The conference room at Xio was abuzz with a heated discussion about a matter of utmost importance.
The PR team suggested, "We recommend observing the situation. There are also rumors circulating domestically that Zhou Man's film might win Best Foreign Language Film."
"The other side is waiting for an opportunity to elevate us only to expose our scandals later. What we have now can definitely be used as a bargaining chip for a settlement."
Liu Jinhua countered, "Wouldn't releasing it now nip them in the bud? Perhaps they'll have no power to retaliate!"
The PR team replied, "Then we can only expose that the Best Actress award was bought through bribery of critics. As for the tax evasion, I still suggest waiting."
"After all, we all know that 'yin-yang' contracts aren't exclusive to Luo Yu. If this is exposed, it could implicate many people, and even those higher up might be implicated."
Liu Jinhua insisted, "The bribery for Best Actress and the tax evasion must be released together. The boss wants to strike decisively, leaving Yan Shizong no room to breathe."
As the discussion ensued, all eyes turned to Zhou Man, but she had been spacing out for a long time and hadn't followed the reasoning of either side.
Liu Jinhua asked, "What do you think we should do?"
Zhou Man replied, "Whatever you decide..."
Liu Jinhua pressed, "You also want Yan Shizong to get what he deserves, don't you?"
Zhou Man hesitated, "He..."
The PR team interjected, "If we don't crush him completely, given Yan Shizong's personality, he will surely retaliate fiercely against Zhou Man and the boss, potentially implicating many others. It would be a loss outweighing the gain."
Zhou Man murmured, "Yan Shizong won't let me off..."
Liu Jinhua stated, "At least we can put Luo Yu away."
Zhou Man asked, "What if Yan Shizong tries to protect her? After all, Luo Yu is Yan Shizong's cash cow."
Liu Jinhua declared, "Bribery of judges and 'yin-yang' contracts are a sure conviction. Even if she's protected, she'll be put on ice for a while. If we push harder, she'll become a disgraced artist!"
Zhou Man then said, "Sister Jinhua, do you think Yan Shizong wouldn't betray me? I've been under him for so many years, and I'm not an artist without any blemishes."
The PR team acknowledged, "This is also something we're considering. We don't know how Yan Shizong will retaliate against Zhou Man, so observing is the best course of action."
Zhou Man suddenly stood up, claiming she felt unwell and left the conference room.
However, as she thought she would be alone on the rooftop, catching a cold breeze and lost in thought, she discovered someone else was already there.
Zhou Man picked up a cigarette and said, "Lend me a light."
Ou Yunchen turned around, seeing Zhou Man's troubled expression, and knew her discussions downstairs hadn't gone well.
Ou Yunchen asked, "Why did you come up here? Is something on your mind?"
Zhou Man exhaled smoke, leaning against the rooftop railing, her eyes closed and head tilted back. The sunlight revealed every minute trace on her face, evidence that even ageless goddesses had undergone procedures.
Zhou Man asked, "When will we be able to defeat Yan Shizong, defeat his Juying Culture?"
Ou Yunchen replied, "Soon."
Zhou Man smiled faintly, "Then congratulations are in order."
Ou Yunchen added, "You have half the credit."
Zhou Man gave a wry smile, and soon both their cigarettes were finished.
Ou Yunchen inquired, "What was the final decision on the plan?"
Zhou Man replied, "I don't know. I think the PR team won."
Ou Yunchen asked, "Why didn't you stay to listen?"
Zhou Man then said, "Mr. Ou, have you ever considered that no matter if we win or lose, I will be the only one getting hurt in the end?"
Ou Yunchen paused. He had thought defeating Yan Shizong would be a shared victory. How could the winner get hurt?
Zhou Man continued, "You also know I was Yan Shizong's mistress for a long time. It's unlikely I wouldn't have any feelings for him."
Ou Yunchen asked, "You don't want to hurt him?"
Zhou Man questioned, "Have you ever loved someone?"
Ou Yunchen pondered. He wasn't sure if it was the kind of emotion Zhou Man described, as his feelings always seemed to be tied to some objective. Perhaps those couldn't truly be called love.
Zhou Man concluded, "It seems not."
Ou Yunchen acknowledged, "If you still have feelings for Yan Shizong, then indeed, anything we do will hurt you."
Zhou Man stated, "If we succeed, we will have achieved this together. But he and I are different."
"He made me. Without him, there would be no me, and without me, there would be no us now."
Ou Yunchen countered, "I only know he hurt you first, so it's understandable that you would turn against him and hurt him one day."
Zhou Man gazed at the sky, thinking that Ou Yunchen would never understand this kind of emotion.
It was no wonder that men's success was often accompanied by ruthlessness. They lacked the deep ties that would sway their unwavering determination to achieve their goals.
Zhou Man asked, "Have you ever considered what would happen to us if we can't bring down Yan Shizong?"
Ou Yunchen replied, "I never do anything without certainty."
Zhou Man queried, "Absolutely confident?"
Ou Yunchen affirmed, "Absolutely confident."
Zhou Man smiled again and raised her fist towards Ou Yunchen. He reciprocated, and their fists bumped, a gesture of mutual encouragement.