Chapter 21

Wen Tang vented her frustrations in a series of messages, each one heartfelt.

When she was younger and new to the entertainment industry, she was simply taking on one role after another. Everyone said she was a promising actress. Lacking love as a child, acting became a way for her to gain attention and experience different life hardships. Back then, she didn’t have to attend dinner parties or social events—Liu Meifen handled those. Acting alone was much simpler and happier than now.

Regarding social gatherings, it seemed the person on the other side felt the same way. After Wen Tang sent several messages, she received a response.

[Y: I don’t like attending these dinners either, but I have no choice.]

Upon seeing this message, Wen Tang sensitively noticed that the other party’s mood seemed off. She couldn’t help but think how difficult things must be for Gong Yue, a minor celebrity struggling in the industry. The entertainment world is incredibly harsh on small-time actors, with challenges coming from all directions—be it from companies, variety shows, or film crews—they’re always at the bottom.

Why did she attend that dinner in the first place? Wasn’t it because Gong Yue was being replaced in the cast?

Seeing his situation and comparing it to her own success at the pinnacle of the industry, Wen Tang couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him.

Although she had intervened and the crew had decided to keep him, he probably hadn’t received the news yet, which might explain his low spirits.

Her “little brother” was feeling down, so Wen Tang had to turn around and comfort him.

[Candy: It’s okay. Once you become famous, you’ll have more control, and these dinner events will decrease significantly.]

[Candy: Senior Brother, keep going! I believe in your abilities, and you can definitely make it!]

Wen Tang was wholeheartedly cheering him on.

But after a while, the only response she got to her encouragement was a single word.

[Y: Okay.]

Sigh, her “little brother” was just like that sometimes.

He didn’t talk much.

But she couldn’t help it—after all, that’s exactly what she liked about him.

Wen Tang chatted with him for a while longer, but after drinking that night, she couldn’t hold on any longer and fell asleep within half an hour.

The next day was the weekend, and in the afternoon, she had a pre-scheduled audition with Director Xu.

In the morning, as she left the house and entered the elevator, Yang Yang and Ke Xin hesitantly said, “Tang Tang, when we arrived earlier, we saw… that person again at the entrance.”

They hadn’t returned home with Wen Tang the previous night and assumed that Wen Haifeng hadn’t come yesterday. But even so, seeing him stationed at the entrance to Wen Tang’s complex every few days was becoming unbearable.

With so many eyes on Wen Tang these days, not just from rivals but also from entertainment reporters, one couldn’t be too careful. If anything were to be exposed, it could be a real headache. “Should we at least try to talk to him and find out what he wants? Maybe we can get him to leave?”

Yang Yang and Ke Xin had been worrying about this since early morning.

They knew Wen Tang loathed Wen Haifeng, but they couldn’t just ignore him if he was going to stand at the entrance every day, could they?

They had been holding back, afraid to speak up, but as the elevator doors closed, they couldn’t keep quiet any longer. Finally, they mustered up the courage to speak, carefully watching Wen Tang’s expression.

Wen Tang kept a cold face and didn’t say a word from start to finish.

Ke Xin nudged Yang Yang with her elbow. Yang Yang, realizing what she meant, quickly said, “Don’t worry, Tang Tang, leave it to me. I’ll handle it!”

Ke Xin stood beside her, nodding repeatedly.

This was a solution they had secretly discussed while waiting for Wen Tang to leave earlier.

However, just as they thought they had come up with the perfect plan, they heard Wen Tang sneer.

Wen Tang glanced sideways at Yang Yang’s petite frame, her gaze indifferent and full of doubt: “You?”

She shook her head, her eyes fixed on the red numbers jumping on the elevator display.

“Forget it.”

“The best way to deal with someone like Wen Haifeng is to ignore him.”

Wen Tang knew him all too well.

He was a scoundrel. Once he latched on, he’d never let go.

Meanwhile, Wen Haifeng, tired of waiting, tried to barge in again.

As with every other time, he was stopped.

“Call Wen Tang and tell her to come down and see me!” Wen Haifeng shouted furiously.

“Sorry, sir. Without Miss Wen’s permission, you can’t go in.” The tall, strong security guard stood at the entrance, looking stern and official.

“I’m her father!” Wen Haifeng fumed.

However, the security guard completely ignored him!

No matter how loudly he yelled, they treated him as just another troublemaker. They didn’t believe him at all. Everyone knew who Wen Tang was, and if they let in every person who claimed to be her father, with her current fame, they’d be letting in countless parents, siblings, and cousins every day. Everyone claimed to be her family, but where was the proof?

