Chapter 24: A Passion for Cinema

"Mr. Lu, if you have any suggestions, please feel free to share them. We can make the necessary adjustments." Zhang Chen asked cautiously. Lu Liang had agreed so readily that it felt like he was simply handing out money, leaving Zhang Chen feeling a sense of unreality.

Lu Liang’s expression turned cold as he tapped the table firmly. "Mr. Zhang, I’m investing in this film for one reason only: I believe in the script and I believe in your creative team. Don't you dare bring that toxic, crooked behavior so common in the entertainment industry into this project."

"If your goal in making this movie is just to please investors, then I need to reconsider whether I should be investing at all."

Lu Liang spoke with righteous indignation, projecting the image of a man of integrity who could not tolerate a single grain of sand in his eyes.

Wu Tianzheng, standing by the window gazing at the river view, felt his hand holding the cigarette tremble slightly. He couldn't help but look back at Lu Liang.

What a great speech. He almost believed it himself.

Yet, who was it last night that was kissing and hugging, taking a girl home, and charming her so thoroughly that she almost forgot who she was?

Wu Tianzheng felt a sense of admiration. He continued to smoke, turning his attention back to the river view. It’s no wonder the man was wealthy; he had a smooth line for every occasion and didn't feel the slightest bit of guilt. It reminded him of the coal bosses from years ago who would hold hostesses in KTV booths while insisting, "Our production must be filled with positive energy."

"Mr. Lu, you’ve misunderstood," Zhang Chen said, both surprised and delighted, rushing to explain. Over the past few months of hunting for investment, they had met countless investors and heard outrageous conditions—forcing roles for favorites, demanding sexual favors from actresses, or wanting to star in the film themselves. They had been tormented to the point of exhaustion, almost developing post-traumatic stress.

They shouldn't judge a gentleman by the standards of a villain. Lu Liang was different.

Ma Li, worried that Zhang Chen was only making things worse, picked up the bottle of Wuliangye and poured a glass. "Mr. Lu, you are different from those other people. You truly love cinema. I admire you, and I’d like to offer you a toast."

"Mr. Lu, we’d like to toast you too." Zhang Chen, Shen Teng, and the others realized what was happening, each downing a glass of liquor, their words expressed through the drink.

"Take it easy. I don't care for those crude drinking culture habits. A gesture is enough." Lu Liang took a small sip and said earnestly, "I see your sincerity. Keep working hard, and don't forget your initial intentions."

"The funds will be wired to your company account by next Friday. If you find yourselves short on capital later on, feel free to contact me."

Lu Liang didn't want to invest as an individual, as personal income tax was too high—nearly 25% overall. He planned to set up an investment company to handle the funding. This way, any profits could be offset by company expenses like property or vehicle acquisitions, mitigating the heavy tax burden.

"Old Wu, why are you standing by the window in silence? Come over and join the conversation."

The core creative team of Mahua FunAge were mostly Northerners, and every one of them was a seasoned drinker. Impressed by Lu Liang's words, they vied to toast him to show their respect. Even Ma Li downed two glasses without turning a hair. Lu Liang felt a bit alarmed and quickly pulled Old Wu into the fray to save him.

Once Wu Tianzheng joined the table, he immediately became the new target.

"Mr. Wu, I’ll toast you. If it weren't for you, I never would have had the chance to meet Mr. Lu," Zhang Chen said, raising his glass.

"Mr. Zhang, you’re too kind. We’re all friends; helping each other out is only natural." Wu Tianzheng had no reason to refuse. Since the contract was finalized, he stood to earn a handsome commission from Zhang Chen, and this toast was well-deserved. Shen Teng, Ma Li, Yan Fei, and the others also raised their glasses, their enthusiasm needing an outlet. They didn't dare to be too forward with Lu Liang, the financier, so poor Old Wu became the shield. Lu Liang watched from the side, silently offering three seconds of sympathy.

The meal stretched from afternoon tea into dinner. By dusk, Lu Liang made an excuse to take his leave, calling a designated driver to take him home.

He slept until after ten in the evening. In the dim bedroom, a faint light suddenly flickered. Lu Liang saw a message from Li Manli: "So annoyed. The new manager who started today is so arrogant and irritating. He keeps getting handsy."

