Chapter 68#

“Devoted” Movie King (22)#

Kong Si was planning to retire from the entertainment industry—this wasn’t a joke, but something he had carefully considered and discussed with his beloved.

During this period, in order to win the coveted Best Actor award, he had put in tremendous effort. For example, to meet the role’s requirements, he had rapidly gained weight in a short time, then desperately worked to lose it again.

Although he still appeared healthy, with his belly fat gone and a nice set of abs, this binge-and-purge lifestyle had still caused some damage to his body.

Kong Si loved acting. To perform well, he didn’t mind enduring these hardships.

But as he had said from the start, he wanted to win a Best Actor award, to appear by Lu Yi’s side in a more outstanding form, and to push himself to his limits while he was still young and strong.

After successfully obtaining the Best Actor award, Kong Si suddenly felt as if he had no more goals.

He enjoyed the overwhelming attention in the entertainment industry but disliked the dark things hidden beneath the glamorous surface.

Because Star Media was managed by Lu Yi, it had many rules—strict but fair—and disliked artists playing underhanded tricks within the company.

Of course, as long as they didn’t tear down other artists in the company, the company encouraged artists to gain popularity through their own abilities (such as being a funny storyteller or other talents).

But just because Star Media didn’t engage in such tactics didn’t mean others didn’t.

As the second-largest shareholder of Star Media, the legal partner of the largest shareholder, and the company’s top star, his status within the company was unquestionable.

Many artists under the company tried every way to flatter and please him. Sometimes he remained vigilant, but at other times, when carried away by the praise, he would unconsciously fall into traps set by others.

From elementary school to now, Kong Si had always been a good student—high grades, outgoing personality, and well-liked.

When it came to scheming and plotting, he wasn’t incapable, but he didn’t particularly enjoy it.

He had the capital to simply act well without causing trouble or stirring up scandals; others would help generate buzz for him.

But even so, he still had to interact with others on set, either willingly or unwillingly getting involved in things he disliked.

And then there was He Xiao. Originally, He Xiao’s “self-sacrificial” attempt to cozy up to him had disgusted Kong Si, but later, after investigating He Xiao’s shady deeds and making comparisons, Kong Si realized that He Xiao had actually been quite good to him.

After all, when dealing with someone from the same company, He Xiao hadn’t hesitated to strike ruthlessly without any regard for camaraderie, shooting arrows in the dark.

Meanwhile, when Kong Si had done things that could be considered excessive or humiliating to He Xiao, the latter had still tried to get close to him, hoping to use Kong Si’s popularity to boost their joint exposure.

In comparison, Kong Si had to admit that He Xiao definitely had some feelings for him. When he reached this conclusion, Kong Si almost didn’t dare mention He Xiao in front of Lu Yi.

After all, back then, someone had tried to frame He Xiao by drugging Lu Yi and sending him to He Xiao’s room.

In a sense, that person had used Lu Yi as a substitute—or more accurately, as a tool.

That was an insult to his man!

To Kong Si, no one in the world was better than Lu Yi. His legal partner was handsome, had a great physique and stamina, was good at making money, had a strong sense of responsibility, was kind without being weak.

As the sages said: repay kindness with kindness, and how to repay evil? Although Kong Si usually seemed carefree and didn’t take many things to heart, he actually held grudges.

In this way, their values aligned perfectly. Lu Yi was like a sparkling diamond—precious and eternal treasure to him.

Such a wonderful Lu Yi—Kong Si wanted to stay with him longer, to have more time.

But after becoming an artist, he faced a lot of pressure every day, especially after playing some darker roles. Due to getting too immersed in the characters, he had to seek psychological counseling afterward.

When he saw He Xiao’s miserable end, besides feeling satisfied, he thought more about whether, if he stayed in this impetuous (restless) circle long enough, he would also become a repulsive version of himself that he disliked.

Kong Si didn’t want that. So after weighing everything, he had a two-hour conversation with Lu Yi.

Mostly he talked while Lu Yi listened. He said a lot, analyzed a lot, and finally, nervously asked Lu Yi: “Am I being too selfish by doing this?”

Lu Yi was silent for a moment, then said with a very serious expression: “Not at all.”

Kong Si said: “But…” He felt that, even though he could still work harder and create more value for Star Media, choosing to withdraw at this point seemed irresponsible.

Lu Yi held his hand: “Do you remember what I said back then?”

Kong Si shook his head: “You said a lot. I don’t know which one.”

Lu Yi gazed at his face: “Look into my eyes. Do you remember? Back then, it was because you wanted to enter the entertainment industry that I decided to start Star Media.”

He had considered investing, but there were many ways to invest. If not for Kong Si, he wouldn’t have thought of starting an entertainment media company he had never ventured into before.

“Whether you want to be an actor or not, or if you want to quit, don’t put too much burden on yourself. As long as you can be happy…”

Kong Si said: “But you care a lot about Star Media. My willfulness will definitely have a bad impact on the company.”

Lu Yi shook his head: “I don’t want to become your pressure. If that happens, I would be the one feeling sad.”

His goal in becoming stronger was to gain relative freedom—to eat what he wanted, buy what he wanted, go where he wanted, and make the people he cared about happy.

Sacrificing what he originally valued for money would be putting the cart before the horse.

He pressed his forehead against Kong Si’s: “During this time, I’ve neglected you a lot for Star Media. We’ve hardly had any time together. Although it might still be busy in the future, I’ll definitely try to make time to be with you.”

He continued: “Star Media is a company I founded with my own hands, my life’s work. I naturally value it a lot. If you want to step back, then let’s handle the follow-up together and minimize the negative impact.”

In business, you can’t be smooth sailing forever. Kong Si’s departure would definitely have an impact, but he could handle it.

He asked Kong Si: “Do you think you can cooperate with me on this?”

Kong Si nodded: “Whatever you say, I’ll cooperate.”

Lu Yi smiled: “Then trust me a little more. Remember, to me, you are definitely the most important person in this world.”

In this world, Kong Si was the first person he met, and as Lu Yi, he was the most important person in this world.

He said softly: “You said that I’m very important to you. To me, you are also my most precious treasure.”