Unexpectedly, before Xie Guan could send his condolences to Director Bai, she approached him first.
After finishing his shoot in the afternoon and returning home, Xie Guan received a call from Bai Lu Zhou before he even had a chance to change his shoes. Since Bai Luzhou was familiar with him, she skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point: “Xie Guan, do you know Mr. Huo from Xuan Du Films?”
Now whenever Xie Guan heard the surname “Huo,” he reflexively became nervous. “Mr. Huo… I do know someone by that name, but he’s not in the film industry.”
“I’ll check the business card… Huo Zhirong,” Bai Luzhou asked, “Is this the person?”
Xie Guan remembered the owner of the Blue Moon Club who called Huo Mingjun “Brother.” Last time, he heard Mr. Nie say that his name seemed to be “Huo Zhikuan.” Huo Zhikuan and Huo Zhirong, the two names sounded like they belonged to brothers; there was no doubt about it.
His heart skipped a beat, and he thought, “Could it be?”
Without waiting for his response or pressing further, Bai Luzhou continued, “Have you heard about Qinglan’s drunk driving incident last night? These guys got too carried away during the Lunar New Year, racing their sports cars on the streets in the middle of the night. I heard that even the special police forces were alerted. He’s the male lead of our film, and with such a big scandal, He Run Tian Cheng demanded an explanation from Starlight. Guess what happened? Starlight requested that they add one of their people into the film, or else they would withdraw the investment along with Siyue Media.”
Xie Guan muttered a curse under his breath, “How shameless.”
“Tell me about it,” Bai Luzhou sighed leisurely. “Originally, I thought with both of these two big shots backing our movie, who knows how many troubles we would encounter in the future and we might as well terminate it early. But this morning, the company told me that they’ve contacted a new investor—Xuan Du Films. They parachuted in and kicked out Siyue and Starlight. Hahaha.”
Bai Luzhou made no attempt to hide her schadenfreude, but Xie Guan couldn’t find it in himself to laugh. He asked dryly, “What about the male lead?”
“They replaced him with Ji Feng,” Director Bai said. “He recently terminated his contract with Huayu and started his own studio. He cooperated with Xuan Du Films before, and they directly recommended him to me.”
Xie Guan felt a bit of relief. “What’s the background of Xuan Du Films? I’ve never heard of them before.”
“Don’t ask me,” Bai Luzhou teased. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
Xie Guan replied innocently, “I’m just as clueless.”
Bai Luzhou smirked, “Xuan Du Films chose the perfect timing to descend from the heavens. They even kicked out those two idiots. Do you think they’re acting out of a sense of justice or taking matters into their own hands?”
“I think they must have a screw loose somewhere…”
Xie Guan took a deep breath and continued, “Maybe they’re the reinforcements sent by the Monkey.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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With the conversation reaching this point, Xie Guan understood everything. He knew that this kind of money-driven star promotion was something Huo Mingjun was fully capable of. He had confidently stated, “Leave it to me,” which essentially meant employing the classic tactic of wealthy individuals promoting budding stars.
No, it wasn’t entirely “classic.” At least Huo Mingjun had the sense to hire an agent and bring in a somewhat convincing actor as a cover, instead of directly elevating Xie Guan to the lead role. For this, Xie Guan felt he should thank Huo Mingjun for showing some restraint.
“I think I understand what’s going on now…” Xie Guan said awkwardly. “I’m sorry, Director Bai. We didn’t discuss this beforehand, and this sudden change disrupted your original plans. I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience.”
Xie Guan’s proactive apology struck a chord with Director Bai. Having been a director for many years, she was accustomed to actors with influential backers acting in a heavy handed manner, being unprofessional, and demanding special treatment. In the world of film and television, the practice of certain actors receiving special privileges due to their financial contributions has become common. However, everyone was just a member of the crew. Why should some actors think they were superior to others? What gave them the right to assume they were the kings of the production just because they invested a little money?
Xie Guan became the first actor Director Bai Luzhou ever encountered in her many years in the industry who apologized for such a matter.
“What are you saying? They came to our aid like a ray of sunshine. We can’t be happier,” she said before teasing, “You’re truly our lucky star in this production. Just for Xuan Du Films kicking out those two old troublemakers, I should send them a congratulatory banner.”
“Please don’t encourage unhealthy practices,” Xie Guan said, smiling helplessly. “Well then, I’ll go make a call to check on the situation.”
Bai Lu Zhou silently hung up and sat alone in her empty office for a moment, lost in thought. She absentmindedly opened the unedited raw footage brought from Director He.
