Chapter 25: The Movie King and the Husky 08

The office door opened, and sure enough, a tall, well-shaped young man stood outside.

The young man stood against the light, his expression unclear, but as soon as he appeared, Tang Bin instinctively gripped the armrest of the chair.

After two days, the injuries on Lin Moning’s face had healed a lot.

At least, it no longer looked like before, with his face swollen, bruised, and bloodied, making it hard to distinguish any features.

Now, looking at him again, it was clear that the male lead was indeed extraordinarily handsome, as if angering the heavens themselves. As soon as Tang Bin saw that face, he instinctively wanted to lower his head, to hide the slight embarrassment that inexplicably arose within him.

After entering the room, Lin Moning’s cold gaze swept around the room, briefly surveying the people inside, before finally resting steadily on Tang Bin.

“I heard you were looking for me, Young Master Rui.”

“Mm.” Tang Bin gripped the chair harder. He knew that if anyone saw him blushing at a time like this, they would think it was strange.

So, he gritted his teeth and held it in, with only his ears turning slightly red as a small sign of his emotions.

“Mm.” Tang Bin tried to steady his voice and said, “Please, sit down.”

“Thank you, Young Master Rui.”

Lin Moning obediently sat down in the seat across from Tang Bin.

Maybe it was because it was daytime, but the intense sunlight cast on him made Lin Moning appear less obscure than he had in the bar that night. Though his gaze was still sharp, it was not as fierce as before.

This made Tang Bin feel a little more at ease, though he still straightened up when the male lead sat down.

“Ahem.” Tang Bin coughed, realizing that everyone’s eyes in the room were now focused on him. He couldn’t help but pretend to look at the documents again, flipping it open to the page about the male lead. Then, with a serious expression, he said, “I asked you here because… I think you have great potential, and you meet all our requirements for new artists. So…”

He turned his head slightly to address Fang Zhenggang with the rest of the sentence.

“So, Mr. Fang, I believe we should focus on training Lin Moning as a key artist for the second half of the year and arrange for his debut… What do you think?”

“Young Master Rui?!” Before Fang Zhenggang could say anything, Hu Guanghui, Lin Moning’s manager, had already called out excitedly, “You… you really want to give Moning this opportunity?!”

As an manager, one must be adaptable, and quick-witted to survive in this industry.

When Young Master Rui personally asked Mr. Fang for resources, Hu Guanghui immediately realized that Young Master Rui was going to support Lin Moning! Although he didn’t know why—he certainly didn’t believe Young Master Rui’s words about “I think you have great potential”—but for an artist, there was nothing more important than being supported by a young master with unlimited resources. He quickly realized that Lin Moning’s turning point might be today!

And that’s how the entertainment industry worked: whoever had powerful artists under their wing, making money, would be the industry leader.

Hu Guanghui felt that his opportunity had arrived!

Tang Bin was startled by Hu Guanghui’s sudden excitement.

However, he still nodded obediently and, with a slightly puzzled expression, asked, “Since I’ve said so, of course it’s true.”

His voice was clear and carried an air of natural authority, instantly giving off a sense of superiority.

—If anyone in the city were to speak with such confidence, Young Master Rui would undoubtedly be one of them.

When Young Master Rui decided to support someone, even Fang Zhenggang had to give him face.

Fang Zhenggang responded decisively, “Since Young Master Rui thinks Lin Moning is suitable, let’s start making arrangements. Mr. Hu, you’re his manager, do you have any thoughts?”

Hu Guanghui’s eyes flickered. He had already given up on Lin Moning, so he naturally had no thoughts about him.

However, he still had two new artists under his management who were easier to manage and more obedient than Lin Moning. Lin Moning hadn’t proven himself, so Hu had put in a lot of effort with those two, not only finding them sponsors but also planning their paths. Now, he could take the same approach and apply it to Lin Moning, stepping in to save the situation temporarily.

He was about to speak when he was interrupted.

Lin Moning’s deep, slightly hoarse voice sounded, “Thank you, Young Master Rui, for your favor.”

“…”

As soon as he was thanked, Tang Bin instinctively thought the male lead was going to refuse him, after all, the male lead had done this more than once before.

Tang Bin grew anxious in his heart, he knew it wouldn’t be that easy to take someone under his wing!

