While several women all felt a bit unusual at the time, among them, probably only Yang Rou remained expressionless throughout.

She glanced at Chen Yan and reminded, "President Chen, the money from the film company should be spent on the new variety show... And although all these companies are yours, each company's accounting is separate."

"If we use the film company's money for the talent agency's affairs, the accounts will be in disarray."

"This is not conducive to the healthy growth of the company and the group."

Upon hearing Yang Rou's words, the women couldn't help but look towards Chen Yan.

But Chen Yan merely waved his hand, saying unconcernedly, "Don't worry. I won't use the film company's money."

"I'll dig into my own pockets to inject the money into the talent agency."

"I just wanted to know how much this movie made and then weigh my options, that's all."

Hearing Chen Yan say this, Yang Rou nodded; she had no more objections.

After all, she was only responsible for the film company. The talent agency's accounts had nothing to do with her.

And upon hearing the exchange between Chen Yan and Yang Rou, Mei Li, who had already agreed to the decision, slightly furrowed her brows.

She looked at Lu Man and then at Chen Yan before silently contemplating for a moment.

After a while, she addressed Chen Yan, also saying, "President Chen, I have some concerns. If you inject capital into the talent agency again, what will become of Man Man's and my shares in the talent agency? Our shares will be diluted."

Hearing Mei Li's words, Chen Yan glanced at her and spoke, "If you think this is unacceptable, you can also take the money directly from me. I'll personally, free of charge, provide it to Lu Man."

"I have no other requirements. You can choose whatever method you prefer to ensure your interests."

"But... about becoming top-tier, that matter has to be settled by me."

Chen Yan's words moved even Yang Rou a bit.

And Mei Li was notably surprised as she looked at Chen Yan.

Originally, Chen Yan had insisted on promoting Lu Man without counting the cost. Mei Li simply thought Chen Yan was indeed very good to Lu Man.

But it was with Yang Rou's "reminder" that Mei Li suddenly realized: that money had a "price."

If it was invested in the company, it would dilute her and Lu Man's shares.

Therefore, in that instant, Mei Li did begin to doubt Chen Yan's intentions: did he genuinely want to promote Lu Man, or was he trying to swallow more of the company's shares through this opportunity?

That's why she raised her earlier question.

The result... was Chen Yan's unhesitating answer: he could provide it privately for free.

A whole billion!

This was not for the development of the company, nor for his benefit, but purely to help Lu Man reach the top tier.

For a moment, Mei Li found her feelings indescribable.

Could it be... Chen Yan truly loved Lu Man so deeply?

Willing to take out a billion so readily, to support her, and without wanting anything in return?

Was this what they called true love?

Mei Li didn't even know how to express her thoughts.

And upon hearing Chen Yan's response, Lu Man, who hadn't recovered from her daze, also snapped back to reality. She looked intensely at Chen Yan, her eyes filled with tenderness as if she wanted to meld him into her body.

After a long moment, she spoke, "Go ahead with the investment. I'll cover the diluted shares from my end."

Upon hearing Lu Man's words, Mei Li abruptly looked towards her, only to see Lu Man gazing at Chen Yan with deep, unwavering affection.

Mei Li: ...

Mad, they're all mad.

One doesn't want the money.

One doesn't want the shares.

Does that mean I'm the bad one here?

Witnessing the scene before her, Yu Qiao Qiao glanced at Chen Yan, then at Lu Man, feeling that something was off, but she couldn't articulate what...

And Yang Nuannuan, who had been watching all of this since the beginning, looked at Lu Man and then at Chen Yan with some surprise before she lowered her head, her usually tender eyes filling with deep thought, as if she had discovered something...

Eventually, under Lu Man's insistence, the billion was decided to be invested into Lu Man's talent agency. As for how many shares would be allocated, that was to be discussed later with Mei Li and Lu Man.

After discussing Lu Man's future development direction, the meeting moved onto the fourth agenda item and the one with utmost importance for the day: counterattacking Xu Brothers Film Company...

For Chen Yan, Lu Man, and Yang Rou, Xu Brothers Film Company was a formidable enemy. And Yang Rou had already prepared a covert plan. Although it wouldn't cause Xu Brothers Film Company to collapse outright, it would at least severely damage them, leaving them without face.

This was the first time Yang Rou had shared her covert plan.

