Why the sudden talk of film investment?
Li Zhentao, a sharp man, immediately recalled Yuan Fenghui mentioning Li Mengjiao repaying a favour with a “guest role” in the future.
It didn’t sound like just a “guest role” anymore.
Glancing at Xu Mei’s filming setup, then at his daughter Li Mengjiao, who was chatting with Wen Ying and Wang Shuang, Li Zhentao’s mind raced.
If Mengjiao was serious about entering the industry, how could he ensure her safety?
Relying on a manager’s conscience or the goodwill of capital… neither was dependable. People change when the stakes are high. Even the most principled can turn ruthless!
The safest way was to use capital to protect his daughter.
“Teacher Yuan, film investment involves millions. I’ll need to confirm before I can answer you!”
This was a big deal, and Yuan Fenghui nodded with a smile, “I’ll await your good news, Mr. Li.”
Hopefully, General Manager Guan would keep his word.
If not, Yuan Fenghui planned to secure investment and produce a drama herself.
Working for others always had limitations. After being betrayed by her artists and company in Taiwan, Yuan Fenghui had long considered going independent. With years in the industry, she’d launched multiple stars, earned well, had sharp investment instincts, and her growing assets were enough to start a company.
She hadn’t done so because going solo required more than money; it needed connections. Bringing in partners to share the risk would give her more chances to succeed.
Yuan Fenghui looked at Li Mengjiao, her eyes full of ambition.
Li Mengjiao, unaware, was marvelling at Xu Mei’s transformation with Wen Ying, “It’s like she’s a different person!”
The girl was simply admiring Xu Mei’s new look, without any sense of being threatened.
Wen Ying glanced at Xu Mei’s filming site.
Everyone’s focus was on Xu Mei, but Wen Ying saw beyond the centre.
Professor Fang stood by the director, deeply invested in Xu Mei’s progress, staring at the camera, while Deputy Station Chief Duan had moved to the crowd’s edge.
Pan Li handed Duan a bottle of mineral water.
Duan took a few sips, said something, and Pan Li’s cheeks flushed as she smiled brightly.
In truth, Pan Li was prettier than Xu Mei.
Xu Mei was an unripe fruit; her glamour was crafted by the makeup artist, her intellectual image shaped by the company. Without them, Xu Mei hadn’t found her style.
Pan Li was different; she’d nailed her look.
Heavy makeup or mature outfits didn’t suit her. Pan Li was fresh, the kind of first-love face that stirred men’s hearts. Successful middle-aged men, tired of flashy women, couldn’t resist this youthful innocence that reminded them of their youth… with a young girl, they felt young again.
Deputy Station Chief Duan was in trouble!
Wen Ying’s judgment was easy to make.
Professor Fang was still oblivious.
Was she truly clueless or too trusting of Pan Li?
Probably confidence.
She believed she’d given Pan Li a life-changing opportunity, was her benefactor and backer, so Pan Li wouldn’t dare betray her.
Professor Fang was too naive.
When a knife was at her throat, ready to cut, would she forgive Pan Li?
Wen Ying shook her head, looking away.
Li Mengjiao was carefree, Wen Ying was distracted, and Wang Shuang was fretting: with such a display from the other side, Li Mengjiao wasn’t worried, but he was stressed out!
Different producers, different albums—Li Mengjiao and Xu Mei’s rivalry was usually subtle, but today it had broken into the open.
Who wants to lose?
Wang Shuang didn’t!
He figured Yuan Fenghui didn’t either.
Surely Uncle Li wouldn’t just accept this.
Three hundred thousand yuan wasn’t much; Li Mengjiao had earned over a hundred thousand from transferring her “Shrimp King” shares.
The issue was whether adding 300,000, or even 600,000, could secure a better team. Xu Mei’s edge wasn’t just 300,000 more in funding but Professor Fang’s husband, Deputy Station Chief Duan.
A provincial station deputy chief—Uncle Li might struggle to compete.
They weren’t in the same circle, with no business overlap. The people Duan could bring in might not be attainable even with big money, and there was a risk of being conned by amateurs. As they say, a different trade is a different world!
While Wang Shuang was worrying, Li Zhentao strode over, “Don’t leave after the recording. I’m taking you to dinner. Wang Shuang, call your dad and see if he’s free.”
Dinner was one thing, but inviting his dad?
Wang Shuang sensed this meal was unusual.
Li Zhentao turned with a smile, “Wen Ying, you’re coming too.”
Wen Ying nodded obediently, “I’ll follow Uncle Li’s arrangements!”
