Chinese entertainment industry has been booming since 2008.

Chapter 191 Laughing and Crying

After hanging up the phone with Dong Chengpeng, Zhang Yang made a note of it on his schedule.

Poaching is something that can't be rushed. You have to give the other party time to process and weigh the options, and you also have to give Sohu room to react.

After all, Zhang Chaoyang was no pushover either.

This poaching attempt is likely to cause quite a stir.

After confirming that Dong Chengpeng would be joining Xingchen Entertainment, Zhang Yang began to consider casting other characters for "Lost in Thailand".

Zhang Yang wasn't worried about Wang Baobao at all; there was absolutely no way something would go wrong.

Zhang Tong has been confirmed as the female lead. For the role of the mistress, Zhang Yang plans to cast an actress with a very "bitchy" or "slutty" vibe. After much consideration, Zhang Yang thinks Liu Yan is a good fit.

However, since Dong Chengpeng has already poached Liu Yan, Zhang Chaoyang is unlikely to let her go.

If he can't handle Liu Yan, Zhang Yang wants to find Hai Zao from the TV series "Dwelling Narrowness," who is also Li Nian.

The remaining roles can be used to give favors to people in the company.

Suddenly, Zhang Yang's phone, which was next to him, began to vibrate. When he looked at it, he saw that it was Liu He calling.

"Mr. Zhang, Ye Weiming's men went to Xuewei Beer's largest raw material supplier today. I secretly filmed their conversation in the private room. Would you like to hear it?"

"explain."

"The other party demanded that the supplier settle all outstanding payments with Xuewei Beer. In return, Ye Weiming promised to offer them more favorable cooperation terms after acquiring Xuewei."

At this point, Liu He paused, then continued, "The suppliers were initially hesitant, saying they had cooperated with Xuewei Beer for many years and it wouldn't be appropriate to kick them while they were down. Ye Weiming's people, on the other hand, threatened that Xuewei Beer was about to go bankrupt, and that they should be smart and choose sides early."

Upon hearing Liu He's report, Zhang Yang tightened his grip on his phone, his eyes turning icy cold.

Is the video clear?

"It's clear; the faces, voices, and conversations were all recorded. I even filmed them stuffing a thick envelope into the supplier's hand, which was probably a deposit."

"Save it, don't touch it yet."

"Understood, but Mr. Zhang, Ye Weiming's methods are ruthless."

Zhang Yang naturally understood what Liu He meant, but he didn't care much. After all, Xuewei Beer was about to be sold, so what could Ye Weiming do no matter how ruthless his methods were?

"Liu He, keep an eye on Ye Weiming's movements and let me know if there are any new developments."

After hanging up, Zhang Yang called Liu Yifei again.

Meanwhile, Wang Like was also talking to his mother on the phone.

"Xiao Ke, how have you been lately?"

Hearing his mother's voice on the microphone, Wang Like couldn't help but tear up.

But she didn't want her mother to worry.

I suppressed the urge to express my grievances.

He said in as calm a voice as possible, "It's alright, Mom. Why do you ask that?"

After hesitating for a moment, Wang's mother finally spoke up: "Xiao Ke, is it true what's going on online about you and that director named Zhang Yang?"

Tears welled up in Wang Li's eyes and streamed down her face. She wiped them away with her sleeve, looking somewhat flustered, and said nonchalantly, "Mom, that's all just paparazzi reporting nonsense online. It's all lies."

"Xiao Ke, if you feel wronged, tell your mother. Your mother will always be your strong support."

"Mom, don't worry. I'm at the peak of my career right now, focused on my professional life. Why would I be thinking about dating?"

Wang Like's words relieved her mother: "Xiao Ke, don't think I'm being long-winded, but I don't think Zhang Yang is a good man. Be careful to keep your distance from him, don't let him deceive you."

Wang Li Ke felt bitter inside after hearing his mother's words. At this point, it was too late to say anything.

Wang Like was already deeply involved, and getting out would be too difficult. He sighed inwardly, but deliberately sounded impatient: "I know, I know, I'm not a child anymore, and I don't like people like him. I prefer older men."

"Being too old isn't good either. It's best to find someone around your age, someone considerate, kind, and without a generation gap."

Mrs. Wang kept talking on and on.

Little did she know that every word she uttered was an execution of Wang Like.

Before we knew it.

She cried again.

Perhaps it is a mother's care that makes people vulnerable.

The tears flowed more and more fiercely.

No matter how I wipe it, it won't dry.

Afraid that his mother would hear the sob in his voice, Wang Like quickly made up an excuse to end the call: "Mom, I have to go now, I have a call coming in."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Like sat alone on the sofa, lost in thought.

