Chapter 24

Chi Wanzhao stood there like an iceberg radiating cold air. The people around her quickly stepped back, still stealing cautious glances at her. Director Sun scurried over, bowing and scraping. "CEO Chi, what brings you here?"

Everyone's gaze landed on Chi Wanzhao. Guo Yixi couldn't help but step forward, pretending to casually toss her hair in a seductive manner.

Assistant Zhou swept his eyes over the crowd and explained to Director Sun, "CEO Chi just returned from a business trip and heard the ratings were good, so she came to check it out."

Director Sun hastily replied, "Good to check, good to check." As he spoke, he glared at his assistant. Damn it, why hadn't he been informed in advance! His assistant, intimidated by the glare, wished he could bury his head in the ground, his face turning pale.

Chi Wanzhao's profile remained stern as she pointed at Guo Yixi. "And this is?"

Director Sun was about to speak when Guo Yixi pushed past him, stepping forward to introduce herself. "Hello, CEO Chi. I'm Guo Yixi." She glanced at Chi Wanzhao with a hint of shyness and extended her hand, her fair wrist exposed to the wind. Chi Wanzhao merely gave her a brief glance. "Ah, Miss Guo. I've heard of your excellent acting skills but never had the chance to see them. Why not give us a performance today?"

Guo Yixi immediately beamed. "Oh, you flatter me, CEO Chi."

Assistant Zhou stood beside Chi Wanzhao, knowing that when she was angry, the softer her voice, the more furious she truly was. He picked up Guo Yixi's cue. "Why not have Miss Guo perform Miss Kong's scene? Miss Guo's acting is superb, so she can also demonstrate for Miss Kong what real acting looks like."

Everyone's expressions shifted. They couldn't discern whether Assistant Zhou meant to belittle Kong Xiyan or defend her. Guo Yixi, in particular, hesitated internally, looking at Chi Wanzhao and feeling that the latter's gaze was gentle, devoid of any menace.

Chi Wanzhao maintained a faint smile, revealing nothing. Only Assistant Zhou, who was always by her side, noticed her clenched hands and tense back.

Director Sun was about to plead for Guo Yixi when Chi Wanzhao turned to him, her smile vanishing and her face hardening like a blade. "Director Sun, what do you think of Assistant Zhou's proposal?"

Director Sun swallowed the words he was about to say and instead replied, "Yes, that's good." He quickly called his assistant to take Guo Yixi to change and apply makeup. Guo Yixi seemed to want to protest, but meeting Chi Wanzhao's suddenly fierce brows and cold eyes, she swallowed her words and kept them to herself.

In truth, she wasn't part of the cast and hadn't studied the plot much, but if she refused outright, she'd be finished in the industry.

Director Sun began explaining the scene to Guo Yixi, but before he could finish, He Lao spoke up. "Assistant Zhou, what's the meaning of this? Miss Guo isn't part of this production, so how can she perform?"

Everyone held their breath for him. Director Sun, especially, stood in front of Assistant Zhou with a fawning smile. "He Lao, what are you saying..."

Before he could finish, Assistant Zhou said with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes, "He Lao, according to you, those not in the production can't act, but they can still interfere and criticize, is that right?"

He Lao's face turned red with anger. "You... you... you..." He stammered, unable to complete a sentence, fuming.

Chi Wanzhao cast him a cold glance. "Are we filming or not? If not, we'll find someone else."

Director Sun pulled He Lao back, urging, "We're filming, we're filming!" "Places!"

The clapperboard sounded, and Guo Yixi stood by the pool while He Lao faced her. Director Sun had already ordered a chair for Chi Wanzhao, who now sat to the side, flanked by many people.

With a sharp slap, Guo Yixi's head snapped to the side. Actually, He Lao hadn't used much force; it was just for the camera angle.

"Cut!" The call came not from Chi Wanzhao or Director Sun, but from Assistant Zhou. After calling, he saw everyone looking at him. A glint flashed in his eyes. He smiled. "Sorry, Director Sun. I just felt Miss Guo's expression was off. You know our CEO Chi can't tolerate flaws. Please, Miss Guo, show us your skill."

His tone was earnest. Director Sun looked from him to Chi Wanzhao, who sat expressionless on the chair. Though she said nothing, an oppressive aura surrounded her, making people involuntarily lower their heads.

Director Sun had no choice but to apologize briefly to Chi Wanzhao and called for a retake.

"Slap!"

"Cut! Again!"

"Slap!"

"Cut! Once more!"

"Slap!"

"Cut!"

Before long, five clear slap marks appeared on one side of Guo Yixi's face, too visible even under makeup. He Lao's last few slaps were fueled by irritation and carried considerable force.

Chi Wanzhao sat calmly, saying nothing, while Assistant Zhou kept critiquing—one moment Miss Guo's movements were uncoordinated, the next He Lao's expression was wrong. Everyone could tell he was deliberately finding fault.

