Chapter 116 – Zhuang Wenduan

“The Zhong family has probably sensed something,” Yan Shengping said, hiding the smile in his eyes and patting Lin Ganzhi’s head reassuringly. He continued, “The chip that was supposed to be launched in three months, the Zhong Corporation has moved it up by two and a half months. That leaves our company with only two weeks. We must break through the final barrier within these two weeks, then go public and hold a press conference. If the Zhong Corporation seizes the initiative, we will lose over eighty percent of our customers.” Yan Shengping put it mildly. With research costs being so high these days, pulling out capital would mean bankruptcy.

“Does the Zhong family know that Zhuoshi is your company?” Yan Shengping had told Lin Ganzhi the name of his current company before.

“Not yet, but they’ve become suspicious. Their plan has shifted from seizing the market to targeting Zhuoshi. On one hand, they’re investigating Zhuoshi’s background, and on the other, they’re heavily promoting the launch of their new chip in the market. Based on my understanding of the current Zhong Corporation, they have almost no team capable of developing it. It’s because of this technological gap that we’ve been able to seize so much of the market recently. Therefore, I don’t rule out the possibility that the Zhong Corporation is trying to drag Zhuoshi down with them. If the Zhong Corporation’s research results are a failure, customer trust in our company will also plummet.”

So that’s why he had to work such long hours? Hearing this, Lin Ganzhi’s dislike for the Zhong family deepened. It was bad enough that they had worn Yan Shengping’s body down, and now they were coming to pressure him!

“Yan Shengping, I hate them so much!” Lin Ganzhi said miserably, burying his face in Yan Shengping’s shoulder.

Yan Shengping hummed in a low voice. He knew Lin Ganzhi was worried about his health. He had been accompanying him these past few days and couldn’t be driven away. But oddly enough, he found Lin Ganzhi’s clingy behavior very enjoyable.

“So be good. It won’t be this tiring after this period is over. When my body has fully recovered, I’ll take you traveling,” Yan Shengping promised.

The environment Lin Ganzhi lived in during his past life didn’t support such dreams, so he would often subconsciously mention traveling to Yan Shengping. He never expected that Yan Shengping wasn’t just paying lip service but had actually taken it to heart.

“Okay, you promised, you can’t go back on your word!” Lin Ganzhi childishly hooked his pinky finger with Yan Shengping’s right hand.

But as they hooked their pinkies, a certain Mr. Yan got carried away and kissed him until he fell back onto the bed.

***

While Yan Shengping was swamped with work, Lin Ganzhi unexpectedly received a call from Zhuang Wenrui, the assistant director of “Survive!” and a director hailed as a genius among the new generation in the domestic film industry. They hadn’t seen each other since the filming of the second episode in the rainforest. Lin Ganzhi hesitated for a moment before answering the call.

“Lin Ganzhi, do you have time to meet up? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about,” Zhuang Wenrui said without any airs. It was the first time Lin Ganzhi had ever received a call from a director of Zhuang Wenrui’s caliber, both in his past and present life.

“May I ask what it’s about? I have some family matters to attend to recently,” Lin Ganzhi said tactfully. Although Zhuang Wenrui had a good relationship with Zhong Jingyi, he had never made things difficult for Lin Ganzhi and the others because of it, so Lin Ganzhi’s impression of him wasn’t bad, but he treated him as just an ordinary colleague.

“I want to cast you as the lead in my next movie. I wonder if you would grace me with your presence for a meal?”

When Lin Ganzhi heard this, he was stunned for more than ten seconds. During his time lazing around at home, he had watched all of Zhuang Wenduan’s films. He was completely deserving of his genius title; from the plot to the filming techniques, everything was impeccable.

And someone like that was asking him out for a meal?

What did he see in him? His ability to catch fish or climb trees?

