Chapter 436: Put Down That Face

Just as everyone was puzzled that the Principal wouldn't be so kind, Fang Hong spoke again: "It's just that…"

He paused, making everyone's hearts tighten—they knew the Principal couldn't possibly be this generous.

"Just say what you want, don't drag it out," Zhang Hongsen growled, tired of his usual antics—always holding back at critical moments.

"Where's Xiao Fa? Did he come?" Fang Hong scanned the crowd.

"Xiao Fa?"

Someone was confused—where did this name come from? They didn't have anyone with the surname Fa.

"You mean Fa Ge?" Wang Jinda's mind snapped into gear immediately.

"Yes!" Fang Hong nodded.

Fa Ge's real name is Xiao Fa—you've got to be kidding, he's old enough to be your grandfather," Wang Haifeng said. "He's got something today, didn't come."

"Then I'll say it plain: to resolve this, you must bring Xiao Fa here to apologize to me. I've been insulted by him for years—I can't just let it slide. I have to slap his face." Fang Hong dropped the pretense and laid it out straight.

The people present exchanged glances.

"To be honest, I'm not targeting any of you—but using Fa Ge in your film is directly challenging me," Fang Hong said again.

This was crystal clear: it had nothing to do with them—he was solely targeting Fa Ge.

It also made everyone realize: after all this fuss, the Principal had stirred up this whole mess just to get back at Fa Ge—they were completely innocent, and his grudge was absurdly petty.

But Bonar certainly wasn't innocent.

"Do you really need to hold a grudge against him?" Zhang Hongsen said.

"You, Director Zhang, are high above—perhaps you can't understand how it feels to have your dignity trampled underfoot when you were weak and struggling," Fang Hong replied.

Zhang Hongsen fell silent—he understood. Fa Ge had once scolded him when he was still powerless.

People who've grown old and achieved fame often suffer from the habit of lecturing others—thinking you must do this, should do that, always scolding the younger generation.

It's a satisfying mindset—it's pure flexing.

"But you can't vent your anger on us! Because of your personal grudge, all our money's gone down the drain—do you compensate us?" Mu Yedong complained bitterly.

"Did I ask you to hire him? China has so many excellent actors—why did you pick him? Who's to blame? In public, how many times has he insulted me? For years! I don't believe you're all deaf and blind," Fang Hong said sharply, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

Indeed, everyone knew Fa Ge and the Principal had a feud—he'd insulted the Principal for nearly three years, always finding a chance to lash out in public.

Even during this public film promotion, he'd cursed repeatedly, calling the entire film market a mess, blaming it all on the Principal.

He dumped all the blame on the Principal—as if he himself never made trash films.

But Fa Ge pulls box office—he's that big. Who else among the actors can carry a film alone?

Hiring him was for security.

"In any case, this is your personal feud—you can't take it out on us. We're just investors in the film; we haven't wronged you," Wang Haifeng still defended Fa Ge, trying to distance himself—apparently they were close.

"Don't talk to me about this and that—we're competitors in the film market. I'm justified in targeting you. Unless you bring Fa Ge here for me to slap his face, this isn't over."

Fang Hong spoke again, sharply: "Also, I'll say this plainly: from now on, anyone who hires him, I'll crush them. No exceptions."

As he said the last line, he swept his hand dramatically—his aura surged. He'd once lacked power and couldn't act; now that he had some, his first target was Fa Ge.

Fuck, he and Liu Tianxian had been insulted by him for years!

Aside from Feng Kuzi, Fa Ge had been the harshest—always seizing any chance to spit venom.

These words sent a shiver through everyone present—it was clearly the start of a full blacklist. Though not stated outright, the meaning was unmistakable.

And he'd said it right in the Film Bureau—utterly inappropriate, shamelessly arrogant!

Zhang Hongsen showed no expression—he hadn't said "blacklist Fa Ge," just that anyone who hires him gets crushed. So don't hire him.

In terms of value, the Principal mattered more. Fa Ge was old—he should've stepped aside long ago.

Besides, blacklisting someone in entertainment was routine. Liu Tianxian had been blacklisted too—who stood up for her? Didn't she have to fight her way out herself?

If Fa Ge has guts, let him fight his way out.

Let Fang Hong vent first—he won't stop until he does.

Everyone present exchanged glances, their eyes filled with varying degrees of shock and hesitation—each wondering whether to call Fa Ge or not.

Most were inclined to sacrifice Fa Ge—he's just one actor; money mattered more.

Finally, Wang Jin spoke: "Principal, though he's made mistakes, it doesn't warrant this. You're in your position now—let bygones be bygones."

His From Vegas to Macau had a sequel—how could they proceed without Fa Ge?

"You all assume that now that I've risen, I'm the strong side and should give in to others—but who saw me when I was weak? Who stood up for me when others were brutal?" Fang Hong wouldn't budge.

He'd poured in so much thought, so much effort, struggled for so many years—he wouldn't rest until Fa Ge was broken.

Everyone fell silent—he kept talking about how hard his past was, how he must act now.

Either way, Fa Ge had to be the one cut down.

"We can have Fa Ge come apologize to you. As for your demand to slap his face—we can't guarantee it. We can't force his head down for you," Wang Haifeng conceded.

He saw the other investors were all leaning toward summoning Fa Ge—after all, filming was done; sacrificing him to settle things didn't matter.

Maybe the Principal would ease up on their promotion and let them have a little more profit.

"Whether you can force his head down—I don't know," Fang Hong said, shrugging it off.

Either slap Fa Ge's face—or I slap you. You choose.

