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So when Wei Zhanjie and his son came to Hong Kong on business this time, the first thing they planned was to secure mainland agency contracts for these Hong Kong artists; the second was to acquire the copyrights to those classic Hong Kong film and television dramas.

However, these matters had been secretly planned all along, and outsiders knew nothing about them.

Liu Jiawei looked at Wei Zhanjie in considerable surprise. He had come at Director Mai Chengliang's request to act as a mediator. Unexpectedly, before he could even bring up the matter at hand, Wei Zhanjie had dropped a bombshell on him.

Sign his mainland agency contract with Huaxia Imperial Entertainment, and let them handle all his work arrangements on the mainland?

Liu Jiawei thought it over and suddenly felt that it was not a bad proposal.

Of course, he had heard the news about Huaxia Imperial Entertainment's artists being poached in a package deal. Yet the mass exodus of artists had not affected the company's normal operations. The sudden emergence of Exchanging Lives had not only eased Huaxia TV's embarrassing plummet in ratings, but also enhanced the public image and influence of Huaxia Imperial Entertainment and the Wei family. And Lu Heng, whom they had promoted in the process, possessed even greater talent and potential.

It was clear that Huaxia Imperial Entertainment's judgment, marketing strategy, and crisis management were all well above the standard.

Liu Jiawei lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled. In a joking tone, he said, "If I accept Mr. Wei's invitation, could Mr. Wei agree to Director Mai's request as an exchange?"

Wei Zhanjie smiled amiably and spread his hands, pointing at his son. "This isn't up to me. Lin Xuan makes all the decisions."

Wei Linxuan kept a straight face and said solemnly, "Of course not."

Liu Jiawei raised a brow and asked with interest, "Why not?"

Wei Linxuan said, "Because losing weight is bad for his health. Lu Heng isn't even an adult yet."

"But if you agree to Director Mai's request, I'll accept your father's invitation. Would that still not work?" Liu Jiawei asked with a smile.

Wei Linxuan shook his head decisively. "From the company's standpoint, we will not sacrifice an artist's health for the company's benefit. From a personal standpoint, I, Wei Linxuan, will not sell out a friend's body for my own gain."

"So unfortunately, I cannot agree."

Looking at the unusually resolute Wei Linxuan, Liu Jiawei smiled and shook his head. He took the initiative to extend a hand to Wei Zhanjie. "Then, Mr. Wei, you can discuss the specific details of the contract with my management team. For now, let's wish each other a pleasant collaboration."

Wei Zhanjie smiled as he glanced at his son, then clasped Liu Jiawei's hand. "A pleasant collaboration."

Liu Jiawei looked at Wei Linxuan, who did not seem at all surprised, and said, "I like your conviction. A company that will not sacrifice its artists' interests is certainly a company worth trusting."

Wei Linxuan also solemnly extended his hand. "I also believe Huaxia Imperial Entertainment will not betray Mr. Liu's trust."

Liu Jiawei smiled and shook Wei Linxuan's hand.

His highly anticipated old friend had returned defeated. Not only had he failed to persuade Huaxia Imperial Entertainment to let Lu Heng lose weight, he had even sold himself in the process. The harsh reality left Mai Chengliang deeply disappointed.

Under his old friend's mournful, resentful gaze, the award-winning actor could only force himself to say, "I also think making a fourteen-year-old boy lose weight is far too cruel. He won't grow tall. Huaxia Imperial Entertainment is doing this for the sake of its artist, too."

"Then what about my film?" Mai Chengliang asked mournfully.

"Lu Heng is only fourteen this year. Having him play eighteen-year-old Fang, I think his image already fits very well. Teenage boys are naturally slender. You can have him wear looser clothes, then work on the makeup and lighting. It should be fine." Liu Jiawei spread his hands and defected without hesitation. "You can't make a fourteen-year-old boy stay short for the rest of his life just to shoot your film."

Seeing the accusing look his old friend shot straight at him, Liu Jiawei could only rub his nose. "Otherwise... you could try looking for another actor."

Mai Chengliang snorted coldly in anguish. Did he think good actors were cabbages, something he could find just by picking a few?

If Lu Heng's audition performance had not been so stunning, completely overshadowing everyone else, why would he still be so hung up on him? He would have gone looking for someone else long ago, all right?

Mai Chengliang was indignant. But Huaxia Imperial Entertainment would not budge, and the old friend he had pinned his hopes on had defected at the last minute. Moreover, none of the actors who came to audition for Fang afterward possessed Lu Heng's talent and spirit.

After fussing over it for most of the day, Director Mai could only grit his teeth and agree to Huaxia Imperial Entertainment's demand that the actor not lose weight.

Just as Liu Jiawei had suggested, Lu Heng already suited Fang's character setting very well. As long as he wore loose clothing, the sense of frailty and sickly pallor could be created through makeup and lighting. But acting skill and talent that could make the character come alive were not things one could find so easily.

After successfully signing with the production crew, Lu Heng returned to Beijing with the Wei father and son, who had accomplished their mission.

Time had entered December of 2000. With the year drawing to a close, every company was working overtime to meet performance targets and prepare financial reports, while schools had also entered the final exam review period.

After yet another monthly exam, Lu Heng, whose work commitments had caused his grades in every subject to collapse completely, was summoned to the office by his teacher.

The homeroom teacher of Class Fifteen, Year Three, at Yanjing University Affiliated High School looked helplessly at Lu Heng standing before him. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Student Lu, I know about your family circumstances, and I know you've signed with an entertainment company and need to film productions and attend promotional events. But you are still a student, and your studies should come first. Although our class is a specialty class, and we do not demand grades as high as the other classes, passing every subject is still the basic requirement."

"...You have probably heard that Yanjing University Affiliated High School has always had a tradition of direct advancement. But for the entrance examinations from elementary to middle school, and from middle school to high school, the school has regulations as well. You must at least ensure that you pass every subject in order to pass the advancement examination. If you are still failing when the advancement exam comes in June, then you can only repeat the year."

The words struck Lu Heng like a bolt from the blue, leaving him utterly stunned.

Seeing Lu Heng's wide-eyed, disbelieving expression, the homeroom teacher tapped the test paper covered in red X marks and reminded him, "If Student Lu does not want to repeat the year in half a year, then you should start studying hard."