Chapter 59: I've got this Celebrity's back
"You want to buy our family's assets?"
At first glance it seemed that the youth in front of him didn't understand anything. Although he had no idea what kind of hobbies the other party had to go running off and become an assistant for someone else instead of managing such a good company, but a mid-to-upper-level entertainment company was not enough for his family to pay any importance to.
Before anyone else could speak, Ning Feiping's mocking sneer sounded out, "Boy, don't you think you're daydreaming too much? Let me enlighten you — even if this company really is yours, our family has assets enough to buy three paltry entertainment companies like this! You—"
He started out all arrogant and sarcastic but only halfway through, he suddenly noticed something strange and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat.
Except for him, no one actually laughed at this boy's seemingly delusional statement.
Gu Xi still stood where he was originally, staying silently. Fang Kun had his head down, trembling with fear, shrinking to the side, blindly subservient; neither dissuading him nor helping him out of this predicament. Even the assistant looked nervous and anxiously gesturing at him to stop talking.
Ning Feiping was just shamed into anger but he was not stupid. He frowned and suddenly felt an ominous premonition.
It didn't matter if the other didn't speak but Fang Kun must know just how wealthy this little president was.
Judging from his solicitous manner before, if Lu Qingzhou's words were mistaken, he should have rushed out to smooth things over before he started ridiculing him. He wouldn't let this young master, who had the power to end him, lose face in this way.
However, Fang Kun not only didn't open his mouth to help him out of this predicament, he didn't even dare to say a word. Up until now, he still couldn't stand up straight.
The Ning family's assets were indeed not weak but they couldn't reach the top level. It was more than enough for him to push his way into the entertainment industry but if he really kicks on any iron plates, not only him, but the entire Ning family would suffer disaster along with him.
Those at the top of the pyramid, if he provokes any one of them, no matter whether his threat to buy them out was true or not, the Ning Family might find themselves being spontaneously targeted by countless subordinate forces until they might not even know how they get to die.
In contrast, saving face was not that important. Ning Feiping's expression changed. The anger he came with almost completely faded and instead cold sweat started to ooze down his back.
We're sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we're going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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…
Terrible.
Gu Xi felt a bit like his thinking had started to stray from dealing with this uncle-nephew pair for so long. Film Emperor Gu came to his senses just in time. He shook his head to drive this unpleasant thought out of his mind and fell back to the method most normal people would usually take. "Why don't I just go and beat him up now? Can the company help me compensate him for the medical expenses?"
Meeting his little paparazzo's gaze once again, Gu Xi's tone returned to his usual soft and gentle tone. There was even a hint of a smile in his eyes. There was no fluctuation in his mood caused by the previous disturbance.
"The company–"
The whirling emotions in his heart were carefully and properly soothed. Lu Qingzhou raised his head to meet Gu Xi's gaze. The corners of his lips curled up and seriously imitating his tone, he said, "can help."
Looking at his little boss with his excellent imitation skills, Gu Xi finally couldn't help but smile. It was difficult to hug him because there were so many people around. Instead, he just raised his hand and placed it on top of his head, ruffling his hair lightly.
The feel of his palm was soft and warm. Lu Qingzhou relaxed, his black eyes revealed a bright expectant light.
He can help.
Gu Xi's heart softened and he firmly took into his own eyes that clear and bright brilliance in Lu Qingzhou's. He smiled and nodded at him.
Although he still didn't have quite the right tone for threatening people, if Lu Qingzhou goes out like this, he probably would no longer be made to endure any careless and indiscriminate bullying.
And Lu Qingzhou still has him as well. It was enough that his little paparazzo has learned this much.
"What are you two planning to do? You—don't mess around! It's illegal to gang up on and fight someone!"
The two made a big show of being serious with their threat. No one knew if they were really going to do it or if they were just trying to scare people with their words. The assistant was breaking out in a cold sweat from fright and he quickly spoke out in a hoarse voice, indicating for the bodyguards behind them to come up to protect them. Ning Feiping no longer had the confidence he had before and was pulled back by the assistant. His face still kept changing from one expression to another.
"President Ning, I really am too busy right now. Please go back first and I will call on you you when I have the time…"
Seeing that an opportunity to help him out of this predicament had arrived, Fang Kun hurriedly stepped forward. He eagerly helped to push the people out. He took the opportunity to squeeze to the assistant's side, with gritted teeth, he spit out a warning, "This is one family you can't afford to offend! Stop trying to rush to your deaths…Don't think he's just making a joke. He can afford to buy out ten Ning Families. Be careful or we're all going to be done for!"
He had secretly accepted money from Ning Feiping, promising to help punish Gu Xi. On the one hand, it was because he was greedy and hard to restrain and on the other, he wanted to prepare for the future, so that he could get an in with the Ning Family.
