Zhang Yun returned to the company and received congratulations from everyone before heading back to his office.
Cheng Lujin asked his assistant to distribute the local specialties he bought from Xiangtan to his other colleagues, and then followed them in.
"I just received a notification that the Gu Group is hosting a banquet the day after tomorrow evening, and he... has invited you."
Zhang Yun was sitting at the coffee table brewing tea when he heard this. His hand holding the teapot paused slightly, and after a moment he said, "It wasn't him who invited me."
"How do you know? Maybe he just returned to the country and wants to take advantage of the banquet to meet you?" Cheng Lujin said.
"This is his first public appearance since returning to China. It is a banquet where Grandpa Gu officially puts him out to represent him. It is also the first test he faces since returning to China. If he can embarrass himself at the banquet, many people will be happy to see it happen. Grandpa Gu will not let me, an unexpected person, appear at such an important occasion. Therefore, the person who invited me is someone else."
"The whole internet knew about how I helped my brother clear his name back then. Later, my brother changed his name, and the media didn't dare to offend the Gu family, so no one reported it. But with the Gu family's abilities, it would be easy for them to find out about my past relationship with my brother."
“My brother is too outstanding. Of course, those who don’t want him to inherit the Gu family business will panic. But with Old Master Gu around, they don’t dare to do it openly, so they can only resort to underhanded tricks.”
"You mean, they know about your relationship with Gu Chen, so they deliberately invited you to the banquet to use you against Gu Chen?"
Zhang Yun nodded. "Pretty much."
"Should we still go?"
"Of course I'll go."
"But what if those people use us..."
Zhang Yun picked up his teacup and smiled, "My relationship with my brother is what it is. Whether I go or not, I will be taken advantage of. Besides, they are taking advantage of me, but aren't I taking advantage of them as well?"
He took a sip of tea and looked at Cheng Lujin, "You don't need to come with me, so I won't have to take care of you."
“That won’t do! What if something happens to you?” Cheng Lujin said immediately.
"You're overthinking it. They wouldn't dare do anything to me. We've been separated for three years, and my brother and I haven't had any contact. They need to reconfirm my place in my brother's heart. So the banquet the day after tomorrow is just a test."
“If my brother shows that he cares about me, then they will know that I am his weakness. If my brother doesn’t care, then they have nothing to lose.”
"I'm not some minor celebrity that can be easily manipulated. Even if Grandpa Gu wanted to touch me, he would have to consider whether the price was worth it, let alone them?"
"Besides, it's not like I don't have teammates. Li Cheng will definitely be invited to the Gu family's banquet."
Cheng Lujin was taken aback, and said with a somewhat unnatural smile, "I almost forgot about him. Be careful and don't stray too far from Li Cheng."
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
After the conversation ended, Cheng Lujin made up an excuse and left.
Zhang Yun watched his departing figure and shook her head speechlessly, "These two have been sleeping in the same bed for two years and still haven't confessed!"
Two days later, at the venue of the Gu family's banquet.
Zhang Yun rode in Li Cheng's car with him. They are now comrades in arms and often attend various events together.
Netizens often joke that the two of them play good cop and bad cop in public, but they're actually in cahoots. There are also quite a few cult-like groups that ship them as a couple.
"President Li! Director Zhang!" As soon as they entered the banquet hall, someone came to greet Li Cheng and Zhang Yun.
Zhang Yun first directed and starred in the two-part "Wolf Warrior" series, which were box office hits. Then, this year's film "Titanic" became a classic, and even the US-based Universal Studios sent him a collaboration invitation.
In public, Zhang Yun has long been referred to as "Director Zhang," while people used to call him "King Zhang" or "Movie Emperor Zhang."
In the entertainment industry, "Heavenly King" and "Best Actor" represent the highest achievements an artist can attain. However, in the world of capital, using these titles carries a hint of contempt and disdain.
After all, these people are just chasing after celebrities. So what if they're superstars or movie emperors? They're just actors!
However, Zhang Yun is not only a celebrity now, he is also the second largest shareholder of Xingchen and a famous director, a walking god of wealth.
The world of capital is very realistic: whoever can make them money is their father!
Don't be fooled by their disdain for Zhang Yun, a shareholder, personally making money by acting in movies. They even spread rumors about his shady dealings with Li Cheng, which led Li Cheng to transfer 20% of Xingchen's shares to him. But all of that is just envy, jealousy, and hatred. They want to use this to belittle Zhang Yun and create a sense of superiority for themselves.
If they had Zhang Yun's looks and talent, they would probably want to step in and play ten roles by themselves, and not share a single penny of the money they earned with anyone else!
