After all of them were reborn, who would still be an actor?

Chapter 696 The Scales of the Heart!
In the struggle between China and foreign powers, Zhen Zhidan's attitude remains firm, reflecting her deep patriotism.

Let our actions demonstrate that the bottom line of Dongda University is inviolable.

Because of his explosive temper, his words are quite inflammatory, as can be seen from his attack on the Grandmaster who stepped on Sunglasses King.

They renounced their American citizenship and changed their nationality, demonstrating their belonging through their actions.

Hollywood's "gatekeeper" refuses roles that insult China.

As he previously criticized Western media, "They only report the negatives and turn a blind eye to China's modernization."

Even though they are our own people and they are enjoying the benefits, some people dare not say anything.

Upon returning to China, Zhen Zhidan spoke at length.

People in the industry say that Li Mingyang is a dynamite, and so is Zhen Zhidan.

He has bombarded foreign media with criticism many times, so no one dares to cross his line.

Zhen Zhidan has repeatedly criticized the BBC and CNN for "only reporting negative news about National Taiwan University, while remaining silent about its achievements in infrastructure and technological progress."

Foreign media have some classic quotes.

Every time you praise Tokyo University, there's a "but" that follows!
He stated bluntly: "Many countries are far less developed than China, but foreign media will never let you know this."

This "information gap" has led to serious misunderstandings about China among Western people, and his statement is a "wake-up call".

In the wave of globalization, Zhen Zhidan used the "Ip Man" series to promote the spirit of Dongda martial arts to the world and promote the inheritance of traditional culture.

Dongda Kung Fu is a national strength. Although it may have some fancy moves, it is undoubtedly the national essence of Dongda!
Using real combat and ring matches to evaluate kung fu is itself a radical argument!
When promoting Ip Man, he repeatedly proclaimed: "Patriotism is not a slogan, but a cultural identity engraved in our bones."

Many of Zhen Zhidan's remarks on Chinese culture have been blocked by the media and platforms, but these remarks will eventually bear fruit.

The media has failed to act as a bridge; instead, it has erected barriers and created information cocoons.

It's ridiculous...

The battle of the century is not over yet. The mainland Chinese people's impression of Zhen Zhidan has plummeted, and public opinion has been attacking Zhen Zhidan.

After Wolf Warrior, another wave of cyberbullying awaits Zhen Zhidan.

It took many years before Zhen Zhidan and Wu Jing were allowed to appear on the Spring Festival Gala together, creating a "Heroes of Heaven and Earth" performance that helped Zhen Zhidan regain her reputation.

By then, the daylilies had all gone cold...

In China, when faced with conflicting narratives about China and foreign countries, someone as outspoken as Zhen Zhidan can easily get into serious trouble.

People like Liu Yifei can actually benefit from it.

Narratives, both Chinese and foreign, are all about creating a tug-of-war!
Among the "Four Dan and Two Bing" actresses, Yan Zi, Li Bingbing, Zhang Ziyi, and Fan Binbin have all encountered narratives both in China and abroad.

Yanzi is the pinnacle of female celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry, and the first Asian actress to leave her handprints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Huang Xiaoming only left his handprint because he benefited from Yanzi's fame.

……

Finally, he was hammered!

Zhang Ziyi is working under Michelle Yeoh. Oscar-winning actress? She's just a madam, using the aura of a star and a senior to lead newcomers into a trap.

Zhang Ziyi has such great ambitions; in order to advance her career, she actively participates in crazy Hollywood parties.
In the end, however, he fled Hollywood without ever mentioning his past in Hollywood.

I witnessed many things that challenged the limits of human physiology.

So he decisively fled back to China and lorded it over everyone there!
After making a fortune in mainland China, they started thinking about going to the United States.

I fled back then because the lower classes had no human rights.

Going back to America means you've made money and want to enjoy America's upper-class resources.

She was never a staunch patriot, nor was she someone who fawned over foreign things.

