Chapter 487: After All, an Outsider

Listening to Liu Tianxian's account, Fang Hong gained a rough understanding of this circle.

The truly formidable ones are those Brotherhood of Remnant Elders hidden in the depths—people with deep, tangled roots spread across every field, including ones you would never imagine.

The entertainment circle is only one corner of it, not the whole picture.

With Fang Hong's current strength, of course he couldn't afford to offend them—not only couldn't afford to, this simply wasn't something a small figure like him could handle.

He didn't have the ability to wipe out this organization; after all, it had been deeply rooted for over a hundred years.

Just one point—the Qing history still hasn't been compiled, which says a lot—so there was simply nothing Fang Hong could do.

Fang Hong asked Liu Tianxian, "Did they bully you before?"

"Of course I was bullied. It got so bad my mom and my godfather had a falling-out—you know about that."

Liu Tianxian leaned in and whispered, "I suspect my godfather went inside that year because they reported him. Of course, nothing came of it in the end."

Hearing this, Fang Hong couldn't help but stare at her in astonishment.

He knew the story well—Chen Jinfei went inside, Liu Tianxian was blacklisted, and Liu Xiaoli took her daughter to Hong Kong.

The whole chain of events happened within a year or two, far too coincidental.

"You know, anyone in real estate always has something on them—it's impossible to be absolutely clean. So I've always suspected, but there's just no proof." Liu Tianxian now told Fang Hong everything.

She never used to say these things. Before, she only mentioned the surface cause of their past conflict, never going into the deeper layers.

But now the two were husband and wife—there was nothing to hide, so she said what needed saying.

"That's true, it's too much of a coincidence. Hardly possible without some plotting behind it," Fang Hong said.

Sometimes a single thing can knock a person down. Take the little group of Liu Tianxian, Liu Xiaoli, and Chen Jinfei—they simply lacked the ability to bear risk.

If it had been Fang Hong back then, with the strength he has now, even if godfather had gone inside, so what? Chang'e's foundation would still be intact.

Chang'e's foundation would still be intact.

That's the difference in strength—the ability to handle crises differs. Fang Hong could take the hit.

"They are pretty united, but that's got nothing to do with the people in the depths. I don't have that kind of energy to draw their attention. Just one Huayi is already more than we can handle," Liu Tianxian said again.

The unity she spoke of was unity of thought, of a sense of belonging—a willingness to help you, to act in concert with you instinctively.

If they weren't united, Liu Tianxian wouldn't have been blacklisted so thoroughly—basically the entire entertainment circle wouldn't use her.

Later she got out of it thanks to southern forces—Alibaba, Tencent, and other rising internet powers.

All of those were in the south, not the north.

"I understand," Fang Hong nodded.

After all, there are only so many of them—if they weren't united, how would they manage? They also feared being purged.

"Don't worry too much. This is a new era—those people don't dare to jump around too wildly, they can only use small tricks. You're not even on their radar, and even if you were, they wouldn't dare to do anything to you in broad daylight." Liu Tianxian placed her hand on his back to soothe him, to put his mind at ease.

She knew Fang Hong came from humble origins, had never heard about many things, and no one would tell her about these matters.

"You mean that once certain things or certain people are exposed to sunlight, it's hard to hide them again, right?" Fang Hong looked at her.

"Yes. Once certain things see the light, they get burned—just like zombies," Liu Tianxian said.

"That's a pretty apt metaphor," Fang Hong laughed. Weren't Qing dynasty official robes just zombie costumes? They could only be hidden away in dark corners.

"But not seeing the light doesn't mean they can't come after you. The reason I always told you to keep yourself clean, never give them any handle—that's because the moment you slip up, they can magnify that mistake infinitely, seize on your error and tear you apart. Those people have that ability. My godfather is a cautionary tale." Liu Tianxian patted his back.

In the past she wouldn't let this man do anything dirty, worried that one day he'd be purged.

Hearing this, Fang Hong's heart went cold. Wasn't this just politics? Seizing on one mistake, blowing it up, then crushing your opponent to death—wasn't that exactly how the Ming dynasty factional struggles worked?

This trick was the same as the one Fang Hong had faced before—you play business, I play politics.

"As long as you keep yourself clean, it's very hard for them to move against you. They can only bully small stars like me, or people who never had real strength and already had problems of their own," Liu Tianxian said again.

Her man was a man with assets—he could create his own resources. His TV dramas were collaborations with southern TV stations, and his films weren't something those people could monopolize either.

If they could monopolize everything, then Huayi shouldn't have declined later on.

