Gathered in the wings of XF International's small theatre, was Hou Yi, Yao Tan and the new artists that they had signed to the joint venture. Yao Tan, introduced Hou Yi to the signings. To both of them, they observed those artists from Lu Corporation's Entertainment Division were grateful to be away from that environment.

Hou Yi started speaking to the group. "Thank you opting to join this new venture. As you will be aware from your contracts, if this venture ends you have the option to join either XF International or Hou Enterprises Entertainment Divisions or leave and join somewhere else."

"It is important if you have any concerns at any time, please raise them with your management team. We do not want unhappy artists, as that benefits no one. Your management team will develop a clear view as to your career path, so listen to their advice, but it is your career so raise concerns. An unhappy artist will end up hurting their own career, which we do not want."

"We are now not going to patronise you. We are aware that rumours persist that for artists in the entertainment industry to advance their careers they have to give s*xual or other favours to producers and directors. We will not tolerate this happening to artists in this venture nor has it been tolerated for artists that will join you from Hou Enterprises of XF International's entertainment divisions. Tell someone, whether it is you or someone else even from another company . Go to senior management or Human Resources within the joint venture, or go to either company's human resources department."

"If something from your former companies concerns you, we urge you to talk to someone, from within the venture or at Hou Enterprises or XF International. We will a.s.sist you in making the reports to the necessary authorities to have the matter dealt with."

Yao Tan then stepped up "Ladies and Gentleman, we are serious about this. We will never tolerate manipulation or abuse of our artists. It has not been allowed in our companies prior to now, nor will we let it happen in the future. Alone we will not be able to stamp it out within the industry, but we want to protect you as people."

"Your choice of career path should not dictate what happens to you. There is no way either of us would want that to happen to our wives nor would I want it to happen to my 17-year-old daughter and sons. If we could not accept that for them, why should we allow it for people we employ."

"We will leave you, and make the announcements, and then you will be brought out and introduced along with your management team to the press, for you to speak to them. Do not feel that you have to answer any questions, we are just grateful for your presence here today."

With that Hou Yi and Yao Tan turned and walked away, and moved into the wings further, ready to walk out. Yao Tan turned and quietly said "Do you think that we will get any admissions as to behaviour that has happened within Lu Corporation's entertainment division?"

"To be realistic, I do not care, but they needed to know what we stand for with this, and that if there are issues, we will protect them, both from the past and into the future. However, …"

"Like me you suspect that there may be something behind the rumours about Lu Corporation's entertainment division?"

"Absolutely. Those rumours have been about for years, and centre around young artists. Tan I suspect the older, more established artists, had been through it and now tolerate it as part of the industry. What I have heard is often it is 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds who are targeted, they are just starting out as they are just starting their career and are dependent on producers and directors."

"While I want to see it stamped out, it is not always possible. However if it plays into my hands at the moment to destroy Lu Corporation, and therefore undermine all the financial backing Lu Jinhu and Yang Lin have had to prevent they from ever attacking my wife again, then I will use it."

"I knew you had a ruthless streak Yi, however …"

"Tan, I hate being ruthless, I like playing the business field honestly and relying on skill and talent to achieve a result, this is the situation where I do not give a care as business ultimtaly is not the goal, it is the protection of my wife."

From out on the stage, the two of them heard "Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to this joint press conference between XF International and Hou Enterprises …"