Chapter 696

Domestically and internationally, the box office for "Ex Machina 2" was strong; Liu Tianxian remains the actress who can most reliably draw box office receipts.

No other female actress has achieved her box office results, and she is the only Chinese-language female actress to rank number one at the box office both at home and abroad, named by Time Magazine as: "The Most Influential Asian Face in the World!"

This film has repeatedly placed Liu Tianxian on international media, endowing her with the aura of an international movie star.

This time, Liu Tianxian is no longer the gentle, soft-spoken girl role; instead, she portrays a character with a cold, stern demeanor—a breakthrough in her performance range.

In fact, this role is similar to her earlier one in "Perfect Girl," but even colder than "Perfect Girl."

With her resurgence in popularity, luxury brands have flooded her with offers and endorsement deals, but Liu Tianxian is too busy to accept any of them.

She can't even take photos or appear in public.

Yet outsiders wonder: "Ex Machina 2" has been screening for nearly half a month—why hasn't Liu Tianxian shown up at all? Could she really be pregnant?

This is merely speculation from outsiders; Liu Tianxian still occasionally updates her Weibo. Her most recent post reads: "Lying in bed too lazy to move, wanted an apple, so I opened my phone's camera and took a picture of the apple. Yeah, got it!"

She attached a photo of an apple.

Her fans said: "How lazy are you? You can't even get up to grab an apple!"

"Maybe this is why she didn't promote 'Ex Machina 2'—she's absurdly lazy."

"Hurry up and move, don't rust!"

"Hahaha! Same as me, so cute."

This film also once again proved Xu Laoguai's filmmaking ability—his movies still explode at the box office.

He remains the wildly imaginative Xu Laoguai.

He has been called by Forbes: "The Most Precise Exemplar of Genre Films!"

During his interview with Lu Yu's Appointment, Xu Laoguai said: "This film owes its existence to the Principal and Liu Tianxian; without them, this film wouldn't exist. I just picked up the leftovers they left behind."

"When they first approached me to direct, I was surprised—but the Principal's judgment has proven correct."

"Yes, the box office at home and abroad has been strong."

Lu Yu asked: "What do you think of Liu Tianxian's performance in this film?"

"Very good. She broke through her previous performance style—she's fierce, commanding, and she let loose; she naturally possesses that aura," Xu Laoguai gave high praise.

"Were there any funny moments during filming?" Lu Yu asked again.

"Yes—the monkey was played by the Principal," Xu Laoguai chuckled.

"Really?" Lu Yu was astonished.

"True, but it wasn't released," Xu Laoguai said.

"Then why didn't you release it?" Lu Yu asked.

"The Principal's footage must be approved by the Principal himself. If he doesn't say to release it, how would we dare?" Xu Laoguai said.

The truth is, if the Principal says not to release it, no one dares.

"You should release it—it's hilarious," Lu Yu said.

"There might be a chance," Xu Laoguai said.

Liu Tianxian also saw Xu Laoguai's interview; lately, she has been closely monitoring the updates of "Ex Machina 2"—after all, it's her film, so she naturally cares deeply.

She even posted a Weibo: "Thank you, Director Xu, for your glowing praise. I think I did okay too—I sent the movie to my family, waiting for compliments. Instead, I heard a loud, arrogant laugh over the phone: 'You acted like a shrew. You shouldn't call it 'Ex Machina'—call it 'Ex Shrew' instead.'"

She attached a photo of Fang Hong wearing a Motion Capture Suit, crouching on the ground playing the monkey—it looked somewhat funny.

This sparked endless mockery from her fans.

"Hahaha! The monkey really was played by the Principal!"

"Only Liu Tianxian would dare release this—no one else would; it's too ridiculous."

"Post more! We love it!"

"Did Liu Tianxian sell out her husband?"

No one knows if Liu Tianxian is just bored or what, but lately she's been posting Weibo extremely frequently.

Mainly because she can't go out—she's been cooped up for too long—and posting online is one way to stay connected to the outside world.

She's pregnant, so she either lies in bed or sleeps—she's truly bored.

On May 15, the Tu Piaopiao Shareholders' Meeting proceeded as scheduled; inside a luxurious conference room, a long solid wood table stretched across the space.

On both sides of the table sat Tu Piaopiao's major shareholders: Tencent's representative Liu Zhiping sat casually; Meituan's Wang Xing, bald-headed and scowling.

He originally planned to send someone else, but came in person mainly to watch the show and meet the Principal.

The Principal is no longer what he used to be—he's clearly a major power now.

Chang'e Technology's representative was Gao Zhun; Micro-Innovation's was Lin Ning; Xiaomi's was Lei Bus; of course, Wanda Old Wang also attended, his expression stern.

His presence made the atmosphere in the room somewhat oppressive.

Xiaomi and Micro-Innovation had served as cornerstone investors during the IPO and remain Tu Piaopiao shareholders.

