Chapter 176: Operation Dancing Shadows

Yang Yang Siwei's phone suddenly rang, but she dismissed it after only a few words with a "no comment."

Yet the ringing seemed like a floodgate opening; once it started, it could not be stopped.

It continued until even Liu Liu Yifei's phone was being bombarded by entertainment reporters.

"Sister Xixi, something has happened."

"All the entertainment reporters are asking one thing: have you ever been molested by Boss Lu on set? This is definitely premeditated!"

Liu Liu Yifei had already started dialing Lu Kuan's number, but it was just busy signal after busy signal, or silence.

She was so angry she slammed her phone onto the sofa; Meiqiu seemed to sense her master's hostility and was so frightened its fur stood on end.

"You go to school first, I'll go to the company to find Director Lu."

"His phone won't go through, you call Afei."

Yang Yang Siwei nodded: "Mm, I know."

"Sister Xixi, don't take any interviews today. The paparazzi can't get into the school. I'll come pick you up when you're done."

"Mm, you be careful too."

Liu Liu Yifei sat in the car, feeling soul-lost. It wasn't her first day in the entertainment industry; several previous scandals, big and small, had all been quietly erased by Lu Kuan's intervention.

This time, it was clearly a coordinated military operation, launched simultaneously across all online communities.

The most critical part was the tearful "revelation" given by the Bai Lianhua in an interview...

She believed Lu Kuan was not the type to abuse the weak, but with the person involved giving their own account, how was she supposed to wash away such filth?

Liu Liu Yifei always remembered Lu Kuan talking about what was "solid evidence" and what wasn't; this should count as a heavy blow, right?

Liu Liu Yifei was anxious and angry; she was anxious because his phone still wouldn't go through.

She was angry because how could this person always be so careless with his reputation? Counting up his "transactions" the other day, who knew how many he had left out!

It really made one grit their teeth with hatred!

Liu Liu Yifei entered the Beijing Film Academy fully armed and went up to the Acting Department building, but before she even entered the classroom, she heard whispers of discussion.

"Hey? You say so many actresses have fallen victim to Lu Kuan's clutches, can Liu Liu Yifei from our class be spared?"

"Pfft! You can even ask such a naive question? Is it possible for her to escape?"

"But she's only sixteen, that beastly thing!"

"So what if she's sixteen? Don't forget she came back from the United States; people over there are precocious!"

The young girl walked into the classroom with a livid face, sat alone in the last row, and stared at the fluttering curtains without a word.

The discussion in the classroom stopped abruptly, but the gossiping, probing glances between them intersected like radio signals, filled with strange malice.

When one is popular, there are many controversies—an actress who was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy at 15, whose career path was incredibly smooth, and who reached the peak upon her debut.

Now that there was finally some dirt to attack and discuss her with, these cockroaches in the shadows dared to gather the courage to crawl out into the sun.

Zhu Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin walked in laughing and joking; seeing Liu Liu Yifei in the last row biting her lower lip and sitting alone, they walked over in unison.

"Big star! You actually know how to come back now that school has started!"

"You guys are here?"

The young girl's expression softened slightly, her hands twisting on the desk, her slender fingers bent until they were pale.

Seeing these familiar clowns, her usual chirpy energy was gone.

There was no shortage of Xiao Jiang when it came to kicking someone while they were down; as soon as she entered the room, she quickly locked onto the prettiest girl in the place and sat down beside her with a leisurely air.

"Sister Xixi, you must be strong! Don't listen to what outsiders are babbling about."

"Who hasn't been blind a few times in their life and misjudged someone? You're only 16, your life ahead is still very long, forget these unpleasant memories!"

Zhu Zhu Yawen frowned as he looked at Jiang Jiang Yiyan.

Are you fucking here to put out the fire or to fan the flames?

Does saying that mean Liu Liu Yifei has already fallen victim to that beastly director?

The gazes shooting from all around became even more malicious; if someone with a weaker psychological constitution were in her place, they would have been buried alive by these unkind looks.

Luo Jin hurriedly changed the subject: "Let's all just be quiet! Don't speak of others' faults behind their backs. Anyway, I don't think Director Lu is that kind of person."

Zhu Zhu Yawen agreed: "Yeah, he's so approachable. Even with so much money, he still eats in the cafeteria with us. Anyway, I've been on several sets and I've never seen a director like that."

