030 An Unpleasant Parting

"Director Qian, President Pei, please, after you!"

Yang Jianghao gestured with a hearty smile, signaling for them to lead the way. Qian Lang and Pei Duoduo, naturally, would not commit such a social blunder. Yang Jianghao did not insist further and strode toward the main banquet hall.

*Weren't you saying your legs were acting up?* Qian Lang and Pei Duoduo exchanged a look before following Yang Jianghao into the hall. Jackie Chan and Wang Bo followed closely behind.

The banquet hall was vast, the light refracted from the crystal chandelier feeling cold and sterile. As Yang Jianghao led Qian Lang and his party inside, several pairs of eyes immediately locked onto them.

Pei Duoduo frowned slightly. Her intuition told her that these people were not as welcoming as Yang Jianghao. She felt a lingering sense that this was a trap.

Qian Lang also sensed the hostile stares. However, since Yang Jianghao was the host, he assumed these people were merely guests invited to accompany them; there was no need to take it to heart. He accepted their scrutiny with a calm, composed expression.

"Everyone, let me introduce you. This is the young talent from Beijing, Director Qian Lang..." Yang Jianghao introduced Qian Lang’s party to the guests, then introduced those seated to Qian Lang.

It was only then that Qian Lang realized the people present were the last remaining heads of Hong Kong’s film production companies. No wonder their gazes were so unfriendly. It was understandable, really. Hong Kong had once been the leader of the entertainment industry in the Great Xia. Now, with the market in a slump, the mantle of leadership had been snatched away by the rising stars of the mainland entertainment scene. It would be strange if they didn't harbor any resentment.

"Director Qian, you really are quite the distinguished talent!" a pot-bellied middle-aged man at the table chuckled, offering a greeting.

"He certainly looks the part! Director Qian, if you're interested, you could come and film with our company!" another man, bald and wearing a sly, shifty grin, added.

The others burst into raucous laughter at this.

Pei Duoduo furrowed her brows. *What are these weirdos talking about?* Judging by their lewd expressions, they were clearly up to no good.

"Gentlemen, that’s not a joke to be made lightly," Jackie Chan chimed in, unable to watch any longer. He was the one who had acted as the bridge to bring Qian Lang here. His own boss had been very enthusiastic, but what was the deal with these people? What were they trying to imply with their snide, passive-aggressive remarks?

"What? Can’t take a joke? Then how can we possibly share a table?" another man retorted, his face darkening.

Jackie Chan was left speechless. These bosses usually behaved this way, but they usually at least read the room. Today, it felt like they were brewing something specific. Were they trying to pull the old "show of force" trick? If so, they had kicked a granite boulder. We are the ones asking them for something, not the other way around. *Get a grip on the situation, gentlemen!* Jackie wanted to warn them, but in the eyes of these bosses, even as a kung fu superstar, he was just a minor player with some fancy footwork. If he dared to speak up, someone might just slap him across the face.

He tried to signal Yang Jianghao with his eyes, but the latter acted as if he had grown senile and couldn't see a thing.

***

"This boss, I have no interest in being an actor," Qian Lang said calmly. "However, I am a professional when it comes to directing. I must say, you fit the role of a character in my upcoming film quite well."

The entertainment industry was a Vanity Fair where the diversity of human nature was on full display. Why let someone else's rudeness affect his own mood? If this boss could offend others, then others could certainly strike back.

"What role?" the bald man asked, rubbing his head.

"A palace guard. He’s a fairly important supporting character in my upcoming film. Honestly, your villainous look fits the character design perfectly." Qian Lang said this with the utmost seriousness.

Pei Duoduo, suppressing a laugh, chimed in, "If you're interested, the pay won't be an issue!"

"Are you mocking me?" The bald man caught the sarcasm, his expression shifting instantly.

Pei Duoduo looked at him with a sweet, artificial smile. "What? Can't take a joke?"

"You!" The bald man was so enraged he stood up. The others who had spoken up were also glaring at Qian Lang and his group.

"Alright, enough with the jokes!" Yang Jianghao finally intervened to stop the farce. He had indeed intentionally indulged them, hoping to intimidate Qian Lang and his party so he could demand more leverage in the upcoming negotiations. Who knew these old fogies would be so easily outmatched by a sharp-tongued youngster? It had been a waste of effort.

