"Take out the ’maybe’. Director Xu has already publicly made a strong statement, so how could he still be the director if Chen He continues to play the third male lead?"
"But Chen He, at least, is an actor recommended by the second largest investor. The shooting starts tomorrow. Isn’t changing actors now too hasty?"
"What you’re saying, doesn’t everyone have some background? Is Director Xu really just a pushover? No matter how impressive Chen He is, can he really outdo Sister Xixi?"
"True..."
"I couldn’t believe Chen He had the courage to show up. He’s really a stubborn bull!"
"I also admire him. He can still smile at a time like this..."
Nearby, Yang Hongni, with a complicated expression, listened to the low murmurs of several supporting actors, and couldn’t help but glance again at Chen He standing "alone" not far away, filled with doubts.
Why couldn’t he smile?
He wanted to smile more than anyone else!
It was just that even now, Yang Hongni couldn’t quite believe what she had heard over the phone.
Because the assistant didn’t dare to get too close, Yang Hongni still entertained the possibility that the assistant had misheard, and she didn’t spread the explosive news that the director might be replaced.
However, the crew’s general meeting, which should have been led by Xu Youguang, still hadn’t started, which seemed to confirm something...
In fact, not just Xu Youguang, if you paid close attention, you’d find the executive assistant director was missing too. Along with them, female lead number four, Tang Lingli, was also absent.
Could it really be true?
Yang Hongni had been in the industry for many years and had seen various changes, but switching directors the day before shooting was something she was experiencing for the first time.
Chen He didn’t notice Yang Hongni’s frequent glances because too many people were looking at him at the moment. He had no time to care.
"Ms. Shen, don’t worry, I’m fine. You don’t need to feel any guilt."
He offered comfort to Shen Yutong, who had walked over feeling guilty to say a few words, maintaining a smile, though there was still a hint of nervousness inside.
Although he vaguely heard the content Yang Hongni’s assistant mentioned over the phone, he couldn’t be sure if Zhou Wang had really intervened to save him.
With Chen He’s perception, he couldn’t even conceive the possibility of "changing directors." He only hoped he could retain his role as the third male lead, which would be a blessing.
In the worst-case scenario, Mr. Zhou would have to arrange another role for him, right?
It’s said Wuyou Media had several short films lined up for this year...he was up for it.
In the midst of Chen He’s rampant thoughts, time passed unknowingly, and from the entrance of the studio, accompanied by another assistant director from the crew, entered a group of people.
"Mr. Ma!"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Ma!"
The chatter in the studio instantly lessened, replaced by an unending stream of greetings.
Chen He knew the moment of his fate’s verdict had arrived. He took a deep breath and turned with a resolute look. His gaze crossed the crowd, first landing on the deputy director leading with a flattering smile, and then the two walking side-by-side.
One he had seen before, Mr. Ma. As for the other...
What the hell?
What the hell!!
Who do I see?
Chen He hadn’t felt this excited even when he finally caught up to Endme. Big shot, could you possibly be the legendary hero riding atop the rainbow-colored cloud?
Chen He never imagined that today’s representative from the investors checking on the crew was actually Zhou Wang!
After the excitement and thrill, Chen He completely relaxed. That calm smile returned to his face, knowing...
This was a sure thing.
Rock solid.
...
"Yutong, isn’t that..."
"Sis, I know."
Hearing the soft sound of surprise from Shen Yurou beside her, Shen Yutong, whose vision had long since blurred, blankly replied.
She hadn’t actually heard what Shen Yurou was saying, or at that moment, every other sound seemed unimportant.
She also forgot about any so-called situation, encounters, or even why Zhou Wang was there. She only realized at that moment...
She was so incredibly missing Zhou Wang.
Hidden behind those daily cautious greetings, what Shen Yutong always thought was, as long as...as long as he just replied, it would be okay.
At least it would mean that what happened at the Yue Center was not a dream.
She really did take that step with Zhou Wang.
Yet now Shen Yutong realized she was never content.
She really wanted to be like Su Yajing, able to text Zhou Wang recklessly, able to act coquettishly with him, able to send those feverish photos to tempt Zhou Wang and vent her longing...
