Chapter Two: Likes Become Power

“Director Tang offers five million for the film, the account, and your production process. Sign, and your old debts vanish.” Yesterday Gu Yan could not afford rent. Five million could put him back on a set—or buy his silence forever. “Credit?” he asked. The manager smiled. “A full buyout doesn't come with credit. We'll announce it as a Starwave AI Lab project.” Gu Yan pushed the contract back. “Not even for fifty million.” The guards lunged for his computer. Gu Yan pinched two fingers together and framed all four men. He whipped the invisible camera right. They were dragged with its movement and crashed into a stack of boxes. Seven seconds later, the manager sat trembling on the floor.