Chapter 27: Which Great Being Is This Now?!

"Stop laughing!"

Luo Zhongwen was furious. His eyes bloodshot, he stood up and roared at Li Can. Then, he turned his head and looked down, glaring daggers at the janitor.

"Don't you know who the hell I am?!"

"I don't care who you are. Why would I need to know you?" The young man curled his lip, seemingly indifferent to whether the person in front of him was a celebrity or not.

But Luo Zhongwen, accustomed to being fawned over, couldn't stomach this. As a star, once you hit it big, you are surrounded by minions who cater to your every whim and hold you on a pedestal. Luo was used to being mobbed by crowds and often enjoyed "fan encounters" that were, in reality, just hired entourages brought in to stir up hype. Even the most humble person might get a big head under such circumstances, let alone someone like Luo, who actually was quite popular. He was used to looking down on others.

"Go to hell."

Feeling insulted, Luo Zhongwen lashed out with a kick, sending the young man sprawling to the floor.

The strike drew a gasp from the crowd. Hearing the commotion, Luo's team quickly rushed over.

"Brother Luo, he's just ignorant. I'll have someone fire him right away, please calm down..." A man in his thirties, appearing to be an assistant, pacified Luo with a smooth tone before turning around. His expression shifted instantly, and he began barking orders, pointing fingers at the surrounding staff.

"What are you all looking at? Keep your mouths shut, understand?!"

"Clear out, clear out! There’s nothing to see here!"

He then turned a malicious gaze toward the young man. However, as his eyes drifted over, they landed on Li Can, who had appeared beside the janitor. Li Can was strikingly handsome and tall; it was hard not to notice him.

"You... you two, what is going on?!"

"Where is the person in charge? Get these two out of here immediately!"

Li Can ignored the assistant, looking right through him, which only made the man's face contort with growing frustration.

"Buddy, you alright?" Li Can patted the young man's shoulder and helped him up. The young man's stubble was trembling with rage, his eyes slightly red.

"I... I'm fine. Thanks."

Sensing the young man’s intense agitation—his body stiff with the urge to retaliate—Li Can quickly pressed down on his shoulder and whispered, "Don't get worked up, buddy. If you hurt him, you'll have to pay his medical bills. It’s not worth it..."

The young man's eyes cleared up, and he nodded gratefully. He stood up, intending to leave. But just then, a comment from the assistant made him tremble and glare once more.

"You piece of trash, you blind idiot. Running into such motherless freaks is bad luck. You two are total losers."

Li Can rolled his eyes and quickly restrained the young man, who was about to explode again, while muttering to himself: How chaotic must the entertainment industry be for a mere assistant to be this arrogant? Are they trying to make the situation as big as possible?

Li Can didn't hide his eye-roll. The assistant didn't notice, but Luo Zhongwen caught it perfectly. Seemingly annoyed by Li Can's handsome appearance and composed demeanor, he pointed at Li Can's nose and cursed.

"What are you looking at?! Why don't you take your garbage-picking friend and get lost?!"

As if cursing wasn't enough, seeing that Li Can didn't move, Luo stepped forward and gave him a hard shove.

"I'm talking to you, damn it!"

The shove sparked a flash of anger in Li Can. He loosened his grip on the young man's shoulder. *Forget it, I’m done trying to talk you out of it.*

The moment he let go, the young man roared and lunged forward, kicking the assistant who had just insulted him.

Li Can asked internally, "Xiao Ai! Will there be any consequences if I take him down?"

[Big Data System is analyzing and organizing for you...]

[Based on the nature of the TV series and the current entertainment climate, using scandals for hype is a dead end. The production team will suppress any negative news that hinders promotion. Luo Zhongwen’s company lacks the power to smear others; they are aiming for an IPO, and negative scandals regarding their artists have a massive impact.]

[Mr. Li Can is backed by Xingmei Entertainment, one of the investors in the series. The selection process was fair and transparent. Luo Zhongwen has a poor reputation in the industry, and physical altercations involving him are not uncommon. This will not significantly impact the collaboration.]

