“Officers, I’ve thought through the whole process of what must’ve happened. Hu Wei kept urging me to toast Jiang Yunxie. When I walked past him with my wine glass, I accidentally bumped into Hu Wei, spilling wine down his neck. So, I put down my glass to help him wipe his collar. When I picked up the glass again, I must have grabbed his by mistake. By a stroke of luck, I avoided a disaster.”

This matched the accounts given by others present.

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“Why did you pretend to be in distress when you were clearly fine? It’s reported that you looked pained and had difficulty breathing, but the hospital tests showed no harmful substances apart from alcohol.”

“Officers, my alcohol tolerance is low, and that glass was already my limit. I couldn’t refuse Jiang Yunxie’s invitation but wanted to leave early. So, I planned to toast him and then pretend to feel unwell. I had my excuse ready—I’d say I took some anti-inflammatory medication that causes a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol, and then I could leave early!”

The officer taking the statement nodded for him to continue.

Luo Yu took the thermos cup from the table, his hands trembling slightly as he opened it. “Who would’ve thought… I just felt dizzy and unwell from drinking too quickly and collapsed. Before I could even give my excuse, Jiang Yunxie suddenly panicked and accused Hu Wei of giving me too much of the drug! Imagine how terrified I was then. Could I just stand up and pretend everything was fine? I was also scared, scared that Jiang Yunxie would realize his plan hadn’t worked on me and might try something else. The safest way was to keep pretending to feel unwell so they’d send me to the hospital.”

Luo Yu looked genuinely shaken, explaining that he faked discomfort to escape from Jiang Yunxie’s clutches.

Moreover, he had no opportunity to frame Hu Wei and Jiang Yunxie in advance. There were no fingerprints of Luo Yu on the drug packet and pills found in Hu Wei’s pocket. Ultimately, according to Hu Wei’s confession and the conversation Jiang Yinchuan overheard, Luo Yu was the victim here, albeit a very lucky one.

After the police left, Luo Yu was cleared for discharge. As Sister Cui handled the discharge paperwork, he turned on his phone and found that news about Jiang Yunxie had made the headlines.

Jiang Yunxie was still bewildered; he had only used a little “relaxant,” so how had it turned into a ticket to jail?

Although the headline was quickly suppressed, netizens were outraged, given Jiang Yunxie’s long history of indiscretions. However, Luo Yu’s name didn’t appear in the list, thanks to Jiang Yinchuan’s special protection.

Luo Yu remembered how, in his past life, he had indeed fallen for Hu Wei and Jiang Yunxie’s tricks, ending up in the same room with Jiang Yinchuan.

But Jiang Yinchuan was principled and self-disciplined. The drug in his tea was not strong, and he managed to call his secretary before the paparazzi arrived, hiding in the emergency exit while his secretary took Luo Yu away. The paparazzi found nothing.

That incident had left a deep scar on young Luo Yu and was the catalyst for his departure from the industry.

In this life, Luo Yu and Jiang Yinchuan had teamed up to avoid the crisis, turning Hu Wei and Jiang Yunxie against each other. Luo Yu, as an unexpected escapee, was protected by the police, who couldn’t publicly name him as a victim.

Due to the negative publicity, Honghe Film and Television’ stock plummeted, causing unrest among shareholders who bombarded Jiang Yunxie’s father, Jiang Hui, with calls for accountability. The public was also watching how Honghe Film and Television would handle the situation.

Jiang Hui brainstormed countless ways to rescue Jiang Yunxie.

The secretary asked if they should contact Luo Yu, offering benefits to get him to speak favorably for Jiang Yunxie.

But with the police having recorded statements, altering testimony would risk backfiring. Besides, there were multiple eyewitnesses to handle.

Jiang Hui said wearily, “Luo Yu hasn’t gone online to claim victimhood for sympathy, and that’s already a blessing. If he cries out and the issue goes viral, it’ll be impossible to suppress. Are you going to ask him to lie to the police for Jiang Yunxie? If he records that conversation and leaks it… Yun Xie will be doomed! Where is Jiang Yinchuan?”

“He’s here, just outside.”

Jiang Yinchuan entered as the secretary left, leaving the room to the two of them.

Jiang Hui took a deep breath, pressed his temples, and asked, “Tell me, did you set Yun Xie up?”

Jiang Yinchuan’s heart iced over. He looked long and hard at the man who once ruled the entertainment industry, now wrapped around his younger son’s mother’s finger. No matter how much he accomplished, in Jiang Hui’s eyes, he could never compare to the troublesome younger son.

—It’s true, old houses burn the brightest, and using all of Honghe Film and Television as fuel to boot. (TN: “old house burn the brightest”=description of an older person reclaiming their spring)

“You think I set him up? Father, how old are you this year?”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Hui asked through gritted teeth.

“If you’re in your eighties or nineties, I’d understand—maybe you’ve got Alzheimer’s.”

“Jiang Yinchuan! How dare you!” Jiang Hui was already frazzled by calls from shareholders and the media, and now his anger was compounded by Jiang Yinchuan’s lack of intervention when he could have prevented it all on the scene back then.

“Father, are you really my father? Think about what you just said. Why don’t you ask Jiang Yunxie if he ordered that pot of Longjing tea for me, if he sourced the drug, if he intended to get Luo Yu drunk and drugged my tea to see the outcome?”

Jiang Hui knew all this from the lawyer and was furious. But last night, Jiang Yunxie’s mother had cried in his arms, blaming Jiang Yinchuan’s constant sarcasm for Jiang Yunxie’s actions. She said it was just like a fight between brothers, nothing serious, until the club reported it to the police.

“You’re unharmed, aren’t you? He’s still a Jiang. You watched him get in trouble and hit the headlines. Didn’t you consider our stock price?”

“What if it were me? What if I made the headlines today? Would the stock not fall? Would you rush to clear my name or distance yourself from me? Think about it—when I am ruined, who will cover for your precious son’s failed investments?”

“You’re his older brother; can’t you share some credit with him…”

Jiang Hui’s words trailed off as he noticed Jiang Yinchuan’s cold smile, as if he had anticipated this.

“Even when Yun Xie is forty or fifty, you’d still say that.”

With that, Jiang Yinchuan walked out, his heart aching.

His mother wasn’t one to flatter her husband, and when she was in the hospital, Jiang Hui was out with a mistress. Jiang Yinchuan’s grandfather had dragged Jiang Hui out and beaten him, marking the most humiliating moment of Jiang Hui’s life. Ever since, Jiang Hui couldn’t see Jiang Yinchuan without recalling that disgrace.

Leaving the company, Jiang Yinchuan felt lost.

For the first time, he realized how vast the world was, yet he had no place in it.

He was a thorn in his father’s side. The more successful he was, the more he reminded Jiang Hui that his position was secured through his first wife’s connections.

Perhaps that’s why Jiang Hui kept giving Jiang Yinchuan’s achievements to Jiang Yunxie, trying to balance his own psychological scales.

Jiang Yinchuan rode his motorcycle, blindly navigating the road.

By the time he knew it, night fell, and lights illuminated everywhere, rendering the world both unfamiliar and cold.

On the road, he spotted a somewhat familiar figure. Had the man not been wearing the coat and scarf from that evening, Jiang Yinchuan wouldn’t have connected this man pushing a shopping cart with Luo Yu.

Luo Yu walked on the sidewalk, wearing a woolen hat, a black mask, and a scarf wrapped around, revealing only his eyes.

After waking from a nap, Luo Yu saw the announcement from Honghe Film and Television. Firstly, it apologized for the negative social impact caused by Jiang Yunxie, secondly, it relieved Jiang Yunxie of all duties, and thirdly, it initiated an internal investigation into all contracts and projects handled by Jiang Yunxie.

Such an announcement from Honghe Film and Television indicated not only shareholder dissatisfaction due to plummeting stock prices but also confirmed suspicions against Jiang Yunxie. Jiang Hui would find it difficult to whitewash him now; if no action were taken, even the chairman himself would face consequences.

Luo Yu felt relieved and decided to continue the hot pot he missed last time. He grabbed his cart and headed to the supermarket to buy lots of vegetables, meat, and some beer.

Little did he expect, someone stopped him at the entrance of the community.

