Chapter 89: Romans

Some people are born in Rome, while others are born as beasts of burden.

While the "Beast of Burden" Boss Lu was working his team to the bone in Xiangjiang, the Roman Liu Zeyu was fiddling with his newly acquired independent enrollment transcript in his office.

With this thing, coupled with his status as a "swimming specialty student," his admission to Yanda this year was a sure thing.

He had finally figured it out: instead of struggling against a country bumpkin to get into the Beijing Film Academy, he would simply use capital to pave the way and crush him.

You film *Whiplash*, I’ll film *Heart-Stirring*.

Not only will my star lineup, investment, and production company crush you, but I’ll also schedule it for the same release window as you, Lu Kuan, just to beat you!

He sat before his spacious office desk, browsing his blog.

You have to admit, this website was indeed useful; it was very convenient for this newly minted entertainment company boss with 10 million in paid-in capital to "select a concubine."

Wang Xing had earnestly implemented Boss Lu’s star strategy, aggressively poaching talent.

With the addition of traffic stars of this era like Anita Mui, Zhou Jielun, and Zhou Xun joining, the demonstration effect of their explosive popularity attracted even more people from the entertainment industry.

The homepage pushed Anita Mui’s latest blog post, which was a photo of her and Liu Yifei on the second-floor terrace at home.

In the distance was the sunset, and in the foreground, a young girl in a purple dress was hugging the arm of the Xiangjiang big sister, looking very intimate.

Liu Zeyu looked at the smiling, radiant Liu Yifei, and felt his heart skip a beat!

Who is this girl?!

It was normal that he didn’t recognize Liu Yifei; *The Story of a Noble Family* was still filming, she hadn’t taken any public appearances, and her new movie hadn’t held a press conference yet.

She was currently just a nobody in the entertainment industry.

In his mind, Liu Zeyu replayed the dozen or so faces he had "favored" like a movie.

Including that long-legged female singer from Emperor Group in Xiangjiang last week...

Compared to the girl in front of him, none of them could compete.

Familiar with the process, he scrolled to the very bottom and finally, through the countless fan comments greeting Anita Mui, managed to sift out the answer.

*Whiplash* lead actress, Liu Yifei.

Damn that Lu Kuan, he’s involved with her too!

The young official’s son gritted his teeth and pulled open his drawer, which contained a commercial investigation commissioned by Zhou Lei, the general manager currently in full charge of company affairs.

The latest intelligence clearly stated that Lu Kuan’s wholly-owned Wenjie Culture was in talks with director Zhang Jian, seeking to purchase the television adaptation rights for *Chinese Paladin*.

He thought for a moment and dialed a number.

"Old Zhou, help me book a private room at Top Heaven, and set up a meeting with Young Master Wang of Huayi."

After all, he wasn't familiar with this part of the entertainment industry yet, and to deal with a cunning fox like Lu Kuan, he still needed to ask an insider.

The night of June 19, 2002, Top Heaven, Beiping.

After hearing the young official’s son’s account, Wang Xiaolei burst into laughter.

"Brother, why are you playing the 'true love' card? That’s not your style!"

He still preferred those in the capital like Si Yan who were skilled in oral techniques—enough to handle with both hands, quite exciting.

"Ugh! I’ve eaten too much abalone and sea cucumber; it’s just not the same flavor anymore!"

"Brother Lei, I really like this one!"

Wang Xiaolei waved his hand to send the attendants out; what followed were secrets not meant for others to hear.

"This is simple. You have an entertainment company now, so in the future, if Huayi has any good projects, I’ll save you a share."

It was just an equivalent exchange. Although the two brothers were also from the big compounds, their parents were in office, making it very convenient to get things done.

"A greenhorn who just entered the entertainment industry—isn't she easy pickings?"

"You feed her and her agency roles, and she’ll feed you! Haha!"

Liu Zeyu laughed: "She just acted in Lu Kuan’s movie; I’m a step too late, what a pity!"

"What’s there to pity? Just buy a stake in her agency."

"Didn't you just say Zhang Jizhong is also on the shareholder list? I’ll ask him for you."

He didn't know Cheng Jing, but he knew the Big Beard.

The Big Beard of later generations established his status in the world of martial arts precisely because of the Jin Yong dramas *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* and *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, joining Huayi in 2006.

