When some of the investors began fawning over Jiang Cheng, the fury that had just flashed across Feng Gan's face was instantly forced down.
In that instant, countless thoughts and speculations flooded his mind, shaking the ironclad certainty he had always felt.
Yet that didn't mean Feng Gan was willing to swallow the insult.
He had roamed this circle for years and knew plenty of people; whether it was the Shanghai clique or the Beijing big shots, he had his own connections.
So what if Jiang Cheng really was on familiar terms with Wang Congcong?
The only reason Wang Congcong looked down on him was because Wang's family controlled cinema-chain resources.
He and Wang Congcong already had a small grudge.
Seeing Jiang Cheng chummy with Wang Congcong now made his anger spike even higher.
So the other party was an investor—big deal. With his own fame and clout, could he possibly lack for backers?
More importantly, he himself had a powerful patron behind him!
Feng Gan didn't rush forward like some hot-headed thug to provoke this young man, Jiang Cheng.
After all, he had weathered plenty of storms; years of professionalism warned him he mustn't lose his composure now.
Seeing Li Songbo and Penguin's VP Chen Bin walking over, Feng Gan instantly composed himself.
"President Chen, be the judge here. I came to your investment meeting and got slapped for no reason—how do we settle this?"
When Chen Bin and Li Songbo saw the vivid, swollen palm print on Feng Gan's face, they gaped at each other in shock.
Following Feng Gan's accusing finger, they found the culprit was Jiang Cheng, and suddenly they didn't know which side to take.
Chen Bin quickly stepped to Jiang Cheng's side. "Chairman Jiang, what happened? How did you clash with Director Feng? Was something unsatisfactory?"
The moment he finished, Chen Bin's gaze flicked to Yang Mi.
The organizer of this investment summit wasn't only Jiaxing; Penguin was also a co-host.
Thus Chen Bin still bore a share of managerial responsibility.
When Yang Mi met Chen Bin's look, a bitter smile surfaced on her face.
She hadn't expected things to spiral this far.
All she could think now was that Reba was finished.
Whatever today's outcome, their Jiaxing would bear the brunt.
Offending either side was impossible—a classic lose-lose.
Although Jiang Cheng's Xingchen Investment Company and Xingchen Entertainment were booming, Feng Gan still had the giant Company behind him.
As a veteran studio, even Penguin would struggle to gain a clear upper hand over Company.
Jiang Cheng gave an icy shrug. "Nothing much—just can't stand such rotten practices."
Chen Bin glanced at Reba, who stood beside Jiang Cheng with head lowered and trembling slightly.
Combined with Yang Mi's expression, he pretty much guessed what had happened.
This Feng Gan was a notorious old wolf of the circle.
Relying on his status and power, who knew how many actresses he had ruined?
No doubt today he'd tried the same trick again, using a film shoot to hit on Reba?
And Reba happened to be Jiang Cheng's woman??
After filling in the blanks, Chen Bin felt a wave of frustration.
Seeing Li Songbo watching with an amused smile only made him curse inwardly: Why did this mess have to land on my watch?
He turned to Jiang Cheng in distress. "Please calm down; let's talk things over. Must be a misunderstanding."
After soothing Jiang Cheng, he said to Feng Gan, "Oh, Director Feng, are you alright? I'll have someone bring ointment. Don't be angry. Chairman Jiang is our honored guest—head of Xingchen Investment, a VIP at tonight's reception. If there's any misunderstanding, let's clear the air. We're all in the same circle; let's talk it out. No need to flare up."
Though Chen Bin appeared to placate Feng Gan, his words actually carried a veiled warning.
If not for the capital giants backing Feng Gan, a Penguin VP like Chen Bin would never be so courteous.
Yet Penguin Pictures was in a crucial growth phase; one more friend meant one fewer enemy, cutting down obstacles.
Once Chen Bin finished, most of Feng Gan's fury subsided.
For a director, securing ample investment was vital, so he paid special attention to every investment firm.
Of course he'd heard of Xingchen Investment, but never imagined its representative would be so young.
Chen Bin's attitude only made Feng Gan more conflicted.
On any other day he might have gritted his teeth and endured, but today numerous A-list stars were watching.
Bowing or apologizing in public was something the proud Feng Gan simply couldn't do.
Besides, though Xingchen Investment had deep pockets, it was still a newcomer.
In this industry, money alone couldn't guarantee long-term survival.
The bigger the investment, the bigger the risk.
"President Chen is right; originally it was nothing. But Chairman Jiang slapped me the moment he arrived—that's hardly reasonable," Feng Gan said.
He didn't want mutual destruction, yet couldn't pretend nothing had happened.
Chen Bin immediately continued, "How about this—give me face. Let's move to a private room, sit down and talk. A small dispute settled over drinks, turning swords into plowshares—what do you say?"
After these words, Jiang Cheng gave another cold laugh.
When Feng Gan saw Jiang Cheng step toward him again, he instinctively flinched, afraid of another slap.
But Jiang Cheng had no intention of striking again.
The earlier slap had been an impulse he couldn't suppress.
He wasn't some street punk; throwing fists at every turn would be beneath him.
Jiang Cheng didn't grant Chen Bin this favor. "President Chen, Director Feng and I have now crossed swords. I won't consider your proposal, so don't get involved. As for you," he told Feng Gan, "wanting me to give you an explanation—you're clearly not qualified."
"What do you mean? Am I supposed to take this beating for nothing?"
Jiang Cheng nodded coolly. "If you've got the skill to take me on, bring it. But I'll say this now: as long as I, Jiang Cheng, draw breath, none of your shows will ever see the inside of a cinema again."