Among the films released during the Lunar New Year season, "Lost in the Way" broke through the competition. Despite being the least anticipated suspense film, it surpassed the second-place comedy and undoubtedly took the top spot.
Opinions online are divided. Some complain that the film is mediocre, some complain that Nan Qing's face is too beautiful even with makeup, and some try to find flaws in the supporting characters to smear the film. However, honestly, at least everyone has a movie ticket.
The investors made a fortune, the cinemas were a box office hit, and Nan Qing achieved great success in her first time leading a box office, greatly boosting her fame.
With the success of "Lost in the Way" preceding it, " Journey through Luo," which has just finished filming, has also gained popularity, attracting attention from many people both inside and outside the industry.
Film offers came in like snowflakes, and Zhou Guangliang carefully selected one that Nan Qing had never explored before.
As French director Joaquín Guzmán's new film began shooting, news of Nan Qing's special invitation to star quickly spread. He appeared on the streets of a foreign country in a long trench coat, his handsome Eastern features making him unforgettable.
Some people are lamenting that a major change is about to happen in the Hua Country film industry, while others are sourly implying that the film is being exported and then re-imported domestically, and it has even been trending on social media countless times.
" Nan Qing's fans are still trying to portray him as someone who's been blessed with good fortune? He's just latched onto a powerful figure; does he think nobody knows that?"
"It's true that Nan Qing is a good actress, and it's also true that she's beautiful. Isn't it normal for her to be loved? Some people shouldn't be so sour."
"Some people are so wicked, does that mean that even if a woman is beautiful and outstanding, she has to find a useless man to help her out?"
"Haha, ever since Nan Qing hooked up with that guy, his resources have skyrocketed. Before, he played a minor supporting role in a low-budget drama, then he landed a YIVAYA deal, worked with high-end luxury brands, appeared in magazines, and played the male lead. Now he's getting roles with internationally renowned directors. I heard his next movie is a patriotic film, so be careful he doesn't get struck by lightning for pushing her too hard!"
"To be honest, given this kind of resources, even a pig could fly, right? I really don't understand what's so great about it."
"I'm so jealous! Why don't you go after high-end luxury brands yourself? Forget high-end luxury, forget domestic clothing, even the clothing lines under the Gu family are so numerous, only YIVAYA, which Nan Qing wore, became a huge hit. Some people only care about Nan Qing's good resources. Is 'Lost in the Way' a good opportunity? This kind of low-budget suspense film is going to be released during the Spring Festival, which is not popular to begin with. There are so many actors in the industry who can be contacted, and they are all pushing and shoving each other, which is how Nan Qing got the opportunity. An unwanted role became a good opportunity after she became popular. You have no vision and you blame others for being born with good fortune?"
"Those in the industry know that we did extend invitations to several veteran actors for 'Lost in the Way,' but they declined without even watching the film. At the time, it wasn't considered a good project, but later the movie became a huge hit, and some of them regretted it immensely."
"Hilarious! A canary is a canary, why bother creating this 'true love' persona? If the big boss really loved him, he'd have married him long ago. Only Nan Qing's fans are obsessed. Your idol went abroad to film, and when he came back, he'd already been kicked out!"
"That's right. Who is that person? With a flick of his finger, Nan Qing wouldn't have to stay at Huading. As far as I know, Nan Qing's contract is still with Huading Entertainment. It seems the big shot was just playing around, but I'm afraid some people might take it seriously!"
The comments section under the Reuters photo was filled with heated arguments until someone took a screenshot of the corporate information of Huading Entertainment Culture Co., Ltd. on Tianyancha (a Chinese business information platform).
On a particular circled line, shareholder Nan Qing holds absolute control with a 99% stake, while the name of an unnamed important figure follows behind, holding 1% of the shares.
"Are there still people who don't know that Huading Entertainment has been acquired and is now owned by Nan Qing? What's wrong with him staying in his own company?"
"Wow! This relationship is way too intense! That deadbeat has been dating for so long, it's time for me to take a break!"
"No wonder the box office is so high, it turns out it's been turned into capital..."
"Some people can say whatever they want and still be right, but they just won't admit they're being sarcastic."
The debate is raging within the circle, and things aren't peaceful outside of it either.
First, the Bai Family's factory went bankrupt after being reported for environmental issues. Relevant departments ordered it to rectify the situation and shut down.
The Bai Family hadn't even sorted out the factory issues when the company was accused by name of having unclear accounts and evading taxes.
Tax issues are of paramount importance. Bai's father and a group of senior executives were taken away for questioning, and companies that had been cooperating with them for many years backed away and severed ties with them.
Even the Qin family, whose two families are related by marriage, was affected by the stock price fluctuations. They made the difficult decision to abandon the Bai Family and sever ties with them.
The Bai Family's situation was urgent. The father couldn't get out, and the mother was hospitalized. Bai Yanxiu was running around trying to find a solution, but unfortunately, he was all talk and no action and didn't even have a basic understanding of business matters. The busier he was, the more chaotic things became.
Bai Yanxiu went to find Qin Mubai, whose reaction was calm yet strange.
He said the building was on the verge of collapse and there was no way to save the Bai Family, and told his father to think carefully about what he had done.
Bai Yanxiu wanted to ask Nan Qing for help again, but Nan Qing had blocked him and was filming a movie in France, so he couldn't contact her at all.
Nan Qing spent three months filming a movie abroad, Huo Yuzhou would fly over to see him from time to time. The two would hold hands and take photos on the Champs-Élysées, or go to the opera house to watch a performance. Some people had even spotted them sharing a cup of coffee in a corner of the magnificent Palace of Versailles, or kissing under the Eiffel Tower amidst fiery sunset clouds...
When the three-month period ended and he returned to Hua Country, he saw news about the Bai Family on the airport screens.
Bai's father was imprisoned, while Bai's mother was released on bail.
Bai Yanxiu was heavily in debt, and the Bai Family fell apart.
The Bai Family's factory was quite well-known in S City. This dramatic change in business attracted attention. People chatted as they hurried by, saying things like, "When Bai's father was young, he worked as a driver for someone. He conspired with someone to ruin a private entrepreneur, causing him to be destitute and killed. Now, karma has come full circle," and so on.
Nan Qing only half understood what was being said, and quickly dialed a number.
Qin Mubai's voice was calm on the other end of the phone, reassuring him that the turmoil in the Bai Family had nothing to do with him.
"You suggested I take a break before the New Year, and my father also had other ideas. I stepped down from my post with the Bai Family, but who knew this would happen?"
"My father was too greedy, and he didn't keep his own ways clean, so someone caught him doing something wrong..."
Qin Mubai's voice paused subtly, his cold smile tinged with mockery.
"This can be considered his retribution."
Nan Qing didn't quite understand.
But since his older brother is alright, he doesn't need to understand too much.
After hanging up the phone, a new message popped up.
Seeing the familiar words "Male Bodhisattva" in the contact name, Nan Qing's legs couldn't help but go weak.
In a daze, he was transported back to a time when the curtains were drawn, and he was encircled in a man's hot and broad embrace, sweat sliding down his burning skin.
There was no way to dodge, nowhere to escape.
His earlobes turned bright red as he sent a voice message in a low voice.
" Huo Yuzhou, I know you're in a hurry, but could you please calm down...?"
"I'm already here..."