Chapter 982 No Way Out

Zhou Ping'an was in a very bad mood.

He hadn't felt this bad in a long time.

It's not about emotional distress, but about being threatened—

Ma Zhiyuan's actions even led Chen Ziyan to threaten him directly in front of him.

It can be said that Chen Ziyan's reaction exceeded Zhou Ping'an's expectations.

However, on the other hand, Zhou Ping'an felt that even so, it was quite normal.

After all, Ma Zhiyuan's behavior would disgust anyone.

only--

What is that?

The "High-Speed ​​Rail Parents Theory"?

The reason Zhou Ping'an initially adopted a detached, watchful attitude towards Ma Zhiyuan's self-destructive behavior was because he believed that no matter what Ma Zhiyuan did wrong, it was none of his business. He could simply push Ma Zhiyuan out—or even use this as a way to "sacrifice huge interests to make a statement" and seek more compensation.

Chen Ziyan wasn't buying it at all.

If someone is registered under your name, you are obligated to manage them.

Moreover, the things Ma Zhiyuan mentioned were all things from your past when you were still with Xingyu.

The fact that he knows those things is inextricably linked to you.

Zhou Ping'an is no longer afraid of Ma Zhiyuan's desperate measures, but it would be a huge loss to ruin the hard-won cooperative relationship with Lu Yanhe over this mess.

Zhou Ping'an would never want to see this happen.

-

Having communicated with Ma Zhiyuan so many times in the past, Zhou Ping'an never imagined that he could silence Ma Zhiyuan by intimidating or threatening him.

On his side, he was "out of options" with Ma Zhiyuan.

Unless some bottom lines are crossed.

Zhou Ping'an was even more unwilling.

He's already ashore. Why should he get his hands dirty and cross the line again?

Are you kidding me?

Zhou Pingan took out his phone and sent a message to Vice President Ma: President Ma, are you free right now?

-

When Zhou Pingan left Xingyu (Woodpecker), he didn't have a very good relationship with Ma Zhongquan.

However, as time went by, the matter gradually faded from memory.

It's only natural for people to strive for higher positions.

Although Zhou Pingan took some celebrities away from Xingyu (Woodpecker), which had some impact on Xingyu (Woodpecker), the impact was not significant.

Zhou Ping'an did not betray Ma Zhongquan in any other way, nor did he stab Ma Zhongquan in the back, so Ma Zhongquan had no reason to hold a grudge against Zhou Ping'an for a long time.

Moreover, Zhou Ping'an is now backed by the Shijin Group.

In terms of actual rank, it's hard to say whether he or Vice President Ma is superior.

-

Zhou Ping'an got out of his car and got into Ma Zhongquan's car.

“Ma Zhiyuan may expose the evidence of how the company suppressed Lu Yanhe back then.”

Ma Zhongquan looked at him with a serious expression.

"What's the meaning?"

“Ma Zhiyuan secretly kept some evidence of the company’s suppression of Lu Yanhe back then, and even used it to contact Lu Yanhe, wanting to make a deal with him,” Zhou Ping’an said. “I warned Ma Zhiyuan, but you know his personality, so I really don’t know how effective it will be.”

"How much does Ma Zhiyuan actually know?"

“I didn’t ask,” Zhou Pingan said. “Do you think we should test the waters?”

Ma Zhongquan's face was grim.

"Since Lu Yanhe already knows about this, does he think he can still threaten us?"

“The public is unaware of these matters. Once the specifics and details are exposed, even if Lu Yanhe remains silent and does not pursue the matter, public opinion will still affect both of us,” Zhou Ping’an said. “Both of us will inevitably be affected by public opinion.”

Ma Zhongquan: "Does Ma Zhiyuan know why the company suppressed Lu Yanhe back then?"

“I didn’t know back then. If he did know, it certainly wouldn’t have been through me,” Zhou Ping’an said. “In fact, I only have some vague guesses about what happened back then. You never told me why. Someone just asked you for help. I think Ma Zhiyuan probably doesn’t know. Otherwise, he should have used this to trade with Lu Yanhe when he approached him.”

"Have you spoken with Lu Yanhe?"

“I communicated with Chen Ziyan,” Zhou Pingan said. “Her reaction was very strong. I could feel that she and Lu Yanhe did not want this matter to be exposed to the public again after so many years. But her meaning was very clear: once Ma Zhiyuan really exposed the matter, she could no longer pretend to be unaware and would definitely react. So, at that time, not only will public opinion put pressure on us, but she will also be under pressure.”