In the brief moment that passed, thoughts flashed through his mind.

It seemed that handsome people always had certain privileges. As soon as Lin Moning spoke, the room fell silent.

Tang Bin nervously looked at the male lead, and Fang Zhenggang also turned his attention to Lin Moning.

Lin Moning then said, “I’m very grateful for Young Master Rui’s recognition, but may I first make a request?”

“What is it? Go ahead,” Tang Bin said.

“I want to replace Hu Guanghui,” Lin Moning said. “Someone like him doesn’t deserve to be my manager.”

“…”

“What are you talking about, Lin Moning!” Hu Guanghui was stunned. He never expected that the first request Lin Moning would make, relying on Young Master Rui’s favor, would be to replace him!

“I’ve treated you well, haven’t I? Did I withhold any resources from you, or did I do something wrong? Why are you trying to stab me in the back like this?” He twisted his face in anger, practically wanting to choke the rebellious Lin Moning to death!

But Lin Moning remained calm, sitting there unfazed, looking at Hu Guanghui like a clown, his voice cold and indifferent: “You were the one who lied to me, saying I was going to audition for an advertisement, but what happened after that?”

“This…” Hu Guanghui suddenly had no words.

Lin Moning, whether naive or foolish, despite being so handsome, refused to be exploited.

He actually thought he could survive in this industry relying solely on talent. It was truly laughable.

So, in utter helplessness… and also in order to battle against Zheng Zhe’s manager… he had indeed lied to Lin Moning that he was going for an advertisement audition, asking him to dress well and look handsome… when in fact, he was taking him to meet Young Master Rui.

Lin Moning then said, “The company’s contract stipulates that even if a trainee is kept in the dark, they still receive allowances before their contract expires. But as for mine, it seems like I haven’t received it for a long time.”

Hu Guanghui: “…” He was so shocked that he took a step back!

If tricking an artist into meeting the big boss was still a routine operation, then withholding an artist’s allowance for personal gain was a serious crime.

Especially since this accusation was made in front of Young Master Rui…

“What’s going on here?” Fang Zhenggang suddenly jumped up, slamming the table.

It wasn’t just Fang Zhenggang, even Tang Bin was shocked.

Mainly because… he remembered that the trainee’s allowance wasn’t much, only about 1,800 yuan a month?!

“It’s no big deal if it’s just my allowance,” Lin Moning continued, almost as if he knew what Tang Bin was thinking, “But Hu Guanghui has at least seven or eight trainees under him. Excluding the two who are more talented, he doesn’t skim off their allowances, but for the others…”

Tang Bin could easily guess what the other trainees’ lives were like, even without Lin Moning saying it.

Although the original owner had never been involved in the family business, he was curious about the entertainment industry, so he knew more about Huayu than most people.

In order to maintain the company’s image, trainees were not allowed to take on private work or jobs.

This meant that, apart from some temporary jobs, trainees rarely had opportunities for extra income…

To withhold even that small amount of money… was Hu Guanghui even human?!

It was likely that the other trainees under him were also angry but dared not speak out. Those with poor qualifications had few chances to stand out, and they had to curry favor with their manager. If their allowances were cut, how could they dare to protest?

“Brother Fang…” Tang Bin was furious, as if he had personally experienced this kind of oppression. He gritted his teeth and said, “The outside world says our industry is corrupt and deep with shady dealings, which is why the number of talented artists and actors is dwindling. But with parasites like him around, how can Huayu’s reputation, or the reputation of the entire industry, be any better?”

“Young Master Rui, please don’t be angry, please don’t…” Fang Zhenggang was also very angry. This kind of issue was indeed a loophole in the company’s system, but because it had little impact, he hadn’t taken it seriously even though there had been one or two complaints in the past.

After all, aside from those with exceptional talent, most of the trainees at this company had some kind of background or connections. Who would care about that little allowance?

That money had already been tacitly considered part of the manager’s team-building fund.

But who would have thought that Lin Moning actually cared about it!

Now that this issue had been exposed in front of Young Master Rui, things were starting to get complicated.

Sweating nervously, Fang Zhenggang was afraid Tang Bin would blame him, and unconsciously used respectful terms.

Young Master Rui crossed his arms and remained silent, and whether it was due to the intimidating effect of his own aura, Fang Zhenggang felt as if the entire office was being frozen by Young Master Rui’s cold demeanor.

