Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Not far away, Director Cao lost his temper. "Alright, let's take a break for now. The vibe is off."

Chu Weiran was seething. She clenched her fists but still managed to bow politely to the crew. "I'm sorry, everyone. Thanks for putting up with this... sorry..."

Her assistant handed her a bottle of water and whispered, "Sis, maybe you should swallow your pride and apologize to Director Cao first?"

If this kept up, it won't end well.

Chu Weiran took a sip of water, her eyes blazing with defiance. "There’s no way I’m backing down to him."

She added pointedly, "he doesn’t have the guts. He’ll probably get serious about filming soon—he was just trying to get under my skin earlier."

Trying to force her to yield with such tactics? Dream on.

With production halted, Lin Chengyan sent Zhu Cheng to check what was going on. Before long, Zhu Cheng returned.

He reported, "Director Cao said to take a short break first."

Lin Chengyan’s face fell. "Go find Director Meng and ask her—if we keep wasting time, will we even make it to the night scenes?"

"Got it."

After giving his instructions, Lin Chengyan continued unpacking the items Bai Yaxin had asked Lin Tingyue to bring him.

You've got to be kidding me...

Lin Tingyue was chatting with Ying An when she heard Lin Chengyan groan. She turned and asked, "What’s wrong, Second Brother?"

Lin Chengyan fished out a bag of items and deadpanned, "Why did you bring cold medicine?"

Bai Yaxin had indeed mentioned it. Lin Tingyue explained, "Mom said you’re most likely to catch a cold while filming. She said you should take it three times a day."

Lin Chengyan rolled his eyes. "Three times a day? Like I'm dosing myself? I’m not even sick—why would I take it three times a day?"

Lin Tingyue replied earnestly, "Cold prevention."

Lin Chengyan was at a loss for words. "Doesn’t the rest of the family need prevention too?"

Since he had already pulled out three boxes, he suspected Bai Yaxin had packed every last box of cold medicine at home and sent it with Lin Tingyue.

If he had to drink it, then everyone's drinking it too—his eldest brother, Xia Wan, and even Lin Tingyue!

"We’ve all been taking it," Lin Tingyue said, patting Lin Chengyan’s shoulder with mock seriousness. "Second Brother, cold prevention is a marathon, not a sprint."

Lin Chengyan grumbled, "...Lin Tingyue, quit playing grown-up here."

Lin Tingyue: "...Oh."

Ying An peeked over and asked, "Does it really work?"

Lin Tingyue turned to him and nodded. "Yes. The whole family’s been healthy lately."

And this was during the height of flu season!

"Then I'll let my family know too."

"No problem."

Lin Chengyan was at a loss for words listening to this conversation.

You're everywhere, aren't you Ying An? Don’t think he doesn’t know—do you really want cold medicine? You’re just fishing for Lin Tingyue’s attention!

And Lin Tingyue, what’s with that accent of yours???

Damn annoying, she muttered.

While they were fooling around over here, things finally got back on track over there. Under Director Meng’s watchful eye, Chu Weiran aced the scene in one take.

Director Meng said coldly, "Wasn’t that perfectly fine? What was that nonsense earlier? A waste of time?"

Though both were directors, most investors had come for Director Meng, so she had the final say on set.

Director Cao kept apologizing but couldn’t help defending himself: "Maybe the break helped them reset; their energy improved."

Director Meng didn’t respond, just stared coldly at Director Cao, who broke into a sweat. This woman was terrifying—her eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s.

The two stood in a tense standoff until, after a long pause, Director Meng snorted. "No one cares about your petty dramas, but if you delay the shooting schedule..."

"Got it, got it."

Director Meng stood up, and Director Cao, looking grim, walked over to Chu Weiran.

Chu Weiran met his gaze calmly and whispered, "Don’t you dare start anything. This is a film set."

"I know. I just want to talk."

Inside a corner tent, Director Cao sneered, "Well, well, look at you—got Director Meng right in your pocket."

Chu Weiran: "???"

"Are you blind? Director Meng is a woman—didn’t you notice?"

"Since when does gender matter? In this industry, it’s all about opportunities floating by."

"If you’re sick, get yourself checked."

Chu Weiran went to walk away, but Director Cao grabbed her wrist.

"Cao Xingcheng, haven’t you had enough? Do you want the whole crew to know about our relationship?"

"Go ahead and make it public. But... when the time comes, will netizens blame you for sleeping your way to the top, or me for being ungrateful?"

"You..."

Looking at Cao Xingcheng’s smug, weaselly face, Chu Weiran wanted to gag!

But no matter how furious she was, she had to admit he was right. If this went public, the damage to her reputation would be far worse than to Cao Xingcheng.

He could recover from this. She wouldn’t.

Outside, Director Meng blew her top again. "Where is everyone?"

If they weren’t already too deep into production, she’d have given the boot and replaced both of them then and there.

The staff members responded meekly, saying they were trying to reach her.

Before one crisis ended, another began—Director Meng frowned at the sight of the reporters and asked, "What's going on here?"

"They're all here for an interview with Chu Weiran today."