Ma Zhongquan's expression was gloomy.

Now, after losing top stars like Lu Yanhe, Li Zhibai, Yan Liang, Ma Zhiyuan, and Jiang Yuqian, Xingyu and Zhuomuren have lacked successors and no one has stepped up to take their place. Their former glory is no longer what it used to be.

Ma Zhongquan was already under a lot of pressure.

If this happens again, it could very well force Ma Zhongquan to step down.

Zhou Ping'an understood this point, so he went directly to Ma Zhongquan.

Based on his understanding of Ma Zhongquan, he was certain that Ma Zhongquan would eliminate this hidden danger.

"What do you plan to do?" Ma Zhongquan asked.

"I've done everything I can, but the effect is minimal," Zhou Ping'an said. "Speaking of which, we're actually paying the price for someone else's actions. Who exactly was trying to suppress Lu Yanhe back then? Mr. Ma, why don't you go find that person? We did so much for him back then; he shouldn't be standing by now, should he?"

Ma Zhongquan remained silent.

-

The heated online discussion about Ma Zhiyuan lasted for about two weeks before gradually subsiding.

However, this incident meant that Ma Zhiyuan basically did not benefit from the box office success of "Scumbag".

Conversely, the female lead of "Scumbag"—a newcomer, Lu Yueni—became an instant sensation.

Lu Yueni's contract was signed with a company under Yu Jiang's name.

This was the condition that allowed her to star in "Scumbag".

She was a little upset when she learned that the company was preparing a sequel to "Scumbag" and still wanted to use Ma Zhiyuan.

Lu Yueni approached Yu Jiang and said, "Teacher Yu, do we really have to work with Ma Zhiyuan again for the sequel? There's so much negative news about him online."

Yu Jiang's attitude towards Lu Yueni was still very gentle and tolerant.

Lu Yueni was only nineteen years old and a sophomore in college.

Now, she has become a sensation again with her own movie.

Yu Jiang said with a smile, "Ma Zhiyuan has always had a lot of negative news. When 'Scumbag' was in production, many people opposed casting him as the lead actor. But you see, he is actually suitable for this kind of subject matter and this kind of role. Everyone can relate to it."

“But what am I supposed to do?” Lu Yueni said, somewhat frustrated. “The last few times I’ve gone out to attend events, everyone has asked me what I think of him, and I don’t know how to answer. It’s very awkward. Moreover, many people think that the fact that I’m willing to co-star with him in a movie means that we have a good relationship, so they all look at me with prejudice.”

Yu Jiang patted her hand.

"What's the big deal? The more criticism the male lead receives, the better for you. Otherwise, half of your attention will be taken away," Yu Jiang said. "If I find another male actor to act in the sequel to this movie with you, regardless of the outcome, even if it's good, think about it, wouldn't the male actor without any negative news avoid the situation where Ma Zhiyuan is disliked by the audience?"

As Lu Yueni listened, she felt that something was wrong, but she didn't know how to refute it.

Yu Jiang said, "You have to believe me. You are a contracted actor with the company, but he is not. I will definitely protect and support you, not him."

"Okay, Teacher Yu."

Yu Jiang: "Also, one more thing, you must not have any contact with him in private."

“I will never have any contact with him. He is really annoying, and working with him is always an uncomfortable experience.”

Yu Jiang said, "It's okay. Besides this movie, I'll arrange other movies for you. You won't only be working with him in the future."

-

"What?! The salary is still 500,000?!"

Ma Zhiyuan's face turned ashen.

Zhou Ping'an spread his hands and said, "Yu Jiang said that you are too controversial, and with so many people attacking you during the movie's release, everyone is against making a sequel. She is under pressure to continue using you, so your salary cannot be increased."

"Are you kidding me?! This movie has already grossed 400 million!"

Zhou Pingan shrugged.

Ma Zhiyuan: "Didn't you talk to her?"

"What are we talking about?" Zhou Ping'an said. "They're confident you can't refuse right now, so even if they offer you a very low salary, you have to accept it."

"Why should I accept this? I can choose not to act."

“Of course you can choose not to act, but then you won’t have any other roles to play,” Zhou Ping’an said. “You finally made it back to the mainstream market, and now you can only take on online movies again.”

Ma Zhiyuan was furious.

"Then what's the point of me taking the role? If I go back to the so-called mainstream market, I can only get a salary of 500,000 yuan."