Wen Haifeng had nothing to prove it. He didn’t even have a single photo with Wen Tang, and they had never been on the same household registration.

After Wen Tang blocked him, Wen Haifeng couldn’t contact her. After asking Liu Meifen for money to buy a house a few days ago, Wen Haifeng went to her again. This time, however, she didn’t care and just gave him Wen Tang’s current address, telling him to go directly to her if he wanted anything. He came but was blocked at the entrance. So, he kept coming every day. He had plenty of time to wait—eventually, she would have to see him.

Over the years, as Wen Tang became a big star and earned more and more money. Wen Haifeng’s lifestyle had dramatically improved.

He had originally been just an insurance salesman, bowing and scraping to people, working in the sun and rain, yet barely making a living. His second wife complained incessantly every day.

All of this changed when he saw Liu Meifen in an entertainment news segment on TV.

Since the divorce, he hadn’t seen Wen Tang and didn’t even know what she looked like. To them, a famous young actress was someone from another world, so far removed from their lives. Even though she had the same name as his daughter, he never believed she was the daughter he had abandoned and ignored after the divorce.

But while he didn’t recognize Wen Tang, he recognized his ex-wife, Liu Meifen!

Liu Meifen had accidentally appeared on camera during a reporter’s interview with Wen Tang, and Wen Haifeng spotted her immediately.

By that time, Wen Tang was already fourteen. He heard she had debuted at eight, meaning he had missed out on so many years!

Since recognizing Wen Tang, he has stuck to her like a persistent gum. At first, Liu Meifen and Wen Tang ignored him. It wasn’t until he threatened to take custody of Wen Tang and exposed their neglect of their biological father that Liu Meifen finally softened her attitude.

Celebrities fear negative news, and Wen Tang is no exception.

Her life since then has been blissful.

He no longer needs to go to work. Money comes effortlessly and in abundance.

He bought a house and changed his car. Everyone who once looked down on him now fawns over him. Her second wife no longer argues with him and is now gentle and considerate.

However, human desires are never easily satisfied. It is said that celebrities make at least hundreds of millions a year. With Wen Tang’s current fame, she likely earns not just one billion, but possibly ten or even several tens of billion.

But how much do they give him each year?

At most, no more than five million.

It’s far too little.

He only wants a villa, yet even that is not fulfilled.

They are just too stingy with him!

After being stopped, Wen Haifeng waited for nearly an hour but still didn’t see anyone.

That’s okay.

Wen Tang has been filming a drama in Lingcheng lately, and he had already found out where she was. If he couldn’t find her here, he would go to the film set. She has to see him!

*

The audition with Director Xu in the afternoon went very smoothly.

Liu Meifen valued this opportunity greatly. Before lunch, she arrived at the film set early to wait, had lunch with Wen Tang, and reminded her of many important details. By two in the afternoon, she took Wen Tang to the agreed location to meet Director Xu.

Director Xu was very satisfied with Wen Tang.

Although he had never worked with Wen Tang before, he had heard of her acting skills long ago and had recognized her talent. After Liu Meifen matched Wen Tang with the leading role in his new film, it was almost certain that she was the one.

The audition was just a formality, and it was also a chance for him to meet Wen Tang in person. The script had already been given to Wen Tang, so they could sit down together and discuss their understanding of the script.

After their discussion, Director Xu was even more convinced that Wen Tang should be the female lead.

“Take the script back and ponder it. After you finish filming this drama, we’ll be ready to start shooting our movie,” Director Xu said, clearly in a good mood. He smiled and asked, “Will you be available then?”

Actually, she wasn’t.

Wen Tang’s schedule was already booked up until next year. But for such a great opportunity, she would have to clear her schedule.

“Yes, of course!”

Liu Meifen answered promptly, knowing that the deal was practically settled!

With the matter confirmed, the next steps involved the contract and other details. The contract couldn’t be signed on the spot, and there were terms and remuneration to be negotiated.

After meeting Director Xu, Wen Tang hurried off to film a shampoo commercial. After finishing the commercial, she went to do the voiceover for a charity film that had been postponed to today.

By the time everything was done, it was already one in the morning.

After a busy day, Wen Tang only then had a chance to check her phone.

Gong Yue had sent messages at around seven and ten in the evening.

19:10:06

【Y: Have you had dinner yet?】

……

【Y: Are you very busy?】

22:00:24

【Y: Good night.】