Chapter 128

The crew was taken aback by Chi Wanzhao's sudden arrival. Wei Haoran glanced at her, then at his brother, his expression shifting as an uneasy flush crept up his face.

President Wei shot him a furious glare, his eyes blazing with irritation.

Wei Haoran was the youngest in the family. Born frail, he'd spent his early years shuttling in and out of hospitals. From childhood, the Weis had indulged his every whim—whatever he wanted, they gave him, be it the stars or the moon.

When he graduated and declared he wouldn't enter the company to learn management, insisting instead on becoming a director, they'd agreed.

It was fine.

The Wei family consented, arranging for a renowned director at Xinhui to personally mentor him. But Haoran was never cut out for serious filmmaking. In the entertainment circle, he always had a different beautiful woman by his side. Worse, scandals broke out one after another—reports of him keeping actresses, juggling multiple relationships. Xinhui made magazine headlines every day.

All of it was Wei Haoran's gossip.

Xinhui's image plummeted.

Back then, he'd been furious. Jingyan's reputation had been rising, showing signs of replacing Xinhui as the leader in City B. And yet Wei Haoran, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, kept spawning scandals. In a fit of rage, he'd sent him home and stripped him of his position.

Wei Haoran had stayed home for a while, then personally returned to Xinhui to apologize, groveling with sweet words until he reluctantly allowed him to continue as a director.

After that, he'd calmed down considerably.

No more scandals surfaced in the industry—or rather, he'd learned how to cover them up.

That was a good thing.

At least it meant no more headaches for him.

Over the past two years, Wei Haoran had made no major mistakes. Though his films weren't particularly famous, he had one or two presentable works. He didn't expect great things from him—just no more blunders, and that was enough.

As for his director sleeping with actors and berating people on set, as long as it didn't spiral into a public mess, he could always clean it up.

He'd thought his brother would just coast through life like that.

But he never imagined Wei Haoran would manage to secure a partnership with HG through his connections.

This was a golden opportunity.

If this ad succeeded, Wei Haoran's directorial career would soar.

And Xinhui's image would benefit greatly too.

He'd been genuinely happy about it.

Even happier when he learned Kong Xiyan had taken the job.

True, three years ago he'd driven her away while she was wronged, but it had been three years. Wei Yan and He Wei had long confessed, and no one would drag Xinhui into it. And now, Kong Xiyan working with Wei Haoran was the perfect chance to mend their relationship.

He'd assumed that no matter how reckless Wei Haoran was, he'd know what to do.

But no.

The damn fool didn't know!

He truly didn't know whether to call him an idiot or just kick him out!

Wei Tiancheng took a deep breath, his chest heaving. The air he exhaled seemed to burn with rage. Chi Wanzhao, as if oblivious to his agitation, continued in that cool tone: "President Wei, I think Director Wei's words hold some truth."

"We are the ones overreaching."

Wei Tiancheng forced a laugh: "President Chi, you're joking again. Wei Haoran, get over here!"

Wei Haoran lowered his head and walked slowly to Wei Tiancheng: "Brother, why are you here?"

His tone showed not a shred of regret for what he'd said to Kong Xiyan. Only his starry eyes refused to meet Chi Wanzhao's bright gaze, pretending nothing was wrong as he looked away.

Wei Tiancheng glared at him sternly: "Apologize to President Chi, and to President Chi's wife!"

"Apologize?"

"Brother, what did I do wrong?"

Wei Tiancheng raised his hand: "You!"

He hadn't expected Wei Haoran to be so ungrateful, not even giving him an out in front of Chi Wanzhao. But this was his own brother, the one he'd doted on since childhood—he couldn't bear to hit him.

Wei Tiancheng dropped his hand in frustration and snapped: "Get out of my sight!"

Wei Haoran snorted and stepped aside.

After scolding Wei Haoran, Wei Tiancheng put on a smile and turned to Chi Wanzhao: "My apologies, President Chi. My brother is wild by nature and loves to joke. He was just playing around with your wife."

"I've already confirmed that your wife's costume is ready—it's in the dressing room."

Chi Wanzhao glanced at him: "Is that so?"

"Playing around?"

She gave a faint smile: "Zhou Sheng."

Zhou Sheng quickly stepped up behind her: "President Chi."

Chi Wanzhao instructed: "Go and bring over the costume Director Wei playfully wanted my wife to wear."

Wei Tiancheng's expression shifted, but he said nothing, only signaling his assistant with his eyes to handle it quickly. Unfortunately, the assistant was no match for Zhou Sheng's speed. Within two minutes, Zhou Sheng appeared on set carrying several garments.

The crew, though pretending to work, all had their eyes fixed on the scene. Zhou Sheng approached Chi Wanzhao and said, "President Chi, the clothes are here."

She picked one out from the bunch.

A pink tube top and ultra-short shorts.

The top was tiny, barely covering her chest. Chi Wanzhao pinched the flimsy fabric between her fingers, her lips pressed taut, and said in a chilly voice: "Director Wei has refined taste."

Wei Haoran's face turned ashen.

These clothes were obviously never intended for the ad. In fact, he hadn't planned to shoot the ad at all today. His goal was to humiliate Kong Xiyan, snap some tacky photos to keep on hand, and later leak them with some press releases—not necessarily to ruin her reputation, but at least to cut her down a peg.

But he hadn't counted on Chi Wanzhao showing up. She never even attended business dinners, yet today she came to visit the set.

And brought his brother along.

No matter how he looked at it, it felt deliberate!

