Upon hearing Qin Ming's words, Chen Yan momentarily thought he was a genius...

Chen Yan carefully pondered.

He had just lured Zhao Xuan's daughter away, causing father and daughter to part ways, and then he was about to ask to borrow his manor to hold a banquet...

This is truly not fearing that the other side would poison him to death!

Of course, Chen Yan also knew that Qin Ming couldn't be blamed. After all, in the eyes of outsiders, his relationship with the Zhao Family was very good.

Even Zhao Xuan publicly declared him as his own kin, so if he wanted to hold a banquet, using his manor didn't seem to be a big deal.

But, Chen Yan knew his own situation.

So, for a moment, he was at a loss for words. He didn't know how to respond to Qin Ming's genius idea...

The most important reason Qin Ming could mix in the Qin Island circle was his ability to read people and situations.

So when he saw that Chen Yan seemed uninterested in the proposal, he immediately shifted his tone and said in a remedial way, "Of course, using the Zhao Family's manor has many problems and isn't quite suitable."

"So, if Brother Chen doesn't want to use the Zhao Family's manor, I can also talk to my sister to see if we can borrow the He Family Manor."

Upon hearing Qin Ming's words, Chen Yan gave him a look, thinking this guy had prospered over the years for a reason.

However, as for borrowing the He Family Manor that he mentioned, Chen Yan just listened.

Not to mention whether it could be borrowed, even if it really could be, the favor owed would be substantial, not really worth it.

So he pondered for a while and said, "I'll think about this matter. You should also consider it further, see if there are any other options."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Qin Ming hastily replied, "Alright, Brother Chen."

After sending Qin Ming away, Chen Yan began to consider the matter of borrowing Zhao Xuan's manor...

He wasn't feeling that he could actually be so shameless as to "kidnap Zhao Ying and then borrow their manor." Instead, he suddenly realized... this was a perfect opportunity to test.

Ever since the last banquet, Chen Yan had been keeping an eye on Zhao Ying's situation.

Being free from family control, Zhao Ying reverted to her carefree lifestyle, practicing martial arts, studying, cutting classes. Sometimes she would hang out with Yu Qiao Qiao and the three little ones in the playground or go shopping outside.

She seemed like a normal person of her age.

But Chen Yan felt something was off...

Because Zhao Xuan's reaction was a bit too calm: He hadn't contacted Zhao Ying at all.

This was totally inconsistent with the attention, love, and even subsequent manipulation he had shown towards Zhao Ying before.

That made Chen Yan believe once again that Zhao Xuan must be hiding something.

So, Chen Yan had been wanting to test and make contact with Zhao Xuan: to see if he was friend or foe. What were his thoughts towards Zhao Ying, and how did he position Chen Yan himself.

Although Chen Yan had the system and wasn't afraid of Zhao Xuan, it didn't mean he liked having a potential enemy always lurking in the shadows...

So, he wanted to take the opportunity to borrow the manor for the banquet, to test Zhao Xuan...

Thus, that very night, Chen Yan took out the business card Zhao Xuan had given him when they first met and, following the contact information on it, gave Zhao Xuan a call.

"Dial...Beep beep..."

After a moment, the call connected, and a woman's voice came from the other end, "Hello, who am I speaking with?"

Chen Yan paused, then guessed she was probably a secretary or housekeeper, so he said, "I am Chen Yan. I'd like to speak with Mr. Zhao, Zhao Xuan."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, the woman said, "Alright. Please hold."

After she said that, it seemed like she went to check, because it took a full ten seconds or so before Chen Yan heard Zhao Xuan's cheerful voice.

"Is it Xiao Chen? Have you run into some trouble and are looking for Uncle Zhao's help?"

Over the phone, Zhao Xuan's attitude was still very friendly. His demeanor towards Chen Yan was very good, as if there had never been any conflict between them at all.

Chen Yan didn't know what Zhao Xuan was getting at, so he thoughtfully and tentatively said, "There's a bit of a matter I'd like to ask for Uncle Zhao's help with. I plan to host a banquet next week, and I wondered if it would be convenient for Uncle Zhao to lend me the manor for a day."

Chen Yan's request, akin to "Let me stay at your house," sounded quite presumptuous. Yet Zhao Xuan readily agreed, "It's just a manor, no problem. I'll take care of it right away."

"Once you've decided on the time for the banquet, just call this number, and the housekeeper will work with you to decorate the manor and banquet hall."

Hearing Zhao Xuan's words, Chen Yan's brow furrowed.

'He really lent it?'

'Just like that?!'

Chen Yan was almost in disbelief.

Because he felt that, even if he went to Lao Chen to borrow a house, Lao Chen would interrogate him, asking what he planned to do and might even chase him out with a broom if his reasons weren't satisfactory.

But Zhao Xuan agreed without any questions.

Isn't this being too nice to him?

For a moment, Chen Yan even doubted: he was the one who had kidnapped Zhao Ying, right...?

