C1 Part5

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Now that I’ve (mostly) finished with Lovely Allergen, this is now my new primary project :”) But updates will still be sporadic, just… sporadically regular. ❤

N – Chapter 1.4

N – Chapter 1.5

Almost the entire meal was devoted to quips and jokes.

Lin Yan tried to bring up A Choice into the Dark, but Liang Sizhe always seemed to be able to divert the conversation away. He was already so skilled at handling entertainment reporters, so there was no need to mention Lin Yan’s ordinary, conventional attempts.

And Cao Ye was also in no rush to talk about it — he leisurely talked about all kinds of random things with Liang Sizhe, the two of them bandying back and forth without slowing down as though exchanging blows.

Lin Yan sat by the side, anxious. ‘The emperor might not be worried, but his eunuch was’1 — Lin Yan had never thought that phrase would one day land on his own head.

Talk about something useful, he texted Cao Ye and gave him a pointed look, telling him to look at his phone.

Cao Ye swept his eyes over his phone screen as it laid on top of the table, and then he continued to do what he wanted, idly chatting with Liang Sizhe.

Both direct and indirect hints hadn’t worked. Lin Yan watched as the other two continued with their rounds of tai chi2, their dinner about to finish with everyone having already placed down their chopsticks. He had no choice but pull out his trump card in front of Cao Ye. “Sizhe, you might not know this yet, but a one billion RMB wager agreement is involved with A Choice into the Dark.”

As expected, Liang Sizhe’s interest was caught as soon as he heard, and he stopped sidetracking the conversation. Instead, he bent slightly forward to listen, saying, “I’ve heard. So what exactly is the issue?”

“Have him tell you.” Lin Yan turned his face towards Cao Ye.

“It’s simply a wager agreement for the company to enter the stock market. All it means is that the box office pressure for this film is slightly higher — it’s not true to say the entire one billion RMB depends solely on it.”

Cao Ye wasn’t lying.

The fragments of discussion online about the wager agreement, even when added together, were actually quite far away from the truth. A Choice into the Dark wasn’t the one carrying the one billion RMB — rather, it was entirely on Luomeng Media’s back, the film’s largest investor.

The entire situation needed to be traced back to three years ago, when Luomeng had just started and found itself with capital turnover issues. There had been two roads laid out in front of the company: obtain financing through selling off company shares, or be acquired and relax in the shade under a large tree. Cao Ye chose a riskier and more daring third road — he signed a wager agreement with Janis Group.

The wager agreement stated that Janis Group would help Luomeng with its current capital turnover problems. In return, if Luomeng could successfully enter the stock market with the agreed upon market price four years later, then Janis Group would become one of Luomeng’s shareholders based on the funds it had provided and would not interfere with any of Luomeng’s internal matters. If Luomeng failed to enter the stock market, then it would automatically fall under the Janis Group’s control and management.

“Janis?” Liang Sizhe’s eyebrows flickered at hearing that name. “Your uncle really… didn’t treat you kindly at all.”

“It’s business.” Cao Ye’s voice sounded no different from usual. “He could be considered as already having done his best.”

When it came to wager agreements, one side would always hold the power and win.

As one of the country’s most well-known luxury food and beverages corporate groups, Janis had been prospering the last few years under the iron control of Cao Xiuyan3, Cao Ye’s uncle. It had immediately and triumphantly entered Southeast Asia’s market three years ago, and last year, it had aggressively, and with great fanfare, marched its hotel brand into the North American market.

Cao Xiuyan’s ambitious heart had yet to slow down, and he’d set his eyes onto mainland China’s film industry the last few years. Those with discerning eyes could tell — his desire to acquire Luomeng had existed for quite a while. When Luomeng had initially fallen into trouble, Cao Xiuyan had first suggested for Janis to invest in the company and become Luomeng’s largest shareholder. Regrettably, Cao Ye had rejected that suggestion immediately at the table.