Originally, their team up had been going really well but who knew that matters would turn out to be this much of an issue that they simply had no way to wrap things up. Ning Feiping not only threatened to make public evidence of his accepting bribery but he also personally came knocking on his door like this. Fang Kun's heart was also filled with anger and seeing these two made him lose the smiling expression he had at the start.
The assistant knew that they were in the wrong. He kept his head down and stayed silent. With gritted teeth, he guarded Ning Feiping as they headed outside. Seeing that these people were about to be pushed out, Fang Kun breathed a sigh of relief. But then, Lu Qingzhou's voice came from behind him, "Manager Fang."
Fang Kun's heart jumped. He hurriedly turned around and walked over, bowing respectfully, "Mr. Lu, what else would like me to do…"
"You go with him."
Lu Qingzhou raised his head to look at him. His tone of voice was calm and in his clear black eyes was still that unalterable serious light.
Fang Kun's forehead burst into cold sweat. His face suddenly paled. "Pre-president Lu! I didn't handle matters well. Because Film Emperor Gu wanted to already terminate his contract, I wanted to maximize earnings for the company — to earn a little more and there's still a lot that can be squeezed out of his…"
Fang Kun's thoughts had been preoccupied with how to drive away these two bigshots out, it was only now that he realized that Gu Xi and this young master seemed to have a close relationship. He couldn't help getting even more perturbed. Struggling to try to explain, he said, "Film Emperor Gu might have had some misunderstandings with the company. We-we're willing to explain. Please give me another chance…I am willing to apologize to Film Emperor Gu! We will never again– "
"Will never again what? Accept money from me and scheme against artists from your own company?"
Ning Feiping has long been completely diametrically opposed to Gu Xi. Just now, he hadn't been aware of the identity of that young master and he had already blurted out things he should and shouldn't have said. Ning Feiping interrupted him with a sneer and simply shattered the jar completely. "General Manager Fang wanted to eat from both sides. He's been hitting that abacus hard!"
He has never been the type to admit defeat. Even if he's made to take a fall, he was going to drag others down with him. Even if he can't drag Gu Xi down, he was going to make Fang Kun fall along with him.
"Ning Feiping!"
Fang Kun's eyes opened wide. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead. He turned to Lu Qingzhou, stuttering out an explanation when his eyes swept outside the door. He suddenly shrank back in horror.
The security guards and cordon that were there previously had been withdrawn and reporters, who arrived who knows when, had them surrounded. The doors to the company weren't closed and voices from inside could clearly be heard outside. The cameras were all boldly directed at them and the cameras were flashing nonstop.
This was originally a "lesson" he had prepared for Gu Xi.
Ning Feiping's expression changed abruptly. He pushed everyone away and got in the car, silently surrounded by bodyguards and his assistant.
Lu Qingzhou didn't speak any more. He squeezed Gu Xi's hand and pulled him into the elevator.
The front desk receptionist and the other staff had long escaped. In the empty hall, only Fang Kun was besieged by the reporters. He yelled a few words and finally, completely beside himself, lowered his head in despair, his face completely ashen.
Translator's note: Sorry for the short chapter. This was the only good place to cut the chapter. orz
The elevator was a bit old. Creaking and staggering, it made its way upwards.
Gu Xi leaned against the carriage wall and let out a long sigh.
Meeting the concerned gaze Lu Qingzhou immediately threw his way, Gu Xi smiled and shook his head. Spreading his arms towards him, the cool body immediately slammed into his arms, opening his arms wide to hug him tightly.
His arms were holding his body tightly. A steady stream of silent comfort and support penetrated from the chest pressed up against his. Following the beating of his heart, a steady stream passed to him.
Gu Xi lowered his head and smiled. He kissed Lu Qingzhou's lips and hugged his little paparazzo into his arms. "When I first took this elevator, I was much younger than you. Fifteen years old and I was skipping school. I even came here with my backpack on my back."
His smugness at his success at that time, the ambitions and dreams he had at that time, now seemed to be things from so long ago.
Lu Qingzhou gripped his arm and looked up at him quietly. The light in his black eyes remained as clear and firm as ever, as thought he believed in something that would never change. No change in his identity could ever cause him to change.
Gu Xi couldn't help but raise his hand to caress it, his fingertips gently and carefully stroked his brows. He lowered his head and kissed his forehead. "I've been looking forward to canceling the contract since a long time ago. I've even thought about going home after earning enough money. I wouldn't act anymore, I'll take it easy or go abroad to gain knowledge and experience. I marked the termination date on the calendar and counted down to it day by day. And finally, I'm here."
Lu Qingzhou took his hand, raised his head and said, "I'll accompany you."
