TF01 21

Weisai handled the discussions separately with Ying Ming and Shi Yi.

Kou Jing was also present.

When Ying Ming met the lawyer, Kou Jing was right beside him. Seeing him push the door open, he stood up to greet him. “Mingzi, how are you? You’re really okay?”

The latter shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Only then did Kou Jing sit back down. Before doing so, he introduced the two people next to him. “Mingzi, this is Chen Fengli, a board member of Weisai. And over there is our legal consultant, Zhao Kun.”

Ying Ming nodded at Chen Fengli before taking a seat. The man across from him immediately stood up. “Mr. Ying Ming, we deeply regret this unexpected incident. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. If it has caused you any trouble, we sincerely apologize.”

“I haven’t suffered any losses.”

Ying Ming shook his head. “How’s Dong Xiao?”

“Mr. Dong has been sent to the hospital. Our company has assigned people to stay with him and handle any follow-up matters.”

The one who spoke this time was the lawyer. He adjusted his glasses slightly. “As for why we asked to meet you today, there are some matters we’d like to discuss.”

He cut straight to the point, as expected from a lawyer.

Ying Ming raised an eyebrow. “Go ahead.”

“It’s like this. This event was organized by Weisai, and all rights of interpretation belong to our company. Regarding this accident, we hope that before the official investigation report is released, you won’t disclose any details to the public.”

As Zhao Kun spoke, he handed Ying Ming a document.

Ying Ming took it and flipped through it. The clauses were clearly outlined, but instead of merely asking him to keep quiet until the report was released, it explicitly stated that he was prohibited from sharing this matter with anyone at all.

He frowned slightly. “I can agree not to disclose anything before the report is out, but do I really need to sign something like this?”

“Of course, we trust you, Mr. Ying Ming, but you know how these things are. It’s just standard procedure.”

Chen Fengli chuckled.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t need to step in for an incident like this. When Kou Jing introduced him, Ying Ming was already a little surprised. But on the other hand, it also meant this matter wasn’t as simple as they were making it out to be. At the very least, it wasn’t as easy to brush off as they claimed.

Ying Ming chuckled as well. “But I’ve never signed anything like this before. It doesn’t seem very appropriate.”

His smile was quite sincere.

Kou Jing, watching from the side, couldn’t help but give him a look, one that made it seem like he had a nervous tic in his eye.

Chen Fengli wasn’t surprised by Ying Ming’s refusal. He simply smiled, took the backup copy from the lawyer’s hand, and flipped through it casually. “Actually, Weisai has been quite interested in expanding into the entertainment industry. The film market is huge right now, but getting in isn’t easy. I heard you’re about to start filming a movie with Director Song? We had dinner together before and discussed this.”

He closed the folder with a smile. “If we do invest in this industry in the future, there’s a chance we might collaborate with you, Mr. Ying Ming.”

Ying Ming waved a hand nonchalantly. “Stop calling me Mr. Ying Ming. I’m not used to it. Just call me Ying Ming.”

“Well then…” Chen Fengli pushed the document forward slightly. “What do you think?”

The meaning was obvious.

A long silence followed.

Ying Ming glanced at the document on the table, then shifted his gaze to Kou Jing. The latter frowned slightly but didn’t say anything.

In the end, Ying Ming pushed the document forward. “How about this? When everyone involved signs it, we can talk again.”

By “everyone involved,” he meant Shi Yi and the CEO of that IT company.

Chen Fengli chuckled. “It seems you don’t know about Shi Yang’s connection with us. We’ll be working together soon.”

That confident attitude made his once polished and professional face reveal a more calculating, business-like shrewdness.

Ying Ming raised an eyebrow. “Then there’s no rush.”

He stood up and walked out.

Behind him, Chen Fengli shot a glance at Kou Jing, who stood up and followed.

The hallway was empty. It was unclear how many people knew about Chen Fengli’s visit, but most wouldn’t waste this much time in the middle of a race. They would rest for a bit and move on.

Stepping outside, Ying Ming pulled out a cigarette. Kou Jing, following behind, handed him a lighter. “Mingzi, Weisai is serious about collaborating with film companies.”

This plan had been in the works even before the event.

That was why so many celebrities had been invited to the rally, not just to generate buzz, but also to leave an impression.

Kou Jing worked with Weisai often, so he knew more about their operations.

Ying Ming took two drags in silence, staring out the hallway window. The view outside remained desolate and empty. After a long moment, he finally turned to Kou Jing. “Have you seen Dong Xiao?”

“I did.” Kou Jing nodded honestly.

He had gone with Weisai’s people.

“Can his face still be saved?”

Because Ying Ming asked so directly, Kou Jing instinctively furrowed his brows. He hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “The situation isn’t great, but the doctor said they can still try something.”

The wound was serious. He wasn’t a medical expert, but he happened to be there during the initial consultation and heard that one sentence. He wasn’t qualified to attend the actual diagnostic meeting afterward.