Jiang Jiang Yiyan sneered: "How many directors have you even met? That day at the KTV, I felt he wasn't right. The way he looked at me was..."

"Bullshit!"

Liu Liu Yifei slammed the table, swore a rare curse, and pointed at Jiang Jiang Yiyan's nose to scold her.

"Can you stop being shameless and blaming others? Even if Lu Kuan is a beast, he wouldn't have his eyes on a bean sprout like you!"

Boss Lu:???

Jiang Jiang Yiyan looked at her with what seemed like disbelief, or rather, the whole class cast suspicious glances.

How does the harmless-looking Zhao Linger have such strong combat power?

Too fierce! Who did she learn that from?

"Sister Xixi! How can you say that to me?"

Jiang Jiang Yiyan transformed into a Bai Lianhua, putting on the posture of a victim.

Liu Liu Yifei didn't want to argue with her; she grabbed her bag and started walking out of the classroom, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Liu Yifei, where are you going?"

She ran straight into Wang Wang Jingsong, who was carrying a cup of hot tea despite the hot weather, walking over leisurely.

"Wang... Wang Laoshi, I'm not feeling well, I'd like to ask for leave."

Wang Wang Jingsong had already been briefed on this media storm by the younger teachers in the office earlier.

But as a public figure, these things were unavoidable.

"Relax, don't let these disturbances affect you."

"Liu Yifei, if you have difficulties, come to your teacher."

"Mm, thank you, Wang Laoshi."

The driver took Liu Liu Yifei back home, where Liu Xiao and Yang Yang Siwei were denouncing the unscrupulous entertainment reporters in front of the computer.

"How can these people be so foul-mouthed? Digging up old things to stir up trouble again!"

Liu Xiao felt her blood pressure rising; the photos previously taken by Zhuo Wei of Liu Liu Yifei and Lu Kuan in the same car were being brought up again.

"Yang Siwei, have you reached Lu Kuan?"

Yang Yang Siwei didn't look back and hurriedly closed the interface; Liu Xiao answered for her first.

"No. Sister Xixi, why are you back so early?"

"I didn't want to attend class, I came back to rest."

Liu Liu Yifei looked disappointed, then suddenly thought of someone.

Zhuang Xu!

She was one of the few who knew the relationship between Zhuang Xu and Lu Kuan, and also knew that the Blog website was actually Lu Kuan's own company.

The young girl collapsed onto the sofa, grabbed Meiqiu and gave it a good petting, while dialing Zhuang Xu's number.

You dog Lu Kuan, where on earth are you!

The dog Lu Kuan was currently at the Li residence in Xiangjiang.

"Mr. Lu is truly sitting firmly on the fishing platform, isn't he? Haha, I heard from Mani that the internet in the mainland is in an uproar."

"Hehe, not worth mentioning. Let them jump around for now."

"Grasshoppers after the autumn, they won't live long."

He had gotten dead drunk with Fang Long, Liang Liang Jiahui, and others at Mei Mei Yanfang's residence yesterday and hadn't paid attention to his calls.

Liang Liang Jiahui's salary wasn't high, his professional skills were superb, and he was the perfect image for the scientist character.

When Lu Kuan described this 70-million-dollar budget co-production on the table, even Fang Long couldn't help but click his tongue.

Although he had already given this young director the respect he deserved that night at the Beijing Charity Bazaar, compared to such a top-tier masterpiece in both the mainland and Xiangjiang...

Fang Long felt it was necessary to find an opportunity to deepen his connection with Lu Kuan.

After sobering up from his hangover, Boss Lu was taken directly to Deep Water Bay by car.

The two were drinking tea and chatting on the terrace when Mr. Li mentioned the overwhelming rumors about him on the internet; the latter looked completely bewildered.

Mr. Li laughed out loud, feeling quite like he had found a kindred spirit.

So this talented young director also likes this sort of thing!

Lu Kuan sipped his tea and walked to the door of the study, suddenly seeing white cloth strips hanging on the lintel.

"This?"

"A mentor and friend has passed away; I am expressing my condolences."

Lu Kuan was curious: "Is it that old gentleman who suggested changing the movie's name?"

"That's right, has Mr. Lu heard of him too?"

"Long heard of his great name, but never had the chance to meet."