She surveyed the office and, after ensuring that there was no one outside the door with Yang Nuannuan's reconfirmation, she slowly started to describe her plan.

Yang Rou's plan was simple, yet it integrated with the current status and development of the company.

Her first step was to hold a celebration banquet and a ceremony for the new company.

The banner would be to celebrate the establishment of Chenlu Film and the first movie's "Love Lost in 23 Days" box office surpassing six hundred million!

She planned to invite, alongside Song Chuang, many top executives and friends from various companies in the industry to participate. However... they would not invite Xu Brothers.

The entertainment industry is a peculiar circle. Fame and face can directly turn into money.

Xu Brothers' previous act of blacklisting Lu Man and their smear campaign against "Love Lost in 23 Days" were well known within the industry.

Now, Chenlu Film hosting the celebration banquet was like a slap in their faces, making them the laughingstock within the circle and undermining their prestige and status.

Moreover, apart from the celebration banquet being an opportunity for Yang Rou and Mei Li to network and engage in mutual favor exchanges to boost Lu Man's awards campaign.

After all, the votes for the three major mainland film award categories were all in the hands of high-level insiders. Influencing them could make Lu Man winning awards possible.

A double victory.

After the banquet, awards season would follow. And once Lu Man secured awards during that season, Chenlu Film would take advantage of her top-tier status and the company's newfound fame to impose a ban within the circle.

To justify the ban, Xu's Film Industry would be accused of monopolizing resources in the industry, repeatedly squeezing new film companies and actors.

Within the plan, Yang Rou anticipated that this counter-blacklisting might become a private joke.

After all, Chenlu Film was too weak compared to Xu's Film Industry.

However, Yang Rou's covert plan was certainly not intended to make herself the laughingstock within the circle.

So... while Xu's Film Industry and others within the industry are considering Chenlu Film as a joke.

The trump card Yang Rou held would deliver a fatal blow to Xu Brothers, effectively destroying half of Xu's Film Industry.

Telling everyone: if we say we'll blacklist you, then we'll blacklist you!

By then... the prestige that Xu's Film Industry had built over more than 20 years would be ruined in an instant.

And Chenlu Film, the emerging film company, would step over the half-corpse of Xu's Film Industry, commanding respect within the circle, and establishing its own status...

And completely strip Xu Brothers Film Company of their twenty-year undefeated aura.

This was the reason Chen Yan had been so surprised and satisfied when he first saw Yang Rou's plan.

After all, Chen Yan had only recently classified Xu Brothers as enemies. Yet, Yang Rou had already thought of a way to deal with them, even obtaining crucial elements...

This couldn't help but make Chen Yan admire Yang Rou, a magical woman, who always managed to surprise him...

The things capable of surprising Chen Yan, of course, surprised the women in the meeting room as well.

After listening to Yang Rou describe her plan expressionlessly, the women felt as if the office temperature had dropped a few degrees.

Especially when looking at Yang Rou's emotionless demeanor, everyone felt a chill.

This covert plan was indeed about lethal strategies and taking hearts.

You think the banquet is just for slapping Xu Brothers' face?

No. It is also to help Lu Man win awards.

You think the post-award blackout is just to let everyone know that Chenlu Film is taking action?

No. It is also to unite Xu Brothers' enemies over the years.

Without these allies exerting force together, without Yang Rou's previous efforts to weaken Xu Brothers' prestige, even if Yang Rou took out her trump card, Xu Brothers would not have suffered heavy losses.

After listening to the entire plan, the women looked at Yang Rou with much more reverence.

After dividing the responsibilities for the plan, the meeting concluded.

Yang Rou and Yang Nuannuan left the room first.

Mother and daughter, one an ice-cold beauty, the other gentle as water, walked out one after another, looking very harmonious.

Lu Man and Mei Li followed close behind. Lu Man had intended to stay back and talk with Chen Yan for a bit longer.

But seeing Yu Qiao Qiao there, she held back, walking with her long legs, she nodded at Chen Yan and Yu Qiao Qiao and left first.

Chen Yan and Yu Qiao Qiao, left until the last, chatted while they tidied up the place.

Yu Qiao Qiao's big eyes looked at Chen Yan with some bewilderment as she said, "Chen Yan, is this what the adult world is like?"

"Filled with the gleam of blades and swords."

"And to help someone advance, it also takes billions upon billions?"

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