Chapter 24: Gu Lai told herself, "Stop thinking about it, stop."

Gu Lai wasn't even interested in responding.

She reached for her phone, ready to call her assistant who had given them space to talk.

Kong Kang'an quickly said, "Don't worry, Teacher Gu, I'm the only one who knows that you and President Jiang are getting a divorce."

"Oh, you're quite perceptive."

"I know it's because of Director He."

Gu Lai paused, holding her phone, and glanced up at it: "Really?"

Kong Kang'an explained: "I know that Director He has replaced Ye Wu in the role of the same-sex film. Also, I heard about Fan Zi's 'liking' from Director He. She seemed to be quite flaunting it a while ago. Because of the photos that went viral before, I couldn't help but pay more attention to you, Teacher. It seems that your relationship with President Jiang was tense in the second half of the year. Recently, I also learned about changes in shareholders and private property rights of several companies. The latter is clearly due to my personal relationship with a winery management company."

Fan Zi probably came up with this foolish move to avoid losing the role and terminating the contract, but Kong Kang'an knows so much about it... When did Kong Kang'an become so familiar with He Xiaoqing, two directors whose circles don't overlap much?

Gu Lai didn't show any doubt. She put down her phone and said, "That's all? Director Kong wasn't very sure when he said that, was he?"

Kong Kang'an smiled and toasted, admitting, "Yes, I was just guessing at first, since saying it out loud could just be considered gossip." He didn't expect it to be true.

"..." Gu Lai said, "It's a pity. I hope Fan Zi will have a healthy romantic relationship after his contract expires. As for colleagues, I hope things can be more pure."

Kong Kang'an: "It's not necessarily because they're colleagues. Actually, many people have always felt it's a pity that our teacher never gets together..."

Gu Lai's gentle expression faded, and Kong Kang'an, under her almost indifferent gaze, raised his hand and changed his words: "Okay, okay, I understand. But, there are too many people in this industry who choose to live for the moment after breaking up. When others find out, they will probably think that the teacher is being considerate of President Jiang."

Gu Lai remained unmoved, and politely replied like a good listener: "Oh, is that so?"

Kong Kang'an leaned forward slightly, her hands clasped together. With her broad shoulders and large frame, this posture gave her a touch of aggression: "It's only natural, but it sounds like flattery. I think—or rather, I know it's not like that."

Gu Lai didn't speak, just quietly looked at her.

“I guess you haven’t really paid attention to your assets, teacher. For example,” Kong Kang’an thought for a moment, “there have been several high-profile investments recently, in several different industries, and Lelai Capital participated in all of them in the Series B round. Do you know Lelai Capital?”

Gu Lai was genuinely unaware of this. What she knew was that Jiang Yi owned an investment company that held stakes in many large corporations. But business dealings were far too complex, and he had connections with more than one company. How could she have noticed this without having thoroughly investigated the situation?

Gu Lai calmly replied, "Oh, and then?"

Kong Kang'an couldn't figure it out, so he had no choice but to continue.

"Recently, everyone has discovered that it actually does belong to you. There are many similar cases, and upon closer examination, it's not a recent development, not even in the last year or two. It's just that the uniquely discreet and low-key nature of capital, along with your... image, has caused everyone to overlook it. Think about it, for those insatiable capitalists, what could be a better proof of their intentions than real money?"

Gu Lai did not respond to her words.

She lowered her head to drink some water and asked, "What do you need my help with?"

Kong Kang'an remained silent for a moment.

A self-proclaimed "clever" person like her, who prides herself on being invincible at banquets and parties and speaks with feigned boldness but actually pushes and pulls, can sometimes be stumped by such bluntness, especially when the other party is more assertive.

Kong Kang'an suddenly realized that he might have made a mistake in bringing these things up. Over the years, he had relied on the method of sending beauties to women too many times, and what worked for He Xiaoqing, he easily assumed would work here as well.

Since they've openly acknowledged the marital breakdown, she doesn't think Gu Lai needs to be shy about anything. Perhaps it's the caution and discerning eye unique to important figures.

She slowly exhaled, then frankly pulled back the impression: "Producer Zhang was implicated in the Slow Bull case; her company is suspected of fabricating loan targets, and she is in dire straits herself."

Gu Lai remembered that Director Kong had hinted to her before that the sensitive issues surrounding "Gansui" were resolved by that producer, but she found it hard to believe that a director as renowned as her could rely on just one person. The most likely reason she said this was that she felt the one who tied the knot must untie it.