"If, after all these things happen, the sequel movie you star in can still achieve box office success, it means that these negative news stories about you don't affect audiences going to the cinema to watch movies, and your commercial value can truly recover a bit," Zhou Ping'an said.

Ma Zhiyuan: "...You made some kind of private deal with her, right? You're trying to persuade me to accept it?"

"I won't advise you. Do whatever you want," Zhou Ping'an said. "Anyway, you won't listen to me, so there's no point in me saying anything. Just do what you think is best. I'm just relaying the news from Yujiang to you."

Ma Zhiyuan stood there, his face ashen, silently pondering for a few seconds before turning and leaving.

Zhou Pingan silently watched Ma Zhiyuan's retreating figure, and only after he left did he make a phone call to Yu Jiang.

“Teacher Yu, I’ve already spoken to Ma Zhiyuan about the pay.” He said, “Given his current situation, although it’s difficult for him to get a good salary in the mainstream film and television market, you know, with his popularity and influence, it’s not an exaggeration to say that a project like ‘Caught in Scandal’ would be worth a zero.”

“Mr. Zhou, the film market is constantly changing. There are too many cases where one film makes a fortune and the next loses everything. You know that. I also need to make investors willing to continue investing and convince my colleagues that this project will not lose money.” Yu Jiang said, “Besides me, I believe no other company would use him for a theatrical film project.”

Zhou Ping'an: "But without him, you're not even sure if the second film can replicate the box office success of the first, right? This subject matter is already tied to Ma Zhiyuan's own image, isn't it?"

Yu Jiang: "What do you want to do?"

“Leave the second male lead role to me,” Zhou Ping’an said. “I have a pretty good actor under my management. I’ll help you get Ma Zhiyuan to agree to continue playing the lead role for 500,000 yuan.”

Yu Jiang: "...What's the deal with that male actor of yours?"

"How about I bring him out to meet you tonight?" Zhou Ping'an said. "Are you free tonight?"

-

The setting sun hangs on the horizon.

As dusk fell, a purple haze faded away.

A coffee shop, at the bar.

Lu Yanhe took the coffee from Zhang Ruozhi, who was wearing a staff uniform, strode out of the coffee shop, hung the coffee bag on his motorcycle, put on his helmet, and with a cool riding posture, turned to look into the glass door.

He waved to Zhang Ruozhi, a bright and cheerful smile spreading across his face.

The motorcycle starts.

Zhang Ruozhi watched from behind the bar as Lu Yanhe rode away on his motorcycle.

In the coffee shop, just as the previous song finished playing, the theme song from the movie "Love Letter" started playing.

Sweet Rumors.

...

Congratulations to actor Lu Yanhe on wrapping up filming!

Wei Hong personally carried a bouquet of flowers and presented it to Lu Yanhe.

Lu Yanhe filmed for three days on set.

Basically, he is an important character in one episode of this series.

This can no longer be considered a cameo in the conventional sense.

A typical cameo appearance is just a few lines of dialogue or a brief appearance.

Lu Yanhe accepted the flowers and said, "It was a very pleasant filming experience."

Li Zhibai came over, punched him on the shoulder, and said, "You acted so well, you stole the show. I'll have to cut out all your highlights later."

Lu Yanhe: "Whatever, I didn't invest in this drama anyway."

Li Zhibai: "..."

Lu Yanhe turned to look at Zhang Ruozhi.

"After filming this drama, will you be able to take a break for a while?"

Zhang Ruozhi nodded.

"But it seems I also have to participate in some overseas promotions for 'Grandma's Legacy'," she said.

“Oh right, ‘Grandma’s Legacy’ is also making its mark in this year’s North American awards season, so we should see it at some public relations events in the US,” Lu Yanhe said. “I’m quite curious to see how our scene will turn out when the show airs.”

"It's definitely going to be a huge hit!" Wei Hong said with a smile. "When 'Sweet Rumors' started playing just now, several people in the audience got teary-eyed. 'Sweet Rumors' is such a classic for many people."

"Indeed, many people want to watch 'Love Letter' again when winter comes."

“Why don’t you arrange for a re-release of ‘Love Letter’ when this drama airs?” Li Zhibai suddenly suggested. “I think when the episode featuring you airs, many people will want to rewatch the movie ‘Love Letter’.”

Lu Yanhe: "That seems like a good idea. I'll talk to the company and ask them to make the arrangements."

(End of this chapter)