[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta":3,"chapter-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-81":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Playboy of Huayu: How Did a Celestial Immortal Transform Me?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297707,4495,"Chapter 81: Zhang Ruoyun Seeks Apprenticeship","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-81",81,"\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, nice to meet you. We meet again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei was the first to reach out, greeting him very courteously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan set aside his inner misgivings; he would just deal with whatever came his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gently and gentlemanly tapped the fingers of this beautiful middle-aged woman: \"Ms. Liu, here to visit the set?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her younger years, Liu Bei had been a spirited Beijing girl; she generously stated her purpose: \"Director Lu, could I borrow a few minutes of your time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan gestured for her to continue, not expecting Liu Bei to say something so startling: \"Director Lu, I’ve come at the behest of my husband to see if this child might be able to get a role here with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not a very polite thing to say; the *Whiplash* crew had already been working for nearly two weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you wanted to pull strings to get someone into the crew, surely no one would show up this long after filming had started?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, interactions between people aren't usually so abrupt; the two had only met once at the Dream Week Club, so how could she really have the nerve to show up on his doorstep and make such a request?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan had a temper like a mule; it could change in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Zhang Tianshuo is a big shot or not, if Boss Lu says he’s going to have a disaster this year, he won't even make it to next year!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Liu Bei being so disrespectful of the rules, his expression turned cold: \"Ms. Liu, the filming schedule is tight. You can wait here for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said that, he turned and walked away, leaving no room for pleasantries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chubby assistant on the side looked at Lu Kuan in surprise; she had heard some anecdotes about this young director, but she hadn't expected him to be this blunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had just been admitted to the Communication University of China this year and served as the student union president of the School of Film and Television Arts, and she had recommended herself to intern for the illustrious Wang Jinhua. (Note 1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ms. Liu, this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chubby assistant had short hair, and her glasses were so thick they almost obscured her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei smiled: \"Siwei, it’s fine. Your boss is right; this young man may be young, but his pride is certainly not low.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ruoyun looked at his stepmother, half-understanding, and said with some annoyance: \"You were too rude! Who talks like that? If it were me, I wouldn't be happy either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn! He hadn't even had a chance to say a word to his idol, and now his stepmother had gone and offended him—what kind of situation was this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei glanced at her stepson, who was already taller than her despite only being in his first year of high school, and said crossly: \"What do you know? I’m doing this for you, you unlucky kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ms. Liu, are we going back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei had been sent by her boss, Wang Jinhua, to help out today. She was a freshman intern, but she was sharp, observant, and knew the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't official business, so it wasn't appropriate for others to tag along; she had been specifically sent to follow Liu Bei and offer advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei smiled: \"Go back? Why go back? We’re going to stick with him today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, she took her son and the assistant out of the building to a café at the Central Conservatory of Music to sit and wait patiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morning shoot went very smoothly, and Lu Kuan was in a good mood. After eating a boxed lunch with Zhou Jielun and Feng Yuan, he prepared to take a nap after wrapping up, but as soon as he stepped out of the building, he saw the three people from the morning waiting for him at the stairwell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei acted as if the morning's friction had never happened, still smiling kindly: \"Director Lu, I've been waiting for you for a long time. I’ve booked a table at a nearby restaurant; shall we go eat something together?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan was actually somewhat impressed by her ability to endure humiliation; he had practically slammed the door in her face, yet she was still acting as if she were a humble leader seeking talent—was she really going to latch onto him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xian, with acne on his face, looked at him eagerly, and the chubby female assistant also seemed somewhat familiar. Lu Kuan knew he wouldn't be able to avoid this today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place Liu Bei booked was the Bolun Hotel, which was contracted by the Central Conservatory of Music.