Did Jiang Yi do it?

Gu Lai showed no surprise and asked directly, "When did this happen this week?"

Kong Kang'an: "They haven't been summoned or prosecuted yet, but I was interviewed a few days ago. I heard from other places that an investigation has already begun."

Gu Lai: "You think I did it?"

Kong Kang'an wondered if it was me who did it? The legitimate Slow Bull Group hadn't even filed charges or issued arrest warrants yet, so why was Xiao Kalami, who was swept away by the typhoon, dragged into the mess first?

Kong Kang'an sighed grandly, "Shouldn't we blame those who break the law first? I'm actually glad things happened early, but I was definitely tricked. Now a lot of people in the industry are implicated, and I don't trust anyone else... Professor Gu, do you have any recommendations?"

She paused, then added a brief explanation for her inconsistency: "I really am quite attracted to Teacher Gu."

Gu Lai pushed away 625: "I've never understood these things, but I can ask President Tan."

Kong Kang'an: "That's easy. Did the teacher have any suggestions for the script I gave to Teacher Gu last time?"

"Director Kong suddenly changed his mind, it can't be because of my divorce, can it?" Gu Lai thought for a moment, "Or is it because of that... Lelai Capital that Director Kong told me about?"

Kong Kang'an looked at her and hesitated for a long time before saying softly, "What industry insiders like me who are interested can see is that the teacher suddenly disclosed the industry resources that were previously indirectly or directly held by President Jiang, including those traditional cinemas and new media platforms that I couldn't participate in. That's one point. The second point is... I was really wrong last time, and Teacher Tang was also wrong. You and the protagonist Wen Xin are indeed different."

At the time, I thought she was a rootless tree climbing and relying on capital like the female lead, but now I realize that she herself is capital, even if all she knows about the film and television industry right now.

After this separation, Jiang Yi probably won't have much left in this industry, as the impact of switching industries is ultimately limited.

Gu Lai remained silent for a long time.

Kong Kang'an scrutinized her: "Teacher Gu really didn't care at all?"

Jiang Yi seems to have said something similar.

What did she say? It sounded like she was saying, with that infuriatingly cold look, that you never cared.

She also said that she felt she was no different from any asset manager.

She finally said to herself, "I understand."

And now, Kong Kang'an is asking himself the same question in disbelief.

Gu Lai said, "Yes."

Kong Kang'an felt that this person didn't want to talk about it, and there was no need for him to lie to him, especially since he looked so genuinely confused.

Therefore, Kong Kang'an's expression went blank for a moment.

Gu Lai asked sharply, "Director Kong is surprised?"

“I…yes, I might really be poor,” Kong Kang’an said sincerely. “If I gave my partner this much, even just a tenth of it, I would still tell her. I would definitely want to get a very touching and surprised response from her.”

Gu Lai was speechless for a moment. Kong Kang'an pondered her thoughts for a moment and then laughed, "Haha, but everyone's situation is different."

Gu Lai didn't want to think about it too much. Her subconscious was telling her that if she did, she and Kong Kang'an wouldn't be able to finish their meal.

That day, I didn't get enough to eat with Jiang Yi. In the middle of the night, I don't know if it was hunger or just psychological, but my stomach hurt like it was being dug out by a shovel. I got up at three or four in the morning to go to the kitchen to find some cooked food.

She stopped her runaway train of thought that started with Jiang Yi and steered the conversation back on track: "Gansui...it's an excellent book title. Is Director Kong planning to use it as the title for the TV series as well?"

Kong Kang'an wrote down a name, pushed it over, pointed to it, and said, "There are currently two options. One is to apply for the audiovisual project that the State Administration of Radio and Television started this year, which is also what Producer Zhang advocated. If we choose this, it will be a pure web series, so we'll use this name. The other is... I heard that the Procuratorate Film and Television Center is also interested in producing new film and television works. I wonder if we can give it a try. If so, I'm afraid it would be better to use the original novel's title."

Gu Lai: "Wen Xin, who has the most screen time in 'Gansui,' is not a traditionally righteous character. As the protagonist, she has nothing to do with the Procuratorate."

"That's why I was hoping Professor Gu could help me out," Kong Kang'an said with a self-deprecating laugh. "Besides, Professor Tang is also an award-winning author, so I'm probably the one with the biggest weakness."

That's because you focus on international awards.

