Chapter 912 Brother

Li Zhibai didn't know who had found Feng Pai, nor did he know what abilities or methods he possessed.

Since this wasn't his company, and his brother was in charge, Li Zhibai didn't want his brother to mistakenly believe that he had any designs on the company.

Just like his brother, who has been trying his best to prevent him from being held hostage by the family company.

The paradox of this world is that, even though there are no problems between the two of them, and they can be considered "brotherly and respectful," their relationship always becomes awkward because of certain people and events, and their initial intentions go against their wishes.

Li Zhibai said directly, "Brother, I don't like him. From now on, for my film and television projects, including the projects of the company I produce, you should find someone else to be in charge of dealing with me."

Feng Pai's face turned liver-colored in an instant.

He opened his mouth to speak.

Li Shenyuan gave him a look, warning him not to speak again.

Li Shenyuan nodded to Li Zhibai.

"If you have a suitable candidate, you can let me know."

“This is my family company, and I’m keeping the people I choose for my own studio,” Li Zhibai said without any hesitation. “Find someone yourself, make sure they’re capable, and don’t be like him, whose brain is full of water.”

Li Zhibai is now fully playing the role of a hot-tempered and wicked spoiled brat, completely disregarding Feng Pai, a company CEO.

Unfortunately, Feng Pai really had no way to solve the problem.

The thing he didn't understand the most was Li Zhibai's temper, and that Li Zhibai, who had gotten to where he was today, was not actually the second young master of the Li family who was deeply entangled with his family, relying on family resources, and bound to them.

While his family background and resources certainly played a role in Li Zhibai's rise to his current position, they weren't the decisive factor. His current status and influence are due to three main factors: his exceptional looks and personality, Zhou Ping'an's keen eye for casting in the early stages, and Lu Yanhe providing him with several outstanding projects. These factors allowed him to gradually climb to his current position as a truly top-tier artist in China.

It's not that his family doesn't have enough resources, but rather that they're too mediocre; any company could provide them.

Feng Pai probably thought that Li Zhibai would have to make some cooperation and sacrifices in front of his own company, but he didn't realize that this spoiled brat could not be forced by anyone if he was unwilling.

Feng Pai was even less aware that the main reason Ruishi Group established this company and entered the film and television production industry was because they saw that Li Zhibai had already established himself in the entertainment industry and would most likely be a star for life. So they thought of the best of both worlds: they could expand their business and help their youngest son grow stronger.

The company serves Li Zhibai. The income from the entertainment industry is simply not enough for Ruishi Group. At most, it has some strategic significance for the company's brand image.

Li Shenyuan: "Feng Pai, you can go out first."

Feng Pai hesitated for a moment, then got up and left under Li Shenyuan's unquestionable gaze.

Li Zhi was all smiles.

"Brother, I was really worried that you would scold me for being ignorant."

Li Shenyuan looked at Li Zhibai and said, "You've been ignorant for quite some time now."

"Depend on."

“But it’s okay, you can be immature,” Li Shenyuan said. “I’ll cover for you if anything happens.”

Li Zhibai smiled happily.

"It's a good thing you're here. If Dad were here today, he would definitely scold me and make me apologize to him."

“Dad is always polite to outsiders, why are you arguing with him?” Li Shenyuan said. “Besides, although he never says it, he is very proud of your achievements over the years. He used to think about bringing you home to participate in the management of the family business, but he hasn’t mentioned it in recent years.”

Li Zhibai: "He has the nerve to say that, on the one hand he scolds me for having a bad temper and being straightforward, and on the other hand he wants me to participate in the company's management. Isn't he afraid that I will bankrupt the family?"

"..." Li Shenyuan was silent for two seconds, but his tense face couldn't hold back any longer, so he turned his head and smiled.

Li Zhibai: "Seriously, brother, if you're going to manage this film and television company, you should manage it properly. Don't let this kind of professional manager mess things up."

Li Shenyuan said, "I'm still managing other businesses in the family, so I can't put all my energy into this."

“Then send someone you trust over here. It doesn’t matter if they don’t understand the film and television industry. I can give them all the resources I’ve accumulated over the years, such as platforms, production teams, and distribution.” Li Zhibai said, “I don’t mind sharing these things with my family. I’m just worried about a teammate like the one I just saw who not only ruins what I’ve worked so hard to build, but also makes a mess of the family company, pursuing short-term KPIs and failing to build a sustainable ecosystem.”

Li Shenyuan nodded and said sincerely, "Hearing you say that, I feel that you have really grown up and matured a lot."

"Don't act like an elder in front of me. What do you mean by growing up and maturing a lot?" Li Zhibai immediately rolled his eyes.

