's meaning.

If not for Wei Jin, even though she was already a popular young star, if she encountered such a situation one day, Tangren would not be able to protect her and she would still be replaced, unless she, Liu Shishi, was willing to forever revolve around Tangren's own dramas.

But if that were the case, how would the company promote newcomers? Or would she be willing to play a supporting role and pave the way for newcomers? Having entered the entertainment industry for several years, she was no longer the simple girl who longed for love; she naturally considered more, and at this moment, Liu Shishi felt incomparably fortunate.

No matter what, she would absolutely not let go of this man, Wei Jin.

"K Jie, I understand."

Looking at Liu Shishi's demeanor, Miss Cai knew she had truly taken it to heart and couldn't help but feel relieved. Her previous thoughts of holding Wei Jin hostage to seek film resources also faded; after all, the prices for television dramas were incredibly hot right now.

And this incident also allowed Miss Cai to see another possibility, which was to seek Wei Jin's protection and cooperation.

"Shishi, regarding the previous matters, K Jie was in the wrong. In the future, I will respect your choices. We are still good sisters, right?"

Looking at the slightly sincere Miss Cai, Liu Shishi remembered the scenes of how they first met and nodded with a complex expression. —— Upon receiving the notification from Wang Changtian, Tang Jili was completely numb.

He never expected that for the sake of launching this drama, Guangxian would pull in so many investors, leaving him with no say at all.

He had long ago promised the female lead role of this drama to his mistress, and now he was stuck.

He didn't want to offend both Guangxian and Shanhe Media at the same time; besides, if he went against the investors, would he still want to survive in this industry in the future?

Thinking of this, Tang Jili helplessly took out his phone, only hoping that the woman would be a bit more sensible.

Unfortunately, it clearly didn't go as he wished; the person on the other end of the line sounded very angry.

"Is it Fan Bingbing who demanded I be replaced?"

"Not exactly. She did mention it before, but I pushed back. It's mainly because the other investors also intervened, and the one replacing you is an artist under Tangren."

Hearing this, the person on the other end of the line was even more furious.

"What is Tangren? You can't even handle this? It was clearly a project you initiated. Are they looking at me as someone easy to bully? Fine, fine, fine."

"Listen to me, the investors this time, you shouldn't—"

Before Tang Jili could finish explaining, the other side hung up the phone. Listening to the busy signal on his phone, he truly felt exhausted.

"Damn it, that bitch actually dared to hang up on me. I shouldn't have let her into my bed in the first place. Fuck, whatever, I don't care anymore." —— The next day, Guangxian and Xiaoma were the first to announce the project *The Patriot Yue Fei*.

"The large-scale historical costume drama *The Patriot Yue Fei*, produced by multiple parties including Guangxian Media, China Film Group, Xiaoma Pentium, Shanhe Media, Xinli Media, Meitao Entertainment, and Taiyao Culture Studio, will begin filming in late October."

"*The Patriot Yue Fei* has an investment of 150 million, with the script written by the Shanhe Media Screenwriting Department. The creative team is powerful, directed by *The Myth* director Tang Jili, with popular young actor Huang Xiaoming and popular young actress Liu Shishi joining with great effort."

Once the news broke, there was immediate discussion online.

"Is this the first domestic drama about Yue Fei? Support!"

"The script was written by the Shanhe Media Screenwriting Department, it shouldn't be bad. Support!"

"Liu Shishi is playing the female lead, love it, love it."

"My Long Kui, my Qingchuan."

Many people in the industry were also discussing it, especially the actresses.

"Mimi, this must be President Wei's handiwork. What a pity."

Ceng Jia looked at Yang Mi with some regret. Although it was a TV drama, they were still in the primitive stage of capital accumulation and weren't picky at all. Moreover, it was a big production of 150 million; missing out on it was truly a pity.

"Yeah, it's all because I've had too many announcements lately."

Yang Mi also felt some regret. Tangren had previously announced the news of Wei Jin visiting the *Xuan-Yuan Sword* set; it was most likely that time that Liu Shishi had once again won the favor of her senior brother.

"It doesn't matter. When President Wei returns from Venice, you can go and catch up again."

"Mm, I know."

Inside a girls' dormitory at Beijing Film Academy, several girls were chattering and discussing. "You guys say, the investors don't include Tangren, so how did Liu Shishi get the resource? It can't just be because she's popular, right?"

"Hey, you can't guess this? *Palace* was produced by Shanhe Media, and she wasn't the female lead then. She didn't have much fame at that time; having a noble person to help is just different."

Listening to her roommates' chat, Huang Mengying felt very anxious. She didn't know if her resume had actually appeared on Senior Brother Wei's desk. You have to know, those photos were all carefully selected by her, and thinking about some of the bold outfits in them now, Huang Mengying still blushed a little.

Unlike the expectations of netizens and the bitterness of the actresses, Lin Xinru was now furious; this was clearly supposed to be her role, and for it, she had even done many base things.

"This is too bullying."

Once a woman becomes angry, it is easy for her to lose her head. Consumed by rage, Lin Xinru picked up the phone and called the media she was familiar with, starting to leak information. After making several calls in a row, Lin Xinru felt a sense of relief throughout her body.

"Liu Shishi, is it? Even if I can't get the role, I won't let you have an easy time." — *Xuan-Yuan Sword* production crew.

The Assistant ran over in a panic and handed the mobile phone to Miss Cai.

"President Cai, this is bad, take a look at this."