It doesn't matter what they do. If Gu Xi liked an ordinary life, they can find somewhere secluded to live together. He was very good at housework and the system can build a house. Before they completely break away from this plot line, their family can live together.
Hearing his exceptionally earnest tone, Gu Xi couldn't help but be a little surprised. His eyebrows rose up a little and he deliberately teased him with a smile on his face, "Will you accompany me for anything?"
"I'll accompany you for all of it."
Lu Qingzhou nodded and squeezed his hand. An unquestionable and firm light twisted in his eyes. He pursed his lips and said softly, "Take me with you…"
He wanted to go to every world where the other was. Any new setting, new identity, even if it may be difficult for him, it doesn't matter. As long as the other was there, everything else wasn't important.
Gu Xi blinked vigorously to remove the dampness from his eyes. Still smiling, he dropped his gaze and kept the little paparazzo in his eyes.
Lu Qingzhou pursed his lips. He raised his head and took the initiative to kiss him.
The little paparazzo was frank and open about his feelings, he can't tolerate any roundabouts. Gu Xi's eyes turned hot. He stretched opened his arms and took the other against his chest. He lowered his head and traced his lips carefully, "Then I want to take the exam for a doctor's degree…"
Lu Deng: "…"
System:"..."
System: "Brute!! Host, he was planning this all along! It's all a conspiracy. He—"
We're sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we're going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Lu Deng's body stiffened and he raised his head with difficulty. He pursed the corners of his lips, "I'll go with you."
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"I want to sign an eighty-year contract. I'll take 1% and hand in the rest. One film a year, the president is required to accompany me to share a room when filming and for the rest of the time, the president is required to accompany me on vacation. In the summer, I want a small fan and ice cream, spicy hot pot in winter and a full-time paparazzo to help take sneak shots at night… Does President Lu agree?"
Lu Deng looked at him, his heart beating even faster. The corners of his lips rose up even higher.
The elevator dinged and stopped at the top floor.
*
Ning Feiping quickly ran out of luck.
Fang Kun had especially bribed these reporters into order to lay a trap for Gu Xi. However, these reporters winded up catching the two of them red-handed. A competition between two actors in the entertainment industry quickly turned into a competition between companies using underhanded and improper means. Over the course of the morning, the news occupied the eye-catching front-page position of major websites.
The Ning family made an urgently issued statement that they had nothing to do with this matter but they were still one step too late.
The sensational rumor that Yikun's mysterious backer had stated that he would buy out the Ning Family's assets had already sent the netizens abuzz. And Film Empror Gu, as a young master's amateur secretary, had already answered a dozen calls, all of which were businesses Mu Jinchu had set aside for Lu Qingzhou. By his estimation, they were all businesses within the scope of the Ning Family's business. Gu Xi reckons that probably within a week, it would be all the family properties that Ning Feiping was supposed to inherit.
Gu Xi leaned on the sofa and flipped through the news. Looking at his little boss who kept deleting and modifying something in his computer, he couldn't help but wonder, "Qingzhou, do you need to write so much?"
"It's almost done."
Lu Qingzhou turned around and responded earnestly before returning to the computer to continue typing and editing.
He couldn't help but want to see. Gu Xi secretly took the little paparazzo's treasured camera, zoomed in on the screen through the camera focus and watched what Lu Qingzhou was editing. His smiled turned slightly even deeper.
…
Thinking of the script Lu Qingzhou's uncle had given him, Gu Xi felt a soreness in his chest. He took a deep breath, gently put the camera down and stood up.
Lu Qingzhou pursed his lips slightly and stared at the screen intently. He pondered the stipulation of hugging for an hour a day and then decided very reluctantly to delete the time. But he was still going back and forth between setting it to thirty minutes or forty-five minutes.
After all, Gu Xi was a public figure. These past few days, he has really experienced the turmoil in the entertainment industry. Although he wanted them to stay together all the time, he had to take into account the other's image. He can't be too willful.
Lu Qingzhou hesitated for a while. He still wanted to type out 'forty-five'. He was about to hand it over to the system for precise calculations, when a warm body suddenly covered him from behind, holding him tightly.
Lu Qingzhou raised his head from between his arms and said warmly, "Are you in a hurry? I'll be done soon. I just have to calculate…"
The system's ability to perform modeling was getting stronger and stronger. Its previous calculations have been spot-on. This time, he should also be able to calculate the most stable range for Gu Xi. It can even choose the highest value within it…
Before he could finish his thoughts, he had already been carried by Gu Xi, bridal-style.
"I'll write it."
Gu Xi kissed him. He hugged him and sat in front of the computer, letting him lean against his shoulder. He slowly rubbed Lu Qingzhou's soft hair ends, taking a deep breath and blinking his eyes.