“Luo Yu, you’ve got quite the guts,” said the helmeted Jiang Yinchuan on his motorcycle.

In a past life, Jiang Yinchuan had been his staunch fan, attending every one of his plays and later supporting him when he switched to television dramas. Back then, Jiang Yinchuan always had a driver and wasn’t the daredevil motorcyclist he was now.

“On such a cold day… still riding a motorcycle? You’ve got guts; be careful it doesn’t freeze,” Luo Yu remarked coolly.

“Freeze? Where?” Jiang Yinchuan lowered his head, checking his front and rear wheels. This bike wouldn’t freeze.

“I’m not talking about the motorcycle,” Luo Yu replied flatly.

Jiang Yinchuan laughed involuntarily, dismounted, and approached him. “Jiang Hui suspects you’re with me, thinking we teamed up to put Jiang Yunxie away. Given his affection for Jiang Yunxie, he might retaliate against you. Yet, you seem unworried, even buying groceries?”

“He won’t dare retaliate. Afraid I’ll make headlines as a determined victim. When that time comes he would be desperately trying to suppress the news while his opponents would buy traffic for him. His least desire now is to provoke me. So, I’m in a good mood, celebrating with hot pot. Did Vice President Jiang have dinner?” Luo Yu asked.

“I didn’t have an appetite earlier. But seeing you, I’m hungry. Can I join for a meal?” Jiang Yinchuan requested.

Luo Yu nodded casually, “Sure, come in. Looks like you’re homeless.”

“Me, homeless?” Jiang Yinchuan glanced at the entrance of Luo Yu’s community, “Even if you sold your house you won’t even be able to afford the bathroom in my place.”

“I thought a home meant someone lit a lamp for you, waited for you, genuinely felt your weariness, listened to your worries, and cared for you,” Luo Yu replied sincerely.

Jiang Yinchuan paused, “Why do I feel like you are alluding to something?”

“I’m alluding that we are the same, with no home to return to. Do you know what the feeling of returning home and finding the lights on is like?”

“Someone waiting for you?” Jiang Yinchuan asked.

“No, annoyed because you forgot to turn off the lights when you went out, wasting electricity.”

Jiang Yinchuan laughed and followed Luo Yu into his building.

He didn’t know why. In theory, if someone had warned him about issues with the tea the way Luo Yu did, he’d be cautious but wouldn’t suspect the person didn’t have ulterior motives. After all, who in this world would be so kind without a hidden agenda?

Moreover, everyone knew that kissing up to Jiang Yunxie was far more useful than pleasing Jiang Yinchuan.

But this time, Luo Yu’s warning made him think that Luo Yu simply wanted to help.

Luo Yu’s apartment was indeed small, a standard two-bedroom, one-living-room unit, minimally decorated.

“President Jiang, please sit. Let me boil some water. Do you prefer spicy or mild for the hot pot?” Luo Yu asked.

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“Spicy. I don’t eat the seafood side much. Also…” Jiang Yinchuan hesitated for a moment and said, “Don’t call me Mr. Jiang. I’m not used to it. In the industry, they all call me Vice President Jiang, fearing I don’t know I’m just a vice. My younger brother Jiang Yunxie is the President Jiang.”

As he spoke, Jiang Yinchuan rolled up his sleeves and began washing vegetables in the sink for Luo Yu.

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“What the hell! What are you doing!” Hu Wei jumped up, glaring at Luo Yu.

“I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry…” Luo Yu quickly put down the wine glass and grabbed a napkin to help Hu Wei wipe it off.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“You poured wine down my neck! What are you plotting…”

Luo Yu watched the scene unfold internally. When Hu Wei called him earlier, he was so enthusiastic, and when urging him to drink, he seemed so considerate. Now, in his rage, his voice was equally as loud!

“Enough, Hu Wei. It’s not that big of a deal,” Jiang Yunxie said coldly.

Hu Wei was stunned for a moment, almost forgetting the main business of the day. He immediately put on a smile, “No problem, no problem, you go offer a toast, go on.”

On the table, Luo Yu’s wine glass and Hu Wei’s were placed side by side. Taking advantage of Hu Wei standing up and taking off his jacket, which blocked Jiang Yunxie’s view, Luo Yu switched his wine glass with Hu Wei’s.

Jiang Yinchuan, who was drinking tea, naturally noticed this. He hid a smile behind the rim of his teacup. This Luo Yu had perfect timing. Perhaps he deliberately spilled wine on Hu Wei’s collar just to switch the glasses. Even if Hu Wei hadn’t stood up to remove his jacket, blocking Jiang Yunxie’s view, Luo Yu would have found an excuse to take Hu Wei’s glass. In any case, Luo Yu wouldn’t drink anything suspicious.

Luo Yu finally approached Jiang Yunxie with the wine glass, his face full of sincere apology, “President Jiang, I apologize for earlier. I’ll down this glass, and you can do as you please.”

With that, Luo Yu drank the red wine in one go. Jiang Yunxie was taken aback. Just a moment ago, Luo Yu seemed shy, but now he was so bold. Watching Luo Yu’s Adam’s apple move, Jiang Yunxie felt an itch in his heart.

After finishing the wine, Luo Yu’s face indeed turned red. He swayed slightly, and Jiang Yunxie quickly reached out to steady him by the shoulder.

“I’m fine,” Luo Yu said.

Receiving a signal from Hu Wei, Jiang Yunxie knew that the wine was part of Hu Wei’s plan. He leaned in close to Luo Yu’s ear and whispered, “If you feel uncomfortable, let me know. I’ll take you home later.”

His tone was gentle and affectionate.

Everyone present knew what Jiang Yunxie intended to do when he took Luo Yu home.

“Thank you, President Jiang.”

At that moment, Luo Yu suddenly collapsed. Jiang Yunxie thought he was drunk and felt a rush of joy, quickly catching him. But soon, he realized something was wrong. Luo Yu’s entire body was trembling, his eyes wide open, gripping Jiang Yunxie’s collar tightly.

Jiang Yunxie panicked and shouted, “Hey! Hey! What’s wrong with you!”

Luo Yu opened his mouth wide, looking as if he couldn’t breathe. The secretary rushed over to help. Wen Zhilan was so frightened by Luo Yu’s death-like struggle that she couldn’t move.

“He… he acted like this after drinking the wine… Is there something wrong with the wine?” Wen Zhilan stammered.

The secretary, remaining calm, took Luo Yu from Jiang Yunxie’s arms and asked Luo Yu, “Mr. Luo, please tell me if you have any allergies or medical conditions? Like asthma? Or did you take any anti-inflammatory medication before coming here?”

Regardless of Luo Yu’s issues, the secretary’s first instinct was to protect Jiang Yunxie—implying that Luo Yu’s reaction was due to his own health problems.

“I’m… I’m very healthy… the wine… your wine…” Luo Yu pointed to the wine glass, eyes wide open, struggling to breathe!

Wen Zhilan was terrified, “Call an ambulance! Quick, call an ambulance! We can’t let him die here!”

Jiang Yunxie was also frightened. He grabbed Hu Wei and demanded, “What did you put in his wine! I told you just to make him obedient, no funny business!”

Hu Wei panicked too, “I didn’t! I only put in what you gave me!”

“Oh?” Jiang Yinchuan, who had been watching, raised an eyebrow.

The secretary snapped, “Hu Wei, shut your mouth! We need to get Luo Yu to the hospital now, and don’t alert…”

Before she could finish saying “anyone,” Luo Yu, in his extreme discomfort, pulled the tablecloth, sending plates and glasses crashing to the floor.

A waitress immediately opened the door, “What happened…”

Seeing Luo Yu’s condition, she almost screamed and quickly called the manager.

The manager didn’t dare take responsibility and immediately called an ambulance.

The secretary tried to stop him, “We don’t need an ambulance! We have a car, and we can get him there faster!”

Then she turned to the stunned Hu Wei, “Why are you standing there! Help me lift him!”

“He’s in this condition… shouldn’t we call an ambulance?”

The manager panicked, but Jiang Yinchuan leaned in and whispered, “Not only should you call an ambulance, but you should also call the police. Someone might have spiked his drink. If you don’t call the police and the patient claims your establishment poisoned him or if the person who spiked the drink shifts the blame onto your establishment, you might have to shut down.”