Li Shenyuan smiled again.

Li Zhibai: "Oh right, this one."

He took a project plan out of his bag.

“This is a project I’ve got my eye on, ‘100 Yuan Coffee Shop’,” Li Zhibai said. “I don’t know who in the company bought the original script, but it’s very well written. Even though it’s a love story, I was able to get into it and was moved by it. I plan to do this project. You should find someone you trust to come to the company and let him take charge. I’ll mentor him and I’ll also star in it.”

Upon hearing this, Li Shenyuan showed a surprised expression.

"Are you starring in your own movies? I've noticed you haven't been doing TV dramas lately, only movies."

“Yes, but the script is indeed well-written and meets my standards for accepting roles,” Li Zhibai said. “So, I am willing to act in it. If I play the lead role, I can also use this project to package the two dramas that the company was preparing to film together and negotiate with the platform, which will be more advantageous in terms of asking price.”

Li Shenyuan frowned.

"There's no need to use your influence to package those two shows. I've already said, this company's original intention was to help you, not to hold you back."

“He didn’t hold me back.” Li Zhibai shook his head. “In fact, that’s how this industry works. If you don’t have a background or connections, you have to play your cards right to get the other party to follow. Whenever I take on a role, it benefits other projects of that film and television company. They’re all seasoned veterans, and they know it without saying a word, but you don’t. That’s why I need to be so blunt.”

Only then did Li Shenyuan realize what Li Zhibai meant.

"I see."

"In addition, I am willing to star in our company's projects, but I cannot lower my standards for the script. This is a prerequisite. I also hope that our company can produce good products. The earning capacity of a film and television production company is limited and can never compare to our other businesses. To some extent, the most valuable aspect of the entertainment industry is building a broad brand image through mass media. The brand value brought by good products far exceeds the money earned from a film and television project."

“Yes, I agree with you on this point,” Li Shenyuan said. “So, we’ll just consider that script you said wouldn’t work out as a loss and we won’t film it.”

“There’s no need for it to rot in your hands. It’s a script by a great screenwriter, after all. If you really don’t plan to film it, you can just sell it to another company or platform. Someone will buy it, so you won’t lose too much,” Li Zhibai said. “Feng Pai should have explained these things to you, but it seems he didn’t.”

“Him?” Li Shenyuan shook his head helplessly. “Actually, I didn’t find him. He was introduced by a friend of Dad’s for many years.”

"This can still be done through connections."

“Don’t forget, in the workplace, connections work because those in power are more trustworthy,” Li Shenyuan said. “I can’t fire him either; I can only find someone to balance things out.”

“Okay.” Li Zhibai nodded. “Knowing that he’s not one of yours, I’m relieved. I’ll get rid of him in six months to two years.”

Li Shenyuan: "...Don't do anything reckless."

“Keeping him around would be a disaster. Our dad’s biggest problem is that he still believes in his old-fashioned sense of brotherhood and loyalty. Times have changed. Back then, it was about going to great lengths for each other and helping each other out. Today, he’s just a burden.” Li Zhibai said bluntly, “To be honest, instead of looking for Feng Pai, you should ask my former agent, Zhou Ping’an. He’s definitely more capable than Feng Pai.”

"You and he didn't part ways amicably, so why are you still willing to cooperate with him?"

“If he could be poached to work full-time for our company, to be honest, I could temporarily forgive his previous bias towards Ma Zhiyuan,” Li Zhibai said. “His problem has never been a lack of ability, but rather that he is too shrewd, always seeking advantage and avoiding harm, only choosing what is most beneficial to himself. But this is not a bad thing for the company.”

“He is now very cautious, and the platform and resources that he receives from Shijin will only be more than what we provide.”

After all, Shi Jin is seriously planning to enter the entertainment industry.

Sharp was simply building a fortress-like chariot for his young master, capable of both offense and defense.

Li Zhibai said, "I was just saying, but seriously, brother, you have to find someone you trust to come over. Feng Pai can forget about interfering with my film and television projects. If he dares to interfere, I'll do something shady and send him to court."

Li Shenyuan glared at him.

"How dare you say that?! You dare try doing that to me, and I'll break your legs."

"Heh, now it's not certain who will beat whom between you and me." Li Zhi flexed his arms, showing off his biceps.

A blatant look of contempt flashed in Li Shenyuan's eyes.

Li Zhibai: "..."

Lee Shin-won took off his suit jacket and removed his watch.

"You can try it now."

Li Zhibai's eyes widened.

He turned his head and looked out the window. "Hey, brother, look, the sky is so blue today."

(End of this chapter)