"Because the one I actually want your father to choose is someone else."
"Yang Yufan?!" Yu Linglong was taken aback.
"That's right. You also said that your father's illegitimate son likes to oppose you for the sake of it. If you say you want to pick Zhou Zerui, then he'll definitely suggest your father choose Yang Yufan."
Yu Linglong reminded her, "But Yang Yufan is a Best Actor winner. He has a great reputation and plenty of fans. If he's cast as the male lead, at least this new drama your dad is preparing will become a minor hit."
Jiang Youli said, "That's exactly the effect I want. Yang Yufan—Best Actor, good reputation, clean personal life, lots of fans, huge influence. If he blows up with a scandal, it will cause an uproar in the entertainment industry, and 'Soaring Straight Up' will naturally hit a dead end."
Yu Linglong, however, felt it was unlikely. "If that man really had some earth-shattering scandal buried, it would've been exposed long ago. How could no one have dug up anything damaging enough to shake his position all this time?"
"That's just because it's been hidden well enough."
Though Yu Linglong still had doubts, she chose to trust Jiang Youli.
"I understand."
"On that note, have you really made up your mind? Do you truly have the resolve to secure control of Big Wind Entertainment at any cost, even if it means heavy losses for the company?"
Hearing this from Jiang Youli, Yu Linglong said firmly, "Big Wind Entertainment was built by my mother and my father together. But in the end, when it succeeded, everyone thought it was all because of my father—that his skill did it, and my mother just got to enjoy the benefits. What benefits did my mother actually enjoy? Because back then she endured hardships with my father—late nights, networking events, pouring her heart out—she ended up with a body full of ailments. Just when outsiders thought her good days were coming, she found out her husband had kept a mistress outside and had a son, a son only three years younger than his own daughter. She was so furious she collapsed and didn't hold on long before she passed."
"Truth be told, if my mother had received proper treatment, she could have recovered slowly. But that mistress outside couldn't wait. The company was doing well, and she'd borne a son. She wanted to become the official wife right away, so she deliberately revealed her existence to my mother. That's what made my mother's condition worsen, and she passed away not long after."
"A week after my mother died, my father brought that woman and his illegitimate son home. How could I ever tolerate that!"
By the end, Yu Linglong's tone was filled with hatred.
"Before she died, my mother transferred all her company shares to me. Her only final wish was: no matter what, never let the company fall into my father's illegitimate son's hands!"
"So if I can't get Big Wind Entertainment, then I'll let it go bankrupt! I will absolutely not let that bastard son of Yu Zhanzhi reap the fruits my mother sowed!"
The last sentence was nearly gritted out through her teeth.
Jiang Youli said, "I understand. Since you have that resolve, I'm naturally willing to cooperate and help you. But I won't do a losing deal, so my help comes with a condition. After I help you deal with your father's illegitimate son, you'll have to sell me all your shares in Big Wind Entertainment at market price."
Yu Linglong knew that Jiang Youli had her sights set on acquiring Big Wind Entertainment.
But she had no other choice. She lacked the power to topple Yu Zhanzhi and his illegitimate son. So she might as well give up Big Wind Entertainment outright, cash out her shares, and combined with what she'd earned herself, it would be enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life. She said, "No problem. I hold 20% of the shares. I can sell them all to you."
Jiang Youli reminded her again, "My people told me that Long Yuan found Jiang Yonghe and took her away. That means Jiang Yonghe may have already told Long Yuan about how you helped me take her away before. Be careful of Long Yuan's movements lately. If anything feels off, let me know immediately, because as far as I know, Long Yuan has been making some rather dangerous moves lately."
Yu Linglong was stunned for a moment, then said, "I understand. I'll be careful. I know you want to bring down the Long family, so I'll also find ways to get you evidence of Long Yuan's crimes."
Jiang Youli said, "Leave the evidence to me. Just watch out for your own personal safety."
"Okay." Yu Linglong suddenly felt like she might cry. It had been a long time since she'd felt cared for by anyone. She never expected that after all this time, it would be a woman she hadn't known for long who would make her feel that way.
…
Inside the chairman's office at Big Wind Entertainment, only Chairman Yu and his son Yu Hongtu remained.
Yu Hongtu furrowed his brows and looked at his father, speaking in a firm tone, "Dad, regarding this new drama 'Soaring Straight Up,' I don't think the male lead should be Zhou Zerui like my sister suggested."
Chairman Yu looked at his son in surprise. He hadn't expected Yu Hongtu to have such strong opinions on casting. So he asked, "Why? Don't tell me you're just trying to oppose your sister for the sake of it?"
Yu Hongtu quickly shook his head and explained, "Dad, how could I be that kind of impulsive person? It's just that I think it's suspicious that my sister came all the way here just to suggest Zhou Zerui as the male lead. I'm worried that she might have feelings for him. If the two of them develop something during filming and anger Young Master Long, then we'll be in serious trouble. My suggestion is purely for the company's sake."
Chairman Yu listened to Yu Hongtu's words and nodded thoughtfully.
He felt his son's concern wasn't unreasonable. After all, Young Master Long had a significant influence on their family's business. If they offended him over a casting decision and the marriage alliance fell through, the consequences would indeed be disastrous.
"Mm, you make a good point," Chairman Yu said. "At this critical juncture, we absolutely cannot offend Young Master Long. We can't let this marriage alliance fall apart." He paused in thought, then continued, "In that case, look into Zhou Zerui's background and reputation. See what kind of person he really is. If there's actually a problem with him, then we can reconsider the male lead."
Big Wind Entertainment had been living off its past glory. Nominally it was still an old-school entertainment company in the capital, but facing many newer entertainment companies, it was under real pressure.
But with the backing of the Long family—with Long family investment and their help acquiring smaller entertainment companies, plus getting access to good resources first—the company could hold its position.
"All right." Yu Hongtu said.
Chairman Yu was very satisfied. "Little Hong, it seems you've grown up. I feel at ease handing the company over to you in the future."
Yu Hongtu said, "Since you have such high hopes for me, I naturally won't let you down."
Chairman Yu smiled with gratification. Once his daughter successfully married Long Yuan and his son smoothly took over the company, he would truly consider his life complete.
…
After hanging up with Yu Linglong, Jiang Youli leaned back in her office chair and called Ye Ying.
"Thoroughly investigate the background of Big Wind Entertainment's chairman, Yu Zhanzhi, and his illegitimate son Yu Hongtu. I need material that can ruin their reputations."
"Understood, boss."
Jiang Youli tossed her phone onto the desk, leaned her head back against the chair, and closed her eyes to rest.
Buzz. Buzz.
Her phone vibrated.
She rested for five minutes before slowly opening her eyes and picking up her phone to check it.
Another message from Jiang Zhao.
[Xiao Li, Dafeng Entertainment is already willing to pay my termination fee. They believe I can become a huge star. Let me ask you one last time—are you really not going to forgive me and keep me at Starlight Entertainment so I can maximize my value here?]
Jiang Youli sneered and replied: [Congratulations on jumping into that fire pit!]