Both Xie Guan and his unseen financial backer were extraordinary individuals. With Xie Guan’s character, talent, and powerful support, even though he was currently an unknown actor, his future achievements wouldn’t be limited to just being a “talented young idol.”
Xihua Group already produced “One Emperor, Two Queens,” and its momentum was soaring. It wouldn’t be surprising if they managed to achieve another great success in the coming years.
Could this streak of good fortune fall upon Xie Guan after so many years?
Unable to reach Huo Mingjun, Xie Guan set the matter aside and started preparing dinner. Since moving out of the dormitory, he lived alone and developed a habit of checking his phone while eating. He browsed Xuan Du Films on his phone and discovered that in November of the previous year, Hengrui Investment Group did indeed announce the acquisition of all the shares of the original Romantic Century Film and Television Company. The company was renamed Xuan Du Films and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group.
It was only now that Xie Guan recalled the time when he first met Huo Mingjun, and Huo Mingjun did mention the group’s plans to establish a film and television investment company. However, Xie Guan didn’t pay much attention to it back then. Later, when the acquisition announcement was made, it didn’t cause much of a stir. This was because around the same time, Hengrui Group also made another major announcement: Huo Mingjun’s business negotiations in Hong Kong were finalized. They invested nearly 20 billion yuan and acquired real estate projects held by Hong Kong Longfeng Group, including an entire office building and several commercial properties in the central business district.
This event attracted much more attention than a small-scale film and television company. Consequently, when Xuan Du Films suddenly descended upon the Rising Tide of the Blue Sea film project with an assertive attitude, people involved in the industry were momentarily puzzled about the identity of this major investor.
Meanwhile, Huo Mingjun was far from idle. His phone was laid flat on the desk in an ongoing call, and he listened to Huo Zhikuan’s endless chatter through the earpiece. Huo Mingjun glanced at company documents, occasionally responding with a casual “Hmm” to feign interest. On the other end, Huo Zhikuan would immediately launch into another lengthy discourse, just like he took a shot of an energy drink.
“Bro you’re my real brother,” Huo Zhikuan prattled on, “I know you want to support your little friend, but can you consider Rong Rong’s feelings? He’s a completely honest, twenty-eight-year-old unmarried young man. He just took office and started throwing money around like a brainless overbearing CEO, all to promote a male celeb. If this news spreads, how will Rong Rong ever find a partner in the future?”
Huo Zhikuan and Huo Zhirong were both sons of Huo Mingjun’s third uncle. Although they didn’t share the same mother, Huo Zhirong was raised by his elder brother and had a bond as strong as blood. Huo Zhikuan boosted a wide social circle and a smooth way of handling things. He owned the independent Blue Moon Club outside of Hengrui Group. Huo Zhirong recently returned from studying abroad and worked as an assistant manager at Hengrui for a while before being pulled over to Xuan Du Films by Huo Mingjun to shoulder significant responsibilities.
The biological father of the two brothers is Huo Mingjun’s third uncle Huo Zhongting, with a romantic history filled with regret and repentance. He was in love with Huo Zhirong’s mother in his youth but ended up marrying Huo Zhikuan’s mother due to family arrangements. At the age of 35, he couldn’t forget his first love and decided to become a “progressive middle-aged man who broke free from feudal arranged marriages” by divorcing his first wife and marrying his first love, bringing her back into his life.
However, when Huo Zhirong was born, Huo Zhongting suddenly had a change of heart. He felt that his ex-wife was his true love and adopted the image of a “prodigal son who returned,” divorced his second wife, and embarked on the long and arduous journey of remarriage.
With such unreliable parents, the two brothers depended on each other for support, so it was natural that they had a good relationship.
Huo Zhikuan appeared carefree and nonchalant in front of others but was actually a late stage bro-con. He was not pleased when Huo Zhirong was about to join Xuan Du Films. He complained about this and that, finding fault with everything. He complained that the work was too tiring, the social circle too shallow, and there were too many morally questionable people. It was as if his precious little brother was not going to be a CEO but was instead a delicate flower falling into a corrupt world. Later due to Huo Mingjun’s threats and Huo Zhirong’s persistent persuasion, mainly because he couldn’t bear to see his younger brother disappointed, he reluctantly acquiesced.
However, he still couldn’t rest easily. At the slightest movement from Xuan Du Films, before the parties involved even had a chance to react, he was already on the phone chasing after Huo Mingjun.