The room was empty and deserted.

Before we knew it, it was already afternoon.

Boom boom boom!

The knocking startled Wang Like awake, and he instinctively asked, "Who is it?"

A rough male voice came from outside: "The dumpling shop downstairs is delivering dumplings."

The dumpling shop downstairs?

Wang Like was genuinely confused. She hadn't ordered dumplings, so she said with some doubt, "You delivered to the wrong place, didn't you? I didn't order dumplings."

The gruff voice continued, "I didn't deliver it to the wrong place, this is the place. Please come out and meet me."

After hesitating for a moment, Wang Like finally decided to accept the dumplings. The reason she had this idea was that Zhang Yang might have ordered the food for her.

Thinking of this situation, Wang Like opened the door, and then she saw a familiar yet annoying face.

"Surprise!!"

The man outside the door grinned, revealing a mouthful of bright white teeth.

Looking at Zhang Yang's face, which she both loved and hated, and remembering her mother's previous instructions, Wang Like suddenly felt wronged and her temper flared up.

"Is it fun to tease me? Do you think it's funny?!"

Seeing Wang Like's sullen face, Zhang Yang's smile vanished, and he explained, "Alright, I was wrong."

After saying that, he didn't give Wang Like a chance to speak and gave her a passionate kiss.

"Ugh!!"

"hiss!!"

Zhang Yang quickly released Wang Like.

It hurts, it really hurts.

Although a little annoyed, Zhang Yang didn't do anything outrageous. Wang Li was a living, breathing person with a temper; he was just biting him.

"Hey, be gentler next time, you bit my lip so hard it's bleeding."

Wang Like, still not satisfied, grabbed Zhang Yang's arm and said fiercely, "I'll bite you to death!!"

As she spoke, she took another big bite, as if to vent all the grievances she had suffered during this period.

However, as she was biting, she let go on her own.

When she looked up again, her pretty face was full of tears.

Why did you have to mess with me?!

Zhang Yang had no answer to Wang Like's words and could only give an awkward laugh.

Of all Zhang Yang's women, Wang Like was not his favorite, but she was the most sensible.

Marry Wang Like?

Zhang Yang had never even considered it.

Therefore, Zhang Yang responded to Wang Like's question with a passionate kiss.

Wang Li struggled desperately, but his strength waned.

A few minutes later, she took the initiative to hug Zhang Yang's head, hugging him tighter and tighter, and the two of them were wearing less and less clothing.

Since there is fire in my heart.

Then let it all out!!

For a very long time.

The room returned to calm.

Zhang Yang leaned against the bed and whispered sweet nothings to Wang Like.

Once she regained her senses, Wang Like nestled obediently in Zhang Yang's arms like a kitten, occasionally stealing glances at Zhang Yang's profile.

At this moment, Wang Like regretted his impulsiveness earlier; he shouldn't have bitten off so hard.

Zhang Yang gazed at Wang Like's fair and pretty face and said with heartache, "Like, you look haggard."

Wang Like avoided his gaze and said petulantly, "Hmph, it's none of your business."

Zhang Yang pulled Wang Like closer to him in a domineering manner and said seriously, "You're my woman, how can it not be my business?"

"You have plenty of women, you don't need me."

"I..

'

Zhang Yang couldn't continue. How could he answer that? Was he supposed to just be his mistress?

Although this was Zhang Yang's inner thought, it was clearly not appropriate to say it now.

Given Wang Like's current age and mindset, even if she doesn't say it, she can't possibly accept it if Zhang Yang speaks up.

Therefore, Zhang Yang felt that what he needed to do for now was to proceed gradually.

Not wanting to dwell on the matter any longer, Zhang Yang decided to shift his attention. There are many ways to do this, but Zhang Yang chose the most direct one.

"Don't touch me!"

"Waaaaah!"

"I was wrong!!"

In the following days, news about Zhang Yang and Xuewei Beer continued to spread online.

Due to the continued efforts of Ye Weiming's online trolls, various negative stories about Xuewei Beer and Zhang Yang have emerged one after another.

But Zhang Yang's strategy was clear: don't get entangled, don't respond, and focus on doing his own thing.

The promotion of "Swords of Legends" is proceeding in an orderly manner, with exquisite stills, interesting trailers, and interactions between the main actors gradually attracting the audience's attention.

The ratings for "The Myth" have started to plummet because Lu Su's character was written out of the show in the eighth episode, and the overall reputation of the series began to decline sharply, with many people disliking the character Yi Xiaochuan.

This made Brother Hu very frustrated, but he could only feel angry in silence.

