Chapter 111: Had I not been born, Li Shixin, the path of acting would be a night eternal! (It is Monday! Cast your recommendation votes!)

Technically, the other party did have a point regarding the unauthorized use of their music. Li Shixin could not really argue against a charge of copyright infringement.

However, using a pop song as background music for a small theater production that had neither widespread distribution nor significant impact—and then being pursued by the copyright holder for it—felt like making a mountain out of a molehill.

He mentally reviewed the situation, wondering what his humble little theater could possibly offer that would interest a company the size of Huaqi Group. Then, Li Shixin’s eyebrows arched.

He had roughly figured out the underlying motive.

After slipping his hands into his pockets and tapping away at his phone, the calm and collected expression on his face vanished when he turned back to Wang Kexin and Yang Kuan.

He suddenly appeared terrified, trembling as he apologized repeatedly. "Oh my, look at me, I’m just an old fool. I am truly sorry, Manager Wang. The copyright infringement was indeed an oversight on my part! How about this? I will fix the mistake immediately. I’ll issue a sincere apology and post a statement. Then, I’ll delete the video I posted on Weibo and stop using the song on stage from now on."

"If you feel that compensation is required, the total revenue from the premiere was 7,800 yuan. I originally intended to donate that money to an Alzheimer’s care facility, but I’ll give it to you as financial compensation instead! I’ll make up the difference later. Do you think… would that be acceptable?"

Seeing Li Shixin suddenly panic, Wang Kexin chuckled. "Mr. Li, the infringement has already occurred. What is the point of trying to remedy it now?"

"Then, Manager Wang, I… how would you like to resolve this?" Li Shixin asked, appearing fearful as the other party pressed him.

Hearing the tremor of fear in Li Shixin’s voice, Wang Kexin raised an eyebrow, quite satisfied with the effect.

He leaned forward and deepened his tone. "Mr. Li, your theater’s revenue is one thing, but the fact that you took infringing content and spread it online is what has landed you in serious trouble! If we really decide to pursue this case, with the legal team we have at Huaqi Group, I’m sure you realize you’d be looking at a settlement of at least a hundred thousand yuan or more."

"Manager Wang… oh my, please, please don't scare me. I have a weak heart. A hundred thousand… even if you sold my old bones, I couldn't afford that! I only have about nine thousand yuan on me right now. Would you take all of it? Would that work?"

*Do you think I came all this way for your pocket change?*

Watching Li Shixin cower like a frightened quail, Wang Kexin sneered, sensing the time was right.

He stood up from his chair and said, "Mr. Li, you’re looking at this too simply. But then again, this matter can be as big or as small as we make it. Given the stature of Huaqi, it’s not really a big deal. However, Mr. Li..."

He pulled a document from his briefcase and placed it in front of Li Shixin. "I have a business proposal here. The copyright for the play *Only You* should still be in your hands, right? If you’re interested in selling, you might as well sign this contract. Once you sign it, the issue of copyright infringement will simply cease to exist, won't it?"

Seeing the copyright contract before him, Li Shixin smiled.

He had finally reached this stage.

*Young man, your level of "碰瓷" (staged extortion) is quite poor...*

*The pacing is too slow, and the build-up is too long.*

*Do you think you can get things done this way?*

*This is a matter where I, the old man, must demonstrate and teach you youngsters a lesson!*

He picked up the contract, glanced at the proposed acquisition price, and "cried out in shock," "Manager Wang… you, aren't you just bullying me!"

*Huh?*

Wang Kexin, who had been full of confidence and waiting for Li Shixin to ask for a pen to sign, was stunned.

*What is going on?*

*What do you mean by bullying you?*

*The acquisition price offered for the film and television adaptation rights of a play is already on par with that of a moderately famous playwright, okay?!*

"No, Mr. Li, are you still not satisfied with this?"

Despite the calm and indifferent look on his face, Li Shixin roared in an incredibly indignant tone, "I spent over a month writing this script in the spare moments between filming. Every line, every detail, is my life's blood!"

The dissonance between his expression and his tone left Wang Kexin stunned!

*What is happening?*

"Originally, when I wrote this script, it was to bring attention to the special group of people suffering from Alzheimer’s. That’s why I never intended to make a profit from it! You said you liked the script and wanted to turn it into a film so more people could see it. Even if you had just said a few polite words, I would have given it to you! But… you… you threatened me with copyright infringement, and now… you only offer ten thousand yuan as a copyright fee. This is an insult to my character!"

*Ha!???!!!!??*

Wang Kexin and Yang Kuan were caught off guard once again.

*What ten thousand?*

*Old man, have you really lost your mind?!*

*It clearly says three hundred thousand!*

Just as the two were left in confusion, Li Shixin gave a slight smile and dropped the act.

He pulled out the old-fashioned mobile phone from his pocket and stopped the recording.

He stood up leisurely, looked at Wang Kexin with a playful glint in his eyes, and chuckled, "Young man, you want to play this game with your uncle? Heh, heh!"

"No, Mr. Li, look closely at the contract, we offered you three hundred thousand!"

Ignoring Wang Kexin’s repeated insistence on the proposed acquisition price, Li Shixin turned around, supported his lower back, and walked out of the dressing room. He returned to the group of elderly fans and sat down gracefully.

Watching Wang Kexin chase after him, Li Shixin casually waved at the big guy who was cleaning up the stage carpet.

"Er Ga!"

"Yeah! What is it, old man?"

"Throw this grandson out for me!"

"You got it!"

The big guy, who followed Li Shixin’s orders implicitly, didn't ask why. He stood up from the stage with a whoosh and, like a rugby player, tackled the fly-like, pursuing Wang Kexin and pinned him to the ground.

What kind of build did the big guy have?

Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall, with a stable life lately, his weight had surged to over 180 jin (approx. 90kg). The stature of a burly man from the Northeast was already showing.

This hit left Wang Kexin completely dazed.

A few seconds later, the big guy stood up and, like picking up a chick, lifted Wang Kexin—who was in a state of paralysis—with one hand.

Finding it too much trouble to use the door, he went straight to the theater window and opened it.

"Hey? What are you doing? Let me go! I’m warning you, let me go right now!"

"Off you go, no need to thank me!"

*Whoosh...*

Clapping his hands, the big guy turned his unsatisfied gaze toward Yang Kuan, who had come out behind them.

Watching Wang Kexin being tossed out the window with a *thud*, Yang Kuan shivered in fear. "Mr. Li, listen to me! Actually, there’s no need for us to do this. We can talk things over properly!"

*Want to talk properly now?*

*Too late!*

*This old man has already set the trap.*

However, compared to Wang Kexin, who had been aggressive and full of schemes, Li Shixin didn't feel much ill will toward this young man, who looked pale and clearly worked in a desk job.

Waving at the big guy, Li Shixin chuckled, "Please show this gentleman to the door."

"You got it!"

"Mr. Li, Mr. Li!"

Watching Yang Kuan being pushed out by the big guy, Li Shixin chuckled.

He pulled out his old-fashioned phone.

His long, withered fingers moved with the fluidity of flowing water, completing the deletion of the infringing Weibo video and the publication of an apology statement.

Finally, he posted a new update containing only the words "Alas!" and an attached audio file.

Seeing the Weibo feed erupt into a frenzy after the video was deleted, the apology was posted, and the recording file was exposed, Li Shixin arched his eyebrows.

*Tsk tsk tsk.*

*Beautiful.*

*Perfect!*

*When it comes to schemes, you still have to look at this.*

*If heaven hadn't birthed me, Li Shixin... the path of the "碰瓷" would be an eternal night!*

*Come on, bring it on!*