Chapter 159 – A Forced Split in the Family?

Chapter 159 - A Forced Split in the Family?

After leaving Wangzhuang Village, Zhou Weichuan closed his eyes as soon as he got into Zheng Haisheng's car. "Head for the airport."

Zheng Haisheng didn't start the car and asked curiously, "Boss, are we leaving now? We still have time. You can chat more with our number one sister."

Zhou Weichuan replied, "We're done talking. Ask He Zhou to take Guan Mo back to Qinxi. Suspend all cooperation with Immortal Melody Six Paths. They don't need to go anymore."

Zheng Haisheng was surprised. "Boss, will it affect the ongoing production if you publicly confront the old man? Hiring excellent directors was part of your plan earlier. Are we not doing that anymore?"

Zheng Haisheng continued, "Boss, you look terrible. What happened? Did you talk about Immortal Melody Six Paths with Tang Fei?"

Zhou Weichuan suddenly smiled warmly. "How terrible could it be?"

Zheng Haisheng said, "Boss, you look sad even though you're smiling."

Zhou Weichuan chuckled genuinely before he stopped smiling. He rubbed his temples forcefully. "It's good to hire excellent directors, but forced relationships won't work out. If they only came here because they were interested in Tang Fei and wanted to profit from her, they would leave for similar reasons in the future too. Where's my dad now?"

Zheng Haisheng flipped through the chairman's schedule. "He should be in Shenzhen right now. He'll attend the three-day Starlight Ceremony starting tomorrow. It's an awards ceremony for the most talked-about stars, TV dramas, films, variety shows, and production teams of the previous year. The old man is presenting the award for the most talked-about variety show."

Zhou Weichuan tapped his fingers forcefully on the armrest. "Book me a ticket to Shenzhen, and bring Xing Le along."

To Shenzhen? For what?

Considering how Zhou Weichuan had abruptly canceled He Zhou's collaboration with Immortal Melody Six Realms, wasn't he going there to confront Old Master Zhou?

Zheng Haisheng said, "Boss, Old Master is currently in high spirits, and it's a major event where industry peers gather. Shouldn't you hold back for now? Besides, what would you have Xing Le do there? He'd only cause trouble."

Zhou Weichuan replied, "Let's go first, and we'll talk about it when we get there. I can endure, but others can't."

Thinking of Tang Fei's inability to tolerate, her immediate mood swings when upset, and her lack of composure, the corners of Zhou Weichuan's lips curled up.

He sighed softly. "In Nine O'Clock Entertainment, compile a list of all the subsidiaries and studios that I've developed and managed. Ask each person inside if they're willing to split from Nine O'Clock and follow me should the company separate."

It was lucky Zheng Haisheng wasn't driving at that moment, or he might have lost control of the car.

The boss was planning a family feud?

That was rather scary!

Zheng Haisheng: "Boss, perhaps you need to compose yourself? The old man is praising you to the world. You could at least wait until we're in private, back home, to bring this up."

There's no need to go to Pengcheng to discuss this matter, is there? Old Master values his pride; it would only put him in an awkward position.

Zhou Weichuan: "I've been expecting this day. Now that Xing Le is back, it's best to make things clear. He has more than one son, and with the legitimate one returning, it's time for me, the illegitimate one, to take my belongings and leave. Tang Fei's situation serves as a good excuse."

He wouldn't agree to it if I asked him directly at home; he would only consider it favorably in a more public setting, among others."

Zheng Haisheng pleaded with a tinge of helplessness, "Those you've offended have held back because of Old Master's sake. If you stir up a division now, who knows if all those issues will resurface. I think you need to consider Old Master's health before forcing a coup at the Starlight Gala."

Zhou Weichuan: "If I owe my success to him, then the consequences should fall on me. As for his health... I'll try my best to handle it."

Zheng Haisheng: "Are you upset because the old man signed off on a film contract for one of your company's artists without consulting you?"

"Hai Sheng, our management styles have always clashed. He likes to interfere at any moment, thinking that both the company and I belong to him, whereas I dislike any interruptions in plans that have already been set in motion.

He enjoys acting first and asking later. Well, if that's what he likes, I'll do it once too." Zhou Weichuan waved dismissively. "Let's drive. Tomorrow, compile a list of those willing to follow me."

