Volume Two: Shadows of the Past, Chapter Seventy: I Am Not Like You, You Scum!

Chen Jing looked at Xu Ce across from him, his brows slightly furrowed.

Xu Ce asked again, "Young Master Chen, how much do you really know about your manager, Lin Xi?"

Facing the persistent questioning, Chen Jing remained silent.

Xu Ce did not mind his lack of response and continued slowly, "If I’m not mistaken, Lin Xi approached you herself to sign you on, didn't she?"

At these words, Chen Jing gave Xu Ce a rare, sharp look. He was somewhat surprised that Xu Ce was privy to this detail, though it was nothing particularly significant.

Ignoring Chen Jing’s reaction, Xu Ce went on, "She approached me to sign a contract back then, too. And it wasn't just us—every artist she has ever managed, from Su Tingting to the three members of the Guofeng Girl Group, was signed because she personally sought them out."

"Does that prove anything? She is a professional manager. Isn't it normal for her to scout artists she believes in?" Chen Jing could not help but interrupt.

Xu Ce offered a cold laugh at the rebuttal. "Heh, you think it’s normal! That’s because you don't know that not a single artist who signed with her has ever completed their contract. Every one of them terminated their agreements midway to find another path."

Chen Jing frowned in thought before saying decisively, "That doesn't sound like it's her fault. As far as I know, in your cases, you were the ones who unilaterally breached the contracts, weren't you? How can you blame Lin Xi for that?"

Xu Ce said with disdain, "It has nothing to do with Lin Xi herself, but everything to do with her family background."

Chen Jing’s brow furrowed tightly. "What do you mean by that?"

Xu Ce ignored the question. "In your perception, you probably think Lin Xi is just the General Manager of Jingrun Entertainment, a successful businesswoman, right? But do you know about her true family background?"

Hearing this, Chen Jing suddenly had some suspicions. He recalled the relationship between Lin Xi and Lin Zitan, and the subtle air of wealth he had sensed from their daily interactions. These things told him a fact: they were not ordinary wealthy people.

Would an ordinary rich person casually invest ten or twenty million into a film for someone? Obviously not.

But even if Lin Xi’s background wasn't simple, so what?

Chen Jing had long known their identities were not simple, but he had never inquired further. He believed that in his interactions with others, he valued the person themselves; their family background was irrelevant and would not change his opinion of them.

Originally, Chen Jing hadn't been curious about Lin Xi's background, but now, hearing Xu Ce mention it, he became intrigued. Could there be a massive secret behind her origins?

Seeing Chen Jing’s curiosity, Xu Ce didn't rush to reveal the truth. He took a sip of his coffee and said slowly, "You know who the largest shareholder of Jingrun Entertainment is, don't you?"

"Lin Tianyao," Chen Jing replied without hesitation.

"Correct. Or, to be more precise, the current head of the Lin family of China: Lin Tianyao."

With that, Chen Jing pieced together most of Lin Xi’s background.

The Lin family was one of the ten great families of China, with a history spanning hundreds of years. They were known for their commercial prowess, with businesses spanning the globe. It was even rumored that the Lin family controlled the lifeblood of the Chinese economy.

As Chen Jing pondered this, Xu Ce revealed the core truth: "Lin Xi is a member of the Lin family. She is Lin Tianyao’s niece. Her father, Lin Tianwen, was the previous head of the family."

A single sentence, yet it carried immense implications. As Chen Jing processed this, Xu Ce continued.

"As everyone knows, the Lin family’s succession follows the rule of survival of the fittest. Lin Tianwen became the head of his generation. Unfortunately, he died in an accident eight years ago, allowing his brother, Lin Tianyao, to take power."

"In Lin Xi’s generation, the only remaining direct descendants are Lin Tianyao’s two sons and Lin Xi. Originally, as a woman, she had no claim to succession, as the position had always been passed down through the male line. However, for unknown reasons, the family changed its internal regulations: any direct female descendant who chooses not to marry outside the family gains the right to compete for the position of family head."

"It was this change that made Lin Xi's situation delicate." Xu Ce paused to sip his coffee again before adding with a sneer, "Compared to Lin Tianyao’s two sons, it is obvious to anyone with eyes that they are no match for Lin Xi. But even if they aren't, that doesn't matter, does it?" He asked, clearly believing Chen Jing understood his implication.

Chen Jing understood perfectly. He finally grasped why Xu Ce and the others had chosen to breach their contracts and jump ship just as they were becoming famous.

He had never understood that point before. No matter how good the offers from other companies were, they weren't significantly better than what Jingrun offered. Since they had risen to fame under Lin Xi’s guidance, they surely knew her capabilities. Why would they leave so easily? One might be a coincidence, but all of them? That was inexplicable—until now.

To confirm his suspicions, Chen Jing asked, "Is there someone who doesn't want the artists under Lin Xi to become famous? Is it Lin Tianyao? Or his two sons?"

Xu Ce only shook his head, not answering directly. "Who it is doesn't matter. You only need to know that if you continue to work under Lin Xi, you will be suppressed sooner or later."