Mr. Li found it funny in his heart: you haven't met him, but he was studying you right up until his final moments!

After he last took his leave of Mr. Li, he returned to Mount Mao to study in seclusion.

Later, he informed him of his judgments and suggestions regarding Boss Lu's destiny via letter.

Later, when the Boiling Point erupted, he was already of advanced age and unfortunately contracted a serious illness.

The two wealthy patrons in Xiangjiang chartered a plane to bring him to Xiangjiang for care, but he still could not be saved.

Lu Kuan was gloomily speculating about the panic in his heart; having lost such a "spiritual mentor," he must feel quite helpless now, right?

People who are accustomed to pinning their decisions on mysterious forces find it very difficult to face the dilemmas at life's turning points with any rationality.

Especially for a tycoon of such an age, already past sixty.

"Mr. Lu, the reason I invited you here to talk is mainly to see if there is any room for cooperation between our two sides, especially in the mainland film industry."

"Mr. Li, you are too kind. As an entertainment giant renowned across the Pearl River Delta and Southeast Asia, where would there be any place for a small director like me to help?"

Mr. Li was dissatisfied with his evasion: "Mr. Lu, do not keep using such modest words; you may propose any conditions you wish."

This was no lie.

In a later life, he had invested in the film *The Sun* for the head of the Over-Budget Sect, losing over ten million, but after *Bullet* was greenlit, he still trusted the person in charge and continued to invest, eventually turning the total profit into the black.

Seeing him speak this way, Mr. Lu got straight to the point.

"Mr. Li, how is your relationship with Mr. Zou of Wenjie Jiahe?"

"Very poor!"

He did not mince words: "In 1998, in order to promote Xie Xie Tingfeng, the two companies co-produced *Young and Dangerous*, but later we had our own production business, so we had very little interaction."

"Why, are you interested in Wenjie Jiahe?"

Lu Kuan was not at all surprised that he could see through his intentions; he had not intended to hide them in the first place.

To him, Wenjie Jiahe held major strategic significance; it was a foothold for Wenjie to enter the cinema chain business and radiate into Southeast Asia with Xiangjiang as the center.

But apart from the film library copyrights from the glorious eras of Li Lan Xiaolong and Fang Long, Wenjie Jiahe did not hold much value in the eyes of other Xiangjiang bigwigs today.

Especially after companies like Universe and China Star besieged Brightness Peak and snatched away Zou Zou Wenhuai's film studio in Tseung Kwan O.

Wenjie Jiahe gradually declined, never again possessing the world-conquering momentum of its golden age.

"Mr. Li has a discerning eye; I do have that intention."

Mr. Li frowned: "Although they are gradually declining, their market value has not yet hit bottom, and their cinema and distribution businesses are still there, so it is unlikely they will give up."

"I have prepared funds of less than 600 million Hong Kong dollars. The threshold for a mandatory bid in Hong Kong stocks is 30%. Mr. Li, is this plan feasible?"

The figure of 600 million did make Mr. Li slightly moved.

But he had previously secretly sent people to investigate Lu Kuan.

Based solely on Wenjie's current development speed, even if every one of his films had a box office of over 100 million, it would be impossible to accumulate this wealth within two years.

He suddenly thought of the judgment on Lu Kuan in the last letter sent from Tianshan.

Fortune as deep as the Eastern Sea, a once-in-a-millennium encounter.

"Mr. Lu, I will not speak foolishly to a smart man. I have always done business with high-profile, aggressive tactics. If it were someone else, I would do as you are doing: take them by force, and after the mandatory bid, press them step by step."

"But you do not understand this man. He is too stubborn! Too pedantic! Wenjie Jiahe is his life; if things go wrong, he will fight you to the death."

"Moreover, the other shareholders of Wenjie Jiahe are all old partners and brothers of Zou Zou Wenhuai. Once you make a bid, you will immediately become the target of public criticism."

Mr. Lu had not expected this situation; it seemed the plan to cross the sea in secret would not work.

"If it is convenient for you, Mr. Li, please explain in detail. I truly do not understand their situation very well."

"Last year, he let his daughter take over the management while he provided guidance and support from the sidelines, but the effect was mediocre. Wenjie Jiahe's basic distribution business is now withering, let alone production."

"Actually, for a person like this, it is difficult to get his shares because this is his life's work."

