Chapter 141 — Old Buffon's Origins

Still, it had to be said—Wu Yunsheng's family was no simple matter either. His father was the political commissar of the Donghai Military Subdistrict, a man of considerable influence in Donghai.

It was just that Wu Yunsheng, by any measure, did not look like he had come out of a military family. He was thoroughly, hopelessly bookish.

The four of them were chatting happily when a man of about thirty walked over—full beard, leather jacket, and a flat cap, dressed like an artist.

Just as the four were staring in bewilderment, wondering what this fellow wanted, the man handed over his business card and said, "Hello. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Wang Cheng'en, a director at Zhongqiu Film and Television Culture Development Co., Ltd. Same given name as Wu Cheng'en, author of Journey to the West, though a different surname. Might I ask the names of you two beautiful ladies?"

Yang Wenru frowned and glanced at the card on the table. The titles on it were indeed numerous—chief director, medical consultant, screenwriter, and so on. But these days anyone could print a business card; even scrap collectors had them. Who knew whether this fellow was genuine or fake?

Before Yang Ce could speak, Yang Xin burst out laughing. "Hahahaha, how come you've got the same name as that great eunuch of the Ming dynasty?"

Wang Cheng'en looked a little embarrassed but pressed on. "A name is merely a label—it doesn't matter. Ladies, might you tell me your names?"

"Didn't you just say names don't matter?" Yang Xin shot back at once. "If that's so, why ask? What exactly do you want? If it's nothing, we still have a meal to finish."

"It's like this—I'm a director at Zhongqiu Film and Television, and I believe you two have great potential to become big stars. I wonder what you think?" Wang Cheng'en said with earnest sincerity. "Our company is a comprehensive film and television enterprise integrating training, film production, brand planning, performance production, model agency, actor training, stage design, lighting, sound, etiquette services, media release, and pageant planning, all under one roof."

"All right, you can go now. We're not interested." Sun Jie, having heard the fellow's long string of self-promotion, smiled and waved him off.

"And what about this young lady?" Wang Cheng'en turned to Yang Xin, unwilling to give up.

"Sorry, I'm not interested either," Yang Xin said with a shake of her head.

"Ladies, you really should think this over carefully—opportunities like this vanish in the blink of an eye." Wang Cheng'en patted his chest and swore, "I guarantee it—with looks and presence like yours, you're bound to break into Hollywood."

"Are you sick or something? I told you to leave—didn't you hear me?" Yang Jiyan was losing patience. The man sprayed spit with every word; if any of it landed in the food, how was anyone supposed to eat?

"Sir, I wasn't speaking to you, and besides, don't you think you're being rather rude? I'm discussing a matter with these two young ladies. Would you mind not interfering in other people's business?" Wang Cheng'en said, reasonable and well-argued. Clearly he was an old hand at this sort of thing, well versed in how to handle such scenes.

Yang Xutang was amused by Wang Cheng'en's words. "You're standing at my table talking, and my girlfriend has already made herself perfectly clear—she's not interested. So what exactly are you still doing here?"

"Sir, your conduct is thoroughly selfish. You cannot monopolize your girlfriend out of your own personal greed. She could go so much further, reach so much higher," Wang Cheng'en said with righteous indignation.

"I'm doing very well as I am, and I have no interest in being a star." This time Sun Jie shook her head with utter firmness, then smiled. "I appreciate your good intentions, but we truly don't want to be stars."

"Ladies, being a star pays extremely well—an ordinary one can pull in millions a year. Won't you reconsider?" Wang Cheng'en was full of regret at failing to achieve his goal. He had been sent here on his boss's orders, after all, and these two women had been personally singled out by the boss—how could he not try his utmost to win them over?

In truth, this so-called Zhongqiu Film and Television Culture Development Co., Ltd. was nothing but a shell company. Its founder, Ouyang Junyuan, however, had considerable connections. The company was merely a means for him to chase women.

Faced with the dream of stardom, few young girls could refuse, and so Zhongqiu's Ouyang Junyuan had succeeded time and again. After getting a girl into bed, he would pull some strings and then give her a small role in a TV drama—hardly a broken promise.

Ouyang Junyuan was not a local of Donghai but from P Province, and this trip to Donghai was merely passing through. Yet when he laid eyes on Sun Jie's exquisite features and devilish figure, he could not help but be stirred, wanting to make her his flesh slave. So he dispatched his subordinate Wang Cheng'en to go and persuade her.

"Are you ever going to stop? If you don't leave now, I'll kick you!" Yang Puqi glared, growing truly angry. Had the man no end to it?

Wang Cheng'en had failed the task his boss had assigned him, and his mood was already foul. And who was his boss, after all? In P Province, he was a man who walked wherever he pleased, unchallenged. Wang Cheng'en's displeasure flared at once, and the look he turned on Yang Juehuan grew sinister. "Kid, is that how you talk to me?"

"So you're hard of hearing too," Yang Ce mocked.

"Say that again." The earnest expression Wang Cheng'en had worn a moment before vanished without a trace as he spoke coldly.

"You tell me to say it and so I say it? Enough. I can't be bothered to waste words on you—get lost, and fast." Yang Juehuan's hand had already closed on a plate from the table, ready to smash it over the man's head if he did not leave.

Wu Yunsheng said nothing, but he too watched Yang Xin tensely, waiting only for the man before them to make some improper move—then he would charge forward at once.

"You've got nerve. Fine. I'll remember this." Wang Cheng'en bared his teeth and addressed Yang Yanzhou with a cold laugh. Only when he saw Yang Juehuan's hand about to move did he sullenly turn and leave, though as he walked he kept saying, "You'd better watch your step."

"Idiot," Yang Ce cursed, and thought no more of it.

"Ha, Xiao Jie, here in Donghai someone actually dares to talk to you like that," Yang Xin said with a smile after Wang Cheng'en had gone.

"He doesn't look like a local. See—doesn't this card say P Province?" Sun Jie pointed at the business card left on the table.

"I thought as much—no sense of propriety at all." Yang Xin twisted her mouth. "And he still dares to set his sights on our Xiao Jie. Does he not want to leave Donghai alive?"

"Forget it, Yang Xin. He didn't actually do anything, did he?" Sun Jie shook her head, not inclined to pursue the matter.

But if she did not pursue it, was the matter really over? Clearly not.

"Little brother, you were pretty fierce just now—much better than your brother-in-law." Yang Xin gave Yang Ce a thumbs-up. "Real guts. Not like this brother-in-law of yours—can't squeeze a fart out of him in half a day."

"Heh heh," Wu Yunsheng said, not offended in the least, still smiling after hearing it.

"Brother-in-law was really tense just now too—I could tell. If that guy had dared to do anything to you, he'd have been the first to charge in," Yang Yanzhou said.

"Yang Ce, I didn't know you were such a good judge of character," Sun Jie cut in at once. "You've got it exactly right. Wu Yunsheng may be quiet most of the time, but if anyone dares to threaten Xiao Xin, he charges faster than anyone. Once we went out to have fun and three little thugs came over to harass us—Wu Yunsheng took on all three by himself."