Chapter 10: An Unexpected Incident

Wu Yi remained silent. What else could he say? Was there a third answer? Does she want to take shortcuts without enduring hardship? Jin Youqian didn’t expect him to reply; he’d already reached his own conclusion. “She’s probably too young and doesn’t realize her own abilities.” After a pause, he continued calmly, “With more experience, she’ll understand that with her talent, she has no need for shortcuts—she can rise quickly on her own.”

Wu Yi was stunned. Was Jin Youqian suggesting he open doors for her? It was the first time he’d heard the boss speak about an actress in such a disappointed tone. He could guess the so-called hidden rules involved Jin Youqian himself, but with his upright, old-fashioned ways, he’d surely refused.

As someone who prided himself on knowing Jin Youqian inside out, Wu Yi quickly sifted through his mind for useful information. “Among Imperial Entertainment’s projects this year, the female lead for the undercover film ‘Black Gun’ is still undecided. The second female role in the fantasy series ‘Slaying Gods’ is vacant. Most of the cast for the youth idol drama ‘You Love Me’ is to be determined. Xu Tao’s album ‘The Craziest’ needs several MVs shot. The promotion for Da Tong’s single ‘Black’ requires a fairy-like girl. Variety shows…”

“What are these?” Jin Youqian interrupted, frowning, his expression inscrutable. “These are the company’s most promising investments for the next six months—why give them to an outsider? Wu, if your professional abilities have declined, I’ll send you back for retraining free of charge!”

Wu Yi lowered his head. He should have known: anyone involved with the company would never come out ahead.

He thought that actress was special to Jin Youqian. Had he misjudged?

“Isn’t there anything that actually requires acting skills in the movies or series?”

Ah, so the resources aren’t good enough…

Actually, ‘Black Gun’ demands exceptional acting—both leads already set are award-winners. But that’s clearly unsuitable for Song Wan.

Wu Yi hesitated, then quietly suggested, “The film ‘Tomorrow’?”

After a long silence, Jin Youqian shot him a sharp look. “A minor role is enough!” Those scripts are worth a fortune; how could he randomly insert people?

Besides, “With her acting? How could she compare to Song Wan…”

He paused, realizing they shared the same name.

Jin Youqian’s mood soured. “If I can’t find an actress with acting comparable to her, I won’t bring out that script.”

He was, in a way, indirectly responsible for her death. Unable to bring the real culprit to justice, he had to do something for her.

Mentioning ‘Tomorrow’ dampened his spirits. Without another word, he strode to his car and opened the door. Just as he was about to get in, someone slowly appeared on the other side. “Mr. Jin, they say business may fail, but goodwill remains. Yet with you, business fails and it’s as if you never even saw me?”

The newcomer, barely twenty, leaned casually against the car, her smile radiant. Her jet-black hair cascaded down past her hips, framing her petite face. Her bangs curled inward in a delicate arc, just revealing a pair of willow-like brows. Her phoenix eyes were dark and bright, with a soft blush at the corners that hinted at inexpressible emotion. When she gazed directly, it was as if she could steal someone’s soul, stirring the heart profoundly.

But her eyes were icy cold.

Wu Yi quickly lowered his head. No wonder Jin Youqian treated her differently. Such a rare beauty; of course he’d want to offer her everything.

Thinking this, Jin Youqian’s attitude suddenly seemed… well, hard to describe.

Within this brief moment, Jin Youqian noticed Wu Yi’s awe and quietly made a mental note.

Jin Youqian looked displeased, and Song Wan naturally couldn’t ignore it.

She’d thought she was mistaken, but upon reaching the set’s entrance, she saw Jin Youqian’s car parked boldly in the center spot. The price of the car was so prohibitive that no one dared risk parking nearby.

She recognized it instantly.

She knew she was being unreasonable, but for some reason, facing Jin Youqian’s cold stare, she felt he wouldn’t truly be angry. “There’s no one else here, Mr. Jin. Are you still pretending not to know me?”

Wu Yi glanced at Jin Youqian in surprise, quickly murmuring, “Mr. Jin, I’m thirsty. I’ll buy some water—you two take your time.” He dashed to the supermarket across from the set and soon disappeared.

Jin Youqian pressed his lips together, realizing she’d misunderstood. “I didn’t…” But then, she wasn’t his anything; why explain? He immediately shut his mouth.

He waited, but Jin Youqian said nothing for ages. Song Wan was so angry she laughed.

If she’d known that Jin Youqian’s attitude nearly cost her the role in ‘Dream of Enchantment,’ she’d have grabbed him and given him a piece of her mind.

