Chapter 820: Chapter 226: Sorrow
“Drive, back to the company.” Upon leaving the building, Fang Yihua instructed the driver with this sentence, then closed her eyes to take a deep breath, calculating her gains and losses.
Although her husband had delegated power to her completely since entering the Millennium, the actual control still remained in his hands, just not requiring his involvement in every matter as before. That is to say, if Shao Yifu wishes, he can adjust TVB at any time, which is why Fang Yihua came to seek his opinion.
Opening her eyes, Fang Yihua smiled again, clearly Shao Yifu intended to use her to convey to the TVB executives to properly entertain the media mogul from the United States, regardless of his requests, leaving Zeng Lizhen with no words.
As for Yu Shiman, she currently belongs to the Zeng Faction, although important, not as favored as Li Zi and others. Over the past two years, she has played many key supporting roles, but not a single lead. Hence, Le Yiling is plotting to poach her, then employ means to raise her status to a famous leading lady alongside Li Zi, thus establishing her own team. After Le Yiling negotiated for her to play the role of Erchun in “War And Beauty,” Yu Shiman has agreed, though not yet formally expressed internally, the mark of the emerging Le Faction is vaguely visible.
In this situation, Shao Yifu asked her and Li Zi to accompany Adrian, undoubtedly to balance internal affairs, with the excuse fitting perfectly.
What a pity, Fang Yihua thought. If Adrian is satisfied, she planned to introduce Zeng Faction’s Cai Shaofen and Zhang Keyi as well, then Zeng Lizhen’s expression would be delightful. But Shao Yifu certainly wouldn’t allow this to happen, otherwise he wouldn’t have let Yu Shiman accompany too. Of course, the outcome would ultimately depend on… that gentleman’s mood.
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“Oh, yes, I saw it in the mailbox, darling… Hey, what’s so cheesy about it, can’t I call you that? Alright, let’s get back to the renovation topic. I think both plan B and D are suitable, one is simple yet sophisticated, the other blends East and West with flavor. Choose a style you prefer…” Sitting by the large window of the Peninsula Hotel, overlooking the dazzling city lights, Adrian spoke on the phone.
On the other end was Liu Tao, busy with villa renovations in Yangcheng. Adrian couldn’t carefully select due to his short stay there, so the independent villa he bought for her was just lightly decorated. However, upon leaving, someone handled the matters. Adrian always planned meticulously, even for areas inadequately planned, someone would supplement, therefore delegated Liu Tao to handle it, exchanging renovation views via internet and phone, maintaining the relationship this way.
After the call ended, Adrian stood up and poured himself a glass of champagne at the suite’s bar, quickly reminiscing about his various liaisons in the mainland, thoughts flew to the afternoon scene; when would they send delightful treats?
His main purpose for coming to Hong Kong was for romance. This place is too small, lacking worthy investment, perhaps in the 80s or early 90s it was another story, but now… haha, in similarly small places, Singapore at least has the oil industry, while Hong Kong besides real estate doesn’t have any decent industry. Finance? Oh yes, Asia’s financial center, Hong Kong’s once dream, unfortunately, they personally ended it.
Originally, they could develop leaning on the mainland, and the mainland is willing, but even the 23rd Article couldn’t pass, what’s left to say? Without debating the rights and wrongs, you want to gain yet reluctant to pay the price, where in the world is such a thing, AC Media recently hired several retired government officials as consultants.
Imagine if New York felt the Patriot Act infringed on citizen privacy rights, firmly opposed its execution, how would Washington react? Of course, if true in the United States, such possibility wouldn’t even arise, when Junior Bush signed the Patriot Act, neither Viacom, a traditionally left-biased media group, nor AC Media, a self-proclaimed neutral new media group, did more than briefly reporting.
Overall, Hong Kong people personally sowed seeds of decline, thus foreseeable in the future, why would Adrian invest here? At most, maintaining certain cooperation in some areas, like TVB, irrespective of their current development trend, in a few years, as online videos start trending, limitations of small places would soon lead them to struggle.
TVB should somewhat understand this, otherwise wouldn’t seek collaborating northwards with the mainland to explore markets or curry favor with media moguls like Adrian from America. If they could introduce even one TVB drama to the United States, it would be beneficial, moreover, he clearly has connections with the mainland, holding TVB’s broadcasting rights in the United States.
Therefore, Adrian is certain he wouldn’t wait long, though the timing is still too late, like he mentioned at the welcome party: the most charming, remarkable women were active in the past century, the 80s and 90s; if he had the capital then, he would find a way to taste their fragrance. Alas, now they’re faded.
But he still came, played through Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the mainland, how could he miss Hong Kong? Besides, although the new generation quality in Hong Kong isn’t impressive, currently there are still a few worth viewing, like today…
Just then, the doorbell rang.
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Facing the closed shiny elevator doors, Li Zi could see her pale face, despite all efforts to dress up previously, she hadn’t anticipated encountering something like this. But she couldn’t refuse, especially hinted by godmother’s sighs, it was Uncle Liu’s intention. Her initial fiery anger had to subside into silence.
Though Shao Yifu was respected outside as a great philanthropist, it’s rumored he donated schools and hospitals nationwide, TVB employees are well aware, he’s a downright cold tyrant and vampire within the company for decades, no one dared defy his will. Not mentioning those extremely harsh sell-out contracts, not mentioning Liu Dehua once shelved for over a year nearly ruining his career, back in the mid-80s when Shao’s film company saw dwindling performance leading to preparation halting movie production, contracts signed actresses at that time were forced into provoking films allowing Shao to snag final profit.
