Chapter 31: Taking Bingbing to an Event

"I don't know much about Mui's record company. Let me ask her manager, Wang Minhui."

Anita Mui's record company is called MuiMusic, and it has always been managed by Wang Minhui, including the 0.01% share transfer stipulated in her will after she passed away, which was also intended for her to take over.

"Really? Then thank you so much, Mr. Lu!" Fan Bingbing hadn't expected him to be so easy to talk to; she stood up to refill Mr. Lu's tea, her chest trembling again.

Lu Kuan suddenly felt his hands itching—don't misunderstand, it wasn't because he wanted to do anything illicit.

He just felt that Fan Bingbing, who was only twenty, had immense potential, and if she were in his hands...

No, under his planning, she could completely walk a smoother path than in her past life and stand on a bigger stage.

She could also earn him more money.

This was someone naturally suited for the entertainment industry, from her appearance to her temperament.

The little immortal went offline, and Boss Lu went online.

"Bingbing, I've calculated it for you. Actually, you aren't suited for the Hong Kong circle, especially the Hong Kong film and television industry."

Fan Bingbing was stunned; in this era, the entertainment industry in Hong Kong and Taiwan far surpassed that of the mainland.

If one had a choice, this seemed like a no-brainer.

Lu Kuan coaxed her: "Next year, the country will promulgate the CEPA agreement. The gap between the two places is gradually narrowing, and the mainland's demographic dividend will continue to expand."

"I know you're dealing with Sammo Hung to break into the Hong Kong film circle, but let me tell you a statistic."

"As of this year, the number of practitioners in Hong Kong cinema will shrink from its peak of over 20,000 to less than 5,000. The Hong Kong market can no longer support its original volume; its decline is inevitable."

Fan Bingbing was astonished. This didn't sound like a little immortal; it sounded like an industry veteran dissecting the situation for her.

It was even more professional than Wang Jinhua, who was known as the "Number One Manager in the Mainland," at least in terms of the film market.

Lu Kuan even brought up Anita Mui to back him up: "Emperor Group quietly established an office in Beijing at the end of last year and sponsored several universities like Tsinghua, Peking University, and the University of Political Science and Law. This is them leaning toward the mainland, wanting to come here to make a living."

"Look at Mr. Jiang of Hong Kong's Edko Films; he bet almost his entire fortune—30 million USD—on 'Hero.' These are all clear proofs."

Fan Bingbing was certainly not stupid; on the contrary, she was much smarter and more perceptive than most stars in the entertainment circle, and she quickly grasped Lu Kuan's meaning.

She sat closer without a change in expression, her knees brushing against Boss Lu's crossed legs, as if deliberately creating some ambiguous physical contact.

"Mr. Lu, then give me some advice. We women are all 'long hair and short insight' after all~~"

Feeling the heat coming from her calves, Boss Lu thought to himself that this Shandong girl had quite a fire in her, though she was still a bit green; her flirting was a bit too obvious.

Still needs practice!

Lu Kuan decided to leave a hook for Bingbing first; he couldn't say everything at once, or else how would there be a next time?

"The route you've set for yourself to enter the music scene is debatable. I'll give you an answer after I communicate with Wang Minhui, but tonight we can first..."

Fan Bingbing's pretty face flushed slightly; she secretly swallowed and, as if unintentionally, pulled back her long legs and kept them tightly pressed together.

Is this little bastard this direct? We've only just started, and he already wants to...

"First, come with me to a press conference. Tonight, producer Zhang Jizhong is announcing the project launch of 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.' He invited me, so you come with me."

"Zhou Xun will also be there. Her ex-boyfriend is Dou Wei's cousin, and they are all in the same circle as Zhang Yadong and the others. Let's see if we can find a way to get you two songs."

"Ah!" Fan Bingbing stood up, relieved, and gave a shy glance at the composed Boss Lu, wondering if he was teasing her on purpose or if he was truly a gentleman.

Lu Kuan raised the corners of his mouth. As he stood up and walked toward the door, seeing her look of relief, he suddenly had a mischievous urge and reached out his "Lushan Claw," giving Bingbing's plump, perky buttocks a light tap.

"Let's go, you drive."

Rumors about Zhang Jizhong and 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' had been circulating for a long time.

However, the main investor for this drama, the Suzhou Radio and Television, had not confirmed the final creative team until the beginning of this month, when the Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation, Kyushu Audio-Video Publishing House, and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Publishing House announced they would appoint Zhang Jizhong as the producer.

The project launch press conference at the Media Hotel in Beijing tonight was a promotional and hype-building event. Zhang Jizhong had invited all the cast and crew he had worked with previously.

The four male and female leads from 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' were naturally included, and Lu Kuan was purely there to hold down the fort.

The bearded man had heard many strange stories about him in Hong Kong and was even more convinced of the little immortal's reputation.

Lu Kuan had arrived right on time; by the time he arrived, the press conference had already ended, and it had entered the cold buffet segment.

Zhuang Xu had returned to his hometown in Jiangsu, and since he had nowhere to eat, he would take advantage of a free meal whenever he could.

"You're here! Little Lu!" Zhang Jizhong was greeting guests at the entrance and gave Boss Lu a warm hug; the bearded man was very happy today.

'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' had already been launched, and he held the title of the number one producer of Jin Yong dramas in the country!

"Old Zhang, let me introduce you. This is Bingbing, a friend I just met." Lu Kuan didn't forget to promote Bingbing, who wasn't yet a massive star.

Fan Bingbing saw the closeness Zhang Jizhong showed him, and then thought about his relationship with Hong Kong entertainment figures like Anita Mui and Wang Minhui.

This man cannot be let go easily...

The entertainment industry is an animal kingdom, and the hunter often appears in the guise of the prey.

When Boss Lu had malicious intentions toward the twenty-year-old apple, this great actress also had murderous intent toward him.

"Hello, Director! Please take care of me!" Fan Bingbing greeted the bearded man.

When it came to socializing, she was impeccable; she could stand tall and also lower her status when needed.

No wonder people say she was born for this business.

"Hello, Bingbing. We happen to be casting for 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'; if you're interested, you can come and audition!"

"Thank you, Director. Bingbing will definitely come to bother you!"

Fan Bingbing was very happy. Although her mind wasn't currently on domestic television dramas, such a massive CCTV production was always a choice worth considering.

At the very least, she had received an invitation from the director, a stepping stone.

Lu Kuan smiled noncommittally; he estimated that every single male and female actor guest present today would become his tools for hype.

"Old Zhang, you go ahead and get busy; I'm going to get something to eat."

Fan Bingbing went to greet some acquaintances, and the two agreed to meet later, splitting up for now.

Lu Kuan had been writing scripts until the afternoon and was hungry now. He took a tray, headed straight for the cold buffet area, filled it to the brim, and turned to walk toward a dining table.

"Oh!"

A girl's delicate cry rang out. The tray in her hand crashed onto the floor, and she was splattered with food scraps, looking quite disheveled.

Lu Kuan was startled by her high-pitched volume. With a piece of smoked duck still in his mouth, he said in surprise, "Isn't this Little Liu!"

"You're the little hooligan!"

(End of chapter)