Chapter 20: CH 020

TL: Moonlit

The public opinion fermented particularly quickly over the weekend.

Qiu Hongguang watched helplessly as things slipped irreversibly in a matter of hours.

Holding the new phone his assistant had bought, Qiu Hongguang nervously logged in and out, constantly refreshing various social media platforms.

With each new message insulting him, his face grew paler by the minute, now resembling a sheet of paper.

“As a big fan of Qiu Hongguang, I’ve liked him since before he entered Yanshi Film Industry. In my heart, he has always been that gentle, clean, resilient, and clear-headed young man. But I forgot that people change. Several years have passed, and I’m still the same, but he is no longer the person he used to be. The youth I admired died in the passage of time.”

“I’m a big fan of Qiu Hongguang. I’ve liked him for so many years, and now that his career is finally taking off, I didn’t expect his success to come at such a price. It’s my fault for not understanding him enough.”

“From now on, I’m leaving the entertainment industry.”

“I’ve unfollowed him. Abandoned account.”

“People always say that celebrities in the entertainment industry have different faces on and off camera. I used to not believe it, but now I do. Goodbye, Qiu Hongguang.”

“Finally, I’ll call you Qiu Qiu. Qiu Qiu, goodbye.”

The departure of familiar fans, one by one, was a bigger blow to Qiu Hongguang than the insults from strangers.

His assistant, standing nearby, cautiously glanced at Qiu Hongguang’s expression and tentatively said, “Qiu ge, why don’t you… go find President Yan and see if you can suppress this matter?”

Qiu Hongguang paused.

Seeing Qiu Hongguang’s interest, the assistant tried harder to persuade him. “This matter isn’t that big. It only has some moral flaws and hasn’t reached the level of illegal activities. There are so many stars in the industry with dark histories, but they are still thriving on the big screen.”

Qiu Hongguang remained silent.

In the beginning, it was an impulsive decision to have the assistant investigate Ran Xing, but the assistant ended up uncovering Ran Xing’s secret background. Initially, Qiu Hongguang didn’t have the intention to use this secret against Ran Xing, but he witnessed Ran Xing’s career soaring—TV dramas, endorsements… even movies.

A few months ago, Qiu Hongguang had looked down on Ran Xing, but a few months later, Ran Xing had left him far behind.

Qiu Hongguang couldn’t suppress the jealousy and hatred in his heart. He had always felt that everything Ran Xing possessed should have been his!

Yan Weilou’s support, top-rated TV dramas, popular endorsements, and the movie male lead highly praised by Yan Minghui… all of these should have been his!

Reality, however, sharply contrasted with this baseless premonition, and Qiu Hongguang couldn’t bear the discrepancy.

Driven by a twist of fate, he had reached this point. With no other choice, Qiu Hongguang proceeded.

During this time, Qiu Hongguang had been living in the Yan family’s villa. In his impression, the Yan family was warm, and harmonious, with clean windows and joyful laughter—everything described with beautiful words.

Now standing at the entrance of the Yan family’s house, Qiu Hongguang felt that the Yan family was different from his impression. It was the same scene, but it appeared silent, indifferent, and oppressive.

“What are you here for?” The servant stood behind the iron gate and asked coldly.

Qiu Hongguang felt embarrassed, his face turning red. “Are you new here? I live inside…”

“I know who you are.” The servant interrupted Qiu Hongguang, rudely cutting him off. “Times have changed. You don’t need to come here anymore.”

“That’s impossible. I… I’m the favorite junior of Uncle and Aunt…” Qiu Hongguang’s words became incoherent. He tried to explain but swallowed the rest of his words under the servant’s gaze.

Feeling lost, Qiu Hongguang turned back, stumbling as he walked a few steps. His heart felt empty and desolate. Suddenly, he stopped, his eyes wide open, staring at a nearby trash bin.

