Chapter 57: Is He the Mastermind Behind the Scenes?

Watching Director Feng leave, Yu Liang turned around and slowly approached Yang Mi, speaking with utmost respect.

"Miss Yang, we can sit down and talk now."

"Please."

Both Yang Mi and He Baibai were somewhat dazed, completely unable to understand why Yu Liang would act this way.

After sitting down, Yu Liang had someone bring out a brand-new set of tea utensils and personally poured tea for Yang Mi.

Taking a sip of the tea, Yang Mi still had not recovered from the scene that had just unfolded.

After a moment, Yang Mi took a deep breath and decided to get to the bottom of it.

"Boss Yu, I think we should just speak frankly."

"Why on earth are you helping me like this?"

Yu Liang smiled faintly.

"Miss Yang, I simply cannot stand their conduct."

"Moreover, since Miss Yang mentioned offering me a favor in return, that is why I am helping you."

From the very beginning, Yang Mi had displayed profound confusion and bewilderment. Therefore, Yu Liang concluded that Yang Mi herself knew nothing about the maneuvers Li Qing and the Poly Group were conducting behind the scenes.

Since both the Poly Group and Li Qing were keeping things from Yang Mi, Yu Liang did not dare lay bare what he knew to her, lest he leak something he shouldn't and bring disaster upon himself.

Furthermore, judging by the current situation, perhaps Yang Mi's relationship with Li Qing was also kept confidential from the outside world. She might not even know Li Qing's true identity!

Yu Liang was meticulous by nature, and these were all his speculations.

Yang Mi frowned slightly and smiled faintly.

"Boss Yu, isn't that reason a bit too unconvincing?"

"I want to know the real reason why you are helping us."

Seeing Yang Mi persisting with her questions, Yu Liang felt extremely conflicted internally.

Indeed, how on earth was he supposed to explain this to Yang Mi? He couldn't possibly say that influential figures were backing her from behind the scenes, because doing so would amount to overstepping and talking too much.

It would be better to probe first, figure out the state of affairs, and proceed from there.

"Hehe."

Remaining composed, Yu Liang smiled.

"Miss Yang, I would like to ask you something."

Yang Mi put down her teacup and said, "Please go ahead."

Yu Liang took a deep breath, seemingly summoning his courage as he spoke.

"What is your relationship with Mr. Li Qing?"

Upon hearing this question, Yang Mi's gaze froze instantly. A flash of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes, though she quickly regained her composure.

"Boss Yu, you know Li Qing?"

"Li Qing and I... I suppose we can be considered friends."

Yang Mi told a little white lie, though it wasn't entirely untrue—after all, their relationship was currently still just that of friends, even though they had crossed that boundary.

Hearing this, Yu Liang reached a definitive conclusion in his mind!

Yang Mi and Li Qing's relationship was definitely extraordinary. Moreover, Yang Mi did not know Li Qing's true identity... or perhaps she had no idea how deep Li Qing's background truly ran!

If that was the case, he had better keep his mouth tightly shut as well!

Yu Liang pondered inwardly.

At that moment, Yang Mi asked with some curiosity.

"Boss Yu, how do you know Li Qing?"

"Does this matter have something to do with Li Qing?"

Yang Mi's heart was already beginning to churn. For some reason, ever since Yu Liang asked about her relationship with Li Qing, she sensed that Li Qing's shadow must be behind this entire affair!

Suddenly, Yang Mi recalled running into Li Qing at the Peace Hotel. Could he have come there because of her affairs? And back then, Xuan Baoer had even mentioned that dining there would be free...

Just the name Li Qing was enough to throw Yang Mi's thoughts into turmoil.

"Miss Yang, as for Mr. Li... how should I put it? You can just consider us friends."

Yu Liang had no choice but to lie, fabricating the story with a straight face.

"Mr. Li paid a hefty sum. I am a businessman after all, driven solely by profit, which is why I chose to cooperate with Miss Yang."

"Since we are on the topic of cooperation, let me explain the specifics."

Yu Liang took a sip of tea, constantly thinking about how to smooth things over while shifting the credit entirely onto Li Qing. If Yang Mi only felt grateful to him afterward, it would be extremely dangerous for him!

A veteran of many battles, Yu Liang naturally knew how to handle such a situation.

"Starting from now, the Peace Hotel is at Miss Yang's disposal. You are free to renovate the interior style according to your production crew's needs."

"There is no time limit. Just let me know whenever filming is completed."

"As for the money, Mr. Li has already paid it. Miss Yang doesn't need to worry about it."

Yu Liang told this little lie while inwardly forcing a bitter smile!

Ah, paying indeed! To save his own skin, he had practically been ready to gift the hotel to Mr. Li for free...

