Chapter 25: CH 025

TL: Moonlit

Yan Minghui’s face turned from pale to black, looking extremely ugly.

The people who invited Lin Hanchuan to the banquet didn’t have a good expression either. The person he personally invited was unexpectedly scolded by someone else, which was undoubtedly a slap in the face for him. “Mr. Yan, in the business world, there’s no father-son relationship. When you’re away from home, you should drop your feudal patriarch’s airs.”

Yan Minghui held the wine glass and fake smiled, saying, “This is our family matter. We know best about our own affairs. You don’t have to bother yourself.”

Both of them had respectable identities and were experienced old foxes on the battlefield. They were skilled in rhetoric, and they exchanged words a few times, both openly and secretly. Yan Minghui not only didn’t gain any advantage, but also ended up at a disadvantage.

Burning with anger, Yan Minghui turned his head and directly scolded Lin Hanchuan, “You unfilial child!”

Lin Hanchuan: ?

Ran Xing: ?

Never expecting to get involved in their dispute, Lin Hanchuan was just standing aside watching the commotion. He didn’t expect to be suddenly dragged into the battlefield himself.

Before Lin Hanchuan could say anything, Ran Xing couldn’t take it anymore. He sneered and mocked, “Others hit you, and you hit your own son. What a great patriarch you are, imposing your authority within the family.”

In front of countless top bosses and elites, Yan Minghui was repeatedly humiliated, not only losing face but also being ridiculed by Ran Xing, this young lad. Filled with anger, he could only look at Lin Hanchuan and say, “You are disrespectful to your elders and refuse to listen to advice. At your age, you still run away from home and even allow your subordinates to insult your own father. Shouldn’t I call you an unfilial child?”

The people who didn’t know the truth looked at Lin Hanchuan with different eyes. At their age, each of them had one or even several children. They were always afraid of their children rebelling against them, and now, looking at Lin Hanchuan, it was as if they were seeing their own troublesome children.

Ran Xing was furious and about to retort, but Lin Hanchuan smiled, which seemed particularly abrupt under everyone’s gaze.

“Why are you laughing?” Yan Minghui looked at Lin Hanchuan suspiciously.

“I’m a young adult in my twenties, leaving the shelter of the Yan family’s film industry to establish Starlight Entertainment,” Lin Hanchuan smiled and looked directly at Yan Minghui, slowly saying, “This is my career, not a child’s tantrum.”

People looked at each other in surprise, and someone exclaimed, “Starlight Entertainment?!”

“Your son is the founder of Starlight Entertainment?” someone couldn’t help but curse, “You have such an outstanding son, and you’re still dissatisfied. If I could, I would really like to exchange sons with you.”

“You’ve been making a fortune in secret. I was wondering why your son suddenly disappeared, turns out he went to do something big.”

“Impressive, Mr. Yan. You can retire with peace of mind.”

Although Starlight Entertainment is not currently a large-scale company, everyone present has eyes and can see the future and prospects of this company. If it weren’t for Lin Hanchuan’s dislike for socializing and his tendency to keep to himself, he would have already been drawn into the circle of top networking resources.

With his son being praised by everyone, Yan Minghui didn’t show any signs of happiness. He frowned, showing impatience on his face.

“Hmph, Yan Minghui, you must have had good karma in your previous life to have such a son.” Someone crossed the crowd and walked up to Yan Minghui. “It’s a pity that you’re a control freak and can only see your son as disobedient, not a good child.”

The person who approached was the CEO of a rival company to the Yanshi Film Industry. They had been in a rivalry for decades, and both of them understood each other’s characters very well. He had long seen through Yan Minghui’s inherent flaws and held them in contempt.

“Under his high-pressure education, you haven’t been brainwashed. Not bad.” He laughed and patted Lin Hanchuan’s shoulder, leading him to the side. “Don’t worry about your father. Come, I’ll introduce you to some people.”

Lin Hanchuan readily went along, leaving behind Yan Minghui’s entanglement. The official leaders who witnessed the whole process were in a cheerful mood. One of them even touched his chin and said, “The future of our national film industry depends on you young people.”

The group of people left, chatting and laughing. The leader who wanted to connect with Lin Hanchuan had a pleasant conversation with him. Even Ran Xing, whom Yan Minghui disliked the most, received friendly inquiries. Yan Minghui crushed the stem of his wine glass in his hand.

People who wanted to greet Yan Minghui saw the situation and looked at each other before silently turning away.

In the past, there were always numerous flatterers surrounding him, but today, he had no one by his side. Yan Minghui’s eyes were sinister, like a venomous snake, staring fixedly at Lin Hanchuan and Ran Xing.

Yan Minghui had never worried about his son before. From the moment Yan Weilou was born, he had planned out Yan Weilou’s entire life, what major he would study, taking over the company, and the company’s development path… It was a smooth and successful life.

Slowly closing his eyes, thinking about Ran Xing’s disrespectful words, Yan Minghui gritted his teeth. Since this person appeared, his obedient good son had become a rebellious teenager.

Compared to Ran Xing, who had a humble background and an untamed personality, Yan Minghui preferred Qiu Hongguang, who was well-behaved. Little did he know that Qiu Hongguang had also become disobedient because of Ran Xing.

Yan Minghui clenched his fist, intoxicated by the alcohol fumes. He suddenly thought that if Ran Xing were gone, everything would return to normal. His son would become the obedient and well-behaved child he used to be.