The thought made him snatch the clothes from Chi Wanzhao's hand: "President Chi, these are this season's latest styles. Your wife has a graceful figure and can best showcase their charm. This ad is about confidence—I just wanted your wife to find that confidence through these outfits."

"It's just for the ad. You're taking it too seriously."

His tone was dismissive.

Chi Wanzhao nodded with a slight smile, the amusement never reaching her eyes: "I see. How thoughtful of Director Wei."

Wei Tiancheng was just starting to breathe a sigh of relief when Chi Wanzhao continued: "But my wife has never needed clothes to find confidence. Or perhaps... you do, Director Wei?"

Wei Haoran's face tightened.

Zhou Sheng picked up the thread: "President Chi, Director Wei must have gone to great lengths to find these clothes. It would be a waste to throw them away. Why not have Director Wei personally demonstrate how to find confidence through clothing?"

"What do you think?"

Chi Wanzhao seemed to seriously consider Zhou Sheng's suggestion. Wei Haoran clutched the clothes: "What do you mean?"

Him find confidence through clothing?

Was she asking him to wear women's clothes?!

Wei Haoran let out a sneer: "President Chi, you're not going to listen to this assistant, are you?"

Chi Wanzhao looked at him, still smiling faintly, her words slow and deliberate: "Why not?"

Wei Haoran's expression soured instantly.

He turned to Wei Tiancheng, but for the first time, his brother, who usually spoiled him shamelessly, said nothing—and even looked at him with pleading eyes. Wei Haoran gritted his teeth: "You're all insane!!"

Wearing something like that?

He'd rather be beaten to death!

Wei Tiancheng glanced at Chi Wanzhao's expression and called out cautiously: "President Chi..."

But Zhou Sheng cut him off, coldly blocking his words.

"President Wei, President Chi has made her request. The question is whether you're willing to show your sincerity."

Wei Tiancheng's heart skipped a beat.

What Zhou Sheng just said was clearly not about the clothes.

It was about their upcoming collaboration.

Right now, Chi Wanzhao's demand was that Wei Haoran wear those clothes. And he—he didn't want to lose this opportunity.

Wei Tiancheng clenched his fists and looked at Wei Haoran. After a long moment, he lowered his head and said through gritted teeth to the people beside him: "Help the young master change!"

Wei Haoran immediately started cursing, his words filthy beyond comprehension. Chi Wanzhao stood there with an indifferent expression, letting the entire crew steal wary glances.

Not long after, Wei Haoran was dragged out, wearing the tube top and ultra-short shorts. The clothes were too small—the top barely covered his nipples, and the shorts, though elastic, were stretched tightly across his thighs, with everything else exposed. People could even see the fading hickeys on his body.

Not clearly, but visible to the naked eye.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

Wei Haoran struggled angrily, his shoulders held by two men. Chi Wanzhao, with Zhou Sheng in tow, walked up to him and said with a slight smile, "Director Wei spoke well. Now you look much more confident."

Zhou Sheng's gaze was mocking.

Wei Haoran fought furiously to break free. The men holding him were Wei Tiancheng's, and none dared to use real force. In a moment of slack, he wrenched himself loose. The crowd watched as he stood before Chi Wanzhao, raising his hand high, ready to strike!

The air seemed to freeze. Everyone's hearts leaped to their throats. Wei Tiancheng shouted, "Haoran!"

His words didn't stop Wei Haoran. Instead, a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes, and he swung his palm at Chi Wanzhao!

His arm was intercepted mid-swing.

Zhou Sheng stood in front of Chi Wanzhao, gripping Wei Haoran's arm, and said coldly, "Director Wei, what is the meaning of this?"

Wei Tiancheng strode over quickly. He signaled for others to drag Wei Haoran away and explained, "My apologies, President Chi. Haoran is straightforward and acts without thinking. He was in the wrong today. I apologize to you and your wife on his behalf."

He waved his hand behind his back, and Wei Haoran was promptly escorted off.

Chi Wanzhao stood still: "President Wei, you're too kind."

Wei Tiancheng: "Then about the collaboration..."

Chi Wanzhao glanced over her shoulder: "Zhou Sheng, discuss the collaboration details with President Wei."

Zhou Sheng nodded: "Yes, President Chi."

Wei Tiancheng clenched his fists, watching Chi Wanzhao walk over to Kong Xiyan, the fire in his chest burning hotter by the second.

Chi Wanzhao hurried to Kong Xiyan, who had watched the whole scene, and asked, "Heading home?"

Kong Xiyan looked up at her: "Why are you here?"

Chi Wanzhao frowned: "If I hadn't come, would you really have worn those clothes? Let him walk all over you? Xiyan, I know you don't like me meddling in your affairs, but I hope you understand—I hate seeing you wronged even more."

Kong Xiyan sighed, glancing at Tong Yue, who was approaching from the distance. "I don't feel wronged, Xiao Wan. Everyone handles things differently."

"You're too extreme."

Even she could clearly sense President Wei's fury. Seeing his own brother publicly forced into women's clothes—that humiliation would linger. The moment he got a chance, he'd strike back!

She didn't want to see Chi Wanzhao surrounded by enemies because of her.

Chi Wanzhao looked into her eyes, speaking with meaning: "But it's the most effective way."

Kong Xiyan bit her lip: "Xiao Wan, you don't understand what I mean."

"I do."

Kong Xiyan looked away: "What do you understand? Some things I'll handle myself. You can't protect me like this forever."

Chi Wanzhao turned her face back, making her look at her, and then said, "I can."

"Xiyan, I can protect you for a lifetime."