Realizing the severity, the manager immediately called the general manager.

The general manager, familiar with the dirty dealings in the entertainment world, knew immediately someone must have spiked the drink, intending to do something nefarious, but the dosage was too high. If they didn’t call the police and someone died, their establishment would be finished, and they might end up in jail. Despite Jiang Yunxie’s status, he wasn’t someone untouchable. The general manager instructed the manager to call the police immediately.

Hu Wei, just about to lift Luo Yu, suddenly felt dizzy, blood rushing to his head. He shook his head, trying to clear it, but the world spun around him.

“Hu Wei! Why aren’t you moving!”

The secretary looked up and saw Hu Wei’s drunken expression, realizing something, “You didn’t take it yourself, did you?”

“I didn’t… I wouldn’t… I didn’t drug myself!”

Jiang Yunxie panicked and punched Hu Wei, “You’re trying to kill me!”

“President Jiang! Quick, lift Luo Yu!”

The secretary got her arms under Luo Yu’s, and Jiang Yunxie grabbed his legs. Jiang Yinchuan watched, not forgetting to pick up Luo Yu’s phone from the chair.

“Luo Yu doesn’t look that heavy! Why is he so heavy?” Jiang Yunxie gritted his teeth.

The hotel staff watched in shock. When Jiang Yunxie couldn’t move Luo Yu anymore, he pulled one of them over, “You help me!”

Suddenly, Luo Yu stopped trembling, his arms went limp. His acting was so convincing that even Jiang Yinchuan was taken aback, rushing over to check his pulse.

Thank goodness…

Jiang Yinchuan wanted to applaud Luo Yu’s acting, which even fooled him.

The staff was startled, “He’s not moving! Is he dead!”

Jiang Yunxie froze, then turned and grabbed Jiang Yinchuan’s arm, “Brother! Brother, help me!”

“Help you? How? The drugs Hu Wei used came from you, right? Call the person who gave them to you and ask what the side effects are and how to handle it! I don’t even know what you used. How can I help you?”

Fearing for Luo Yu’s life, Jiang Yunxie called his supplier, but the call was abruptly hung up.

The waitress, who overheard everything, was stunned. This usually high-class Jiang Yunxie was involved in such dirty deeds behind the scenes!

But the person needed saving. The waitress helped carry Luo Yu to the elevator and into the secretary’s car.

Just as they got to the entrance, the ambulance and police arrived.

The commotion attracted everyone in the area, including paparazzi eager for a scoop.

Jiang Yunxie, still panicking, called out the secretary’s name repeatedly, then called “Brother,” clearly distressed.

Jiang Yinchuan called his secretary, Wang Meiqing, to get a lawyer.

Even if he were to denounce his brother, some formalities needed to be observed.

Wang Meiqing asked only one question, “President Jiang, are you okay?”

“Thanks to a friend’s tip, I’m fine. But I have to accompany the spoiled brat to the police station.”

There was too much evidence left behind. For example, Hu Wei still had unused drugs in his pocket, and the substances found in his system. Moreover, the pot of Longjing tea in the room was also drugged.

Once Hu Wei sobered up, he would immediately pin the blame on Jiang Yunxie, aware that Luo Yu would seek legal action once conscious. He saw no reason to take the fall alone, ruining his life while Jiang Yunxie continued living lavishly.

Jiang Yunxie and his secretary would try to shift all the blame onto Hu Wei, claiming he acted out of excessive zeal to please Jiang Yunxie.

However, Jiang Yunxie’s arrogance had been unchecked for too long, and his confidence in the police interview was evident. His conversations with friends were filled with incriminating boasts, including chats with Hu Wei where he let slip too much. The police also questioned everyone present, including the waitress who recounted everything she saw, including the secretary’s orders not to call an ambulance and Hu Wei’s strange behavior. She also overheard Jiang Yunxie questioning his friend about the drug’s composition in the corridor.

The police quickly traced the supplier through Jiang Yunxie’s call records, finding him in the midst of a party, and he too was taken in. To lessen his punishment, the supplier immediately confessed to providing the drugs to Jiang Yunxie.

Wen Zhilan didn’t dare to say much, only mentioning that Luo Yu’s reaction after drinking had scared her.

The police then questioned Jiang Yinchuan, who recounted everything he had seen and heard. They asked if he knew that the initial Longjing tea was also drugged and why he hadn’t drunk it.

Jiang Yinchuan looked surprised, “What? It was drugged too? Because I was riding a motorcycle, it would have been hard to find a driver. Since my brother was hosting the dinner gathering, I was prepared not to drink alcohol. My brother ordered the Longjing for me, and he was upset that I didn’t drink any of it!”

“Why didn’t you drink it?”

“Because the tea’s aroma was off. I didn’t think much of it, just assumed it wasn’t good tea, so I switched to Pu’er.”

The police then went to the hospital to check on Luo Yu, only to find that apart from alcohol, there were no drug traces in his system.

Last night, Sister Cui rushed to the hospital as soon as she heard the news. She was so anxious that she had blisters at the corners of her mouth and even a few more white hairs, almost crying.

“You… you… Why didn’t you ask me to accompany you to such a dinner?”

“If I asked you to accompany me, you would have been the first to drink that problematic wine. What would I do then? Besides, it was Hu Wei who invited me. I wanted to see why he suddenly became so enthusiastic after not contacting me for a while. What was he up to?”

“Well now you know what he was up to, don’t you?”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Luo Yu quickly comforted Sister Cui, repeatedly apologizing. Sister Cui had already suffered a lot for him, and he truly didn’t want her to get involved in such a rotten thing.

When the two police officers came to take a statement, Luo Yu had already thought of how to explain why he hadn’t drunk the problematic wine.

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“I appreciate your kindness. But just now, when I smelled that cup of tea, the aroma didn’t seem right. Next time, I’ll take you to taste some truly good Longjing tea.”

Jiang Yinchuan’s comment about the “tea aroma not being right” made Jiang Yunxie’s face even more unsightly, and Hu Wei’s expression also became stiff.

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Jiang Yinchuan pretended not to care and chatted with Luo Yu about the situation in the “Counterattack” crew, but deep down, his heart felt a thin layer of frost covering it.

This brother of his caused so much trouble, had no ability, and only spent the company’s money to pamper his little lovers. When the board held him accountable for losses, their foolish father would use Jiang Yinchuan’s achievements to cover for Jiang Yunxie’s mess ups. Yet Jiang Yunxie, who had no self-awareness, was even scheming against him.

The Pu’er tea was served. Jiang Yinchuan swirled the clear tea, took a sip, and said, “Good tea.”

Opposite him, Jiang Yunxie saw the two of them chatting happily, treating him as invisible, and sneered inwardly.

Hu Wei quickly tried to shift the focus back to Jiang Yunxie, “Luo Yu, since you’re here, why not toast President Jiang with a drink? After all, the contract you’re signing needs President Jiang’s approval!”

The implication was clear: if you want better terms, you need to cozy up to Jiang Yunxie.

After speaking, Hu Wei pushed a full glass of red wine in front of Luo Yu.

Luo Yu smiled. How could he not know what Hu Wei was up to?

He knew Luo Yu’s drinking capacity was poor, and with such a large glass of red wine, he would surely get drunk. Then, Jiang Yunxie could do whatever he wanted. Most importantly, this glass of red wine had been sitting alone because it was spiked.

A cold laugh sounded, and Jiang Yinchuan spoke up, “But doesn’t Luo Yu have other options besides signing with Honghe Film and Television? From what I hear, Dijun Media has offered a contract with very favorable terms in regards to profit sharing, resource allocation, and freedom.”

Having experienced Jiang Yinchuan’s efficiency in obtaining information in his previous life, Luo Yu was not at all surprised that he knew about the Dijun Media contract.

Jiang Yunxie was startled. Could this be why Luo Yu’s agent hadn’t responded to their contract? If Jiang Hui found out he missed out on another hot artist, he would definitely get scolded again!