At this gathering, there were influential and prominent figures. Lin Hanchuan received a lot of business cards. Regardless of their status, he put the business cards in his cardholder, making the people who handed them feel particularly pleased.

Seeing his courteous behavior, the leader had a benevolent expression, speaking and smiling like an ordinary elder neighbor. “I have seen your film project. You’ve invested a considerable amount in the film.”

“Everything is for the quality of the film,” Lin Hanchuan replied.

“Not bad, not bad.” The leader laughed heartily. “This shows that you have ambition, and ambition is good. I just hope you’re not only interested in making money.”

They engaged in casual conversation while Ran Xing observed and discreetly tugged on Lin Hanchuan’s sleeve. “Boss, I’m going outside to get some fresh air.”

Lin Hanchuan glanced at him and replied, “Go ahead, but come back soon.”

After seeing Ran Xing leave, the leader couldn’t help but smile. “You have a perceptive young friend there, not bad.”

However, Lin Hanchuan said, “Only children who are spoiled and pampered will be willful.”

People who are overly cautious and careful aren’t born that way, they just lack someone indulging their whims.

“That’s an interesting point.” The leader savored it for a few moments. “Indeed, it seems I spoiled my daughter too much, allowing her to become unruly. But with daughters, aside from spoiling them, there’s not much else we can do.”

After exchanging a few more casual remarks, the conversation finally turned to business matters. “When will the film project of Stellar Films be completed… the theaters will assist with promotion, and we’ll split the profits when the time comes…”

The people present included official personnel responsible for film review, renowned directors from the industry, as well as CEOs of film companies and theater chains. They all sat on the balcony couch, engaging in seemingly relaxed and pleasant conversation, yet all major decisions regarding the projects were made in this casual atmosphere.

From production to release, the entire life of the film was meticulously planned.

After discussing the business matters, everyone looked at Lin Hanchuan, who seemed out of place due to his youth, and started talking about their own children, using the guise of joking to show off. Lin Hanchuan, who had no children or family, swayed his wine glass, smiled, and remained silent.

Ran Xing left the small balcony and went to the small garden. From Lin Hanchuan’s viewpoint, he could see Ran Xing sitting on a bench, occasionally looking up towards the balcony.

Sipping his glass of wine slowly, Lin Hanchuan furrowed his brow. Ran Xing had signaled to him earlier, indicating that he was going to the restroom. But he hadn’t returned yet.

Checking the watch on his wrist, Lin Hanchuan realized that Ran Xing had been gone for over ten minutes.

A foreboding feeling grew stronger in his heart, and Lin Hanchuan abruptly stood up, bidding farewell amidst the perplexed gazes of the others, and hastily left.

Watching his departing figure, the leader sighed suddenly. “If only my daughter were a bit older, I would do whatever it takes to make him meet her.”

Suddenly, everyone burst into laughter. “If I had a daughter, I would make him my son-in-law even if his father looks down on him. The fertile land doesn’t flow to outsiders.”

Although it was just a joke, everyone understood that the leader was using this opportunity to express his appreciation for this young man. They all laughed and joked on the surface, but deep down, they raised Lin Hanchuan’s status even higher.

Lin Hanchuan found the owner of the estate and checked the surveillance footage. He discovered that Ran Xing had been intercepted by several black-clad bodyguards from the Yan Minghui faction on his way back from the restroom. After a brief negotiation, Ran Xing left with those bodyguards.

Lin Hanchuan immediately recognized that these bodyguards were under Yan Minghui’s command.

Time had already been wasted for nearly half an hour. Once Ran Xing got into the bodyguards’ car, he was no longer under the estate’s surveillance. If they were to track him step by step through the surveillance, it would take a considerable amount of time.

With a pounding heart, Lin Hanchuan didn’t hesitate and immediately woke up the system: [001!]

When 001 wasn’t dozing off, it was quite reliable. It brought up a simple electronic map in Lin Hanchuan’s mind. [Chuanchuan, don’t worry, I can directly locate the character in the plot.]

Both Lin Hanchuan and 001 were stunned by the affectionate nickname.

Lin Hanchuan was the first to speak: [Thank you, 001.]

001 let out a whimper and embarrassedly huddled in a corner. It didn’t know how it blurted out that nickname, which it secretly called Lin Hanchuan in its heart. Clearly, it was supposed to be a cold and ruthless dominant system, but now its whole character had collapsed.

Following the map of the plot characters provided by 001, Lin Hanchuan arrived at Yan Minghui’s villa on the outskirts. The security guard at the gate was oblivious to everything and happily opened the door for Lin Hanchuan. “Young Master.”

Lin Hanchuan paid no attention to him and went straight upstairs, guided by the miniature map of the plot characters.

There were bodyguards guarding the staircase landing, and no one expected Lin Hanchuan to arrive so quickly. They hesitated and stood in Lin Hanchuan’s way. “Young Master, you can’t go in.”

“Step aside!” Lin Hanchuan said coldly, his face stern.

The bodyguards were extremely reluctant. “Sorry, Young Master…”

Before they could finish their sentence, Lin Hanchuan had already made his move. In the instant their hands met, the bodyguards felt a shock in their hearts. They were all trained professionals, but when confronted by Lin Hanchuan, they realized that his movements were clean and precise, no less capable than their own, if not superior.

The bodyguards, who had been hesitant to use excessive force against Lin Hanchuan due to his identity, soon found themselves lying on the ground. Lin Hanchuan forcefully pushed open the door to the study.