Just as he finished the call, Ye Lingchen received another call from Xiao Feifei.
âLingchen, congratulations for your movie being such a hit,â Xiao Feifei said with a smile.
âThank you.â
âAre you free during this National Day holiday week? I bought Huo Yuanjiaâs tickets. Do you want to watch your own movie at the cinema?â Xiao Feifei suggested, trying to keep her voice casual.
âSure thing. When is the show?â Ye Lingchen asked.
âTomorrow.â
The truth is, Xiao Feifei had already bought the entire weekâs ticket for Huo Yuanjia before it was a hit. Even if the seats were not filled, she would quietly buy out the remaining seats.
Before that, she did not ask Ye Lingchen to accompany her for the movie, only asking him after Huo Yuanjia had become a hit.
âMm, Iâll see you tomorrow then.â
...
Meanwhile, unlike Huo Yuanjiaâs crew, I am Heroâs crew that was celebrating previously had turned quiet.
Wu Hanâs expression was ugly. Just on that day itself, I am Heroâs ticket sales plummeted. Furthermore, the ratings were also dropping and the movieâs screening allocations were being cut by five percent!
That five percent was going to Huo Yuanjia!
âWhatâs the meaning of this?!â
âYoung Master Wu, what are the cinemas doing? Isnât that slapping you in the face?!â asked Wu Yong with a pale face.
âWhy are they giving Huo Yuanjia your share of the allocation? Young Master Wu, the cinemas are disrespecting you!â Shi Lei added as well, showing his dissatisfaction.
Chen Fengâs face twitched. âYoung Master Wu, we canât just leave this be. Screen allocation is something that affects the life and death of a movie!â
He was anxious as he had invested in I am Hero. Moreover, to go against Huo Yuanjia, he had invested a massive amount. This matter would decide his ability to break even!
Wu Han took a deep breath, then made a phone call.
âWhatâs the meaning of this? Why are you lowering our screen allocation? Didnât we agree to limit Huo Yuanjiaâs screening allocation?â
âYoung Master Wu, this is decided by the market. We didnât expect Huo Yuanjia to be such a hit. Furthermore, your movie...other than the fanâs reaction at the beginning, the ticket sales are dropping quickly.â
âDropping quickly? Youâre saying that my movie has low views?â
âIndeed.â The sound was calm and steady. âNot only that, but I am Heroâs reputation is also sinking fast. In this matter, our hands are tied.â
Wu Han ended the call and a gloomy look flashed across his face.
He had limited influence over the cinema. It was already very generous of them to do him a favor previously. It was impossible for him to order them around now.
âYoung Master Wu, what should we do now? Our movie is being outshined by Huo Yuanjia!â Chen Feng was at his witâs end.
âIâll post on Weibo to ask for my fanâs support!â said Wu Han in a calm tone. âWith my appearance, a few simple words would be sufficient to have tens of millions of fans to watch the movie. What qualifications Huo Yuanjia has to fight us with?!â
...
âGrandmaster Ye, we owe you big time for this. This is a small sign of gratitude from the Lu group, please accept it.â The Lu father and son duo passed Ye Lingchen an atm card as they dropped him off at 1 Hill Spring Residences[1].
âThereâs a total of 35 million in here, nicely rounding it up to 500 million for you, Grandmaster Ye,â said Lu Hao, trying to butter up to him.
He feared Ye Lingchen from the bottom of his heart. First of all, he was good at fighting. Next, he had strong support in the background and was skilled at gambling. Furthermore, he had realized after spending time with Ye Lingchen that things did not end well for all those who crossed him.
Ye Lingchen nodded and was not shy about it, immediately accepting the atm card.
Zhang Yunxi was out, managing the cosmetics store. Ye Lingchen then threw an evil grin at Miyako that caused her to feel threatened, unwittingly backing off a few steps as she asked with a frown on her face, âWhat do you want?â
âIn my house, a maid should be dressed like a maid,â Ye Lingchen threw a maid outfit towards Miyako as he spoke. âChange into this and clean the house. Thereâs also the garden outside. Donât forget to trim the plants!â
âIâll advise you not to go overboard!â
Miyakoâs eyes narrowed, shooting a cold glare at Ye Lingchen. âIâm the disciple of the Gambling King. If you cross me because of some momentary enjoyment, Iâll make sure you live the rest of your life in regret!â
âOh? Youâre trying to put up airs with me?â Ye Lingchen looked at Miyako with growing interest. He knew that Miyako would not submit that easily.
âHehe, since youâre being ignorant, let me educate you!â Miyako sneered. âThe Gambling Kingâs influence is beyond your imagination. Once they know Iâm here with you, youâll never live in peace! He can simply send a few people to make your life a living hell!â
âA bet is a bet. I can overlook your previous insolence! However, one should know his place. If you disrespect me further, donât blame me for taking action!â
Miyako emanated a chilling air of nobility and pride around her. At that moment, her temperament was displayed without reserve. As expected of the Gambling Kingâs disciple, she was not someone to be looked down upon, but instead a goddess that was unreachable.
âYou seem to have forgotten your identity, and the fact that this is not your Sun Nation! This is China!â Ye Lingchenâs expression remained calm. âIâll also give you a chance. You will do as I say immediately, or I wonât mind disciplining you and teaching you how to be a good maid.â
âYouâre asking for death!â
Miyakoâs expression turned dark. With a grunt, she raised her right leg. Her slender leg cracked like a whip, arcing through the air towards Ye Lingchen!
Ye Lingchenâs brows twitched. âThis girl is definitely trained.â
Raising his hand, he easily caught Miyakoâs beautiful leg in his hand.
Miyakoâs expression changed, her body adjusted as she approached Ye Lingchen. Her other leg swept horizontally, aiming to hook it around Ye Lingchenâs neck!
Her body was extremely flexible, as though her bones were non-existent, attacking nimbly with ferocity.
Ye Lingchenâs expression remains unchanged. He simply stretched out his other hand and caught onto the other leg. In an instant, Ye Lingchenâs hands held onto both Miyakoâs legs, holding Miyako down.
âLet me go, or I swear youâll die horribly!â Miyakoâs face turned red, screaming at Ye Lingchen.
âYou dare to swear?â
Ye Lingchenâs face turned dark. âThis maid is unsubmissive. Thatâs challenging this prodigyâs authority!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
With both his hands, he swept Miyako into his arms and then took a seat on the sofa. Grabbing a feather duster from the side, he forced Miyakoâs hand open and aimed right at her palm!
Smack!
...
â
[1] House No. 1 of Hill Spring Residences.