Those who had come to watch Kong Xiyan's plight now looked at her with a different, strange gaze.

Yet she was even calmer than Chi Wanzhao, remaining silent and still, only occasionally responding to Fu Qiu's questions.

The set was shrouded in a bizarre atmosphere. Director Sun dared not voice his frustration. Meeting Guo Yixi's pleading eyes, he licked his thick lips, intending to intercede, but seeing Chi Wanzhao's rigid profile, he gritted his teeth and looked away.

Finally, the slapping scene wrapped. Assistant Zhou didn't call cut, and Director Sun quickly arranged the next scene—a dive into the water. Guo Yixi was no fool; she knew Assistant Zhou was deliberately tormenting her. So she rallied herself, ready to nail the dive in one take.

But Assistant Zhou's amused voice echoed again. "Cut! Wrong posture. Do it again."

Guo Yixi changed clothes, reapplied makeup, and jumped.

"Cut! Jumped too early."

"Cut! Again!"

"Cut!" "Cut!"

Guo Yixi lost count of how many times she climbed out of the pool, her body still chilled before jumping again, not even allowing time to dry her clothes properly. The wind hit her, and her teeth chattered.

After her sixth jump, Director Sun swallowed hard and addressed Assistant Zhou. "Assistant Zhou, look, it's freezing, and Miss Guo isn't in the best health. Besides, she's not part of our production. Perhaps..."

Assistant Zhou turned to him, offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Director Sun. It's just me—once I get focused, I can't stop. Miss Guo has been put out. Since she's unwell and not part of our production... Well, we might need someone else." His sharp eyes swept the set. "Miss Guo's acting leaves much to be desired, hardly convincing enough to be an example for Miss Kong. To make this worthwhile..." He fixed his gaze on Wu Qing, still smiling faintly, yet Wu Qing felt a chill from head to toe, shivering several times.

"I... I... I..." She met his eyes but couldn't complete a sentence.

Director Sun realized that Assistant Zhou was getting back at them on Kong Xiyan's behalf. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He had known Kong Xiyan was placed there by Assistant Zhou through Tong Yue, but he hadn't taken it seriously! Even if he hadn't, he should have been discreet, but no—Assistant Zhou had witnessed the whole thing. He was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Assistant Zhou calmly looked at Director Sun. "Are we filming?"

In the dead of winter, Director Sun's back was drenched in sweat. He bowed and scraped. "We're filming!" Offending Assistant Zhou meant indirectly offending Chi Wanzhao; did he dare not to?

But He Lao was on strike. He threw his costume to the ground with fury, glaring at Assistant Zhou with utter contempt. "I'm not filming!"

Chi Wanzhao's bright eyes lifted slightly. Director Sun quickly pulled He Lao aside. "Are you mad?!"

He Lao was livid. "You're the mad one! Who does Chi Wanzhao think she is to boss us around like this?"

Director Sun nearly covered He Lao's mouth. "Don't you know who finances this show?! It's Jingyan! Even if she pointed a finger at your nose or slapped your face, you'd have to grin and bear it! You think Jingyan's status as the entertainment industry's dragon head is just for show? You're out of your mind. She could freeze you out of the game with a flick of her wrist, even He Wei. If you refuse to film and storm off, tomorrow someone will come after you for breach of contract. And after paying the penalty, having offended Jingyan, who would dare to hire you? Who wants to cross CEO Chi?"

Director Sun saw things more clearly than He Lao. With a mix of gentle persuasion and stern warnings, he gradually calmed He Lao down. Meanwhile, Wu Qing had changed into costume and was shivering in the cold wind.

The filming dragged on until dusk, finally ending under Assistant Zhou's mocking gaze. Wu Qing was so frozen she couldn't tell hot from cold. Even Gu Ling, who usually had a decent rapport with her, dared not speak, fearing Assistant Zhou might single her out next.

Thankfully, Assistant Zhou still kept track of time. He glanced at his watch and whispered in Chi Wanzhao's ear, "CEO Chi, it's almost time for the meeting with President Wei."

Chi Wanzhao rested her chin on her hand propped against the chair. Hearing his words, she turned her head. "Is that so?" She raised an eyebrow.

Assistant Zhou nodded. "Mm."

Director Sun stood nearest them, thinking they were finally leaving, but since Chi Wanzhao hadn't said so, he didn't dare ask. In the distance, Wu Qing dove again, emerging shivering and pale, hugging herself, teeth chattering, unable to speak. Her assistant stood by the pool, looking to Director Sun.

Director Sun signaled her, and she quickly wrapped Wu Qing in a coat.

Chi Wanzhao slowly rose. She said to Director Sun, "Since we have a meeting later, we won't disturb your filming."

"Of course, no disturbance," Director Sun replied with a smile. "I'll see you out."