Director Meng felt like tearing her hair out. She wasn't born yesterday; she could see right through Chu Weiran's intentions.

Cao Xingcheng and Chu Weiran had gotten married three years ago—something even most industry insiders didn't know. But that didn't mean *she* was unaware.

She had spent three years preparing this film. Cao Xingcheng had gotten in through Chu Weiran's connections, yet over those three years, Chu Weiran had fallen from being a top-tier actress to a D-list celebrity.

How the mighty have fallen.

Damn right. If Cao Xingcheng wanted to play dirty, then she wouldn’t hesitate to add fuel to the fire and pile on when he was vulnerable.

Director Meng said, "Take them to Chu Weiran."

"What?"

"What do you mean 'what'? Move it!"

"Right, right."

But no one knew where Chu Weiran was at the moment.

This was turning into a shift from helllllll.

As the staff led the reporters forward, a sharp scream suddenly came from a corner. The reporters' professional instincts told them—this was a scoop! And possibly a bombshell story!

Without needing any prompting, they rushed over one after another.

"Holy shit."

"Cut the cameras for now."

One reporter quickly stepped forward to shield Chu Weiran, while the others quickly deleted the photos they had just taken.

The reporter shielding Chu Weiran asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

Chu Weiran sobbed, "He hit me. Cao Xingcheng abused me."

The reporter draped her coat over Chu Weiran and said angrily, "This isn't just abuse—it's flat-out assault!"

Cao Xingcheng chased after them, the camera flashes nearly blinding the bastard. He bellowed, "Stop filming! Did you hear me? Stop filming!"

No one listened. He even tried to swing at the cameras.

"Hey, this is all being recorded. Think about the consequences."

Cao Xingcheng had no choice but to pull back, fuming. He looked down and met Chu Weiran’s eyes blazing with vengeance—

Think you can take me on? Go fuck yourself.

Whose career was really over? That was anyone's guess.

By now, it was too late for Cao Xingcheng to regret anything...

"Violence, infidelity, solicitation—Oh my god," Bai Yaxin gasped. "I actually liked this director before."

Lin Rusong wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders. "There are plenty of other directors."

"Mmm... but the entertainment industry is so chaotic. Even directors aren’t safe from scandals. Do you think Shengyan might—"

Not just Shengyan, but Ying An too.

The two glanced at Lin Tingyue, who was sitting to the side and suddenly craving ice cream.

...Who knows what set her off this time?

Honestly, the set was a complete mess. By the time she left, she could clearly see Director Meng looked completely drained.

Staying in showbiz these days takes guts!

She might as well stick to her ice cream.

Honestly, every single one of Lin Tingyue’s actions perfectly pushed Bai Yaxin’s buttons.

Bai Yaxin reminded her, "Tingyue, don’t eat too much ice cream. We still have to go to the Ying family for dinner later."

"Yeah, yeah, Mom."

She says she gets it, but she keeps eating—and doesn’t even care how cold it is!

"Mom really doesn’t need to worry about Second Brother at all."

Hmm, why? Bai Yaxin listened carefully.

"Because Second Brother only plays dumb at home."

Bai Yaxin: "..."

Had enough, she set down Lin Tingyue’s ice cream cup and pulled her up. "Stop eating. Let’s go pick out a gift for the Ying family."

Lin Tingyue stared longingly at her ice cream. "But Mom, it’d be a shame to waste it."

Bai Yaxin hesitated—she had a point—then reluctantly let her keep eating.

At least her stomach held up.

Evening.

"Oh, Tingyue, we’re thrilled you’re here. You didn’t need to bring a gift."

Gu Shaohua joyfully pulled Lin Tingyue into a hug.

"Auntie, it’s the thought that counts."

Can you believe it? Lin Tingyue saying something so proper was just so cute.

Watching his mom fuss over Lin Tingyue, Ying An sighed. "Mom, let her sit down first."

"Right, right." Gu Shaohua took Lin Tingyue’s hand. "Tingyue, sit next to me."

Ying Leyou coughed pointedly.

As if remembering something, Gu Shaohua added, "Actually, why not sit with Ning Ning and An An? You kids will have more in common."

Ying Ning: "..."

Though it was to create an opportunity for her brother, did she really have to get involved in this too?

Noticing her parents looking at her, Ying Ning said cheerfully, "Yes, yes, listen to Sister Tingyue. Come sit here."

"Cough, cough."

Gu Shaohua grew impatient. She walked over to Ying Leyou and whispered, "Didn't I already handle everything? Why are you still coughing?"

This was getting ridiculous.

Gu Shaohua nudged Ying Leyou’s arm. "Call Snowice and ask where she is."

Ying An volunteered, "I'll call Aunt Snowice."

Ying Leyou was still coughing.

Gu Shaohua - "Ying Leyou, don't make me scold you in front of the kids—"

Ying Leyou pointed ahead. Gu Shaohua looked over. So that's why he kept coughing—there was an uninvited guest.

The newcomer said politely, "Long time no see, Gu Shaohua."

Ying Ning frowned. Who's this?

"Uh-oh, Dad's love rival," she thought.

Ying Ning: "..."