Chapter 19.2

No one present knew that Wen Tang had been trying to protect Gong Yue. When the investors were on set, Wen Tang gave them her full attention, chatting with them for a long time and then showing them around the set before seeing them off.

Afterward, Wen Tang approached the director, “The young man, Li Yan, who just arrived—is he here to replace Gong Yue?”

The director had only mentioned that Li Yan was joining the crew but hadn’t specified his role. Before leaving, he had said Li Yan would start tomorrow, and the only role currently open was Gong Yue’s, the third male lead.

The director, not knowing Wen Tang’s real intentions, laughed and nodded, “You figured it out?”

He seemed quite pleased with Li Yan. “Li Yan seems pretty good to me.”

Wen Tang wasn’t pleased.

No one could replace Gong Yue.

She crossed her arms, smiled, and simply said, “Gong Yue can’t be replaced.”

The director was immediately confused. “Why?”

Wen Tang didn’t provide a reason but replied, “Why? Of course, it’s because I’m happy for him.”

The level of cooperation and professionalism Wen Tang had shown recently almost made the director forget how difficult she could be.

To get her to act in this show, many people had to intervene, and it was only after many efforts and even involving Liu Meifen that they finally managed to persuade her.

An actress who could be late for over an hour at the opening ceremony—was she reasonable?

Although the director didn’t know why Wen Tang was so determined to keep Gong Yue, he could see she was serious and not joking. He was immediately overwhelmed, “But the investors from Xiang Fei have already brought the person over, and he’s supposed to start tomorrow. How can we tell them now? It would be too trivial! If you had said something earlier, there might have been room for negotiation, but now… Wen Tang, you need to understand the difficulties of our crew!”

When Wen Tang was unreasonable, she was truly unreasonable. Hearing this, she said, “The difficulties of the crew should be resolved by the crew itself. I’m an actress; I can’t accommodate them.”

“Director Zhou, I didn’t intend to make things difficult for you. You remember, many people wanted me to take this role, but I refused. In the end, it was my mother who persuaded me to accept. Since I’ve taken the role, I’ve done my job as an actress—performing as needed and only taking necessary leave without causing the crew any trouble. We’ve worked together for a long time; you should know my character. Unless truly provoked, I’m quite easy to deal with. But if you insist on making me unhappy, I have no choice but to make the whole crew unhappy with me.”

Few actors would dare to speak this way to a director, but Wen Tang had the strength to back it up. She knew that softening her stance wouldn’t achieve the desired result. For the newcomers who could only be intimidated by a strong stance, she had to be firm to make her point.

After hearing Wen Tang’s words, Director Zhou: “…”

Wen Tang knew he was in a tough spot, but she wouldn’t compromise on this. Gong Yue couldn’t lose this role; he had to come after a week once his variety show was over.

“Well, it’s just a third male lead. With your status, Director Zhou, I believe you should be able to handle this,” Wen Tang said, confident that he could resolve it.

“Thank you in advance, Director Zhou.”

After saying what needed to be said, Wen Tang returned to her position.

Ke Xin and Yang Yang had been waiting for her and rushed over as soon as she arrived.

“How did it go, Tang Tang? What about Gong Yue’s situation?”

They had seen the young man when they accompanied the investors around the set earlier, and the rumors in the crew were that he was to replace Gong Yue as the third male lead.

Wen Tang’s expression didn’t change. She simply said, “Don’t worry, he won’t be replaced.”

No matter how you looked at it, as the female lead and with her current status, the crew had to consider her needs. As she had said, she wasn’t causing trouble for the crew; she just didn’t want to. It wasn’t that she couldn’t.

As expected, after finishing her scenes in the afternoon, the director called her over to the camera. He was accompanied by the producer.

It wasn’t to review the footage from the shoot but to discuss Gong Yue’s situation.

First, they said to Wen Tang, “Wen Tang, you’ve been an actress for a long time. You should know how difficult it is for us to reject an investor’s request to add someone to the crew.”

They put on an extremely difficult attitude, blaming the situation on various tricks. Wen Tang listened, unperturbed. The director and producer realized that using these tactics on her wouldn’t work, as she was clearly not a newcomer.

The producer then said, “However, since this is your request, no matter how difficult it is, we will make it happen!”

This essentially meant that the matter had already been resolved.

Wen Tang finally showed a smile and said gently, “Then thank you, Director Zhou and Producer Zhang.”

“Ah, no need to thank us. As long as you want it, we are willing to do whatever we can!” The producer waved it off but hesitated, looking at Wen Tang, “However…”

Wen Tang knew it wouldn’t be easy to get something useful from these people. She smiled slightly and said, “If Producer Zhang has any difficulties, please let me know.”

The producer shook his head, “It’s not really a matter of difficulties. It’s just that, as you know, the investors only brought the person over today, and everything was almost finalized with the crew. If we suddenly say we don’t want their person, it’s going to be problematic! It’s bound to offend people. But of course, even if it offends people, we still have to do what we need to do, right?”

“But we can’t afford to offend the investors either! They are very angry. Originally, we had dinner with them tonight, but now…”

Hearing this, Wen Tang, who had years of experience, understood the situation well. She naturally responded, “Since you have a dinner planned, I can join you and personally apologize to them.”

“Don’t mention apologies, that sounds too formal!” The producer quickly waved his hand, “It’s just a dinner! They like you so much, I’m sure just seeing you will make them happy!”

Ke Xin and Yang Yang were surprised to hear that Wen Tang would still attend the dinner after finishing her shoot.

