Chapter 17 – The Simp Is Forcibly Loved by the Overbearing CEO 17

When it came to filmmaking, Lu Zihan was serious. He couldn’t stand the practice of making films not for the art, but just to make money.

“Director Wang, I may be inexperienced, but shouldn’t you reflect on yourself as well? Even a rookie like me can’t stand this script. Where do you get the nerve to ask for a 2 billion investment? You think I’m not qualified? There are plenty of qualified people here. Let’s have them judge! President Sheng, you’ve surely seen more masterpieces than Director Wang. Please, take a look at this work and see if it’s trash or a masterpiece for the ages!”

He handed the documents to Sheng Xiaoran, pleadingly.

In an instant, the hearts of both Wang Yunfei and Yan Qianqian leaped into their throats. Sheng Xiaoran disliked Bai Shuangyu, but he was equally serious about his work. He had always hoped for the domestic entertainment industry to develop for the better, rather than letting it become a playground for capitalists. Although he wasn’t a professional producer, his experience was no less than those who were. Without an eye for investment, Star Brilliance Entertainment wouldn’t be where it is today.

“It would be great if President Sheng is willing to help. After all, you are a professional.”

Shuang Yu also spoke up with a faint smile, asking for his help.

Sheng Xiaoran nodded, taking the documents and began to read them seriously.

It was over. Completely over. As if his last breath had been sucked out, Wang Yunfei collapsed onto his chair, utterly dejected. Cold sweat poured out of him, drenching him as if he had just taken a shower. Yan Qianqian was also panicking, but having lived two lives, her expression was well-controlled, showing no sign of her inner turmoil.

Sheng Xiaoran only skimmed through it before putting the documents down with a frown.

“This trash movie will absolutely not gross more than two million. The plot is a complete mess, and the content doesn’t even need 3D. Even fifty-cent special effects would be too much. You want two billion? Have you gone mad for money? Yan Qianqian, you want to act in a production like this? To be blunt, it will only ruin you.”

Acting professionally, he didn’t even spare Yan Qianqian. He now believed Bai Shuangyu’s words and was certain that Yan Qianqian was trying to secure funding privately. It was common for artists to accept private sponsorships. If she could secure it, that was her ability, and he wouldn’t object, unless it involved selling her body. As the company’s boss, Sheng Xiaoran usually wasn’t strict with Yan Qianqian’s management and didn’t restrict her choice of scripts. But if she were to choose a work like this, she might as well retire early.

“Oh, so it is trash… Director Wang, shouldn’t you explain yourself?”

Shuang Yu smiled meaningfully, his gaze fixed on Wang Yunfei.

“Th-this…”

The man stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

“Don’t make things difficult for Director Wang. Maybe his taste is just different from ordinary people?”

Gao Yiwen chuckled, seemingly helping Wang Yunfei but actually mocking him.

“My money doesn’t grow on trees either. It was earned through my dad’s hard work. I’m not some spendthrift, a Gary Stu to her Mary Sue, burning myself to light up others. I’m sorry, Director Wang, but I’m giving up on your project. Of course, don’t be discouraged. Miss Yan once said she owes you a favor and would definitely repay you one day. So even though the investor is gone, your handpicked female lead is definitely not going anywhere. Maybe a second collaboration between you two could create another miracle? The last one sent you both to the clouds. This time, maybe it’ll send you both into a cesspit?”

Shuang Yu said with a mischievous smile.

Having lost both face and substance, Wang Yunfei couldn’t possibly stay any longer. He cursed under his breath, grabbed the documents from the table, and stood up. “A bunch of blind fools who don’t know what’s good! If you don’t invest, plenty of others will. Just you wait, one day I, Wang Yunfei, will return to the top, and there will be a day when you’ll all be begging me!”

His words were full of bravado, but his escape was anything but slow.

[Ding, Malicious Spirit’s Resentment -10. Current Resentment: 75.]

Xiao Ai’s notification sounded in Shuang Yu’s mind.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Yan Qianqian, their gazes somewhat intriguing.

“I’m sorry, President Bai… I shouldn’t have blindly trusted Director Wang’s words. I thought he had really turned over a new leaf… I-I just wanted to repay him a favor…”

Yan Qianqian apologized with red eyes.

