Chapter 104: Contradiction 02

Not only Jin Youqian, but even Steward Feng, almost every day when they saw her, they would urge her to get pregnant as soon as possible...

But she always refused, using her career development as an excuse.

Yet how did Gao Xiang know?

Gao Xiang turned her head and brazenly rolled her eyes at the top boss, showing disdain: “What’s so strange about a nearly thirty-year-old man wanting to have children? Especially since Mr. Jin comes from a prestigious family that values bloodline inheritance.”

Song Wan didn’t think much of it and was about to return to the audition room when she happened to lock eyes with Han Sen’s disgusting face.

She turned away, nearly unable to hold back her nausea.

Gao Xiang’s eyes flickered, sensing something, and quickly stepped in front of Song Wan, smiling politely at Han Sen. “I’m really sorry. Song Wan might have eaten something wrong today, so she’s feeling unwell now...” Her gaze shifted past Han Sen to Zhou Qi, who had just arrived, filled with sincere apology. “Director Zhou, I’m terribly sorry, but Song Wan is in no condition to continue with the actor selection today. Would it be possible for her to take a short break?”

Having worked with Song Wan once before, Zhou Qi knew her dedication and that she wouldn’t fake illness. Without hesitation, he nodded. “Take Song Wan to rest first. We’ll continue here and wait for her once she’s feeling better.”

Gao Xiang nodded repeatedly, then supported Song Wan as they headed toward an empty room prepared for the break.

“Wait—”

Gao Xiang halted mid-step, and Song Wan stopped as well.

Gao Xiang turned back, puzzled by the voice. “Mr. Han, is there something you need?”

Song Wan clutched her chest, the nausea refusing to subside, adding to her irritation.

She poked at Gao Xiang’s stomach. “Hurry, I’m about to throw up!”

Gao Xiang’s expression hardened. She cut off the words on the verge of being spoken: “Although I know it’s impolite for Song Wan to leave now, she really feels too unwell to stay and meet everyone. She will make it up to everyone next time.”

She looked at Han Sen again. “Mr. Han, we’re really sorry. We have to go now.”

Then she turned and walked swiftly to the empty room, pushing the door open without giving Han Sen any chance to speak.

The smile on Han Sen’s lips froze instantly, a sinister gleam flashing in his eyes.

Zhou Qi’s gaze shifted away from Song Wan and Gao Xiang, just in time to meet Han Sen’s look. His heart raced, and he became even more resolved to expel Han Sen from the crew.

“Darling~ You have a message~”

Zhou Qi’s eyes instantly widened. Ignoring the curious and teasing looks from others, he grabbed his phone—

[Director Zhou, neither the lead nor the supporting male role can be played by Han Sen.]

Zhou Qi was stunned for a moment. Before he could react, another message came through—

[Director Zhou, he absolutely must not appear on the set!]

Zhou Qi looked toward the sender, confirmed it was indeed Song Wan, then flickered in his eyes and replied with one word.

[Understood.]

Anyway, that was his plan too.

If it weren’t for Han Sen’s company, he would have kicked him out of the crew long ago. Why would he even meet with Song Wan?

A scene flashed through his mind, and he vaguely understood Song Wan’s earlier reaction.

“Han Sen, don’t you want the role of Kaka? Come audition.”

Han Sen stiffened, looking at Zhou Qi in disbelief. “Director Zhou, my agent said—”

“Any actor who wants to appear in the ‘Stars’ crew must have their acting skills approved by everyone present,” Zhou Qi said, turning back with a half-smile, emphasizing again, “Anyone!”

The smile vanished from Han Sen’s face instantly. After a moment, he called out, “Director Zhou, can I call my agent?”

Zhou Qi smirked with an inexplicable sarcasm. “Sure, but please make it quick. Everyone is waiting.”

Han Sen smiled faintly. Once Zhou Qi turned away, his expression darkened immediately.

He didn’t understand what had happened to make Zhou Qi, who had been silently dissatisfied before, suddenly confront him so directly, showing no mercy.

