DLARLB CH85.2
Back at school, Lin Chengdong’s father and son, as well as Bai Yingchuan, were still the center of the students’ discussions.
The two desks in the front diagonal position were empty.
Teacher Song didn’t mention Lin Lu, but Jiang Ruotang knew Lin Lu wouldn’t be returning to school.
As for Bai Yingchuan, Teacher Song implied that to avoid being gawked at and disturbed, he would likely self-study at home after being discharged from the hospital.
The widespread discussions were soon dispersed by the second mock exam.
When receiving his report card, Jiang Ruotang’s hands trembled. The difficulty of the second mock exam had escalated from the first, as if designed specifically to crush confidence.
Jiang Ruotang kept his eyes tightly shut, as if opening them would cause Sadako to crawl out of his report card.
Lu Guifan sighed helplessly. “If you don’t look at it, the score will still be there, neither increasing nor decreasing.”
Jiang Ruotang opened one eye. He had barely scored 501, nearly 20 points lower than last time, and he was initially a bit discouraged, but unexpectedly, his class ranking had actually risen?
Jian Sha, who was nearby, said calmly, “The first mock exam checks your foundation, and the second one fills in gaps, so it’s naturally harder. The score isn’t important; what matters is the ranking.”
Jiang Ruotang leaned closer to Lu Guifan and asked, “Then I still did pretty well, right?”
Lu Guifan didn’t speak. He raised his hand, and Jiang Ruotang was prepared for his face to be mercilessly pushed away, but to his surprise, Lu Guifan’s hand covered the top of his head, pulling him closer.
Unfortunately, Jiang Ruotang’s reaction was half a beat too slow. Before he could feel the other’s chest, Lu Guifan released his hand.
Ah, how could he do that?
Jiang Ruotang was very disappointed. This was simply like Jiang Taigong fishing: the fish took the bait, but the fisherman didn’t want the little fish anymore.
Jian Sha also scored very well, with a total score of over 640. It seemed her mood wasn’t affected by the infringement case. Although the results of this case would probably only be released after the college entrance exam, Jian Sha believed in “karma” and “what goes around comes around.”
Even Zhao Changfeng looked at his report card with an incredulous expression: “Holy crap? I actually scored 408 points? I broke four hundred! Oh my god, I’m the top student on our basketball team!”
Jiang Ruotang and Jian Sha both had black lines on their faces. With only a 54% scoring rate, he was a top student?
Don’t make the school basketball team the intellectual black hole of Beicheng Guangyao!
That evening, Xiao Gao picked up Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Changfeng and delivered news: Lin Chengdong’s shares had been acquired by the Qin family, meaning the Qin family now held five percent more shares than the Jiang family. Elder Qin Hao was about to become the new chairman of Huanyu Film and Television.
A shareholder meeting was scheduled in two days. If the resolution passed, the chairman would be changed.
Jiang Ruotang had already prepared for this.
Zhao Changfeng, on the other hand, was completely baffled. “How did Lin Chengdong fall, and Dad’s chairman position is gone too?”
For this, Elder Qin even specially called Jiang Huaiyuan and Zhao Yunshu, saying that his grandson, Qin Zhan-chao, had returned from studying abroad, learned some theories, and wanted to show off. He had secretly negotiated a price with Lin Chengdong—a sky-high price—almost emptying the family’s liquid assets!
Elder Qin had already severely reprimanded Qin Zhan-chao, but the price was already agreed upon, and Lin Chengdong was in urgent need of money. Now, Qin Zhan-chao’s willingness to pay this sum was considered saving Lin Chengdong from dire straits, allowing him to pay his fines.
Jiang Huaiyuan actually didn’t care whether he was chairman or not; he just wanted to make movies.
However, if he, this incompetent leader, were to abdicate, the projects he wanted to undertake in the future might not receive the same resource allocation from Huanyu Film and Television as before. The board of directors, after all… they catered to whoever held power.
Zhao Yunshu also played along with Elder Qin, knowing that even if they were unhappy, they couldn’t openly break ties. But for such a matter, she and Jiang Huaiyuan discussed it and felt they still had to inform Jiang Ruotang.
It was exactly noon when Jiang Ruotang had just returned his meal tray to the window when he received a call from Zhao Yunshu, telling him that Huanyu Film and Television’s shareholder meeting had just concluded, and all shareholders overwhelmingly supported the Qin family.
