Chapter 105: Substitution 03

Xiao Duo cautiously glanced at Han Sen, startled by his gloomy gaze, causing his hand holding the phone to tremble.

He stammered, “Qin… Brother Qin.”

“Am I supposed to call you or eat you up? I’m just asking you a question, and you’re already stammering?” Qin Fei snapped.

“N-no…” Xiao Duo was on the verge of tears. Even though his salary was controlled by Qin Fei, he spent every day with Han Sen and even took care of him. If he really didn’t pay attention to Han Sen’s mood, he wouldn’t need to do much—just a few light words could make Han Sen’s career in the entertainment industry impossible to continue.

The saying goes: a current manager is better than a former official. That was the truth.

So Xiao Duo was scared…

Moreover, the relationship between Han Sen and Qin Fei was never as harmonious as that between Tang Su and Qin Fei. Because Han Sen knew about Qin Fei’s schemes against Tang Su, he was more suspicious of the assistants around him than strangers. He simply didn’t dare to offend Han Sen.

If Han Sen insisted on getting rid of him, would Qin Fei defy Han Sen’s wishes and force him to stay by Han Sen’s side?

The barefoot man fears not the one wearing shoes. Xiao Duo could see clearly that Qin Fei was the one wearing shoes in this relationship.

But these were just worries in Xiao Duo’s heart; he didn’t dare to say any of this to Qin Fei.

Qin Fei had no time to fuss with Xiao Duo. He shouted angrily, “Xiao Duo, what exactly happened? When I brought someone before Zhou Qi before, he was displeased but didn’t say much. Why is he suddenly being so persistent about kicking the person out now?”

As a manager, Qin Fei knew about Han Sen’s acting skills. Han Sen had been in the industry for years. Directors who had worked with him numbered in the dozens or even hundreds. Would they not know that Han Sen had no real acting talent?

Using auditions and acting as an excuse was clearly a ploy to push the person out!

“How exactly did he offend Zhou Qi? Tell me!” Qin Fei roared like a lion whose territory was being invaded, his entire presence fierce, refusing to tolerate any evasion.

The role of the male supporting character in “Scattered Stars” was already the best opportunity Qin Fei could fight for, snatched from a newcomer no less!

But now, everything was ruined!

Xiao Duo trembled, not knowing how to explain what had happened before…

He still felt confused himself—

After Han Sen met with Zhou Qi, just like before, he directly asked about the role’s status, then immediately began negotiating terms, even stating his expected fee upfront…

Xiao Duo noticed Zhou Qi’s expression darkened but he still seriously asked if a reduction in pay was acceptable…

Then Han Sen lost his temper and bluntly said it was a privilege for the crew to have him.

Zhou Qi’s face turned drastically, and without even bothering to argue, he swept his sleeves and left.

But…

Such incidents happened often in other crews Han Sen joined. Xiao Duo had no idea how things had escalated to this point.

As Xiao Duo hesitated on how to phrase his explanation, someone entered Qin Fei’s office.

“Brother Qin, I’ve already reported to the upper management. From now on, I’ll be following Brother Zhao.”

“What?” Qin Fei responded sharply.

“Brother Qin, I…”

“Qin Fei, Li Yu is a very promising newcomer. Since you can’t focus on nurturing him, the company certainly won’t stand idly by while you waste his talent,” came a cold voice.

Xiao Duo’s eyes widened—it was Zhao Ken, Qin Fei’s nemesis.

“Zhao Ken, I personally discovered that newcomer. Do you think I don’t know he has potential?”

“Oh? So what if you know? How have you treated him? Snatching his opportunities and handing them to that useless Han Sen? Qin Fei, I didn’t know you could be this shameless. Oh wait, you’ve always been pretty shameless.”

“Zhao Ken, say that again?”

“Say it again? Fine. You really think no one knows what you’ve done? Sabotaging your strongest asset, suppressing a young newcomer, even scheming for money and worse… Qin Fei, besides that foolish Tang Su, you think no one else knows? The higher-ups just didn’t stop you because they saw profit in it.”

“No way! I…”

“No way? What a joke! Mr. Jin has already thoroughly investigated what you and Tang Su have done. When Mr. Jin wanted to suppress you, did the higher-ups say anything?”