Panicked, Han Sen desperately wanted to ask his agent what had occurred.

After everyone entered the audition room, Han Sen found a corner and dialed Qin Fei.

“Brother Qin, what exactly is going on?”

Qin Fei was already overwhelmed lately. Suddenly being bombarded with Han Sen’s questions left him dumbfounded, then furious. “What do you mean ‘what’s going on’? You expect me to be a clairvoyant to guess what you’re talking about? Damn it! I worked so hard to get you a good role, and you can’t even keep your temper and shoot your scenes properly?”

Han Sen was even angrier. “But now that fat pig Zhou Qi wants me to audition!”

Qin Fei paused, skepticism clear in his tone. “Audition?”

“Yes. He said if I can’t get everyone’s approval, he won’t give me the role! It’s just a minor part. Who cares?”

“If you don’t care, why are you so eager to snatch it?” Qin Fei scolded.

To save costs, the ‘Stars’ crew had announced from the start that only the female lead would be experienced actors; the rest would be newcomers. Qin Fei’s roster was scattered, so he had to find a newcomer himself. He had already negotiated and sent that newcomer to audition, and they had said barring any surprises, the role would be theirs.

Yet, after hearing this news, Han Sen hijacked it.

With leverage over Qin Fei, Han Sen had forced him to compromise, but Qin Fei harbored deep resentment.

Now Han Sen said he didn’t care about the role? Ha!

If you don’t care, then go back and give it up.

Han Sen knew his situation well. He understood how rare roles in ‘Stars’ were and how much he needed this one without any reminder from his agent. Being called out like this only made things awkward.

But going back? No way.

Taking a deep breath, Han Sen said mysteriously, “Brother Qin, don’t forget I have some leverage over you...”

Qin Fei’s earlier pride immediately deflated. After suppressing a bitter sigh, he asked gently, “So, what happened in the crew? Why did Zhou Qi suddenly make you audition?”

All these years, Han Sen had lingered in the second and third tier, relying only on his looks and the support of Tang Su and Qin Fei to barely maintain his status.

Acting? For over ten years, he was no better than the current expressionless young actors.

Singing? Ha! Qin Fei didn’t even bother to mention—it was tone-deaf to the point of singing the national anthem off-key.

Variety show charisma? An even bigger joke! Over thirty years old, yet more burdened by the idol image than those fresh-faced twenty-somethings, only able to strike poses.

Even the charm that initially won over Tang Su had faded with time, revealing signs of aging.

But throughout these years, he had made no progress. There was no “unique charm bestowed by time.” Just a repulsive, lecherous demeanor hollowed out by indulgence.

So the roles Qin Fei found for Han Sen never required real acting.

Now Zhou Qi wanted Han Sen to audition?

Qin Fei didn’t need to see it in person to know how miserable it would be.

Damn!

“So what exactly did you do to offend Zhou Qi?” Qin Fei nearly exploded. He knew how arrogant Han Sen’s temper was, but back then Tang Su and he had his back. Now? Everyone was struggling for themselves.

At this point, Han Sen and Tang Su were both barely holding on, yet Han Sen still clung to that high-and-mighty attitude...

Looking to pick a fight?

Qin Fei for the first time questioned whether it had been right or wrong to suppress Song Wan for someone so hopeless.

He conveniently forgot that he never wanted to sign Han Sen initially. It was Tang Su who begged him, eventually escalating to repeated threats and promises to shoulder all resource demands for Han Sen before he reluctantly signed him.

From start to finish, it had nothing to do with him.

But no matter the truth, now they were tied together like grasshoppers on a string—sharing glory and suffering alike.

Han Sen hesitated, unwilling to say more.

Qin Fei exploded, yelling into the phone, “Give the phone to Xiao Duo and let him talk to me!”

It was Han Sen’s first time facing Qin Fei’s fury. He trembled slightly and instinctively obeyed, handing the phone to his assistant Xiao Duo.