"Let’s eat first. We can discuss business after the meal," Yang Jianghao urged.

"Yes, yes. We have big business to discuss later, and the atmosphere won't be right without some drinks!" those who hadn't joined the fray quickly chimed in to smooth things over.

"Big business, you say?" Qian Lang turned to Pei Duoduo with a smile. "President Pei, since we’re just small-timers, are we even qualified to share a table with these seniors?"

"Certainly not!" Pei Duoduo replied, catching his drift. *If they can't even show the basic courtesy of someone seeking a partnership, who would want to do business with them?*

The two of them, acting in tandem, turned to leave with Wang Bo.

Yang Jianghao scrambled to block their path. "You two, please, keep your cool! The comments by Mr. He, Mr. Xiao, and Mr. Sun were uncalled for. I apologize on their behalf!"

"Mr. Yang, I think it’s best we leave it at that. As Mr. Sun said, people who aren't on the same path shouldn't share a meal. Let’s not force things; a melon forced from the vine is never sweet," Qian Lang said, unmoved. Yang Jianghao hadn't stepped in while these men were acting like clowns. The implication was clear enough. It was too late for him to play the mediator now.

"Director Qian, don't be in such a hurry to refuse. Everything is negotiable!" Yang Jianghao continued to concede. He truly regretted letting those old geezers run wild. It was a classic case of failing to steal the chicken and losing the rice instead.

"Yes, everything is negotiable!" the others echoed, trying to save the situation. Mr. He, Mr. Xiao, and Mr. Sun, however, sat there with faces as dark as soot, refusing to say a word.

"Let's just leave it," Qian Lang had already made up his mind. In business, you value face, but you also don't. He had been invited here only to be met with an attempt at intimidation, and the moment he fought back, they immediately folded. Delayed sincerity was worth less than weeds. Besides, a group that changed their stance so easily didn't make for good allies. The team at Galaxy Pictures were all relatively simple-minded; he didn't want them getting corrupted by these old sharks.

"Mr. Yang, gentlemen, the truth is, the success of *Crazy Stone* was just a lucky break. I’m not being humble; we have self-awareness. We are definitely not in the same league as you giants."

"Farewell. No need to see us out." Qian Lang led Pei Duoduo and the others straight out of the banquet hall.

Yang Jianghao couldn't catch them even if he wanted to. He let out a long sigh.

"Boss, I'll go follow them and see," Jackie Chan whispered. Yang Jianghao waved him off. Using Jackie as a lubricant to repair the relationship was fine. He, at least, no longer had the face to step out himself.

On the way out, Pei Duoduo praised Qian Lang, calling him a prime example of a man with self-respect. Qian Lang smiled and shook his head. It wasn't about his self-respect. It was just that the Hong Kong film industry had been in decline for so long that these bosses were desperate for a piece of the pie. That was why they had been so impatient. Since they had very little leverage to negotiate with, why should he invite the wolf into the house?

Not partnering up was best for both sides. After all, the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment. No one wanted to be the only one providing, and no one liked someone who ate what was on their plate while eyeing what was still in the pot.

"Sigh, we let the kid get away," the bald man said in the banquet hall, rubbing his head in frustration. He had to admit, Qian Lang had become a piece of meat everyone wanted a bite of, and now that it was gone, it was agonizing.

"It’s all because you spoke so crudely!" the pot-bellied man snapped.

"Well, who knew a youngster from Beijing couldn't take a joke!" another man said, looking dejected.

"You still have the nerve to say that! If you hadn't put on that menacing look, things wouldn't have ended like this!" The bald man seized the chance to push the blame onto someone else.

"How is it my fault? I just said if they couldn't take a joke, how could they share a table? What’s wrong with that?"

"Enough, enough! Stop arguing!" Yang Jianghao pounded the table, furious. Qian Lang had been invited here, and now he had left without even taking a bite. If word got out, it would be his own face that was lost, especially since it was his estate that hosted the banquet. How was he supposed to answer to Chairman Jiang when he asked? So many awards had been given out, yet not a single bit of cooperation had been secured.

Sigh, it was all because there were too many hungry mouths and only one piece of meat to go around. After all, a director like Qian Lang was simply too hard to find.