Driven by anger, Song Wan strode up to Jin Youqian and, without hesitation, grabbed his tie, pulled him down, and kissed him before he could react. Meeting his bewildered gaze, she bit him fiercely, ground her teeth a few times, then shoved him away and left.

Jin Youqian was utterly bewildered, unable to grasp what had happened.

When Wu Yi returned, carrying three bottles of water, he saw his boss standing alone, still as striking as ever.

But Wu Yi, who knew Jin Youqian inside out, noticed the emptiness in his eyes and inwardly commented: hmm, looks a bit… foolish.

Ahem, better not tell him!

Wu Yi hurried to Jin Youqian, cautiously asking, “Mr. Jin, where’s Miss Song?”

Jin Youqian snapped back, glanced at Wu Yi, and his cheeks gradually flushed. “She left first. Ahem, let’s get back to the office—I suddenly remembered an urgent contract I haven’t signed.” He yanked open the car door, climbed in, and slammed it shut.

Such a clumsy attempt to cover up…

Wu Yi’s eyes lost focus. What did he just witness? His boss—the stern-faced, iron-willed man—actually blushed!

So my boss is a pure-hearted boy easily flustered?

Recalling all those rumors of romantic conquests, Wu Yi refused to believe it!

He suddenly wanted to grab Song Wan and demand: Tell me! What did you do to my boss?

Jin Youqian, now seated, had regained his composure, but seeing Wu Yi delay, his face turned cold. “Wu Yi, your bonus this month is gone!”

Wu Yi felt as if struck by lightning, immediately jumped into the driver’s seat, and sped back to the company.

…

After ambushing Jin Youqian, Song Wan didn’t go straight home but detoured to the shopping district to buy clothes.

Pressed for time, Song Wan quickly finished shopping and prepared to head home.

Just outside the store, a strange figure dashed past her.

She looked closely, but saw only a ragged, disheveled back.

Song Wan thought the figure looked familiar and immediately gave chase. When the person entered a dark, narrow alley, Song Wan realized where it led.

Certain of the person’s identity, Song Wan narrowed her eyes and stopped.

After a moment, the other realized she wasn’t being pursued and stopped as well, about a hundred meters away. Song Wan walked toward her with a cold smile.

The other seemed flustered, as if wanting to flee, but Song Wan sneered, “Wang Juan, what’s your purpose in bringing me here?”

She saw Wang Juan’s body tremble, then slowly turn to face her, eyes venomous. “Of course, I came for revenge! How dare you drug me, and… and…” Thinking of the man from that day, Wang Juan felt sick to her stomach, hatred for Song Wan growing like wild weeds. “Song Wan, I want to kill you!”

“Ha! An eye for an eye, that’s all. You brought it on yourself—how dare you talk of revenge?” Song Wan stopped, laughing scornfully. “And kill me? You?”

“I can! If you follow me home, I’ll kill you, you bitch! I’ll strangle you, beat you, cut you, poison you… I know a thousand ways to kill you, you vicious woman!”

“So you’re an idiot. Why would I ever walk into your home?”

Wang Juan trembled, screaming as she lunged at Song Wan.

Song Wan’s eyes widened, sensing danger, and tried to run, but Wang Juan knocked her to the ground.

Song Wan struggled, but Wang Juan’s strength was far greater, pinning her down. Wang Juan grinned wickedly, then sat heavily on Song Wan’s stomach and clamped her hands around her neck.

Enduring the pain, Song Wan calmly reached into her bag, which had fallen nearby, grabbed her phone, and smashed it into the back of Wang Juan’s head.

Wang Juan cried out, releasing her grip and clutching her head. Song Wan shoved her aside, scrambled up, snatched her bag, and ran.

Wang Juan wouldn’t let her escape. Ignoring the pain, she chased after Song Wan.

Song Wan panicked, shouting loudly for help.

Wang Juan, crazed, was about to catch up, ready to lunge at Song Wan again.

Song Wan threw her bag and clothes at her, causing her to fall, but Wang Juan quickly got up.

Luckily, from the other end of the alley came the sound of urgent, powerful footsteps. Wang Juan panicked and fled, but her final glance at Song Wan was filled with venomous hatred.

The newcomer appeared before Song Wan, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief. When she turned, Wang Juan had vanished, and Song Wan collapsed onto the ground.

Xie Junchen had been nearby on assignment when he heard a woman’s cries for help. He immediately ditched his partner and rushed over, only to find a beautiful woman sitting on the ground, gasping for breath.

Xie Junchen raised an eyebrow. “Miss, did you run into a pervert?”

Song Wan was speechless—his words were odd—but she shook her head earnestly. “No, nothing like that. Thank you for your help just now.”