Chapter 180: Fishing, Two Movies

Words : 1881 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

"Mr. Lu, won't you stay a few more days?" As Lu Liang prepared to leave, Zhao Jiaqun tried to persuade him to stay and expressed his desire to show him around. The last time Lu Liang was here, it had been snowy and the ground was frosted over, so there had been no chance to show him the campus scenery. The two best times to visit Beijing are early summer and early autumn, neither cold nor hot, the climate pleasant. Although Hua University receives substantial funding every year, nobody would complain about having too much money. Perhaps if Mr. Lu was in a good mood, a generous donation of hundreds of millions might be forthcoming. These were the achievements that could advance his career. "I just looked around." Lu Liang smiled in response, his mind set on leaving; he had already stayed long enough in Beijing and it was time to go back. "Mr. Lu, let me see you off then," Zhao Jiaqun said, a hint of disappointment in his eyes as he led a few people out of the research building. "Director Zhao, please hold on." As Lu Liang was about to leave, he suddenly stopped, catching sight of a girl in a yellow hoodie by the Huaqing Pool. At the moment, she was following a teacher and a group of students emerging from another research building. Xu Huiqi was delighted, very happy to see Lu Liang again, and waved cheerfully, "Hello, Mr. Lu, we meet again." "Just made it in time, I hope," Lu Liang nodded and smiled. Xu Huiqi widened her eyes and gestured for silence; she had arrived late, but fortunately, the teacher hadn't noticed. She then playfully winked at Lu Liang. Zhao Jiaqun, thoughtful, asked with a smile, "Mrs. Li, are you planning to attend today's debate competition?" "Yes," Mrs. Li nodded, her attitude respectful. She looked at Lu Liang, "Who is this?" "Mr. Lu from Tianxing." Mrs. Li was surprised and greeted him, "Hello Mr. Lu, I'm Li Juan from the Law School, and these are my students." The students who were with her, upon learning who Lu Liang was, introduced themselves one after another, "Mr. Lu, my name is Xu Huiqi." "Mr. Lu, my name is Zhou Xin…" Huaqing is a top university nationally, and these students were among the best of their peers, a pride of their elders. However, comparisons are often daunting, and even on an international scale, Lu Liang ranked among the very top, a small elite group. His past achievements were well-documented and exceptionally impressive; even the famously successful Soros had suffered setbacks against him, his prowess undeniable. Moreover, they were students of the law school; knowing more wealthy people could only be beneficial without harm. "Mr. Lu, would you be interested in sitting in?" Li Juan talked about today's topic of genuine goodness; they represented the proposition that goodwill was genuine goodness, while the opposition believed that good deeds represented genuine goodness. Lu Liang was about to decline when he suddenly saw Xu Huiqi's expectant look and smiled, "Sure, let's listen." Sёarᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had once heard about Daqiangzi's escapade in Columbus and suddenly wanted to experience what it felt like to be ganged up on. Daqiangzi was born in '74, 11 years older than Lu Liang, while Milk Tea Girl was born in '93. Having just turned 22 last year, the pair had married, a situation even more outrageous than Huang Mingming marrying Yang Tianbao. It was all fun until Qiang took it seriously. Despite cashing out his shares before marriage and mortgaging his salary for ten years, certifying all his assets so he would only receive one dollar a month for the next ten years, Lu Liang still couldn't understand how it had come to marriage - was milk tea really that tasty? Without practice, there would be no say. He wanted to experience Qiang's emotional journey; if it turned out to be a trap laid by a woman, he'd concede entirely. "Mr. Lu, right this way," Zhao Jiaqun, overjoyed, invited Lu Liang to today's debate hall. With not a few students and teachers sitting in, Lu Liang declined the seats Zhao Jiaqun had arranged for them, choosing instead a neglected corner. The two teams prepared briefly, then started their heated debate, focusing on the topics of goodwill and good deeds. Xu Huiqi, representing the proposition, discussed that genuine goodness starts with an inherently good mindset, which is the true, essential goodness. The opposition argued that regardless of the motives of those who perform them, good deeds carry positive social significance, promoting positive social impact. "The opposition, we are discussing what constitutes genuine goodness, not its social meaning," Xu Huiqi seized the crucial point and heavily criticized. Not to be outdone, the opposition retorted, "Universal good deeds represent true goodness, so we believe that good deeds are genuine goodness." Lu Liang stroked his chin, his eyes reflecting admiration; he wasn't too focused on the topic, the process, or the outcome. In his view, such debates were pointless. They were purely exercises in public speaking and mental agility, a competition to see who could better grasp and attack the opponent's arguments. "If Lu Liang was truly to be convinced of an idea, from a benefit-oriented perspective, he would agree that charity of the affirmative side is right." "Because Chen Jinchun had already gone to the Southwest Mountainous Region to help the company deliver charitable contributions