She's just a sophisticated egoist!
Fan Binbin is not a bad person at heart; she was just blinded by money. She is still patriotic, which is why her attempt to break into Hollywood was not smooth.

The X-Men have very little screen time, just one line, a brief appearance, and a quick death.

Fan Binbin also starred in Iron Man 3, but her scenes can only be seen in the special edition for the Southeast University; she is not in the international version.

It's like making a Hollywood movie that only domestic audiences can see.

If she's willing to say something controversial, she'll definitely be treated differently.

In this respect, she didn't do as well as Li Bingbing.

Li Bingbing is very good at maneuvering between China and foreign countries. She speaks to people in a way that is appropriate to them and is completely adept at handling situations.

Their cunning and quick thinking are top-notch.

Deng Wendi led him in, and in the end, he was able to leave safely.

Liu Yifei's skills are nothing compared to hers, like a child's.

This is the case for major mainland manufacturers; the key is to engage in a power struggle between domestic and foreign companies, including Huawei, which also wants to expand overseas.

The same applies to the Chinese entertainment industry.

Li Mingyang certainly wanted to get involved as well. He didn't oppose Wall Street investing, but Wall Street couldn't hold a controlling stake.

He doesn't oppose state-owned capital, but he can't veto it! What's the difference between that and controlling stake?

What he needs is a huge space to stretch out.

Due to its inherent limitations, FBTV is destined not to achieve global dominance like Netflix.

All he wants is to dominate Asia!

The Asian market alone is not a threat.

What's terrifying is his control of FBTV.

Short dramas have the advantages of breaking into new circles, becoming hit shows, and having the ability to take on Hollywood. They can completely crush Hollywood, which is on the decline!

Everyone wants to pick the peaches, leaving him too little space...

In his room, Li Mingyang said goodbye to Jing Tian, ​​Liu Yifei, and Yang Mi, and also saw off Liu Shishi, Zhong Xiaoyu, and Little Squirrel.

Just as he was about to leave with Shirahama, he pushed open the door and saw his mother and Hughes arrive together.

Hughes, my mother's former colleague, was a henchman on Wall Street and a master of mergers and acquisitions.

"Hughes, it's been a long time." Li Mingyang greeted him warmly in English.

Hughes shook hands with Li Mingyang with a beaming smile, "Li, you're a big shot on Wall Street now, haha, I knew I wasn't wrong about you, you're the new Asian dragon!"

"You flatter me, you flatter me," Li Mingyang said modestly.

"Are you leaving?" Hughes asked, pointing to the suitcase Shirahama was pulling.

"Yes! We need to go back to South Korea to receive the award."

"Are you in a hurry? Do we still have time to talk? If not, that's okay, we can talk in Cannes," Hughes said with a smile.

If it were yesterday, Hughes would have loved to die wherever he wanted.

However, given that CCTV wants veto power, Li Mingyang feels there's room for negotiation.

"You've graced us with your presence! I'd make time even if I didn't have time!" Li Mingyang warmly ushered Hughes and his mother into the house and closed the door.

Shirahama readily took on the role of secretary. Although her English wasn't particularly good, it was more than enough for normal reception.

She asked Hughes and Chen Fang what they wanted to drink, then went to the bar to prepare it.

Li Mingyang came to the living room, sat opposite the two men, and spoke to them entirely in English.

My mother speaks rather slowly, which is quite different from the stereotypical image of a shrewd and assertive lawyer.

In fact, American lawyers are divided into different categories.

Hughes is a trial lawyer whose specialty is conducting trials and defenses in the Supreme Court.

My mother is a solicitor, mainly handling legal matters such as contract review and legal consultation, and does not focus on court appeals or defenses.

My mother is the kind of person who is determined and plans things out before acting.

Very cold-blooded... You can't be cold-blooded. In the legal environment of the United States, if you're not cold-blooded or vulture-like, you'll be eliminated.

Therefore, it was difficult for Li Mingyang to persuade his mother.

Both sides knew what they were going to talk about, but neither of them spoke directly; instead, they chatted casually.

Hughes was talking about children...