Lu Liang’s lips curled into a smile. He felt he had let the line out long enough; if he didn't reel it in now, he might lose the catch. Still, he habitually waited a bit. He got up, took a shower, and waited half an hour before replying: "I'm back."

"When did you get back?" Li Manli had been staring at her phone; she replied the moment he sent the message.

"Just got off the plane. I'm a little hungry. Let me come pick you up, let's grab a late-night snack." Lu Liang went straight to the point.

He could tell Li Manli was conflicted; the chat interface showed she was typing intermittently. After all, it was past ten—anyone who wasn't naive knew what a late-night snack invitation really implied. She didn't want to give herself away too easily, but she couldn't bear to refuse Lu Liang.

After a while, Li Manli replied: "But I'm still at work."

"I'm almost there." Lu Liang grabbed his car keys and left, issuing his ultimatum. Over the past few days at the film production company, he had seen too many beautiful, hardworking girls. All he had to do was crook his finger, and they would likely scramble over each other, eager to be at his disposal.

His threshold had been raised, and his patience worn thin. Old Meng had a fixed price for women; once that threshold was crossed, he would give up, even if the girl was a celestial beauty. Lu Liang didn't fully subscribe to this, but Old Meng had a point: there was no shortage of beautiful women in the world, and there was no need to waste time and energy on uncertain prospects.

Half an hour later, Lu Liang arrived at Qufu Road and saw Li Manli standing at the intersection from a distance. She wore dark green cargo pants paired with a wheat-colored tight crop top, her fair waist exposed to the air. Her black hair, streaked with a few strands of blue and purple, added a touch of allure to her innocent face.

Lu Liang saw a black BMW parked in front of her; the driver seemed to be hitting on her. Li Manli stood with her arms crossed, looking around with a dismissive expression.

"Beautiful, where to? Let me give you a ride..."

Before the BMW driver could finish, a low honk sounded in the no-honking zone. He was about to get angry, but seeing the Bentley emblem, he grumbled, "So what if you drive a Bentley?" Even so, he tapped the gas and moved forward, yielding his spot.

The BMW driver stepped out, intending to try again. He believed that with his youth, his BMW, and his self-assessed 90-point looks, he was a catch. He usually had no trouble picking up women, from high schoolers to mature professionals, and this girl, who looked like she had just come of age, was surely in the bag.

However, he saw Li Manli, who had been drawn by the honk, transform from an icy statue into an erupting volcano. That smile was as if all the flowers in the world had bloomed at once; how could a girl be so beautiful? The BMW driver couldn't help but smile back, but the next second, his heart felt as if it were gripped by an invisible hand.

She got into the passenger seat of the Bentley. The young man stood in silence, looking at the dark-colored Continental GT, feeling a lump in his throat and a sense of unease. He returned to his car without a word and sped away.

Lu Liang couldn't help but laugh at the scene. Li Manli pouted, "You have the nerve to laugh." Her mouth was pursed high. "You said you were almost here. Why did I have to wait for you for over twenty minutes?"

"There was an accident on the elevated road, so I was a bit late," Lu Liang said with a light chuckle, lying through his teeth.

Li Manli was skeptical but chose to believe him. She sighed, "I had a fight with the manager. I think I'm about to get fired."

"Isn't that a good thing? You'll be free," Lu Liang said, having just heard from her that Zhang Qian had resigned and a male manager had taken over.

"You think I'm like you? If I lose my job, I'll be eating dirt next month," Li Manli said gloomily.

"With me around, how could I let you eat dirt? We’ll have delicacies every day until you’re sick of them."

"Is that for real?"

"Absolutely."

Li Manli thought for a moment, then suddenly shouted, "Then I want to eat sushi, the most high-end kind!"

Lu Liang looked at her with feigned disdain. "A cold rice ball with a piece of raw meat on it—what's so good about that?"

Li Manli widened her big eyes, looking pathetic. "You said you’d take me for delicacies, why won't you even let me have sushi?"

"Stop staring, your eyeballs are going to fall out. Fine, sushi it is."

That look—it was both innocent and seductive, making him want to pull her into his arms and hold her tight.

"Yay! Let's go!" Li Manli cheered, waving her little fist in triumph.