After some thought, Lin Ganzhi eventually agreed. Whether he continued to work in this industry or not, it was always good not to offend people. Although he often joked that half the entertainment industry was his anti-fans, that was only temporary. Once Yan Shengping’s company officially went public, not to mention himself, Yan Shengping would definitely have to clear his name of past injustices. During this period, he couldn’t hold Yan Shengping back.

The place for the meal was chosen by Zhuang Wenduan. It was a rather private kitchen, with each table separated by a private room, and the soundproofing was also good. Many people in the industry liked to eat here.

“I didn’t expect you to actually be willing to come out. I thought you would reject me directly, especially since even when that stubborn, hot-tempered Director Liu personally invited you, you only gave him a ‘maybe’,” Zhuang Wenduan said, pouring Lin Ganzhi a cup of tea while dressed in a modified Tang suit. Lin Ganzhi quickly said thank you.

“At least for now, I don’t have any plans to. But I’m very curious why you would invite me to act in your film. Is it because I’m better at climbing trees than the average actor?” Lin Ganzhi asked bluntly.

Zhuang Wenduan was amused by Lin Ganzhi’s words. He rarely laughed so openly outside. In the variety show, because of his director status, he didn’t chat and joke much with the guests. With this laugh, Lin Ganzhi’s nervousness also eased a lot.

“It’s not wrong for you to think that. The actor in my next film does indeed need that skill, and there are quite a few fight scenes. But when I choose actors, I mainly go by whether they’re pleasing to the eye. To be frank, I went on these two variety shows to scout people. Otherwise, why do you think Zhong Jingyi would participate in such a thankless variety show?” Zhuang Wenduan said frankly.

Lin Ganzhi was stunned. Wasn’t he one of his fan club leaders? Why was he now calling him by his full name?

“Uh, I thought you were good friends,” Lin Ganzhi said rather cryptically.

Zhuang Wenduan didn’t seem displeased by this at all. Instead, he said bluntly, “My association with Zhong Jingyi is entirely dependent on Luan Yuanzhou. Does that make a bit more sense to you?”

Holy crap!

Lin Ganzhi’s mind immediately concocted a prime-time soap opera. He was getting more than his fill of gossip today.

“Uh, yes,” Lin Ganzhi said, forcing himself to remain calm by taking a large gulp of tea.

Zhuang Wenduan’s eyes narrowed slightly, looking just like a fox. He instantly noticed the change in Lin Ganzhi’s expression. “You’ve misunderstood. Luan Yuanzhou and my family are prestigious families, we’re just brothers who grew up together. If his type were cleaned up and put in my bed, it would only make me lose my appetite.” Perhaps because they were acquaintances, Zhuang Wenduan became a bit more animated and mischievous when talking about Luan Yuanzhou, like a lazy fox recounting the embarrassing stories of his rival.

Lin Ganzhi was mortified. What great brothers they were!

But now he knew that after Zhong Jingyi and Luan Yuanzhou had a falling out, the fans who used to surround him had also become fake fans.

It seemed today’s outing wasn’t a waste after all.

“This is the script. You can take it back and have a look. You don’t have to reply to me so quickly,” Zhuang Wenduan said, taking the script out of his bag and pushing it in front of Lin Ganzhi. Lin Ganzhi lowered his eyes and glanced at it, for the time being having no intention of touching it.

Zhuang Wenduan’s eyes darkened. So what Old Liu said was true.

“Before you go, can I ask you a question? Do you hate acting?” Zhuang Wenduan’s sharp eyes looked directly at Lin Ganzhi.

Lin Ganzhi’s gaze flickered away for a moment. Did he hate acting? When he was a student, his teachers would all say he was born to be an actor. He also got into the best university with the third-highest score in the country on the arts college entrance exam. Later, any professor who taught him would undoubtedly praise him for his talent, resilience, and willingness to work hard. It seemed as if the whole world was constantly reminding him, “You were born to do this.” And now, at this age, someone suddenly came out and asked him if he hated acting?

