The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo - Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Love is a Green Light

After signing what seemed like a light-hearted gambling agreement, the original owner, unaffected by the appearance of Lin Haoran, immediately began preparations for his new movie once the funds were in place. Still writing and directing himself, he had always been passionate about his creations. This was the first time the original owner attempted this type of special effects film, filled with expectations and excitement beyond imagination.

However, the outcome was exceptionally tragic.

Lin Haoran's feelings towards Nie Jia, who had betrayed him years ago, became indescribable—whether it was hatred or love. From the drafting of the gambling agreement, he began laying traps, forcing the original owner to fall into them.

After the agreement took effect, the original owner spent over a year meticulously crafting his new work. During the promotional phase before the release, the market response was surprisingly positive. Given the reputation of the original owner, who had several high-quality works, and the anticipation generated by the trailer, audience expectations soared close to five stars. It was expected to be a brilliant spectacle upon release. With the director Nie's reputation and influence, breaking the record for the highest-grossing domestic film was a real possibility, not to mention reaching one billion.

However, after the official release, major cinemas across the country scheduled very few screenings. The limited time slots were maliciously blocked. Consequently, the film, which cost hundreds of millions, ended up with a total box office of just a few million.

Sejia Media suffered a devastating loss. In addition to facing compensation for the guaranteed one billion and two hundred million net profit for investors, the human and financial resources invested in the past two years went down the drain. Once the agreement expired, Sejia Media would inevitably declare bankruptcy.

The tragic outcome of the new film was not a blow to the original owner. He finally came to his senses. Lin Haoran retaliated against him, and while he felt anger and hatred, his opponent was too powerful. He was no match.

Lin Haoran never admitted to the malicious blocking of the film, but everyone in the industry understood. The Lins were a prominent family in Xia City, but even their influence had limits. However, Lin Haoran was different. He was the grandson of Shi, acknowledged by the patriarch. Shi doted on him, treating him like a treasure. Unlike Lin Xian, who dared not make a sound in front of Shi, Lin Haoran could go all out.

Qin City's Shi family had both black and white connections. Blocking a movie was just a simple matter for them.

So, the original owner plummeted. Combining his abilities and motives, there was no one else but Lin Haoran.

As the agreement deadline approached, the original owner had no intention of questioning Lin Haoran. He was making a final stand, with a year and a half left to handle the transfer of the company's shares, a trivial matter, and the uncompensated loss of several billion. In a panic, he began accepting random commercial scripts, using his influence to quickly make up for the losses and save the company.

However, the consequence of the original owner's desperate attempts was a series of flop movies. Not only did he fail to make money, but he also completely destroyed the good reputation and fan enthusiasm he had accumulated over the years.

In just a year, Nie Jia's name transformed from a talented director to a guide for flop movies. No one wanted to invest in his projects, and no audience was willing to watch his stories in the cinema.

This money was something the original owner could never recover. In desperation, Lin Haoran, who had been watching his suffering for a long time, finally took action.

He prepared a second agreement for the original owner.

Be his lover for five years, obedient and always available, and he would abandon the previous gambling agreement. Apart from not requiring Sejia Media to compensate for the guaranteed box office and not taking 25% of Sejia Media's shares, Lin Haoran would do everything else.

Of course, everything was based on the condition that the original owner would obediently comply.

At this point, the original owner had no other choice. For self-preservation, he reluctantly signed the second agreement, becoming Lin Haoran's lover.

Although this agreement had no legal effect, the control was in Lin Haoran's hands. Even if the law did not recognize it, the original owner had to obediently fulfill it. This was sheer dominance.

The original owner had always been decisive in the face of choices. He knew what kind of decision would benefit him the most, so he never hesitated. Without dragging it out, he signed the agreement. Lin Haoran achieved his goal, but he wasn't entirely satisfied. For the sake of money, Nie Jia had been with him, left him for money, and now, for money, he was obediently returning to him.

Lin Haoran felt extremely pathetic. Nie Jia was just a plaything that money could buy. He had once treated him like a precious treasure.

After they got back together, Lin Haoran still occasionally kept him by his side, attending company events and gatherings with friends. However, he no longer treated him with the care he did before. Nie Jia had an outstanding appearance, especially with his bright-colored eyes. Lin Haoran's circle of wealthy friends couldn't help but eye him, waiting for the day Lin Haoran would let him go so they could have a taste.

Just like today.

After binding him to his side with the agreement, mental abuse was inevitable. Occasionally, when his mood was bad, Lin Haoran would even resort to physical means. All of this stemmed from his love-hate relationship with the original owner. However, it didn't mean he would tolerate others mistreating him. Today, if Nie Jia's personal data hadn't been transmitted, Lin Haoran would have promptly stopped Huang Yijie's inappropriate behavior towards the original owner and taken him away.