There were also other minor shareholders and their attendants—about a dozen people in total.

All eyes turned to the Principal at the head of the table; he leaned back in his executive chair, his posture exuding disdain.

It wasn't exactly disdain—he was just resting his head against the chair's headrest, which gave the impression that his head was tilted high, nose pointed upward.

On either side of him sat Tu Piaopiao's CEO Zheng Zhihao—he is also a shareholder—and Chen Zhixi.

"The purpose of today's meeting is simple: Wanda has violated the agreement, failed to fulfill its shareholder duties, and is no longer worthy of holding a shareholder position. I propose removing Wanda from the shareholder list—those in favor, raise your hands!"

Fang Hong didn't waste words—he immediately raised his hand.

The others exchanged glances, hesitating slightly—but Gao Zhun was the first to raise her hand in agreement.

She is Chang'e Technology's representative, aligned with Fang Hong's faction—supporting him is natural.

"I violated the agreement? Think carefully before you speak."

Lao Wang Zong was forceful, his demeanor completely different from his stage persona—intimidating, pointing: "Who first issued a statement that his films would no longer screen on Wanda Cinema Line? Who first diverted audiences from Wanda's theaters? I am also a Tu Piaopiao shareholder—I have the right to demand Tu Piaopiao serve me.

But under your control, what has Tu Piaopiao become? A personal weapon for your revenge? Do you have any conscience?"

I think you've got it backwards—you're the one who's been withholding my box office payments; the box office revenue from Yutu's Spring Festival and New Year Slot films at Wanda has still not been recovered, and it's been half a year already;

Not only that, you demand Yutu pay a 30% deposit for every film to Wanda, forcing us into a bet: if the box office fails to meet expectations, it becomes your cinema's repair fund.

You also insist my royalty income be deposited into your cinema's designated account, claiming it's to prevent films from leaking to streaming platforms prematurely—who's the one targeting whom?

Fang Hong shot back, slapping his chest: "I've made films for years without ever clashing with theater chains, because I never cared about splitting the pie more or less—everyone makes money. From the initial 56% split to today's 52%, have I ever said a word?"

What are you doing? Who's settling personal scores? Lao Wang Zong, knock it off.

They hadn't even spoken two sentences before they started yelling, leaving everyone in the room stunned, pointing fingers at each other's faults—it was all rather abstract.

Yet they all fell silent; they'd come to the shareholder meeting just to watch the show, to see the two sides fight.

"Don't talk to me about how noble you are—everyone knows what you're really like. You're a violent thug; you can't sleep unless you're picking a fight with someone." Lao Wang Zong pointed.

"I'm upset—I'm very upset. Before I acted, did I ever warn you? Did I ever give you notice? You forced yourself into this—now that you see losses coming, you feel wronged? Let me tell you, even if I'm a violent thug, it's because you pushed me to it." Fang Hong pointed back.

"I pushed you? Who pushed whom? You've crushed my son's business into rubble—who pushed whom? I did warn you, but I meant for you to teach him a lesson and stop there, not go all out.

But what did you do? You went for the kill—that's your magnanimity? You're petty and narrow-minded." Lao Wang Zong fumed.

"You're magnanimous, Lao Wang Zong? Then let me publish a newspaper article insulting your wife and children, cursing your ancestors eighteen generations—see how magnanimous you are then." Fang Hong retorted.

"You brat, you have no manners!" Lao Wang Zong spat.

"Old Biden, acting superior because you're old." Fang Hong spat on the floor.

The two of them were like two shrews hurling insults in the street, with not a shred of a big shot's image left—those watching couldn't help but want to laugh, yet they bit their lips and held it in.

These two were nearly a hundred years old combined, acting like country bumpkins—Lao Wang Zong was already sixty-two, and Fang Hong was nearly thirty.

If this got out, the netizens would have their worldview shattered: "These are big shots?"

Nothing like what they imagined—big shots were supposed to be calm, dignified, reserved, and unshakable.

Here, they were just like two street brawlers shouting at each other.

But it's normal—people have been conditioned. Fundamentally, this world is a shoddy operation; even the U. S. Congress shouts insults at each other's relatives.

"Alright, alright, calm down first. Both of you, take a breath. Let's talk again when you're calmer." Lei Bus mediated.

Fang Hong shot a sharp glance at Lao Wang Zong, then leaned back in his chair.

Lao Wang Zong's gaze burned with resentment—he'd never been spoken to like this before.

"I think you two are just acting on emotion, worked up, refusing to play with each other—but how big a deal is it? Just talk it out, each side gives a little, and it's over." Liu Zhiping said.

This whole mess started because of Xiao Wang—the little brat. One side fought for his wife; the other for his son—and the situation spiraled.

Everyone looked at the two, but they remained silent, offering no response—so everyone fell quiet.

