Chapter 94: Rectifying Red Star Dock

At the main table, only four people from Red Star Dock and the gate-crasher Liu Zeyu remained.

The young scion leisurely picked up his glass and took a sip of hot tea, thoroughly enjoying this moment of settling scores as the victor.

He finally understood the satisfaction Lu Kuan felt when he caused a scene at the Eagle Emperor press conference in front of so many reporters; showing off really was addictive!

He glanced gleefully at the motionless Lu Kuan. Sweating, are you? Still putting on an act!

"Director Lu, don't force yourself to stay calm. I've already bought *Sword Fairy*. I know you're also a shareholder of Red Star Dock; why don't we all sit down and discuss a partnership?"

He then turned to Liu Yifei, who was glaring at him, and gave a smile he thought was dashing: "In any case, it's all for the sake of Yifei's acting career, right, Ms. Liu?"

Liu Xiaoli was not without perception; she could certainly see that Lu Kuan’s expression was unfriendly, but for her daughter's sake, she had to step in and mediate.

"Director Lu, perhaps there is some misunderstanding between you and Young Master Liu. Why don't we lay everything out on the table today? It’s all for the good of the company, after all."

Everyone is a shareholder of Red Star Dock; surely when he, Lu Kuan, asked to buy in and provided resources, it was also to make money, right?

Boss Lu: Yes, but not entirely...

Lu Kuan shook his head with a calm expression: "Mr. Cheng, Ms. Liu, next time you look for partners, you should wipe your eyes clean first. Don't just recruit anyone."

"The one who caused our film to be halted last time and sent people to wreak havoc on the set is this very Young Master Liu."

"You didn't know before, but now that I've told you, do you still want to continue working with him?"

Liu Zeyu retorted angrily: "Lu Kuan, this is getting petty, isn't it? In the business world, all is fair in war; it’s better to stick to the facts!"

Cheng Jingfei’s expression was uncertain. He felt that Lu Kuan was indeed talented and possessed some vague, mysterious aura, but he was still too immature.

For a businessman, profit is the primary objective.

Right now, Liu Zeyu is the one holding the work and the Huayi film contract to invest in the company's artists. Regardless of any past grudges, they should be set aside first.

By rashly poking at these old grievances, you neither achieve your goal nor avoid embarrassing the shareholders of Red Star Dock.

He somewhat regretted agreeing to let Lu Kuan buy in; clearly, Liu Zeyu was a more suitable candidate.

"Xiao Lu, this concerns Xixi and the development of Red Star Dock; let's prioritize the big picture!"

Lu Kuan smiled at him with contempt, not taking this mainland tycoon, who was famous on the "slaughter list," seriously at all.

"The big picture? What is the big picture?"

The young director stood up and approached Liu Zeyu, saying bluntly: "I said it before: 'Despicable is the epitaph of the despicable.' You think you've successfully intercepted my deal, don't you?"

The young scion was shaken by his electrifying momentum and glared: "What do you mean?"

Lu Kuan couldn't be bothered to look at his petty triumph any longer. He turned back and called Ning Hao: "Go to the private room where I was toasting earlier, bring Wang Yongle over, and bring the *Sword Fairy* contract documents."

Sun Wenwen, Zhuang Xu, and Wang Yongle had arrived at the wrap-up party hotel ahead of the crew. Lu Kuan had already officially met with him and signed the contract; now they were just waiting for the cash Huang Pi was sending from Xiangjiang.

He checked his watch. The plane took off at 5:30, and the flight was less than three hours; by now, he should have already cleared the international airport.

Cheng Jingfei and Liu Xiaoli were both somewhat suspicious and uneasy. They didn't know the inside story, but seeing Liu Zeyu’s ugly expression as he went to the side to make a call, they knew something must have changed.

Zhuang Xu did not show his face; Sun Wenwen, with her short hair, brought Wang Yongle to the main table.