He has three children; his eldest son is 28 years old, and his youngest son is in high school.

The idea that Americans leave home to be independent at eighteen is a fairy tale; I don't know which idiot came up with that.

Hughes was very worried about his eldest son's failure to pass the bar exam. He was prepared to give up if his son couldn't pass it before the age of thirty and instead have him intern at an environmental organization.

My daughter is studying medicine and is interning at one of the best private hospitals in the US.

His youngest son loves playing basketball and even wants to play in the NBA, which really annoys him.

"Basketball is a place where a bunch of black people compete on their physical talent. Shit, this kid doesn't understand that at all. He's talking to me about dreams. I shouldn't stop him. He can make a living playing basketball."

“Foolish idea. You’re white, you’re destined to never fit into the Black community.”

“After those Black people retire, more than 80 percent of them will go bankrupt within a few years. Their money is easy to make. There is a group of people who specifically target this group of stupid and illiterate people and use various means to get them to spend and invest.”

"Knowledge is the most important thing; only knowledge can protect your money!"

"A higher salary does not necessarily mean more money in hand; many people are unable to manage their money."

“Those freaks produced by ‘happy education’ have no idea who they are once they have money.”

It's normal for Hughes to have a lot of prejudice against black people; he's white, after all.

“Grace, your son is amazing! He’s a man who can truly preserve wealth and create more,” Hughes complimented Chen Fang.

Grace is Chen Fang's English name.

“He only gained some wealth; without a background, he was destined to remain at the bottom… He should go to Hollywood, the center of world cinema, that’s where he can transcend class,” Chen Fang said.

“Haha, Grace, you’re too naive. Hollywood isn’t a place you can just walk into. It’s complicated and dangerous! Even Wall Street has to suffer losses,” Hughes said.

Li Mingyang smiled without saying a word, knowing that the two were putting on a show.

Sure enough, Hughes immediately began to explain to Li Mingyang the relationship between Wall Street capital and Hollywood capital.

Both are strongholds of the Donald Party, but they are adversaries.

Wall Street controls global finance, while Hollywood controls cultural export.

Both sides believe they deserve more and have more say.

Despite Wall Street's wealth, it's actually quite powerful in the clash between the two sides.

Hollywood has always had the upper hand. The capital behind the six major Hollywood studios not only has money, but also controls a large amount of media, giving them considerable influence.

Otherwise, why would Wall Street go to such lengths to break into Hollywood? They want to control the media.

My mom is a Western-worshipper; she thinks the air in America is fresher than in China.

Unlike his mother, Hughes, as a white elite, liked to criticize Americans.

Savagery, filth, chaos, discrimination, rampant gun violence and drug use, messianic narratives...

When the other party mentioned the Messianic narrative, Li Mingyang immediately looked at Hughes with newfound respect.

Achuan later ushered in the 2.0 era.

They rely on the messianic narrative of "saving the motherland" to bind the fate of their supporters and transform them into national heroes!

One shot to godhood!
"So what do you want to say?" Li Mingyang gently clasped his hands together, leaned forward, and placed them on his knees.

This seemingly casual and humble gesture.

This put immense pressure on Hughes, causing his already small eyes to narrow into slits.

In just over a year, he infiltrated the Korean film industry with his extraordinary talent, and with the 19+ rated film "Seoul Spring," he shattered the box office ceiling for Korean films, opening up a new world of 2000 million moviegoers.

This film's achievements are already quite remarkable, but compared to FBTV, they seem insignificant.

No matter how amazing your content creation skills are, you're still just a high-level employee.

Master the platform, and you master your destiny!
Once FBTV conquers the Japanese market, it will basically monopolize the Asian market!
time is money.

Wall Street capital doesn't have time to cultivate; FBTV is already there. If Li Mingyang doesn't compromise, it's a dead end.

Global streaming media is a high-barrier-to-entry industry that requires significant investment.

Without money, it simply won't work.

Is Li Mingyang a stupid person?
of course not.

Foolish people would never get to this point.

