Chapter 17 Chapter 17 The power of 1.3 billion is really extraordinary...
Mr. Lin's warm attitude and words stunned all parties.
But Mr. Li was a seasoned veteran after all, and he quickly recovered from his shock. He said with a mixture of familiarity and curiosity, "...So Mr. Wei... knows Mr. Lin?"
Lin Luochen's gaze was still on Wei Ran.
Zhu Tao's eyes, filled with surprise and a bit of fear, kept wandering between the two of them.
Of all the people, Wei Ran was probably the one who was most out of the situation. ... He had never thought that he would meet Lin Luochen here again. And...
According to the other party's habit of attending banquets, he should walk past me without looking at me and pretend that I have never met him.
Lin Luochen suddenly came over to say hello, disrupting Wei Ran's cognition and psychological defenses.
But Wei Ran wasn't shy or socially intimidated when it came to investors. When Mr. Li asked, he readily replied, "I know him. I've met him before."
...We just knew each other and had met before. We weren't very familiar with each other.
For two people who haven't seen each other for five years and wouldn't recognize each other if they met, this is the best description of their relationship.
Wei Ran possessed a naturally indifferent aura, a dignified air that even her dazzling appearance couldn't conceal. This was even more evident when she was silent, like a fairy descending into the world. His answers were also quite appropriate and pertinent, Wei Ran thought.
At least Lin Luochen on the opposite side just glanced at him deeply, kept his hands in his pockets, and said nothing.
But even though Mr. Lin didn't say a word, the people around him still felt the subtlety in the atmosphere - Lin Luochen's eyes were always on Wei Ran, without blinking, and he had no intention of leaving.
He didn't look like someone who was just here to say hello or get to know someone.
More like a grudge.
...The hatred is not the kind that makes you want to kill Wei Ran.
If you analyze it carefully, it's more like the hatred in love and hate...
Everyone present was a smart person, and almost everyone got the idea instantly, while also being secretly surprised.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward for a moment, and CEO Li had to continue to speak to smooth things over. "CEO Lin returned to China this time with the intention of developing the domestic film and television market. Wei Ran and Zhu Tao are both highly regarded new generation actors. You two are really lucky to have come at the right time."
When Zhu Tao heard this, he no longer cared about his curiosity about the relationship between Wei Ran and Shisan Yi.
Zhu Tao had finally been mentioned before Mr. Lin, so he wasn't going to waste the opportunity. He tried hard to calm himself, but his voice was trembling from excitement: "...Mr. Lin, nice to meet you, nice to meet you..."
Zhu Tao walked towards Lin Luochen, and Lin Luochen's pupils moved half an inch towards him.
When Wei Ran saw this, he acted as if nothing had happened. After smiling politely, he took the opportunity when a waiter passed by them to chase after him, ordered a glass of wine, and then turned and left.
He and Mr. Li were not very familiar with each other, and it was only for the director's sake that Mr. Li reluctantly said a few words to him.
Now that big investors, small investors, and investees want to negotiate, it would be inappropriate for him to stand there.
But before Wei Ran took two steps, a small cry of surprise came from behind her, which sounded like it came from Zhu Tao.
Afterwards, it seemed as if a strong wind blew from behind - Lin Luochen actually rushed forward, caught up with Wei Ran in three or five steps, and then pulled Wei Ran over in full view of everyone, and directly pulled him into a small side hall next to the banquet hall.
Everyone:?
Zhu Tao, who hadn't said a word to Thirteen Billion People at all:???
The small side hall should be used to store banquet tables and chairs. The air is not well circulated, there is a faint smell of sawdust, and the lights are not on.
Wei Ran's breathing became disordered due to being pulled, but fortunately the light was too dim and no one could see anyone else's face, giving him enough space to adjust.
In the darkness, Wei Ran calmed down again, turned her face away slightly, and avoided smelling the scent of cologne on Lin Luochen.
