Chapter 36: I Am Lustful, Yet I Have Principles

After the meal, they personally arranged a car to take Zhou Le home. It was only when he was lying in his own bed that he finally picked up his phone. There were two missed calls—one from Da Peng and one from Wu Jing. After a moment of thought, he called Wu Jing back first.

"Hey, Brother Jing, I missed your call earlier."

"Oh, I know. You were out eating with the people from Daylight Entertainment, right?"

"Yeah."

"I figured as much. I didn't realize you were so in demand these days. When they called me this afternoon to ask about your abilities, I guessed they wanted to sign you. Of course, I didn't tell them you were a rascal; I just told them that if I ever produce a film or invest in one in the future, I’d definitely have you play the lead."

Zhou Le immediately understood why Daylight Entertainment had suddenly improved their offer. Even though Wu Jing was considered to be in a slump at the time, he was still Wu Jing. Even if *Wolf Warrior* didn't have many investors, he was still working with the military, even managing to mobilize warships. While some big shots in the Beijing circle still viewed him as a second- or third-tier actor who couldn't make any real waves, those in the know were already aware that the higher-ups placed great importance on *Wolf Warrior 2*.

"Thanks, Brother Jing. They did approach me, and the terms are quite good. But what do you think of that company?"

"If the contract is in order, I think you should join them."

"Understood."

He then called Da Peng. The conversation followed a similar path, with Da Peng revealing that he had told the Daylight team that Zhou Le’s potential was incredibly high. He also advised Zhou Le to seriously consider them, as few companies could produce hit after hit as consistently as they did.

With that, Zhou Le had made up his mind. He proceeded to finalize the contract with Daylight, even having a lawyer recommended by Wu Jing review the paperwork. Everything was in order, and all the prior promises were included: a third-lead role in a film titled *Dying to Survive*, and if that led to any awards later on, they would give him the lead role in their own upcoming drama, *Like a Flowing River*. Though the role had originally been slated for Wang Kai, Daylight’s main focus was film and television, and they produced so much content that they could easily offer compensation elsewhere. Beyond that, they promised to get him on a variety show called *The Birth of an Actor*. Anything further would depend on his own performance and capability.

Finally signed to a company, Zhou Le let out a sigh. During this period, he had considered other options, such as starting his own personal studio to work directly with the new internet capital entering the industry, like Tencent or iQIYI, to sign split-production contracts. But without fame, even with the connections, there would be no resources. It was better to build up some prestige first and plan accordingly later.

However, before he had even signed, many companies were already aware of who had been in contact with him, so after the signing, it was even more public. The day after he dined with the company, Yang Mi called and invited him out for a meal. Zhou Le gladly accepted. Yang Mi hadn't thought much of it; she just happened to be in Beijing and figured she might as well meet up since she was free.

Inside the private room, Yang Mi asked, "Zhou Le, did you sign with Daylight Entertainment?"

"Yes, I did, sister."

"Sigh, I thought you would come to me. I had a script already prepared for you. Aren't you breaking my heart? I even told my people that I could guarantee you'd join us."

"Sister, I had no choice. Honestly, over there, I can only rely on you, but what if you leave in the future..."

"How could I possibly leave? This is a company I founded myself," Yang Mi replied.

Zhou Le shook his head. "Sister, have you forgotten? I can tell fortunes."

Yang Mi: "..."

Zhou Le was just talking nonsense, but Yang Mi remained silent for several seconds.

"Sigh, fine then. You’re always so cryptic, but since we’ve met, it’s fate. Let’s be friends; maybe we’ll have a chance to work together in the future."

"That works for me." Zhou Le liked making friends; having one more friend was better than one more enemy.

"Sigh, you’re something else. Actually, before I came here, I considered having a reporter release photos of us dining together to stir up trouble for Daylight Entertainment and hinder your progress. But since you can tell fortunes, I’ll let it slide—I’m afraid you’ll stick pins in a voodoo doll of me."

Zhou Le was shocked. "How can you be so vicious, woman!"

"Since that’s the case, I don’t feel any guilt. Honestly, I can’t tell fortunes. I was lying to you."

Yang Mi: "???"

"You were testing me just now?"

"Sister, you wouldn't have said that if I hadn't tested you, would you? Even if I couldn't tell fortunes, wouldn't you have told me eventually?"

"Haha, you’re quite clever."

"But I’ve been thinking, why don't you break your contract and join Jiaxing? I’ll give you a 60-40 split, in your favor."

"Sister, is it true that the more beautiful a woman is, the more she loves to lie?"

"Haha, thanks for the compliment. But I feel like you’ve stopped being polite to me. Maybe I should call that reporter after all..."

Zhou Le sighed. This woman really did have a heart of a scorpion. "Sister, your relationship with your husband isn't very harmonious, is it? I’ve divined that your marriage is likely reaching its end."

Yang Mi was startled. "Can you really tell?"

Zhou Le thought to himself, how could he? Ever since the "glowing script" scandal broke last year, it would be a miracle if they stayed together. Especially for a powerhouse woman like Yang Mi.

"Haha, it’s best to treat your hair loss. Massaging points like Baihui, Shaohai, and Jiaosun might help. Otherwise, thinning hair affects one's career, especially for women. You could try some traditional Chinese medicine if necessary."

"You know about this too?" Yang Mi found she understood Zhou Le less and less.

"Daoist medicine and fortune-telling are cut from the same cloth. I know a thing or two."

Hair loss was indeed a headache for Yang Mi. "Master Zhou, why don't you write me a prescription?"

Zhou Le shook his head. "I can't. I don't have a license. Prescribing medicine without one is practicing illegally. I can't do that."

Zhou Le went on to talk about how facial features affect one's career, love life, and health. Yang Mi listened intently, as it was 90% identical to what she had been told by a master she had consulted previously. She became lost in thought, continuing to drink. Her relationship with her husband, Liu Kaiwei, was indeed poor, but they had a child and her career was at stake, so they couldn't divorce. A divorce would instantly hit the top of the trending lists and undoubtedly damage her career.

What Zhou Le said next wasn't entirely made up; learning acupressure points was the first step in TCM health care, and there were even metaphysical theories within TCM. Zhou Le was just applying them.

The two finished their drinks in the private room. Zhou Le had eaten 80% of the food on the table, his stomach round and full.

"How about it? Ready for a second round?" Yang Mi invited.

"No, no, I'm afraid."

"Why? Afraid I'll have someone take secret photos? Don't worry, you've been watching me for a while now and I haven't said anything. I really do appreciate you."

"That's not it. It's just that although I’m a man with an eye for beauty, you have a husband. I have my principles."

"Principles about being a womanizer?" Yang Mi found him increasingly interesting.

"Of course. If a woman is dressed provocatively, I might take a few extra looks because I am a man. But if it’s a mother looking after her child, I certainly won't look, because I am a human being. Having an eye for beauty isn't the same as being promiscuous," Zhou Le replied frankly.

"Then have you ever kissed a woman who wasn't your lover?"

"I have."

"And you call that being decent?"

"Friends and family—what’s indecent about that?"