After internally ranting, Gu Lai admitted that even if Kong Kang'an became more accommodating to the domestic situation, she would still have closer ties with officials than Kong Kang'an. In terms of works alone, she had participated in more than one tribute film, official production or cultural project, as well as various collaborative songs, such as the New Year's Eve song "Zhao Zhao".

Director Kong collaborates on at most one project a year, which is enough time for Gu Lai to become very familiar with the collaboration.

Back then, Gu Lai complained to Jiang Yi about a medley of films she made as a tribute, saying that the chaotic scene of dividing the cake almost made her want to quit.

Jiang Yi is usually very hands-off when it comes to his career, but this time he unusually advised her to persevere, even listing several reasons why the greatest significance of this play is participation itself. Gu Lai wasn't completely ignorant of the concept of "shaping a golden body," and surprisingly, she felt a rebellious streak after hearing this.

She told Jiang Yi that even without these projects, she could still be respected and fawned over, right?

Jiang Yi asked her in return, "Then why?"

She was speechless.

Jiang Yi eventually became emotional, his upturned eyes slightly reddening, but he still stared intently at her as he spoke.

I am me, and you are you. Didn't you say the same thing back then?

Gu Lai squeezed her eyes shut and heard Kong Kang'an say, "Besides the main characters, there are actually quite a few characters from the Procuratorate involved. And they are all positive characters who focus on new types of corruption, which aligns with the theme of the anti-corruption campaign adhering to the spirit of thorough self-revolution."

Lost in her romantic thoughts, Gu Lai was suddenly struck by Director Kong's string of words. After a moment of silence, she said, "Director Kong... you're quite well prepared."

Kong Kang'an smiled and said, "Isn't that determined by the subject matter?"

After a long pause, Gu Lai said, "Actually, it can be revised further."

Kong Kang'an raised his hand in a gesture of invitation. Gu Lai recalled the contents of the two versions of the script and the novel, and looked at her earnestly as she began to speak.

"Both versions are written to fit the novel. I think Ms. Tang was actually somewhat pessimistic when she wrote it. The character Wen Xin is also full of pessimistic implications at the end. Her resistance, while breaking the unspoken rules, may be creating more hidden rules of the game. Just like her book title, Gan Sui, there is a natural contradiction between the medicinal properties of 'sharp downward flow of water' and 'high toxicity.' There is no pure antidote. Every healing process is accompanied by the generation of new toxicity."

Gu Li, who had always been calm during the conversation, suddenly seemed to have a profound sense of tranquility as he spoke in a gentle and detailed manner.

Last time, she only regarded Gu Lai as a female celebrity who married into a wealthy family, and thought that she was easy to communicate with, and that she was good-looking and dressed well, and she was quite casual in her judgment.

Later, the inexplicable scandal only made her a little more alert, realizing that Gu Lai's position in the family seemed to be unusual.

But that's all.

The director is somewhat of a scholar, and Kong Kang'an, too, inevitably possesses some intellectual habits, often displaying a strange arrogance towards those of ordinary backgrounds who have married into wealthy families. Her talent and abilities are often overlooked, with only her enviable marriage magnified a thousandfold.

In the end, though he couldn't help but bow his head, he secretly came to the conclusion that it was nothing more than a dodder vine.

Even though most people, including her, already knew that those shares belonged to Gu Lai, they didn't think much of it. People like her always believed there was only one answer: this was just a facade created by President Jiang to push his partner out, and ultimately, the real controller was President Jiang.

Until I found out that Gu Lai was actually going to divorce President Jiang.

Kong Kang'an didn't actually believe what she heard from He Xiaoqing's lover. It was only after that person suddenly disappeared and He Xiaoqing "coincidentally" chatted with her again that she suddenly connected the dots and realized it might be true.

Those companies that suddenly became high-profile were perhaps a warning that Gu Lai had prepared in advance.

Gu, the big star, probably genuinely loves film and music, but she's also undeniably intelligent. Kong Kang'an didn't know why she got divorced, but the fact that she managed to carve out a piece of the pie from a big capitalist's pocket made him lose the subtle disdain he once held for her.

It's a pity that we don't know whether she was blinded by that General Jiang or whether she subtly gained leverage over him, just like she is now.

Kong Kang'an sincerely asked, "Then what's the direction for the adaptation?"