Fang Zhenggang had no choice but to angrily shout at Hu Guanghui, “Who gave you the right to keep the allowances meant for the artists? Tell me! How much have you embezzled over the years?!”

“Unfair, unfair!” Hu Guanghui trembled in fear, realizing the severity of the situation. He looked around the room, and finally chose to collapse in front of Lin Moning, trying to explain, “Ah, Xiao Lin, these are all misunderstandings! Misunderstandings!”

Lin Moning didn’t show any sign of appreciation.

It was as if he hadn’t heard a word of what Hu Guanghui was saying.

If you were to say that the person with the most composed expression in the room was, unexpectedly, Lin Moning.

Hu Guanghui had no choice but to turn to Young Master Rui for help.

Tang Bin was the type to easily soften his heart. If this had happened to him personally, he would have probably forgiven him.

But this situation wasn’t just about him—it involved many people and also the management issues at Luo Yuntian’s Company.

Tang Bin felt that this problem was serious, very serious, and it couldn’t just be brushed aside so easily.

So he said, “I think Huayu currently has a management loophole. It’s likely that Hu Guanghui isn’t the only one withholding the trainees’ allowances.”

His voice was still as light and indifferent as usual, but it made Fang Zhenggang’s heart race.

“This…” Fang Zhenggang discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“This is something, Brother Fang, you need to manage carefully. He secretly took 5,000 yuan a month, which adds up to 60,000 yuan a year. And that’s just him alone,” Tang Bin continued, counting on his fingers. As he calculated, his brows furrowed.

… That’s quite a lot of money!

“Yes, yes, yes. I only found out about this today. Don’t worry, Young Master Rui, I’ll definitely investigate thoroughly!”

“Mm.” Tang Bin’s furrowed brows finally relaxed a little. He thought for a moment, then blinked his big eyes and said, “I will also report today’s incident to my father, Brother Fang, please don’t take it personally.”

Although it was something he had to report, he didn’t consider it a betrayal of Fang Zhenggang, but Tang Bin still hoped that Fang Zhenggang would understand.

“Of course,” Fang Zhenggang responded. By now, he couldn’t expect Young Master Rui, the heir of the Luo family, to cover for him. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, “It’s indeed a management loophole at Huayu. If President Luo wants to assess me, I’ll accept it.”

At this point, whether Lin Moning’s words were true or not could easily be confirmed by asking two other trainees who had been under Hu Guanghui’s management.

And from Hu Guanghui’s reaction, it was clear that he had already admitted to it.

So, the accusation was solid.

The matter was soon brought to Luo Yuntian’s attention. He hadn’t expected that such a loophole would exist in a company he hadn’t been able to manage personally.

But rather than feeling disappointed with Fang Zhenggang, he was more gratified by his son—

Luo Rui had only been at the company for half a day, and he had already uncovered such a big problem! His son, Luo Rui, certainly wasn’t an ordinary person!

If it weren’t for the fear of his son getting complacent, Luo Yuntian would have wanted to boast about his son to everyone!

So, throughout the entire day, not only did his subordinates not notice any sign of anger from President Luo, they actually felt that President Luo seemed to be in a very good mood.

At this moment, Tang Bin, who was unaware that he had already become popular with his parents, grandmother, and even the entire Luo family, was being cornered by the male lead—Lin Moning—in the men’s restroom on the 38th floor of the Huayu Building.

To be precise, he had actually taken the initiative to corner Lin Moning.

Although the topic had been settled—Fang Zhenggang had arranged a reliable new manager for Lin Moning, one who was not primarily responsible for training or selecting trainees, but rather an manager to accompany the artist after their debut—Lin Moning had accepted the arrangement.

But it seemed like there was still one final step to go… Strictly speaking, Tang Bin was not yet Lin Moning’s patron, he had not yet “kept” him.

So, taking advantage of the moment when no one was around, when the male lead went to the restroom, Tang Bin couldn’t help but follow him into the washroom.

However, being trapped between Lin Moning’s two arms and the wall was something Tang Bin had not expected.

Especially with Lin Moning’s sharp gaze, as if it could pierce right through him, and his cold tone as he asked, “Are you sure you want to support me?”

“Young Master Rui.”