A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2381 - 1598: Such a Mess in This Industry

To be frank, this goes beyond the usual concern and protection a president offers to an idol. Even Aunt Jingzi is—perhaps to them, Xingye Ai is like their daughter.

Back then, Saito Ichiro vowed to do everything to find that person, but was stopped by Duanmu Huai.

His reasoning was clear, those closely associated with Xingye Ai and aware of this incident must be in the entertainment circle. If Saito Ichiro acted recklessly, it might alarm them, causing the perpetrator to destroy evidence. So Duanmu Huai offered Saito Ichiro another suggestion, which was...

Wait for them to fall into a trap.

Xingye Ai is receiving treatment in the hospital, but if the perpetrator learns of her whereabouts, they might strike again. After all, Xingye Ai definitely knows who the murderer is, even if she remains unconscious, once she wakes everything will be revealed.

Yes, it often unfolds like this in detective movies.

Understandably, the criminal might make another move against Xingye Ai to silence her.

Therefore, Duanmu Huai suggested Saito Ichiro to work at that hospital, not only to protect Xingye Ai but also to monitor suspicious figures. As the president, Saito Ichiro surely knows those entertainment figures close to Xingye Ai. So, if he’s there, he might catch the person.

Actually, Duanmu Huai was just making a suggestion, but Saito Ichiro seemed truly concerned about Xingye Ai. After that, he resigned from his position as Mei PRO President, and without noticing anyone, entered the hospital to work as a cleaner. Honestly, his persistence for over a decade was beyond Duanmu Huai’s expectations.

This goes to show, Saito Ichiro’s affection could be considered genuine—yes, the love for a daughter.

"Indeed!"

From the phone came Saito Ichiro’s hoarse whisper.

"Yesterday, while cleaning, I saw a man standing outside the hospital..."

"The name?"

"Kamiki Hikari!"

"Kamiki Hikari...?"

"Ah, back when Xiao Ai just debuted, she underwent training at Theater LALALAI to hone her acting skills, and became quite close with several members, including Kamiki Hikari!"

At this point, Saito Ichiro’s voice dropped.

"Through my connections, I already investigated, Kamiki Hikari doesn’t have any close friends hospitalized, and his health is in good condition, so his reason for being here is singular."

"Anyway, let’s find evidence first."

In comparison, Duanmu Huai seemed much calmer; as for evidence—it wasn’t difficult to find.

One merely needs to conduct a parentage test.

"I’ll get someone to investigate, leave Ai to you."

"Yes, I definitely won’t let him harm Xiao Ai! This time, he won’t succeed!"

"Beep—beep—beep—!"

Saito Ichiro fiercely hung up the phone, while Duanmu Huai stared at his phone in silence.

In short, first investigate who this guy really is.

For Duanmu Huai, delegating investigations wasn’t challenging, he entrusted a long-familiar Detective Agency with the task, and only after a day, a dossier appeared before Duanmu Huai.

"Kamiki Hikari, 30 years old, from Kanagawa, affiliated with Theater LALALAI from 10-16 years old, graduated from Science Department University, established his agency at twenty-five, currently representing Shenmu Office and CEO of MEDIAEYES Co., Ltd... this background is quite similar to mine."

Reading this, Duanmu Huai couldn’t help but mutter, both had their own independent agencies and companies, considered renowned from a young age.

However... Kamiki Hikari’s history contains numerous unsolvable areas.

Take Duanmu Huai, for instance, every penny he possesses worldwide is traceable. He initially purchased a small film production company with his earnings, received box office dividends from starring in films under the company, using them to acquire other firms. Every penny Duanmu Huai has worldwide is accounted for.

But Kamiki Hikari is different, from his family background, his conditions were quite ordinary, nothing special, and he unlike Duanmu Huai didn’t start acting from age four, spending over a decade in the field. He seems to have appeared as a flash in the entertainment circle, and then vanished.

And then, out of the blue, he amassed significant funds, establishing his own agency.

It’s as if he hacked into the system.

Owning his own agency, Duanmu Huai knows this isn’t just about having money. Card-carrying agencies prioritize networking and relationships, Duanmu Huai’s acquisition of Mei PRO was due to this. He spent a decade in acting, established ties with numerous actors and directors, while Lady Jingzi also knew many entertainment figures, so the so-called connections and status stem from these.

But Kamiki Hikari?

He lacked status in the entertainment circle, nor did he possess robust financial capital, so how could he start an agency?

With this in mind, Duanmu Huai squinted.

Could it be—he’s a backdoor deal maker?

Situations like this aren’t uncommon in the entertainment circle, female artists face the casting couch, while male artists can’t escape it either. Especially when entering the industry with no money and power, selling oneself is the sole option.

As for talent, in reality, the entertainment circle looks the least at talent.

Talent can only ensure one’s potential, but not the baseline.

Suppose an S-level talent actor refuses to make backdoor deals, but an A-level talent actor agrees to, thus the latter gains more prominence than the former. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

This explains why Duanmu Huai had to go through such lengths for Ruby in her idol pursuit, as he was well aware of the entertainment circle’s ways. Without money or background, one entering is merely fodder.

Unpleasant though it sounds, even if at school you’re the one in ten thousand beauty, no one compares to your looks, it’s useless. The entertainment circle has plenty at your level, or that’s considered the baseline.

And as Duanmu Huai mentioned previously, once a woman reaches a certain level of beauty, there’s no real distinction, it’s impossible to differentiate like mediocre versus beautiful versus plain. At that point, internal qualities like obedience, endearingness, and cuteness become more valued.

A disobedient 98-point beauty is less desirable than an obedient 89-point beauty.

Unless you’re wealthy with background, that’s a different story.

For Mei PRO Office’s artists, when attending events elsewhere, they receive friendly treatment, and don’t face the casting couch. Is it because those people have good hearts? Sure, most do, but what about those not kind-hearted? Why do they behave well?

The reason is simple, Mei PRO is under Duanmu Huai’s company, which controls shares across TV channels, entertainment magazines, and even websites. When artists arrive, opponents warn the notorious figures themselves, these are our shareholder’s, don’t harbor ill intentions. Or else, if something happens, everyone faces consequences.

This explains why Arima Kaname, Hei Chuan Chi Yin, MEM, and Ruby can attend shows uninhibited, rarely encountering unpleasantness.

Ultimately, power and money take precedence in entertainment.

What common folks claim as talent and attractiveness—merely a ticket to enter the circle.

Because of this, Duanmu Huai suspects Kamiki Hikari makes backdoor deals, otherwise, there’s no explaining his financial background to start an agency.

In national terms, a "crime of unknown sources of massive assets" would be enough to nail him.

But... calculating carefully, Kamiki Hikari is merely thirty-one now, and my sister is fifteen, meaning if he’s indeed Xingye Ai’s paramour, back when she conceived twins, he was...

After some mental calculations, Duanmu Huai sighed.

The industry is truly a mess...