My Virtual Girlfriend-Chapter 135: The Fourth Child (Extra Chapter for Alliance Hierarch "6 Stephen, Collapse on Three Fronts")

Chapter 135: Chapter 135: The Fourth Child (Extra Chapter for Alliance Hierarch "6 Stephen, Collapse on Three Fronts")

Or perhaps, they should apologize both publicly and privately to express their regrets?

Oh... They did apologize, but I didn’t accept it.

Then... they should also suffer!

After all, I am their senior, and they indeed caused some trouble!

Thinking of this, Director Zhang lamented that times had changed, and young people no longer respected their elders. He then made a phone call to his film company, "Xu Brothers Film Company."

At this point, both parties were essentially caught in a difficult position.

Lu Man and Mei Li were desperately trying to break through the encirclement.

But Director Zhang had no choice but to enforce the blacklist to the end!

Thus, that evening, before Lu Man’s press conference could even start, various film companies in the industry and many other people had already received the joint blacklist order issued by Director Zhang and Xu Brothers Film Company.

For a time, almost the entire industry received this message.

This was a clear signal.

Though the blacklist targeted Lu Man, it was also a warning to those considering helping her and those wanting to join her crew.

Instantly, the enthusiasm stirred by the high salaries offered by Mei Li was cooled.

Everyone started calculating: short-term versus long-term benefits, which to choose?

If they chose the short-term salary increase of 1.5-2 times but ended up blacklisted afterward, what then?

If they didn’t join Lu Man’s crew, and later realized that her group had grown and become a towering tree, what then?

For a moment, due to Mei Li and Director Zhang’s declaration of war, an undercurrent surged in the circle.

Everyone was quietly waiting for Mei Li’s response and press conference the next day.

What kind of backer had Lu Man found, what ace card did she have to dare confront Director Zhang?

Would Director Zhang back down?

Or... increase the intensity of the blacklist?

Everyone was watching with bated breath....

....

The next day, Friday.

At 2 p.m.

The first press conference of Lu Man’s Celebrity Studio was held in a five-star hotel conference room at Qin Island Oriental Movie City.

Chen Yan, Mei Li, and Lu Man attended as representatives of the company.

According to the original plan, Mei Li announced the establishment of "Lu Man’s Celebrity Studio" and "Chenlu Film and Television Company."

During the conference, Mei Li formally introduced Chen Yan for the first time, stating that he was the owner of a gaming company and had ventured into business with the financial and personnel support provided by his family. His debut game had achieved sales close to a million.

In collaborations with Lu Man, Chen Yan was impressed by Lu Man’s professionalism and talent, leading him to decide to invest in her.

Flashes constantly went off around Chen Yan as he tried his best to keep his eyes open and maintain a handsome smile.

After introducing Chen Yan, Mei Li focused on explaining the two newly established companies.

In her plans.

"Lu Man’s Celebrity Studio" would mainly manage artists, initially focusing on promoting Lu Man, but in the medium term, it would recruit more artists to leverage Lu Man’s popularity and resources to develop other new artists together.

"Chenlu Film and Television Company" would mainly engage in film investment, production, and distribution. Lu Man’s Celebrity Studio and Chen Yan had invested three billion yuan as initial capital to produce TV and movie projects.

The first film by Chenlu Film and Television Company had also been officially approved: "Heartbreak Twenty-Three Days."

The leading actress and undisputed star was, of course, Lu Man.

This made it clear to the attending journalists that the film company was established to promote Lu Man.

After discussing the two companies and a drama crew, Mei Li did not forget to promote one last time.

She stated at the conference that now with the establishment of the two companies and a drama crew, they were open to recruiting talents from all over society, with no cap on salary.

Once the three billion of initial capital was spent, another three billion would follow!

Hearing Chen Yan and Mei Li’s bold investments and actions, the journalists present were somewhat shocked.

Although they had received some insider news from Mei Li beforehand, it was nothing compared to the heavy news of today.

Especially the bold declaration of "spending three billion and then bringing another three billion" allowed people to feel the wealth and daring spirit of the individuals on the stage!

Subsequently, in front of Mei Li’s impressive ability to control the event, several journalists took turns asking questions, and Mei Li answered each one.

Some journalists asked about Chen Yan’s family background.

But Chen Yan, following the measures Mei Li had provided beforehand, only smiled and did not speak.

After the press conference concluded, its effects continued to spread.

The entertainment industry received the news the fastest.

Very soon.

Mei Li and Lu Man secured a major backer, then invested three billion in initial capital to independently produce a TV and film series, which spread throughout the entire circle.

Similarly, the recruitment by the two companies and the "Heartbreak Twenty-Three Days" crew spread further as the news travelled.

Spending three billion in cash upfront to promote a female celebrity, and adding another three billion if that wasn’t enough, such financially powerful patrons had become rare in recent years.

Thus, for a time, people enjoyed discussing it.

As for... the recruitment, because Director Zhang and Xu Brothers Company were pressing down, even though people were somewhat eager, they were still observing for now.....

...

Tiandu, Tianjing Garden.

At Director Zhang’s house.

Director Zhang had a visitor today.

