Chapter Forty-Four

Rong Qing devoted herself wholly to acting, spending two years honing her craft and watching countless classic films. She seemed to have stepped right out of a movie, approaching slowly; every gesture and expression conveyed Ling Fei’s hardships and unwavering dedication. Chen Hao watched as a gentle brightness approached, growing ever clearer, the astonishment and longing in his eyes suppressed deep within, not yet rising to the surface.

“I heard you’re planning to study abroad?” Ling Fei’s expression was calm and indifferent, her frosty face betraying no emotion. Perhaps only when the heart is resolved can disappointment be avoided; only after giving everything can there be no regrets.

A flicker of guilt flashed between Chen Hao’s brows as he replied, “Yes. The environment here can’t keep up with modern physics education, so I want to go abroad.” Since he was determined to protect Mengjie, he had begun consciously avoiding Ling Fei, but it had been a long time since he’d last seen her.

“With your talent and knowledge, getting accepted shouldn’t be difficult.” Ling Fei’s assessment was objective. After she spoke, the two—once so in tune, so compatible—now fell into an awkward silence.

The city’s bustle remained, but old acquaintances had become strangers. Ling Fei offered a faint smile, as gentle as melting spring water, reaching straight to the heart. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head off. My advisor needs to see me.” She nodded to Chen Hao before the breeze lifted her hair and she brushed past him.

Chen Hao stood there, dazed, watching her retreating figure, a mixture of sourness and confusion spreading within him.

“Cut!” Director Wang Zhang was immediately satisfied—indeed, Rong Qing’s entrance was remarkable, her acting superb, and she lifted the performances of those around her. Look at Xie Tianwang; the complex emotions of restraint, helplessness, and inner turmoil he displayed were truly worthy of a film king.

“Excellent, that’s a wrap for this scene.” The crew breathed a collective sigh of relief; in such sweltering heat, this was a welcome reprieve.

“Director Wang, this isn’t right! Passing the scene in one take? And you call yourself a famous director! If you cut corners, it’s the production company that loses out.” A pot-bellied, balding man approached with the coquettish Han Xiyun on his arm.

Wang Zhang’s expression darkened. “My reputation as a director stands on its own. If I say it’s good, then it’s good. Chairman Huo, if you don’t understand, stay out of it.” Damn it! Watch out, or you’ll regret it.

“Hey! When it was my scene with Sister Wenrui, you demanded over a dozen retakes, but for Rong Qing, you’re satisfied after one? Director Wang, you’re making all the actors question your fairness and impartiality.” With a wealthy backer at her side, Han Xiyun grew bolder, mocking Wang Zhang and Rong Qing in front of everyone.

“Justice speaks for itself. The audience will judge Rong Qing’s acting. To fabricate rumors, hold twisted values, and act without morals is a sickness—and it needs to be cured!” Wang Zhang’s stern and commanding rebuke silenced Han Xiyun instantly. Yet another person challenging his authority—did they think this internationally renowned director was someone to be trifled with?

“Wang Zhang, are you really going to offend Huo Corporation and make us your enemy?” Chairman Huo’s face darkened.

“Heh, as I recall, you’re not actually the head of Huo Corporation. Or are you claiming to represent the whole Huo family now?” Wang Zhang was well acquainted with the upper echelons of society. Men like this were little more than insignificant offshoots of great families. If such a scandal reached the Huo family patriarch, it would be Chairman Huo who would be in trouble.

Wang Zhang’s weighty words instantly cowed both Chairman Huo and Han Xiyun.

“Director Wang, what a splendid speech! I’d like to know who dares to throw their weight around in the name of the Huo family.” A group of staff in black suits approached the set, led by a man in a black trench coat—his bearing strong and commanding. Beside him was another striking man, his gentle smile accentuated by the glint off his glasses, which sent a chill through those who saw it.

“Huo Zhen, is it time for the head of Ding Sheng Entertainment to step aside?” Xing Hao joked, but the so-called “crafty fox” of the entertainment world was surely not so easily dealt with.

The greasy, portly middle-aged man leading the way felt like dying when he saw the man at the front. He had once been a powerful elder in the Huo family, but since this young wolf had taken over and ruthlessly reformed the Huo enterprises, the former elders had all been frightened into submission. Any who crossed this young master had been exiled, their families implicated. Now, the Huo family was firmly in the hands of the younger generation; these “old men” wouldn’t dare provoke them!

“Patriarch.” Huo Zhen immediately sprang from his seat, offering an awkward, deferential salute.

“Uncle Zhen, you old-timers really don’t know how to enjoy your twilight years, still running around on the front lines. I must be an unfilial nephew. Here’s what we’ll do: I have a villa in the Longyang district; pick a day and move there. You needn’t worry about company affairs anymore.” This was a thinly veiled dismissal! The annual equity profits from Ding Sheng Entertainment alone could buy several acres of prime land in the capital, and yet a single villa was all it took to send him packing. Huo Lingtian, you go too far!

“Young Master Huo, I am still an elder after all. Could you show some mercy and leave me a way out?” Huo Zhen chose his words carefully. He’d heard this young master did not tolerate dissent, but this outcome was more than he could bear.

“Uncle Huo, have you been back to the old house lately?” Huo Lingtian suddenly asked.

“I visited the old master once.”

“Oh? Then you must have heard about how I crippled my aunt’s son?” Huo Lingtian’s sharp gaze swept over him, and Huo Zhen’s courage vanished. Damn it! Even though the Huo family inheritance was matrilineal, it was still the pure Huo bloodline. If Huo Lingtian could be so ruthless to his own kin, dealing with Huo Zhen would be child’s play.

“I… I know. Young Master Huo, I’ll move out immediately.” Huo Zhen’s greasy face drained of all color as he collapsed weakly into a chair, barely clinging to life. The arrogance from moments before had vanished.

—End of aside—

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