Wang Xiaolei came out of the restroom and sat down, frowning: "Zeyu, this Lu Kuan you mentioned isn't simple!"

"Just a country bumpkin, what’s so complicated about him?"

Young and arrogant, how could he stand to hear someone else praise his mortal enemy in front of him?

"You might have been intercepted."

"What do you mean?"

Liu Zeyu’s brows were almost knitted together.

"Zhang Jizhong didn't say much, only that this Lu Kuan used Xiangjiang’s music resources and his own so-called film and television resources as bait to buy into Red Star Dock."

"What! That animal!"

Liu Zeyu was furious.

I haven't even moved, and the enemy has already arrived?!

In this day and age, information wasn't online yet, and the shareholder change registration for Red Star Dock hadn't been updated, so the young official’s son was still looking at the old shareholder list.

Wang Xiaolei smiled enigmatically: "This Lu Kuan’s methods don't look like those of a rookie, do they? Are you sure he’s just a student who just took the art exam?"

Liu Zeyu’s expression changed; he thought of Zhang Tianshuo.

"Actually, I had people investigate him, and there are many rumors about him..."

The young official’s son told Wang Xiaolei everything he knew, true or false, hoping to get some advice from him.

"A Daoist priest? Isn't that just a charlatan? Nothing to worry about."

Wang Xiaolei gave the judgment any normal person would give.

He began to analyze and offer advice to the young official’s son: "Didn't you say he wants to buy the adaptation rights for that game? Go and snatch it from him!"

"According to what Zhang Jizhong said, isn't this the so-called resource he uses to play god? If he can use these to buy in, why can't you?"

"Also, Huayi has had quite a few projects these past two years; promising her a few roles isn't difficult."

Liu Zeyu raised his glass excitedly: "Then many thanks, Brother Lei!"

The young official’s son knew full well that there is no such thing as unearned love in this world. Why would Huayi save roles for him just to help him pick up girls?

He immediately caught the drift and whispered: "About that Olympic plot of land you mentioned last time, I’ll talk to my dad when he gets back from his inspection."

Wang Xiaolei’s expression changed: "Zeyu, what are you saying!"

"Your brother ran out so late to have a few drinks with you, answer your questions, and give you advice—do you think I came here for that?"

Saying this, he sighed and picked up his coat, ready to leave.

The young official’s son wasn't stupid. As expected of someone running an entertainment company, he must be practicing "harvesting yin to replenish yang" with female stars; his acting was quite good.

"Brother Lei! Brother Lei!"

He grabbed Wang Xiaolei’s sleeve, looked at the latter’s livid face, and apologized with a smile: "It was my brother who spoke wrongly. It’s just that since you mentioned this to me last time, my dad has been in Europe on inspection and hasn't returned. I just thought of it and wanted to mention it, don't mind, don't mind!"

Since I have to play along with your performance, how could I turn a blind eye?

Different trades are like different mountains. Huayi is an entertainment giant currently setting sail; no matter how many connections or how much capital Liu Zeyu has, he must truly enter this circle to be able to stretch his limbs.

Seeing that he had made his point, Wang Xiaolei stopped while he was ahead. It was getting late, and the two walked out side by side.

Young Master Wang decided to give the young man a ruthless strategy to completely bind this official’s son to his own chariot of interests.

"I know Zhang Jian well. I’ll give him a heads-up tomorrow, and you can go directly to negotiate the cooperation and snatch it from him."

"Also, you said the Zhang Tianshuo matter is related to him? That bastard’s hands aren't clean; he has a bunch of thugs under him, plus that Lü Changchun who killed someone and ran away."

"Find someone to leak the word that he was framed by Lu Kuan."

"That guy is a desperate criminal; one way or another, it’ll cause him some trouble."

Liu Zeyu had been depressed all evening, but now, after Wang Xiaolei’s words, his mind felt clear.

"Brother Lei, you’re still the best!"

The two parted ways at the entrance of Top Heaven with their arms around each other’s shoulders. Wang Xiaolei looked at the thumbs-up from the little brother with disdain.

Truly ignorant. This time, I’ll let you know how we men under the shadow of the Imperial City play.

These children from the big compounds have always looked down on the second-generation officials from outside the capital; just like that Young Master Gao, they have no class at all.

That is just so un-authentic!

(End of chapter)