Hu Wei, seeing Jiang Yunxie’s displeased expression, quickly tried to smooth things over, “That… that’s absolutely impossible… Vice President Jiang, you probably don’t go online much. You don’t know how fiercely He Mu of Dijun Media and Luo Yu have clashed! They already have a top star like He Mu, why would they offer such good terms to sign Luo Yu? Besides… besides… everyone knows Luo Yu has suffered so much because of Dijun Media’s suppression.”

Hearing Hu Wei’s explanation, Jiang Yunxie’s expression improved somewhat. The key was that Hu Wei was sensible enough to address Jiang Yinchuan as “Vice President.”

However, Jiang Yinchuan, while playing with a lighter, said, “The past is the past, and now is now. Dijun Media doesn’t lack the likes of He Mu. They have created too many fast-moving idols, and over-reliance on traffic marketing has become a problem for them. It takes a lot of funds to maintain the popularity of their artists. It looks glamorous on the surface, but if this continues, they’ll be hollowed out. That’s why Ou Juntao has been pushing He Mu into the works of famous directors.”

“Isn’t that just having He Mu ride on the coattails of famous directors? It’s still a form of traffic hype. There’s no fundamental difference from buying trending topics!” Wen Zhilan said.

Jiang Yinchuan chuckled. What he said, Hu Wei, Wen Zhilan, and even Jiang Yunxie all understood, but they wouldn’t think about the future as long as they could solve problems with money now.

He looked at Luo Yu and lifted his chin, “What about you? What’s your take on this?”

Although he didn’t know how Luo Yu discovered the problem with the Longjing tea, Jiang Yinchuan had a good impression of him and was curious since he didn’t choose to cozy up to Jiang Yunxie or stay silent.

Everyone’s eyes turned to Luo Yu.

Luo Yu knew Jiang Yinchuan was testing him, trying to see if this actor, who had already sparked some discussion before his dramas even aired, was on the same page as him.

“Dijun Media wants someone like Gu Xiaowei, a genuine top-tier star with inherent traffic, high social recognition, loyal fans, and strong public favor. Sending He Mu to the works of famous directors aims to enhance He Mu’s social recognition.”

“Social recognition is too empty. To put it bluntly, it can just be created with money,” Jiang Yunxie said from the opposite side. He could admit he liked Luo Yu’s voice and his non-aggressive demeanor.

Unlike some empty-headed beauties, Luo Yu had his own thoughts. But the more thoughtful a person was, the harder they were to control. And the harder they were to control, the more desire he had to conquer them.

Luo Yu took a sip of Pu’er tea, “Social recognition, in my opinion, is the part most difficult for capital to manipulate. It’s the audience’s true inclination. For example, Cheng Fei is a typical combination of acting skills and strength. When his works come out, people naturally believe the drama or movie isn’t a flop without needing any marketing or hype. Even if the work is bad, the audience’s trust in him can salvage some of its value.”

Luo Yu’s voice had a clear quality with a depth that made Jiang Yunxie want to keep it to himself.

“And there’s no one in Dijun Media who can fit that label. For instance, He Mu…” Jiang Yinchuan looked at Jiang Yunxie opposite him, “You’re very familiar with him, often taking him out for meals and playing golf. When you introduce him, do you say, ‘This is He Mu, an actor with great acting skills’ or ‘He Mu, a top star’?”

Jiang Yunxie was taken aback. He might say “top star He Mu,” but if he introduced him as “talented actor He Mu,” it would sound ridiculous, and the listeners would definitely laugh. For some reason, after Jiang Yinchuan’s comments, being acquainted with He Mu didn’t seem like something worth boasting about.

Luo Yu lowered his eyes, his tone very indifferent, without bias or dislike, “Currently, most of the artists at Dijun Media follow the traffic route, with rapid turnover. To maintain freshness, they need to continuously cultivate new talents and invest heavily, but He Mu…”

“What about He Mu?” Hu Wei asked impatiently.

Hu Wei had always wanted to climb up to Dijun Media, thinking Luo Yu was just a washed-up actor and had no right to comment on a top star like He Mu.

Jiang Yinchuan unceremoniously continued, “A puppet beauty like He Mu can’t act well or maintain high viewership. His past guest appearances haven’t boosted ratings, so no investor would dare to risk giving him a high-paid leading role. Relying solely on variety shows and concerts, Dijun Media probably can’t recoup the marketing costs spent to keep him popular.”

“Well, even so, Dijun Media can just find a college student from a film or drama academy to promote! Why would they seek out someone they had previous bad feelings with like Luo Yu…?”

Hu Wei was extremely bitter, realizing that the rumors about Dijun Media wanting to sign Luo Yu were true. They not just bypassed Hu Wei, they even sought out the heavily criticized Luo Yu. Wasn’t this putting the cart before the horse?

Jiang Yinchuan laughed mockingly, looking at Hu Wei as if he were a fool overestimating himself.

“Because Luo Yu’s appearance surpasses He Mu’s, and his acting skills are leagues ahead of many in the industry. Just one decent work could elevate him into the ranks of skilled actors, and he has Director Lin Yue’s favor. Among the resources Dijun Media can access, only Luo Yu has the potential to be elevated to Gu Xiaowei’s status. If they don’t choose him, who else can they choose?”

Jiang Yinchuan’s words left Jiang Yunxie stunned.

If he hadn’t seen Luo Yu in person, he would have laughed at Jiang Yinchuan. But having seen him, Jiang Yunxie also knew Luo Yu was indeed more outstanding than He Mu.

Hu Wei, hearing Jiang Yinchuan’s words, felt an intense bitterness, as if he were nauseated—was he really inferior to Luo Yu?

Dijun Media wanted to create a true top star with both talent and acting skills, but what did Hu Wei lack?

At this point, the waiter started serving the dishes, each exquisitely plated like a work of art. Some appreciated it, while others lost their appetite entirely.

Wen Zhilan clung to Jiang Yunxie, alternately praising the dishes and Jiang Yunxie’s taste, but Jiang Yunxie was distracted, his eyes on Luo Yu across the table.

Luo Yu’s fingers were long and elegant, and he looked good using chopsticks. He wasn’t restrained for the sake of manners; his movements were relaxed, and his eating style was natural. If he liked something, he nodded; if he wasn’t interested, he put down his chopsticks. He was neither pretentious nor affected, making him pleasant to watch.

Jiang Yunxie was waiting, waiting for Luo Yu to come over and toast him.

But so far, Luo Yu hadn’t raised his full glass of red wine.

This made Jiang Yunxie increasingly impatient.

His original plan was to spike Jiang Yinchuan’s Longjing tea, wait until Luo Yu passed out, and then put him and Jiang Yinchuan in a room together. Jiang Yinchuan, having lost his senses, wouldn’t be able to resist. The arranged reporters would swarm, securing a headline, and Jiang Yinchuan would be completely ruined!

But now he had changed his mind; he wanted to take Luo Yu away, instead of giving his older brother the benefit.

More dishes were served, but Luo Yu moved the red wine aside without even taking a sip, which made Jiang Yunxie even more impatient.

Jiang Yunxie stood up with his glass of red wine, “Luo Yu, I didn’t understand you well enough before and didn’t have the legal department draft a reasonable contract for you. I hope you won’t rush to sign with another company; we can still discuss the contract terms.”

Luo Yu didn’t raise his wine glass but picked up his teacup, still filled with Pu’er tea, “Thank you so much, President Jiang! Let me toast you with tea instead of wine. I’m not good at drinking; I get drunk easily and might lose my composure. Please forgive me.”

Jiang Yunxie looked at the teacup, feeling extremely displeased. He took the initiative to drink with him, yet Luo Yu was putting on airs?

Hu Wei quickly spoke up, “Luo Yu! President Jiang thinks so highly of you! He personally came to drink with you, and you’re using tea? How rude!”

“Ah… I…” Luo Yu showed a troubled expression.

Jiang Yinchuan coldly interjected, “Drinking is supposed to be voluntary, right?”

Luo Yu lowered his eyes, seeming to make a decision, “I didn’t think it through. This is my first time at such a dinner, and I don’t know what to say or how to toast. Please forgive me, President Jiang.”

After hearing this, Jiang Yunxie felt much better. At least this Luo Yu was quite naive; not knowing those pretentious social tricks was a good thing.

