Chapter 6 True Identity: Ms. Jiang?

Merrier Coffee really wasn’t close by, but the hotel they were staying at wasn’t too far from it. After leaving the set, Jiang Shuwan headed straight for the hotel, borrowed an electric scooter from the hotel manager, and sped off like the wind to buy the coffee.

Actually, when the hotel manager first heard that Jiang Shuwan was going several kilometers away just to buy coffee, he was quite confused.

After all, their hotel had its own café, and the quality of their coffee even surpassed many outside coffee shops. Moreover, if she really wanted Merrier’s coffee, he could easily have someone go get it for her—there was absolutely no need for a guest from the top-floor suite, someone so prestigious, to go out and get it herself.

But Jiang Shuwan turned him down.

The manager then offered to arrange a car for her. Again, she refused.

With no other option, the manager borrowed a private electric scooter from one of the employees and handed it over to Jiang Shuwan.

Shared electric scooters weren’t allowed inside the film city, but employee-owned ones were an exception.

Watching Jiang Shuwan confidently ride off on the scooter, the manager’s concerned expression carried a hint of confusion. The top-floor suite had been vacant for a long time—ever since he joined the hotel, he had never seen anyone stay there. Now, finally, it had its first guest… yet why was this guest so unusual?

But then he remembered: the CEO had personally called and instructed him to ensure the guest had a comfortable stay, to fulfill every request, and—most importantly—not to interfere with anything she chose to do, no matter what. As if the CEO had already predicted she’d do some astonishing things.

The manager quietly set aside his curiosity.

Thanks to the electric scooter, Jiang Shuwan quickly returned with the coffee. Just as she re-entered the film set, not far from the entrance, she ran into Xia Xiangyang.

He was holding his phone, looking rather serious. Jiang Shuwan glanced at him curiously—mainly to check out his panda eyes. After all, she had never seen this “sunglasses guy” without his sunglasses, and she was a little intrigued.

Unexpectedly, Xia Xiangyang had just finished his call. He looked up—and their eyes met.

When he saw her, Xia Xiangyang blurted out, “Ms. Jiang?!”

Jiang Shuwan looked puzzled. “How did you know?”

Xia Xiangyang: “……”

He had just spoken without thinking—completely unfiltered. He never imagined that he’d randomly guess right.

“You really are the enthusiastic citizen, Ms. Jiang?!”

This time it was Jiang Shuwan’s turn to be speechless. From the shock in Xia Xiangyang’s widened eyes, she could tell that he hadn’t known beforehand that she was that Ms. Jiang.

Of course, given the context, she could’ve denied it. She could’ve said her surname was Jiang, yes, but she wasn’t the “Ms. Jiang” he was talking about.

But Jiang Shuwan had no intention of doing so.

So what if he guessed it? She had only done a good deed—it wasn’t like she had committed a crime.

With composure and grace, Jiang Shuwan nodded. “Mm. No need to thank me. Promoting justice and punishing evil is every citizen’s duty.”

Xia Xiangyang: “……”

He found himself completely unable to keep up with her train of thought. Had he even said thank you yet? How did he already get hit with a “no need to thank me”?

Also—was promoting justice really a citizen’s duty? Wasn’t it more like maintaining national unity, ethnic solidarity, and obeying laws and regulations…?

But looking at her firm expression, Xia Xiangyang suddenly started doubting himself. Maybe he was the ignorant one? Still, this wasn’t the time to debate civil duties. They had been trying to find out who Ms. Jiang was all this time, and it turned out she was this… well, unusual young woman.

With great seriousness, Xia Xiangyang said, “Thank you, Ms. Jiang.”

He even bent over in a bow.

Jiang Shuwan quickly sidestepped. “…No need to thank me.”

Honestly, anyone witnessing this scene would probably say, Ms. Jiang, your name will go down in history!

Xia Xiangyang began again, “Ms. Jiang—”

Jiang Shuwan cut him off. “My name is Jiang Shuwan. You can call me Xiao Jiang. And there’s no need for honorifics.”

Xia Xiangyang accepted that graciously. “Miss Shuwan, if you ever have time, I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

Jiang Shuwan looked at him and replied, “The hotel has a restaurant, and the film crew has catering.”

The implication was clear: no time, and no need for a meal.

If Xia Xiangyang knew Jiang Shuwan well, he would have known that the genius of H University’s laboratory never took part in any social activities that consumed too much time—after all, what could be more interesting than doing experiments?

But Xia Xiangyang didn’t know this. He assumed Jiang Shuwan was just being reserved, so he tried to persuade her. However, he hadn’t slept all night, and now sleepiness surged up within him. He couldn’t help but yawn. “Miss Shu…”

His voice changed as he tried to say “Miss Shuwan,” and he quickly covered his mouth.

Jiang Shuwan seized the chance and said, “I have something to do. Goodbye!”

With that, she turned and walked off.

【This guy actually understands a bit of social etiquette. Honestly, him treating you to a meal is only proper. If it weren’t for you, he’d probably already be kicked off the production team.】

The mechanical voice sounded, with a strangely preachy tone.

【Forget it, not eating is fine too. He’s going to get kicked off the production anyway.】

Jiang Shuwan’s footsteps paused slightly, but she continued walking as if she hadn’t heard the system’s rambling at all.

The system, which had originally wanted to dangle some bait to tease her curiosity, went silent for a few seconds, then gave up in frustration and muttered:

【Hmph. I’ve roamed the world for so many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen a host so completely devoid of romantic sensibility.】

Jiang Shuwan: That’s not how you use “romantic sensibility.”

