Chapter 112: Helplessly Resigned

Liu Haiyang could not believe he had been fired. Standing stark naked in the middle of the street, he performed all sorts of lewd gestures in front of Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong while muttering to himself.

"You two little brats who haven't even grown your pubic hair yet, how dare you act up in front of me! Once I get back, see if I don't destroy you!"

Liu Sheng was instantly amused by Liu Haiyang’s physical antics. His initial hatred shifted into the feeling of watching a grand spectacle. Ren Xiadong was even more brazen; he first lit a cigarette for Liu Haiyang, then looked down at the man’s crotch and remarked, "Your hair is actually quite lush, isn't it!"

By now, local security personnel had arrived, but they were all blocked at the perimeter by men Yang Yu had arranged in advance. Aside from the onlookers, no one else was allowed to get close.

The crowd grew larger and larger. "This man is such a pervert! How can he be naked in such cold weather?"

"Haha, he’s so small!"

"Is this guy always this uninhibited?"

"Oh my, isn't that the famous director Liu Haiyang? Is he filming something? Where are the cameras? I want to be in the shot!"

As the crowd swelled, Ren Xiadong’s interest peaked. He turned to Liu Sheng and said, "Hold him down for me! I want to make sure he doesn't have a single hair left!"

Liu Sheng looked at Ren Xiadong in astonishment and asked with concern, "Pluck them out? Won't that be agonizing?"

"Hurry! I can't wait!"

Driven by Ren Xiadong’s persistent urging, Liu Sheng did not hesitate. He used a grappling move to pin Liu Haiyang to the ground.

Ren Xiadong walked over, holding a lighter, and looked down at Liu Haiyang’s lower body with a wicked grin.

Realizing he was about to be stripped of every last hair, Liu Haiyang felt a wave of terror, yet his mouth remained vicious. "You think you can burn my hair off? You’re not worthy! If you want to burn it, have your mother do it, you little bastards! I am Liu Haiyang, a famous director! Offending me means offending the Yang Family Film Company! Are you not afraid of death?"

Ren Xiadong’s anger flared. He didn't just burn the hair on his lower body; he didn't spare his head, armpits, legs, eyebrows, or even his eyelashes. Looking at the completely hairless Liu Haiyang, Ren Xiadong said, "The thing I hate most in this world is people bringing up my mother!"

Liu Sheng released Liu Haiyang, and looking at the man who was now truly devoid of all hair, he remarked, "I never noticed when he was hairy, but a grown man can actually be this pale!"

Ren Xiadong’s actions and Liu Sheng’s words sent the audience into fits of laughter. They praised the trio’s acting skills, especially Liu Haiyang’s dedication to his art—sacrificing every single hair for the sake of a better performance.

Hearing the spectators' comments, Liu Sheng was confused as to why they thought this was a performance. He looked around and spotted four cameras pointed at them. Assuming this was the work of malicious entertainment media, he walked over angrily, intending to smash the equipment.

"Mr. Liu, don't break them. This was all arranged by Young Master Yang Yu. To avoid causing a panic among the crowd, we were instructed to make them believe this is a film shoot. Otherwise, why would the security guards standing over there be just watching?"

After hearing the cameraman’s explanation, Liu Sheng felt that while Yang Yu could be quite the scoundrel at times, he was reliable when it came to serious matters.

Liu Sheng then told the cameraman, "If we’re filming, we should do it properly. Come with me and get some close-ups of our Director Liu."

Liu Sheng led the cameraman to Liu Haiyang, who was still shouting from the ground. "Keep filming! Take this back so Tang Xin can fantasize about me tonight! Though, to be fair, Tang Xin’s body is incredible—top to bottom, she’s great in bed!"

Liu Sheng pulled back his jacket, secretly showing Liu Haiyang the "Privilege Card" in his inner pocket, and said, "You are truly fired. You won’t be able to destroy me; instead, I will make your life a living hell."

"Who... who are you?" Seeing the card, Liu Haiyang was no longer arrogant. He finally realized his career was over and understood that these two young men he had insulted were people of Huayong. He looked ashen, like a man waiting for the two grim reapers before him to pronounce his death.

Sensing his future had gone dark, Liu Haiyang suddenly snapped. He began to babble incoherently, pacing around Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong. Forgetting he was naked, he wiggled his buttocks and cried, "Come on! Take me away! I’m a criminal! I’ve used the pretense of casting actors to sleep with actresses, taken bribes, and even laundered money through my films!"

Watching the delirious Liu Haiyang, Liu Sheng shouted to the audience, "Let’s give our director a round of applause! He really is a master of his craft—he’d sacrifice every hair for art!"

Following Liu Sheng’s cue, the audience erupted in applause, continuously praising Liu Haiyang’s acting as superior to any of the young heartthrobs.

"But we have one final scene to shoot. Please, everyone, make some room."

Liu Sheng then turned to Liu Haiyang. "Just like this, run home. I will be following you the whole way. If you slack off, I’ll take your life!"

And so, a scene unfolded on the streets of Chongqing: a forty-year-old man running naked through the city’s alleys and streets in broad daylight, followed by an Audi A6 and two camera cars.

After Liu Haiyang reached his home, Liu Sheng dismissed the cameramen. Inside the living room, Liu Haiyang knelt before Liu Sheng, slapping his own face while pleading, "I was wrong. I shouldn't have touched your woman. Please, spare me. Treat me like nothing more than a fart and let me go."

Liu Sheng looked around the empty house and asked, "Where is your family?"

"I have no family. I am unmarried."

Liu Sheng laughed upon hearing this. "That makes things easier. I despise you, but I don't want to involve your family. Being alone is fine; I won't have to worry about how to deal with them."