Very few people have risen from humble beginnings to this point and become prey for Wall Street capital.

Every single one of them is a genius!
Hughes genuinely envied Grace; her son was just too outstanding.

So outstanding that it intimidated him.

To have such a commanding presence at such a young age, one's future is limitless... provided one accepts the conditions set by Wall Street capital.

otherwise.

What awaits him is continuous suppression from Wall Street capital! Wall Street cannot stop Li Mingyang from shining in the film industry, but it can easily cut off his source of income.

It's as easy as breathing.

"Li, you need to make a decision. Everyone's waiting for you," Hughes said succinctly, putting down his teacup.

"An ultimatum?"

Hughes shook his head. “This isn’t how you sit down and negotiate an ultimatum… This is the peak of FBTV’s value. FBTV is just one player in the global streaming market. There are many other players besides you… FBTV is only temporarily in the lead. You’ve been chosen. You should be excited. Capital needs you and will satisfy your desires.”

"Li, state your desires, what do you want? There's nothing that can't be discussed!"

Li Mingyang clenched his hands, his eyes gradually becoming cloudy, but as they became more cloudy, they gradually cleared and became clear.

He took off his sunglasses, grinned, and said, "Uncle Hughes, if a big shot had a heart condition and needed your son's healthy heart, what would you do? Would you offer it up without hesitation, or would you fight back?"

"It's not the same thing."

“No, it’s the same thing.” Li Mingyang clenched his fist tightly through his white shirt. “FBTV is my heart!”

"Come on! Don't say such childish things, it's laughable. We only need 70%! You still have at least 20%. Losing FBTV won't kill you, on the contrary, you'll live better. You'll break down class barriers, you have Wall Street capital behind you, and you have no enemies in front of you!"

“FBTV is a burden in your hands, you know that, you don’t have the financial strength to support FBTV,” Chen Fang said.

Li Mingyang scoffed dismissively. "FBTV is my child, and no one can take it away, not even if you're my mother!"

"Did you ask for his opinion?" Chen Fang asked slowly.

These words were like a boulder thrown into Li Mingyang's heart.

It exploded.

"Indeed, when you left, you asked for my opinion and whether I wanted to go with you."

Li Mingyang's face turned cold, his calm eyes suddenly becoming deep and intense. "I didn't want to, and you left... I still remember you leaving that house right in front of me, carrying your suitcase, walking from the second floor to the first floor, dragging the suitcase away, the wheels rolling on the ground for a long, long time..."

Li Mingyang's hands were gesturing wildly near his ears, then suddenly clenched into fists. "The rolling sound finally disappeared... You walked out of the neighborhood, got into a taxi, and left, leaving for your so-called dream."

"You never looked back at me even once from beginning to end."

"I keep telling myself that you're afraid that if you look back and see me, you won't be able to make up your mind. You still have feelings for me."

"Actually, no... I'm just deceiving myself to make myself feel better."

Li Mingyang slowly stood up. "Bai Bin, Hughes, please leave. I need to talk to my mother alone."

Bai Bin, who had been suffering under Li Mingyang's torment, had tears welling up in his eyes, and suddenly felt a little sorry for Li Mingyang.

Bai Bin learned some things about Li Mingyang's past from others, and how those hardships ultimately shaped the Li Mingyang he is today.

Cold-blooded with cruelty, ruthless to himself, and even more ruthless to others.

But that's all I heard from other people.

It wasn't until then that I heard Li Mingyang recount that experience with my own ears.

Those memories continued to torment him.

I want to forget, but I can never forget it; it's like a nightmare.

Childhood trauma can last a lifetime...

Shirahama walked toward the gate, but after a few steps she saw that Hughes hadn't moved, and the atmosphere became a bit cold.

She turned to Hughes and asked him to leave.

After exchanging a few words with Grace, Hughes left looking very unhappy.

With the heavy sound of the door closing, only Li Mingyang and Chen Fang remained in the room.