"Mr. Wang, let me introduce you. These two are shareholders of my company. The lead actress for your *Sword Fairy* is tentatively set to be this Ms. Liu’s daughter."

Wang Yongle was in high spirits and had drunk quite a bit of alcohol that evening.

The adaptation rights bought for a few hundred thousand were sold for 2.5 million—a four or five-fold increase. How was this not another kind of gambler's comeback!

"Haha, nice to meet you both. So this is the young lady! Perfect! Absolutely perfect!"

He blinked at Lu Kuan: "Boss Lu really has the ability. Spending millions just to promote your own little girlfri..."

Boss Lu hurriedly cut him off. Liu Xiaoli was still here; don't go blurting out the damn truth!

"Mr. Wang, go back and have a drink first. I'll come over after the wrap-up party ends."

"Alright, alright, alright! Everyone, eat well and drink well!"

Liu Zeyu also returned after finishing his call. Zhang Jian had, of course, received the news long ago, but Wang Yongle had already been arranged by Lu Kuan to be brought to the hotel by Zhuang Xu and Sun Wenwen.

When his secretary rushed over with the massive sum of money, the Wang family home was already empty.

The young scion’s face was ashen, like a frost-bitten eggplant. After whispering a few words to Cheng Jingfei and Liu Xiaoli, he fled.

Hurried like a stray dog, panicked like a fish that slipped through the net.

How could Ning Hao miss the chance to beat a dog that had fallen into the water? He lunged forward in one stride.

"Mr. Liu, tonight is our crew’s wrap-up party. This restaurant costs 300 per person. Do you think you could settle the bill?"

"You!"

The young scion pointed his finger fiercely at him, signaling "just you wait," threw down a few banknotes, and pushed open the hotel door, followed by a burst of laughter from the onlookers in the crew.

Liu Yifei looked at Lu Kuan with bright, beautiful eyes, feeling extremely gratified in her heart.

She felt that Lu Kuan was like the chivalrous hero in the poem who kills a man every ten steps—slapping faces on the spot and taking revenge without waiting until the next day!

Cheng Jingfei had always been able to bend and stretch. He smiled, took the wine bottle, filled his own glass, and walked to Lu Kuan’s side.

"Director Lu, congratulations on having another excellent TV drama project. This glass of wine, I..."

Boss Lu raised an eyebrow: "Mr. Cheng, don't rush to drink. Things need to be made clear first."

The young director calmly glanced at him and Liu Xiaoli: "I heard that Mr. Cheng has always admired the old man the most, and even has his portrait in the office. Then there is a line of poetry you must know."

"One should look at the long term."

"But during this period, your actions seem to be somewhat contrary to this poem, don't they?"

Liu Xiaoli felt awkward and at a loss; after all, her skin wasn't as thick as Cheng Jingfei’s when it came to being a merchant.

Cheng Jingfei paused at just the right moment: "Brother, what are you saying? Is there some misunderstanding?"

Boss Lu slammed the table and stood up at the right moment: "Misunderstanding?!"

"*Whiplash* had only just resumed filming a few days ago, and the shareholder change procedures for Red Star Dock were already completed. I could take that as a coincidence."

"Just now, I clearly told you that this Liu Zeyu is the mastermind behind the filming delays. What was your attitude?"

"Did you ever respect my opinion as a shareholder of Red Star Dock?"

Liu Xiaoli was so anxious that tears were about to fall. She stammered, wanting to explain, but didn't know where to start.

She didn't even know that her own daughter had been the first to defect to the enemy out of a sense of justice while on set...

There is a saying that familiarity breeds contempt. Lu Kuan was usually used to joking around with everyone, and in Liu Xiaoli’s impression, she only thought of him as a twenty-year-old youth.

She hadn't expected this sudden, table-slamming interrogation to be so imposing, shaking even a slick businessman like Cheng Jingfei into stuttering.

(End of chapter)