In truth, bystanders all talk sweetly, but none truly understand—both sides have been wronged, both have been hurt, and no few words or gentle advice can reconcile them.

"You've both reached the top of your fields—you're the kind who shake the ground just by stomping your feet. You've cooperated for years, see each other every day, know each other well—what deep grudge could possibly drive you to this?"

Liu Zhiping urged again: "Lao Wang Zong, you really ought to rein in your son."

Lao Wang Zong knew all this—but as a father, how could he let his son lose face? That was a matter of honor.

"I can abandon my son's business—fine, I'll teach him a lesson—but the Principal's actions are outrageous, tyrannical." he said.

"You're both the same—what's so outrageous about the Principal?" Liu Zhiping asked, thinking: Aren't you two equally bad?

Lao Wang Zong stayed silent, saying nothing.

Others were baffled—was there some hidden truth here?

What they didn't know was that Fang Hong had forced Xiao Wang to kneel and serve tea to Liu Tianxian as an apology—a line Lao Wang Zong would never accept, believing it trampled his son's dignity.

It was an act of lost honor—military families always valued dignity above all.

Zeng Maojun wanted to speak up for his boss, but held his tongue.

"Someone only enjoys hurling insults, then doesn't care if others accept it—when met with resistance, you crush them. Isn't that just tyranny?" Fang Hong sneered.

Isn't insulting others a form of contempt too?

"Principal, don't talk in riddles—get to the point. If you want to kick me out today, say exactly what Wanda has done wrong to Yutu—since day one, you asked for investment, you got it; you asked for resources, you got them.

If Wanda hadn't been the first to integrate Yutu's system, the first to deploy your ticketing platform, do you think you'd have risen so fast?

Now you claim I broke the agreement? Is it all my fault, and you have no blame?" Lao Wang Zong, tired of the nonsense, brought the negotiation back on track.

Talking about irrelevant things—each side claims their own truth.

"I admit Yutu's rise owes Wanda some credit, but you got what you deserved—over the years, how many customers did Yutu bring to you? Did I ever stop Yutu's market value from rising? Did your shares not appreciate?" Fang Hong said.

"Understand this—you invested. Don't act like a saint. Investment carries risk: when you win, you take the gains; when you lose, you accept your money's gone."

This made sense—investment always carries risk; you don't claim all the credit just because someone else succeeded.

The stock rose, Wanda made money; Yutu empowered Wanda in return.

"Now you want to kick Wanda out? That's downright ungracious. Principal, you don't run business like this—how will anyone dare cooperate with you again?" Zeng Maojun couldn't hold back.

"Who the hell are you? Do you have the right to speak here?" Chen Zhixi's expression hardened, cutting in directly.

Only she could say this—soldiers meet soldiers, generals meet generals; if Fang Hong said it, it would be beneath his dignity.

Once, Zeng Maojun was arrogant before Fang Hong—now he was just a nobody, nothing like he was years ago.

They started arguing again; those present sighed, but hadn't seen such good theater in a long time.

"I'm just stating facts—we're all in this industry. The Principal's gone too far, of course—he's always been like this, leaving no one breathing room." Zeng Maojun gathered his courage.

How bold—he was calling the Principal evil.

"You think Wanda's some good guy..."

Chen Zhixi was about to retort, but Fang Hong raised his hand to stop her.

"I was born in the countryside. When I first came to Beijing, I was just a naive kid—no connections, no money, no background. Today, I have a happy family, live like a human being, no longer bullied."

Fang Hong stood up, patted Lei Bus on the shoulder, and walked toward Zeng Maojun.

As he walked, he said: "When Yutu was first founded, we had only one office in Chaoyang District—everyone crammed into that single room. Today, we have a massive film base; Yutu's market cap is over thirty billion; Chang'e Technology's revenue is hundreds of billions.

Every single day, someone tried to kill me, steal my achievements, or crush me back to nothing.

"What I have today was not won by luck, nor by fortune, and certainly not by charity from any of you."

He walked up to Zeng Maojun, and without any warning, backhanded him across the face — *smack! *

This startled everyone present; they were quite taken aback.

Zeng Maojun was also stunned by the slap, one hand clamped to his cheek, staring at the Principal in utter disbelief — he could never have imagined the Principal would dare hit him in front of Lao Wang Zong.

After all, even when beating a dog, one must look at its owner — this was a complete disregard for the owner.

Fang Hong's presence was overwhelming. He didn't even glance at Zeng Maojun, but lowered his gaze to the seated Lao Wang Zong and said, "Up to today, no one has ever dared to tell me how to do things!"

Lao Wang Zong glared back, the atmosphere tense.

Back when Fang Hong was still weak, Zeng Maojun had once told him how to do things — this slap was payback.

Settling the old score of being controlled by others in his days of weakness!

Watching the two big shots bristling at each other like drawn bows, the people present began to realize that the conflict between the two sides would be very hard to smooth over.

(End of chapter)