No matter how much they spread rumors and belittled him behind his back, they dared not speak too loudly in front of Zhang Yun, for fear of offending him.
After all, Zhang Yun's films have never had low box office returns, with "Titanic" achieving a total box office of 2.3 billion US dollars nationwide, breaking the world record for total box office revenue!
How many billions of dollars in dividends can these people earn in a year after working so hard to run their companies?
As soon as Zhang Yun says he wants to make another movie, these people will swarm around him like flies to meat. There are plenty of them who, despite their age, shamelessly call Zhang Yun "brother" and beg him to take them along!
Of course, there are also those who are truly powerful and look down on the little money Zhang Yun earns in the entertainment industry.
However, there are very few such people; there are no more than ten in the entire Xia Kingdom, and the Gu family is one of them.
In addition to prominent figures from the business and political circles of Haitan City, reporters from major media outlets were also present at this banquet hosted by the Gu family.
The fact that the heir of the Gu family has returned from studying abroad and is preparing to succeed as president of the Gu Group is such a big event that it should naturally be reported by the media.
Holding a glass of red wine, Zhang Yun was surrounded by a group of investors, who asked him when he planned to shoot his next film.
This scene is a bit awkward.
At the succession banquet for the Gu family's heir, the person surrounded and fawned over was not the protagonist of the day, Gu Shenzhi, but rather Zhang Yun, a supporting character who had been invited there through a conspiracy. This had a somewhat disruptive feel to it.
Not only Zhang Yun didn't expect this, but even the people who designed and planned it behind the scenes didn't expect it!
"Who is it? It's that big star Zhang Yun!" A shrill voice suddenly rang out amidst the crowd's flattery.
Everyone turned to look at this person, Gu Jinzhi, the son of the third master of the collateral branch of the Gu family.
The virtual screen in front of him automatically displayed the person's basic information. After reading the information, Zhang Yun chuckled and looked at the people around him, saying:
"I was busy filming and didn't pay much attention to the news. Who is this person? When did such a young talent suddenly appear in our industry? Or are you actually trying to get a role from me and are deliberately putting on a high-profile performance to attract my attention?"
"Congratulations, you succeeded."
Zhang Yun smiled and raised his glass to him, "In return, I can arrange a minor role for you in your next movie."
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.
"You!" Gu Jinzhi was furious, but she couldn't refute him.
He's neither a company CEO nor a celebrity; he's just a rich second-generation heir who lives off his family. The reason he's here today is because he's the son of Master Gu.
"Who do you think you are? Just an actor, yet you dare to mock the Gu family?" A heavily made-up woman next to Gu Jinzhi said coldly, seeing her brother's incompetence.
"Although you are being very impolite, I won't hold it against a pregnant woman."
These words stunned everyone around them!
Gu Zhiting is 30 years old this year. In order to manage the Gu family business, she has never gotten married and has never even had a boyfriend. How did she get pregnant?
"You!" Despite the thick foundation Gu Zhiting had applied, it couldn't hide her extremely unpleasant expression.
"What nonsense are you spouting! My sister doesn't even have a boyfriend, how could she be pregnant!" Gu Jinzhi, this pig-like teammate, lashed out at his own sister.
"You're spreading rumors! Bodyguards, get him out of here!"
"So this is how the Gu Group treats its guests. I've certainly learned something new today."
Zhang Yun smiled and said, "I'm busy preparing to shoot a series of movies starting next year, so I'd rather not attend this boring banquet. Goodbye."
Movie series!
That means there's more than one!
This is a big deal!
"Director Zhang, wait for me! I have something I'd like to discuss with you about a collaboration!"
"Director Zhang, me too!"
"Brother Zhang, look at me, brother!"
"Mr. Zhang, may I borrow your phone to talk?"
"..."
Even though the Gu Group is a behemoth they want to curry favor with, they hold themselves too high. There are few here who can match them. As long as they don't lose face and avoid incurring the Gu Group's wrath, that's enough. There's no better way than currying favor with Zhang Yun, who is a ready-made cash cow.
Just as the banquet was about to end in farce, a figure suddenly blocked Zhang Yun's path.
"The banquet has just begun tonight, and Mr. Zhang is already leaving. Isn't that a bit disrespectful to me?" Gu Shenzhi asked with a smile as he stood opposite him.
A glint of tears welled up in Zhang Yun's eyes as she met his gaze.
Their eyes met, and like fish struggling on the shore finding life-saving water, they eagerly intertwined and entwined.
Zhang Yun stared at him, her mind racing with thoughts... To onlookers, the two appeared to be locked in a tense standoff, ready to clash at any moment.
