Chapter 668: A Bit Funny

Ice and snow stretched endlessly white, fine snowflakes drifting from the sky, dusting branches already heavy with accumulated snow.

At the center of Yutu Square stood the statue of Chang'e Holding Rabbit, covered in snow, with a crowd gathered beneath it.

These people were clearly divided: one group led by Fang Hong, the other by several general managers of film and television companies.

"Alright, I've noted it down," said Chen Zhixi.

"There are too many people here, so I won't elaborate—but rest assured, anyone willing to cooperate sincerely can negotiate," Fang Hong said, hands in his coat pockets, sealing the cooperation intent with just a few words.

"I trust General Manager Fang," said Wang Ziwen, flattering him.

He knew there were too many people here to discuss deeper details; just having this intent was enough—the rest could be settled later.

The crowd stared blankly, watching the Principal's seriousness and the New Li President's smug satisfaction.

The Principal really intended to spend ten billion to rescue them.

"Plop!" A man wearing glasses knelt directly down, sliding on his knees through the snow until he reached Fang Hong's feet.

Security quickly intervened to hold him at a safe distance—any threat to the Principal would be disastrous; with so many bankrupt people around, who could say who might snap?

"Principal, my name is Dong Guanjie, my company is Qishu Youyu—I need your help, please help me," said Dong Guanjie.

His company had also been hit by the capital retreat, with Youku's funding tightening, pushing it to the brink of cash flow collapse.

Yes, it had once been Alibaba's lapdog.

Those around him looked astonished—this was too shameless; to kneel so easily, at least put up a front of dignity.

In this society, compared to the blow of career failure, kneeling truly meant little—many wanted to kneel but had no chance.

"No problem. I said it before: if your attitude is sincere and earnest, and you're someone willing to work, I'm willing to invest ten billion to cooperate with you and jointly create a flourishing film and television industry."

Fang Hong immediately reaffirmed his stance, then added: "Get up!"

He had heard of this company—The Witch vs. Zhenzi, Qimen Dunjia Web Drama—both were their productions.

They were experts at riding trends to make viral web dramas and web films, including the later Er Long Hu Series, also produced by this company.

He knew this so clearly because in his past life, he too had started in web dramas—they were competitors.

"Thank you, Principal!" Dong Guanjie's heart settled—with the Principal's funding and Chang'e Video's platform support, they were safe.

Relying on Alibaba was unreliable—too opportunistic; as soon as things turned bad, they'd pull back and abandon you. The Principal has so much vision!

This was the difference between capital and entrepreneurs.

The scene made everyone present exchange glances, all showing signs of interest.

"Principal, I'm from Wuyuan Culture—I'm willing to cooperate with you to jointly create a flourishing film and television industry."

"Principal, I'm from Liubai Film and Television—I'm willing to cooperate with you to jointly create a flourishing film and television industry."

"Principal, I'm from Xinpai Media."

"Principal, I'm from Xiaoren Film and Television."

In an instant, major and minor production houses and film companies all voiced their willingness to bow to the Principal as "Dad!"

Among them were some who would later become famous—Wuyuan Culture, for instance, produced White Night Pursuit and Painted Skin: Bad Guys, specializing in suspense themes.

Liubai Film and Television produced Dear Princess Disease and Chang'an Shi Er Shi Chen, targeting the young female market.

Xinpai Media was the company that produced Chen Qing Ling.

Of course, many were unknown—some may have gone bankrupt later, others may have simply been obscure.

But now Fang Hong had altered history's course; what would happen next, how the film industry would develop—no one could say.

Zhong Yanjun of Huanrui and Wu Hongliang of Tangde were stunned—they had come up earlier to confront him and had deeply offended the Principal; now they felt isolated and couldn't back down.

They actually wanted to ask the Principal for money too, but now it was too embarrassing to speak up.

No one expected the Principal would actually put up money to save them—it was completely unforeseen; they'd only come to vent.

"Fine. I won't play games. Yutu, Tupticket, and Chang'e will collectively invest ten billion to support you—but I'll say this upfront: this money isn't a gift. There are conditions attached. As I said before, I owe you nothing." Fang Hong said this to prevent them from thinking it was their due.

And this money, once given, would certainly come with conditions—equity, priority investment rights, streaming platform premiere rights, and so on.

If necessary, he'd learn from Jack Ma and make their wives and children repay the debt.

In the past, Fang Hong had been too kind, cooperating with them without strict limits—so when BAT moved in, some defected.

He needed to learn from Jack Ma—needed more control.