“Tang Tang, don’t you have to record for the public service film tonight?” Ke Xin asked.

The public service film was about wildlife protection. It had already been filmed, but there were some issues with the voice-over that needed re-recording.

“There’s no choice, it’ll have to be postponed,” Wen Tang said.

“But they need it urgently!” Ke Xin said.

Wen Tang thought for a moment, “There won’t be time today, so let’s reschedule for tomorrow.”

“But you have to shoot a shampoo commercial tomorrow!”

“Then I’ll record after the commercial. Have them wait a bit.”

Wen Tang had made her decision, so Ke Xin had to call and reschedule.

Wen Tang changed her clothes, had her makeup done, and when the time was right, she went to the dinner with the producer and director.

Attending such dinners was inevitable for actors. Wen Tang had attended countless dinners of various sizes in the early years, trying to gain visibility.

However, as she became more famous, fewer people could force her to attend, and such dinners gradually decreased.

Wen Tang herself disliked these events, where the ugliness of the fame and fortune world was on full display.

There were others accompanying her, including several young actors from the crew, mostly actresses with a few male actors, who were mainly clustered around two female supervisors.

With Wen Tang’s current status, people would show her some respect wherever she went. At most, there would be more to drink and some slightly frivolous conversation, but nothing more.

The other actors were constantly touching, hugging, and performing various gestures. Wen Tang found it annoying but couldn’t do much about it; it was the norm in the industry.

Even after the meal, whether to leave with someone depended on personal choice.

Seeing all this, Wen Tang was irritated and found an excuse to step outside for some fresh air.

The venue was a private club with strong privacy features. Wen Tang wandered around, eventually getting herself lost after several turns.

Zhou Jingyu was also at the club. After Zhou Jiarong had asked him to help secure a piece of land, he had been frequently taking Zhou Jingyu out for tea and meals.

Today, he introduced Zhou Jingyu to a business partner.

The partner was Zhao Xudong, the head of Dongsheng Group, who had brought his daughter and wife along. Zhao Xian, his daughter, was only twenty years old, still in college. She knew that today was a disguised matchmaking event and didn’t really want to come, but Zhao Xudong had absolute authority in their family, so Zhao Xian had to comply.

When she arrived, she had a sulky face and was very reluctant, but upon meeting Zhou Jingyu, her reluctance seemed to vanish as if blown away by the wind.

“Brother Jingyu, you left the country at eighteen, and you did your undergraduate and master’s degrees in France. I’ve only been to the United States because my brother studies there. I haven’t had a chance to visit other countries, and my dad is so strict with me!”

Zhao Xian pouted, glanced at her father, and complained to Zhou Jingyu. She was young, grew up in a wealthy family, and seemed to be well-protected, having never faced hardship or grievances, giving her a charming and innocent air.

“Brother Jingyu, is France fun? Are there many people? Is it beautiful? I heard that people in France are very romantic and passionate. Is that true?”

Zhao Xian liked Zhou Jingyu very much. When she saw him, she eagerly sat beside him and chattered non-stop.

Her mother, Wang Jieqiong, couldn’t stand it and worried that Zhao Xian might annoy Zhou Jingyu with her chatter. She scolded her, “Zhao Xian, come here! You weren’t this talkative at home!”

Zhao Xian wasn’t scared of her mother and even made a face at her, “No, I want to stay with Brother Jingyu. Brother Jingyu is better than you!”

Today was indeed for matchmaking. Zhao Xudong saw his daughter was interested and was pleased. Mingling with the Zhou family, especially with Zhou Jiarong’s influence, was a chance Zhao Xudong couldn’t get otherwise. A marriage with Sheng Ling, a leader in the industry, was something many dreamed of. Zhao Xudong was naturally happy about it.

Zhao Xudong said, “Let her talk. Our Xian Xian is just a bit lively. Jingyu, you don’t mind, do you?”

Since Zhou Jingyu had been talking with Zhao Xian since his arrival, when Zhao Xudong approached him, someone else spoke up for him before he could.

“Why would he mind?” Zhou Jiarong laughed and said, “Xian Xian is so cute. It’s not enough to like her. But Jingyu has never been in a relationship. Xian Xian, don’t be picky.”

Zhao Xian was even more interested upon hearing that Zhou Jingyu, with such a background and appearance, had never been in a relationship. She asked with wide eyes, “Brother Jingyu, is what Uncle said true? Have you really never been in a relationship?”

She could hardly believe it!

If she could marry someone like that, even if it meant dropping out of college, she would be willing!

While the others in the room chatted, Zhou Jingyu wasn’t paying much attention.

He noticed a familiar figure outside the window, walking back and forth, passing by at least five or six times.

Seeing her walk past the window again, Zhou Jingyu suddenly stood up from the sofa.

“Uncle, I just remembered there are some things I need to handle. Sorry,” he said, nodding to the people present, “Excuse me.”

Having stayed outside for a long time, Wen Tang wanted to return but couldn’t find her way. The club was too large and winding, and she kept seeing familiar places.

Reaching a three-way intersection, Wen Tang stopped, pondering whether to go left or right, when she suddenly heard someone calling her.

“Miss Wen, are you here for dinner?”

Wen Tang turned around and saw her neighbor.

“Mr. Zhou…” Wen Tang paused for a moment, recalling his surname was Zhou. She raised an eyebrow, feeling it was quite a coincidence. She had encountered him at the last party and now at this dinner.

They had bonded over their discussion about cats, and Wen Tang greeted him with a bright smile. “What a coincidence, you’re here too.”