Luo Yu lowered his head, locking eyes with Jiang Yinchuan, who saw a cold glint in Luo Yu’s gaze and a smirk.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Jiang Yinchuan paused slightly, realizing that Luo Yu wasn’t an ignorant person needing his protection. His younger brother, spoiled by their father, had a few tricks up his sleeve, but if he wanted to consume Luo Yu, he might end up with a mouthful of nails. Whether he’d spit blood or suffer internal injuries… depended on Luo Yu.

Luo Yu walked around the table towards Jiang Yunxie, holding his wine glass. Passing by Hu Wei, he bumped Hu Wei’s chair.

“Aiya…”

The wine spilled right down Hu Wei’s neck.

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“If you don’t invite Boss Bo, it won’t look good. If word gets back to the company that you only invited me and not the others, you might get targeted!” Luo Yu wanted to see what other excuses Hu Wei would come up with.

As expected, Hu Wei became anxious: “I want to avoid people from Zhuque Media tonight! Here’s the deal, I mentioned you to a big company’s boss, and they’re very interested in you. They want to have dinner with you! You’ve left Zhuque Media and haven’t signed with a new agency yet, right? You need to network more!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Luo Yu laughed to himself, thinking: If I want to network, I can play tennis with an acquaintance, play poker online with Brother Long, or have a few rounds of gaming with Fang Qin. Otherwise, I can discuss acting with Gu Xiaowei or have a late-night snack with Cheng Fei. As for some shady dinner gathering… attending once is just adding to life experience.

“Oh, thank you very much,” Luo Yu replied with a smile.

Hu Wei thought mentioning the agency would hook Luo Yu’s interest, not knowing that Luo Yu wasn’t worried about not finding a place to sign.

Hu Wei, believing Luo Yu had agreed, sounded excited: “Great! See you at 6:30 tonight! Remember to dress up, look sharp, don’t be like at the company, always keeping your head down—like you’re hiding from everyone!”

Luo Yu raised an eyebrow and, holding back a laugh, replied, “Got it.”

Since it was a feast where he would be dancing with swords, not a beauty pageant, there was no need to dress up too much.

Luo Yu touched his chin and sighed; he had just shaved that morning, and now he was missing out on a bit of rugged charm. He chose a dark sweater, put on a coat, wrapped a scarf around his neck, and headed out.

He glanced at the address Hu Wei sent—same as last time—indicating their plans were likely unchanged.

The dinner gathering aimed to harm, but this time, Luo Yu would show them who was the real player.

The venue was a club, open only to members and their invited guests.

At the entrance, he gave his name, and the attendant led him inside.

A few people were already in the private room.

Jiang Yunxie, from Honghe Film and Television, sat on the east side, the main seat.

In everyone’s eyes, he was the real young master of Honghe Film and Television. His decisions on whom to promote were absolute. Those he disliked were immediately sidelined. As for his brother Jiang Yinchuan, he was just a tool working for Jiang Yunxie.

Beside Jiang Yunxie sat a new favorite, Wen Zhilan, currently being promoted by Honghe Film and Television.

Wen Zhilan, while clinging to Jiang Yunxie, complained about being criticized by a director on set.

Jiang Yunxie patted her shoulder lovingly, “Being criticized means you have room for improvement. You’re just too delicate.”

Turning to his secretary, Jiang Yunxie said, “Tell that director not to act all high and mighty. Actors are there to act, not to be scolded by some school principal wannabe.”

“Yes, Mr. Jiang,” the secretary replied, unfazed by the scene.

“That Luo Yu sure has a big ego, we’re all here, and he’s still not here?” Jiang Yunxie said impatiently.

Hu Wei felt helpless—wasn’t it supposed to start at seven?

I even told Luo Yu 6:30, who knew you would show up at six!

“Mr. Jiang, if Luo Yu had been sensible, he wouldn’t be in this position now,” Hu Wei said with a smile.

“I want to see what makes him so special, making Xie Chang always talk about him!” Jiang Yunxie sneered.

Xie Chang was Honghe Film and Television’ most reputable actress, whom Jiang Yunxie had pursued relentlessly, only to be ignored.

He once sent a carload of roses to Xie Chang’s home, only to cause her to trend online, with rumors about her cozying up to a rich man, attracting criticism for not focusing on acting.

Xie Chang complained to Jiang Yunxie’s father, Jiang Hui, the current chairman of Honghe Film and Television.

Jiang Hui reprimanded Jiang Yunxie harshly, saying they finally had a reputable actress and told him not to mess things up. Jiang Yunxie could only give up.

But he hadn’t expected that the same Xie Chang, who never gave him a glance, recommended an unknown Luo Yu to his father, who then instructed him to evaluate whether to sign him or not.

When he sent someone to contact Luo Yu’s agent, they were told to wait, which was surprising.

His brother Jiang Yinchuan also suggested to their father to sign Luo Yu quickly, or he might be taken by Xinghan Pictures.

Their father, hearing this, scolded Jiang Yunxie again, asking if he wanted to repeat his mistakes.

It was laughable—how special was this Luo Yu? Could mere supporting roles in only two major directors’ TV dramas really boost his fame that much?

Five years ago, Jiang Hui had given him the chance to sign Gu Xiaowei, who had just starred as a younger version of the male lead in a Lin Yue TV drama, with limited appearances. Gu Xiaowei wasn’t a big name yet. Jiang Yunxie had his secretary draft a contract, but Gu Xiaowei wasn’t interested, following Lin Yue to Xinghan Pictures instead.

That day, Jiang Hui had also thrown the contract in Jiang Yunxie’s face.

Gu Xiaowei has been flourishing ever since he joined Xinghan Pictures, leaving Jiang Hui filled with regret and wishing he could crack open Jiang Yunxie’s head to see just how much water it contains.

But how many people like Gu Xiaowei exist in the world? There were so many who had played supporting roles in Director Lin Yue’s dramas; did they all become famous?

Whenever Jiang Yunxie hears Luo Yu’s name now, he would recall Jiang Hui’s fury at missing out on Gu Xiaowei, filling him with loathing. Moreover, Jiang Yinchuan had been tattling, and his high school junior brother, He Mu, had often spoken of the grievances he suffered because of Luo Yu.

Since Jiang Yinchuan appreciated Luo Yu so much, Jiang Yunxie might as well push the boat along and fulfill his brother’s wish—let them get along… no, lie down together!

Then, let’s see if Xie Chang would still praise Luo Yu to Jiang Hui every day!

And by removing this thorn from He Mu’s side, He Mu would surely be grateful, worshipful, and obedient to him.

Jiang Yunxie took the tea handed to him by Hu Wei, took a sip, and his gaze grew deep and dark.

At this moment, the door opened, and someone walked in.

“Hu Wei, I’m here.”

A clear voice sounded, like the first sip of tea after eating too many sweets.

Jiang Yunxie looked up and was stunned.

The man before him was simply dressed, but every gesture and movement exuded grace. His features were bright and handsome, and without makeup, he appeared clear and natural.

“Luo Yu, you’re finally here. Sit, sit! Let me introduce you!” Hu Wei pulled out the chair beside him for Luo Yu.

Jiang Yunxie’s throat bobbed. In this circle, how many people had thrown themselves at him? What kind of handsome men and beautiful women had he not seen?

But Luo Yu… was truly special.

“Alright, is this… a boss or a colleague?” Luo Yu asked without any shyness or apprehension, looking over.

Jiang Yunxie patted the person beside him, Wen Zhilian, who understood that Jiang Yunxie was likely interested in Luo Yu and tactfully returned to her seat.

“This is a privileged son of heaven—Jiang Yunxie of Honghe Film and Television. He is the ultimate authority there! When he stamps his foot, the entire entertainment industry trembles!”

Hu Wei’s skills of flattery were top-notch, and Luo Yu felt he could never match it, no matter how many lifetimes he practiced.

At this moment, the door opened again, and someone walked in, leisurely carrying a motorcycle helmet under one arm.

“Ultimate authority? Our father, Jiang Hui, isn’t dead yet, is he?”

Hu Wei immediately felt awkward, and Jiang Yunxie’s expression also changed.

“When he stamps his foot, it’s hard to say if Honghe Film and Television will tremble, let alone the entire entertainment industry.”

