CH 483

Han Fei received another call from Li Xue after he left the zoo. The police hadn’t found anything on the altar owner but they did find out about Boss Gu. The man had gone missing but his charity organization survived. Today the organization was very strong and became a famous organization at Xin Lu. Han Fei asked for more details about the organization and realized something shocking. After Boss Gu’s death, the charity organization soon faced trouble due to a lack of funds. It was Immortal Pharma who invested in them. Therefore, from that moment on, the organization’s ownership moved from Boss Gu to Immortal Pharma. Over the years, they helped a lot of orphans and sick kids. Their specialty was psychological illnesses and brain issues within children. Most of the projects were done at Immortal Pharma’s private hospitals. Most surprising to Han Fei was the charity organization had a close relationship with the now-closed private plastic surgery hospital. The hospital had helped many orphans with free treatments.

“Li Xue, who is the person running the organization?” The private plastic surgery hospital had been abandoned, all the files had been destroyed. To uncover its secret, one had to seek another route.

“What do you plan to do?”

“I wish to make a donation and see how they plan to use the money.” For his investigation, Han Fei decided to use ‘some’ money. If the organization really used it for good, the money would increase his afterlife karma; if his afterlife karma didn’t change, then it meant that there was something wrong with this organization.

“The man’s name is Kong Dongliang but he should be very busy. If your donation is too small, I don’t think he’s even going to meet you.” Li Xue said clearly, “Plus I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not that easy to scam me.” After gaining the ability, Soul Trade, there was an inconspicuous change to Han Fei’s mind. He was a lot sensitive to business transactions. He wanted to see if his business acumen had improved and thus wanted to give this a try. Since he was going to have to increase his afterlife karma anyway, why not do something beneficial with it?

After hanging up, Han Fei was confused. The police couldn’t find anything on the altar owner. Even now Han Fei had no idea what was the altar owner’s real name. “The Unmentionable in the cryptic world has no name in the real world too?”

Han Fei thought about it and realized the situation was similar to Fu Sheng. People knew about Immortal Pharma’s former director but no one knew he had an older brother. The lights lit up. Han Fei was about to go home when he got a call from Director Zhang. The movie shoot was over so Han Fei had no reason to answer the director’s call anymore. However, considering Han Fei might work with the director again, he hesitated and answered it. As he pressed the accept button, Director Zhang questioned, “Han Fei, did you get into some altercation with Bai Xian?”

“Huh? No.” Han Fei was shocked.

“Then how come he instantly book a flight to leave the country the moment he heard that he had to attend an event with you?” Director Zhang said seriously. “You two are very good actors and we should solve any conflict instantly. It’s no use hiding it.”

“I have a good relationship with Brother Bai. In fact, we just caught a criminal a few days ago and it was Brother Bai who drove me home.”

“Are you sure there is nothing unhappy between you two? To avoid you, Bai Xian has changed his phone number. I thought he was about to migrate.” Director Zhang’s Thriller Novelist still hadn’t been released. If there was a conflict between the first side character and the main character, it might affect the box office.

“Something unhappy?” Han Fei thought about it and then it hit him. “Director Zhang, I think I know what happened!”

“Tell me, I can help you talk to Bai Xian. He should give me face.” Director Zhang offered.

“It’s like this. During the event a few nights ago, Brother Bai drove me to follow the killer to the countryside. Then we discovered a suitcase inside an abandoned building. I was curious so I had Brother Bai take down a video while I opened the luggage.”

“And then?”

“We found a dead body inside.” At this point, the other line became silent. “Director Zhang, are you still there?”

After a long time, Director Zhang said, “Okay, I think I can understand Bai Xian now.”

“Think about it logically. If I didn’t suspect there is a body inside the luggage, why would I open it? Since I’ve already prepared for it, what is shocking about finding a body?” Han Fei tried to reason with Director Zhang.

“Han Fei, you are a very good horror actor but you have to understand that not everyone is as good as you.” Director Zhang could imagine what Bai Xian looked like. “Can you come to Bai Xiang Ge Restaurant tonight? Star Entertainment’s CEO and Bai Xian will be there. The shoot has been tough, we should try to relax.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have the time.”

“All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” Director Zhang chuckled sadly. “I worry about self-discipline in other actors but for you, I worry that you treat yourself too seriously. Just come tonight. Star Entertainment’s boss wants to meet you. Even though they are an A-list company, they don’t have any famous artists. Other than an action star that can’t catch the break, the only star they have is Xia Yilan. If you meet him, you’ll get a very good contract.”

“Xia Yilan?” Even after staying for so long inside the memory world, Han Fei still remembered this woman. The woman had taken a full body treatment at Immortal Pharma’s plastic surgery hospital when she was young. She appeared to have taken another woman’s face. When she was young, she was impossibly beautiful. With her face alone, she became an A-listers. However, due to time and age, she slid down to the B list. Now she rarely took on new projects and mainly showed herself at public events to maintain her popularity. Han Fei had met her once at Thriller Novelist’s premier. To investigate the hospital, getting to know its patients should be the fastest way.

