Chapter Fifty-Four: Survival of the Fittest

To be honest, Park Hye-jin’s efficiency is truly remarkable, as evidenced by how swiftly she handled the renovation of the apartment. It’s been barely three months since Liu Qingshan received notice to collect the keys for his new place, and back then it was just an unfinished shell. Yet now, in such a short span, the apartment has been transformed, with hardly any trace of the smell of formaldehyde—proof that she executed Jin Xishan’s request with decisive, almost military precision.

From this moment, Liu Qingshan’s impression of her shifted from mere approval to genuine trust. He was well aware Park Hye-jin must have had some intent to showcase her competence, considering how hurriedly he had summoned her. But Liu Qingshan understood that this was simply the shrewdness any successful businessperson should possess.

Moreover, he could see Park Hye-jin’s integrity in her work, and perhaps that was all that mattered to her.

“There’s another matter you need to keep an eye on,” Park Hye-jin handed him a bottle of water. “It concerns the life-threatening accident Jin Xishan encountered during filming!”

“Is someone reporting on that as well?” Liu Qingshan asked, his expression darkening.

This was no trivial matter, since it involved the investment capital for “Myth.” He vividly remembered his private dealings with Yang Wancheng—there was no room for negligence. Even though he had a clear grasp of the situation, one misstep could affect Qinghuang Film’s decisions involving hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars.

“If this is of concern to Hong Kong investors, why bring it up with me?” Liu Qingshan probed, trying to discern whether Park Hye-jin suspected he had some agreement with the investors.

She shot him a look of disdain. “How is that surprising? You were at the center of the incident. You just mentioned there’s footage of you rescuing someone. I’m telling you this for your own sake, isn’t that obvious?”

“You think I can help the ‘Myth’ production?”

“In truth, both types of news are connected. Anyone with eyes can see the role you played. I don’t know whether you spoke with the investors beforehand, but what’s odd is that Qinghuang Film hasn’t made any statement yet. Aren’t they worried negative publicity could affect future box office returns?”

“So you’re guessing where the footage came from?”

“Is there really any need to guess? There were no reporters on site. Only the production’s cameras could have captured that scene. Since there’s an original recording and Qinghuang Film has been silent, there must be a reason!”

“Hye-jin, I’m starting to think you really are a business genius, able to pinpoint the crucial details from the slightest clues.”

“So you admit it,” Park Hye-jin laughed, brushing her hair aside. “Looks like Qinghuang Film truly has a marketing plan.”

“But I believe that if you hadn’t known the footage existed, you wouldn’t have arrived at this deduction.”

“What’s wrong? Are you regretting accidentally revealing your secret after I exposed the truth?”

“Not at all. Other people aren’t as concerned about me as you are. Even if they could figure it out, it would take time. But you’re different—you happen to pay attention, and you happened to catch something I said.”

“Enough nonsense. Do you have it or not? I won’t spread it; it does me no good!”

“You’ll know in a few days. Tomorrow, I’ll have your lawyer help issue an announcement, and a press conference will be held in the capital.”

“So it really is as I guessed? You people are too cunning, exploiting the months you were abroad to let the incident ferment, and then using hard evidence to refute it, thereby igniting the box office when the film is released!”

“Perhaps, though isn’t there some coincidence in all this?”

“Don’t kid yourself—where would so many coincidences come from? But have you thought, once the truth comes out after the fact, wouldn’t it look like a publicity stunt?”

“Does it matter? As long as the box office numbers rise, Qinghuang Film won’t care about market gossip. Even if rumors intensify, a lawyer’s letter can silence them. The parties involved will simply deny it, and everyone else can only speculate.”

Park Hye-jin shook her head thoughtfully. “Everyone says Korea’s entertainment industry far surpasses yours, but it seems China’s entertainment sector is about to rise—some people have gotten smart and learned how to manage things properly.”

Liu Qingshan laughed. “I wouldn’t agree entirely. Korea’s entertainment industry may be flourishing now, but it’s a newcomer. Don’t forget—Hong Kong was the entertainment king of Asia before the 1990s.”

“Then why isn’t it thriving anymore? Japan has always been at the forefront.”

“How big is Hong Kong? Seven or eight million people can’t compare to 130 million. Now, Hong Kong talent is flowing into the mainland. In a few years, you’ll see how 130 million compares to over a billion.”