It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for Luomeng to be acquired by Janis, whether back then or now. To Luomeng back then, it would’ve meant an abundant and steady stream of funds in the future, and the company would’ve never needed to face capital turnover issues again. As for Luomeng of today, with Janis’s assistance, it would find expanding into different cinema regions much easier; its days would flow much smoother and its paths much broader and easier to walk.

Except Cao Ye hadn’t wanted to.

His reason had been very simple and yet very sufficient — because he wouldn’t be free.

And so it was the same, this time. He wouldn’t allow Luomeng Media to fall so easily into Janis’s hands.

“You actually could’ve looked for me then.” Liang Sizhe’s fingers were gently resting against his chin, and he lightly tapped twice. “I might not have been as splashy with my money as your uncle, but my conditions would’ve been much more lenient than his.”

With a faint smile on his face, Cao Ye asked, “What kind of conditions would you have asked for?”

Liang Sizhe leaned forward, lowered his voice and looked at Cao Ye’s eyes as he said, “As long as you begged me, I wouldn’t have asked for anything.”

Cao Ye chuckled. “What kind of begging?”

Liang Sizhe smiled and reclined back into his chair, lightly lifting his chin to look at him. “You have to think of that yourself — you can’t leave everything to me.”

Cao Ye wasn’t appreciative. “Sadly, I’ve never been able to think of ways to beg.”

The conversation had been about to touch on A Choice into the Dark, and yet the atmosphere between the two of them suddenly tensed in a strange way.

Things weren’t looking right, Lin Yan thought. He hurriedly pulled the conversation back onto the right track, saying, “That’s all in the past, what’s the point in talking about it now? Sizhe, if you really mean to help Cao Ye, then hurry up and agree to work with A Choice into the Dark. Anything else would just be empty words.”

Cao Ye frowned and said, “Lin Yan.” There was displeasure in his voice, as well as a few hints of warning.

Liang Sizhe considered it for a few seconds, his bent fingers rapidly tapping on the table one after another. “So right now, I’m the only one who can save the film, correct?”

“Only you,” Lin Yan rushed to say before Cao Ye could answer.

Liang Sizhe looked at Cao Ye.

Cao Ye said nothing.

Noticing Cao Ye’s eyes landing onto his left hand, Liang Sizhe quickly relaxed and spread open his flexed fingers, placing them flat onto the table. Only then did Cao Ye shift his eyes to his face.

“Seems like President Cao doesn’t quite think so,” Liang Sizhe said. “Could you honour me with answers to a few questions?”

Cao Ye jerked his chin at him, signalling him to go ahead and ask.

Liang Sizhe silently thought for a moment, and then he asked, lifting his head, “Going by the wager agreement, next year would be the final year and the deadline between Luomeng and Janis’s signed agreement. Is that correct?”

Cao Ye nodded. “Yes.”

“If the film hadn’t gotten into trouble, one billion RMB would’ve been your predicted box office earnings, correct?”

“That would’ve been most ideal.” Cao Ye weighed his words carefully, thorough in his answer. “In reality, I don’t believe the film by itself could’ve borne such a heavy box office. But I believe one billion RMB could’ve been possible if it had been combined with multiple things: an ideal release date, early advertising results, the scale of film distribution, increasing word of mouth over its run — as well as the film market’s box office performance during its time in theatres.”

“I understand.” Liang Sizhe nodded in understanding. “I assume Luomeng wouldn’t be holding only onto this one card, since there’s still one year’s worth of time. Then let me guess — even though Luomeng has a few other cards to help share the the wager agreement’s burden, A Choice into the Dark was the card you valued most highly before it ran into issues. Since Luomeng is the main investor and held control over both its production and advertising campaign.”

Cao Ye smiled. “You guessed right.”

“So that means I’m not wrong in saying I’m the only one who can save this entire situation — at least at present. Am I right?”

Cao Ye said unperturbedly, “You could say so.”

