Chapter 36: Feng Pants—the Clout of Beijing’s Sixth Master!

"Uncle Feng, were you just talking about me?"

Arthur Chen walked in with a smile on his face. "I just heard you mention me, and speak of the devil."

He placed the two bottles of Tinghua wine he was carrying to the side and approached Director Feng with great respect. "Uncle Feng, you’re still as passionate about chess as ever," he chuckled.

Arthur was very close to Uncle Feng; he had spent much of his childhood trailing after him, and he viewed him like a blood uncle.

Director Feng stood up, squinting his eyes with a laugh. "I was just talking about you with Ding Yue, and here you are walking through the door. Sit down, Xiao Ding, brew some tea."

Standing at the doorway, Wu Yufei felt a surge of nervousness. Arthur had only told her he was taking her to meet someone, but she hadn’t expected it to be the legendary Director Feng of the Beijing Circle! The realization left her both excited and apprehensive; for an artist like her, Director Feng’s status in the entertainment industry was nearly at the absolute pinnacle.

Moreover, Director Feng came from the Beijing Circle and had spent his youth running with that elite group of insiders. The network and resources he held went far beyond the entertainment industry; his background was terrifyingly deep.

"Uncle Feng, this is Wu Yufei, a decent artist," Arthur introduced her awkwardly, careful not to mention that she was his girlfriend.

Director Feng understood the situation perfectly, but he played along. "Haha, Yufei, come, take a seat."

Wu Yufei, looking flattered, thanked him repeatedly. "Thank you, Director Feng."

As she sat beside Arthur, her heart began to race; she felt as if a world of infinite possibilities had just opened up. She had heard Arthur call him "Uncle Feng" clearly, which meant their relationship was far from ordinary. Her future was surely secured now.

Once they were seated, Director Feng didn’t bring up the online controversy surrounding Wu Yufei. Instead, he began to brew tea with solemn focus—rinsing, whisking, scenting, and pouring—his movements fluid and practiced.

Arthur couldn't help but praise him, "Uncle Feng, your tea ceremony skills are truly exquisite. This is pure art!"

Director Feng chuckled. "Enough with the flattery. In tea drinking, the most important thing isn't the consumption, but the process. Brewing tea calms the mind. Only with a calm mind can you do things well, or even live your life well. Being hot-headed and impulsive just won't do."

Hearing this, the smile on Arthur’s face faded slightly. He knew Director Feng was giving him a pointed reminder.

"I understand, Uncle Feng," Arthur replied softly. "In some matters, I have indeed been too impulsive."

Wu Yufei, sitting to the side, couldn't make heads or tails of their conversation. She simply thought Director Feng looked very sophisticated and elegant, so she chimed in, "Director Feng, the tea you brew must taste wonderful!"

Director Feng only smiled without a word. Arthur alone realized this was a form of disdain.

After pouring tea for everyone, Director Feng asked in a slightly raspy voice, "Yufei, is what’s online true?"

The sudden question caught Wu Yufei off guard, and she grew instantly tense. Putting down her cup, she replied hurriedly, "Director Feng, what they’re saying about me online is all false! Someone is maliciously fabricating facts! And that Yang Mi—I suspect she’s the one deliberately smearing me; we’ve never seen eye to eye..."

Before she could finish, Arthur coughed twice to cut her off.

Director Feng said flatly, "Always looking to smear others—that’s not a good habit."

It was clear that Director Feng didn't think much of her. It was only out of respect for Arthur that he allowed her to sit there; otherwise, she wouldn't have been qualified to even step through the door.

Arthur spoke up, "Uncle Feng, Yufei was speaking out of turn, but what she said is true. Furthermore, I previously approached the new chairman of Jiaxing Media, but they didn't give me any face at all—they nearly threw me out on the spot."

Arthur wore a bitter smile as he said this, intending to let Director Feng know that it wasn't just a lack of respect for him, but a lack of respect for their entire Beijing Circle.

Director Feng understood perfectly, yet remained calm. "Everyone has their own position. Your reputation isn't a universal pass. It’s understandable to be young and headstrong, but sometimes you need to lower your pride and focus on forging your own strength. You can't rely on your father’s or your Uncle Feng’s title for the rest of your life, can you?"

Arthur nodded. "You’re right to lecture me, Uncle Feng. I’ll keep that in mind."

Even though Arthur was arrogant and domineering outside, he remained humble before Feng. Changing the subject, Director Feng continued, "However, the fact that the other party didn't give you face means they aren't giving your father or me any face either. For Jiaxing to act this way without even a word of courtesy... they really don't know the rules."

Arthur asked cautiously, "Then, what do you suggest I do?"

Director Feng didn't hesitate. "Naturally, you take back your ground. When I lecture you about being hot-headed, it's so you’ll plan your moves clearly, not so you’ll tuck your tail and run. You’re in the prime of your career; you need to build your own name while you’re young so you’ll be capable of managing your father’s and my legacy later."

Arthur’s eyes lit up, and he replied firmly, "I understand, Uncle Feng. This new chairman of Jiaxing Media seems to have quite a background. Being able to easily acquire Jiaxing means they aren't a simple character."

Director Feng took a sip of tea, unhurried and indifferent. "No matter how 'not simple' they are, as long as they want to survive in this circle, they must follow the rules. Otherwise, they’ll be forced out. The waters of the Beijing Circle are deep; many have drowned here."

Arthur felt a surge of excitement. With Uncle Feng backing him, he could finally let loose. He struck while the iron was hot: "Uncle Feng, the situation started because of Yufei, so I think my first step should be to secure her position, right? If she’s truly kicked out of the industry, my own reputation will suffer regardless of what I do."

Director Feng replied flatly, "That goes without saying. Director Li Wenwu is collaborating with me on a film, and they happen to be short a lead actress. Have Yufei get in touch with Director Li. Let her take the lead role. Online public opinion is just that—opinion. It won't stop her from filming. The internet has no memory; in three months at most, the noise will naturally dissipate."

At Director Feng’s level, he didn't need to worry about online sentiment for the artists under his wing. As long as the authorities didn't officially ban them, they could continue to act, and their future in the industry would remain entirely unaffected.

Arthur’s eyes brightened. "Uncle Feng, thank you so much." He turned to Wu Yufei and prompted, "Well? Don’t you thank Director Feng?"

Wu Yufei was stunned, still reeling from the shock and joy. "Di... Director Feng, thank you! Thank you so much!" She stood up and bowed, filled with intense emotion. "I... I really don't know how to thank you!"

She had heard every word of their conversation, and the sheer magnitude of the information was staggering. It felt as if a single word from Director Feng could decide an artist's entire fate! Even more thrilling was the fact that he was giving her a lead role in a film. This was her chance to soar! She felt incredibly lucky to have latched onto Arthur; otherwise, none of this would be possible.

Facing her gratitude, Director Feng remained emotionless. "Nothing comes for free, you understand that, don't you?"

Wu Yufei paused, then quickly replied, "Director Feng, I understand. From now on, I will do whatever you ask."

Director Feng said lightly, "Your target is to take down Yang Mi. Only then will you be qualified to talk about working for me."