Shen Yutong knew she was being irrational, having been so for some time.
She didn’t know when it started, but she had already fallen into the web she’d woven for herself, caught between loss and gain.
All the "indecisions" were actually "gradual descents."
Clearly only more than a week had passed, yet why did she miss him so much, as if...
It had been an entire century.
No matter what.
"I saw him."
It was so good...
...
"That young man...is the investor’s representative?"
"Shouldn’t be, right? Although Mr. Ma doesn’t seem to have anyone else around him...could he be the new choice for the third male lead?"
"No way, don’t you recognize him? That’s Zhou Wang!"
"Who’s Zhou Wang?"
"A shareholder of Wuyou Media, a self-made billionaire, a true legendary figure!"
"Wow, so handsome, so handsome. He’s even more handsome than in the videos..."
As the group moved to the center of the studio, more and more eyes focused on the young man beside Ma Yuan.
He wore a casual outfit from Hermes, walking with a steady gait, his smile generous, and his demeanor naturally exuded an aura that, in the eyes of some lovestruck girls, resembled an ancient noble stepped out of a manga—
Months of immersion in the [Posture Training Book] had thoroughly ingrained itself into Zhou Wang’s very being, and when he paid special attention, that cultivated demeanor became all the more evident.
Zhou Wang waved greetings to some crew members who recognized him while proceeding forward with Ma Yuan.
He didn’t particularly notice Chen He but saw Shen Yutong and took note of the gaze that seemed to melt him in its intensity.
Yet at that moment, he couldn’t publicly display anything, merely returning her look with a deep gaze.
"To all the staff of the ’Eternal Sky’ crew, thank you for your hard work!"
At this moment, Ma Yuan had already taken the microphone beside him, greeting loudly.
After the customary applause, Ma Yuan didn’t rush to introduce Zhou Wang but drew back his smile slightly and continued,
"Ladies and gentlemen, before discussing anything else, I need to announce two things first."
Seeing Ma Yuan’s change in expression, everyone sensed something significant and became serious, with many people again directing their glances towards Chen He.
"Regarding the commotion that happened within the crew this morning, I’m sure you’ve all heard about it..."
As expected, Ma Yuan’s opening grabbed everyone’s attention, and they all became attentive.
"After a joint discussion with all investors, our final decision is as follows: We will terminate the contracts with Executive Assistant Director Liu Gengsheng and the actress Tang Lingli from the crew, and we reserve the right to pursue legal action against them."
For a moment, silence reigned, then the place was engulfed in noise.
"Huh? Was I hearing things? Who got their contracts terminated?"
"What the hell, how could it be Director Liu and Tang Lingli!"
This abrupt shift was shocking enough to leave them speechless.
"No, forget about Tang Lingli, but Director Liu is Xu’s right-hand man. Would Director Xu just stand by..."
Before anyone could finish their thoughts, Ma Yuan had raised the microphone, drowning out the noise with a loud voice.
"The second matter, due to a sudden health issue, Chief Director Xu Youguang has resigned from his position with the ’Eternal Sky’ production team; a replacement has been appointed by the company."
If the previous revelation seemed exceedingly abrupt, Ma Yuan’s next words were nothing short of shocking exclamations.
A sudden health issue?
Naturally, no one believed such nonsense.
After all, just this morning Director Xu was full of vigor...
Therefore, this was clearly just a face-saving excuse.
Beneath the pleasantry lay an unpleasant truth.
Wait a minute!
Someone suddenly recalled what Xu Youguang said to Chen He that morning:
"If you can stay here, I’ll let you be the director!"
And now, although Chen He wasn’t the new director, Xu Youguang no longer was either.
For a moment, those who grasped the situation all turned to Chen He in the corner, their reactions creating a ripple that involved even more people, making the atmosphere in the studio become quite strange, everyone’s eyes filled with bewilderment and uncertainty.
What was Chen He’s real background?
Under numerous gazes, Chen He unconsciously slipped a hand in his pocket, a poker face shielding any trace of emotion.
If handed a microphone right now, he would probably just smile faintly and say,
"It’s nothing more than... a few trials and tribulations."