Back then, because of poverty, he had found a talent and wanted to climb up desperately so he could feed himself. Later, his talent harmed him, and his efforts betrayed him. Now that his life was gradually getting better and he could feed himself, could he go back and find a seed in the mud and replant a pure flower?

“I don’t hate it, but I’m not sure if I still truly like it,” Lin Ganzhi said frankly.

Zhuang Wenduan looked at Lin Ganzhi for ten seconds and then suddenly smiled. “Why do you sound like a scumbag? So fickle, but not quite willing to let go.”

Lin Ganzhi didn’t speak, but his expression also turned cold. His youthful, round face, when frowning, didn’t look annoying at all, as if he were seriously contemplating the matter.

“I sincerely want you to act in this movie. I can’t guarantee anything else, but I can definitely bring you the greatest honor an actor can receive. The words spoken on that stage carry more weight, don’t they?” Zhuang Wenduan smiled. He didn’t elaborate, but Lin Ganzhi understood immediately.

Even if it was for Yan Shengping.

In the end, Lin Ganzhi gave Zhuang Wenduan a “maybe.” Zhuang Wenduan was a very goal-oriented person. He bluntly gave Lin Ganzhi a month to consider. If he decided to do it, he would join the cast. If not, then it would be as if he had never said anything, but they would never have the chance to cooperate in the future.

Lin Ganzhi was still a bit out of it when he got home. He wanted to find Yan Shengping right away and talk to him. He now subconsciously wanted to rely on Yan Shengping when he encountered problems.

But Uncle Yan told him that Yan Shengping wasn’t at home.

“The master went to the company not long after you left, Ganzhi. His current company. It seems the current research is undergoing experiments in the lab, so he’ll be at the company for the next week. The master also told me to tell you to go to bed early today and not to wait for him. He might not be back tonight.”

Lin Ganzhi was a little disappointed to hear this, but he never thought of disturbing Yan Shengping over this matter. Anyway, he still had a month, so he could calm down and think about it himself.

Although he said that, the lonely Lin Ganzhi couldn’t help but go find Wenren Yi and Lu Xi to hang out after two days. He couldn’t help it; at this juncture, they were the only ones who were free. Recently, Yan Shengping had been leaving early and coming back late. Lin Ganzhi only felt someone holding him while he was sleeping in a daze, and by the time he woke up the next day, the person was gone.

“You, you said that Zhuang Wenduan asked you to be in his movie?” Even Lu Xi, who had just entered the industry, knew of Zhuang Wenduan’s great name. He was so shocked that he almost dropped the coffee in his hand.

Lin Ganzhi took a large bite of cream and nodded.

Even Wenren Yi couldn’t help but praise, “I underestimated you before, Ganzhi. What’s there to hesitate about? Just pack your things and join the cast!”

Lin Ganzhi forced a smile. Indeed, to outsiders, this opportunity was like a pie falling from the sky, with no reason to refuse. Perhaps only Yan Shengping, the only one in the world who knew his secret, could understand his hesitation. It wasn’t that he was unwilling, but rather the fear buried deep in his heart, like a wound wrapped in gauze. No matter how good the medicine was, the pain of changing the dressing was not something that could be endured in an instant.

“Hmm? Is that Zhong Jingyi sitting outside?” Wenren Yi’s gaze locked onto someone on the terrace.

Lin Ganzhi followed her gaze and saw a man wearing a mask and sunglasses sitting outside. Although he had done a good job of keeping a low profile, after spending so much time together on the show, Lin Ganzhi recognized him at a glance.

“What’s a big star doing in such a crowded place?” Lu Xi said, not understanding.

Lin Ganzhi only glanced at him. Just as he was about to look away, a man walked out from around the corner and headed towards Zhong Jingyi. Lin Ganzhi looked carefully and found him more and more familiar.

“Wait a minute, I’m going out for a bit,” Lin Ganzhi said, grabbing his mask and heading outside.