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the type of place found in every university—slightly upscale but not particularly good; the kind of place you go to when you need to host someone but don't want to travel far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they were seated in the private room, Liu Bei, very adept at social graces, handed the menu to Lu Kuan: \"Director Lu, please order. We’re fine with anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First cold, then warm—there must be an ulterior motive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You don't hit a smiling face, so Lu Kuan’s expression softened slightly: \"Ms. Liu, you order. I’ve already eaten with the crew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the menu on the table and pushed it over, then crossed his arms and said bluntly: \"Ms. Liu, just say what you have to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei sighed inwardly. She didn't intentionally look down on this young director; she was just habitually relying on Zhang Jian and the influence of the Beijing circle to probe, so as not to reveal her cards too early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, I know your Wenjie Culture is looking to buy the adaptation rights from Yongyule.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei went straight to the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the front desk, she knew that the day he went to the club, he had used Tian Zhuangzhuang’s membership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had met with Tian Zhuangzhuang and Zhang Jian the first time he arrived at the venue, and his reaction that day didn't seem like someone who was unaware of her relationship with Zhang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she could probe Lu Kuan’s true intentions in one go, make him understand the subtext, and get him to voluntarily align with her and the Beijing circle, she wouldn't have to put in so much effort or use Yongyule as a bargaining chip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These old foxes who were used to mixing in circles and using power to pressure and bluff others had very dirty hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little did she know that Boss Lu’s heart was much dirtier than theirs, and he knew every single one of their tricks for manipulating people like the back of his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jinhua had a sharp eye; before she came, she had warned Liu Bei that this young director was not someone to be trifled with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Lu Kuan hadn't had much contact with the mainstream entertainment industry yet, rumors about him were already rampant in the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was mainly thanks to Emperor Group’s \"favor\" and Zhang Tianshuo’s \"self-sacrifice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As well as the phenomenal traffic of his blog, which made the exchange of public opinion and information in 2002 even more rapid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan was startled. He had instructed Sun Wenwen to inquire about the adaptation rights a few days ago, and it was only this morning that he received her report and learned of Yongyule’s existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Liu Bei’s intelligence network that good? Or had she been watching him all along?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei was a very worldly person. Since she had confirmed that Lu Kuan was someone not to be messed with, she didn't want to plant any seeds of resentment between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, it’s not that we are investigating you; this is just a coincidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The boss of this Yongyule company is named Wang Yongle, and he’s a gambler. He borrowed money from my husband, Zhang, and has been hounded for repayment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Originally, he was going to mortgage his villa in Changping and other company assets to my husband, but we’ve been giving him some leeway lately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei smiled: \"Isn't it a coincidence? Once I asked around, I found out it was your subsidiary, Wenjie Culture.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, how about this? I’ll make the call for the child’s father. Don't worry about the adaptation rights for now; I’ll have Zhang take them at a low price, and I’ll give them to you for exactly what we paid. We won't add a single cent in markup.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan understood; everything made sense now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, this Yongyule bought the adaptation rights in 2000 but never did anything with them, which was why they later reached a cooperation with Tangren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just the old story of a gambler ruining his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Zhang Ruoyun, who was sitting upright, took a sip of plain water from his teacup, and asked leisurely: \"Let’s talk about your conditions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei was somewhat surprised. In her experience, directors usually didn't talk like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People like Chen Kaige, whom she had dealt with, were always so high-minded and refined—how could they talk about such vulgar things, or discuss a deal face-to-face like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouldn't a normal director just flick their sleeves, push the door open, and leave, ending with a line like: \"Talk to my assistant\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei recalled Wang Jinhua’s assessment of Lu Kuan: young in age, but not in ambition; he didn't have the background of a local powerhouse, but he had the courage of a dragon crossing the river!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note 1: In 2002, she was a freshman at the Communication University of China. In reality, she recommended herself to join Wang Jinhua’s team in her junior year; here, it has been modified to her interning as a freshman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1644,"2026-06-20T06:05:17.358Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","0ca20e7f8c87fc8f5868c2200e136fae61ae6529e96764111d37429ad4e3818c","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-82","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-80",343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-cover.jpg"]