He pulled his arm back from Lin Luochen's palm with a very forceful movement.
After a while, a low, deliberately suppressed voice came from the other side:
"Your drama is a hit, and the male lead will definitely get more attention, but you're more popular than the male lead, and the outside investors are waiting and watching. I'm here to help you maintain order."
Wei Ran didn't expect the other party to be so clear about her situation, nor could she figure out the other party's intentions. She subconsciously distanced herself again and said, "Mr. Lin, there's no need to help me like this."
Lin Luochen's breathing on the opposite side became heavier.
"Wei Ran, have you ever thought about me over the years?"
Wei Ran: “…”
I don't understand why he was talking about career just now and suddenly talked about such a personal issue.
However, Lin Luochen's personality has always been like this, even more straightforward than him. Whether he likes or dislikes something, he will neither hide it nor bother to pretend.
Now it seems that the other party has not changed at all over the years.
Wei Ran took a deep breath.
Try to do it as quietly as possible.
——But, wasn’t he the one who disliked me so much that he didn’t even bother to glance at me at a banquet like this before?
Why are you asking such a weird question now?
"Why should I think of you? Does Mr. Lin have any misunderstanding?" Wei Ran tested calmly.
He used his surprisingly sensitive brain to think carefully, and felt that Lin Luochen was so entangled, probably because of Dudu...
It is incredible that the 1.3 billion people that everyone wants to get close to actually queue up with Dudu to buy sweet potatoes for several consecutive days.
What's more, after learning that this person was the Uncle Long Legs that Dudu mentioned, Wei Ran felt more and more that the donation matter was most likely leaked by Lin Luochen.
But this is totally out of character for the other person!
Wei Ran has been worried about this matter these past two days.
He didn't know whether Lin Luochen already knew Dudu's background.
I don’t know what the other party would do even if they knew.
——Lin Luochen is still so young, it shouldn’t be that he can’t have children anymore and wants to snatch Dudu from me, right?
This was the worst possible scenario Wei Ran could think of.
But Wei Ran has learned from years of experience that keeping calm and playing slowly is always better than being impatient and rushing forward.
Especially in the face of capital that one can absolutely not shake.
Wei Ran asked calmly, his back straight, as sharp as a sword about to be unsheathed.
Especially since the darkness covered up his overly handsome face, giving people the impression that he was sharp and fierce.
Lin Luochen snorted and laughed loudly: "Mr. Wei bows eighty times when he guest-stars on a variety show. He blushes when he sees his fans and is too embarrassed to talk to them. But he is not polite at all in front of me."
Wei Ran had a complicated expression.
Lin Luochen suddenly lowered his voice again: "Wei Ran, I have an idea. I will invest 1.3 billion in you and let you be the S+ male lead."
Wei Ran's breathing hitched again - such a nonsensical suggestion, could it be that the other party really came here for Dudu!?
Even her pupils were slightly dilated, but Wei Ran was still reminding herself to stay calm. She uttered a sheep-like voice, "Oh? What are the conditions?"
However, Lin Luochen on the opposite side held his breath even more heavily. At that moment, all the sounds seemed to stop abruptly, like the quiet before a storm, and then suddenly erupted in the next moment -
"Wei Ran, does my kindness to you have to be conditional?"
Wei Ran: “?”
"...Sir?" The waiter, unaware of the situation, heard the voice and pushed the door open, and the conversation ended unpleasantly.
Or rather, this wasn't really a formal conversation.
Wei Ran couldn't figure out what Lin Luochen was thinking. He just felt that what he said was really strange. The tone was like what Lin Luochen would have said many years ago when they were only eighteen or nineteen years old.
At that time, he and Lin Luochen were studying in different cities, but Lin Luochen would often come to Wei Ran's school to visit his mother, who was also Wei Ran's mentor.
So in Wei Ran's impression, he and Lin Luochen often met.
At first it was a month later.
Later, they spent the most time together, almost every weekend.