“Then in that case…” Liang Sizhe directed a smile at him, the curve of his lips profound with meaning. “Beg me.”

For a moment, Cao Ye didn’t speak, the two of them gazing at each other. Even though a smile hung from Liang Sizhe’s face the entire time, he clearly had no intention of backing down — there was an air of confrontation between the two of them for some reason as they looked at each other.

Lin Yan’s temple throbbed as he watched by the side. He was afraid Cao Ye would say come if you want, don’t come if you don’t, and just as he was about to open his mouth to suggest let me beg you, Cao Ye suddenly laughed. “Liang Sizhe, you’re planning on repaying your debt like this?”

Liang Sizhe watched him for a few seconds, and then he too laughed. He said, “I was just teasing you. I said before that I was going to repay my debt. I will seriously consider this film offer.”

After this back and forth conversation, Lin Yan finally understood: for the two of them, one was playing hard to get while the other was reluctant to take him in. This dinner appeared to be a three-person dinner, but actually, it had nothing to do with Lin Yan himself.

No wonder Cao Ye had been calm from the start; he’d clearly known since the beginning that Liang Sizhe would accept the film invitation. And Lin Yan had even thought about being their mediator — what a waste of time.

In that case, he won’t keep trying to change the conversation to A Choice into the Dark.

He wasn’t really enjoying himself, so he called his driver. He was going to leave first after having two more drinks with Cao Ye and a few more moments of idle chit-chat.

After going through the dinner, Lin Yan really didn’t have a good impression of Liang Sizhe. He hadn’t taken over his family’s film and television company for long, only for about two years, and so he’d still yet to truly work with Liang Sizhe.

He’d run into him at other dinner parties before, but they were merely acquaintances who nodded at each other at best. He hadn’t had a bad impression of Liang Sizhe during those times; he hadn’t understood why people kept saying investors and capital holders didn’t like Liang Sizhe.

But now, he understood. Actors were the ones who usually smiled at investors over dinner, but when it came to Liang Sizhe, the positions were reversed. To be honest, Lin Yan had never suffered through such a deferential dinner.

Except all industries focused on those who were irreplaceable — and the industry they were in was especially so.

The Chinese film industry of today wasn’t lacking in investors with deep pockets and money to throw around, but no matter what, it couldn’t be without Liang Sizhe.

The audience wouldn’t agree to it, and even more so, neither would the directors.

The words Cao Xiuyuan had said eight years ago still proved true today: “He is the dream of every director — he is the gift God has bestowed upon the silver screen.”

And there was one more sentence that had spread far and wide: “An actor on Liang Sizhe’s level has been blessed by the heavens.”4

Liang Sizhe naturally had his own connections and rules in handling matters, or else this industry wouldn’t tolerate him acting so arrogantly and uncaring of other people’s opinions.

As an example, there was a specific matter from last year. A film company had spent an incredibly large amount of money to invite a distinguished screenwriter out of retirement. This screenwriter was famous within the industry for being difficult, and his first requirement had been for Liang Sizhe to act in the main role — or else there was no point talking to him.

Unluckily enough, Liang Sizhe only accepted two roles per year at the most, and so the film project had been delayed again and again. It had still yet to launch, even now.

And yet the producers were very willing to wait — most likely because the partnership of screenwriter He Chen and Film Emperor Liang Sizhe was too tempting.

Lin Yan got up and said he was leaving; the other two also weren’t in the mood to continue on.

“Have you called for a driver yet?” Lin Yan asked, looking at Cao Ye as he stood up. “Or why don’t you leave with me, you can just tell your driver tomorrow to come pick up your car.”

