A few days later, Ouyang Chen, through Liu Jinhua's connections, managed to arrange a meeting with Ms. Yang Lehua, the head of Bai Mingyu's entertainment agency.
Yang Lehua, 45 years old, was one of the few female players in the entertainment industry. She founded Lehua Entertainment with the goal of creating celebrity images that would appeal to the public.
Simply put, Lehua had a unique approach to nurturing stars: whatever was currently popular and what people liked, Lehua Entertainment focused on cultivating those types of stars.
This mass production of quickly manufactured stars had indeed helped Lehua Entertainment gain a lot of attention in recent years.
However, as their popularity grew, so did the exposure of artists' misconduct. Several artists under their banner had already been branded as scandals in the entertainment industry!
Yang Lehua: "Mr. Ou, you're alone?"
Ouyang Chen: "Yes. It's said that seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. Ms. Yang, you truly have an extraordinary presence. Although I'm from a newly established small agency, I've long heard of Lehua Entertainment. It is my greatest honor to meet you in person today."
Yang Lehua laughed heartily. She greatly appreciated such flattery. According to Liu Jinhua's description, Yang Lehua was a woman with strong vanity.
Indeed, she was very pleased with her appearance and achievements. There were even rumors that those in the entertainment company who knew how to flatter "Boss Yang" were heavily favored!
Yang Lehua: "Mr. Ou, although I know nothing about Xio, I am very interested in you personally."
Ouyang Chen: "Is that so? I am truly flattered to be noticed by Ms. Yang."
Yang Lehua: "If Mr. Ou is willing to become a star, I am fully confident that I can elevate you to the top tier."
Ouyang Chen smiled. Yang Lehua admired him like a beautiful painting, and her gaze always reminded him of his days in Athens.
Ouyang Chen: "I'm too old. I might be washed up by new trends after only a few years of fame."
Yang Lehua: "The 'disciplined CEO' aura never goes out of style."
Ouyang Chen: "I'm clueless about acting."
Yang Lehua: "Which of my artists can act? As long as they have a pleasing appearance to the audience, there's no shortage of money to be made."
Ouyang Chen: "Ms. Yang, you jest. Lehua Entertainment has produced many excellent works, and the audience's reviews have been decent. How can you say they can't act?"
Yang Lehua: "It's a standard operating procedure for entertainment companies. Xio will understand once you've been in the industry longer."
At this moment, Yang Lehua's door was knocked open. The person who entered was Bai Mingyu, who had recently been cyberbullied.
Bai Mingyu didn't recognize Ouyang Chen, but anyone who could have tea and conversation with Yang Lehua while sitting on the sofa must be a significant figure.
Yang Lehua: "Perfect timing. I have something to tell you, come here."
Bai Mingyu: "Yes, yes, Sister Yang. And who is this?"
Yang Lehua: "Let me introduce you, this is Mr. Ouyang Chen, the head of Xio Entertainment."
Bai Mingyu: "Hello, hello. So you're the boss of Xio. Truly, seeing you is better than hearing about you a hundred times. Mr. Ou, you have such an extraordinary aura..."
Yang Lehua: "Alright, go sit over there."
Seeing Bai Mingyu about to start flattering, with words that echoed Ouyang Chen's own sentiments, Yang Lehua quickly stopped him.
Yang Lehua: "Mr. Ou is here today to help you."
Bai Mingyu: "Is... what is it?"
Yang Lehua: "You know yourself that the illegitimate child situation has been causing a huge uproar. The paparazzi have a paternity test, and it could be the end of you at any moment! Your celebrity career is about to be ruined!"
Bai Mingyu: "Sister Yang, you have to save me! I know I was wrong. As long as I can get through this crisis safely, I'll do anything you want from now on!!! I'll listen to everything you say!!!"
Yang Lehua: "The one who tied the knot must untie it. This is why Mr. Ou is here."
Bai Mingyu: "It was that lowly woman who gave birth to her! I told her I wouldn't acknowledge it!!!"
Ouyang Chen shot him a fierce look, and Bai Mingyu immediately fell silent. He had suffered greatly in recent days, losing endorsements, being surrounded by anti-fans, and even receiving many anonymous threats. He couldn't even go home!
Yang Lehua: "You caused this trouble, and the company has taken so much blame for you!"
Bai Mingyu: "Yes, yes, Sister Yang, I know I was wrong. Please consider me young and ignorant..."
Yang Lehua: "I've already spoken with your agent and briefed the public relations department. Do as I say. If you mess this up, even heaven and earth can't save you!"
Bai Mingyu: "Thank you, Sister Yang, I'll do anything!"
Yang Lehua: "Here's the script. Get your act together, deliver it with emotion, and from the heart!"
Bai Mingyu's phone immediately received a message. He opened it with tears of gratitude, but after reading only a few sentences, he became displeased.
Bai Mingyu: "Sister Yang, you're pushing me into a fire pit! I can't acknowledge that child!!!"
Yang Lehua: "You have to acknowledge it whether you want to or not. I'm telling you, you've lost so many endorsements, and you'll have to compensate them! Can you afford it? If you don't want to acknowledge it, then pay me the money!"
Bai Mingyu fell silent. At this point, he couldn't even afford to sell all his assets to cover the exorbitant liquidated damages...
Yang Lehua: "Don't worry, Mr. Ou and I have already discussed it. As long as you acknowledge the child as yours and perform well in front of the media, Mr. Ou and I will consider you for a future film collaboration."
Bai Mingyu clutched his phone tightly, gritting his teeth. If he acknowledged the child's existence, he, Bai Mingyu, would have to be responsible for this child for the rest of his life!
He hated Apple to death. This scheming woman had ruined his career and would forever burden his future with this stain!
Ouyang Chen: "It's not just 'considering.' If you do one more thing, I'll immediately agree to give you the male lead role."
Both Yang Lehua and Bai Mingyu were startled. Bai Mingyu being the male lead wasn't what was discussed before. Yang Lehua only wanted Ouyang Chen's investment; as for whether Bai Mingyu lived or died, she treated him like a stray dog.
Bai Mingyu: "Mr. Ou, what do you want me to do?"
Ouyang Chen: "Donate your bone marrow to your child."
Bai Mingyu: "Why?"
Ouyang Chen: "She has acute leukemia. Currently, you are the only one who can achieve the fastest and most effective match."
Yang Lehua grabbed a magazine and threw it at Bai Mingyu.
Yang Lehua: "Have you lost your conscience? Your child is so ill, and you're still shirking responsibility here!!!"
Bai Mingyu stood stunned, his ears buzzing. Everything around him seemed to be spinning. For just a fleeting moment, he felt like a terrible father...
Bai Mingyu: "Mr. Ou, why are you helping my child..."
Bai Mingyu was merely a pawn in his revenge against Yan Shizong. He thought everything was just a coincidence, but when Bai Mingyu asked him this, Ouyang Chen hesitated. Had he truly become kind?
Did he want to save a small life out of pity?
He didn't know, nor could he answer. He could only remain silent...
Ouyang Chen: "I hope Lehua Entertainment can expedite this matter."
Yang Lehua: "We will. I'm looking forward to our future collaboration."
Ouyang Chen stood up and shook hands with Yang Lehua. As Ouyang Chen prepared to leave, Bai Mingyu was still sitting on the sofa, unable to recover from the news.
Just as Yang Lehua opened the door for Ouyang Chen, Bai Mingyu suddenly stood up and rushed forward.
Bai Mingyu: "Mr. Ou, I beg you, please tell me where Apple's child is."
Ouyang Chen: "If you want to see the child, you'll see her on the operating table."