A grand feast for the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 79 Peach-Faced
Reminder: Chapter 4 from yesterday was taken down, but it has been edited and released. If you missed it yesterday, remember to check it out to avoid any plot inconsistencies later on.

***
Lin Jianlu couldn't remember when she fell asleep.

When I woke up, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was her eyes again.

Dazzling lights and beaming smiles.

"morning!"

"morning!"

"How long have you been awake? Or... haven't you slept all night?"

She shook her head, but then suddenly smiled and said, "I slept for a while."

"Does it still hurt?"

She blushed immediately and shook her head, "It doesn't hurt much anymore."

"Why can't you sleep? Is it because of pain?"

She shook her head again, smiling shyly, "Actually, I'm a little... not used to having other people sleeping next to me."

"Ah...single syndrome."

"Huh? What are you arguing about?"

"Nothing much, I'm getting up to wash up and then go for a run. Want to go together?"

She shook her head. "Not today. I'm afraid it will still hurt. You go for your run, I want to sleep a little longer."

So Lin Jianlu got up.

After washing up, I felt refreshed.

He has recently increased the amount and intensity of his exercise and has also started to gradually reduce his food intake. The results are good. The little bit of fat that was about to appear on his body has gradually disappeared, and he seems to have exceptionally high energy every day. Even though he has recently started having sex, he still feels that his body is gradually reaching its peak again.

It’s great to be young!

…………

She really did fall asleep again.

But she was a light sleeper. When Lin Jianlu swiped open the door and came in, she heard a soft moan coming from the bedroom. Peeking in, she saw her stretching—her hair was disheveled, her eyes were dreamy, but she was smiling at her. The sheet had slipped down, revealing a white bowl. "I was just dreaming about you, and then you came back!"

Lin Jianlu smiled and said, "I'm going to take a shower first!"

However, she followed her in and squeezed into the shower area, which was about one square meter in size, next to the bathtub.

The water was splashing, and both of them felt slippery.

Suddenly, I got excited and slid inside.

She still called out in that same low, seductive voice, as if she had never been taught.

After getting ready, we went to have breakfast together, and then went to the company together.

She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying everything that happened today.

She clearly didn't sleep well yesterday, but today she looked exceptionally radiant, and there was almost no moment when she wasn't smiling—smiling when making eye contact, smiling while eating, smiling while walking, and even smiling while driving.

After arriving at the company, she responded to everyone who greeted her.

Many people were surprised when they saw her.

To the staff at Rolling Stone Records, she seemed like a completely different person today—a smiling, sweet-looking Chen Shuhua with bright, sparkling eyes, her cheeks always rosy and radiant.

This was completely unlike her previous taciturn and gloomy demeanor.

Su Huilun was fine at first, but she arrived late. The first thing she did after arriving was to find Lin Jianlu. As soon as they met, she pulled Lin Jianlu aside and whispered, "I don't hurt anymore! Do you want to try again?" A little while later, she saw Chen Shuhua bring up three cups of coffee. Lin Xilei's cup was given to her, and she only stared at Chen Shuhua for a few moments before she couldn't help but lightly punch Lin Jianlu twice.

Even someone with no relevant experience could probably guess something from Chen Shuhua's face right now.

Chen Shuhua just kept her head down and drank her coffee without saying a word.

…………

Practice singing.

Record the instrumental track.

Recording the audio again and again.

Su Huilun rolled her eyes during lunch. She was dressed all in white today, a white sleeveless T-shirt paired with a white skirt, looking very innocent and pure.

When no one was around, she poked Lin Jianlu's chest with her finger. "Satisfied? Happy? You're such a lecher, a womanizer, and so annoying! You're the most womanizer ever!" Her little face looked aggrieved. Finally, she pulled open Lin Jianlu's T-shirt from his shoulder, stood on tiptoe, and bit his shoulder hard, leaving a tooth mark!
Extremely vicious.

Lin Jianlu simply hugged her tightly, letting her vent her emotions.

She's not fierce at all; on the contrary, she can be adorably silly from time to time.

Since they met, she seems to love to outwit and banter with Lin Jianlu, but she always loses. Yet she continues to enjoy it the next time. In fact, she loses to almost everyone she meets.

She had previously mentioned that she had appeared on Zhang Fei and Fei Yuqing's show twice, but she always made a fool of herself. Her brain was not as quick as her mouth, and she was not like Chen Shuhua, who looked like a quiet and gentle lady with enough experience and status. So when she appeared on Taiwanese variety shows like "Dragon Brothers and Tiger Brothers" and "Super Sunday", she would always be tricked by the hosts.

However, it's not necessarily a bad thing, as it makes her just as entertaining on television.

Her ability to smoothly transition from a somewhat vague image in the music scene to a "pure and innocent" image this year is inseparable from her usual unconventional, brave, and "foolish" personality.

…………

The teaching and recording went smoothly.

The second day was for a book signing.