“You’re repaying a favor, and I’m footing the bill? Who am I to you? On what grounds? Miss Yan, although I used to like you, I didn’t like you enough to go bankrupt for you. In the future, for this kind of scamming business, please find someone else. Thank you, but no thank you.”

Shuang Yu didn’t give her any face, speaking coldly.

“Don’t say it so harshly. Qianqian just wanted to repay a debt of gratitude…”

Sheng Xiaojing couldn’t stand it and spoke up for her.

“Then why didn’t she go to your brother for help repaying the favor, instead of coming to an outsider like me? Does she really think I’m some kind of money-dispensing deity?”

Shuang Yu sneered in response.

The latter fell silent.

“I-I really didn’t know things would turn out like this. It’s all my fault… I’m sorry about this, President Bai. I will definitely make it up to you! I’m sorry, I’m suddenly not feeling well. I can’t dine with you all. Please excuse me!”

Yan Qianqian, with red eyes and a pale face, stood up, bowed to everyone, and ran off crying.

“Qianqian, Qianqian! Brother, go after her!”

Sheng Xiaojing urgently tugged at Sheng Xiaoran. But Sheng Xiaoran remained cold-faced and unresponsive.

“Xiao Ai, can you check Sheng Xiaoran’s favorability score for Yan Qianqian?”

Shuang Yu asked Xiao Ai.

[Yes, My Lord. Currently, Sheng Xiaoran’s favorability score for her is 65. It was originally 75, but it dropped by ten points after he saw the documents.]

Xiao Ai replied after checking.

Shuang Yu smiled and nodded. The trip was not in vain. He knew exactly why Sheng Xiaoran’s favorability for Yan Qianqian had suddenly dropped. He was starved for love, but he wasn’t an idiot. Yan Qianqian used repaying a favor as an excuse to connect the original owner and Wang Yunfei, and the reason the original owner was willing to invest was because she had promised to star as the female lead. But the estimated start date of filming on the documents clashed with Yan Qianqian’s schedule.

As her boss, Sheng Xiaoran naturally knew her schedule. Just recently, she had signed on for a web series, and the filming dates coincided with this terrible movie. So the question was, if she claimed to be repaying a favor, she must have been in contact with Wang Yunfei and would have definitely kept her schedule free. But she didn’t discuss this favor with Sheng Xiaoran and even deliberately signed on for another show. In that case, the so-called favor seemed a bit far-fetched. Even a fool could see that she was trying to scam Bai Shuangyu. When Wang Yunfei got the money, she would use her schedule conflict as an excuse to refuse the role, and the only one left to pay for this farce would be Bai Shuangyu!

Thinking this, Sheng Xiaoran lost his appetite. He had originally planned to ask Feng Yan for the surveillance footage, but now he felt it was unnecessary. Bai Shuangyu might not be a good person, but Yan Qianqian was not entirely innocent either. Sheng Xiaoran stared intently at Bai Shuangyu, trying to determine if today’s encounter was premeditated.

“President Sheng, I’m not that idle. Although I’ve decided to let go of this relationship, I’m not so magnanimous that I can watch you two be all lovey-dovey.”

Shuang Yu explained calmly.

“Qianqian and I are not in the kind of relationship you think we are. Why are you here?”

Sheng Xiaoran denied his relationship with Yan Qianqian and questioned Gao Yiwen.

He had reason to suspect that the two were in cahoots, and that on the night of the banquet, they had conspired to frame Yan Qianqian.

“What, does President Sheng even want to control who I make friends with?”

Gao Yiwen was not afraid of him and retorted with a sneer.

Since they both staunchly denied it and he had no evidence, there was nothing he could do. There was no point in talking further. Sheng Xiaoran stood up with a cold face. “Sorry, I just remembered I have work to do. Excuse me.”

“Brother, brother…”

Sheng Xiaojing was both anxious and angry. Finally, with a reluctant glance at Feng Yan, she stood up and ran after her brother.

Shuang Yu looked expectantly at Feng Yan, his meaning clear: Your friends are gone, so why don’t you hurry up and follow them?

The latter let out a seductive chuckle and said in a doting tone, “Eating with you is more to my taste. President Bai wouldn’t deny me a single meal, would he?”