Huo Mingjun turned a page of printed paper slowly and said, “Be clear, who’s the ‘brainless overbearing CEO’?”
“Oh, so you were listening,” Huo Zhikuan said, “It’s natural for parents to worry about their own children. How can you let Rong Rong do something like this?!”
Huo Mingjun was about to tell him that it was his brother, not his son, but the call waiting indicator started flashing on his phone, indicating an incoming call. On Huo Zhikuan’s end, someone else took over the call, and a clear and young male voice interrupted Huo Zhikuan’s rambling, saying, “Enough already, why are you complaining like a magpie? Aren’t you thirsty? Have some water.”
He turned to Huo Mingjun and said, “Big brother, go ahead with your work. I’ll handle him.”
“Okay,” Huo Mingjun knew that his reinforcements arrived, “I’ll hang up first.”
He opened the missed calls list. Two calls, both from Xie Guan.
Huo Mingjun returned the call, and Xie Guan answered quickly. His voice sounded normal. “Are you busy? I called twice, and you were busy both times. Did I disturb you?” Xie Guan asked.
“It’s fine, I’m not busy now,” Huo Mingjun put down the documents in his hand and focused on the call. “What’s the matter?”
Xie Guan hesitated for a moment, and when he finally spoke, it came out as a sigh. “Why did you invest in Rising Tide of the Blue Sea in such a roundabout way?”
Huo Mingjun sounded genuinely puzzled. “How would I know what projects Xuan Du Films wants to invest in? It’s not under my jurisdiction.”
“Did I say it was Xuan Du Films?” Xie Guan replied. “Don’t act dumb with me, Director Huo.”
Huo Mingjun was caught off guard but chuckled softly. “Don’t overthink it and don’t burden yourself. Just focus on your work. Don’t worry about these things.”
Xie Guan retorted, “I wish I could be as carefree as you. The director even called me directly. Can I pretend nothing is happening like you?”
Huo Mingjun didn’t argue and allowed him to vent. Suddenly, Xie Guan remembered something and asked suspiciously, “Did you plan for Qianlan’s incident too? The timing is too coincidental, isn’t it?”
Huo Mingjun’s voice turned cold, and he said, “With his limited intelligence, he doesn’t deserve terms like ‘planning.’ Drunk driving and carrying a gun were his own choices, and it has nothing to do with me.”
Xie Guan sensed a dangerous aura in his words and asked cautiously, “Then what did you do?”
Huo Mingjun replied slowly, “He likes to drink, doesn’t he? Let him enjoy himself to the fullest for once.”
Huo Mingjun indeed didn’t need to bother too much about planning. Given Qianlan’s lifestyle, he just needed to lend a helping hand.
Xie Guan quickly grasped the underlying meaning in his words, feeling a mix of emotions. He couldn’t help but say, “Seriously? You even knew about that? The situation at the drinking party?”
He was referring to the incident where Qianlan targeted him at the gathering. Unexpectedly, Huo Mingjun took that matter into his own hands. Amidst his surprise, Xie Guan’s heart couldn’t help but soften.
Huo Mingjun didn’t intend to boast about it and just responded with a noncommittal “Hmm.” Xie Guan’s tone became milder, and he joked, “You’re taking revenge, investing, and even found Ji Feng to act as a shield for you. Why go through such a convoluted process? Why not just invest directly and make me the male lead?”
“You’re different,” Huo Mingjun’s tone, usually calm and composed, suddenly turned serious. “Xie Guan, you have to pave your own way step by step. I’ll help you remove obstacles and allow you to move forward without disturbances. But I won’t allow these methods to become stains on your achievements, understand?”
“But…” Xie Guan covered his face with his hands, attempting to conceal the sudden warmth in his eyes. He blinked and struggled to suppress the sourness in his throat, forcing a shaky smile. “Mr. Huo, let’s negotiate. Can you stop using the tactics you use on little girls to fool me? Your domineering CEO attacks are unbearable for a normal person like me.”
Huo Mingjun heard the change in his tone but chose not to point it out. He casually remarked, “Originally, it wasn’t meant to deal with little girls. But indeed, I wanted to appease you…”
Xie Guan winced in pain and covered his cheek. “Enough! Seriously, enough! Are you done yet?”
“Hmm,” Huo Mingjun pretended to ponder seriously, saying, “When I manage to appease you completely, that’s when I’ll be done.”
Ngl, Huo Mingjun is so smooth.
God they are so cutee🤌🤧
thank you for your translation!
Be my boyfie… Mr huo
💖💖💖💖
What a natural flirt my oh my 🤭