First in Taipei, one show in the morning and one in the afternoon, then head to Kaohsiung for another afternoon show – even more extravagant than Lin Chien-lu originally anticipated. The "Cold to the End Million Celebration Edition" includes a CD with twelve songs including "Gift," a videotape with music videos for eleven songs, studio footage of "Gift," and a large poster, priced at a whopping NT$1199!
That's almost $40! That's over 300 RMB!
But ironically, it is said that before Lin Jianlu even arrived, just one week after its release, the "Celebration Edition" had already sold more than 30,000 copies in Taiwan alone. When it came time for the autograph session, the scene was packed with people. Lin Jianlu's arms were so sore from signing autographs that he could barely lift them, but there were still many people there. The people of Taiwan really don't lack money!
The signing in Taipei had just begun, and as Lin Jianlu continued signing, he gradually turned into a signing machine, rarely even looking up at people. He just kept swiping away, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice call out, "Brother Lu!" He looked up, smiled, and casually signed, "Wishing you all your dreams come true and a debt-free life!"

She took it, glanced at the signature, and smiled sweetly.

But they were quickly guided away by the staff.

When signing the contract for the afternoon session in Taipei, Su Huilun suddenly appeared, causing cheers from the audience. The media even reported on it extensively the next day, and the "talented man and beautiful woman" narrative once again made headlines in many newspapers.

She has always had a good reputation in Taiwan, while Lin Jianlu, although he has only recently risen to fame and has always liked to talk nonsense, has certainly attracted some criticism, but has an excellent reputation among fans. The more casually and jokingly he admits to things, the less the media and fans take his scandals seriously.

On the other hand, how could someone have been romantically linked to several girls in just a few days? It's obvious that the media is just making things up again, and it's not worth believing!

He had dinner with Su Huilun that evening, and the two of them even allowed reporters to take pictures of them without any hesitation.

Su Huilun even took Lin Jianlu's arm, tilted her head, and made a "V" sign with her other hand, looking incredibly cute.

Then, head to Kaohsiung.

After signing three contracts, my arm felt like it didn't belong to me anymore.

…………

Having been in the industry for a long time, Lin Jianlu has visited Taiwan many times. Moreover, since Rock Records is located here and it is an important market, he stays for quite a while each time he comes, ranging from half a month to more than a month. Over time, he has accumulated many acquaintances and friends here.

Basically, every time they come here, there's a constant feast.

Needless to say, this includes those within Rolling Stone, as well as singers, songwriters, producers, musicians, record company owners, radio and television program hosts, and so on, all outside of Rolling Stone.

He even knows several TV drama producers, directors, and actors.

He has his own rules for these kinds of drinking and dining parties: for parties with acquaintances, he either goes alone or brings Chen Shuhua along; for parties with friends, he didn't bring anyone before, but this time he brought Su Huilun along. He especially makes a point of bringing along program hosts such as Zhang Fei, Fei Yuqing, Wu Zongxian, and Yu Chengqing.

We're all industry insiders, we know each other's worth. You're a successful singer, but I'm a host just as well. So, if you come on my show to promote yourself, I'll definitely respect you. But you also have to cooperate with me to teach you a lesson so I can create the desired effect for my show. Otherwise, you're nothing!
Even if you become famous all over Asia, my show won't be afraid of you!
However, if you are a very capable person, and we have fought on my home turf and ended up evenly matched, or even if you are more impressive than me, then fine, I have to admit that I must give you some leeway, because I can't beat you! We might even become friends after this fight, considering each other confidants and good friends.

At this point, the concept of "face" comes into play.

I may not give Su Huilun much face; we're just cooperating normally. But since A Lu brought you here, and we ate and chatted together, next time you come on the show, I'll give you a break out of respect for you and make you laugh in a gentler way, while also giving you a little more praise!

Socializing!
That's how connections are built, little by little.

After a few meals, the entertainment industry in Taiwan understood: Su Huilun was Lin Jianlu's person!

Back when her record label was with Zhuque Culture, she was not only at the bottom of the singer circle, but also when she went out to promote her music, she was treated like a nobody. The host could say whatever they wanted to do to her, and she could only cooperate and let her appear on camera and show her face, which was considered to be helping her promote her music.

Later, he went to Rolling Stone. Firstly, his status in the industry improved. People in the same industry at least had to give face to Duan Qirui of Rolling Stone and dared not do anything too outrageous. Secondly, even if he went to variety shows, people would give face to bigwigs like Luo Dayou and Li Zongsheng, as well as to his old friendships, even if they didn't give face to Duan Qirui. So, they would show him some consideration.

Now, there's an added obligation to give Lin Jianlu face.

Just like in Hong Kong, Ge Fuhong alone could save Liang Yongqi a lot of trouble, but an agent is just an agent after all. With the added influence of Lin Jianlu, basically no one in the industry would deliberately set traps for her.

For someone who's in the underworld, this already reduces 90% of the trouble!

Who would risk offending a super-powerful new king with a ton of friends just to mess with a little girl?

Then... let's socialize!

(End of this chapter)