Zheng Haisheng reluctantly started the car. "Boss, but I still believe we'll lose the advantage of being backed by Nine Points. Running two independent studios under your name, Time Culture, and the media operation company spun off from it will be challenging without their support."

Zhou Weichuan closed his eyes again, somewhat weary. "Hai Sheng, no need to persuade me further."

"I understand. I'll book the tickets for you and Xing Le right away."

"Alright."

...

The next day, after the dialect dialogue and recitation tests were completed, while everyone waited together for the judges' scores, Song Li deliberately approached Tang Fei and offered her congratulations with outstretched hands. "Tang Fei, I heard that you're going to act in Immortal Melody: Six Realms. Congratulations! The director and scriptwriter are both very talented. Next year, your success will surely continue."

Why was she bringing up the casting show where Tang Fei's adoptive mother was involved?

She was deliberately provoking Tang Fei!

Knowing that Tang Fei would inevitably be eliminated because of this, Song Li's smile held genuine sincerity.

The people around them didn't have a good impression of this. Song Li's image as an intelligent, capable, and kind-hearted person was gradually replaced by a sarcastic and sharp-tongued one in their minds.

Jiang Xiaoying opened her mouth, but she couldn't find any fault with Song Li's innocent words. If she were to refute, she would offend the production team of Immortal Melody: Six Realms. Frustrated, she didn't know what to say.

Xiao Yuan cast a sympathetic glance at Tang Fei. Everyone had experienced the sacrifice between corporate interests and personal ambitions; it was a relatable struggle.

Song Li, on the other hand, belonged to the minority. No matter how remarkable, talented, or glamorous Tang Fei was now, even to the point that Teacher Guo Lu had to apologize to her, it couldn't stop the company from holding her back behind the scenes.

"I'll take every role seriously, regardless of whether the director or screenwriter is renowned. I'll delve into the script, but I have no control over ratings, nor will I claim credit for them. For now, my focus is solely on the show."

Tang Fei shook hands with Song Li, giving a gentle squeeze. Song Li's expression shifted, but Tang Fei quickly released her grip. "What did you think of the test we just did?"

Song Li smiled, avoiding any discussion about the show's content. Instead, she continued, "With such a popular director and screenwriter working on a hot topic like this, it's bound to surpass Si Cui Chuan, right?"

"But all I can think about is the dialect challenge," Tang Fei chuckled, leaving Song Li unable to grasp a conversational lead. She left, clearly uninterested.

As Song Li walked away, she addressed the production team, "I understand her. We used to be in the same company. She has always loved fantasy dramas. Back then, she cried for three days in the office because she lost the role of 'Heavenly Sword, Passionate Love' to Guan Yun.

She must be thrilled now, getting the chance to act in the best fantasy drama lineup, fulfilling her dream."

That was quite the dramatic display!

Whispering insinuations about Tang Fei stealing roles, as if she were indecisive, juggling both the foster mother casting and the competition for Fairy Melody's Six Realms. However, such individuals weren't uncommon in the entertainment industry; they were neither numerous nor rare. The director pretended not to understand their implications.

Director: "Teacher Song, it's best we avoid mentioning other projects during the show. Anything said will be edited out later."

Song Li's triumphant smile grated on the director's nerves.

Knowing that Tang Fei had lost the role of the foster mother, even Xiao Yuan, her direct rival for the script, felt a twinge of sympathy. Only Song Li was as ecstatic as a blossoming butterfly, giggling and spreading gossip, eager to provoke Tang Fei.

Contemplating how previous scandals involving Tang Fei might have been fueled by people like Song Li, the director averted their gaze, finding her behavior tasteless.

Director: "Aren't you worried about your rating? You seem quite relaxed."

Song Li: "I believe I performed well, so I don't see any issues."

...

He Zhuhua held the scorecard in her hand, listening to her agent report the recent conflict between Song Li and Tang Fei. Upon hearing Song Li's confidence in her performance, she glanced again at the scorecard.

Song Li: 55 points.

Unfortunately, this will be where your journey ends. Until we meet again.

Such blind self-assurance.

He Zhuhua: "How about suggesting to the production team that we have a segment where guests first guess their scores, and then they're announced publicly?"

Agent: "Sounds like it would be quite engaging."

He Zhuhua: "Can you bring it up for me?"

Agent: "Sure thing."