Cao Ye didn’t really have that high of an alcohol tolerance, and with only a few glasses of red wine, he was already slightly drunk. He waved a hand at Lin Yan, urging him off. “Who knows where you’re going to end up leaving me.” He’d learned that lesson from before: he had gotten drunk one time, and Lin Yan had said he was going to take him home, only to end up leaving Cao Ye behind in his own gay bar while he himself went to continue partying. Upon opening his eyes, Cao Ye had met the eyes of a heavily made up man who’d been watching him very intensely — Cao Ye had nearly lost his chin in shock. Cao Ye had not dared let Lin Yan send him home ever since.

Laughing, Lin Yan said, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely send you home safe and sound this time.”

Cao Ye was just about to speak when his phone buzzed on the table. It was a phone call.

Lin Yan saw the two characters of ‘Lin Huan’ on the screen, and his smile deepened with meaning. “Yo, looks like you really don’t need me to take you home. I’m going to head off then, I wish you an enjoyable night5.” He didn’t forget to acknowledge Liang Sizhe, saying, “Sizhe, I’ll wait to hear from you.”

Liang Sizhe was just then holding his cup of water, and at Lin Yan’s words, he faintly raised his cup at him — most likely to tell him don’t worry, relax.

Grabbing his phone, Cao Ye accepted the call. He didn’t look like he intended on avoiding Liang Sizhe from hearing.

Lin Huan’s voice came over the phone, sounding a bit flirtatious and also a bit silky. “Cao Ye, you’re having dinner at Susa6, aren’t you?”

“How’d you know?”

“Coincidentally enough, I’m here too. Su Tang told me just as I was about to leave.” Su Tang was the owner of this private restaurant, and anyone who came to eat here — no matter famous or not — were all on friendly terms with her. Lin Huan continued, “Which room are you in? I’ll come have a drink with you?”

“You really want to come?” Cao Ye leaned back into his chair, glancing at Liang Sizhe from the corner of his eyes. “Don’t tell me Su Tang didn’t tell you Liang Sizhe’s here too?”

Lin Huan chuckled a few times. “All right, I knew you wouldn’t want me to go over.”

Cao Ye indifferently said, “I didn’t say that. Come if you want.”

“Better not, I’m afraid you won’t be happy.” Lin Huan changed topics. “Do you have any other plans tonight?”

“No.” Cao Ye fiddled with the cup in his hand, and then deliberately asked, pretending to not know, “Why?”

“What do you think?” Her voice lilted upwards, her flirting self-evident.

With the insinuations having reached this point, Cao Ye stopped responding back, equivalent to laying his cards on the table towards Lin Huan. But he temporarily had no real plans to do so just yet, and so after thinking for a bit, he said, “Then wait for me. I can’t drive now that I’ve had a few drinks. I’ll head back in your car.”

“Okay~ I’ll wait for you.” Lin Huan hung up the call.

Cao Ye returned his phone back to the table and finished off his remaining half a glass of red wine.

“Was that Lin Huan?” Liang Sizhe was looking at him with interest as he asked, “Is she coming?”

“Do you want her to come?” Cao Ye countered.

Stroking his chin, Liang Sizhe said, “It’s not a bad idea to have a glass together. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”

“Didn’t you get a naltrexone shot?” Cao Ye asked.

“I’m laying down my life to accompany you,” Liang Sizhe said, smiling. He was watching him.

“Really?” Cao Ye flicked up an eyebrow. “But what a pity, she’s not willing to come.”

“Now that’s truly a pity.” Except there wasn’t a shred of regret in Liang Sizhe’s voice at all, and he chuckled, standing up. “I’m going to leave as well. I, too, wish you an enjoyable night.”

After taking his coat, Liang Sizhe was about to walk out, his hand holding onto the handle and pulling open the door. Behind him, Cao Ye abruptly spoke, calling out his name. “Liang Sizhe.”

Liang Sizhe’s footsteps paused, and he turned his face over to look at Cao Ye. “Hm?”

“That film invitation. It’s fine even if you don’t accept it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just wanted to remind you. Even if you decide to repay your debt by helping me, Cao Xiuyuan isn’t likely to appreciate it.”

