The entertainment news lately has been quite lively.
First, Liang Zhou defied all expectations, beating out many veteran actors to win the Best Actor award with the film "Shadow." Then, it was revealed that the internal strife within the Liang family had intensified, with Liang Zhou getting into a car accident and being hospitalized with serious injuries.
But before Liang Zhou's fans could even fully process their heartbreak and fury, his manager stepped forward to announce that Liang Zhou would be taking a one-year hiatus from acting, repeatedly emphasizing that his injuries were not serious.
This was such a transparent attempt to cover things up! If the injuries really weren't serious, why take a hiatus? Fans were extremely dissatisfied, but unfortunately, Liang Zhou kept too low a profile, leaving no channels to inquire about the real situation.
Not two days later, Liang Jian suddenly made a high-profile announcement about breaking away from Radiant Entertainment, taking a bunch of Radiant's A-list, B-list, and top-tier artists with him to establish a new venture. The new company even had the audacity to choose a name very similar to Radiant—Ronghua (Glory Splendor).
Anyone with eyes could see this was the uncle preparing to challenge his nephew head-on.
After this blow, Radiant's foundation was severely damaged, its stock price plummeted. Many minor shareholders, believing Radiant was on the verge of collapse, rushed to sell their shares and went to curry favor with Ronghua.
Liang Jian was triumphant. His gloating was bad enough, but he then went public playing the emotional card. He said he had worked hard to manage the company for his brother, and after his brother's death, he started managing it for his nephew. Even if there was no great merit, there was hard work, right? But that nephew was utterly unreasonable, showing no regard for the favor of being groomed into a Best Actor. Once his wings were strong, he started finding his uncle an eyesore and wanted to drive him out. He (Liang Jian) hadn't even said he wouldn't leave! Such actions from the nephew were simply bullying to the extreme! He originally didn't want to target Radiant like this, but even a clay figure has a temper. If you show no benevolence, then I'll show no righteousness. Now that he was venturing out on his own, he hoped for support from all sectors, blah blah blah...
His public wailing caused Radiant's stock to dip even further, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Public opinion also overwhelmingly sided with Liang Jian, leaving Liang Zhou's supportive fans frantic but helpless.
Just as Liang Jian was happily bouncing around everywhere, Radiant quietly issued an announcement. The gist was: In accordance with the will of Liang Chi, as of a certain date, the 35% of shares temporarily managed by Liang Jian were formally reclaimed, and a welcome was extended to the new board director taking office.
This announcement shocked everyone. What was this about a will?
Well, since everyone is curious, let's just hold a press conference and explain this matter properly—stated Radiant's spokesperson.
A press conference was swiftly convened, with media from all sides quickly assembling. Radiant's spokesperson smiled slightly, picked up the microphone, and began explaining in a measured tone. This explanation delivered a stinging slap to Liang Jian's face.
First, Liang Jian was not driven out by Radiant; he left on his own. Liang Chi had left a will before his death, stating that once his son Liang Zhou won the Best Actor award, the shares in his possession would be transferred to him. Liang Jian was unaware of this beforehand. Clutching the share proxy document Liang Chi had signed over to him years ago, he stubbornly refused to return the shares and company management rights to Liang Zhou. Now, with the will's appearance, the proxy document in his hands instantly became worthless scrap paper. He was furious, but what could he do? Those shares originally belonged to the father and son! So, he left in a huff on his own, taking a large group of Radiant's artists with him.
The spokesperson was ruthless, hinting clearly and subtly: Look, Ronghua was established on such a large scale and so steadily, clearly showing Liang Jian had long been prepared. Furthermore, Mr. Liang Chi's will also stated that Liang Jian wouldn't manage the company for nothing. If Liang Zhou failed to become Best Actor, the will would be void, and the company would be given to Liang Jian outright. If Liang Zhou proved his mettle and won Best Actor, then, in gratitude for managing the company and guiding Liang Zhou, Liang Jian would be gifted 10% of Radiant's shares and fifty million yuan.
What was Liang Jian before joining Radiant? A shoe salesman. Liang Chi entrusted the large family business of Radiant to him, allowed him to profit from it, even hired professional managers to help him run the company, and then gifted him shares and money afterward. How generous! What more did he have to complain about? Without Liang Chi's generosity back then, he'd probably still be selling shoes.
Second, Liang Zhou was not groomed into a Best Actor by Liang Jian. The spokesperson didn't elaborate much, simply listing all the TV dramas and films Liang Zhou had starred in from his debut to the present, pointing out the investors and production companies one by one. People aren't stupid. With just a little thought, it became clear. As the legitimate young master of Radiant, none of the works Liang Zhou acted in after his debut had any real connection to Radiant. Getting roles relied entirely on the connections left by Liang Chi and his own ability. So, Liang Zhou becoming Best Actor truly had nothing to do with Liang Jian.