Even the trash bins in the villa area looked exceptionally beautiful. These several pretty trash bins were surrounded by various discarded items, many of which appeared to be in perfect condition, showing no signs of damage, yet heartlessly abandoned by their owners.

Qiu Hongguang sobbed and ran over, embracing a huge plush toy, crying uncontrollably.

Without exception, all these items were part of Qiu Hongguang’s life in the Yan family.

When Ran Xing, busy with filming, learned about the situation online, Qiu Hongguang had already completely vanished from the industry. Even this news wasn’t something he had known personally; someone had informed him via text message.

“Respected Mr. Ran Xing, meet me at Yan’s Cafe tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. Yan Minghui.”

Ran Xing slowly read the message on his phone. It was a message he received yesterday, and now there was only half an hour until 2 o’clock.

Yan Minghui? Ran Xing pondered for a moment before remembering that he was his former boss, the CEO of Yanshi Film Industry.

And also… the biological father of his current boss. Ran Xing glanced at Lin Hanchuan, who was discussing something with Zhou Xishan nearby.

Lin Hanchuan was oblivious to Ran Xing’s gaze. He had to take care of the overall work of the crew, including financial planning and rejecting numerous costly but unnecessary expenditures every day.

Zhou Xishan’s request for an on-site explosion had been rejected, and he left dejectedly.

Taking advantage of this break, Lin Hanchuan planned to find a quiet place to handle company matters. He had only taken a few steps away from the set when a person who had been waiting outside hurriedly approached him. “Mr. Yan.”

Lin Hanchuan stopped and looked at the man, maintaining his proper posture and manners. “President Li.”

He was the original investor of «Sword Immortal». When President Li suddenly withdrew the investment, it put Lin Hanchuan in a difficult position. If he hadn’t had some savings of his own, the «Sword Immortal» project would likely have collapsed, and there wouldn’t have been the subsequent success.

“Mr. Yan, I apologize for what happened back then.” The man wore a smile of apology and slightly hunched his body. “At that time, I conducted risk assessments, and other people in the company believed that Yanshi Films had a higher likelihood of profitability…”

Listening to the man’s rambling explanations without getting to the point, Lin Hanchuan raised his hand and checked his watch. “I understand your company’s decision.”

As someone who had immersed himself in the business world for many years, the man could easily perceive Lin Hanchuan’s intention. He chuckled awkwardly and decided not to beat around the bush, getting straight to the point. “I heard your company has a new project, a movie project, and the investor withdrew their funding…”

Facing Lin Hanchuan’s cold gaze, the man gritted his teeth and said, “You see, how much more investment do you need? I can fill that gap…”

After withdrawing funding for «Sword Immortal» in the past, little did he know that it would become a huge success, with extraordinary ratings and reputation. No matter how excellent the projects of Yanshi Films were, they could never surpass «Sword Immortal».

Because of that incident, the man who made the decision to withdraw funding didn’t have an easy time. Although he was a senior executive in the company, there were several others with the same status, and they were engaged in internal power struggles. This incident became the greatest leverage used against him.

After «Sword Immortal» finished airing, Yanshi Films’ projects had been delayed indefinitely, and there were no outstanding projects in their hands. The man’s situation in the company became increasingly difficult. It was only until he suddenly heard news that the investor for Starlight Entertainment’s new movie project had withdrawn their funding.

The man’s heart skipped a beat. He had a deep impression of the president of Starlight Entertainment, a young man who was extremely calm, rational, and exceptionally capable. If he hadn’t had confidence in this young man, he wouldn’t have invested in the “Sword Immortal” project in the first place… but unfortunately, his judgment had failed due to his caution.

Now, he had another chance and didn’t want to miss it, so he reluctantly approached someone to make amends.

“I have found a new investor,” Lin Hanchuan calmly said, and in the disappointed gaze of the man, he continued, “But if there is a new investor, I am also very welcoming.”

