Chapter 158 – An Emotionless Money-Making Machine

Chapter 158 - An Emotionless Money-Making Machine

Zhou Weichuan's gaze fell on the advertisement flyer in Tang Fei's hand. She didn't hide it from him, and he could read some of the words. Upon seeing Meng Gao and Nie Xiangyin's names, he understood that Tang Fei knew everything.

Someone had told her.

With such a commotion outside, it wouldn't have been long before she found out anyway.

It was just that he didn't know how to explain it.

Zhou Weichuan: "You already know."

Without waiting for Tang Fei to ask, Zhou Weichuan admitted it directly. He had intended to keep it from her until he resolved the issue, so he could support her in creating a more profound work with a higher chance of winning awards.

Their intentions were aligned.

It was just that an unexpected incident had occurred along the way.

Tang Fei looked at Zhou Weichuan, surprised to see a hint of grievance in his expression.

She wasn't even the one playing the victim here!

After bullying her, the boss is the one feeling wronged? Tang Fei looked away, afraid that she would become angry and softhearted again.

"Is what it says here true? That Immortal Melody's Six Realms was not declined due to insufficient sincerity on their part, but because Nine O'Clock Entertainment wants to use me as a display of sincerity to recruit talent? Is that right?"

She was merely a bargaining chip, a tool for others' use.

As the company's top actress, she enjoyed boundless glory and everything seemed perfect.

But all that beauty was only possible under the absence of conflicts. When faced with a clash of interests, that beautiful illusion turned into an unrealistic painting from afar.

Tang Fei felt that she should be furious, but there was also a strange voice in her head telling her that when it came down to profits, anyone would do the same.

Indeed, anyone would make such a choice. Why did Zhou Weichuan's actions bother her so much? Was she upset or just deeply pained?

How could her value as an actress, a small artiste of a subsidiary company, compare to the influential directors and filmmakers that the parent company aimed to attract?

Her perceived status had been inflated in her mind, and this revelation seemed to bring her back to reality.

Tang Fei held the flyer, not bothering to look at Zhou Weichuan again.

Zhou Weichuan replied, "Yes, it's true. It's their strategic move as a couple. They've officially announced it, but I'm working on a solution. My original intention has always been to have you act in more substantial productions. I haven't agreed to it yet."

"Have you thought of any way out? Can you tell me? If I haven't agreed, I don't have to take the role, right?" Tang Fei seemed to regain some hope.

Zhou Weichuan responded, "I haven't figured out how to avoid taking the role... I'm trying to find a way that satisfies both sides."

"If I can't back out, does that mean the contract is signed? How could it satisfy both sides? Can I split myself in two? Would they be willing to use just half of me?

This suggests that I terminate the contract, saying that if I do, many would be willing to pay the termination fee. I could negotiate with a new company to establish my own studio and become my own boss. What do you think?"

Was Zhou Weichuan just trying to placate her?

Yes, probably.

A win-win situation sounded too good to be true. The flyer mentioned that Director Mi Hai from Mi Hai Studio was in charge of casting, and he never worked with actors who frequently took time off for commercial activities.

Those with formal training were favored, while non-professionally trained actors had to be exceptionally talented.

Despite her commitment to multiple projects and lack of formal training, Mi Hai must be out of his mind to consider hiring her?

Zhou Weichuan said, "Tang Fei, I only received this news yesterday. It's not that I can't think of a solution, but time is simply too short. Our collaboration has been enjoyable, so please don't rush into terminating our contract. Can you wait a bit longer for me to come up with a plan?"

Zhou Weichuan was confident that Tang Fei wouldn't fare as well after parting ways with Time Culture, but he decided on a more subtle approach. He knew Tang Fei well enough to realize that praising himself while disparaging other companies would only provoke her further.

"Give me some time. It's better to work with someone familiar. You could even establish your own independent studio, and Time Culture will support you."

Tang Fei stepped in before closing the door behind her. "Time is necessary for both of us to ponder. Let's each explore our options and make a decision at the next visitation day."

Zhou Weichuan watched the closed door, knowing that, for him, the visitation day had effectively ended early.

"Alright, see you at the next visitation day then."

Zhou Weichuan waved goodbye to the door before turning to leave.

The door suddenly opened again.

Zhou Weichuan turned back with a hint of a smile, wondering if there was still a chance.

Tang Fei: "Wait, return the book to me. Please ask He Zhou to come back as soon as possible. Let someone else handle the business matters. He needs to help me publish these valuable books."

Zhou Weichuan's smile faded gradually, looking slightly hurt. "Don't you trust me even in this?"

Tang Fei: "Boss, I do trust you professionally, but this is a personal matter. I believe it's better to keep work and private life separate."

Zhou Weichuan sighed deeply, dejected. "Alright, I'll arrange it right away."

The door closed again. Zhou Weichuan let out a long sigh, slowly turning around and then slowly looking back. His pace was sluggish, but the door remained shut.

...