It wasn't until the bodyguards Gu Jinzhi had summoned approached that Zhang Yun calmed down and spread his hands, saying, "I didn't mean to target President Gu. It was your Gu family who insisted on kicking the guests out."
Liang Wenxu stopped the bodyguards and said coldly, "Go back. This is none of your business."
“My family members are being unreasonable. I apologize to Mr. Zhang on their behalf.” Gu Shenzhi waved his hand, and a waiter who had been waiting nearby brought over two glasses of champagne.
He picked up one of the glasses and said to Zhang Yun, "Mr. Zhang, would you do me the honor?"
Zhang Yun smiled, picked up another glass, and said, "Since President Gu has personally spoken, if I insist on leaving, it would be rather inconsiderate of me."
They clinked their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.
"Gu Shenzhi, what gives you the right to represent..." Gu Zhiting was indignant when Gu Zhensheng, the third master of the Gu family, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, slapped her across the face.
"You disgraceful thing, get back here right now!"
With media reporters present, if the news of Gu Zhiting's premarital pregnancy is brought up, it will inevitably damage the reputation of the Gu family.
What worries Gu Zhen most is whether the old man will use the investigation to remove his daughter Gu Zhiting from her position if the situation is found to be true.
If Gu Zhiting resigns, then he will be the only one from the third branch of the family to hold an important position in the Gu Group.
After all, his son Gu Jinzhi was really useless, while Gu Jianyun was just old, not blind.
After the minor farce ended, everyone resumed their casual conversation as if nothing had happened, some discussing business, others trying to get closer to each other.
"Did you hear from Mr. Zhang that he's planning to shoot a series of movies?"
From the moment Gu Shenzhi arrived to "apologize," he occupied the seat next to Zhang Yun, making a group of people who wanted to invest in Zhang Yun's film grit their teeth in envy. They wanted to squeeze over but were afraid of offending Gu Shenzhi.
"What? Mr. Gu also wants to play along with an actor like me?" Zhang Yun suppressed the laughter that was about to burst from his chest and exchanged sarcastic remarks with him.
“Mr. Zhang is an actor, but I’m a businessman. The ancients said that scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are all of similar status,” Gu Shenzhi said with a smile.
Zhang Yun couldn't help but laugh. "President Gu really knows how to talk."
"Does this mean Mr. Zhang has agreed?" Gu Shenzhi asked.
“The Gu family’s investment is something many people would kill for. If I were to refuse, wouldn’t I be incredibly ungrateful?” Using his position as cover, Zhang Yun winked at him playfully.
"...Then it's a pleasure to cooperate?" Gu Shenzhi paused for a moment before suppressing the urge to hug him and kiss him affectionately, and raised the wine glass in his hand.
"It's a pleasure to work with you."
Zhang Yun's wine glass clinked with his.
"Shenzhi, so you're here!" A well-dressed middle-aged man suddenly appeared, interrupting the two who were flirting under the guise of "discussing cooperation."
Gu Shenzhi quickly concealed the emotion in his eyes and said coldly to the newcomer, "Second Uncle."
"Come back with me once things are settled. The old man is looking for you," Gu Zhentao said with a smile.
Gu Shenzhi hesitated for a moment, but before he could speak, Zhang Yun smiled and said, "Then I won't take up any more of your time, Mr. Gu. Goodbye."
With that, he turned and left.
Gu Shenzhi watched as his tall, graceful figure was surrounded by people again, and his eyes darkened slightly.
"Zhang Yun is such an outstanding young man! If I had such a brilliant son, I'd be laughing in my sleep!" Gu Zhentao said with a smile.
"Heh~ Do you deserve it?" Gu Shenzhi sneered.
Gu Zhentao's smile froze, then his face darkened. "What do you mean?"
As Gu Shenzhi passed him, he whispered, "You haven't forgotten why my father had the car accident, have you? Second Uncle."
Gu Zhentao's breath hitched. He wanted to question him about his evidence, but found that Gu Shenzhi had already left.
After Gu Chen left, Zhang Yun dealt with the investors who came to get close to him and the celebrities who wanted to win his favor, and wandered around the venue somewhat bored.
He would occasionally drift past the small circle of Gu family collateral relatives, his bright eyes filled with anticipation.
Gu Zhiting was the most promising among the younger generation, but she was instantly defeated by Zhang Yun's words. How could these people dare to criticize Zhang Yun again?
One by one, they all started to act like quails from the bottom of their hearts.
(A member of the Gu family's collateral branch: Don't come any closer!)
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