Assistant Zhou seized the moment to say, "By the way, CEO Chi came to the set on a whim, so please keep it quiet, Director Sun."

Director Sun, sharp as a tack, immediately understood Assistant Zhou's intent. "I understand."

"Good. CEO Chi hates unnecessary trouble, especially baseless rumors. If..."

Assistant Zhou paused, and Director Sun quickly added, "Assistant Zhou, rest assured! That won't happen!"

Assistant Zhou then shared an amiable smile with Director Sun. "You're truly perceptive, Director Sun."

Director Sun felt his suspended heart ease slightly and smiled even more obsequiously.

Before turning to leave, Chi Wanzhao glanced at Kong Xiyan, meeting her bright eyes. The hostility around her lessened, and she strode off the set.

Only then did everyone else exhale, like dying fish suddenly finding water again. Guo Yixi especially, cursing at the spot where Chi Wanzhao had disappeared, "Abusing power! Psycho!"

Her curses reached Kong Xiyan's ears, but Kong Xiyan remained calm. Fu Qiu, however, was elated. "That was satisfying! I've wanted to do that for ages! Now let's see if anyone dares to gossip about Sister Kong."

Kong Xiyan frowned slightly but said nothing.

The afternoon's commotion from Assistant Zhou meant no actual filming was done. As evening fell, Director Sun dismissed the crew. Kong Xiyan changed out of costume, removed her makeup, and stepped outside only to find several staff members greeting her. "Sister Kong." She nodded in acknowledgment.

Fu Qiu's mouth twitched as she muttered, "Hmph, this morning these people were gossiping about you, and now they're all cheerful greetings." Just then, a few actresses in supporting roles came over, smiling. "Sister Kong, are you heading out? Want to grab dinner together tonight?"

Kong Xiyan replied calmly, "No, thanks." The women kept their smiles. "No problem. If you ever want to explore around here, feel free to join us. We know this area well." Kong Xiyan said, "Okay."

Ever since Chi Wanzhao and Assistant Zhou left, these people's attitudes had done a complete about-face. Those who had once looked at her with cold contempt now fawned over her, even clinging to her to ask about her schedule. Fu Qiu found the change both amusing and ironic.

Just as another group was sent off, Kong Xiyan noticed Xiao Cheng had changed into casual clothes and was waiting by her car. Fu Qiu no longer approached Xiao Cheng with her earlier excitement. Today, when Sister Kong was being bullied, he hadn't said a word! Fu Qiu mentally added his name to her list of grudges. So when she saw him again, her attitude was markedly cooler.

Kong Xiyan remained as composed as ever. Seeing them approach, Xiao Cheng smiled. "It's late. Would the two lovely ladies do me the honor of joining me for a meal?"

In the past, Fu Qiu would have been thrilled—he'd called her lovely! But now she declined flatly. "No need. Sister Kong got in the water today and isn't feeling well, so we won't spoil your fun, Mr. Xiao."

Kong Xiyan gave a subtle smile of approval at Fu Qiu's words.

A hint of guilt crossed Xiao Cheng's face. "Right, my memory fails me. Then get some rest tonight, and see you tomorrow." Kong Xiyan said, "See you tomorrow."

He watched her climb into the car as it sped off, leaving a trail of dust. He turned to his assistant and asked, "Did you find out?"

His assistant lowered his head, looking at a tablet. "Assistant Zhou does have a cat; he recently took it for vaccinations."

Xiao Cheng stared at the direction Kong Xiyan had gone, laughing coldly. "So she's latched onto Assistant Zhou. I wondered when she grew a backbone. She's still reliant on others to get ahead." The contempt in his eyes was unmistakable. His assistant whispered, "Xiao Cheng, if she really is tied to Assistant Zhou, maybe you should keep your distance. If he finds out you're getting close..." Xiao Cheng glanced at him. "What's there to fear? What do you think this industry is—full of sincerity? You just graduated. It's just a game. I need to get close to her while he's still interested in her, so we can secure more roles."

His assistant didn't fully understand. He didn't agree with Xiao Cheng. If Assistant Zhou were merely playing with Kong Xiyan, why would he have gone after Guo Yixi and Wu Qing like that today? But he didn't have the nerve to argue, so he simply bowed his head and muttered, "Oh."

Meanwhile, Kong Xiyan and Fu Qiu were in the car heading off the set. She took out her phone and saw a message from Tong Yue: "Heard Assistant Zhou visited the set today?" Kong Xiyan typed back: "Mm, he did." Tong Yue asked, "Was there any trouble?" Kong Xiyan thought for a moment, then replied, "No." No further messages came from Tong Yue. Just as she was about to close her laptop, she received a file. When she looked more closely, it was from Assistant Zhou. The document was small, barely two pages long. Tong Yue closed the file and smiled faintly.