Chapter 128: Boasting Without Even Preparing (Bonus Chapter for Ally

The next day, Fang Hong still worked in the morning.

He and Chen Zhixi entered another conference room, where all the actors signed with Jade Rabbit were gathered.

These included Zhao Xiaodao, Chen Xiao, Zhu Yilong, and Li Xian.

Among them, only Li Xian and Zhu Yilong were somewhat popular; the rest had not yet broken through.

There was also Zhang Songwen, but he had gone to handle propaganda since his film Beijing Meets Seattle was about to be released.

The propaganda campaign, besides Jade Rabbit's own team, involved three media companies from Guangzhou, Beijing, and the company itself.

Chen Xiao had applied to Jade Rabbit because he admired how bold they were!

After all, who else in the industry dared to directly confront Huayi and hand out lead roles right away?

Not everyone could tolerate that company.

The conference room was filled with men at a glance, with only Zhao Xiaodao as the sole woman—this company was overwhelmingly male-dominated!

"The artist management division is still in its infancy, so for now, President Chen will oversee you. Rest assured, with only a few of you, resources will be prioritized for you." Fang Hong said.

This time, he hadn't even allocated resources to Liu Tianxian, showing he could separate personal feelings from professional duty.

Chen Zhixi added: "I've managed few artists myself; if I've overlooked anything, I hope you'll all be understanding."

"No problem—I've been following along the whole time, I understand. Principal and President Chen, don't worry about me; I'm still in school." Li Xian spoke with easygoing confidence.

Over the past year, he'd received more than enough resources—from supporting role in Those Years to lead in The Genius Plan.

He could be considered on par with Zhu Yilong! As long as no accidents happened, he could take a one- or two-year break before returning to acting.

In his past life, he had started acting in TV dramas in 2014 and only became popular in 2016.

Fang Hong had effectively pulled forward his rise to fame by years.

"I'm new here and don't know many rules yet—I hope everyone will be forgiving in the future." Zhao Xiaodao bowed.

"We're at the same company again—nice to meet you." Chen Xiao extended his hand with a smile.

Zhao Xiaodao shook it, and they exchanged a glance, both thinking: Don't you dare jump off the car again.

This meeting was just for introductions.

In the afternoon, Fang Hong came to Liu Tianxian's house again; Liu Xiaoli was still away—perfect.

Liu Tianxian was relaxed, lying on a recliner reading a book, a sunshade above her head, peaceful and comfortable.

She glanced at Fang Hong walking past from behind: "Aren't you busy? You come here every day."

"I'm more capable—I can finish a year's work in half a day; I've already done two years' worth." Fang Hong lied without blinking.

He sat on the recliner beside Liu Tianxian, picked up a watermelon from the glass table, and started eating it—no manners at all.

"Pfft!"

Liu Tianxian didn't believe him for a second—he always boasted in front of her. Once a simple kid, how had he turned into this?

Now that they were familiar, he could say whatever he wanted—it didn't matter. She said nothing, just lay still and read.

"What about you? You seem suddenly free." Fang Hong tossed away the watermelon rind.

Previously, Liu Tianxian had been extremely busy.

"I just want to rest a bit—I've been worn out these past two years." Liu Tianxian spoke calmly.

"You really should rest. You've shot too many films these past two years." Fang Hong nodded in agreement.

These past two years, she'd done six films: Love in the City, A Chinese Ghost Story, The Legend of Hongmen, Those Years, Lost in Love 33 Days, and The Genius Plan.

Of course, the first three were meaningless—not just meaningless, they had damaged Liu Tianxian's value.

He didn't know that after pushing through Copper Terrace, coupled with Jade Rabbit's box office hits, a butterfly effect had swept through today's film industry.

Liu Tianxian was the one most deeply affected! In Fang Hong's original memory, she never lacked roles—after all, there was still the Four Great Constables trilogy.

But Wang Zhangtian was weighing options—he wanted to break free from Hong Kong's influence but lacked good projects. Fortunately, Fang Hong had no shortage of projects, releasing one after another.

He wanted to exchange benefits with the Principal, so he seized control of the Four Great Constables project originally meant for Liu Tianxian.

It was normal—in this era, every film company had ties to Hong Kong. The top three—Berna, Guangxian, Huayi—all collaborated with Hong Kong on film projects.

Even state-backed entities like China Film Group and Huaxia couldn't escape collaboration with them; southern factions were the same.

Hong Kong still held influence in this era, but its people were insatiable. Guangxian wanted to break free, produce and distribute projects independently—they already had distribution capabilities.