The visitor was not tall, only about 1.6 meters, and appeared to be a shrewd man in his forties.

He was dressed in a suit that fit well, but for some reason, it seemed somewhat out of place on him, like a monkey in a suit.

Director Zhang was clearly familiar with him, and while making tea, he laughed and said, "Lao Xu, what brings you here today? No issues at your company?"

Xu Zhaoqing, the second boss of Xu Brothers Film Company, had established Xu Brothers Film Company with his elder brother.

After more than twenty years in the entertainment industry, witnessing its ups and downs, he remained a towering presence in the industry.

As Director Zhang was a filmmaker who had tied his fortunes to the two brothers from the start of his career, the three of them had a very good relationship.

Hearing Director Zhang’s words, Xu Zhaoqing sat on the sofa, loosened his belt, and then said, "Lao Zhang, I’m not here because I’m free, but because there’s serious business."

"Serious business?" Director Zhang paused while handling the tea leaves, laughing, "Don’t tell me you have a big film to shoot?"

"I just had a year of leisure. If you pull me out to film now, I might accuse you of exploiting your workers."

Hearing Director Zhang’s words, Xu Zhaoqing laughed and scolded, "What kind of worker are you? You’re also a boss, mind you."

"Your work is about making money for yourself, not laboring for others."

Director Zhang laughed heartily and then placed the tea leaves in the teapot while covering it and asked, "So, what’s the matter that brings you here?"

Getting down to business, Xu Zhaoqing’s expression turned serious.

He slightly furrowed his brows and said, "Lao Zhang, tell me the truth. You’ve always wanted to blacklist that... what’s her name, Lu Man. But are you sure you’ve checked the background of her and her behind-the-scenes sponsor?"

Hearing Xu Zhaoqing’s words, Director Zhang paused, then said, "I did."

"Lu Man’s family is pretty decent. Just a middle-class family from Magic Capital. Her parents are doctors, and the family owns a house, a car, and savings. Her entry into the entertainment industry was just an accident. Because of her family’s good conditions, she does not pay much attention to the rules of the entertainment world."

"As for... her behind-the-scenes sponsor."

Director Zhang frowned slightly and said, "I’ve looked into that too. But it feels a bit strange."

"His family is pretty much like Lu Man’s. Their family is local demolishees from Qin Island."

"I don’t know where he got a sum of money and then started making games."

"Now he has somehow gotten another sum of money, planning to invest in Lu Man."

"I guess, it’s probably money from selling his house."

After that, he asked, "What’s up? You’re asking about this, any problems?"

Xu Zhaoqing nodded, his expression turning grave, "Yes, there’s a problem. And it’s a big one."

Hearing Xu Zhaoqing’s words, Director Zhang stopped making tea and looked at Xu Zhaoqing, asking, "What do you mean?"

Xu Zhaoqing hesitated for a while, then said, "Lao Zhang, you know about Zhao Group, right?"

Hearing Zhao Group, Lao Zhang paused for a moment, then nodded, "Of course."

"One of the biggest large-scale conglomerates in our country. Spanning three generations. Its industries cover energy, healthcare, education, electronics, real estate, among others, a true behemoth."

"Their current boss is the third generation’s eldest direct son, Zhao Qingtian."

"He is ruthless and decisive. Compared to his father’s straightforward and generous management of the company, he’s more unpredictable and fearsome."

Xu Zhaoqing nodded, then said, "But about the fourth generation of Zhao Family, Zhao Qingtian’s children, do you know?"

Lao Zhang nodded again, "Of course, I know. It’s not a secret. He has two sons and one daughter. All have come of age and joined Zhao Group for training, reportedly the most promising are the second son and eldest daughter."

"There are rumors within Zhao Group that the successor will be chosen from these two."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhaoqing paused for a while.

Then he said, "What if... I told you that Zhao Qingtian actually has a fourth child?"

Director Zhang was surprised and dropped his jaw, "A fourth child?"

Xu Zhaoqing nodded, then said, "Yes, a fourth child."

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes reflecting reminisce, "We’re also part of the capital circle, aren’t we? Actually, I heard some rumors years ago... It’s said that Zhao Qingtian had an extramarital affair nineteen years ago, and then he fathered a child."

Director Zhang was dumbfounded, "An illegitimate child?!"

Xu Zhaoqing nodded.

Director Zhang paused, then asked in confusion, "But... what does this have to do with what we’re discussing today?"

Xu Zhaoqing said, "It’s said... that illegitimate child has always been living with his mother on Qin Island."

"For the sake of fighting for power, Zhao Qingtian didn’t acknowledge the mother and son for over a decade. After securing his position, though he still hasn’t officially acknowledged them due to family teachings, he goes to Qin Island every year for vacations to spend time with the mother and son."

Director Zhang, not being naive, looked at Xu Zhaoqing in astonishment, "You... are you implying that Lu Man’s behind-the-scenes sponsor is Zhao Family’s illegitimate child?!"

Director Zhang found it hard to believe, "That’s impossible! It’s too fantastical!"

Xu Zhaoqing opened his briefcase, took out several documents, and handed them to Director Zhang, "You can look at the background and work resume of the veterans at Chen Yan’s company."