Chapter 46: Giving That Old Scout a Surprise

Page 1/3

In a private room of a certain hotel, glasses clinked as drinks were passed around the table.

Several actresses, dressed provocatively like fluttering butterflies, weaved through the crowd.

They took turns toasting the high-ranking, powerful men—sometimes flaunting their eloquence, sometimes lowering themselves, sometimes showcasing their charms, sometimes hinting subtly—all with forced smiles, selling themselves.

The older men’s faces flushed red as they talked grandly, basking in the flattery.

Among them, all eyes were fixed on Lu Zhuofeng.

If he sneezed, the entire room fell silent; if he wiped his nose, a dozen hands would appear beneath to catch the tissue.

“Director Lu, here’s to your box office triumph once again! May you break your own records and create new glories!” said a portly middle-aged man, raising his glass to Lu Zhuofeng.

This man was Chen Jianfeng, Vice President of Marketing at Quan Zhou Film Industry, responsible for various business affairs. Beyond maintaining and enhancing the brand image of Quan Zhou and its films, he also planned and organized marketing events, including film promotions, publicity campaigns, and advertising placements.

One of his duties was liaising with film parties.

Lu Zhuofeng’s face was stern, lined with wrinkles, often projecting an imposing aura without raising his voice. But when he smiled, it gave off a distinctly sleazy impression.

At that moment, he was smiling.

He lifted his glass, took a gentle sip, and said, “Haha, Mr. Chen, I accept your kind words. As for this film, box office returns are secondary. I want to surpass myself once more, make it a pinnacle in Tianxia’s film history, and prove myself...”

As he spoke, Lu Zhuofeng launched into an elaborate discourse on his creative philosophy.

Chen Jianfeng lavished him with praise, and their conversation flowed happily.

Later, Chen Jianfeng raised another toast to Lu Zhuofeng and said, “Director Lu, thank you so much for adjusting the release schedule. You helped curb Wans’ arrogance. Even if there was a one in ten thousand chance, we would never stand by and watch ‘All In’ take off, even though Wans only handled its promotion! We’re making sure Wans knows they can do distribution, but film production is off-limits!”

Lu Zhuofeng interrupted, “Mr. Chen, I don’t get involved in your dealings with Wans Film, nor do I care. I’m doing this because I can’t let my words fall to the ground! I said ban Wen Lian, no one can use her!”

Chen smiled apologetically, “I know, of course I know. ‘All In’ doesn’t meet your standards, but you’ve helped us immensely. I can’t refuse your kindness—otherwise, it’d seem like I don’t know how to behave.”

Lu Zhuofeng chuckled, “Mr. Chen, you’re just too polite.”

The two exchanged knowing smiles, the atmosphere warming further.

Lu Zhuofeng raised his glass again, lightly clinking it with Chen’s before downing it in one gulp.

Chen Jianfeng said calmly, “Director Lu, in this industry, sometimes favors mean more than anything. I help you, you help me—that’s how favors are exchanged. As for Wans, Wen Lian, Cheng Cheng—they’re just passing players in this game, not worth mentioning.”

Page 2/3

Lu Zhuofeng sneered, “Favors and mutual benefit—this is the survival rule in our circle. Wen Lian can’t adapt; she’s destined to be just a fleeting shadow.”

Throughout their conversation, neither looked directly at Cheng Cheng or Wen Lian. Even though their films were releasing simultaneously, and even if there was the slightest chance that Cheng Cheng’s “All In” could pose a threat, they seemed to have already foreseen the outcome—as if they had seen “All In” struggling to survive under Lu Zhuofeng’s overwhelming dominance.

Of course, this aligned with everyone’s understanding.

A novice director’s film, featuring a cast of fading stars, was obviously not going to achieve a high box office. How could it possibly compete against one of the country’s top three directors, Lu Zhuofeng?

As the banquet drew to a close, Chen Jianfeng gave a subtle glance to a certain actress.

She quickly caught on, swaying her hips as she approached, helping Lu Zhuofeng up, and then both got into a car together.

—

“Sorry, Director Cheng, I didn’t expect to drag everyone down,” Wen Lian said over the phone. She had already learned the inside story of the film’s early release from Daobei, discovering it was because of her that Lu Zhuofeng pushed “All In” to the National Day slot.

If “All In” was forced to fail because of her, and everyone’s hopes were dashed, she would find it hard to forgive herself.

Cheng Cheng asked, “You found out?”

Wen Lian: “Yes, from Director Dao.”

Cheng Cheng: “I told him not to tell you.”

Wen Lian covered her face, “Director Dao let it slip.”

Cheng Cheng: “Is his mouth a sewer? How could he let that slip?!”

Wen Lian said, “Director Cheng, don’t blame him. Actually, it’s better I know the truth—at least there’s a chance to turn things around. What Lu Zhuofeng really wants is me. Back then, when he saw me on the show, it wasn’t because he wanted to promote another actor. He hinted at me, tried to get me to compromise, but I refused. He was humiliated and angry, so he suppressed me. Now, this is just a replay of that incident. As long as he gets me, there’s still hope.”

What drove Wen Lian to this decision was Yan Gou’er’s hopeful eyes on set, the first film she had ever dreamed of;

Li Yang’s exquisite acting honed through hundreds of stage plays;

Qi Hao’s near-obsessive desire to shed his online video actor image and become a serious actor;

Cheng Cheng’s resolve to risk everything, even sell his house, to fight once more;

and the countless crew members working day and night together.

Wen Lian had never been part of such a harmonious team before—no scheming, only sincerity and kindness; no open or covert battles, only unity; no harsh criticism or scolding, only mutual support and encouragement.

Did she want to throw herself into an old man’s arms?

Page 3/3

Did she want to offer herself to a decrepit man she despised?

She did not!

If she had wanted that, she wouldn’t have wasted all these years.

But there was no other way!

She certainly did not want to disappoint everyone’s hopes—not to let Yan Gou’er’s first film become a joke, not to let Li Yang be mocked again, not to let Qi Hao lose his chance to transform into a serious actor, not to let Director Cheng lose everything.

She had no choice but to do this.

She had to.

Cheng Cheng said, “I’ve made up my mind.”

Wen Lian: “I’m about to call him—”

Cheng Cheng: “I’m going to blacklist Lu Zhuofeng.”

Wen Lian: “?”

“Exactly!” Cheng repeated. “Lu Zhuofeng is the real scum, the filth of the entertainment industry, the dark stain on society, a beast among humans, a despicable bastard. I hereby announce a complete ban on Lu Zhuofeng! I won’t use any actors or actresses affiliated with him. I won’t appear in any shows he’s involved in. For every film he releases, I’ll launch a counterstrike!”

Wen Lian was speechless. Although Cheng Cheng’s mental state was as unstable as ever, it still gave her a strange sense of comfort. But—

What use would your ban have?

It’s like a small country’s leader declaring sanctions on Serbia—does Serbia care?

Wen Lian took a deep breath and said, “Director Cheng, let me handle this.”

Cheng Cheng interrupted, “Handle what? If you go, I’ll expose you online.”

Wen Lian: “?”

Cheng Cheng: “I’ve got a plan. Since he wants to sabotage us, we’ll give that old bastard a big surprise!”