Chances were, this was the end of Dong Xiao’s career.

After he finished speaking, Ying Ming lowered his gaze.

The result wasn’t unexpected. He had been at the scene and knew how bad Dong Xiao’s injury was.

For the rest of the time, he didn’t say anything more, and Kou Jing didn’t ask.

After knowing each other for so many years, they were well aware of each other’s temperaments. Kou Jing knew that with Ying Ming saying this much, he wouldn’t be signing that contract. That wasn’t the kind of person he was.

In other words, what kind of contract could ever be worth buying out an actor’s entire career?

The two of them finished a cigarette together. It wasn’t until Ying Ming was about to head back to his room that Kou Jing finally asked from behind him, “Are you really that sure Shi Yi won’t sign either?”

He had said that as long as all the insiders signed, he would talk to Weisai. It was obvious he was pushing the issue onto Shi Yi.

But just as Chen Fengli had pointed out, in terms of connections, Shi Yi was clearly closer to Weisai.

Ying Ming only curved his lips slightly, his face showing a hint of amusement.

Weisai wouldn’t send a lawyer if they really wanted to negotiate with Shi Yi.

Chen Fengli arranged a dinner meeting to talk things over with Shi Yi.

Also present were the IT company’s CEO, Kou Jing, and a few medical staff.

Ying Ming wasn’t on the guest list. He didn’t even know about the dinner.

It was only later when Shi Yi came back after the meal that he told Ying Ming the so-called “Hongmen Banquet” had left him with indigestion. Ying Ming opened the door, stepped aside to let him in, and poured him a glass of water. “You’re really that picky when you get free food?”

“Depends on who you’re eating with. Also depends on what you’re eating.”

“So what did you eat just now?”

“My conscience.”

After Shi Yi said that, Ying Ming let out a short laugh. “No wonder it didn’t sit well.”

Shi Yi took two sips of water before setting the glass down beside him. Ying Ming glanced at him and sat on the sofa. “I’m pretty curious about what kind of offer Weisai made you.”

A film contract was a huge temptation for any actor, but for someone like Shi Yi, it might as well be scrap paper.

Shi Yi chuckled. “Take a guess.”

“Didn’t they say your two companies have an upcoming collaboration?”

“To think they’d leak business secrets just to push this deal…” Shi Yi let out a cold laugh, then nodded. “Their offer was a five-percent price reduction from before.”

The contract in question involved a sum large enough for Ying Ming to shoot a hundred films.

He raised his brows slightly. “They’re really going all in.”

He didn’t know the exact details of the collaboration, but judging from Shi Yi’s attitude, the conditions weren’t going to be anything small.

As for whether Shi Yi signed or not, there was no need to ask.

Shi Yi’s reason for rejecting Weisai was simple. Since the accident report wasn’t out yet, signing anything now was premature and pointless. He’d consider it when the report was released.

He said it casually, without making a big deal of it, and it was clear he had no interest in discussing it further.

Since Chen Fengli had claimed this was all about personal connections, Shi Yi simply responded in kind. In any case, there was no way they could actually force him to sign. Stalling was one of the most common negotiation tactics, after all.

Ying Ming glanced out the window at the sky, then suddenly turned back to Shi Yi. “Did you drink?”

“No.”

At the very least, he was still a professional driver, and besides, the people at the dinner table earlier didn’t exactly make for good drinking company.

“If you didn’t drink, then why don’t we keep driving?”

Ying Ming smirked. “We’re already way behind.”

“I thought you didn’t drive at night? What’s this, trying to get yourself killed now?” They had just talked about this not long ago, and at the time, Ying Ming’s answer had been firm as hell.

“I’m not driving. You drive.” Ying Ming slung his backpack over his shoulder. “I don’t dare, but you do. Let’s go.”

His car had already been taken by that CEO as a replacement. Once it was driven off, it was never returned, so after that, he had been riding with Shi Yi.

“You’re really not worried about both of us crashing and burning?”

“What’s there to be afraid of? If I’m going down, at least I’ve got a premium cushion.”

To put it more politely, Shi Yi was a luxury item.

Shi Yi couldn’t help but laugh at that. He glanced at the sky outside, grabbed his jacket, and said, “Alright, let’s go then.”

Nobody would have expected them to hit the road this late. When they went to the parking lot to get the car, not even the usual hotel staff who occasionally peeked outside were around.

The moment the engine roared to life, Shi Yi stepped on the gas and drove straight out.

Rather than wasting time here with Weisai’s people, they might as well spend it bumping along the road.

Ying Ming sat in the passenger seat, gripping the handle above. The car’s headlights barely cut through the darkness, and the night outside was steeped in desolation and mystery.

The road was rough, so Shi Yi drove slowly.

They were the only car on the road, rattling along, rising and falling with the uneven terrain. The headlights cut through the dark like slashes on silk, not bright but impossible to miss.