[Probability of no consequences: 61%. Probability of settlement through compensation: 23%. Probability of a major scandal: 10%. Probability of other accidents: 6%.]

*A world without fanatical fans is a good world. I understand now.*

He started it. We aren't in the same circle. If things blow up, I have an exit, but he doesn't. 61% probability—I don't even need a backup plan. If I go easy... I can take him!

"Get lost! Stop getting in the way!"

Seeing his assistant being beaten, Li Can didn't move, standing as a barrier between them. Luo Zhongwen kicked Li Can’s leg hard, trying to push past him.

"Ha!"

Feeling the pain in his leg, Li Can grinned viciously and acted decisively. In front of everyone’s shocked eyes, he grabbed Luo by the collar, yanked him forward, and delivered a swift, clean headbutt. The height difference made the impact spectacular.

Amidst the gasps, Li Can twisted Luo's wrist and delivered a kick to his ribs, drawing a pig-like shriek from him.

"Agh!!"

"How dare you hit me!"

Humiliated in front of everyone, Luo Zhongwen’s face turned bright red. He scrambled up to fight back, looking nothing like his usual "gentle prince" persona, but rather like a mad dog biting at anyone. But the height gap was too large, and he couldn't reach his target. As soon as he lunged, Li Can’s long leg sent him flying again.

In the distance, the wails of the assistant and the screams of the onlookers echoed; the lobby fell into total chaos.

"Ah!"
"He's hitting people! Someone's hitting people!"
"Stop fighting! Stop it!"

Just as the chaos peaked, a voice rang out from the side.

"What is all this noise?!"

A middle-aged man emerged from an inner room—Director Ma Shuliang. Seeing the commotion, Director Ma could no longer sit still. As he stepped out, he saw the assistant and the janitor brawling, and Li Can standing ready, eyes locked on Luo Zhongwen. He immediately recognized Li Can.

"Everyone, stop right now!!"

At Director Ma's angry shout, Li Can calmly walked to the side and blocked the janitor. He glanced at Li Can, who didn't seem to have done much—he wasn't even out of breath, though there was a dusty footprint on his leg and he still looked slightly annoyed.

He immediately turned his glare toward Luo Zhongwen.

"Luo Zhongwen! With the series about to air, can't you show some restraint?!"

"Consider today's incident as if it never happened. Don't cause any more trouble for me! If there are any issues with the series' release, I'm holding you responsible!"

"Director Ma! He..."

Luo Zhongwen looked up, staring at the director in disbelief. A wave of intense frustration welled up in his chest. But he was met only with a cold, indifferent gaze.

"Luo Zhongwen! I don't want to know the specifics." Director Ma’s face was dark. "I said, that's it. Don't try to sabotage me at this stage!"

"Do you understand?!"

The director’s rebuke dampened Luo’s anger significantly. After all, Luo was no fool; he was just arrogant, and he knew exactly who he could offend and who he couldn't. He just hadn't expected this janitor to be so bold, nor that he would have backup.

"..." Luo Zhongwen was clearly unwilling, but after shooting a vicious glare at Li Can, he took a deep breath. "Understood, Director Ma. I'll leave now."

With that, he led his team and slunk out of the building.

Once they were gone, Director Ma finally spoke.

"Keep your mouths shut. I don't want any factors affecting the smooth release of this series!"

"Understood."

Director Ma’s sharp gaze swept the room before landing on Li Can, his expression softening somewhat.

"Li Can, right? Come in. I've been waiting for you."

"Apologies, Director Ma. I've caused you trouble, I'm truly sorry..." Li Can offered an apologetic smile. "If you have any requirements for our upcoming collaboration, please, just name them!"

"Really? Come, come, let's discuss it in the office."

Ma Shuliang’s eyes brightened, and his mood clearly improved. The two walked into the office one after the other.

This gentle attitude left the rest of the staff stunned.

*That's it? It's over?* Even though Luo Zhongwen was despised by everyone in the industry, he was still a top-tier artist. To be treated so differently... just who was this man?