So when Wei Zhanjie and his son came to Hong Kong on this business trip, 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 films and television dramas.
However, all of this had been planned in secret, and outsiders knew nothing about it.
Liu Jiawei looked at Wei Zhanjie in considerable surprise. He had come at Director Mai Chengliang's request to act as a lobbyist. Unexpectedly, before he could even bring up the real matter, Wei Zhanjie had dropped a bombshell on him.
Sign his mainland agency contract with Huaxia Imperial Entertainment and let them handle all of his work arrangements on the mainland?
Liu Jiawei thought it over and suddenly felt that the proposal was rather good.
Of course, he had heard the news about Huaxia Imperial Entertainment's artists being poached wholesale. Yet the mass exodus of artists had not affected the company's normal operations. The sudden emergence of Exchanging Lives had not only eased the embarrassing situation of Huaxia TV's plummeting ratings, but had also enhanced the public image and influence of Huaxia Imperial Entertainment and the Wei family. Lu Heng, whom they had subsequently promoted, possessed even greater talent and potential.
It was clear that Huaxia Imperial Entertainment's eye for talent, marketing strategies, and crisis public relations were all well above standard.
Liu Jiawei lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before suddenly smiling. In a joking tone, he said, "If I accept Mr. Wei's invitation, could Mr. Wei agree to Director Mai's request in exchange?"
Wei Zhanjie spread his hands with a smile and pointed 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 the body. 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 perspective, we will not sacrifice an artist's health for the company's benefit. From a personal perspective, I, Wei Linxuan, will not sell out a friend's body for my own gain."
"So, unfortunately, I refuse."
Seeing how unusually resolute Wei Linxuan was, Liu Jiawei smiled and shook his head. He proactively extended his hand to Wei Zhanjie. "Then, Mr. Wei, you can discuss the specifics of the contract with my management team. For now, let's wish each other a happy partnership."
Wei Zhanjie smiled at his son, took Liu Jiawei's hand, and said with a smile, "Happy partnership."
Liu Jiawei looked at Wei Linxuan, who did not seem surprised in the slightest, and said, "I really like your principles. A company that will not sacrifice its artists' interests is certainly a company worth trusting."
Wei Linxuan solemnly extended his hand as well. "I also believe that Huaxia Imperial Entertainment will not betray Mr. Liu's trust."
Liu Jiawei smiled and clasped Wei Linxuan's hand.
* * * * * *
The old friend in whom he had placed such high hopes returned defeated. Not only had he failed to make Huaxia Imperial Entertainment agree to let Lu Heng lose weight, but he had even sold himself out in the process. The cruel reality left Mai Chengliang deeply disappointed.
Under his old friend's resentful, mournful gaze, the award-winning actor could only bite the bullet and say, "I also think it's far too cruel for you to make a fourteen-year-old boy lose weight. He won't grow any taller. 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, but having him play the eighteen-year-old Fang already fits the image quite well, I think. Teenage boys are naturally slender. You can dress him in looser clothes and make adjustments through 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 film your movie."
Faced with the accusatory look his old friend shot directly at him, Liu Jiawei could only rub his nose and say, "How about... finding another actor?"
Mai Chengliang snorted coldly in anguish. Did he think good actors were cabbages that could be found just by picking through a pile?
If Lu Heng's performance at the audition had not been so astonishing that it completely overshadowed everyone else, why would he still be so fixated on him? He would have found someone else long ago, all right?
Mai Chengliang was indignant. However, Huaxia Imperial Entertainment would not budge, and the old friend in whom he had placed such high hopes had defected at the crucial moment. None of the actors who came afterward to audition for Fang had Lu Heng's talent or spiritual spark.
After struggling for most of the day, Director Mai could only grit his teeth and agree to Huaxia Imperial Entertainment's demand that their actor not lose weight.
Just as Liu Jiawei had suggested, Lu Heng already fit Fang's character setting well. As long as he wore loose clothing, the sense of thinness and sickly pallor could be created through makeup and lighting. But acting skill and talent that truly suited the character were not something one could find so easily.
After successfully signing with the production crew, Lu Heng returned to Beijing with the Wei father and son, their mission accomplished.
Time had entered December of 2000. With the end of the year approaching, every company was working overtime to meet performance targets and prepare financial reports, while every school had entered the final-exam review period.
After another monthly exam, Lu Heng, whose work commitments had caused him to fail every subject, was called 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 hesitating for a moment, he said, "Student Lu, I know about your family situation, 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, after all, 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 do, there is still the basic requirement that you pass every subject."
"...I think you've probably heard that Yanjing University Affiliated High School has always had a tradition of direct advancement. But for the entrance examinations from elementary school to middle school and from middle school to high school, the school has its own rules. You must at least pass every subject to advance. If you still fail the advancement exam in June, you can only repeat the year."
The words struck Lu Heng like a bolt from the blue, instantly leaving him stunned.
Seeing Lu Heng's wide-eyed, disbelieving expression, the homeroom teacher tapped the test paper covered in bright red Xs and reminded him, "If Student Lu does not want to repeat the year in half a year, then you should start studying hard."
Before you continue