Surely he hadn't sent a runaway Zhao Ying back home, had he?

Eh... His own life was now in doubt due to this whole ordeal.

Chen Yan thought it over and continued to test the waters, "Uncle Zhao, what about the cost for the event...?"

Over the phone, Zhao Xuan waved it off and cheerfully said, "What cost? I'm lending you the manor, I'm not charging you. Feel free to use it!"

Chen Yan began to suspect... surely Zhao Xuan wasn't planning to poison him to death at the banquet, right?!

He probed further, "What about catering?"

Upon this, Zhao Xuan hesitated a moment, then said with gravity, "Ah, Xiao Chen, the catering is something you'll have to figure out on your own. I don't have that many chefs to help you with the banquet."

"And you probably wouldn't rest easy using my staff for the banquet anyway, right?"

"So, for the two days of the event, I'll give my staff a few days off. Only a housekeeper will remain to help you with any issues, while everyone else will clear out of the manor."

Chen Yan: ...

This... treatment?!

Am I the secret child of the Zhao Family!?

Lao Chen, have you been cuckolded?!

Eventually, after discussing the banquet details with Zhao Xuan, Chen Yan finally believed it: Zhao Xuan really intended to lend him the manor, and genuinely, with no tricks up his sleeve.

But Chen Yan still had... a vague sense of foreboding.

What's the most expensive thing?

Free things.

Zhao Xuan's help this time was indeed without a penny asked for, and he provided the utmost support, but... this favor, Chen Yan remembered.

What if, someday, he had something he wanted Chen Yan's help with, could he really refuse with a clear conscience?

With a sigh, Chen Yan realized he had underestimated these big shots who had weathered the business world for decades.

Regardless, he had managed to probe Zhao Xuan's attitude and gotten a good deal for himself.

Chen Yan felt there was no point in worrying about the future, not as much as taking advantage of Zhao Xuan's support, successfully promoting Lu Man, spending more money, and then accelerating his own growth.

Once he developed to a point where even the Zhao Group had to look up to him, perhaps... these favors would just represent a word from him.

In the following days, the preparations for Lu Man's celebration banquet started to take shape vigorously.

Sister Mei Li also began to release news bit by bit.

After promoting topics related to Lu Man and fashion for two days, she shifted focus to promoting "23 Days of Heartbreak."

Though the movie had already finished showing, they still relied on it for Lu Man's award campaign. Maintaining its popularity also greatly helped with award pursuits.

Moreover, continuous promotion of a person can often backfire and turn off the general public.

But promoting a work wouldn't have as many downsides, especially for a good work.

And of course, "23 Days of Heartbreak" was a good work.

So, with millions in promotional expenses deployed, "23 Days of Heartbreak" and Lu Man heated up again, bringing the film and Lu Man back into the public eye and industry circles.

Even first-rate actors in the industry were now a bit envious of Lu Man.

After all, everyone knew how much financial support such promotions required.

Celebrities earn a lot, but no matter how much they earn, it wouldn't reach the point where they could burn millions a day.

This wasn't about earning money; it was about spending it.

In the eyes of those in the industry, Chen Yan's actions completely went against business logic.

Just as the hype around Lu Man and "23 Days of Heartbreak" intensified, Sister Mei Li timely announced some news: Chenlu Film Company planned to hold a grand celebration banquet at the Sea and Sky Manor on Qin Island.

To celebrate the establishment of Chenlu Film and the outstanding achievement of their first film, "23 Days of Heartbreak," winning a box office of six hundred million!

This news landed like a bombshell in the hearts of everyone watching this affair.

Sea and Sky Manor!

Celebration banquet!

Celebration banquets actually weren't very popular in the Inner Entertainment industry because usually, once a film was made, the crew members would scatter and go their separate ways. Moreover, celebrities and production and distribution companies generally weren't under the same umbrella.

Most celebrities don't get a share of the movie's profits, so they lack motivation to hold celebration banquets.

Production and distribution companies don't need the fame, so they usually just celebrate amongst themselves quietly.

Therefore, in an industry without the tradition of holding celebration banquets, suddenly organizing one made everyone understand clearly—it was really to showcase power and issue a challenge!

To demonstrate their own strength to the entire entertainment and film industry.

To show their defiance against those who had wanted to shut down Chenlu Film and suppress Lu Man, like the Xu brothers and Director Zhang!

Generally, when faced with this kind of situation, every company within the industry would stand aside, not get involved, nor fan the flames. Merely watching from the sidelines.

But... when they saw the name "Sea and Sky" for the manor, they had to seriously consider their choices...

To demonstrate their own strength to the entire entertainment and film industry.

To show their defiance against those who had wanted to suppress Chenlu Film and Lu Man, like the Xu brothers and Director Zhang!

Typically, when confronted with this kind of situation, every company within the industry would stay out of it, not getting involved or adding fuel to the fire. Just watching from the sidelines.

But... when they saw the name "Sea and Sky" for the manor, they had to seriously consider their choices...

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