“Okay, I will go there now.” Leaving the zoo, Han Fei hurried to Bai Xiang Ge between the intelligent city and old city. The restaurant had many different entertainment amenities. It had the convenience of new technology but didn’t lose the feel of the old city. After giving his name, the waiter led Han Fei to the booth on the top floor. Star Entertainment’s boss valued this meeting with Director Zhang. He had booked the most expensive booth. Inside, one could not only eat and drink but also enjoy various entertain. You could try a huge party there.

As the door opened, music and singing drifted out. The booth had very good sound insulation, no matter how noisy it was inside, the people outside couldn’t hear it.

“Han Fei is here!” Director Zhang waved at Han Fei. “CEO Lee, I’m not exaggerating but this young man is the best new actor I’ve seen in the past decade.” Director Zhang was not stingy with his compliment when it came to Han Fei. “The shot was taken at the 4th floor, even the stunt double thought it was dangerous but he just leaped and jumped. His acting and emotion were on point too! You’ll see when Thriller Novelist is released. This is bound to be a classic.”

CEO Lee was not that tall. He was a mature middle-aged man with a beard. He was formally dressed. When Han Fei came over, he rose to shake Han Fei’s hands. For most agency bosses, actors were just tools. There were not that many who was as sincere as CEO Lee. But this also showed that the situation within the industry was not that optimistic.

“From Twin Flowers to Thriller Novelist, you’re the actor whom I’ve met to have gained the quickest improvement.” CEO Li was very kind and Han Fei responded with professional smiles.

Han Fei sat down beside Bai Xian. “Brother Bai, nice new phone!”

“Brother, can you just let me go? Now whenever I close my eyes, that image will appear before me. I can’t even eat meat now.” Bai Xian held the wineglass. He appeared graceful but he panicked once Han Fei appeared.

“Why? The body was quite complete.”

“Wait, you have seen incomplete bodies?”

“Basically any shape that you can imagine, I’ve seen them.” Han Fei still had some social anxiety. He didn’t like crowds so he stayed to chat with Bai Xian. “Why exactly did Director Zhang call us here?”

“Star Entertainment wants to cooperate with Director Zhang. The company is not doing so well and they plan to place everything they have left on a movie. They are once the biggest company in the business but…” Bai Xian pointed at the booth next door. “See those young people? Star Entertainment has been trying to push them but they are not that good at acting. However, they are quite arrogant.” Only someone like Bai Xian would say something like that. After all, he was a senior already.

“But haven’t Star Entertainment produced many A-listers?”

“Most have left after their contracts ended. I have a feeling Star Entertainment wants to use this project to sign a long-term contract with you. Just remember, they need you and not the other way round. Don’t get scammed.” Bai Xian shared his experience.

“Han Fei, we meet again.” Xia Yilan walked down from the small stage. She was singing earlier. The woman was over 30 but her actions were still very seductive. Her beauty was untouched by time. When Han Fei smelled that soul rot, he knew she had arrived. He smiled politely as he greeted Xia Yilan.

“Loosen up, we might be in the next movie together.” Xia Yilan very naturally took the seat beside Han Fei. “I envy you. Based on the pre-sales of Thriller Novelist, it has already broken many records. You are meant for great things.” Xia Yilan took away the tea and swapped them for alcohol. “CEO Lee wants to cooperate with Director Zhang on a movie, using the popularity of Thriller Novelist to produce another horror film.”

“Horror films are not so easily made. The script has to be good. What you see now is the result but you have no idea how much effort we’ve placed behind it.” Bai Xian didn’t touch the alcohol. He took out his phone to warn Han Fei from drinking too much and signed himself into a disadvantageous contract. Bai Xian was a nice guy but he was worried for no reason.

In the booth, only Han Fei was immune to Xia Yilan’s charm because he knew where she got her face and there was that soul rot.

“There’s no need to worry about the script. We plan to adopt one from real-life events too.” CEO Lee heard the conversation and walked over with a smile. “A few years ago, during the breakthrough in biotech, there was a plastic surgery wave. Due to human’s endless pursuit of beauty, there were many unlawful companies and sad tragedies.”

Han Fei originally was not interested but what CEO Lee said hooked him. He raised his head. “The movie you’re making is based on plastic surgery?”

“Yes. Real horror might not come from ghosts. Plastic surgery can’t change one’s soul.”

“Then is the female lead going to be Xia Yilan?” Han Fei looked at the woman.

“Yilan has always been the second lead but this time we wish to help her. But we are lacking a male lead who can act beside her.” CEO Lee caught Han Fei’s interest but he had no idea where that interest came from.

Han Fei nodded. “If Director Zhang agrees, I can help.”

The movie was secondary. Han Fei wanted to investigate the truth. Making the movie meant that Han Fei would have more time to uncover the secrets of Xia Yilan.