The person placed the motorcycle helmet on a nearby chair and sat down beside Luo Yu.

Hu Wei quickly plastered a smile on his face, “Vice President Jiang is here! We’ve been waiting for you! If you hadn’t come, the food would have gotten cold!”

Jiang Yinchuan leaned back in his chair, his smile carrying a hint of unruliness, “Don’t mind me, Yun Xie. Father always told us to keep a low profile in the industry. After all, saying that stamping a foot makes the entertainment industry tremble is too arrogant. If real big shots hear it, they’ll blame Father for not raising his sons properly.”

“You…” Jiang Yunxie choked on his words.

However, thinking that after tonight, Jiang Yinchuan would be ruined, Jiang Yunxie felt there was nothing he couldn’t tolerate.

Luo Yu looked at Jiang Yinchuan, his friend from a past life, who indeed made a grand entrance to embarrass his useless brother.

Jiang Yinchuan turned and extended his hand to Luo Yu, “Hello, Luo Yu. I’m Jiang Yinchuan from Honghe Film and Television. Although this is our first meeting, I’ve heard of your name.”

Luo Yu shook his hand and smiled, “Online?”

“No,” Jiang Yinchuan shook his head with a smile.

“Then… where?”

“At a dinner gathering, someone tried to slander you but got a taste of their own medicine.”

“Who defended me?”

Luo Yu was genuinely surprised; he hadn’t expected anyone to stand up for him at social gatherings.

“Your junior brother,” Jiang Yinchuan said, reaching for the teapot to pour himself some tea.

At this moment, under the table, Luo Yu nudged Jiang Yinchuan’s knee. Jiang Yinchuan frowned. Given the distance, how did Luo Yu manage to touch his knee by accident?

Jiang Yinchuan was familiar with the gold digging tactics in the circle. Could Luo Yu be such a person?

Subconsciously, Jiang Yinchuan preferred to trust Gu Xiaowei and Lin Yue’s impressions and judgments about a person. He glanced at Luo Yu and noticed that his phone screen was lit up with a line of text: [This tea is unsafe to drink].

His heart tightened, and Jiang Yinchuan immediately became alert. He was the only one in the room likely to drink tea because he rode a motorcycle and couldn’t call a driver. He also disliked drinking alcohol and usually used the motorcycle as an excuse to avoid alcohol at dinners.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t touch anything at Jiang Yunxie’s dinner gathering. If it weren’t for his secretary saying this dinner was related to Luo Yu’s signing, he wouldn’t have come.

“Gu… Gu Xiaowei?” Luo Yu looked at Jiang Yinchuan and said the name.

Jiang Yinchuan, grateful for Luo Yu’s warning and sensing something amiss with the dinner, casually set the teapot aside and propped his chin up, continuing the conversation with Luo Yu, “Is Gu Xiaowei the only junior brother you have?”

Luo Yu sighed, “Times are tough. I see them as schoolmates, but they see me as trouble. Up to now, the only one who acknowledges me publicly as a senior brother is Gu Xiaowei.”

Hu Wei, about to eat something, choked slightly. Why did he feel like he was being alluded to?

Jiang Yinchuan called a waiter, “Change the tea.”

Jiang Yunxie’s expression turned unnatural, and his secretary said, “Vice President Jiang, don’t you always drink Longjing? The tea here is of the highest quality.”

Jiang Yinchuan smiled, “I’ve had a poor appetite lately. Let’s switch to Pu’er tea. It’s better for digestion.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The waiter immediately left.

Jiang Yunxie added, “At least taste it. We specifically ordered it for you.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yinchuan was even more certain there was something wrong with the tea. Otherwise, why would Jiang Yunxie, who usually had such enmity for him, kindly urge him to drink it?

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Luo Yu glanced at Mr. Yang Chen not far away. He still needed to say goodbye before leaving.

“Teacher Yang, let me see what you’re doing. Oh dear, you’re sneaking some cream.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Yang Chen quickly moved the plate aside, pretending to hide it. “My blood sugar has been fine lately. You… young people shouldn’t be meddling in everything!”

“If you want to eat, just eat. No need to hide it,” Luo Yu said with amusement.

“You’re leaving, and I feel reluctant. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a young actor capture the essence of a character so finely. The last one was Gu Xiaowei,” Yang Chen said, shaking his head at the mention of Gu Xiaowei.

“What’s up with Gu Xiaowei?” Luo Yu asked curiously.

“He’s only in his twenties but acts like an old man, always serious and not the least bit adorable.”

“Oh,” Luo Yu responded. “He also didn’t let you eat cake?”

“Exactly! He wouldn’t let me eat anything good. On my birthday, I could’ve had a big piece of cake, but he cut me a slice as thin as paper. Don’t be like him. What’s the point of living if you can’t be happy?”

Luo Yu laughed and nodded. “But after this piece, you really can’t have more. This one is as thick as a dictionary!”

He even measured the thickness with his fingers for emphasis.

Mr. Yang Chen quickly changed the topic. “Xiao Luo, Zhu Jun and Yan Mingrui and I have high hopes for you. We were excitedly talking about your performance in the car that day. Keep acting well; we’re all watching you!”

“I will act well and not disappoint you three teachers.”

The cake was finished, and the crew had more scenes to shoot.

Luo Yu spent the afternoon watching scenes between Mr. Yang Chen and Cheng Fei, then reluctantly said goodbye to the crew.

He returned to his apartment and took a deep breath.

His phone buzzed. It was a WeChat message from Gu Xiaowei: [Congratulations on wrapping up.]

Luo Yu smiled, surprised that Gu Xiaowei was following his progress. He replied: [Yan Ye, have you fulfilled your promise to Bai Ying?]

Gu Xiaowei: [Another week, and Yan Ye will tear down that dark sky to let Bai Ying see the light.]

Luo Yu: [When that happens, Luo Yu will treat Gu Xiaowei to a meal. You can think about what you’d like to eat, Teacher Gu.]

Gu Xiaowei: [Alright.]

For some reason, Luo Yu missed Gu Xiaowei.

He missed his unexpected “gift of popularity rubbing,” his disregard for others’ opinions when feeding Luo Yu candy, and his focus during their scenes together.

“As expected of Gu Xiaowei, he really knows how to make his presence felt, even in a few WeChat messages.”

The next day, the sun rose as usual. Luo Yu maintained his routine, waking up early, going for a run, and then swimming a few laps.

Sister Cui called, so excited that she could barely hold her phone: “Luo Yu! Luo Yu! Luo Yu! I’m in such a dilemma right now!”

While drying his hair, Luo Yu asked curiously, “Is there a scheduling conflict for a role’s audition?”

“No, it’s just that the official account for ‘Storm’ released the second team building video. It includes the scene where you and Li Shengyu were acting opposite each other! Especially the death of Huo Haoyan; it was so impactful! You can really see the difference in acting skill!”

Luo Yu paused, “But won’t showing Huo Haoyan’s death spoil the character’s ending?”

“The official video didn’t have any dialogue, only background music, so viewers can’t be sure if Huo Haoyan died or just rested. It actually piques their curiosity and anticipation. Many people said your scene of collapsing in the chair was very atmospheric. If that’s Huo Haoyan’s ending, it’s a good one! Several film companies have already reached out to ask if you’ve decided on your next move,” Sister Cui said.

“The reason that acting comparison trended is because other industry colleagues were kind enough to share it. Like Brother Long, Fang Qin, Cheng Fei, Xie Chang… and Gu Xiaowei all liked and shared it, which is why it trended. It’s not entirely due to my own ability. I suspect these companies are more interested in riding the wave of popularity than in my acting skills.”

“Your clarity is refreshing but also a bit disheartening. However, having such popularity means you have good connections! That’s why so many people helped you share it!”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

Luo Yu thought to himself that he had made many good friends.

“Plus, your trending status wasn’t bought; it’s real popularity! These companies have noticed that your looks and acting skills are both impressive. Once ‘Counterattack’ and ‘Storm’ are both aired, the terms for signing you will definitely improve, so they want to act quickly!” Sister Cui pondered, understanding the motivations of these film companies looking to snag a good deal.

“Oh.” Luo Yu grabbed his waterproof bag, brushed his hair aside, and walked out.