Everything about his little paparazzo was so good. He was straightforward and pure. Once he's set his mind on something, he won't change. He was more magnanimous and steadfast than anyone.
But he was just too sensible.
This needed to change.
Film Emperor Gu decided to fix the problem for his little boss. Seeing that Lu Qingzhou wanted to touch the keyboard, he held his arm tight and nimbly typed out the changes with one hand.
If you want to hug, we can hug anytime.
If you want to be together all the time, if you want to ride the same car together, we can do so at anytime.
If you want to live together, there no need for us to go to one's house one day and go to the other's the next. There's no need for us to plan out a safe route to get there either. He still has so many places where he hasn't taken his little paparazzo to play at. He hasn't even gotten to check in to all the hotels with him. They won't be going home anytime soon.
Gu Xi had never had any plans to hide. He changed the terms of the contract drastically. Realizing that the body in his arms was slowly letting go of the tension and started relaxing, he hugged Lu Qingzhou tightly, his eyes starting to turn hot. He lowered his head and kissed him, "I want to openly display my affections. I have now declared my intentions, I hope the president approves."
He had already admitted to engaging in unspoken rules but what could he do if the netizens wouldn't believe it? Gone were the days when people took you at your word. Film Emperor Gu has already endured it for too long.
Lu Qingzhou raised his head from in his arms, his chest rising and falling slightly. As before, he opened his mouth to ask but Gu Xi had already bowed his head and kissed him, melting all his words in their long and drawn-out kiss.
…
This time he managed to have enough breath not to be left gasping.
*
Having seized the power to amend his own renewal contract, Film Emperor Gu, this successful usurper to the throne, hugged his little boss in his arms and in a gentle voice, coaxed him to rest a while. With thoughts practically gushing forth, the typed out the new contents of his contract.
Lu Qingzhou had slept well last night and so he still didn't feel sleepy. He secretly glanced at the contract he was writing and couldn't help blushing. He lowered his head and took his tablet, flipping through the reports he had received.
"What's the matter. Is there anything you need me to help deal with?"
Gu Xi was doing two things at once. While typing at the keyboard with Lu Qingzhou in his arms, he was also kissing him on the cheek.
Lu Qingzhou was very smart and he was quick to learn things. But his thoughts were always too straightforward and he was unfamiliar with many things in the entertainment industry. Gu Xi had been around for a long time and had learned most of the ins and outs. He couldn't help but lend a hand. This time, he has already helped him deal with a lot of matters.
Lu Qingzhou leaned in his arms and slowly flipped through the reports. He shook his head lightly. He scrolled through a few pages and suddenly looked up, "There's a vacancy in the cast. The first batch of resumes are here. Shall we go conduct the interviews tomorrow?"
"What's the hurry? I guess it's fine. — Then let's go together. I'll help you do the screen test."
Gu Xi nodded and let go of the mouse. He looked through the actor profiles with him.
The air conditioner in the room was a bit cold and the two of them had their cheeks pressed against each other. Lu Qingzhou was so warmed by him that he couldn't help but lightly purse the corners of his lips. He placed the tablet between the two of them.
"Uncle is really professional. As soon as the quality of the crew comes up, so does the level of the actors."
Gu Xi turned a few pages and couldn't help but sigh. He held his hand and slowly talked about each person's level and strengths. He directly eliminated those that had no actual qualifications and were just trying their luck. Just as he was about to turn the page, Lu Qingzhou's eyes suddenly moved slightly.
"Anyone you know?"
Gu Xi raised his eyebrows. He stared at the page and curiously scanned it up and down several times.
Lu Qingzhou nodded lightly. He turned his hand to reciprocate the hand-holding.
Chu Heng, the young master of Shengxing Entertainment, was also the real protagonist of this world. In the original plot, at this time, Gu Xi was supposed to have met with an accident due to being chased down by the paparazzi. He went to the interviews for "The Journey" as a substitute, taking out Ning Feiping despite all the other's schemes and obtaining this role that was destined to propel him to fame in one fell swoop.
Lu Deng had no idea how he could have been attracted to their cast at this time.
Gu Xi was alive and he hadn't met with any accidents.
A steady and powerful heartbeat came from behind him. Lu Deng quietly rewarded himself for a successful mission, relaxing his body and leaning back. He closed his eyes and didn't think about anything. He sank into the warm embrace behind him, nuzzling against his neck.
That role in "The Journey" was too lacking in any challenge. Gu Xi had no interest in it so he refused the role the next morning. The important main 'rising to the top' plotline still belonged to the protagonist.
At the interview tomorrow, he'll think of a way to get rid of Chu Heng so that Gu Xi can go back to acting with peace of mind.