Film, TV, variety shows, and Chang'e Technology—setting all that up in the first place was precisely to avoid being controlled by others, to have channels in his own hands.

Actually, those people also have to keep their tails tucked—they just happen to control particularly special fields.

"I'll listen to you. I'll just deal with Huayi and not get involved in too much else," Fang Hong said solemnly.

Taking it out on Huayi was the right move.

Even a toothless tiger is still a tiger—if you really want to go after him, you still can.

"Mm!" Liu Tianxian was gratified.

As long as this man would listen to her, it was fine. If he got drawn in too deep, that would be politics—and she feared most that he wouldn't listen to her. Then it would be trouble.

She patted Fang Hong's arm: "Hey, do you have work this afternoon?"

"Whether I work or not is fine either way—what's up?" Fang Hong looked at her, puzzled.

"Come on, let's go have a meal with someone." Liu Tianxian took his hand and walked him outside.

"A meal? With who?" Fang Hong said.

"My godfather. Since I'm about to marry you, I should at least have a meal with him, let him know, let him take a good look at you," Liu Tianxian said.

The two walked out hand in hand. Fang Hong asked, "Has your godfather made up with your mom yet?"

"How could they? My mom's temper is fierce too—she thinks she did nothing wrong. My godfather, on the other hand, feels deeply wronged, with a lot of resentment in his heart," Liu Tianxian said.

It was still about how Liu Xiaoli had taken her daughter and turned around to go to Hong Kong back then—Chen Jinfei felt he'd been abandoned, and it sat very uncomfortably with him.

The conflict wasn't actually that deep; it just depended on how it was handled.

Fang Hong said nothing, drove following her, and met Chen Jinfei at an upscale hotel.

Chen Jinfei was still the same—disheveled hair, a white T-shirt, jeans on the bottom, looking very casual. Not like a boss at all, more like an old farmer.

He also had a stern, unsmiling look—not that he was giving anyone a hard time, it was just that his face was naturally like that.

"Godfather, you got here so early! I was saying we'd be here first." Liu Tianxian greeted him with a smile.

"Came early to wait for you. I've already arranged a private room and ordered the dishes—all your favorites. This way, please." Chen Jinfei still cared a great deal about Liu Tianxian. He glanced at Fang Hong and led the way in front.

There are conflicts, yes, but not with Liu Tianxian—it's not that deep; she's been raised under my eyes, and I still care for her deeply. "Then we must treat you to this meal," Liu Tianxian smiled.

"Fine, you treat us," Chen Jinfei didn't press, knowing it was Liu Tianxian's gesture.

Fang Hong followed along, silent, not knowing what to say.

The three entered a private room; the server began serving dishes. Liu Tianxian said, "Godfather, I need to tell you something—I'm getting married, and you absolutely must come."

"Alright, let me know once you've set the date."

Chen Jinfei didn't object—his adopted daughter was bound to marry someday. He glanced again at Fang Hong, his eyes unreadable—satisfied or not, he added, "Your career is going smoothly now; you're at an age to marry."

"Then, Godfather, let us toast you," Liu Tianxian rose, raising her wine glass.

Fang Hong also rose and raised his glass—it was a ritual, equivalent to a married couple toasting their elder.

Chen Jinfei raised his glass and clinked it with theirs, filled with deep satisfaction—he hadn't made a mistake taking her as his daughter; she was still filial.

Even now, with their conflicts, she hadn't forgotten him on such a major occasion, and brought her other half to present to him, to toast him.

In every single detail, flawless!

Of course, he'd long heard they were getting married.

Liu Tianxian has always been sentimental; she's always been like this.

"I don't know how to address you—I'll call you Uncle Chen," Fang Hong sat back down.

"Fine, call me whatever you like," Chen Jinfei set down his glass, his gaze fixed on him—he knew Fang Hong had more to say.

"Actually, I shouldn't say anything, but I feel my current position gives me the right to speak," Fang Hong said.

Chen Jinfei nodded—he was now a son-in-law, practically family; he certainly had the right to speak.

Before, he couldn't say anything, because it was a family matter, and outsiders shouldn't interfere.

Liu Tianxian fell silent—in her heart, this man had always been her pillar; he never treated big matters lightly, nor did he ever fuss over small ones.

"The conflict between you and Aunt Liu stems from external pressures. Aunt Liu needed to protect herself; you felt hurt at the time—that's understandable. But you must realize: Aunt Liu herself has no power," Fang Hong said.

What power does Liu Xiaoli have? She can only protect her daughter from harm; she can't do anything else.