Miss Cai took the phone and looked; the news headlines were all about *The Patriot Yue Fei*.

"Mainland China production crew is exclusionary, forcibly replacing an already confirmed Taiwan actor."

"Original female lead Lin Xinru, forcibly intercepted."

"Mainland China young starlet Liu Shishi takes the position, possibly involving sexual favors."

Although the large number of reports were very one-sided, they couldn't stop netizens from watching the spectacle, and because it involved the two sides of the strait, the heat remained high.

Netizens said all sorts of things; it was clear they were being manipulated by people with ulterior motives.

"President Cai, what should we do now?"

Miss Cai's face was gloomy. Did this washed-up star from Taiwan really think Tangren was a soft persimmon? "Issue a notice, expose her dark history, and grab the attention first. We cannot let Shishi's reputation be damaged."

When it came to marketing, Miss Cai didn't fear anyone. The key was that Lin Xinru wasn't clean. As Tangren, which had always had connections with Hong Kong and Taiwan capital, she knew a thing or two. Once exposed, it would likely be enough to cause her serious trouble.

As for how to deal with her later, Miss Cai believed that someone would take action.

At the Enlighten Media headquarters, looking at the news online, Wang Changtian's face looked very bad.

*The Patriot Yue Fei* was a project he had initiated. He had brought in many investors and, bearing heavy pressure, had finally obtained the filming permit.

If they were labeled as "affecting unity" at this moment, those old guys would likely seize the opportunity to jump out and cause trouble.

Although this possibility was very small, he didn't dare to gamble on that "what if."

After all, this was the first large-scale television drama project led by Enlighten Media after going public. If it were ruined, the damage to the stock price would be too great.

Thinking of this, anger rose in Wang Changtian's heart, and he took out his phone and dialed.

"Director Tang, I will give you half a day to handle this matter. My requirements are: one, immediately delete all posts, reduce the heat of the matter as quickly as possible, and calm the public opinion; two, that woman must publicly apologize. Otherwise, she can just wait to be jointly blacklisted by several investors."

Having said this, Wang Changtian paused, his tone serious.

"Director Tang, I am not joking with you. She should be glad that Wei Jin is not in the country right now, so there is still room for maneuver."

"Chairman Wang, don't worry, I will definitely handle it within half a day."

Hanging up the phone, Wang Changtian shook his head.

With Chen Jiashang before and Tang Jili after, he just wanted to win over some directorial talent; why was it so difficult?

These directors who couldn't control their lower halves would sooner or later fall because of it.

On the other side, Tang Jili, who had hung up the phone, had a face as black as could be. He had been working on this project for several years; if it were ruined by this woman, he would truly be beyond tears.

Picking up the phone, Tang Jili dialed, and as soon as it connected, he launched into a tirade.

"Do you think you are still the Zi Wei who was popular across the two straits and three regions? Get your head straight. If you want to die, don't drag me down with you. Do you know that Liu Shishi is Wei Jin's woman? Do you want to become the next Huang Qiusheng? I'm telling you—"

No one knew what kind of psychological journey Lin Xinru had experienced, but soon, her Weibo updated with a message.

"There is no issue of me being replaced. It was previously due to poor communication and scheduling conflicts. I am very sorry for the trouble caused to everyone."

Accompanying this, those news drafts that were manipulating the narrative all disappeared without a trace.

Now, the internet instantly became lively.

Never Give Up: "This is clearly being dealt with after looking for trouble; isn't this too cowardly?"

il0_0li: "It's different. Not everyone is as easy to bully as Zhou Jie. This time she kicked an iron plate; it's simply self-inflicted humiliation."

Crazy Gray Rabbit: "To be fair, the investors have good judgment. This woman is already washed up; she's not just a little bit worse than Liu Shishi."

Just when everyone thought this matter was gradually calming down, many exposés about Lin Xinru suddenly appeared online.

"Exclusive reveal: Zi Wei puts on airs, making fans wait bitterly in the rain for hours."

"According to an insider, while on the set of *Huan Zhu Ge Ge*, Zi Wei used voodoo dolls on fellow actors and cursed them maliciously."

"According to reliable sources, Zi Wei, who has always been committed to charity, is actually a stingy person."

At the same time, Lin Xinru's Weibo was directly swamped by angry "Little Lions."

One must know that as a popular young starlet, Liu Shishi now had millions of Weibo followers, and her hardcore fans were not few in number.

"."

For a time, this "Zi Wei Ge Ge" who was once popular across the country was not only covered in scandals but also attacked in various ways, leaving her overwhelmed.

But she didn't dare to speak out at all, feeling stifled to death, and could only close her Weibo comments, out of sight, out of mind—it must be said that Lin Xinru was very lucky; a piece of news from across the ocean instantly attracted domestic attention, which could be considered as having relieved her.

"Produced by Sony, with an investment of 65 million USD, the fifth installment of the film series adapted from the best-selling game, *Resident Evil: Retribution*, will hold auditions in Huaxia."

This news was like a deep-sea bomb, instantly detonating the entire entertainment industry.

One must know that Hollywood films had always been the object of longing and pursuit for domestic actors.

Unfortunately, domestic actors rarely had the opportunity to participate, and high-quality projects were even scarcer.

That was why actresses were so crazy about both *Inception* and *Pacific Rim*.

Now, another Hollywood film series had officially announced it was coming to the country for auditions, instantly making the entire circle restless. (End of chapter)