Alone in her room, Tang Fei buried herself under the covers. She realized that the heartache from the previous breakup might have been just a bit of helplessness. She hadn't been truly devastated; it had only been a temporary distraction, not a complete rejection.

Today felt like the real blow. All those subtle feelings between them were merely her overthinking and one-sided affection. The system had always said he was just a businessman, and she was a commodity, yet she had allowed her heart to stir, nurturing a seed that had silently taken root.

Fortunately, it was still early, and there was still time.

Jiang Xiaoying returned with vitality, only to find Tang Fei looking listless. She couldn't help but ask, "Sifu, weren't you happy during your break today?"

Tang Fei sat up from the bed. "Little Ying, have you ever had conflicts of interest with the company? If it were you, what would you choose?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoying sensed the gravity of the situation and lay down on the bed. "I don't have a choice, but they wouldn't dare go too far. They'd always compensate me in some other way."

Was even someone backed by her grandfather as helpless as this?

Tang Fei replied, "Even you can't act freely."

Jiang Xiaoying asked, "Sifu, what's wrong? Did Time Culture do something?"

Tang Fei said, "They made me take on a role I don't want to play."

Jiang Xiaoying sighed. "Ah, debts of gratitude, temptation of money, exchanges of interests—there's always some reason that forces you to take on roles you're not willing to play. Back then, I envied those who worked independently, but later I found out that they face these issues too. In any case, there's no escaping it in this industry.

Now, I've learned to accept it. As long as it's not too unbearable, I just close my eyes and do it."

So she was the exception; even Little Ying had gone through such experiences.

Tang Fei: "Is it too naive of me to just want to act in the roles I truly desire?"

Jiang Xiaoying: "Master, this is the dream of every actor with an independent mindset. It's just that reality doesn't permit it.

After all, every company has its flaws. Capitalists are, well, emotionless profit-making machines.

The freedom to choose comes only when you become the investor yourself."

Tang Fei: "Does it make me seem foolish for having feelings towards a capitalist?"

Jiang Xiaoying: "Master? You mean... No way! Right? Please say it's not true!"

Wow, what an earth-shattering revelation!

Jiang Xiaoying's mouth gaped wide, her eyes nearly popping out.

She then promptly crossed the room to stand by Tang Fei's bed. "Master, please don't have feelings for Zhou Weichuan. He's more robotic than a machine without emotions. He's the robot among robots. One of my best friends has had a crush on him since childhood and even chose to study abroad in the same city just to be near him."

Upon returning to the country as an actress, she'd accept any role for a nine o'clock show, regardless of the terms. On her eighteenth birthday, when she confessed to Zhou Lengxue, he instructed his assistant in front of her that they wouldn't collaborate at nine o'clock anymore.

Since then, her birthdays were marred with gloom, and she eventually stopped celebrating them altogether, opting to switch careers and move abroad.

Remember my friend Lu Chang? She was a renowned beauty with great potential in the industry a few years back. She pursued Zhou Weichuan for a year, only to end up with a disappointing conclusion.

All our friends suspected that Zhou Weichuan might have some issues with romantic relationships. Maybe he's emotionally detached?

Apart from my friend, one of his fashion design classmates overseas also tried to win him over, as did a female director from his previous production company. He publicly rejected them all, causing quite the embarrassment.

Pursuing him is like courting disaster. His rejections are ruthless, leaving no chance for further interaction. Heartless, indeed. He's never been the one to chase after others.

There must be something off about him.

Good looks won't fill an empty stomach. If Master wants to fall in love, I can help you scout for suitable partners. There are many warm-hearted guys out there who are caring. Robots aren't meant for romance; let's just focus on making money together," she said.

Tang Fei listened with great interest. After a while, it seemed like the conversation was indirectly referring to her own history of rejecting people – a whole battalion's worth, in fact.

She had never pursued anyone before...

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaoying finish her statement, Tang Fei immediately clarified, "Who said I like him? I just shouldn't have considered capitalists as friends or believed they could be trusted. I invested emotions in a profit-making machine and ended up getting hurt."

Refusing to acknowledge her feelings, Tang Fei's face flushed slightly. Jiang Xiaoying softly drew out an "Oh" in response.

Tang Fei buried herself under the covers again. She must have been too lonely when she first arrived in this world, so anyone she encountered early on, as long as they weren't odd, would easily win her favor.

"It's my own problem. I'm not ignorant of these things, yet I always thought I was special, that I mattered too much. I thought I was chosen by fate, but I got too carried away."

"Sis, you're the most special person in my heart. After spending just a few days with you, I already feel like we're family." Jiang Xiaoying hugged Tang Fei's blanket. "An individual can't compete against a company. It's not good to fall out with them, considering their extensive network. But we must negotiate the terms! We need compensation!"

"Compensation is necessary."

"That's right!"

"And become a heartless money-making robot."

"Long live robots ≧▽≦!"

Tang Jiang and Tang Fei clapped hands and laughed, significantly improving Tang Fei's mood.