"I know what you mean," Chen Jinfei countered, "but think—when I brought Xixi into the industry in 2002, through all the storms until 2008, we weathered everything together. And now, at the end, you abandon me. If it were you, how would you feel?"

"I sympathize," Fang Hong replied in a rapid stream, "but you lost. If you lost, must they follow you into ruin? Must they sink with you? In ancient wars, there were rear guards; there was 'preserve the green hills, and firewood will never run out.' You've been in business for decades—surely you understand this?" Chen Jinfei was left speechless.

He understood—perfectly. But his heart still ached, still chafed, still felt wronged.

"You asked me how I'd feel if I faced what you did. I'll tell you: I'd support them protecting themselves—because their capacity is limited."

Fang Hong softened his tone: "Sorry, my words were harsh. Don't take offense."

Liu Tianxian looked at him, her eyes shimmering, bright and clear; she picked up chopsticks and placed a dish in his bowl.

"It's fine—I really do have limited ability," Chen Jinfei didn't deny it.

Back in the early 2000s, his capital could still shake the entertainment industry, because before then, the industry was a desert—starved for funding.

But after 2008, the entertainment industry underwent a radical transformation—it gained capital. Hua Yi's IPO meant this industry no longer operated under the old rules.

You had money; they had more. And they controlled the resources.

Actually, the capitalization of the entertainment industry began in 2008—film companies could then secure bank loans, backed by official documents promoting financial support for cultural industry revitalization.

Fang Hong himself had once taken out a loan, though the requirements were high—but not for top-tier film companies.

Just this: Beijing Bank had a 5-billion-yuan credit line, split among Hua Yi, Guangxian, Poly Bona, and other film companies.

Think of that five billion yuan back then—Fang Hong still hasn't earned five billion.

Just this one point: how could Chen Jinfei compete? In strength, in capital—he couldn't. He hadn't progressed.

Of course, the capitalization of the entertainment industry had been advancing step by step over these years.

"So because I lost my ability, I'm to be abandoned? To be replaced by some new protector? Does that mean I'm useless, to be thrown away like trash?" Chen Jinfei's words were angry.

Liu Tianxian hurried to explain, but Fang Hong pressed his leg under the table, signaling her to stay calm, don't rush.

Chen Jinfei went on: "I know your career hasn't been smooth either—you've weathered storms with Xixi beside you, haven't you?"

"Yes," Fang Hong replied, "but my situation differs from yours. My status differs." His words were sharp.

He and Liu Tianxian were lovers, husband and wife; any children they had were their own. But you and Liu Xiaoli? Nothing—just old friends, acquaintances.

And Liu Xiaoli clearly loved her daughter more.

But these were facts—and Chen Jinfei let out a bitter, hollow laugh.

He felt utterly heartbroken—he was still an outsider.

Liu Tianxian's face grew anxious; she wanted to explain, but Fang Hong signaled her to stay silent.

Some words could only be spoken by Fang Hong—he had the confidence, the ability, and as a bystander, he was nearly an outsider.

If the mother and daughter spoke, it would be too emotional, too familial—easily lead to arguments.

But with Fang Hong, there could be no argument—he had no emotional ties, so what was there to fight over? He could simply ignore you; if you got arrogant, he'd crush you.

Taking down Hua Yi was hard; taking down Chen Jinfei was easy.

"Everything you said was said in anger. If Xixi didn't cherish your bond, didn't recognize you as her godfather, we wouldn't be sitting here today."

Fang Hong added again: "I've often heard her speak of you—she says you're the person she respects and admires most. In her heart, you'll always be her godfather."

These words eased Chen Jinfei's heart slightly, but he said nothing—still angry inside.

"Over these years, Xixi has kept improving. Without your protection, she's shouldered every rumor and slander—no matter what others said, she ignored it all, never responded.

Even when people spread rumors about you and her, she never explained, never tried to sever ties with you to prove her innocence. Not once—not ever.

I asked her: Have you ever thought of leaving Hongxingwu? Come to Yutu—you'd be better protected, no one would bully you. Or go solo, build a better marketing team.

She told me she'd never leave Hongxingwu—it was founded by you, infused with your paternal love. For her, Hongxingwu is an emotional anchor.

Even Aunt Liu never thought of leaving. I don't know what Aunt Liu thinks, but do you understand what this means? It means they cherish your bond—they never once thought of abandoning you. It's only you who believe they've abandoned you."

Fang Hong's words carried real weight; Chen Jinfei's expression slowly softened.

(End of Chapter)