“Don’t just ‘oh’ me! First, your old opponent, Dijun Media, reached out again. Ou Juntao’s secretary said they want to have dinner with us and discuss any terms we might be dissatisfied with. Should we give them a chance?”

“While it’s good to leave a way out for the future, since I don’t intend to sign with them, let’s not waste their time. After all, if we have dinner, they might think there’s hope.”

Sister Cui agreed.

“Next, Xinghan Pictures also reached out. They sent over a contract. The terms are quite fair, but…”

“But they have many actors. If the acting industry had ten points, Xinghan Pictures already holds five. Signing with them would certainly give me good roles, but becoming a lead like Cheng Fei would be tough.”

Sister Cui shared Luo Yu’s thoughts. “Exactly, that’s my concern too. However, they didn’t shut the door on negotiations, meaning we can still discuss better terms.”

Luo Yu gave a light hum. “Any other companies?”

Hearing that Xinghan Pictures wanted to negotiate on their turf, it was clear they wanted to use home advantage to push them into accepting a fair but not superior offer.

“Oh, there’s Honghe Film and Television. Their offer was pretty average, like they heard about your reputation and sent a contract just to join the fray.”

Luo Yu expected this and calmly asked, “Besides these three, are there any others?”

“Yes! There’s Yuanjing Films, where Li Shengyu works. They also want to have dinner to discuss intentions, but they didn’t send a contract, suggesting more flexibility and room for negotiation.”

After comparing all options, Sister Cui found Yuanjing Films quite appealing.

They collaborated with various companies but didn’t have any standout actors, so Luo Yu would likely be highly valued there.

“Let’s wait a bit,” Luo Yu suggested.

Sister Cui was taken aback by Luo Yu’s calmness. “Wait? I know you have your own ideas now and think long-term, but can you share if there’s a company you prefer? Are you waiting for better terms?”

“Just a little longer. It won’t take long,” Luo Yu said, glancing at the torn calendar page.

“By the way, Luo Yu… six months ago, I couldn’t even imagine negotiating contracts with these major companies. Even meeting their assistants made me feel half a head shorter. But now, they’re all coming to us, speaking politely and respectfully. Is this a case of life’s unpredictability or the wheel of fortune turning?”

Luo Yu lowered his gaze. He knew well how much Sister Cui had suffered for his sake.

“What’s the big deal? You’ll be even more successful in the future.”

This wasn’t just Luo Yu boasting but the goal he set for himself.

—To never disappoint anyone who had worked hard for him.

“Alright! Let’s work hard together!”

Sister Cui believed Luo Yu’s top choice might be Xinghan Pictures.

After all, Lin Yue, Luo Yu’s benefactor, was a director under Xinghan Pictures.

Moreover, Gu Xiaowei from Xinghan Pictures had always looked out for Luo Yu, sharing all his updates, almost to the point of “traffic sharing.”

During this filming period, Luo Yu and Cheng Fei had even become good brothers.

Even if Xinghan Pictures’ contract didn’t seem preferential, having these supporters meant Luo Yu wouldn’t really be unable to make it.

With the pay from two dramas received, Luo Yu wasn’t financially strained.

He became more selective with scripts, choosing roles cautiously, though still mostly supporting roles. Some were significant roles in small productions, while others were third or fourth leads in medium to large productions.

A few days later, the temperature dropped again.

Luo Yu decided to buy some groceries and cook hotpot for himself.

He bundled up in a hat and mask, found the small cart given when he got a membership card last year, and was about to head out when his phone rang.

The caller ID showed “Hu Wei,” a classmate from the Film Academy. After graduation, Hu Wei had struggled to get signed by a company, and Luo Yu had introduced him to Zhuque Media.

Hu Wei later became a “powerhouse” promoted by Zhuque Media, while Luo Yu kept taking subpar gigs, widening the gap between them.

Initially, Hu Wei promised to help Luo Yu once he succeeded, but after gaining some fame, their interaction became a mere exchange of nods.

There’s a saying online: when a long-absent classmate suddenly contacts you, it’s either to borrow money or to invite you to their wedding.

Hu Wei definitely wouldn’t get married during the peak of his career, and borrowing money was even more out of the question. He had far more money than Luo Yu. So, it could only be a case of a weasel paying a chicken a visit—no good intentions.

Luo Yu smiled faintly; the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

He answered the phone, and Hu Wei’s enthusiastic voice came through: “Hey, Luo Yu! You finally picked up! Got any plans tonight? Let’s have dinner! It’s my birthday today!”

Luo Yu replied leisurely, “It’s your birthday, huh? I didn’t prepare a gift, so it’s a bit embarrassing to go.”

“It’s not like we’re kids needing gifts to be happy! The main thing is to get together!”

Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Luo Yu said, “I’ve left Zhuque Media, so going to your birthday party would be awkward. I’ll just wish you a happy birthday and great success.”

Hu Wei’s voice turned a bit urgent, “Come on! There’s no one else from Zhuque Media tonight! I didn’t even invite Boss Bo. I just want us two brothers to have a good talk!”

Luo Yu’s smile grew more evident. Back then, he had fallen for Hu Wei’s nonsense, leading to that disastrous dinner gathering.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

At that same time in his previous life, Luo Yu had faced loneliness and pressure alone. Receiving Hu Wei’s call, he thought someone was finally showing kindness, ignoring Hu Wei’s clumsy excuses, which led him into a trap, almost losing his chance to make a comeback.

But this time, he had to attend this dinner, as there was a friend he couldn’t abandon.

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“Tea… Teacher Luo.”

Seeing Li Shengyu’s reddened eyes, Luo Yu thought he was upset about being scolded by netizens and patted his shoulder to comfort him, “I think you’ll become a very famous actor in the future. When that time comes, those who criticize and attack you now will forgive your mistakes because of your professionalism and character. Of course, some will still use it as a black mark to continue labeling you at your peak.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“What should I do then?” Li Shengyu asked.

“Then you should calmly view these labels and tell them, ‘Thank you for the reminder, I won’t make such mistakes again.’”

Li Shengyu suddenly realized that Luo Yu had gone through the same thing. Although Luo Yu’s fame hadn’t yet reached the level of Cheng Fei, who was recognized for his acting skills by the public, Li Shengyu felt as if he could already see Luo Yu shining brightly.

Li Shengyu took a deep breath and suddenly hugged Luo Yu, muttering, “Thank you.”

Then he straightened his back and walked towards his next scene.

Meanwhile, in the office of Dijun Media, Ou Juntao squinted at the newly released video on the official Weibo of the “Storm” crew.

Li Qian had smartly not portrayed the acting PK as internal crew conflict to attract attention but used a relatively mild description—”team building.”

The purpose of team building was to resolve conflicts and make the team more cohesive, pulling in the same direction.

Team Building Highlights Episode One—Group Extra Challenges Crew’s Big Boss Cheng Fei.

This video immediately caught the attention of passersby, with netizens praising Chen Dong’s courage and being impressed by Cheng Fei’s acting. Especially at the end of the video, when Director Xu Han promised to let Chen Dong play an economic investigator following Cheng Fei in the subsequent filming, goodwill towards the crew soared.

Many people, exhausted in real life and used to their efforts going unnoticed, saw Chen Dong as a representative of ordinary people, undaunted by ridicule and failure, challenging Cheng Fei and receiving the director’s recognition, which felt like a form of spiritual comfort.

Combining this with the morning’s trending topic, everyone was more eagerly anticipating the official video clip of Luo Yu challenging Li Shengyu.

After all, the trending video was shot on a phone with unclear angles and poor quality compared to the official behind the scenes highlights, leading to a surge in the official Weibo followers, all urging for the release of the Luo Yu vs. Li Shengyu highlight.

Ou Juntao’s secretary knocked on the door and entered, “Chairman Ou, I have something to ask you. Should we proceed with the plan to hype the scandal between Lin Yue and Luo Yu?”

Ou Juntao sneered, “What do you think?”

