Chapter 245: Discipline
Just as he finished the call, Ye Lingchen received another call from Xiao Feifei.
“Lingchen, congratulations for your movie being such a hit,” Xiao Feifei said with a smile.
“Thank you.”
“Are you free during this National Day holiday week? I bought Huo Yuanjia’s tickets. Do you want to watch your own movie at the cinema?” Xiao Feifei suggested, trying to keep her voice casual.
“Sure thing. When is the show?” Ye Lingchen asked.
“Tomorrow.”
The truth is, Xiao Feifei had already bought the entire week’s 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.
“Mm, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
…
Meanwhile, unlike Huo Yuanjia’s crew, I am Hero’s crew that was celebrating previously had turned quiet.
Wu Han’s expression was ugly. Just on that day itself, I am Hero’s ticket sales plummeted. Furthermore, the ratings were also dropping and the movie’s screening allocations were being cut by five percent!
That five percent was going to Huo Yuanjia!
‘What’s the meaning of this?!’
“Young Master Wu, what are the cinemas doing? Isn’t that slapping you in the face?!” asked Wu Yong with a pale face.
“Why are they giving Huo Yuanjia your share of the allocation? Young Master Wu, the cinemas are disrespecting you!” Shi Lei added as well, showing his dissatisfaction.
Chen Feng’s face twitched. “Young Master Wu, we can’t just leave this be. Screen allocation is something that affects the life and death of a movie!”
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.
“What’s the meaning of this? Why are you lowering our screen allocation? Didn’t we agree to limit Huo Yuanjia’s screening allocation?”
“Young Master Wu, this is decided by the market. We didn’t expect Huo Yuanjia to be such a hit. Furthermore, your movie…other than the fan’s reaction at the beginning, the ticket sales are dropping quickly.”
“Dropping quickly? You’re saying that my movie has low views?”
“Indeed.” The sound was calm and steady. “Not only that, but I am Hero’s reputation is also sinking fast. In this matter, our hands are tied.”
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.
“Young Master Wu, what should we do now? Our movie is being outshined by Huo Yuanjia!” Chen Feng was at his wit’s end.
“I’ll post on Weibo to ask for my fan’s support!” said Wu Han in a calm tone. “With 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?!”
…
“Grandmaster Ye, we owe you big time for this. This is a small sign of gratitude from the Lu group, please accept it.” The Lu father and son duo passed Ye Lingchen an atm card as they dropped him off at 1 Hill Spring Residences[1].
“There’s a total of 35 million in here, nicely rounding it up to 500 million for you, Grandmaster Ye,” 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, “What do you want?”
“In my house, a maid should be dressed like a maid,” Ye Lingchen threw a maid outfit towards Miyako as he spoke. “Change into this and clean the house. There’s also the garden outside. Don’t forget to trim the plants!”
“I’ll advise you not to go overboard!”
Miyako’s eyes narrowed, shooting a cold glare at Ye Lingchen. “I’m the disciple of the Gambling King. If you cross me because of some momentary enjoyment, I’ll make sure you live the rest of your life in regret!”
“Oh? You’re trying to put up airs with me?” Ye Lingchen looked at Miyako with growing interest. He knew that Miyako would not submit that easily.
“Hehe, since you’re being ignorant, let me educate you!” Miyako sneered. “The Gambling King’s influence is beyond your imagination. Once they know I’m here with you, you’ll never live in peace! He can simply send a few people to make your life a living hell!”
“A bet is a bet. I can overlook your previous insolence! However, one should know his place. If you disrespect me further, don’t blame me for taking action!”
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 King’s disciple, she was not someone to be looked down upon, but instead a goddess that was unreachable.
“You seem to have forgotten your identity, and the fact that this is not your Sun Nation! This is China!” Ye Lingchen’s expression remained calm. “I’ll also give you a chance. You will do as I say immediately, or I won’t mind disciplining you and teaching you how to be a good maid.”
“You’re asking for death!”
Miyako’s 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 Lingchen’s brows twitched. ‘This girl is definitely trained.’
Raising his hand, he easily caught Miyako’s beautiful leg in his hand.
Miyako’s expression changed, her body adjusted as she approached Ye Lingchen. Her other leg swept horizontally, aiming to hook it around Ye Lingchen’s neck!
Her body was extremely flexible, as though her bones were non-existent, attacking nimbly with ferocity.
Ye Lingchen’s expression remains unchanged. He simply stretched out his other hand and caught onto the other leg. In an instant, Ye Lingchen’s hands held onto both Miyako’s legs, holding Miyako down.
“Let me go, or I swear you’ll die horribly!” Miyako’s face turned red, screaming at Ye Lingchen.
“You dare to swear?”
Ye Lingchen’s face turned dark. ‘This maid is unsubmissive. That’s challenging this prodigy’s authority!’
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 Miyako’s hand open and aimed right at her palm!
Smack!
…
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[1] House No. 1 of Hill Spring Residences.