After listening to Zhao Yunshu’s recounting, Jiang Ruotang smiled faintly.
“Elder Qin’s move is very clever—the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.”
Zhao Yunshu hadn’t expected Jiang Ruotang to see through it so clearly and could only sigh. But after these past few months, Zhao Yunshu also understood Jiang Ruotang’s character. “Your useless parents couldn’t keep your throne.”
“Hahaha…” Jiang Ruotang was amused by Zhao Yunshu. “Mr. Zheng was introduced to me by you. Mother, how vast my territory is, it’s not decided by Emperor Father or Empress Mother; it’s carved out by me. Besides… you already had a clear idea, right?”
Zhao Yunshu was also amused by Jiang Ruotang. Now, recalling all of Jiang Ruotang’s investments, she couldn’t help but sigh, “You really think long-term.”
“Actually, my dad doesn’t like dealing with complex interpersonal relationships among shareholders. He likes making works, being a pure director. You also don’t like dealing with this CEO and that CEO. Anyway, you both have your own company, so why not just run your family business well, starting with ‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion,’ and make what you want to make, without being constrained by Huanyu Film and Television? If you really run short on funds, your son has plenty of money.”
Currently, Jiang Ruotang’s net worth already amounted to several large sums, not to mention that Little Sweet Fruit was now forming a tripod with Qilin and Yunfeng. Even his other investments allowed Jiang Ruotang to lie back and collect dividends. For him to provide money for Jiang Huaiyuan’s films was merely pocket change.
Seriously, influenced by Jiang Ruotang, Zhao Yunshu was very tempted.
She had long wanted to quit being that bothersome auditing director; in the end, she was just working for others.
Why bother with all the micromanaging and making herself disliked when she could just lie back and wait for the money?
“I just don’t know if the Qin family… will continue to… scheme against us?”
“They won’t. Elder Qin knows what kind of person my dad is. The Qin family wants to stabilize public opinion. If my dad willingly steps down and still gets schemed against by them, what will other shareholders think?
They would definitely think the Qin family is greedy. So, the benefits they give you will only increase, not decrease, and Elder Qin won’t want to become the subject of gossip. Moreover… I heard that Qin Zhan-chao is actually quite capable.”
In his previous life, after Lin Chengdong became chairman and renamed Huanyu Film and Television to Huanyu Entertainment, Qin Zhan-chao was the most formidable challenger on the board.
He was young, capable, and wanted power, so why not let him have it?
Jiang Ruotang’s open-mindedness also put Zhao Yunshu at ease.
Putting his phone back in his pocket, he looked up and saw Lu Guifan waiting for him not far away.
He immediately put on a wronged expression and rushed over, taking the opportunity to hug Lu Guifan’s waist from behind. His exaggerated acting was straight out of an 8 PM melodramatic breakup scene.
“Class president, my dad is no longer the chairman of Huanyu Film and Television… My throne is gone…”
After saying that, Jiang Ruotang deliberately rubbed his face against Lu Guifan’s back twice.
Hehe, so fragrant.
Feeling the force around his waist and the warmth radiating from his back, Lu Guifan’s shoulders and back subconsciously tensed.
He slowly adjusted his breathing, then raised a hand and patted Jiang Ruotang’s hand, before covering it.
“Is that so? You were smiling very happily when you hung up.”
“Everyone else thinks I want to ascend the throne, so I have to pretend to be a little pitiful.”
“Alright, what kind of comfort do you want?”
“Bubble tea and a small cake?” Jiang Ruotang looked up at the back of Lu Guifan’s neck.
“I’ll order it for you.” Lu Guifan took out his phone and actually ordered takeout for Jiang Ruotang.
Jiang Ruotang then released his grip. At that moment, his breathing clearly became smoother, but Lu Guifan felt a sense of emptiness.
From not far away, Jian Sha’s voice drifted over, “Are you two doing your ABO act again? Isn’t it sickening?”
“Coming, coming!”
Not long after, the change in Huanyu Film and Television’s shareholding also made news in the industry. It was widely rumored that Jiang Huaiyuan had lost his chairman position because he was too close to Lin Chengdong and possibly involved in problematic activities, being dragged down by Lin Chengdong.
