Chapter 122: A Hot Potato

"Chairman Zhou, you are overthinking it. The reason I sent these to you is precisely because of your status and influence. Film Empress Ye is your flagship star, and if I may be blunt, I truly feel there is no need to expose these matters over some ambiguous reasons." Lin Zhiwei, far from being afraid, continued to guide the conversation persuasively.

"Oh? So Director Lin means that this move tonight is a request for peace?" Zhou Munian's voice softened by half.

"Chairman Zhou is wise. Although our two parties are not partners, we are not competitors either. I have two variety show and advertising offers on my desk. You are a clever person; if you want to collaborate, there are plenty of opportunities. What do you think?"

"In the entertainment industry, cooperation is marketing, and suppression is also marketing. Either way, there is no need to take things to the bitter end. Let everyone gain and make money together. Don't you agree?"

Lin Zhiwei switched hands, idly tossing an apple in the air.

"Heh," Zhou Munian fell silent for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle. This Director Lin was indeed extraordinary. "Then, what is your proposal, Director Lin?"

"Chairman Zhou, with your extensive connections, you naturally understand the stakes. Open suppression is just a game—everyone gets a cut. As for the underhanded stuff, it’s best to shake hands and make peace. It saves everyone a lot of trouble."

Zhou Munian nodded with a faint smile. Lin Zhi was right. If Ling Ruoyu were brought down, he would inevitably drag Baimu into the abyss with him. There was no point in such a losing proposition. Besides, the competitive balance between Chu Chuo and Ling Ruoyu had long been an unspoken gold mine in the industry. He replied, "I understand your intention for today, Director Lin. I agree to your terms, but how can I be sure that you are truly as important to Actor Ling as you claim?"

*Old fox.* Lin Zhiwei rolled her eyes. He was as slippery as ever. "Thank you, Chairman Zhou. You can check the second email. It clearly details my shares and responsibilities at Ruoyu Studio, as well as the compensation I would receive should I leave or encounter any issues. Oh, and for your information, Ruoyu and I grew up together like brothers. That kind of bond..."

"Understood. You certainly came prepared, Director Lin. But if you try to pull any tricks, I will definitely not be polite."

"Chairman Zhou, you exaggerate. I’m just an employee looking to make a living; why would I ruin my own reputation? Besides, Ruoyu knows nothing of this right now, and I won't say anything to him. I just wanted to let you know that with this call tonight, I, Lin Zhi, am coming with sincerity."

"Very well. You are straightforward, Director Lin."

After hanging up, Lin Zhiwei was in high spirits. *Sigh, leaving this hot potato for myself to solve would be too easy on Ye Linyun. If I strike too hard, I might just give her ammunition.*

It would be better to toss it to her boss, that old fox. With this gentle persuasion today, the next time Ye Linyun oversteps, it will be her own boss she angers.

On the other end, Zhou Munian hung up and immediately contacted Go. "Go, come in."

A minute later, a tall, blond, high-bridged-nose foreign man knocked and entered.

"Go, what has Linyun been doing lately regarding Ling Ruoyu’s director, Lin Zhi?"

"Boss, Sister Yun arranged for tomorrow night at Emerald Pavilion, but she has brought three male escorts," Go reported, bowing his head.

"Nonsense!" Zhou Munian cursed, slamming the table. "Suppressing small-time stars is one thing—it clears the path for Baimu—but to provoke the director by Ling Ruoyu's side? Has that woman lost her mind? What could a director possibly have done to provoke her?"

"Boss, Sister Yun has always been obsessed with Ling Ruoyu's every move. Anyone, whether an artist or staff, who has even the slightest connection to him... Should I pass a message to Sister Yun to call it off?"

"No need. I will go there personally tomorrow. That way, Lin Zhi will owe me a favor, and it will be harder for them to stir up trouble in the future. Heh, that crazy woman. She doesn't even consider that Jiangxing is backing Ling Ruoyu." Zhou Munian couldn't suppress his anger. He had indulged Ye Linyun too much over the years, making her think she could reach the heavens.

"But Boss, Lin Zhi is just a director. Is it really necessary to be so wary?" Go was confused by his boss's fear.

"You and I both know Ling Ruoyu isn't just an ordinary actor or a simple businessman. He has given me face all these years, and we’ve kept the peace. Why stir up trouble myself? This Lin Zhi is cunning and sharp, and he was personally chosen by Ling Ruoyu. Do you think he came to beg for peace today because he was afraid of Linyun?" Zhou Munian hung his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted.

"You mean Director Lin is trying to dump this hot potato on you?" Go immediately understood, feeling a sense of wariness toward this Director Lin.

"Heh, exactly. And he's giving me a warning to keep my own dog on a leash. A brilliant move, indeed." A flash of apprehension crossed Zhou Munian's mind. Ye Linyun was his trump card and his cash cow, but in recent years, she had become harder to control due to the unsavory dealings she had gotten herself into.

At this moment, Lin Zhi dumping this hot potato on him was nothing less than a warning.

"Go, find out if that video can be wiped. Also, investigate what other background this Lin Zhi has in China. It is said he is a returnee and a friend of Ling Ruoyu’s. See what else you can dig up."

"Yes, Boss."

After Go left the office, Zhou Munian sighed softly and stood up to look out the window. The night was hazy, filled with rising mist, and a torrential downpour had begun.

Over the years, he had seen Ye Linyun’s possessiveness toward Ling Ruoyu. As long as she didn't cross the line, he let the gossip columns run their baseless, trivial stories—it was harmless enough.

But looking at it today, Ye Linyun was sinking deeper than he had ever imagined.

Two years ago, he had staked everything to snatch the Chinese entertainment market from the Zhao family’s Star Entertainment. The Zhao family’s foundation wasn't in China, and they gradually withdrew from variety and film to invest in animation. Jiangxing had always sat safely on the sidelines, uninterested in the variety show pie, which gave him the breathing room he needed. Now that *Masked All-Rounder* was about to become the leading variety show, he would not allow anyone to interfere at this critical juncture—including the artists under his own banner.

Lin Zhiwei hummed a little tune, feeling exceptionally excited. With Ye Linyun’s arrogant nature, by bringing these matters to Zhou Munian and laying out the stakes, she was certain that Zhou Munian would personally intervene to protect her tomorrow night.

This would trigger Ye Linyun’s nerves, effectively slapping her in the face in public. Even if she had doubts before, after tomorrow night, Ye Linyun would view her as a mortal enemy.

Lin Zhiwei sighed. She had only been in China for a little over a month, and she had already become so ruthless. But then she thought, when dealing with someone like Ye Linyun, showing mercy is just handing them the dagger to stab you in the back.