Wei Ran was outgoing and lively at that time, full of energy. Facing his younger brother who was younger than him, liked to have a sour face but was actually very obedient, he always had the nerve to order Lin Luochen to do things, determined to twist the other's awkwardness back. He often either asked Lin Luochen to buy him pizza or queue up to buy him concert tickets.
If everything had stayed at that time, then the question Lin Luochen just asked would not be abrupt at all.
Unfortunately, now it’s not pizza that’s being bought for him, but 1.3 billion.
And those past events were indeed a long time ago. So long ago that Wei Ran hadn't thought about them in a long time, as if they were memories from the last century... When it came to raising a family and taking good care of Dudu, wasting time dwelling on the past was excessive and pretentious.
The smell of Lin Luochen's cologne made Wei Ran upset, so she simply pushed him away and rushed back to the main venue first.
He didn't look back again, but he felt the gaze behind him was burning, like a flame, which made Wei Ran feel an inexplicable pain in his heart.
But soon, the intense sting was drowned out by the overwhelming, accustomed numbness. It was almost as if it had never happened.
For Wei Ran now, the most important thing is to take good care of Dudu.
Wei Ran is already content that his collaboration with Director Chen allows him to realize his dream of becoming an actor while taking care of his family financially.
Even though he was only away for a few minutes, when Wei Ran came back, almost everyone's eyes were on him.
The power of 1.3 billion is really extraordinary.
Wei Ran sighed like this, and felt that the gaze behind him was still sharp and piercing.
He couldn't understand Lin Luochen's current situation, and he didn't have the energy to analyze it. He was just worried that the other party would suddenly do something inappropriate and strange.
Fortunately, when I looked up, I saw a familiar brand.
Wei Ran naturally walked over and greeted the other party: "Mr. Mi."
Many brands are as sensitive as sharks in the sea. Just two days after "Night Walk" became popular, Wei Ran's number of endorsements dropped from 0 to 2. After Wei Ran became popular again on the variety show, the number of endorsements jumped to 4.
Although they are only in the food and beverage category, the endorsement fees and advertising investment are average, but in the words of Ji Yangyun, a hundred taels is not too much, and half a cent is not too little. Something is better than nothing. I believe they will get better and better.
This is indeed the case.
The Yajie Group behind Mr. Mi is an international-level manufacturer specializing in cosmetics and skin care products. It is a household name and the fifth endorsement that Wei Ran has just signed.
Wei Ran is about to become the Asia-Pacific spokesperson for Yajie, while Mi Minde is the general manager of Yajie in the Asia-Pacific region. Both parties have interests tied together in the next year, so when they meet here, it is naturally more than just a familiar greeting.
Afterwards, Wei Ran went out with President Mi. After walking around the banquet hall, Lin Luochen was nowhere to be seen.
Wei Ran breathed a sigh of relief.
An arm stretched out towards him, trying to wrap around his waist, but Wei Ran subconsciously moved away.
Mr. Mi maintained a dignified smile and appeared before him again.
"Come on, come on, Ran. You must be tired. Let's go sit over there alone."
As a man who is almost forty years old, Mi Minde has maintained himself well enough, has good taste, dresses and behaves appropriately, but sometimes his sudden overly intimate actions still make Wei Ran feel greasy.
Mr. Mi probably saw that he was always confused and thought he was really stupid, so he stopped being so restrained in his behavior.
But Wei Ran is no longer a rookie. He has met all kinds of people in this industry.
There wasn't even any fluctuation in his heart. His eyes were fixed on the glass of champagne that Mr. Mi brought to him with a smile. Wei Ran took it calmly. He smiled and responded politely to everything the other party said, without making a single mistake. In the end, he didn't even drink a sip of the wine.
.
A week later, the cooperation between Wei Ran and Ya Jie was officially announced.