Liu Sheng lit a cigarette and continued, "My name is Liu Sheng."

"Liu Sheng? The owner of Liu Yao World Film Company and the manager of Huayong in Chongqing?" The naked Liu Haiyang knelt on the floor, his face the color of ash.

Liu Haiyang knew full well that Liu Sheng held the power over every company in Chongqing. He never imagined that Tang Xin’s boyfriend was such a major figure. What confused him even more was why Tang Xin would accept his "hidden rules" (sexual favors) if she had such backing. It wasn't just Liu Haiyang—even Liu Sheng couldn't understand it.

"From today on, you are forbidden from leaving Chongqing. You know the reach of Huayong; even if you run to the ends of the earth, you cannot escape us. From now on, you will live by scavenging trash. If I find out you are working in any other industry, I will make sure you sleep underground forever!"

As Liu Sheng prepared to leave, he turned back to Liu Haiyang and added, "Oh, and your assets and savings—I want them donated to charity. As soon as possible. Now, put some clothes on."

It was five o'clock in the afternoon by the time he finished with Liu Haiyang. Liu Sheng wandered the streets for a long time, unsure if he should go home. How would he face Tang Xin? What attitude should he take when questioning her? How could he handle this situation and their relationship? He had no idea.

"Just go in. You can’t avoid it forever. Honestly, if it were me, I wouldn't know how to face it either, but you have to," Ren Xiadong said to Liu Sheng, who was hesitating at the door.

Liu Sheng took a deep breath and pushed the door open to the first-floor lobby. Tang Xin and Yang Yu were sitting on the sofa, with packed luggage placed to the side. Two nannies were busy cleaning the living room.

"That's enough for today. You can go and rest," Liu Sheng said as he watched the nannies leave, then sat on the sofa.

Yang Yu spoke up, "I’m going out for a smoke to get some air."

Ren Xiadong followed suit. "I don't know if Tian Yun has eaten yet. I’ll go make a call to check on her. Young Master Yang, wait for me, let me borrow a cigarette."

"If you needed money, you should have told me. Everything I have is yours," Liu Sheng said first.

Tang Xin leaned back on the sofa, her arms crossed over her chest. She had no expression on her face, her eyes fixed on the teacup on the table. She didn't speak to him.

Liu Sheng asked again, "Why did you do it? Did you ever consider me?"

Tang Xin remained silent.

Seeing her unresponsive, Liu Sheng’s anger flared instantly. Tang Xin wouldn't even offer a perfunctory excuse. Images of Tang Xin lying with another man flooded his mind, bringing a mix of grievance, rage, and anxiety.

"Am I not good to you?!" Liu Sheng shouted.

His sudden escalation startled Tang Xin, who had been lost in thought.

Tang Xin finally spoke. "You are very good, but I want freedom—unfettered freedom. I don't want you controlling me. Everything I did was because I wanted to. I want to become a big star and make a lot of money. I don't want to hear people say my achievements are because of you. I want to rely on my own efforts!"

Liu Sheng had intended to keep things civil, but hearing this, he grabbed the cup from the table and smashed it on the floor. He pointed at Tang Xin and yelled, "Is that your reason for sleeping with someone else?! What did you take me for?!"

"That’s my business! What does it have to do with you?! It was you who made me film your movie that started me on this path, and now you’re blaming me?! Besides, the 'hidden rules' of the entertainment industry are normal. What actress hasn't gone through this? Even some male stars have had similar experiences! Isn't it all just to get a good break?"

Tang Xin’s words made Liu Sheng’s anger boil over. He lost control, feeling as if the whole world had betrayed him, and that everything was his fault.

"You’re with other men every day, yet you’re still so self-righteous. Isn't that going too far!?"

"I’m going too far? Whatever I do with others is for money, but with you, it was for love! Since I started this path, have I ever asked you for a single cent?! Why are you never satisfied? You think I’m dirty now, right? Fine! I’m leaving!"

Liu Sheng hurriedly grabbed Tang Xin as she stood to leave. Calming himself slightly, he said, "Don't step foot in the entertainment industry again. From now on, just revolve around me. I’ll pretend like none of this ever happened."

Tang Xin shook off his hand. "I want to rely on myself. What you give is what you give, and what I earn is what I earn. It’s not the same!"

Liu Sheng refused to give up. "Do you want me or your career? I can give you everything I have."

"I told you, it’s not the same. I don't want to listen to you about everything. I want freedom. I don't want to let go either, but these things have happened. This will always be a shadow over you. If we stay together, it won't be good for either of us. I don't like the industry's rules, but I want to be a big star, and these steps are inevitable. They help me grow quickly! I’m not worthy of you. Even though I don't want to, I have to walk my own path."

After saying this, Tang Xin grabbed her luggage and left.

Left alone, Liu Sheng sat on the sofa and muttered to himself, "Was it really my fault? Maybe the mistake was bringing her into the movie business in the first place. Maybe it was a mistake from the start."

After Tang Xin left, Ren Xiadong and Yang Yu walked back in.

"Big Brother, have a smoke. Foreign brand, try it out."

Liu Sheng took the cigarette from Yang Yu, lit it, and took a deep drag, only to start coughing.

Yang Yu hurriedly said, "It’s strong. Take it slow."

Liu Sheng looked at Yang Yu and said, "Brother, can you do me one more favor?"

"Big Brother, just say it. No need to be so polite."

Liu Sheng took another drag and said, "Help me look after Tang Xin. I don't think she’ll come back. In the entertainment industry, try your best to make sure she isn't bullied."

Yang Yu nodded. "Understood. Before you came back, she told me she wouldn't be finishing her studies and would leave Chongqing to develop in Beijing. I’ll do what I can to help her."