Hearing these words, Yang Mi was left utterly stunned, her beautiful eyes flashing with disbelief!

Just moments ago, she had been wondering whether this matter had anything to do with Li Qing. She never expected that it truly was Li Qing's doing!

However, how on earth could Li Qing possibly establish a connection with someone like Yu Liang?!

Besides, just how much money would it take to charter the entire Peace Hotel? Did he even have that kind of wealth?

Upon learning this news, a cascade of questions erupted in Yang Mi's mind!

Seeing the expression on Yang Mi's face, Yu Liang quickly added.

"Miss Yang, the contract has already been drawn up. If there are no issues, shall we sign it in a moment?"

Yang Mi snapped back to her senses, still looking at him with eyes full of disbelief as she said in a daze.

"Boss Yu... are you certain you've thought this through?"

The turn of events was so sudden and the reversal so drastic that Yang Mi found it somewhat hard to accept.

Yu Liang said earnestly.

"Miss Yang, is there still something troubling you?"

"If there is anything else you need me to do, please feel free to say so."

Yang Mi shook her head repeatedly and said.

"Boss Yu, I... how much money did Li Qing pay you?"

In her heart, she felt immense gratitude and even a lingering sense of guilt. For Li Qing to be able to persuade Yu Liang, he must have sacrificed a great deal!

Yu Liang shook his head with a smile.

"It wasn't much money at all. Miss Yang, let us discuss the cooperation instead."

Brush off the question he did, Yu Liang signaled his assistant, who promptly brought the contract over.

Yu Liang said courteously.

"Miss Yang, please review the contract. If everything is in order, let us sign it."

Yang Mi nodded. The moment she laid eyes on the contract, she finally saw boundless hope blooming in her heart!

Although her mind was still filled with speculations about Li Qing, right now she had to seize this opportunity so as not to let his efforts on her behalf go to waste!

Picking up the contract, Yang Mi read through it carefully several times, her heart instantly filled with astonishment and pleasant surprise!

The terms of this contract were practically equivalent to Yu Liang gifting the Peace Hotel to her outright!

"There are no problems, Boss Yu. I will sign it then."

Yang Mi smiled brightly, the dark clouds in her heart long since vanished.

Seeing Yang Mi sign the contract, Yu Liang let out a massive sigh of relief internally!

The conflict with Yang Mi was finally resolved! He had successfully managed to save his own life!

"Miss Yang, happy cooperation!"

Yu Liang stood up quite happily and said.

"If you have any matters or issues arise later on, please feel free to notify me at any time."

Yang Mi was still slightly dazed, a gentle smile blooming on her face.

"Thank you, Boss Yu."

Yu Liang chuckled.

"Miss Yang is too polite. Since our cooperation is settled, allow me to see you out."

"Director Feng and his associates will likely come making trouble shortly."

Hearing Yu Liang say this, Yang Mi felt a twinge of guilt. After all, it was because of her that Boss Yu had made enemies with Director Feng and the others.

After being escorted out of the mansion by Yu Liang, Yang Mi and He Baibai drove away slowly.

Watching them leave, Yu Liang finally turned back and re-entered the estate.

Inside the living room, Yu Liang sat down on the sofa, his nerves finally calming down considerably.

Beside him, the housekeeper poured him a cup of tea with a puzzled expression.

"Sir, what on earth got into you today...?"

Yu Liang's behavior moments ago was utterly incomprehensible to the housekeeper! Wasn't Yang Mi just a minor celebrity besieged by the entire entertainment industry? Why had the master suddenly turned around to support her and offended several prominent figures with powerful backgrounds in the process?

Yu Liang exhaled a breath, lit a cigarette, and spoke.

"You're wondering why I chose to help Yang Mi, aren't you?"

The housekeeper nodded.

"Indeed. You openly struck Director Chen; you've practically forged a blood feud."

"Trying to mend fences in the future will likely prove extremely difficult."

A cold sneer surfaced at the corner of Yu Liang's mouth.

"Slapping him was nothing. Not crippling him completely was already showing Director Feng a massive amount of respect!"

Hearing this, the housekeeper found it even harder to understand, though he knew there must be other reasons behind the scenes; otherwise, the master would never have acted so drastically.

Yu Liang stated calmly.

"Behind Yang Mi stands a truly formidable figure."

The old housekeeper looked at him skeptically and probed cautiously.

"A formidable figure? Yang Mi is at war with the entire industry. What kind of person could possibly back her up against all of them?"

Yu Liang narrowed his eyes, his expression sharp.

"Hehe. Compared to the person backing Yang Mi, the entire entertainment industry is nothing more than a joke."

"Even if Director Feng joins forces with that faction in Kyoto, they are nothing more than cannon fodder!"