Chapter 155 – Big Shot Protection

Chapter 155 - Big Shot Protection

In Wangzhuang Village, He Zhuhua's resting room.

He Zhuhua's agent flipped through an eighty-megabyte PDF on her phone and said, "Sis Zhuhua, we've found out about Guo Lu's issue. It's likely that her targeting Tang Fei has something to do with Guo Yu.

She is Guo Yu's aunt. When Guo Yu first started in the industry, his name was Guo Yu, as in 'metaphor'. He was the male lead in the drama that lost to Si Cuichuan at Xiangnan TV's 10 p.m. slot, 'Favored Concubine Comes Barreling In'.

Now, 'Favored Concubine Comes Barreling In' has switched to online streaming, but it hasn't been doing well. The online buzz and popularity have been completely overshadowed by Si Cuichuan. Other concurrent online dramas have suffered too, but 'Favored Concubine' has it worse – it's been affected by Si Cuichuan twice.

Guo Lu can't stand Tang Fei, so she intentionally used tricks on the show to frame her as a diva. That gives her a motive."

He Zhuhua tapped the table. "Why did Guo Yu change his name? There must be a problem there. Are you covering for him? Withholding information from me?"

The agent rubbed her hands together. "Sis Zhuhua, why should we help Tang Fei? Guo Lu is Qin Xi's veteran host with quite a network here in the northwest. We don't want to offend anyone. I'll try to smooth things over."

He Zhuhua closed her eyes and shook her head. "At my age, I'm not expecting to land any more leading roles in films or win awards.

I'm mostly retired anyway. Now, if I can lend a helping hand to young people, I will. Everyone was young once, and I understand how much weight a senior's word carries."

This young lass is impetuous; her temporary reconciliation could lead to significant troubles down the road.

Be straightforward then. Since you've offended someone, make sure to deal with it decisively, so they won't have a chance to retaliate.

When it comes to matters like these, appearances can be deceptive; sooner or later, they'll still disgust you."

Didn't you just try to suppress Tang Fei? This turnaround is too quick. You didn't even transition from being a devil to an angel?

Who would believe that you suddenly developed a kind heart? There must be something amiss!

The agent had no choice but to stroke He Ying's ego, "Guo Yu changed his name due to a traffic accident. He was drunk driving and hit someone, landing him in prison for three years. After his release, he changed his name and made a comeback."

He Zhuhua flicked her collar and frowned, "Why is it someone like that? Dishonest people never clean up their mess. Does he think he can bully our Feifei just because she lacks connections?"

The agent's eyes nearly popped out, "Our Feifei?"

He Zhuhua smiled and gave the agent a look. The agent understood but felt helpless. Her sister's attitude truly changed like the wind. No wonder she became a film queen with such unpredictable nature.

He Zhuhua continued, "Is there anything wrong with Guo Lu herself?"

Agent: "It's some old history, not a major issue."

He Zhuhua: "Might as well hear it out."

Agent: "She had an affair about two decades ago. It was quite a shocker back then – she was involved with an unattractive wealthy businessman.

But since she wasn't a very popular hostess, not many people knew about it, and it didn't blow up into a big scandal."

He Zhuhua: "So it's a family with a tainted reputation, all of them the same."

Agent: "Sister Zhuhua, what should we do?"

He Zhuhua: "First, let's see Feifei's test results. If she wins, we'll only expose her nephew. I won't bother with her personal affair, let her have some peace before she retires.

Talk to her. If she can lavish praise on Feifei from head to toe and acknowledge her past blindness, she can retire in peace. But if she refuses, we'll reveal the scandal and let the production team replace her for a re-recording.

I really don't want to see an esteemed artist's reputation tarnished at this late stage."

Agent: "Sister Zhuhua, are you sure you want to take such a harsh approach?"

He Zhuhua rubbed her forehead, a tinge of regret in her voice. "Let's just say it's compensation for before when I..."

Her agent replied, "Alright, I understand what to do."

On April 4th, known as the Day of Crew Visits, also a day of rest for the production team, a gossip snippet was circulating within the cast's living quarters.

"Have you heard? Sister Zhuhua stood up for Tang Fei."

"I know, the agent had a private talk with Guo Lu. She must've been quite worked up, her eyes were red from crying. It was intense."

"Isn't that a bit too much?"

"When she was bullying others, did she ever think this day would come? Tang Fei is actually a pretty decent person."