With someone rushing to offer money, Lin Hanchuan had no reason to refuse. The man had betrayed him in the past, but in the world, there were no permanent enemies, only everlasting interests.

Lin Hanchuan had always been willing to give people a chance.

Fortunes rise and fall, it was just that! The man was both shocked and delighted. Even though he was the investor, he kept expressing thanks, acting as if he owed a great debt of gratitude.

After seeing off the man, Lin Hanchuan’s brows slightly relaxed. The budget had increased by another two hundred million, allowing for more detailed special effects in «Wukong».

After dealing with company matters and returning to the set, Lin Hanchuan discovered that the male lead was nowhere to be found. He furrowed his brows slightly and asked Zhou Xishan, “Where’s Ran Xing?”

Zhou Xishan didn’t even look up. “He doesn’t have any scenes this afternoon, so he took half a day off.”

Lin Hanchuan recalled that since he had known Ran Xing, he had never taken leave for personal matters…

“Don’t worry, someone as big as him can’t get lost.” Ye Wenjun, who was standing beside them, observed Lin Hanchuan’s expression and couldn’t help but make a joke.

Ran Xing had fully armed himself with a mask, sunglasses, and a hat. The driver from the crew took him to the café mentioned in the message. He thought he was fully prepared, but upon entering, he realized that the café was empty.

A person in a waiter’s uniform approached, displaying a respectful and polite attitude. “Are you Mr. Ran? You can take off your mask and sunglasses now. Today, our coffee shop is dedicated to serving only you.”

Indeed, this was a rich person. Ran Xing, experiencing a private reservation for the first time, took off his disguise and followed the footsteps of the waiter towards a man in the center of the café.

When the man heard the sound, he turned around. He greeted Ran Xing coldly but politely, “Mr. Rong, please have a seat.”

The man had a tough and handsome face, his features resembling Lin Hanchuan’s by about sixty to seventy percent, but he appeared even more cold and mature than Lin Hanchuan. Ran Xing blinked his eyes.

Yan Minghui lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. The waiter retreated, and he spoke to Ran Xing, “Do I look very similar to him?”

“Not at all.” Ran Xing sat down casually, his messy red hair even more disheveled under the cap’s harassment. He leaned back in the chair, scrutinizing Yan Minghui with a critical eye. “You are far inferior to him.”

Yan Minghui didn’t get angry. “Even if he or you vehemently deny it, he is still my son. We share an unbreakable blood bond…”

As they spoke, the waiter approached, carrying a cup of coffee, which was placed lightly in front of Ran Xing.

Ran Xing looked down and saw his most hated Americano. He directly said to the waiter, “Give me a cup of pearl milk tea instead.”

Yan Minghui’s gaze turned sharp.

“With 70% sugar and ice, thank you.” After Ran Xing finished speaking, noticing that the waiter hadn’t moved, he then noticed Yan Minghui’s gaze and couldn’t help but sneer. “Mr. Yan, you invited me here. You won’t even let me drink the milk tea?”

Yan Minghui waved his hand, and the waiter obediently left, presumably to prepare the milk tea.

Ran Xing was quite satisfied. He had been busy filming recently, and it had been a long time since he had indulged himself. “Mr. Yan, I only took half a day off. If you have something to say, please hurry. I’m short on time.”

Yan Minghui’s cold expression changed several times. He gazed at Ran Xing with a heavy gaze. “Mr. Ran, Ah Lou took the company’s money to start something new, investing billions into a project that is doomed to fail. As a father, I cannot allow him to be so willful.”

Ran Xing slowly widened his eyes. “So what? Why did you invite me? What do you want me to do?”

“You want to be the male lead in a major production film, and Yanshi Films can provide you with an opportunity, along with the most top-tier contract, as long as you return to Yanshi Films,” Yan Minghui finally got to his purpose. “You just need to terminate your contract with Starlight Entertainment.”

My heart ache imagining Qiu Hongguang hugging the huge plush toy while crying…