“I’m sorry.” Chen Fang held Li Mingyang’s hand. “I can understand that you hate me, but you can’t let your emotions get the better of you. What you’re doing now is a life-changing event. Everything has to be based on interests. Mom, I know what you’re thinking. You want FBTV to take root at Dongda University. Your heart is at Dongda University. You don’t want to hand it over to overseas capital.”

Li Mingyang pulled his hand away and said coldly, "You know that, yet you still forced me!"

Chen Fang reached out and gently pressed on Li Mingyang's arm. "You want to introduce state-owned capital into FBTV, which is in your best interest, but is a veto right the outcome you want?"

Li Mingyang's heart skipped a beat. How fast! He had just finished talking with Zuo Shandiao that morning.

My mom and the others found out so quickly.

Shouldn't such important information be kept secret?
There are no secrets... no secrets... not a single secret...

Li Mingyang was very disappointed. He sat wearily on the sofa, his fingers interlaced and pressed against his forehead.

The scales in my heart are swaying wildly!
"Yangyang, this world is unfair. They forced you to go abroad. Don't you realize that yet?"

“You were never meant to be part of their circle; you’re not even a resident of Yanbei.”

"Do you think I went abroad voluntarily? No, if I had the opportunity in China, I would never have gone abroad. Do you know how important background and bloodline are in the legal profession? I stayed up all night until my stomach perforated, but it was all for nothing compared to a single word from someone else."

“If I weren’t an American citizen, those former classmates wouldn’t care about me at all. The once unattainable rivals are now just laughable clowns, not even qualified to sit at the table.”

“My American citizenship has become my biggest background, isn’t that ridiculous?”

“Yangyang, being an American citizen and being patriotic are not contradictory. I donate to various parts of China in my personal capacity, and Mom is also a well-known patriot... Don’t try to correct the past too much. The world is not black and white, but colorful.”

Li Mingyang sighed. What his mother said was true, but not the whole story.

It's just making excuses for myself.

America is not a good place.

People, unless they're in dire straits, how can they possibly admit their mistakes? They simply won't.

Egypt is a pile of dog shit, yet tourists still praise it to the skies.

Seoul is just a small county town, yet it's still praised as a tourist hotspot by a group of Korean fans.

Anyone who has seen it knows.

I just don't want others to know I've been scammed...

"So, by agreeing to Wall Street's terms, I can rise to the top overnight?"

"of course."

"Is it okay if I don't change my nationality?"

“Of course it’s possible. Mom and you are of one mind. I can help you manage the company and help you expand your territory. I have the advantage of nationality. What you can’t do, Mom will do for you.”

"You want to be the CEO of FBTV?"

Chen Fang shook her head.

Li Mingyang suddenly felt much more relaxed.

However, his mother's next words plunged Li Mingyang into an ice cave.

"With the investment of Wall Street capital, FBTV should not limit its focus to Asia, but look to the whole world. Hughes is the CEO of Europe and America, responsible for Europe and America, and I am the CEO of Asia, responsible for Asia."

"what about me?"

"You will be the first Oscar-winning director from mainland China!"

Li Mingyang smiled, and as he smiled, he started clapping.

Chen Fang thought her son had accepted her suggestion. "With the platform advantage of Wall Street capital, you can fully display your talents, make a name for yourself in Hollywood, reach the pinnacle, and achieve a level of success that no Dongda filmmaker has ever achieved!"

"That's enough!" Li Mingyang's smile vanished.

Chen Fang's heart skipped a beat; her son's expression didn't seem to indicate acceptance. "Yangyang, Mom is doing this for your own good; this is the best way out for you."

“You keep saying you’re doing this for me, but it’s actually for yourself. You really did sell me out. You want to be the CEO of FBTV.”

"If FBTV wants to grow, the CEO must be a foreigner. Isn't Mom the most suitable candidate?"

“You’re right, the CEO of FBTV must be a foreigner, not a student from the University of Tokyo. But why should I find a capable CEO? Why can’t he be a puppet?”

Chen Fang's eyes turned cold as she stared intently at Li Mingyang.

"Don't look at me like that. You taught me to prioritize interests above all else, and that emotions are a burden."