Yajie Company also held a press conference in S City, which was conducted simultaneously online and offline. Wei Ran also came to the event. At eight o'clock in the evening, the scene was crowded with people, and the number of people online watching the live broadcast exceeded 100,000 at once.
During the entire event, Wei Ran's total appearance time was about 40 minutes, but for this meeting, he asked for leave from the crew half a month in advance and arrived at the scene early. He was busy with styling, coordinating the process, and reciting the speech, so he was very busy.
But when he really walked onto the stage and saw so many people waiting below the venue and in the live broadcast room, just to see him, Wei Ran was still deeply moved and at the same time hesitant.
He has had his moments as the center of attention on stage, and he has also shined under the spotlight.
But those were all things that happened many years ago. After a few years of being an extra and having no reputation, Wei Ran never thought that he would be liked by so many people again.
Thinking of this, she felt extremely flattered. Standing on the stage, Wei Ran not only carefully cooperated with the host's arrangements, but also kept bowing to the audience at the scene and in front of the camera to express her gratitude.
【Oh my god, my baby is so well behaved! 】
[Why is he always so polite? My mom fans want to give him a rub!]
[Ahhh, Ranran is so pretty! She looks so much better than online! Seriously! So pretty!]
[Live photos from the event! [Pictures]]
[Wait, why is that guy next to Ranran always so close to Weiran?!]
[I've noticed too. He's not even as tall as Ranran, yet he always sticks to Ranran's shoulders from behind. Does he think he's so charming?!]
The host introduced him as the Director of Yajie Asia Pacific. It's a high-ranking position, so he must be a brand that admires Ranran.
[Yes, fans, please don’t be disorganized and don’t make things difficult for Ranran]
[But I feel like Ranran has already dodged him twice...she's just been more reserved.]
【Ahhhh?? I wonder if someone is taking advantage of me!】
The barrage of comments in the live broadcast room flashed quickly, but was still captured by someone with attentive eyes.
.
Eight o'clock in the evening, in the office of the president of Lin Group.
The tall and shabby man sat in the CEO chair with a gloomy face, his elbows resting on the table, his fingers interlaced, his face expressionless.
On the computer screen in front of him was the live broadcast of Yajie's anniversary event.
Across from them, two middle-aged men in suits and ties were sitting awkwardly in chairs, one busy wiping his sweat while the other carefully observed the president's every move.
The president's computer is silent.
The whole office was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
After a few minutes, seeing Lin Luochen staring at the computer screen without saying a word, the two supervisors opposite him became even more uneasy.
...Just before leaving get off work, they were suddenly kept back, and then there was a "leadership talk" that lasted nearly three hours.
Don't be fooled by Mr. Xiaolin's young age, but he has quick reactions, a flexible mind, and strong professional skills. The key is that he is also very imposing!
It was basically difficult for anyone who talked to him to avoid his questions - it seemed like they were just drinking tea and chatting normally, but in fact it was more like a hunt. Those who were not smart enough or timid might have confessed everything long ago!
This is simply mental torture!
What's even more terrifying is that although General Lin also had a stern face in the first two hours, his attitude was relatively gentle, even relaxed and playful, like a cat teasing a mouse. Although it was scary, at least people didn't feel too much psychological pressure.
But ever since Mr. Lin turned on the computer, I don’t know what he started looking at.
Both of them noticed at the same time that Mr. Kobayashi's demeanor had changed!
It became sharper and more terrifying, with a ruthless aura in its calmness. Anyone who saw it would know—
This person has lost his patience.
"I'll just say two last words."
The young CEO, who had been chatting with the two men for over two hours like a hound teasing its prey, suddenly raised his eyelids and, without warning, got to the real point: "Embezzlement of public funds is no small matter. The accounts you two have secretly made since I arrived have totaled millions."
Lin Luochen untied his intertwined hands, pulled out a stack of documents and threw them out. His eyes, as cold as blades, finally left the computer screen and stared straight at the two supervisors opposite him.