There was silence on the other end of the phone. After a long pause, the new voice spoke again: “Brother Qin, I really like ‘Scattered Stars.’ I’ll give up the other roles, but this one I won’t let go. Brother Qin, I’m sorry, and... thank you for your care earlier.”

“Let’s go. What’s there to say to someone like this?”

Bang—

Footsteps echoed, followed by the door slamming shut.

The sudden noise startled Xiao Duo, and his hand shook as he hastily ended the call.

Han Sen frowned. “What happened?” He hadn’t heard what Xiao Duo said and was confused about why the call was cut off.

Xiao Duo looked at Han Sen with fearful eyes, swallowing hard. “Brother Han, Li Yu is coming over to fight for the role.”

“Li Yu? What’s going on?”

“Li Yu changed agents and is now under Brother Zhao’s management.”

Han Sen instantly exploded with rage. “I knew that fat pig Zhou Qi would suddenly change his mind. So he’s been waiting here for me? Trying to kick me out? Dream on! What I can’t have, no one else can either!”

Han Sen stormed off to the audition room, and Xiao Duo couldn’t hold him back.

“Zhou Qi, you want to replace Li Yu? I’m telling you, in your dreams!” Han Sen’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared fiercely at Zhou Qi sitting in the center.

Zhou Qi was taken aback, then sneered, “Who I want to cast is none of your business! Are you going to act or not? If not, get lost!”

Does he really think he’s a nobody? Ha. Without Tang Su and Mingcheng Film and Television, Han Sen was nothing in his eyes. He could crush Han Sen with one hand and easily make him vanish from the entertainment industry without a trace!

The only thing Zhou Qi feared was the person behind Mingcheng Film and Television and Tang Su. Han Sen? Who cared!

Han Sen was so furious he felt like exploding but couldn’t say a word, finally spat out, “Just you wait!”

Then he turned and left the audition room.

His assistant hurried after him.

The assistant director looked worried, tugging on Zhou Qi’s sleeve. “Director Zhou, aren’t you afraid that if you openly clash with Han Sen, his company will come looking for trouble? And even though Han Sen lacks acting skills, his company packages him well. He still has millions of fans.”

Thinking of this, the assistant director’s hair turned white with anxiety.

Zhou Qi, however, was unconcerned, a smile on his face. “What is there to worry about? Mingcheng Film and Television can’t do anything to our crew.”

The assistant director was stunned. “Mingcheng Film and Television can’t…”

Zhou Qi was in high spirits, smiling broadly. “Our production’s investors aren’t just Kongling Film and Television but also Dido Entertainment. Do you think Mingcheng dares to make a move against us?”

This was the advantage of having a powerful backer. Not only did they provide shade, but even annoying mosquitoes and flies dared not come near.

Ah, how wonderful!

—

“Ms. Wan, it seems Han Sen was driven away by Director Zhou,” Zhou Yaya reported after watching from the door for a while.

Song Wan, resting with her eyes closed, immediately opened them. “Really?”

Zhou Yaya nodded repeatedly. “Absolutely! I saw the person leave the set with my own eyes before telling you.”

Song Wan turned to look at Gao Xiang. “Sister Gao, is Director Zhou really that fierce?”

Gao Xiang thought for a moment. “It can’t be just because of the pay. Remember, when we first arrived at the set, Director Zhou was already furious. Han Sen must have offended him earlier.”

“Just over pay?” Song Wan recalled Zhou Qi’s complaints, which seemed to focus on that issue alone.

But Gao Xiang shook her head again. “I don’t think it’s only that. Director Zhou is very market-savvy. If Han Sen was willing to humble himself and take a supporting role for a newcomer, he wouldn’t have been so stubborn about the fee.”

She had already asked around among the crew. Han Sen only wanted the male second lead.

But all the choices for the male lead were newcomers.

Song Wan clenched her teeth. “Then what’s the real reason?”

“Who cares about the reason? The result is what benefits you, Ms. Wan. Isn’t that enough?” Zhou Yaya looked puzzled as she watched them.

Gao Xiang was taken aback, then chuckled. “Even Yaya sees through it better than us.”

Song Wan’s rare serious attitude had evidently influenced her as well.