Park Hye-jin nodded for once. “Looks like setting up a branch here has real prospects.”

Liu Qingshan smiled, “But there’s a prerequisite—survival of the fittest! Isn’t your country fiercely proud? Ours is too—patriotism always comes first! Korean entertainment can take root here, but it must be based on mutual benefit. Pure cultural export won’t work; adapting and cooperating is the right way.”

“Aren’t you being a bit extreme? I remember your officials welcomed us warmly, offering sincere incentives.”

“It’s not that we don’t welcome you. Reform and opening up means inviting and going out, fitting national circumstances. But when it comes to matters of national integrity, changes are inevitable.”

“Explain in detail.”

“Don’t be fooled by my age—I have my own views on the entertainment world. At its core, it’s a circle where everyone gets along, but you must never provoke public sentiment, especially companies like yours that survive in the cracks. Think about it—even if I became a superstar in your country, if I only focused on exporting Chinese culture, what would happen in your country over time?”

“That’s what you mean by survival of the fittest?”

“Isn’t it? The unadapted are eliminated, the best adapted thrive. Especially as a foreigner, those who only take without giving never meet a good end, no matter how powerful they become.”

“How should we solve this?”

“Hye-jin, I’m just a bit player venting frustrations. No need to take it too seriously.”

“I like listening to you.”

“Fine. Since you’re here to develop, you’re like a cultural envoy. While promoting Korean culture, you should also bring our cultural advantages to your country. That’s reciprocity—giving without receiving isn’t right.”

Unexpectedly, Liu Qingshan quoted an old saying.

“Oh, showing off now?” Park Hye-jin teased.

“It’s just common sense. The saying really boils down to relationships—people are always interconnected. Respect others, and they’ll respect you. But you can’t assume others’ courtesy is your entitlement.”

Liu Qingshan’s tone remained calm throughout.

“But I don’t think our company has been neglectful.”

“That’s during peaceful times, when everything’s harmonious. But if, one day, the entertainment market here is flooded with Korean-background stars, you’ll understand what I mean—conflict between foreign and native culture. Then who will your company choose?”

“Of course we’ll choose our own culture!”

“Then does your branch here have any reason to exist?”

“Uh, seems not.”

“Exactly. And if our culture survives in your country, when conflict arises, wouldn’t there be a huge buffer?”

“That does sound good. Forget it—the issue’s too big. Let’s focus on what we need to do!”

Still pondering how to buy furniture, Liu Qingshan was happy to drop the subject.

But he had no foundation in the capital and no one to rely on. At this moment, he remembered the early-arranged Yu Yi and Mao Shaochong.

Yu Yi was Yu Chenhui’s eldest nephew, a native of the capital. Yu Chenhui was a national-level actor and had placed Yu Yi there long ago. His martial arts school operated under the city’s martial arts association, with deep ties to the entertainment world.

A phone call, and half an hour later, Mao Shaochong arrived, driving Yu Yi.

Yu Chenhui had entrusted both men to Liu Qingshan precisely to help them master the Thirty-Six Techniques of Flowery Fist.

Compared to Yu Yi, Mao Shaochong was as obsessed with martial arts as his mentor.

For a master like Yu Chenhui to send his two favorites was because he had devoted most of his life to martial arts, making its preservation and propagation his lifelong pursuit. He even gifted Liu Qingshan the Shining Sword just to build a connection.

Park Hye-jin had refused to leave, claiming she had rarely met real martial artists before. The world knew the fame of Chinese martial arts, and she wanted to witness true practitioners this time.

But to her annoyance, Liu Qingshan not only introduced the two men to her, he also unceremoniously assigned her the task of helping pick out furniture.

Yu and Mao ran errands, while she, unfortunately, became the primary decision-maker for furniture selection.

Liu Qingshan’s reasoning was simple: since Park Hye-jin handled the apartment renovation, let her oversee this as well—no need for two people to manage one task.

As for himself, he genuinely had important business. The actor playing Judge Dee, Liang Guanghua, had called, saying they needed to meet urgently.

Liang Guanghua was also a national-level actor, a senior member of several entertainment associations, and the star pillar of the Capital People’s Art Theatre.

To have achieved so much at just forty, his connections were indeed extraordinary.