Few outside know such stories, but old employees within TVB know well enough, revealing Shao Yifu’s character. Although Li Zi is no longer the same today, becoming a renowned actress in Hong Kong entertainment, she would refuse TVB’s big boss. Originally her relationship with Shao was decent, yet at this moment, an uncontrollable disgust arose, Yu Shiman, in her dark gown, revealing arms and long legs appearing sultry. If not concerned about paparazzi, she might reveal her entire back, looking somewhat tense, yet collaborating several films, Li Zi could see her excitement eyes, no need to say, surely she received a promise for a higher position, moreover… the counterpart is a Hollywood director and media mogul.
How could she behave this way? Does she know what they’re doing! Watching the elevator numbers change, Li Zi pondered angrily. That humiliation feeling intensified with approaching floors, not that she hadn’t attended dinners, but never felt so ashamed as now, she and Yu Shiman like two high-class call girls, together to the hotel offering services to guests.
“I understand.” Li Zi took a deep breath, strode out, following the corridor to the suite door, rang the bell.
“May I ask…” The Western man opened the door seeing two women in front clearly dumbfounded.
“Hello, Mr. Cowell, I’m Li Zi, we met on the set this afternoon.” Li Zi reached out her hand, trying to make her expression seem natural, “May we come in and sit?”
Yu Shiman followed suit and said the same, the man in front of her smiled slightly and made a gesture to please, still maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor.
“Would you like something to drink?” after they came in and sat down, the man named Adrian asked.
“Red wine, thank you.” Li Zi smiled.
“Me too,” Yu Shiman imitated.
“A 1978 red wine from the Romanee-Conti winery, one of my favorites.” He elegantly poured the wine for them. Although Li Zi wasn’t well-versed in this area, she could still detect its layered texture and vivid color.
She looked again at the Western man in front of her, with sharp features, not exactly handsome but full of character, tall and well-proportioned. His presence, both in appearance and spirit, was unmatched by any Hong Kong tycoons, and for a moment, it lessened her resentment. What puzzled her the most was that after this remark, he didn’t speak further, simply sitting there silently sipping the wine, observing her and Yu Shiman.
Li Zi shifted uneasily in her seat, unsure of what this man was thinking. His gaze didn’t carry that lecherous vibe; instead, it seemed appreciative yet invasive, as if he could at any moment press her beneath him and conquer her, yet it wasn’t particularly detestable.
The silence lingered for a while until someone finally broke it—Yu Shiman.
“I didn’t expect Mr. Cowell to come to Hong Kong. Is this your first time?” Yu Shiman put down her wine glass and sat up straight, appearing natural, but the tension in her voice betrayed her inner world.
After all, she’s still a bit too inexperienced to remain calm. In this situation, one must wait for the other side to speak first.
“Please call me Adrian or Ed—in fact, I was in Hong Kong at the beginning of ’96, though I stayed only two or three days. It’s a beautiful place; if it weren’t for having a startup with so much to handle, I would have stayed for half a month,” Adrian said lightly, his tone very gentle, his voice magnetic and pleasant to the ear.
“That’s truly unfortunate,” Yu Shiman said, glancing at Li Zi beside her.
“Indeed, so… this time, Mr. Cow—Adrian must stay a few more days in Hong Kong.” Although very dissatisfied with her demeanor, Li Zi had to join in.
“Naturally,” Adrian smiled and nodded, “truth be told, seeing you makes me think that if I had stayed a few more days back then, I might have been lucky enough to meet you earlier.”
Yu Shiman’s smile grew a bit more, while Li Zi huffed softly in her heart, though she couldn’t deny that this man was articulate. Even knowing what he was hinting at, it was like that appreciative yet invasive gaze—as much as one might dislike it, it’s hard to truly hate it.
After a few exchanges, the atmosphere in the room became harmonious, and before Li Zi knew it, Yu Shiman had moved into the man’s arms.
“This is from last year during the filming of ‘Perish in the Name of Love.’ It was past 2 a.m. when we returned home, I was utterly exhausted and accidentally fell. I bumped my chin on the coffee table and left this scar.”
“If sufficiently rested, it shouldn’t have left a mark, right?”
“The doctor said the same, but to not affect the shooting schedule, I had to keep going, and so this scar remained.”
“Such a pity, why push yourself so hard? You must cherish your body.”
“I know, but without hard work and effort, how could I have gotten so many opportunities?”
“That’s true, everyone’s path isn’t easy.”
Sipping her wine, resting in Adrian’s arms, Yu Shiman sighed as if she had no bones, looking like she wished to melt into him, while Adrian gently caressed her chin’s scar with a caring look.
“I’m delighted to meet you both. Despite your hardships, you’ve never given up hope, persevering continually. In my view, that’s one of the greatest charms a woman can possess. A beautiful exterior with only the desire to take without understanding giving is merely a greenhouse flower—beautiful, yes, but weak and uninspiring. Only a flower weathered by storms blooms extraordinarily.” He looked into her eyes and said earnestly.
Li Zi couldn’t help but feel a bit dazed; this Western man’s words seemed to carry a kind of magic, suddenly reminding her of past struggles. A wave of melancholy washed over her. Recalling Yu Shiman’s earlier words, “Without hard work and effort, how could I have gotten so many opportunities?” her disdain for her shameless efforts to please dissipated, making it even more difficult to despise Adrian once more.
Then, as Li Zi snapped out of it, Yu Shiman and Adrian were already locked in a passionate kiss. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian () to give your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)