"Naturally," said the Liubai Film and Television general manager, knowing full well this money wasn't a gift.

Of course, that "jointly create a flourishing film and television industry" was nonsense—just a catchy slogan; the real goal was the Principal's money.

Everyone else nodded in understanding, raising no objections; as long as the conditions weren't excessive, they could accept them—they only needed money now to break the deadlock.

Liu Tianxian saw the hostility vanish from the faces around her, replaced by relief and a strange sense of satisfaction.

She hadn't expected this to achieve two goals at once: not only had she bottomed out the entire entertainment industry, but she'd also resolved their inner grievances.

"Principal, I apologize for my earlier disrespect," said Zhong Yanjun, conceding.

"You didn't disrespect me—you spoke the truth. I'm the one who harmed you," Fang Hong countered.

Just moments ago he denied everything; now he reversed himself.

"No, Principal, you're a great person—how could you possibly harm us? It's completely baseless!" said the Xinpai general manager, flattery dripping.

Everyone else echoed him—they had switched sides. Who were Tangde and Huanrui? They didn't recognize them anymore.

"That was just anger talking—it was our fault. Principal, you're magnanimous, please don't hold it against us," said Wu Hongliang of Tangde, quickly apologizing, his earlier rage gone, his demeanor humbled.

No matter what, you couldn't turn your back on money.

"How could you be wrong? I'm the one who harmed you," Fang Hong said, glancing smugly at Liu Tianxian.

Liu Tianxian smiled helplessly—this man really did get cocky the moment he gained the upper hand.

Yutu's people looked relaxed—money in this world truly let you do anything, twist truth and lies, make anything you say right.

This made Zhong Yanjun and Wu Hongliang feel awkward—who now dared say the Principal was wrong?

"No no, it's our own fault," Zhong Yanjun hadn't finished speaking.

A roar cut him off: "Principal!"

Everyone turned to look and saw a business car stop in the distance; General Manager Wang, Xiao Wang, Feng Kuzi, and others stormed toward them, furious.

As they walked, Xiao Wang yelled: "Principal, you're not even human—you ruined Huayi and now you're thrilled!"

Seeing their hostile intent, Lu Dabo quickly ordered his men to intercept them.

Several burly bodyguards in suits blocked the Wangs and Feng Kuzi, forcing them to keep their distance.

Others scattered at the sight, knowing full well what this was about—Huayi had suffered the most in this incident.

The Principal had targeted them specifically.

"You brought so many bodyguards—must be because you've done too many shady things," Xiao Wang shouted.

"You should say that to yourselves—if you hadn't done shady things, you wouldn't have collapsed," Fang Hong replied calmly.

The Yin-Yang Contract incident was a dirty affair.

"Principal, don't waste words—your actions left us drowning in debt. I won't let this go," Xiao Wang roared, clearly bluffing.

He was out of options.

"How do you make me 'not let it go'? Fight? Fine—single combat." Fang Hong seemed indifferent.

Liu Tianxian nudged him with her elbow, signaling him not to act.

"You're just a low-class bastard," Feng Kuzi spat, furious.

"If I were low-class, you'd already be on the ground. I could slap you anytime—you think you're allowed to stand and talk to me?" Fang Hong sneered.

Hearing this, the burly bodyguards clenched their fists with a "crack," glaring menacingly—the threat was clear.

This made the Wangs and Feng Kuzi swallow hard and cool down slightly.

It was true—if the Principal were low-class, they'd be on the ground, not standing.

Others watched these big shots, usually so dignified, now pointing fingers and screaming at each other—it was oddly fascinating.

"Aren't you all victims of the Principal's persecution? What good is standing here? Let's unite and make the Principal pay!" Xiao Wang goaded the film executives.

Da Wang and Feng Kuzi looked hopefully at the crowd—they knew many here and had collaborated before.

But the other film executives remained unmoved, not even glancing at them—as if they hadn't heard a word.

Huayi was history. Now it was the Yutu Yiren's world.

"You suffered so badly—do you just accept it? Let's unite and punish the Principal—make him give us justice!" Xiao Wang urged again.

"Save your breath—we won't join you in punishing the Principal. Your justice is yours alone, not ours," Zhong Yanjun spoke up at once—this was the perfect moment to show loyalty to the Principal.

They'd arrived as angry as the Wangs, but now they'd switched sides.

Fang Hong merely smiled faintly, watching them act like clowns—it was amusing.

The Yutu Yiren watched with interest; they'd never seen a company boss humiliated like this before.

