Chapter 31

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

Mei Yanfang's record company is called MuiMusic, and Wang Minhui has always been in charge of it; even the will after her passing, which transferred 0.01% of the shares to the latter, indicated her intention for her to take over.

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

Lu Kuan suddenly felt his hands itching—don't misunderstand, it wasn't for anything illicit.

He felt that Fan Bingbing, only twenty years old, was highly malleable. If she were in his hands...

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

She could also earn him more money.

This was someone naturally suited to eat from the bowl of the entertainment industry, from her appearance to her temperament.

The little immortal went offline, Boss Lu came online.

"Bingbing, I've calculated it for you; actually, you aren't suited to mix in 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 exceeded that of the mainland.

If one could choose, this seemed like a giveaway question that didn't require thinking.

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

"I know you are dealing with Hong Jinbao 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 scale; its decline is inevitable."

Fan Bingbing was astonished; this didn't sound like a little immortal, but rather an industry veteran dissecting the situation for her.

It was even more professional than Wang Jinhua, who was touted as the "number one manager in the mainland," at least regarding the film market.

Lu Kuan even brought up Anita Mui to back himself up: "Yinghuang quietly established an office in Beijing at the end of last year and sponsored many universities like Tsinghua, Peking University, and the University of Political Science and Law. This is moving closer to the mainland, wanting to come here to make a living, right?"

"Look at Director Jiang of Hong Kong's Edko Films; he almost put up his entire net worth to gamble 30 million USD on 'Hero.' These are all clear proofs."

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

She sat a little closer, her knees brushing against Boss Lu's crossed legs as if by accident, seemingly creating some ambiguous physical contact on purpose.

"Boss Lu, then give me some advice, we women are all short-sighted, you know~~"

Boss Lu felt the heat coming from his lower leg, thinking to himself that this Shandong girl was truly full of fire, just still a bit green; her flirting was a bit too obvious.

She still needed practice!

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

"The path you've set for yourself to enter the music scene is worth reconsidering. 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 swallowed secretly, and as if unintentionally, she pulled back her long legs and kept them tightly together.

Is this little bastard this direct? We've barely started, and he 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 shyly glanced at the composed Boss Lu, wondering if he was teasing her on purpose or if he was truly a gentleman.

Lu Kuan's mouth curled up. As he stood up and walked toward the door, seeing her sigh of relief, he suddenly felt a mischievous urge and extended his "Lu Shan" claw, giving Bingbing's plump, perky buttocks a light, firm pat.

"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, Su Tai Radio and Television, had not confirmed the final creative team until the beginning of this month, when the Su Province Radio and Television General Station, Kyushu Audio-Visual Publishing House, and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Audio-Visual Publishing House announced they would appoint Zhang Jizhong as producer.

Tonight's project launch press conference at the Media Hotel in Beiping was a promotional and momentum-building event. Zhang Jizhong had invited all the cast and crew he had worked with before.

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

The Big-Bearded One had heard many strange stories about him in Hong Kong and was even more convinced of the little immortal's prestige.

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

Zhuang Xu had returned to his hometown in Su Province, and since he had nowhere to eat, he might as well sponge a meal while he could.

"You're here! Little Lu!" Zhang Jizhong was greeting guests at the door and gave Boss Lu a warm hug; the Big-Bearded One was very happy today.

'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' had been launched, and he held the title of the number one master 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 how Zhang Jizhong treated him with such intimacy, and thought of his relationships with Hong Kong entertainment circle celebrities like Mei Yanfang and Wang Minhui.

This man could not be easily let go...

The entertainment circle is a jungle, 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 designs on him.

"Hello, Director! Please take care of me!" Fan Bingbing greeted the Big-Bearded One.

She had nothing to say about her social skills; she could stand tall and also lower herself when needed.

That's why they say some people are born to eat from this bowl.

"Hello Bingbing, it just so happens that 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is casting; 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 CCTV blockbuster was always a choice worth considering.

At the very least, she had received an invitation from the director and had a foot in the door.

Lu Kuan smiled noncommittally; he estimated that every single male and female actor and 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 acquaintances, and the two agreed to meet later, splitting up for now.

Lu Kuan had been writing scripts until the afternoon and was famished. He headed straight for the cold buffet area with a tray, loaded it up completely, and turned to walk toward the dining table.

"Oh!"

With a girl's soft cry, the tray in her hand crashed onto the floor, and she was splattered with food scraps, looking quite disheveled.

Lu Kuan was startled by the high decibel of her voice, still chewing a piece of smoked duck, and said in surprise: "Isn't this Little Liu!"

"You're the little hooligan!"

(End of this chapter)