"A few million isn't much, but you two don't think I'm so stupid that I couldn't even notice someone was trying to get me, do you?"
…
In the office that had returned to silence, Lin Luochen's cold eyes flashed with a sharp light.
The two people could no longer remain calm as their gaze kept patrolling and sweeping over them.
"Boss Lin, what do you think about this matter..."
"Just tonight, whoever explains clearly first, I can pretend you didn't do anything."
Lin Luochen's voice was playful: "But after tonight, if there is still something you two haven't made me understand..."
"It was President Lin Feng who instructed us to do this! Otherwise, how could two managers like us dare to make the final decision on such a serious matter as embezzling public funds!..."
"Yes, Mr. Lin!"
Seeing his colleague had confessed first, the other supervisor, who had been busy wiping his sweat, no longer dared to do so. The sweat began to pour down from the same place where he had been sweating before. "If it weren't for your uncle's warning, how would we dare to do that? Boss Feng said that headquarters will send an auditor soon. If we can make the accounts lose 18 million before then, then... then... you will be transferred out of the domestic market and leave here forever..."
"Bang!--"
Before the supervisors finished speaking, Mr. Lin, who had just been listening to their confessions with great interest, suddenly slammed the table for some reason after looking at the computer screen for a few seconds.
The cups on the table made a sound of porcelain chips knocking against each other, and even the computer shook violently.
Lin Luochen suddenly stood up from his chair, his gaze lingering on the computer screen for a second, and then he strode out.
"You guys go back first."
In an instant, General Lin disappeared.
“…”
The two managers looked at each other, so...why was it that after they had explained everything, President Lin was so angry?
What happened? ?
So, have they explained everything clearly before the end of the night?
On the computer screen, the live broadcast was almost coming to an end. The etiquette lady brought a few glasses of champagne to the stage. In order to celebrate the brand anniversary and the cooperation between Wei Ran and Ya Jie, the host suggested that everyone raise a toast together.
.
After raising a toast together, Wei Ran’s public activities for the day were over, but she still had to attend a dinner hosted by the brand.
But before she could change her clothes, Wei Ran felt something was not right.
In the lounge, Wei Ran was half leaning on the sofa, with the casual clothes he was going to change into scattered beside him. He tugged at his collar uncomfortably.
In this situation...his assistant...
Oh, and it seems his assistant was borrowed by a brand to move some things. He simply came back to this room to change his clothes, and the drug started to take effect...
What kind of medicine?
Wei Ran suddenly remembered the sip of champagne she had just drunk.
…
No way, has he been in the dark for too long and no longer understood the latest perversions in this circle? How dare they use such a public event...
His fingertips dug into the sofa, the skin on his knuckles turning pale blue, and Wei Ran tried to stand up and touch his phone.
But before that, the door of the lounge that he had locked was opened from the outside with a key, and Mi Minde's greasy face appeared in Wei Ran's sight.
"I heard Ah Ran wasn't feeling well, so I came to see what happened."
“…”
Wei Ran half-supported herself and gritted her teeth: "You did it."
Seeing that Wei Ran was not in a good state, Mi Minde simply turned around with a strange smile and locked the door.
"Alas, although Ah Ran, you have been very popular recently, but for a large international company like Yajie to cooperate with you alone, you don't even think about who is behind it."
Mi Minde approached Wei Ran and said, "What's the extent of the internal competition now? Putting aside the endorsement fees, you've also used our brand to do a lot of publicity, like today's meeting..."
Wei Ran had forced himself to stand up. Mi Minde knew that he was going to use his cell phone to call for help, so he took the initiative to throw the tool kit left by Wei Ran's assistant into the corner.
Wei Ran was extremely slender, with fair and delicate skin, and an astonishingly good-looking appearance. Mi Minde had been eyeing him almost from the moment he saw him for the first time.
He almost frantically browsed through all the Reuters and videos of Wei Ran, knowing how much a star who was once popular, then buried, and now finally had the chance to make a comeback would cherish such an opportunity, so from the very beginning, he had already decided to do this.