Li Mingyang slowly stood up, looked at his mother, and said, "I have enough money to live on for a lifetime. I don't mind supporting you for a lifetime. I don't mind giving you a flower shop hotel worth hundreds of millions."

“I no longer expect any mother-son bond between us. I just hope you will act like a good mother and let me be a dutiful son.”

"Don't use your ambition to hurt me."

"Why do you think you can become a pawn of Wall Street capital? It's because you are my American mother. Your identity is a bargaining chip that can be used to manipulate me, and it is also my opportunity to enter the world."

"You're all wrong, you're all wrong. My success today has nothing to do with anyone else; I've achieved it all on my own!"

"My path is my decision, and yours is in my hands. Destroying you is too easy for me. Everything you've worked so hard for in America, I can wipe it all out with just a word!"

"Wall Street capital never tolerates idlers!"

Chen Fang panicked. What she cared about most was everything about the Americans—it was what she had gained by abandoning her husband and children! It was also her source of confidence.

Li Mingyang patted his mother on the shoulder and waved goodbye.

"Yangyang, you had no choice. You simply don't understand the terror of Wall Street capital..."

"is it?"

Li Mingyang chuckled, put on his sunglasses, walked to the door, picked up his luggage, and opened the door.

Hearing the noise, Bai Bin turned around and saw Li Mingyang carrying a suitcase, a confident and smug smile on his lips.

Li Mingyang handed the suitcase to Bai Bin and then went to greet Hughes.

When Hughes saw Li Mingyang, he thought it was a done deal, but when he saw Grace who came out afterward, he knew it wasn't.

“This is a rare opportunity, you should consider it carefully…” Hughes said.

"Well, see you someday."

Hughes raised his hand to shake hands with Li Mingyang.

Li Mingyang didn't shake hands, but gently patted Hughes' arm before walking away with a dashing gait.

It's like saying you're not worthy to shake my hand.

“Your son has knowledge and drive beyond his years,” Hughes said with a hint of envy.

Even if he had rejected Wall Street capital, Li Mingyang would still be a billionaire with a net worth of nearly 10 billion, achieving both fame and fortune.

Can advance or retreat.

As Chen Fang watched her son walk further and further away, she could hear the sound of his suitcase rolling on the carpet.

An inexplicable throbbing sensation.

She walked forward, following her son's departing figure.

Memories flashed through her mind, her vision blurred, and she felt as if she had returned to the day she left.

She left resolutely, without looking back.

Just like his son now, he left resolutely without looking back.

She was afraid that if she turned back and saw her son, she would soften and be unable to leave.

A person's life is long, but opportunities are few...

A life that can be seen from the beginning is not what she wants!
Finally, she got into the car, seized her opportunity, and resolutely left, beginning a very brilliant life in the United States.

The elevator doors opened!
Li Mingyang stepped into the elevator without turning back.

At that moment, Chen Fang felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

Yangyang knew that she had caught up, but she showed no intention of stopping or turning back to see her again.

She suddenly realized that this was a farewell.

Yangyang is saying goodbye to the past.

Say goodbye to the unforgettable past.

Sometimes she thought more than once that perhaps leaving without saying goodbye was the best thing to do.

I watched her leave helplessly.

It's so cruel.

The elevator door slowly closed.

Chen Fang suddenly ran forward and cried out urgently, "Yangyang, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Just as the elevator doors were about to close.

Chen Fang saw her son, who had his back to her, raise his hand and wave, as if saying goodbye to her, or perhaps saying goodbye to the past...

“He’s gone… To be honest, I think he was too kind. If I were him, you should be in jail repenting right now, instead of owning such a big hotel… Wipe your tears…” Hughes said, taking a handkerchief out of his jacket pocket.

"I didn't cry." Chen Fang refused and turned to leave.

Hughes stood there, glanced at Chen Fang, and said, "Good luck."

His gaze shifted, fixed on the elevator where Li Mingyang had left, and he fell into deep thought…

……

(End of this chapter)