Liu Tianxian remained silent, also watching like an audience.

"You lost so much—aren't you here to demand answers?" Da Wang was baffled.

"We suddenly realized this has nothing to do with the Principal—he did nothing wrong. It's our own fault," Wu Hongliang lied.

"Good dog!" the other executives muttered under their breath.

If you'd had this realization earlier, the Principal wouldn't have deliberately left you two out—and he wouldn't have teased you just now.

This made the Wangs and Feng Kuzi exchange a glance, both filled with confusion—this wasn't how they'd imagined it.

They thought these people had come to denounce the Principal too.

"We're all victims on the same boat—you don't have to fear the Principal. As long as he's here, none of us will have peace," Feng Kuzi insisted.

"Who told you we're victims? We're fine—the Principal never harmed us. You're just paranoid. Don't slander people here," Zhong Yanjun spoke again.

"Exactly—we didn't come to cause trouble for the Principal. We came to collaborate with him. If you want to cause trouble for him, that's your business—don't drag us in," someone chimed in.

Others nodded in agreement.

"You're collaborating with him? Don't you fear he'll swallow you whole?" Xiao Wang laughed as if hearing a joke.

"Are you insane? Are these nonsensical words useful? Huayi is dead—crushed. Do you still think you're in the old days when everyone had to go through Huayi to make a movie? Times have changed—accept reality!" Wang Ziwén shouted.

This was brutally direct—it struck the Wangs right in the gut. They glared furiously at the woman.

"What the hell are you talking about? Even if Huayi collapses, it's not something your Xinli can latch onto!" Xiao Wang roared.

"Heh." Wang Ziwén sneered.

True—even if Huayi was ruined and finished, Xinli couldn't latch onto it either; Xinli wasn't doing well either.

Still, they no longer needed to bow to Huayi's will—they were now the Principal's "dogs!"

"Isn't this a little ridiculous?" Fang Hong whispered to Liu Tianxian.

Liu Tianxian smiled and nodded lightly—she never expected these people would turn on each other. After all, it was her man who turned everyone into victims.

And yet the real culprit was seen by some as a righteous figure, fiercely defended—it was absurd.

Perhaps this is the world. This is human nature.

Even when you know who the culprit is, you still have to defend him—because you depend on him. Lose that dependence, and you'll suffer.

Independence in this world is hard—it requires pain. Few can endure it.

Being a person is like running a company: a person needs parental support; a company needs financial backing.

To break free from support, you must endure pain, loneliness, isolation—it's extremely difficult, even for nations.

Only a handful of nations can truly be independent.

"You just don't understand."

Da Wang finally realized everyone here sided with the Principal—but he didn't know what had happened. He turned to the crowd: "You're all so ignorant! How much money can the Principal give you? Will it even be enough to split? He's lying to deceive you!"

"Yes—so many people, so many companies—how could he possibly collaborate with each of you?" Xiao Wang added.

"Whether he collaborates with each of you is none of your concern. The point is—this has nothing to do with you," Zhong Yanjun said, unwilling to explain further.

The Principal is going to put up ten billion, and the fewer people who know about it the better — they'll take their share first and talk later.

As for everyone else, they'll have to wait.

They also knew the Principal couldn't possibly produce ten billion all at once; there would naturally be an order of priority. No matter how much the Principal put up, he was going to put it up — they'd take their cut first and talk later.

This matter couldn't be kept secret either; once it started, it would spread through the entire entertainment circle in no time.

"I'm telling you, don't be fooled by the Principal." Boss Da said earnestly and persuasively.

"What's there to fool us about? The Principal has already given us his word in person — Jade Rabbit, Rabbit Ticket, and Chang'e are putting up ten billion to support us and ease our crisis." someone said.

"What? Ten billion!" Boss Da's eyes went wide, looking utterly shocked.

Even Boss Xiao Wang was greatly taken aback, wondering if he'd misheard, if he was hallucinating.

That much money would be enough to pay off Huayi's debts — how could the Principal bear to part with so much? It was no small sum.

Feng Kuzi's mouth hung open in astonishment, his buckteeth bared; in all their years they'd never seen so much money.

Fang Hong, Liu Tianxian, and the others appeared quite composed.

If the three companies pooled together, they could still come up with ten billion in funds — as long as Douyin exploded and became commercialized, there would be revenue, and that could happen very soon.

As for Swan Castle's PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, if it could blow up this year and the mobile game was developed, it could resolve this massive funding issue.

Besides, supporting them didn't mean handing it all over at once — it would be given in batches.

(End of chapter)