But the terrified emotions of almost being violated left the original owner feeling humiliated and frightened. He knew Lin Haoran was retaliating against him, but for the sake of the company, he gritted his teeth and endured the three-year deadline of the gambling agreement.

Yet, Lin Haoran dealt him a heavy blow. Although they had agreed that as long as he stayed by Lin Haoran's side and behaved, Lin Haoran would nullify the gambling agreement, once the three-year deadline passed, Lin Haoran executed the agreement without hesitation. He took away Sejia Media's shares and compensated for the investment loss in the guaranteed box office with 11% of Sejia Media's shares.

The original owner was completely ousted, losing control of the company.

Lin Haoran held the majority of the shares, meaning he not only became the largest shareholder of Sejia Media but also had a 30% preemptive investment right. From now on, Sejia's fate was tied to him. Lin Haoran could decide whether Sejia Media lived or died.

With the most uncompromising means, Lin Haoran stripped the original owner of all support, wanting to keep him firmly tied to himself.

After the dust settled, the original owner did not hate him. Lin Haoran, just like himself, only made choices that benefited him. It was he who lost.

Lost completely.

The original owner spent almost his entire first half of life working hard for Sejia Media but ultimately lost control of the company. His years of effort went up in smoke. Whether he had come to terms with it or not, he took advantage of Lin Haoran's absence from the company and home, directly jumping off the balcony.

Nie casually opened the car window after reviewing the information. One hand gripped the steering wheel, and the other rested on the window, supporting his forehead as he enjoyed the cold breeze.

The wind blew his scattered hair away from his forehead, revealing his sharp, finely trimmed, and jet-black eyebrows.

He suddenly smiled with a chilling fierceness. "So, did I just beat up my benefactor?"

"Yes..." KK lamented, feeling troubled. The situation was already grim, and Mr. Nie's actions not only broke Lin Haoran's arm but also complicated matters further.

Nie Jia, however, appeared indifferent, speaking nonchalantly, "What's his wish?"

"His wish is to preserve Sejia Media," KK responded.

Nie Jia was somewhat surprised. He thought the original owner most urgently wanted to completely free himself from Lin Haoran's influence.

"Impossible," Nie Jia said, gazing ahead at the traffic without hesitation. "The agreement still has half a year. The only way I can make money is through Sejia Media's shares. However, 25% of it is temporarily untouchable. To snatch back that 25% from Lin Haoran, I must manipulate an additional 26%. Otherwise, how can I earn 1.2 billion to compensate Lin Haoran within six months?"

KK murmured, "Actually, Sejia Media is just a concept. It's the original owner's dream. He only wants the freedom to create stories. Preserving Sejia Media means preserving his creative freedom, which is the most important thing."

Nie Jia's gaze was indifferent, and he responded with a lack of interest. He glanced at the rearview mirror, noting the coldness between his eyebrows.

Suddenly, his pocket vibrated. Nie Jia answered the phone, hearing an urgent female voice, "Boss, Huazhang Corporation suddenly withdrew its investment from our third project!"

Huazhang Corporation?

KK reminded, "Huazhang is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lin family. The executive director was concussed by a bottle in your earlier scuffle with Lin Haoran."

Nie Jia understood. His chaotic fight tonight in the room not only angered Lin Haoran but also affected several investors.

"Let them withdraw. In the next few days, a few more projects should be divested. Don't bother with them." They were all minor disturbances permitted by Lin Haoran. He wouldn't allow Sejia Media to earn too much, but he maintained a certain level of performance to give the original owner some hope.

After saying this, Nie Jia hung up the phone.

His earlier statement that Lin Haoran was his benefactor was not entirely wrong. With Lin Haoran holding the preemptive investment right of Sejia Media, after they got together, the original owner, aside from accompanying him, was managing the company. Lin Haoran didn't interfere with his creative work, but he definitely wouldn't let him make substantial profits.

"Do you have any plans now? I can help you analyze the best solution. The data I have access to is increasing, and my permissions are expanding. I hope I can be of assistance to you," KK said sincerely.

Nie Jia drove along the riverbank with a lack of enthusiasm. "Can you pinpoint Shi Chen's location now?"

KK responded, "My main program is bound to your data, while Shi Chen is external data. I'm sorry, I still can't capture Shi Chen's information in advance. But Shi Chen habitually retains personal data about both you and himself, starting from appearance to name. So, I speculate that in this world, Shi Chen, the son of Qin City's Old Shi and Lin Haoran's uncle, is likely Shi Chen."

"What's his name?"

"Shi Chen."

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