With no other option, Mu Yedong told Wang Haifeng: "Call him. Tell him to come."

The film was already done—no future collaboration anyway.

Huang Baiming nodded—he agreed. He represented Oriental Film.

Wang Haifeng had no choice—he dialed Fa Ge's number. The call connected quickly. He stepped aside to speak—no one heard what he said. When he returned, he said: "He's on his way."

They could only wait. But they couldn't just sit idle. Mu Yedong asked: "If Fa Ge apologizes to you, you really won't target us anymore?"

"I said slap his face," Fang Hong corrected.

"Fine—Fa Ge lets you slap his face, and you really won't target us," Mu Yedong rephrased.

"Yes, I keep my word. I won't lay a hand on you, and I'm pulling my Propaganda Department's campaign—you can have a sip of the broth, and how much you get depends on your own ability," Fang Hong said.

Anyway, the box office for *Bound* has hit its ceiling; the audience base is limited, and those who've seen it won't watch it a second or third time.

Besides, this movie already carries its own heat—the online discussions are blazing hot; whether we promote it or not doesn't matter anymore.

This remark pleased Mu Yedong, and Wang Haifeng and the other capital holders also relaxed to varying degrees. Sacrificing Fa Ge alone benefits everyone—this deal is worth making.

Besides, it's still the Lunar New Year period, and there's still some box office left—the holiday hasn't fully ended.

In their eyes, Fa Ge was still just an actor! But Wang Jin felt deeply melancholy—Fa Ge had been his protégé.

Without Fa Ge, several of his projects would have to halt!

"Actually, we're all the same kind of people—film investors—all contributing to the Chinese-language film market. There's no grudge between us, so why must we turn on each other so fiercely?" Fang Hong's expression softened; his words sounded pleasant.

You talk nicely, but if that were truly your intent, you wouldn't seize on their minor mistakes and hunt them down so mercilessly. No one responded, but everyone silently seethed.

"I have no ill will toward you, and you shouldn't harbor ill will toward me. My conflict with Fa Ge is purely personal," Fang Hong added.

He simply didn't want to escalate this into a public matter.

Besides, this sounded like PUA—just moments ago he dominated everyone with force, and now he says this? What else could it be but PUA?

"As long as you're well, we can still get along peacefully," Yu Pangzi offered amiably.

"What's it got to do with you?" Fang Hong shot back immediately.

Yu Pangzi's face darkened—he'd been rebuffed. You say all that and you expect me to believe you're trying to make peace?

Someone couldn't help but smirk—why are you groveling like that?

The Principal was just speaking hypothetically—why did you take it seriously?

"Enough. Don't make things so tense—we're all in this industry. Competition is fine, but not malicious competition," Zhang Hongsen spoke up.

Fang Hong fell silent. The others stayed quiet too. The room grew awkwardly still.

After a while, Fang Hong's phone suddenly rang. Everyone turned to look at him.

It was Liu Tianxian calling, her voice sweet and soft: "Hey, are you done over there?"

"Not yet. You're fast," Fang Hong replied.

"There's nothing much—just discussing cooperation. Sign the papers, and the rest is already settled. You just need to show up later for promotional photos."

Liu Tianxian added again: "How much longer will you be?"

"I'm not sure," Fang Hong said.

"Then I'll wait for you. When you're done, come straight over—Shuchang and the others have arranged hot pot for us. It's been so long since we had hot pot," Liu Tianxian cooed.

"Alright."

Fang Hong hung up, put away his phone, and seemed to have lost patience: "I have limited time. If he doesn't show up, forget it. Tomorrow then."

"He's on his way now," Wang Haifeng said.

Tomorrow again? How many more tomorrows do they have? They simply can't afford to delay.

"You heard it—I really have something else to attend to, and it's not urgent within these next couple of days," Fang Hong stood up.

"."

Mu Yedong and the others grew anxious, unwilling to let him leave. Yu Pangzi was also visibly worried.

"How much time could this possibly take? Let's settle this today," Zhang Hongsen spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument.

They knew he was doing this on purpose—they'd figured him out.

Seeing Zhang Ju was serious, Fang Hong reluctantly sat back down. It wouldn't do to make the Principal angry.

Just as everyone exhaled in relief, Fa Ge's towering figure appeared at the door, looking imposing.

He scanned the reception room, his gaze locking onto Fang Hong, eyes narrowing slightly—there was danger in them.

But Fang Hong glanced at him once and looked away.

Wang Haifeng stepped forward, grabbing Fa Ge's arm and pulling him aside to whisper. Others who were familiar with the situation gathered nearby.

As he listened to the surrounding voices, Fa Ge's frown deepened. Then he shook off the hand gripping him, his expression sour: "You want me to let that little brat slap my face? Where's my dignity then?"

He spoke with rising emotion, slapping his own cheek.

The other capital holders urged him again, applying pressure and offering incentives—but the more they spoke, the darker Fa Ge's face grew. Finally, he turned away, waving his hand: "I can't help you. I won't let that little brat slap my face."

What kind of joke is this? Letting that little brat slap my face—how could I ever hold my head up again?

"If you refuse, the Principal will blacklist you. No one will dare hire you to act again," Wang Jin said.

"Then I'd rather quit being an actor than let someone slap my face."

Fa Ge was furious. He took a deep breath and added: "I've worked for decades to earn my dignity. Now you want me to return to a life without dignity? I can't do it."

He wasn't born into privilege—he'd endured countless storms and hardships. Only now had he gained status, had gained face.

To now ask him to lay that face down—absolutely impossible.

(End of Chapter)