【You don’t want to hear it? All the more reason for me to say it.】

Jiang Shuwan: As expected.

【Xia Xiangyang’s assistant is named Gao Xiaoming. The main culprit behind Xia Xiangyang getting slandered this time is his rival Wu Mingyang. But the so-called “industry insider” who leaked the dirt is actually a friend of Gao Xiaoming. Xia Xiangyang’s agent has already investigated this. That phone call just now was the agent telling him about it—they’re planning to use this to request a new assistant from the company.】

【As the saying goes: better to offend a gentleman than a petty man. This time, they really offended Gao Xiaoming. In a fit of rage, he set a trap. He invited Xia Xiangyang to a farewell dinner but deliberately brought along a few escorts, then anonymously reported him for solicitation. He even arranged for reporters to take photos. In short, he completely ruined Xia Xiangyang’s reputation.】

“……”

Jiang Shuwan thought to herself, Looks like Xia Xiangyang’s role is doomed. First there was the nightclub brawl, and now this supposed drunken solicitation. One wave hasn’t settled before another comes crashing in.

*

Ji Hanzhang was dressed in a black casual outfit embroidered with golden patterns. He leaned lazily against a carved wooden chair, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the man kneeling on the ground.

The young emperor feared the Regent and had recently played a few tricks on him. The Regent didn’t bother to argue over such petty matters with a child. But since the child was being naughty, it was the adult’s duty to discipline him before he grew into an arrogant and lawless wastrel.

So the Regent decisively took a “sick leave,” and abandoned all court affairs.

For the first few days, the young emperor was overjoyed, like a bird let out of its cage. He felt as if the sea and sky were his to roam.

But good times didn’t last. Without the Regent’s steadying presence, the court quickly descended into chaos. The cunning old ministers didn’t take the young emperor seriously at all.

At least the Regent would ask for his opinion now and then. The ministers didn’t even spare him a glance. Well, they didn’t ask for his opinion on good things, but when it came to disasters or bad news, they’d push it on the emperor to decide.

In just half a month, the emperor couldn’t hold out anymore and sent his most trusted attendant to “greet” the Regent—

A message that essentially meant: Please, get back to court.

Kneeling on the floor, Liang Hao shivered under Ji Hanzhang’s gaze, as if the man before him were the real-life, unpredictable, life-and-death-wielding Regent. His acting crumbled instantly—expression out of control, and he forgot his lines completely.

“Cut!”

Luo Qingyao frowned and called out the cut, ready to curse Liang Hao out, when Wang Youde quickly interjected, “It’s just that Film Emperor Ji’s acting is too good—Liang Hao couldn’t keep up. How about we rest for five minutes?”

The excuse barely held up. Acting opposite Ji Hanzhang was challenging even for experienced actors, let alone Liang Hao, the “NG Emperor.”

Luo Qingyao begrudgingly said, “Five-minute break.”

No one noticed that when the director called “cut,” Ji Hanzhang had also paused slightly in surprise. However, due to his superb acting, his expression showed no obvious change.

It wasn’t until the break was officially called that Ji Hanzhang relaxed his expression, sat upright, and looked around.

Just now, he had suddenly heard a voice in his ear.

“Looks like Xia Xiangyang’s role is doomed. First there was the nightclub brawl, and now this supposed drunken solicitation. One wave hasn’t settled before another comes crashing in.”

The content of the voice was extremely odd.

Ji Hanzhang had heard about Xia Xiangyang’s nightclub fight—it had already been clarified as an act of chivalry. But what was this about drunken solicitation?

A quick thought made Ji Hanzhang sense something was wrong.

The fight had happened the night before last and was exposed yesterday. Even if Xia Xiangyang had a carefree attitude, it was unlikely that he’d go drinking again last night after getting off work.

If the fight came first chronologically, then this drunken incident… hadn’t even happened yet?

Well, maybe the “before and after” referred to the timing of the leaks.

But judging by the atmosphere on set, if news of drunken solicitation had really leaked online, the crew wouldn’t be this calm.

If it hadn’t been exposed yet, then where did this voice come from?

And the most critical part—

It seemed like he was the only one who could hear it.

This wasn’t hard to deduce.

During filming, the set was very quiet. No one would speak loudly, especially not something this explosive. If others had heard it, they wouldn’t still be acting so calmly.

If nothing else, director Luo Qingyao would’ve lost it by now.

A voice appearing out of nowhere, with strange and shocking content—everything about this situation screamed abnormality.

But Ji Hanzhang looked around and saw no one acting unusual.

The strangest one was this actor named Liang Hao.

During the short five-minute break, instead of reviewing lines or preparing emotionally, he dragged Wang Youde aside to whisper.

And not just anywhere—they chose to speak right behind the screen next to Ji Hanzhang.

Though that spot blocked the view, it didn’t muffle sound. Ji Hanzhang could hear every word clearly.

“Director Wang, um, I—I’m truly honored to be part of this crew. But I remember my audition didn’t go very well. So… how…?”

Though he danced around the point, it was clear: he wanted to know how he got the role.

Ji Hanzhang lowered his eyes. Honestly, he was wondering the same thing. This man’s acting was so awful it defied description. How had he made it into the cast?

Wang Youde’s voice replied, “Well, your physical appearance is definitely a factor. But also, cough, someone did recommend you to the producer.”

In short, good looks and connections got him in through the back door.

Ji Hanzhang raised an eyebrow slightly.