"President Lu, President Liu, Director Li, Producer Wang, Miss Su," Lin Chen greeted them respectfully, his voice hoarse with nervousness, following Amy's prior instructions.
Lu Tianyu smiled and nodded, his gaze lingering on Lin Chen for a few seconds, as if checking the condition of a product, before speaking gently, "Lin Chen, right? Sit down. Don't be shy, it's just a friendly gathering."
His voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority. Lin Chen obediently sat down on a single sofa near the door, feeling out of place in this circle.
The waiter silently poured him a glass of amber liquid. Lin Chen didn't touch it.
"Old Liu, look, this is the promising new talent we've signed that I mentioned to you," Lu Tianyu said casually to General Manager Liu beside him. "Young man, talented, but a bit temperamental. However, with some polishing, he'll be a fine blade."
General Manager Liu chuckled twice, his gaze sweeping over Lin Chen like a slithering snake. "Of course I trust General Manager Lu's eye for talent. There was a slight misunderstanding last time, but young people are understandable." He raised his glass, gesturing to Lin Chen. "From now on, he's one of us."
Lin Chen stiffly raised his glass but didn't drink.
The ensuing conversation made Lin Chen even more uneasy, as if he had glimpsed the industry's most lucrative and sordid secret dealings.
They discussed the adaptation of a popular IP. Lu Tianyu casually decided on the newcomer the company would heavily promote next quarter, and Director Li smiled and promised to "take good care" of him. They discussed how to manipulate public opinion with capital, smearing competitors' projects. Producer Wang skillfully rattled off the names and prices of several online troll leaders. They even talked about how to launder large sums of money of dubious origin through complex equity structures and film project investments, their conversation filled with financial jargon and obscure slang that Lin Chen couldn't understand.
Meanwhile, the beautiful actress, Ms. Su, acted like a delicate ornament, adding wine and serving fruit at opportune moments, her voice coquettish and agreeable. Her role seemed solely to set the mood and… satisfy the hidden desires of some present. Lin Chen noticed that Mr. Liu's thick hand would occasionally "unintentionally" caress her smooth thigh, and she would simply giggle, offering no resistance.
"Lin Chen," Lu Tianyu suddenly steered the conversation towards him, his tone still gentle, "I've heard you have good original songwriting abilities. The company has a big-budget movie coming up, and they're still looking for a theme song. I think your style is a good fit. I'll have Amy show you the project materials later; give it a try."
In the past, Lin Chen would have been overjoyed to receive such an opportunity. But now, in this secluded room, listening to the conversation he'd just overheard, he felt this "opportunity" was like a piece of candy laced with poison.
"Thank you, Mr. Lu," he said softly.
Lu Tianyu nodded in satisfaction, as if completing a pre-arranged procedure. He turned to President Liu, changing the subject: "Old Liu, part of the funding for your new energy project can be withdrawn through the 'Starry Culture Fund' next week. The rest can be put into next quarter's variety show sponsorship, is that alright?"
President Liu beamed: "No problem! Mr. Lu has so many connections! Come, let me toast you!"