The spokesperson went on like this and that, and the media wrote it up this and that way. Even before the press conference ended, news stories about Liang Jian's ingratitude began surfacing.
Finally, the spokesperson announced that Radiant and Jiahe were formally merging and hoped for everyone's future support.
Everyone was stunned. Jiahe? Wasn't that the most successful new entertainment company in recent years? It was actually merging into Radiant? This was great news.
The spokesperson smiled without further comment and declared the press conference over.
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. Regardless of the outcome of the public opinion war between Radiant and Ronghua, just the news of the merger alone stabilized Radiant's stock price.
What's most important for an entertainment company? Artists. Jiahe may have lacked in other areas, but its artist roster was quite rich, with A-list, B-list, and C-list talents—it was just that the company's resources were somewhat lacking.
Speaking of resources, as an established entertainment company, that's what Radiant had in abundance. Now, with Jiahe and Radiant merging, they had both artists and resources. Making money would be a cinch.
Slapped in the face, Liang Jian lay low for a few days. Then suddenly, artists who had transferred from Radiant to Ronghua came forward one after another, tearfully complaining about how inhumane their former employer was, how cruelly it squeezed their remaining value, completely disregarding their personal wishes. They also claimed Radiant's internal management was chaotic, rife with under-the-table deals, and that artists had no security.
The power of fans is mighty. With so many artists coming forward with their grievances, their fans, heated with passion, jumped out to loudly condemn Radiant as black-hearted, evil, and wishing misfortune upon its entire family.
For a time, Radiant became the target of public criticism once again.
Just as everyone thought Radiant was about to fall into chaos again, superstar Best Actor Guan Bowen suddenly held a press conference announcing his decision to join Radiant.
The complaining artists fell silent. The fans who had been helping their idols curse Radiant also cooled down somewhat.
Who is Guan Bowen? That's a mega superstar Best Actor! This person has been famous for years, the first in the Chinese entertainment industry to truly break out of Asia and make it to Hollywood. He's the real deal, a top-tier superstar! He doesn't even need to say anything; his name itself is a seal of quality, represents justice! Someone like him siding with Radiant was equivalent to planting a stabilizing pillar for the company!
Now Ronghua was completely quiet, and Rongguang finally got a chance to catch its breath. It began sweeping reforms, taking over Jiahe's artists, consolidating resources, and adjusting its management model. It looked poised to reach new heights.
Yu Shulin knew nothing of the fierce turmoil outside. At the moment, he was clutching the parent-teacher conference notice in his hand, wearing an expression of profound distress.
Just a wall away, Liang Zhou was also feeling deeply troubled. Lately, his younger brother had been very sensible, company matters were going smoothly, and Liang Jian had stopped causing trouble. Everything was good, but...
Two minutes later, a knock sounded at the door. It was pushed open, and Yu Shulin walked in, smiling brightly. "Brother, it's getting late. You should wash up and rest soon."
Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes! Alarm bells rang wildly in Liang Zhou's heart, but his face remained perfectly calm. He put away the documents in his hand and stood up. "Alright, let's go."
"Okay, take your time, Brother." Yu Shulin moved closer and actively took hold of his hand.
Liang Zhou's fingers twitched, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly before he forcefully pressed them down again, putting on a stern face. "Have you finished your homework?"
"It's all done. Do you want to check it, Brother?" Yu Shulin turned his head, looking in high spirits, and even gave their joined hands a little shake.
This, this, this, this, this... Liang Zhou frowned, his expression growing even more serious—his younger brother had been acting more and more spoiled lately. No, he couldn't be too indulgent with the child.
"We're both men. What's with all this hand-holding?" he chided in a low voice.
Yu Shulin was taken aback. "Brother, you don't like this?" As he spoke, he made to let go. "Since you don't like it, Brother, then I won't—"
Liang Zhou's brow jumped. He quickly tightened his grip on Yu Shulin's hand, averting his gaze, his expression growing even more proper. "No, I meant other people... I'm your brother. There's nothing wrong with brothers holding hands for a bit."
"As long as you don't dislike it, Brother." Yu Shulin, suspecting nothing, smiled and continued leading him towards the room by the hand. Ever since he found out that Liang Zhou had secretly helped him in his past life, he had grown increasingly dependent on this older brother. When they were together, he always liked having physical contact with him—maybe it was a bit too clingy, but... he was happy. Anyway, his brother didn't seem to mind. They were brothers; being a little intimate was no big deal.