The secretary calmly analyzed, “I think it’s unnecessary now, and it might backfire. Firstly, Luo Yu has just won against Li Shengyu in the crew’s team building, and the public has a good impression of his acting skills. If we hype him getting roles through improper dealings with Lin Yue, it might provoke a backlash, creating a sense of subtlety and targeting. Secondly, Li Shengyu just apologized on Weibo, directly tagging Luo Yu and Lin Yue. If we release black material now, it will coincide with Li Shengyu’s apology, greatly reducing its effect.”

“Li Qian has already blocked this move. If we release this black material now, it will probably provoke resentment from netizens. Cancel it,” Ou Juntao said.

The secretary nodded and left.

Another week later, the character Huo Haoyan reached his final scene.

This scene featured only Luo Yu, with Mr. Yang Chen playing the big boss, only appearing in a phone conversation with him.

But for some reason, many people came to watch, crowding the set.

There were group extras, other small supporting roles, Li Shengyu, Cheng Fei, and the leading actress of this drama, Jiao Ning.

The assistant director approached Xu Han and whispered, “There are so many people here. Should we ask them not to gather here?”

“This is Huo Haoyan’s final scene, and everyone wants to see if Luo Yu can deliver a more profound performance than the acting PK. The wrap celebration should be lively. As long as it doesn’t affect filming, why be the villain?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Go to my car trunk and get the cake.”

“Cake? What cake?”

“To celebrate Huo Haoyan’s wrap up,” Xu Han said.

The assistant director was shocked, “Director Xu, you actually bought a cake yourself?”

“Why? Can’t I thank him? His scenes are in the first five episodes. I originally thought it would take more than a week to finish, but haven’t you noticed he never flubs his lines or breaks character? He saved me at least three days of shooting time. Shouldn’t I encourage such a good actor?”

“Oh! I’ll go get the cake right away!”

Today’s weather was great. The sunlight was warm outside the floor-to-ceiling window of Huo Haoyan’s office. Standing by the window, Huo Haoyan did not look down at the cars and pedestrians below like a god controlling everything. Instead, he raised his hand to block the sunlight, looking towards the horizon.

“Hao Yan, I know you’re tired.” The boss’s voice sounded from the phone.

It sounded like an elder caring for the younger generation, but if you tasted it carefully, it was the dictator of fate announcing the final chapter.

“Boss, do you have any plans?”

Compared to the open rooftop where the acting PK took place, the semi-enclosed office made Huo Haoyan’s lines sound even more textured, cold and mechanical, as if he was tired of the warmth of life, a hint of irony suffusing every syllable.

And this irony was a sign of powerlessness, a final bit of resistance against the devil who controlled and ruined his life.

“Take a good rest. Your sister will give birth in a few days. I’ve chosen a good nanny for her. From kindergarten to university, I’ve planned everything for the child.”

Mr. Yang Chen successfully delivered lines that showcased a seemingly caring but actually cold and ruthless superior, who used Huo Haoyan’s most valued familial ties to deliver the final blow.

“Thank you, boss.”

At that moment, Huo Haoyan’s figure from behind looked like a withered tumbleweed, always calculating and fighting in a destiny controlled by others. But now, he borrowed the sunlight to burn for himself.

He sat back in his seat, swallowed the drugs he had prepared for many years, and closed his eyes facing the sunlight.

Wishing himself freedom from the life and death dictated by others, he fell into a dreamless sleep.

The anti-economic crime team leader, Ling Jin, rushed into Huo Haoyan’s office with his team. Ling Jin took a deep breath; the scene was too real and emotionally stirring. He quickly stepped forward, pressed his fingers against Huo Haoyan’s neck, and said regretfully, “We are too late.”

There were follow-up scenes where the forensic doctors came to collect evidence. Luo Yu didn’t need to do anything, just lie there with his eyes closed.

After some reshoots, the assistant director saw that Luo Yu hadn’t moved and suddenly felt worried.

“Is Luo Yu okay?”

Cheng Fei whispered to the assistant director, “Why don’t you check if he’s still breathing? I just noticed that his chest wasn’t moving at all. Could it be…”

The assistant director panicked and quickly approached Luo Yu. Just as he was about to check Luo Yu’s breath, Luo Yu suddenly opened his eyes.

“Is this scene finished?”

The assistant director nearly jumped up, and laughter broke out among the onlookers, especially Cheng Fei, who laughed the most mischievously.

“You… you… won’t have any cake later!”

“Cake? What cake?” Luo Yu curiously stood up. “Is it someone’s birthday on set?”

“Director Xu ordered a wrap-up cake for you.”

Luo Yu was stunned. In his past life, he only received such treatment when he returned to screen acting from theater.

“Alright! Enough talking! Huo Haoyan, congratulations on wrapping up your scenes,” Xu Han stood up. “Luo Yu has maintained a record of one-take scenes, saving us time for cake! Let’s applaud!”

Applause erupted on the set.

Luo Yu couldn’t help but feel excited. The applause, the cake, and the colleagues waiting for him to wrap up were all recognition of his work.

He took a deep breath and walked up to the three-tier cake.

Cheng Fei shouted, “Wait! Our crew is united and loving! How can we not take promotional photos?”

“Absolutely! Where’s the behind-the-scenes photographer? Hurry up!” The assistant director also joined in.

Xu Han knew what Cheng Fei was thinking; he wanted the wrap-up photos to show the netizens who had previously criticized Luo Yu that he was appreciated by many people for his character and his acting skills.

He also didn’t hesitate to express his admiration for a certain actor and stood over next to Luo Yu.

On Luo Yu’s left was Xu Han, on his right was the old Mr. Yang Chen, and next to him was Cheng Fei.

Luo Yu spotted Li Shengyu in the crowd and waved him over, “Hey, the anti-economic crime officer, come here!”

Li Shengyu was stunned. He immediately understood that Luo Yu was inviting him for a group photo to show that the crew had forgiven his previous inappropriate remarks and to ease the negative comments against him.

Luo Yu cut the cake and distributed it to the director and crew.

While eating the cake, Xu Han chatted with him.

“So, what’s next?” Xu Han asked casually.

“Well, I’ll see what roles my agent gets for me. If there’s an interesting role, I’ll go shoot it. If not…” Luo Yu touched his nose.

“And if not?” Xu Han looked up with interest.

“I’ll go to a theater group to train a bit,” Luo Yu said with a smile.

Because Mr. Yang Chen had always invited him to guest star in a role that wasn’t heavy but significant in a stage play, which made him itch to try.

“You won’t have trouble finding good roles. ‘Counterattack’ will wrap up soon, with post-production taking about three months. It will be broadcast by the end of the year. And our ‘Storm’ will likely air during the winter break. After this period, you won’t be short of roles.” Xu Han said.

“Do you have any suggestions, Director Xu?” Luo Yu asked with a smile.

“Your performance is very compelling. Besides TV dramas, I think you’re also suited for the big screen. I know a movie that’s about to start production. I can’t reveal much yet, but I’ve read the script, and there’s a supporting male role that fits you well.”

Luo Yu almost choked on his cake, “A movie? A supporting male role? That probably won’t come to me. I might not even get a chance to audition.”

“So, it depends on how you think.” Xu Han said.

“Do you mean I should sign with Xinghan Films?”

Xu Han shook his head, “Signing with Xinghan Films wouldn’t be a good deal for you now. After the dual drama releases, people will be lining up to sign you.”

Luo Yu couldn’t help but laugh, “Director Xu’s advice is the same as a friend’s of mine.”

That friend was Gu Xiaowei.

“We would never suggest where you should sign. We just hope you can attend the audition for that movie.”

Luo Yu understood that this was Xu Han’s favor, hinting at him to hone his acting skills during this period and stay in good shape so as not to miss out on that supporting role.

“I’ll keep that in mind, thank you, Director Xu.”

At this moment, Cheng Fei came over, threw an arm around Luo Yu, and half-jokingly said to Director Xu, “Director, can’t you add a scene for Huo Haoyan like Director Lin and Screenwriter Hua did? Let him stick around a bit longer? I haven’t had enough scenes with Luo Yu!”

Xu Han replied good-naturedly, “Haven’t you heard of ‘less is more’?”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Cheng Fei laughed, patting Luo Yu’s shoulder, “Bro, let’s act together in the next drama. Come out often to hang out.”

“Of course, it’s Brother Cheng’s treat.”

“Treat! Treat! Treat! You cheapskate!”

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