Liang Sizhe started laughing as soon as he heard, and when he spoke again, his voice seemed to have dropped several keys compared to earlier. “Then what about you, Cao Ye. Will you appreciate it?” He didn’t wait for Cao Ye to have any kind of response; he pulled open the door and strode out with large steps.

There were still a few steps before exiting the hotel. Liang Sizhe slipped on his coat and tugged up the hood of his sweatshirt, blocking most of his face.

As soon he came out, the paparazzis crouching and waiting at the edge of the car park immediately flew into action — they lifted up their recording cameras towards him, the lights above the lenses soundlessly and rapidly turning on, one after another.

Seeing Liang Sizhe walking towards a Maybach, several people quickly bent over and ran to the van behind them, preparing to follow behind him in a bit.

“Hey.” Liang Sizhe suddenly turned around and called out to them.

They weren’t frightened at all after being caught. Rather, they turned around and greeted him — several of them had already followed Liang Sizhe for many years and could be deemed as particularly experienced. They now gave him brazen smiles, and with soft voices that sounded rather mischievous, they asked, “Mr Liang, it’s so early but you’ve already finished your night activities for today?”

“Yup.” Liang Sizhe didn’t sound offended at all, talking to them like they were old friends. “Don’t follow me anymore, there won’t be anything new tonight. Go home and sleep early.”

He then turned back around and continued heading towards the car park; he even raised an arm and waved twice to the paparazzis with his back turned.

The paps were frozen in place, and they stared at each other speechlessly. Someone then growled, “Why are we stupidly standing here, follow him!” The remaining people immediately came back to attention and flew towards their van.

The moment they were about to get in, pulling open the car doors, the Maybach smoothly rumbled past them with a heavy throttle. With a flicker of its tail, it disappeared instantaneously, leaving behind only its nose-choking car exhaust fumes in the air.

The author has something to say:

Interview transcript:

Reporter: Mr Liang, there’s been news online about you recently driving a Maybach. Do you really hold a legendary A1 driver’s license7?

Liang Sizhe: Yes.

Reporter: Er… Did you personally go and take the driver’s test?

Liang Sizhe: What else?

Reporter: Why did you want an A1 driver’s license?

Liang Sizhe: Because I wanted to drive a Maybach~

Reporter (stunned): Oh…. I see….

Liang Sizhe (laughing): You believed me? The truth is because Film Emperor Liang has acted as a freight truck driver, and there’s a few scenes of him driving later in the film…. And so, Film Emperor Liang won’t be taken away by the police. He’s a film emperor who holds a A1 driver’s license!

Translator has something to say:

The emperor might not be worried, but his eunuch was’ is 皇上不急太监急, and the meaning of it is quite literal: when you, the eunuch (someone not in charge of a matter), are more worried about something than the emperor (the person who is actually in charge). ↩Playing rounds of tai chi essentially means they’re just going around and around in circles without actually getting to the point LOL. ↩Yes, Cao Ye’s dad and uncle have very similar names 😢 Xiuyuan is the dad, and Xiuyan (without the ‘u’) is the uncle. ↩In the sentence “an actor on Liang Sizhe’s level has been blessed by the heavens”, the ‘blessed by the heavens’ bit is 是老天爷赏他饭吃 (lit. ‘the heavens has granted him food to eat’) — it means someone is exceedingly talented, to the point he has been blessed. ↩‘Enjoyable night’ is 春宵 (‘spring night’). You can guess what it means 😉 ↩Susa is the name of the restaurant. ↩An A1 driver’s license in China is really really hard to get — there’s a bunch of different requirements for you to fulfil before you can even sit the test (for example, your age must be between 22-60, not colourblind to red and green and a bunch of physical requirements like being able to hear where something is coming from at a distance of 50cm away), and the requirements change depending on what kind of license you currently hold. You can see what kind of car the A1 license allows you to drive here. ↩

N – Chapter 1.6

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