"But sometimes it is simple: gaining their recognition is more useful than throwing a billion at them."

"What he cares about is whether the name of Wenjie Jiahe can become a classic that lasts forever, not how much extra premium you pay."

Lu Kuan felt a bit fortunate. If he hadn't received this information today, he would have plunged into the mud after taking the profits from *Fahrenheit 9/11* next year, and it would have been difficult to pull himself out.

It seems he will have to use the "grinding an iron rod into a needle" or "three visits to the thatched cottage" approach after all.

Having exchanged important information, Lu Kuan also returned the favor.

"Mr. Li, I shouldn't be meddling."

"But you seem to have been overly worried lately. Your day master is weak, and the Yin and Shen are clashing; this is not a good omen."

Li Li Jiacheng's eyes lit up. He had painstakingly arranged for Mani to befriend Lu Kuan, not only coveting his exceptional talent for film but also for this astonishing ability to make accurate predictions!

"Mr. Lu, I would like to hear the details."

"Mr. Li, yesterday I was at a banquet at Sister Mei's house and heard the hired help talking about your company's high-profile star-making and award-buying. You must be cautious!"

This is what is meant by seeing the big picture from small clues:

When you see one cockroach, there are countless others in places you cannot see.

When the cleaning ladies are all discussing stock market trading, the bull market is generally about to turn into a bear market.

Regarding such rumors, when even the hired help is talking about them with relish, the person involved must prepare.

Mr. Li naturally understood such a simple truth.

In September 2003, the Xiangjiang ICAC launched "Operation Clean Slate," a large-scale crackdown on the long-standing dark secrets of the Xiangjiang entertainment industry. (Note 1)

The personnel involved included Universal Music Hong Kong President Li Sun Dabao, TVB executive He Liquan, MusicNation Director and CEO Li Jin, and Chung Hsin Telecom Chairman Mai Shaotang, all of whom were hot-shot executives in the entertainment industry.

Of course, there was also the person now in front of Mr. Lu, and he could be said to be the first to bear the brunt.

Since entering the entertainment industry in 1999, the number of times the company's singers appeared on golden charts like *Jade Solid Gold* crushed their peers.

He broke the long-standing situation in the Xiangjiang music scene where the "Four Heavenly Kings" and divas Zheng Zheng Xiuwen and Wang Fei dominated, stirring up the stagnant water.

Especially the sudden emergence of people like Xie and Rong brought great vitality to the Xiangjiang music scene.

Since then, relying on an outstanding star-making campaign and a high-profile market operation model, he stood alone in Xiangjiang and secured the top spot in the entertainment industry.

A tall tree catches the wind; it was in this "Operation Clean Slate" that he was summoned for questioning.

Even though he eventually walked away unscathed, his prestige was slightly diminished.

A person of such status and position does not care about the few silver coins spent to solve a problem; what matters is the face lost in this affair.

"Mr. Lu, I have learned much."

Mr. Lu laughed it off: "It was just a small piece of news I happened to hear, Mr. Li, don't overthink it."

The Xiangjiang bigwig nodded tacitly, lost in thought.

Lu Kuan suddenly asked: "Mr. Li, are you familiar with Mr. Wang of Ze Dong?"

"Quite familiar. Is there anything you need help with, Mr. Lu?"

"Oh, he has an artist under him named Dong Bailian. Please do me a favor and help me sign her."

Mr. Li laughed in spite of himself, instantly understanding what he meant.

"I will cover the contract termination fee and all other expenses. She should still be a minor character, so this shouldn't be difficult."

This young man, hey!

Decisive in killing and cutting, taking revenge without waiting overnight.

But this was common; when he was young, perhaps his methods would have been even more extreme.

There was no need for more words between smart people; Mr. Li quickly arranged for his company vice president to handle it properly.

Lu Kuan left Mr. Li's villa and headed straight to the airport with A-Fei.

After briefly understanding the scandals erupting on the internet, it was truly somewhat grotesque.

Fortunately, I have been reborn for less than two years and haven't played with many female stars.

Otherwise, wouldn't you all have staged a "Me Too" incident for me?

This life has also been quite something; I've even reached the point where I have to do PR for myself!

I am truly dumbfounded and don't know where I violated the rules, to be changed beyond recognition, damn it!!!





(End of chapter)