Li Zhentao was clearly addressing Li Mengjiao’s situation, how to counter Xu Mei’s provocative moves. Parents want the best for their kids. Li Mengjiao could be carefree, but Li Zhentao likely couldn’t tolerate it. Wen Ying was curious about his next steps.
That afternoon, Li Zhentao took Wen Ying, Li Mengjiao, and Wang Shuang to a city restaurant, booking a large private room ideal for dining and business, with a media room to distract the kids. Sure enough, all three were sent to the media room.
“We’ll call you for dinner. Watch TV to pass the time.”
Even the oblivious Li Mengjiao sensed something odd.
“What’s my dad up to?!”
Wen Ying and Wang Shuang were exasperated—only now was she catching on?
Wen Ying glanced outside. Besides Wang Jun, even Qin Xianming was there.
Li Zhentao was indeed discussing something big—and costly, likely stretching his finances, so he needed trusted, wealthy business friends.
Wen Ying felt a touch of envy.
Not for Li Zhentao’s rich friends, but for his devotion to Li Mengjiao.
Then she reconsidered. Though Old Wen wasn’t as wealthy, he hadn’t gone soft on Shu Guobing this time. Shu Guobing was in detention awaiting trial, and Shu Lu and Wen Hongyan had left Rongcheng for their hometown… In her past life, Old Wen would never have been so firm with the Shu family. This life, he’d made great progress.
Wen Ying’s mindset steadied, and she focused on eavesdropping on the trio outside.
The restaurant’s soundproofing was excellent, and with the TV on, Wen Ying only caught a few keywords.
“Investment” and “production costs.”
Li Mengjiao heard them too, and the usually carefree girl said dazedly, “Is my dad planning to fund my album?”
Could that be it?
Her dad had always opposed her entering the entertainment industry, which was why she only signed a one-album deal.
Why the sudden change?
Li Mengjiao wasn’t heartless, just carefree. She wasn’t foolish. Her dad’s shift had a cause—Xu Mei’s lavish filming setup today!
A father who adored his daughter opposed her entering the complex entertainment world yet wanted to give her the best conditions.
Li Mengjiao clasped her hands, sat on the sofa, head lowered, silent for a long time.
Wen Ying thought, with Wang Jun and Qin Xianming involved, Li Zhentao wasn’t just funding Li Mengjiao’s album.
“Forget eavesdropping. When Uncle Li finishes, he’ll tell us.”
Wen Ying turned up the TV volume, and the conversation outside faded.
In the main room, Li Zhentao explained the gathering’s purpose. Wang Jun and Qin Xianming were silent for a while.
Finally, Wang Jun rubbed his nose, “We’ve been friends for years, and you rarely ask for anything. I’ll support you, but think carefully. Do you really want Mengjiao in the entertainment industry? Her talent show was just a kid chasing excitement. After the fun, she should return to normal life!”
Though not filthy rich, Li Zhentao was well-off in Rongcheng. Wang Jun didn’t know why others let their kids enter the industry, but if Wang Shuang wanted in, Wang Jun’s first thought would be that it’s frivolous.
If Wang Shuang insisted, Wang Jun might let him try.
As a boy, Wang Shuang wouldn’t face much harm.
But if Wang Shuang were a girl with such ambitions, Wang Jun would block it fiercely. If he couldn’t stop her, he’d rather break her legs and keep her well-fed at home than agree!
Men understand men’s minds.
A fresh, vibrant young girl in such a complex environment—Wang Jun wouldn’t condemn the industry entirely; there were good, skilled people. But many wolves in human skin prowled, preying on naive young girls!
When Li Zhentao raised this, Wang Jun thought he’d been swayed by Li Mengjiao’s persistence and needed a reality check.
Li Zhentao gave a wry smile, “Brother, I thought the same at first. Kids love excitement, let her play and settle down. But Mengjiao isn’t just playing. She loves this, loves being on stage, in the spotlight. She says she’ll listen to me and her mum, but as her dad, I’m not blind to what’s in her heart.”
Calling Wang Jun and Qin Xianming wasn’t just about outdoing Professor Fang.
This had been weighing on Li Zhentao’s mind.
Should he keep his daughter under his wing, living a safe, ordinary life, or help her soar, letting her live a vibrant, extraordinary one?
Li Zhentao wanted the former.
But his choice might not be what Li Mengjiao wanted.
Before Wang Jun and Qin Xianming wasn’t a corporate leader with thousands of employees, but a middle-aged father, worrying about his growing child’s future!
Li Zhentao’s voice was low, tinged with emotion, “Mengjiao isn’t like Qin Yi or Qin Jiao. She’s never been dumb, but not the brightest. Homework needed supervision, and she’d dawdle, but dance lessons at the youth centre? She was never late, not once!”