On Sunday, during a family meal, Zhao Yunshu was somewhat annoyed. “Elder Qin isn’t coming out to explain these rumors. Isn’t that obvious?”
Zhao Changfeng looked up, asking confusedly, “Obvious what?”
Jiang Huaiyuan lowered his head, looking somewhat sad. “Nothing. There’s less than a month until the college entrance exam. You two shouldn’t worry about other things.”
But Jiang Ruotang didn’t give much face and directly explained to Zhao Changfeng, “Elder Qin is weakening Dad’s influence to consolidate his grandson’s position.”
“Oh.” Zhao Changfeng thought for a moment and then said, “But running a company isn’t like making movies. What influence could Dad have?”
Jiang Huaiyuan coughed, feeling a little heartbroken at being jabbed by his sons.
“The most important thing is that these rumors have caused two of the original investors for the ‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion’ project to hesitate and adopt a wait-and-see attitude. They mean to invest only after Lin Chengdong’s case is clear. They’re afraid your dad also made ill-gotten gains with Lin Chengdong and will end up in jail with him!”
Zhao Yunshu raised an eyebrow, glancing at Jiang Huaiyuan.
Jiang Huaiyuan hastily clarified, “I didn’t! I didn’t!”
Immediately after, both Zhao Yunshu and Jiang Ruotang burst out laughing.
After dinner, Jiang Ruotang knocked on Zhao Yunshu’s study door and walked in.
“Mom, about the funding you mentioned…”
“I know your Tangyun Culture Investment has made a lot of money, but Little Sweet Fruit’s self-produced animations are very expensive, right?”
“‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion’ is also a great project.” Jiang Ruotang frowned slightly, lowering his eyes to look at the relevant documents. “Is it Qin Zhan-chao who’s tripping you up?”
“Understandable. A new official takes office with three fires. This project didn’t even pass in Huanyu Film and Television originally, and your father is no longer the chairman. Others have to kowtow to Qin Zhan-chao, so of course, they won’t vote in favor.”
“So, if this project doesn’t get investment, Elder Qin’s goal of suppressing my dad will be achieved.” Jiang Ruotang curved his lips into a smile. “We still need to give them a warning. My dad is a highly influential director with box office appeal, yet they treat him so lightly. Since they don’t want to make money, then let’s give the money-making opportunity to other companies.”
Zhao Yunshu tilted her head, looking at him.
Jiang Ruotang just smiled faintly. With just that smile, Zhao Yunshu knew Jiang Ruotang had a plan.
That very afternoon, Mr. Zheng called Qi Yanfeng of Hongtian Borui to discuss “Drunken Immortal Pavilion,” stating that it was his junior sister’s project, and he was confident there were no issues; the costs and various expenses were transparent and real. He hoped to facilitate cooperation between the two parties.
On the other end of the phone, Qi Yanfeng lowered his eyes, his other hand holding a fountain pen, lightly tapping the paper, the ink slowly spreading.
“Mr. Zheng, although your company was established not long ago, it’s involved in major undertakings and earns substantial profits. You’ve also been diligently working for big bosses before. Your Tangyun Culture Investment Co., Ltd. should have major shareholders behind it, right? And you’re just holding the shares on their behalf, you’re their spokesperson. I’m very curious, who is so bold and far-sighted to manage Gao Cheng and Dai Ming, and to enable Little Sweet Fruit to break through the encirclement of Qilin and Yunfeng, the two major video platforms?”
Zheng Huasheng chuckled, “CEO Qi is a discerning person, but knowing yet not speaking is also etiquette in business, isn’t it? What’s more, Ah Ze only earns money with us, he doesn’t suffer any losses.”
The mention of Qi Yanzhe infuriated Qi Yanfeng.
That brat was so arrogant now, whatever he said, Qi Yanzhe would reply, “I’ll ask my brother.”
The key was, after all this time, Qi Yanzhe, who normally couldn’t keep a secret, hadn’t mentioned his brother’s name at all!
Was that normal? Absolutely not!
But Zheng Huasheng was right. Qi Yanzhe’s twenty million yuan was now worth over nine figures, earning more money than his own elder brother, which made Qi Yanfeng almost lose his standing at home.
When problems arose, the two elders of the Qi family would even say things like, “Why don’t we let Ah Ze ask his brother?”