and materials to those in need." "Since a good deed was done, it must be acknowledged as an act of kindness, otherwise, the good deed would have been done in vain." "Lu Liang had always been paying attention to Xu Huiqi, young and beautiful, brimming with youthful energy, her face full of confidence, a spirited presence." "People generally have two attitudes toward beautiful things." "The first is to cherish, the second is to destroy." "Daqiangzi probably belongs to the first category, Lu Liang considered himself the second, wanting to break this aesthetic." "Because he wanted to know, could she maintain such overflowing confidence when she is underneath in pleasure?" "Zhao Jiaqun fell into thought, then suddenly had a bright idea, whispering a few words to Li Juan." "During a break in the debate, he approached Lu Liang, 'Mr. Lu, let me forward Xu's contact information to you.'" "Thank you," Lu Liang smiled but did not refuse." "As the thinking and pausing time of the opposition grew longer, the debate competition concluded with a victory for the affirmative side." "Lu Liang clapped his hands, offered a look of approval, and walked out of the council hall. He messaged Xu Huiqi to meet at the entrance." "After a while, Xu Huiqi hurried over, her face beaming with the joy of victory. 'Mr. Lu, how did we do?'" "'As long as everyone has kindness, the world will have a beautiful tomorrow.' Lu Liang invited her to dinner that evening." "'I have plans with my classmates for dinner tonight~' Xu Huiqi hesitated, leaving the decision to Lu Liang." "With a slight smile and a meaningful expression, Lu Liang replied, 'Then we must wait for another time. I am returning to Modu tomorrow.'" "Xu Huiqi tried to persuade him, 'Won't you stay a few more days, Mr. Lu? There's still a lot to eat and enjoy in Beijing.'" "Lu Liang shook his head, 'The business is done, and it's time to leave. After all, there are many official matters to attend to in Modu.'" "After much thought, Xu Huiqi said reluctantly, 'Mr. Lu, how about I treat you next time you visit Beijing?'" "'That's fine, goodbye.'" "'Bye-bye~~ Have a safe journey.'" "Xu Huiqi watched Lu Liang depart with a smile until his figure completely disappeared, gradually losing her smile." "Milk Tea Girl is a legendary figure at Huaqing University and her life mentor. If she had agreed to have dinner with Lu Liang tonight, she would have seemed cheap, just being on display." "Just like fishing, releasing and pulling, playing hard to get." "Unbeknownst to Xu Huiqi, the moment she refused, the fishing line had already snapped." "Lu Liang was not in the mood to play house; there would be no next time since she declined tonight." "Old Meng put it well, the world is not devoid of beautiful women, hanging oneself from one tree is the dumbest thing to do, when one isn't without options." "Leaving Huaqing University, Lu Liang visited Mahua Headquarters; 'Donkey Gets Water' had been released during the May Day Golden Week." "As a product considered even inferior to Xia Luo, still, Shen Teng and Mary had gained some fame by appearing on the New Year's Gala stage, with only Ren Susu, who had previously played in stage dramas as the lead." "With an investment of 10 million, it amassed 70 million in box office revenue in five days, though not on par with Xia Luo, it was widely praised for its depth and realistic themes." "Being a low-budget dark comedy, it undoubtedly qualified as successful, and Happy Mahua once again demonstrated their powerful box office appeal and fearsome starmaking ability." "'Mr. Lu, this year we plan to launch two movie projects, take a look,' Zhang Chen said, beaming, as he handed over two documents, one titled 'Shameful Iron Fist,' the other 'Xihong City's Richest Man.'" "One featuring Mary as the lead and the other Shen Teng, though they are a golden pair, it was uncertain what the effect of splitting them up would be." "But since Mahua aimed to be listed on the Growth Enterprise Market, they needed to maximize their fame, to test their capacity to carry major roles." "The investment for both films was about 200 million, and Lu Liang's share was reduced to 15%." "Observing Lu Liang's expression and fearing his dissatisfaction, Zhang quickly explained, 'Mr. Lu, Mahua's investment only accounts for 30%, with Xinli and Maoyan joining this time.'" "Mahua hits the jackpot with every film they shoot, and many covet their share. With Xinli backed by Tencent and Maoyan representing Ali." "They dared not refuse but had to reduce the share of Mahua's investment and that of Lu Liang's original portion." "'I understand.'" "Relieved by Lu Liang's response, Zhang then brought up that Zhang Tian'ai was planned to be the leading lady for 'Xihong City's Richest Man.'" "Although Mary was initially confirmed, their childhood friends relationship in the script would make the ending consistent." "However, since Mary had to shoot 'Iron Fist' and could not manage the schedule, and with Mahua planning one movie for the next summer and another for the next National Day holidays." "Script changes were necessary, and assigning Zhang Tian'ai as the female lead was also a gesture of goodwill to Lu Liang, to apologize for the reduced share." "'You guys decide.'" "Lu Liang was very satisfied with Zhang Tian'ai's performance, and now that there was an opportunity for her to be in a 150 million big production, he certainly was not opposed."

Chapter 180: Fishing, Two Movies

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