Gu Lai: "It points more to the purge of corruption, or rather, the dilemma of reformers. 'Penetrating directly to the source, making decisive breakthroughs'—like the sage Gansui, one must resolutely eliminate deep-seated problems like a strong medicine for a chronic illness, yet inevitably face the dilemma of using too much medicine and damaging the righteous spirit. Take Wen Xin as an example. She faces the entertainment industry, where power is concentrated and resources are abundant. Half of her time is within the system, while the other half is easily exposed to all kinds of temptations. Previously, she was mostly pessimistic in her predictions and criticisms, but perhaps she can now reflect and think about it. I think that's equally relevant."

Kong Kang'an pondered for a while: "That works too... but I think the work itself would be less critical. Teacher Tang's text is cold and rational, and the ending has a strong sense of reincarnation prophecy. If it were more compassionate, like the style of the original book of that anti-corruption drama, I would think it would be more suitable."

"Criticism isn't necessarily more insightful than praise, just as comedy isn't necessarily more classic than tragedy. The key is how it's filmed—whether it's just empty praise."

Gu Lai paused halfway through her sentence, remained silent for a few moments, and then continued, "Moreover, if we only pursue a profound theme, the plot itself might become too difficult. People don't really engage their brains as much when watching movies directed by Director Kong these days. You have to tell a good story first, keep people watching, generate discussion and attention, and only then will some people start to think deeply about it."

Kong Kang'an asked thoughtfully, "Is this how Teacher Gu feels?"

No, it belongs to Jiang Yi.

Gu Lai is very tolerant of her peers; she can even watch a completely terrible movie. Jiang Yi, on the other hand, is always picky and critical.

Jiang Yi doesn't watch anything that solely promotes suffering, anything illogical, or anything that seems perfectly normal. After filtering through all of them, she has the patience to watch only one or two films that the entire film and television industry might produce in a year.

Gu Lai told herself, stop thinking about it, focus on Director Kong and the play "Gansui" in front of her.

But she couldn't stop the old scenes from replaying in her mind.

On a damp, rainy day, with a soft blanket and gentle movie music playing, Jiang Yi, hugging a large plush toy, felt sleepy and unconsciously leaned towards her. She quietly moved closer, reaching out to embrace her lover who was about to slump, as if she were holding a large bouquet of fragrant roses.

"I guess so," Gu Lai said.

But your pause seems to suggest otherwise.

However, Kong Kang'an's suspicion was fleeting, and he focused all his attention on the movie until he suddenly remembered the somewhat long and abrupt silence just before leaving.

What did I say at the time? It doesn't seem like anything important.

Kong Kang'an asked, half tentatively and half jokingly, "Does Teacher Gu have any instructions?"

Gu Lai got up to see him off, her mind still on the storyboard Kong Kang'an had mentioned at the end. Hearing this, she gave a puzzled "hmm".

Kong Kang'an said, "I won't talk about the divorce, but this kind of news can't be kept secret. I can... guess it, and others probably can too."

Gu Lai calmly said, "Thank you, I understand. However, if Director Kong is worried about the impact of this matter, we can list it separately in the subsequent agreement."

“That’s not what I meant…” Kong Kang’an stopped explaining and said sincerely, “Anyway, there’s nothing special about this. At most, it will attract some attention. But if you need any cooperation, just contact me anytime.”

After Gu Lai and the others left, she sat alone and opened Jiang Yi's contact interface.

The message above was sent by Jiang Yi a week ago, lying there all alone, and Gu Lai hasn't replied yet.

Jiang Yi: [Recent changes in assets and personnel have led to someone leaking news of the marital breakdown. As far as I know, this includes office employees and He Xiaoqing's side.]

Jiang Yi: [I've taken care of things in the office. He Xiaoqing might have said a word or two to people in the entertainment industry, but there's no concrete evidence; it's just speculation at most.]

Jiang Yi: [Does your PR team need to keep this confidential? If so, I'll handle it further.]

Gu Lai scrolled up, glanced at the date Jiang Yi had sent, and started typing.

Gu Lai: [I met with Director Kong today]

Gu Lai: [Is the matter concerning that producer named Zhang Mei related to you?]

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Thank you, Sweetheart, for the nutrient solution: 9 bottles of Deep Sea Bubble Egg.

Thanks to Sweetheart for the landmines: Little i Wants to Sleep Rocket Launcher; March landmines, grenades, rocket launchers [heart emoji]

(In reality, the film and television genres produced by the film and television center are narrower than articles.) Preparing to change the cover [starry eyes]! Goodnight~