Zhang Yang has been mainly communicating with Zhang Chaoyang of Sohu about Dong Chengpeng's contract issues these past few days.

Actually, Dong Chengpeng's contract didn't have much penalty for breach of contract. However, Zhang Chaoyang, as a senior figure in the internet industry and the head of Sohu, still needed to be given face. Otherwise, it would cause trouble for Xingchen Entertainment's film and television promotion in the future.

In the end, Zhang Yang and Zhang Chaoyang signed several gentleman's agreements, which allowed Dong Chengpeng to transfer to Xingchen Entertainment. As for Liu Yan, Zhang Yang didn't mention her because he saw Zhang Chaoyang's somewhat unpleasant expression.

On January 10, 2010, Dong Chengpeng officially signed with Star Entertainment.

The signing ceremony was low-key and took place in the conference room of Star Entertainment. Zhang Yang, Dong Chengpeng, the legal counsel, and several senior executives were present.

Dong Chengpeng's contract terms are very generous: a base annual salary, a year-end bonus, a director training program, and a guarantee of hosting "The Voice of China".

When Dong Chengpeng signed his name, his hand trembled slightly. He really hadn't expected Zhang Yang to treat him so well.

"Da Peng, welcome to the team."

Zhang Yang shook hands with him and said with a smile, "Take a look at the script for 'Lost in Thailand' first. You'll be the male lead, and like our company's Director Tian, ​​you'll also be credited as the assistant director of this film to learn the entire production process."

Hearing Zhang Yang's words, Dong Chengpeng blushed with excitement, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhang! I...I will definitely learn well and act well!"

"in addition..."

As he spoke, Zhang Yang handed a proposal to Dong Chengpeng: "This is the initial concept for 'Men's Diary,' a series of short online dramas. Take a look and let me know if you have any ideas. If you think it's feasible, I'll give you the project to work on."

Dong Chengpeng opened the proposal and his eyes widened. It detailed the style, positioning, and content direction of "Men's Diary," and even listed some possible jokes and guest stars. It was as if it was tailor-made for him!

Dong Chengpeng stammered, "Director Zhang, this...this...I, I will definitely do a good job!"

"Don't get agitated. I, Zhang Yang, never mistreat my own people."

As he spoke, Zhang Yang patted him on the shoulder: "Starry Sky Entertainment has a huge platform and many opportunities. Your talent will definitely be showcased here."

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhang!"

After seeing Dong Chengpeng off, Zhang Yang received a call from Zhang Yi.

On the phone, Zhang Yi sounded exhausted: "Yangyang, the raw material suppliers are demanding payment. The company only has enough money in its account to pay this month's salaries. People from the bank have also come and hinted that they might have to withdraw the loan early."

"Where's Dad?"

"Dad is at the factory, busy with the audit team dealing with the return of that batch of products. He hasn't had a proper rest for several days."

At this point, Zhang Yi paused, sighed, and continued, "But Dad told me to tell you to focus on your Starry Sky Entertainment and not worry about home."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang felt a lump in his throat. His father and brother were protecting him in their own way.

"Brother, just hold on for five more days. Things will take a turn for the better on January 15th."

"What are you going to do?"

"Do what I have to do."

After saying that, Zhang Yang hung up the phone.

He walked to the window and looked down at the bustling traffic below.

Behind the city's prosperity are countless struggling businesses like Xuewei, countless entrepreneurs like Zhang Dahai enduring hardship, and countless ordinary people like those workers worrying about making a living.

However, some people only care about taking advantage of the situation and kicking someone when they're down.

Zhang Yang took a deep breath, turned on his computer, and began writing a long article.

The title is simple: "About Xuewei, about responsibility, about this era."

He didn't use fancy words or sentimental expressions; he simply recorded: Xue Wei's development over the years, the beginning and end of this incident, her father's guilt and determination, the workers' confusion and perseverance, and also the methods and faces of those who took advantage of her misfortune.

He wrote: "We acknowledge that Xuewei has problems. We will rectify what needs to be rectified, compensate what needs to be compensated, and sell the factory if necessary. This is the price to pay for doing wrong."

But in this process, I saw something even more terrifying than the health issues: some people were eager to destroy a company, some people were quick to convict before the truth was clear, and some people treated a tragedy as a carnival feast.

Xuewei may fail, but the words "brewing with conscience" will not. Because conscience is not on the brand, but in people's hearts.

I believe that after the cold winter, spring will always come, and every conscience that did not die out in the cold winter is the first seed to sprout in spring.

After finishing writing, he saved the document but did not publish it immediately.

He is waiting.

Wait until January 15rd.