But without directors or projects, breaking free wasn't easy.

Currently, only Jade Rabbit showed any possibility of building film projects without relying on Hong Kong.

But only if they didn't make low-budget films! That was why Liu Tianxian had accepted Copper Terrace even after arguing with Fang Hong.

She knew the consequences.

Even so, she didn't want to tell Fang Hong—she wanted to solve it herself, didn't want to burden him. This girl always thought of others first.

In his past life, breaking free from Hong Kong's influence only happened after The Wandering Earth, when a new generation of directors led by Xu Guangtou gradually rose to prominence. Chen Sicheng, Lu Yang, Guo Fan, Wu Jing were representatives, joined by Happy Mahua and others, who collectively surged forward and gradually marginalized Hong Kong's influence.

Now, only Jade Rabbit showed this trend—this was why Zuoshandiao of China Film Group valued Jade Rabbit so highly.

Not for any other reason—only for domestic development! Of course, Fang Hong hadn't realized this yet—he was already reshaping the film industry's structure, and many people's attitudes were shifting because of him.

He was still acting according to memories from his past life.

"I heard Shu Chang is going to play the female lead in your company's film, right?" Liu Tianxian lowered her book and looked at him.

"Yes, a low-budget youth film—it doesn't suit you. You can't make films like this anymore." Fang Hong said.

One Those Years was enough—it was the most beautiful memory. Making another would be stagnation.

"I didn't say I wanted to act in it. I was just asking."

Liu Tianxian rolled her eyes at him—self-important.

Fang Hong smiled: "What kind of roles do you like? I'll check if there are any scripts or characters suited to you—I'll give them to you first."

"Really? That good?" Liu Tianxian turned her body to face him.

"Of course. You can pick any film from my company—whatever's left over goes to others." Fang Hong boasted.

Liu Tianxian smiled faintly: "That's fine—send me the scripts for all your company's upcoming projects, and I'll pick one."

"Most of the lead actors for the upcoming projects have already been chosen; only a few supporting roles are left," Fang Hong said awkwardly—he'd blown his cover.

"I knew it," Liu Tianxian snapped.

He talks big, but when you ask him, you're not even in the picture—this guy.

"Don't be like that—you're resting right now; you've shot too many dramas these past two years," Fang Hong said again.

"Hmph!"

Liu Tianxian turned her back, too lazy to deal with him.

She wasn't angry—she just thought this man brazenly boasted without a shred of preparation, and he was doing it on purpose.

Fang Hong propped his hands on the chair and leaned close to her face, whispering: "Are you mad?"

"Move away, don't get so close to me."

Liu Tianxian's face was stiff—his warm breath was blowing right onto her cheeks.

"Mwah!"

Fang Hong didn't kiss her—just puckered his lips, deliberately teasing.

"If you keep this up, I'll beat you up—I'm really fierce," Liu Tianxian threatened, her voice sweet but sharp.

"Smack!" Fang Hong kissed her cheek.

He hadn't said anything, but now he had to kiss her.

Liu Tianxian sat up sharply; Fang Hong jumped back, tripped over the lounge chair, and nearly fell.

He hadn't even been touched—he was already panicking.

This made Liu Tianxian feel too guilty to hit him—he was such a coward, yet still insisted on being a fool.

They faced off; Fang Hong soothed: "Don't be so fierce—be gentle."

"I haven't hit you or even scolded you—I'm the victim here—and you're calling me fierce? You're really good at turning things around," Liu Tianxian shot back.

"You said yourself you're fierce," Fang Hong said.

"Get lost!"

Liu Tianxian rolled her eyes, ignored him, and lay back down.

Fang Hong tried sitting back down; Liu Tianxian shifted slightly—he immediately bolted away, thinking she was about to hit him.

This made Liu Tianxian laugh: "Why are you so scared?"

"Lie still and don't move."

Fang Hong carefully pulled the adjacent lounge chair away, keeping his distance.

Liu Tianxian stood up and suddenly lunged forward; Fang Hong scrambled far away.

But Liu Tianxian hadn't moved an inch—she just bent over, giggling uncontrollably, her stomach aching from laughter.

She was doing it on purpose—absolutely teasing him.

Because Fang Hong wasn't afraid of her at all; this behavior of his, besides being tolerant, was clearly meant to make her happy.

She suddenly realized Fang Hong had a goofy side—nothing like his usual dominant demeanor, especially those timid, clumsy movements.

It'd be a waste not to put him in a comedy.

(End of Chapter)