Chapter 20

When Qi Shu received Tang Xin’s call, Director Liang was sitting right beside him.

Because they were sharing the same sofa, it was inevitable for Director Liang to overhear parts of their conversation—particularly when Tang Xin mentioned that President Yue was giving her a ride to SUN Company.

To be honest, regarding Tang Xin…

Yes, in the eyes of a director, Tang Xin was truly an oddball.

Especially after that incident where she hit Yang Sisi. Her “quirky” nature became glaringly evident. After all, under normal circumstances, no insignificant, struggling actress who had only ever played minor roles would dare lay a hand on a top-tier celebrity.

And yet, after hitting someone, she was totally fine!

Yes, Tang Xin was completely unscathed!

In this industry, everyone’s a seasoned player. Yang Sisi wasn’t likely to just let it go. Taking down a minor actress like Tang Xin would’ve been a breeze. But for Tang Xin to come out of it unscathed, there could only be one explanation: Yang Sisi either didn’t dare to touch her or simply couldn’t.

Naturally, insiders speculated that Tang Xin had a powerful backer.

But the odd thing was…

If she really had such a strong backer, why was she stuck playing minor, forgettable roles? Shouldn’t she, at the very least, have secured a second or third lead role by now?

These were fleeting thoughts in Director Liang’s mind, dismissed as quickly as they surfaced. He wasn’t interested in dwelling on the matters of a minor actress—until he received a call from Fan Bei last night.

And now, overhearing Tang Xin’s voice over Qi Shu’s phone…

Honestly, even Director Liang himself couldn’t help but think, What a peculiar woman.

His curiosity was piqued.

Deeply piqued.

“Xiao Qi, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask…” Director Liang’s attitude toward Qi Shu grew increasingly polite.

After all, he was beginning to suspect that the mysterious backer behind Tang Xin might very well be Yue Yuze.

If that were true…

“What is it, Director Liang? Feel free to ask.”

“Well, it’s about this. The role of Su Xin wasn’t originally intended for Tang Xin, as you know. Another actress had been cast for the part, but last night, Assistant Fan suddenly called me… He said Tang Xin was someone from President Yue’s household. I’m just curious—what exactly is Tang Xin’s relationship with President Yue?” Director Liang stared intently at Qi Shu.

His expression clearly said: I overheard your conversation just now, so don’t even think about lying. Satisfy my curiosity.

Qi Shu pursed his lips slightly, a faint smile on his face, and replied politely, “Are you asking about Tang Tang’s relationship with President Yue?”

Director Liang nodded enthusiastically, his face filled with anticipation.

Qi Shu maintained his smile and said unhurriedly, “Tang Tang? She’s President Yue’s… distant relative.”

Director Liang: “…” Distant relative, my foot! Who are you trying to fool?!

A distant relative would never require President Yue’s personal assistant to intervene.
A distant relative wouldn’t be living under the same roof as President Yue or casually mention that he was giving her a ride to the company.

“Hahaha… What an impressive distant relative!” Director Liang forced out an awkward laugh.

He suddenly recalled how Fan Bei had inexplicably insisted he find an excuse to have dinner with Qi Shu once before… Somehow, it all seemed to circle back to Tang Xin.

“Director Liang, Tang Xin is here,” an assistant said, pushing open the door.

Following closely behind was Tang Xin herself.

“Director Liang, hello. I’m Tang Xin…”

“Tang Tang, come in, come in. Have a seat.” Director Liang stood up and personally pulled a chair out for her, enthusiastically inviting her to sit.

The assistant & Qi Shu: “…”

Something feels… off about this.

From that point, everything proceeded unusually smoothly.

Director Liang, with immense sincerity and enthusiasm, coached Tang Xin on Su Xin’s character traits and personality, helping her quickly integrate into the role. He went over everything in meticulous detail, patiently guiding her until it was nearly noon.

“Tang Tang, your character has the most interactions with your co-star, Xuanyuan Mo. Initially, Lin Yufeng was set to play him, but after Su Xin’s role was given to you last night, the actor for Xuanyuan Mo was also changed. Do you know who it is?” Having finished his coaching, Director Liang naturally transitioned the conversation.

Tang Xin shook her head. “No, who is it?”

