Lin Chen's heart pounded. Xingyao Culture Fund? Variety show sponsorship? This was clearly a discussion about how to launder money using the entertainment industry! He felt as if he were sitting on a volcano about to erupt, the seemingly casual conversation masking a sinister undercurrent capable of crushing him to pieces.
He excused himself to the restroom, fleeing that suffocating room once more. Standing at the sink, he repeatedly splashed cold water on his face, trying to calm himself. In the mirror, his face was pale, his eyes filled with terror and disbelief.
He finally understood what Chen Kai meant by "swamp." It wasn't just exploitation and control; it was a massive black hole rife with power-money transactions, the transfer of benefits, and even potential criminal activity! And he was already trapped within it, a tiny cog in this enormous machine, vulnerable to being sacrificed at any moment.
Back in the room, the atmosphere seemed more relaxed. Lu Tianyu was patting President Liu on the shoulder, whispering something, both wearing knowing smiles. Miss Su had somehow already sat down next to Director Li, their posture intimate.
Seeing Lin Chen return, Lu Tianyu beckoned to him: "Lin Chen, come here, have a drink with President Liu. Let's consider the misunderstanding from last time in the past."
President Liu also looked at him with a smile, his eyes filled with a cat-and-mouse playfulness and a sense of certainty.
Lin Chen looked at the waiter refilling his glass, at President Liu's nauseating smile, at Lu Tianyu's gentle yet unyielding gaze, and he knew this wasn't about drinking; it was a test of obedience, a pledge to completely integrate him into this dark world.
He stood rooted to the spot. A chilling fear and a resistance emanating from his very bones battled fiercely within him.
This lavish, secret room, like a gigantic stomach, was preparing to devour and digest him, along with his dreams and conscience.
Lin Chen ultimately didn't drink that glass of wine.
Under Lu Tianyu's gentle yet oppressive gaze, and under President Liu's undisguised, lewd, and provocative stare, an almost instinctive resistance froze him in place, unable to take that next step. He could almost see that once he drank that glass of wine, some kind of bottom line would be completely shattered, and his soul from the mountains would be doomed.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment. The air in the secret room became thick and heavy.
Lu Tianyu's smile faded slightly, and a barely perceptible chill flashed in his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses. President Liu scoffed and shook his head, as if mocking his lack of tact.
Finally, Lu Tianyu waved his hand, his tone unreadable: "Young man, too reserved. Never mind, you'll get used to it." He stopped looking at Lin Chen and turned to continue discussing box office revenue sharing for a certain project with the director beside him.
Lin Chen, as if pardoned, sat back down on the sofa in the corner, his back soaked with cold sweat. He knew he had once again recklessly challenged the rules. He dared not think about the consequences.
After the party, he was silently driven back to his apartment. That night, he couldn't sleep a wink; the scenes in the secluded room and the untouched drink replayed in his mind.
The next few days were uneventful. Amy continued to efficiently arrange his schedule—training, filming, interviews—everything proceeded as usual. The company even gave him the opportunity to compose the theme song for that big-budget movie, providing detailed project information and musical style requirements.
But this calm only made Lin Chen more uneasy. He knew that someone like Lu Tianyu would never tolerate repeated "offenses."