Chen Jing frowned, but before he could speak, Xu Ce interrupted. "I know, perhaps due to emotional reasons, you don't want to leave her. After all, who wouldn't want to be near a goddess like Lin Xi? I was the same way, I’m not afraid to admit it. But!" Xu Ce stared at him intensely. "A person must have self-awareness. Don't chase after unrealistic dreams, or you'll end up with nothing. Do you understand, Young Master Chen?"

Chen Jing remained silent, watching Xu Ce.

After a long wait, Xu Ce assumed he had convinced him and said happily, "See? Just be open-minded. Changing agencies is no big deal, and the conditions are even better. Being a star is the same anywhere, why struggle with it?"

With that, Xu Ce pulled a contract from his bag and placed it in front of Chen Jing. "I believe you’ve seen our sincerity at Tomorrow Entertainment. Come join us; we are the best fit for you."

Facing the invitation, Chen Jing picked up the contract and smiled at Xu Ce.

Just as Xu Ce thought he had succeeded, Chen Jing tore the contract in half right in front of him.

Xu Ce’s smile froze instantly.

Chen Jing tossed the shredded paper aside and said calmly, "You make a lot of sense, but I’m sorry—I refuse."

Xu Ce’s expression turned grim. "Do you realize the consequences of doing this, Chen Jing?"

"What if I do? What if I don't? Is that any of your business?" Chen Jing stood up to leave.

"You think I didn't try to hold on just like you?" Xu Ce’s sudden outburst made Chen Jing pause.

"But I’m telling you, it’s useless! You really think I left Lin Xi for a better future? You really think she dumped me because I was a playboy?" Xu Ce shouted, looking slightly unhinged. "No! That's not it! When the time comes, it won't just be outsiders threatening you—Lin Xi’s own family, her mother, will force you to leave her. Even Lin Xi herself isn't being sincere! Wake up, Chen Jing! As long as she is chasing that position, she will never accept you. Everything you do for her is for nothing."

Chen Jing looked at the seemingly deranged man and said coolly, "So what? That was just your experience." He began walking away, adding, "And as I told you, stop painting yourself as the victim. You’re just a greedy, ungrateful jerk. I am not like you!"

Xu Ce watched in a daze as Chen Jing passed him. By the time Chen Jing reached the exit, Xu Ce bit his lip and shouted at his back, "Just wait! You’ll taste the bitterness soon enough! There will be plenty of times for you to cry!"

The shout startled the entire cafe, but Chen Jing remained unmoved and walked out without looking back.

Upon returning to the company, Chen Jing intended to find Lin Xi, but she called him first.

"Ah Jing, where are you?"

"I just got back to the office. I'm on the first floor," he said while walking.

"Good. Come to my office; someone wants to see you."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"Zhang Qishan."

"Director Zhang? Why is he here?"

"Just come up and you'll see."

"Alright, hold on." Chen Jing hung up and stepped into the elevator.

"Haha! Ah Jing, long time no see!" Zhang Qishan greeted him with a hearty laugh as he entered.

"Long time no see, Director Zhang," Chen Jing replied with a smile.

After a brief exchange, Zhang Qishan got straight to the point. "Ah Jing, I heard you’ve filmed a movie and plan to release it during the May Day holiday, right?"

Chen Jing wasn't surprised; he had suspected as much. He nodded. "Yes, the title is *SPL: Sha Po Lang*. It's an action film."

Hearing the confirmation, Zhang Qishan praised him with a smile, "Good, good. Daring to choose the May Day holiday for your first film. You’ve got guts—it’s no wonder I thought highly of you."

Chen Jing shrugged, accepting the compliment.

Zhang Qishan stroked his chin. "You kid, you film fast! It didn't even take you a month, did it?"

"Indeed. A little less than a month, about three weeks."

Zhang Qishan shook his head, struggling to accept the pace. Although he didn't strictly believe in "slow work producing fine art," his fastest film had taken nearly half a year to make. To film a movie in under a month was something only a handful of directors in the industry could achieve.

"How much did you invest in this film?" Zhang asked curiously.

Chen Jing saw no reason to hide it. "About twenty million or so."

He remembered the original *SPL* had a budget of over thirty million, but since he hadn't hired expensive famous actors and had starred in it himself, he had saved a significant amount on casting fees.

"That much?" Zhang Qishan was startled. He had assumed Chen Jing’s first film was a low-budget practice run. He hadn't expected such boldness. Was this the fearlessness of a newborn calf, or genuine belief in his own ability?

Zhang Qishan looked at him silently for a moment before continuing, "Actually, I came today just to see your film. But now that I know you’ve invested so much, I can't help but advise you..." He sighed. "Why not postpone the release date? If you avoid the May Day holiday, your box office results might be better."

The subtext was clear: "The May Day holiday is a battlefield for the industry giants. Don't come here as cannon fodder, or you'll lose everything."

Out of respect, Zhang Qishan couldn't be that blunt. In truth, he didn't look down on Chen Jing; this was simply the standard view anyone would have toward a newcomer. Zhang Qishan was actually being kind, as he was genuinely concerned for the young man.