"Word has it that there's something going on between Guo Yu and her. Teacher Guo is neglecting her professional duties because of personal grudges, causing unexpected issues for our production team. She's not being professional by taking money but not doing the job right."

"In showbiz, who cares about being righteous when there's drama? You tried to stop it then? It only got out of hand before anyone could react."

"The main thing is that Tang Fei is too strong-willed. A junior defying an elder like that, and with such a fiery temper."

"I don't like the sound of that. It's blaming the victim for not enduring the injustice."

"Did you catch the part where Guo Lu went to apologize in person, acknowledging her narrow-mindedness and praising Tang Fei as a gem of a talent? Group 1 almost lost their composure during the recording. Who would've thought the host could act so well? This is definitely going to be a highlight when it airs!"

"I think it's quite an attention-grabbing plot. A genius being misjudged by a senior – that'll certainly be a focal point in the promotion."

"Send it to me, I haven't seen it yet."

After receiving a snippet of the video on WeChat, the person opened it.

The recording was from last night at ten-thirty, just as Tang Fei and Jiang Xiaoying were preparing to rest. Suddenly, they heard a knock on the door. Jiang Xiaoying, with a puzzled look, opened the door.

The director's voice could still be heard, suggesting that this moment could be a cliffhanger, leaving the audience wondering who was behind the door and why Jiang Xiaoying's expression had gone haywire.

At the door was Guo Lu, followed by the entire production team from Group 1.

"Tang Fei, is she here? I... I want to apologize for what happened the other day."

Jiang Xiaoying's expression was genuinely that of someone who had seen a ghost!

She simply couldn't believe that Guo Lu could have a change of heart!

This couldn't be some kind of trap, right?

They were both thousand-year-old fox spirits; there was no need to put on a show like this from a tale of the supernatural.

Seeing Jiang Xiaoying blocking the door, Guo Lu, recalling the threatening words she'd received earlier, stamped her foot in frustration and called out directly, "Is Tang Fei here? It's Guo Lu. I realize my behavior was too extreme the other day, so I've come especially to apologize. Can you let me in?"

Tang Fei appeared at the door, brushing her teeth in her pajamas. Jiang Xiaoying had no choice but to let her in.

"Tang Fei, I lost control of my emotions and shouted at you. I vented my personal frustrations on you. These past few days, hearing you speak Qinxi dialect on your own, I'm truly ashamed. You taught yourself much better than I ever could – it's obvious without even needing a competition.

Through you, I've realized how narrow-minded I am, how poor my judgment is. Thankfully, I'm not really a teacher, or else I would have overlooked so many talents."

Guo Lu burst into tears.

She wept bitterly, unable to control herself.

She clung to Tang Fei, weeping uncontrollably.

Her tears were genuine, shed for her nephew's ruined future and the painstaking efforts he had made to change his name and start anew, only to have it all destroyed by her own hands.

She cried out of regret for her impulsiveness.

Her remorse was sincere, but not because she acknowledged her mistake; rather, she regretted provoking someone who protected Tang Fei.

In reality, she didn't truly believe she was in the wrong. At sixty, her personality was set in stone, and she wouldn't change over a trivial matter.

Throughout the scene, Tang Fei remained expressionless, occasionally shuddering from the melodrama, while otherwise observing Guo Lu's one-woman show with detached interest.

How was she supposed to play along with such a full-fledged performance? Sorry, but no cooperation here!

Tang Fei calmly watched Guo Lu's theatrical display until the end, then took her hand and said, "Tang Fei, we got to know each other through this conflict. After gaining mutual understanding, we could still become friends despite our age difference."

Tang Fei withdrew her hand. "There's no need, really no need."

Avoiding Guo Lu like a plague, the latter continued talking to herself, moved by her own words, before finally departing.

Guo Lu's performance could be deemed a failure; her solo act appeared particularly insincere against Tang Fei's lack of cooperation.

This incident became a lighthearted joke among the production team.

"Are we going to air this footage?"

"Of course, it's hilarious."

"But won't Qin Xi's side be unhappy? This could be seen as tarnishing their local celebrity, right?"

"Showing the truth isn't defamation."

"Qin Xi's scenic mountain village is so beautiful, and the people in this poverty-stricken area are hardworking and respectable. The village chief is striving to find economic solutions for the villagers. How is this defaming them? One individual from the entertainment industry can't represent the entire Qin Xi."

"Indeed, that's the point."