He continued, "Although you've already signed the cooperation agreement with Yajie, we're still discussing the subsequent promotional measures and how extensive the coverage will be... Wei Ran, you've finally become the spokesperson for the entire Asia-Pacific region. Don't you want your image to be spread throughout Asia?"
"If you want, I can put up your advertisements in all the commercial districts in Asia."
“…”
Wei Ran was feeling weak, hot and thirsty at the moment, and he even saw double when he looked at people, but he already understood what the other person meant.
It's simply because they think that he doesn't dare to fall out with them, but he might really want to take advantage of the brand... Judging from the other party's bold behavior, this is probably not the first time he has done such a thing.
"Heh." Leaning against the dressing table, Wei Ran half-bent her body, supporting the table with her hands. Her usually pale cheeks were now a shade of red, and her breathing was disordered.
Mi Minde finally revealed a smug smile and said, "Besides, you are already so old, and your children are that old too. It has come to this point, what else do you have to be reserved about?"
"You... dare." Wei Ran gritted his teeth.
Mi Minde didn't care: "Why should I be afraid..."
"Bang!"
"ah!"
A scream was heard from the lounge, and then the door opened again. Wei Ran opened the door with exaggerated movements and walked out panting.
Inside the room, Mr. Mi covered his lower abdomen which had been kicked hard and fell to the ground.
"How dare you mention Dudu."
This was the last sentence Wei Ran said before she left.
Wei Ran looks thin, but his early dream was to become a martial arts star, and he actually learned it. The free fighting and grappling techniques are almost engraved in his bones. No matter how weak he is now, he is more than enough to deal with a fat and bloated pervert.
As for Mi Minde's threats and inducements.
He still didn't understand Wei Ran well enough.
.
Today's event was obviously a grand one, but maybe because Mr. Mi was prepared, there was no one in the corridor.
Or perhaps it was because Wei Ran's brain was in a state of confusion that he unilaterally thought that a long time had passed, but in fact he had only taken a few steps with weak steps.
The drug was quite potent, and many things from the past flashed through Wei Ran's mind.
It seemed like it was a night like this, and someone was trying to frame him and take advantage of him, but Wei Ran didn't do it either.
From that day on, Wei Ran's reputation and fame took a sharp turn for the worse.
There were countless notices smearing him, and Wei Ran was facing a period of transformation and was in a lawsuit with his own agency. Not only did he not have his own operation team, but the unscrupulous agency was eager to trample him to death so as to take the opportunity to retaliate against him and blacklist him.
At that time, Wei Ran had just received his first action film, and he put all his attention on this drama. He didn't expect the show to bring any changes to his situation after it aired. He was probably the kind of stubborn person that Ji Yangyun described. He just wanted to make this drama a success, no matter how much pressure or how tired he was...
But after the filming was completed, he found out that she was pregnant with Dudu.
Then came the Lin family...
In short, many things happened.
It was as if everything was telling him that he was not suited to this line of work, so he should just quit. Wei Ran no longer had the strength to struggle, and ultimately had to say goodbye to the stage he loved.
…
Compared with that time, the current situation is really not worth mentioning.
Mi Minde is probably really like this. After watching too many recent Reuters photos of him, I really thought he was a sheep.
With his back pressed against the cold wall and his breathing steady, Wei Ran tried his best to stay calm and not lose consciousness.
But he seemed to be hallucinating.
He saw a face that was familiar yet already unfamiliar to him. The face was wearing a suit that looked unfamiliar to him, but with an expression of concern that was extremely familiar to him in his memory, and was running towards him in a hurry.
“…Wei Ran!”
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The author has something to say: It’s still 88 little red envelopes
By the way, this article is not long, and will quickly clear up misunderstandings. The focus is still on the daily life of raising puppies (being raised by puppies) [Lop-eared rabbit head]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