She found the director to be very thorough, enthusiastic, and kind—a genuinely good person.

Director Liang smiled and said, “It’s Shen Yan, the film emperor! Didn’t President Yue tell you this last night?”

Tang Xin thought about it and finally remembered. “Oh, oh, Yue Yuze said my acting is terrible, and to help me improve, he arranged for someone to act as my co-star. He said it’d help me perform more naturally…”

Director Liang kept his expression neutral and casually asked, “I see. Around what time did President Yue tell you this last night?”

Tang Xin thought for a moment and shook her head. “I don’t remember exactly. It was before bed, probably around 11 o’clock or so.”

Qi Shu, sitting beside her, had tried several times to interrupt but was shut down by Director Liang’s sharp glares. Now, hearing Tang Xin’s answer, he silently facepalmed. You silly girl, you just walked into his trap!

“I see.” Director Liang smiled. “Alright, that’s all for now. Go home and wait for updates. We’ll notify Qi Shu when the production team holds the general meeting.”

Qi Shu stood up. “Thank you, Director Liang.”

“Thank you, Director Liang.”

The two left one after the other, leaving only Director Liang and his assistant, Fang Hui, in the office.

Fang Hui had been working with Liang Ye for years and knew his personality well. After listening to his conversation with Tang Xin, he naturally grasped Liang Ye’s intention.

“Director Liang, who exactly is this Tang Xin?”

Liang Ye looked at him and said, “She’s from President Yue’s household.”

“Ah??” Fang Hui was stunned. “You mean she’s… President Yue’s… That’s impossible! Everyone knows our Boss has been famously indifferent to women for years!”

Liang Ye let out a light scoff. “It doesn’t matter what role she’s given or where she lives. What matters is that Yue Yuze actually brought Shen Yan back to play a supporting role for her! Do you think this is how someone treats a so-called distant relative? This is clearly pampering a little princess!”

Fang Hui: “…” Suddenly, that makes a lot of sense.

Because Shen Yan—the film emperor—was a legend in the entertainment industry!

Ever since his debut, Shen Yan had never played anything but lead roles.

Every project he touched became a hit. He was a living legend.

Yet now, this same legend had been summoned back by the Boss himself to play a supporting role, acting as the love interest of an insignificant, struggling actress?

–

“Shen Yan was invited back just to mentor you, a talentless actress with horrible acting skills… That alone makes it impossible for anyone to believe you don’t have some kind of backing.” Qi Shu was driving, occasionally glancing at the woman in the passenger seat.

Tang Xin was lost in her own thoughts.

Shen Yan… the film emperor… my warm and lovely second male lead is finally here, ahhh!

“Tang Tang, what are you thinking about?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking, isn’t this great? Now that everyone knows I have backing, who would dare hit me under the guise of filming again?”

Qi Shu: “…” That’s all you’re worried about?

“True, but there will always be people who aren’t afraid of Yue Yuze. Take Lin Shiyin, for example. The better Yue Yuze treats you, the harder she’ll work to make things difficult for you.”

Tang Xin glanced at him. “You’re right… So, what should I do? This role should earn me decent money. If I really offend her… Ashu, let’s go back to the mountains and grow tea trees together!”

Qi Shu: “…”

Why are you so fixated on growing tea trees? This is no different from those people who joke about retreating to farm if things go south. I wasn’t serious!

“Fine. After this project wraps up—which will take a few months anyway—if you successfully divorce Yue Yuze by then, we’ll leave the entertainment industry and grow tea trees in the mountains together.”

Tang Xin nodded earnestly. “Exactly. Once I’m divorced, I’ll have the money. Renting a mountain is going to cost a lot!”

Qi Shu sighed softly and muttered under his breath, “Forget money… I’m worried you might not even be able to get the divorce…”

“Ashu, what did you say?”

“Nothing. Tang Tang, don’t you think Yue Yuze has been treating you especially well lately?”

“Treating me well? I don’t think so.” Tang Xin looked at him with genuine confusion. “Oh, are you talking about the role of Su Xin? He gave me this role, so you think he’s being especially nice to me?”

Qi Shu nodded.

“Haha!” Tang Xin burst out laughing. “I traded fried noodles for this, I swear!”

Qi Shu: “…” Damn it! You idiot!