Chapter 119: Picking Up the Guest, Part 1

In the end, Zhou Qi agreed to give Li Yu a chance. After all, he held no grudge against Zhao Ken, and it was truly a pity about Li Yu’s acting skills. Given their current predicament, it was just right to let Li Yu fill in. However, Zhou Qi informed Zhao Ken of all the plans—he didn’t intend to hide anything from their side.

Zhao Ken breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought you were just playing with me at first, but now,” he relaxed, “I’m starting to believe you really want to give Li Yu this opportunity.”

No matter the industry, goodwill never comes without reason. Although Li Yu’s previous actions were done under duress, they still caused trouble, so it was natural for the crew to resent him. Now, since they lacked talented newcomers, giving him a chance to ensure their plans could proceed smoothly—this kind of utilitarian relationship actually reassured Zhao Ken.

Zhou Qi nodded. “If you all agree, just come to the open audition when the time comes.”

Zhao Ken’s eyes flickered as he solemnly nodded. Although it was an open audition, he trusted Li Yu’s ability. Since Zhou Qi had accepted him for the role of Lu Yang, naturally he could outshine other newcomers and secure another role.

Though it was called a fair audition, Zhao Ken didn’t believe that if someone’s acting was nearly as good as Li Yu’s, Zhou Qi would discard any lingering sense of “obligation” and choose the other. Who knew—Li Yu might even try for the lead role.

Though he had such thoughts, Zhao Ken quickly suppressed them without showing a trace.

Li Yu felt a bit uncomfortable but could only nod in agreement upon seeing Zhao Ken’s consent.

Zhou Qi paid no mind to his mood; with Zhao Ken around, he was certain Li Yu wouldn’t do anything detrimental to the crew.

—

With matters temporarily settled, the assistant director called Imperial Capital Entertainment. They, however, said they had to wait for a message from General Manager Jin.

Zhou Qi glanced at Song Wan. “If you really want this plan to be implemented, you’ll have to persuade General Manager Jin yourself.”

Zhou Qi’s expression was serious. Though he had agreed to Song Wan and Gao Xiang’s plan, he didn’t fully endorse the idea and thus wasn’t about to invest effort in convincing Imperial Capital’s head to approve it.

“Director Zhou, as long as you don’t oppose the plan, that’s enough,” Song Wan smiled.

After all, Jin Youqian was a businessman. If the plan promised profit, he naturally wouldn’t oppose it—in fact, he might even find ways to make the audition grander, turning it into a branded event with a second or third season…

If you’re going to do something, do it well and maximize the benefits.

This was the impression Song Wan had formed after months of working with Jin Youqian, so she was confident he wouldn’t reject the plan.

The only concern was how much investment it would require.

“It’s already six in the evening. Are we continuing today?” Gao Xiang asked Zhou Qi.

Because of Han Sen’s unexpected accident, the crew hadn’t been able to audition many actors all day. In the end, they had to send them off and begin crisis control over the online rumors.

Zhou Qi shook his head.

“How did you notify the actors who came to audition?” Gao Xiang inquired again.

Zhou Qi looked toward the crew member responsible for notifications. The staff replied, “I had each of them leave a phone number so we could call once the audition schedule was confirmed.”

Song Wan couldn’t help but smile at Gao Xiang. “Good, if this plan really gets approved, we won’t have to worry about bad news.”

Zhou Qi laughed as well. “Are you perhaps thinking too far ahead?”

“Far?” Song Wan was noncommittal. “Things are different now, so we naturally have to consider more. Otherwise, mishandling bad news could cost a fortune.”

What if Jin Youqian’s funding for shooting the audition videos wasn’t sufficient?

Zhou Qi thought for a moment and then shook his head. “Nothing else. You can leave now.”

Song Wan nodded and turned to leave the set.

Gao Xiang and Guo Kai followed closely behind, ready to depart together.

As they reached the entrance, Song Wan was about to get into the crew’s van when she spotted a familiar Maybach parked outside.

Gao Xiang followed her gaze, astonished. “General Manager Jin? Why are they here?”

Though General Manager Jin reminded her daily to have Song Wan call him, and though they appeared to be a loving couple, Jin Youqian had never come to visit the set or pick Song Wan up.

In Gao Xiang’s memory, it was Song Wan who had come to Jin’s company headquarters once or twice to deliver meals. Each time, she was anxious about paparazzi spotting her, but the internet remained calm, proving her worries were unfounded.

After all, Jin wasn’t foolish—he wouldn’t let Song Wan’s visits become solid evidence feeding gossip.

Now, Gao Xiang had accepted reality: no matter how “unconventional” their actions seemed, she’d pretend not to notice.

Seeing Song Wan hesitate, Gao Xiang even gave her a gentle push. “Your husband’s here—aren’t you going to rush over to him?”

Song Wan grimaced. “Gao Jie, don’t tease me. People come and go at the film city; if I go to him now, the next day there’ll be rumors about me being his kept woman.”

Without another word, she walked to the van, opened the door, and got inside. Then, she took out her phone and called Jin Youqian.

“Hello? Husband, are you at the entrance to the set?”

Guo Kai wanted to follow her but was stopped by Gao Xiang. “They’re having a private conversation. Why do you want to follow?”

Guo Kai glared. “That car—is it Jin Youqian’s?”

Gao Xiang didn’t answer but waved him off. “You must be driving today, right? Go ahead, I still need to wait here awhile.”

Seeing her seriousness, Guo Kai shrugged helplessly. “Fine, I’ll leave now.”

As he turned, his eyes kept trying to peer into the Maybach’s windows to see if Jin Youqian was inside.

He wondered if Jin’s mother-in-law knew they were married. He definitely wanted to test the waters when he got back.

—

Wu Yi sat cautiously in the driver’s seat, not daring to make a sound for fear of attracting Jin Youqian’s attention.

He was utterly despairing. When Miss Song Wan appeared at the set entrance earlier, Jin Youqian’s expression had relaxed significantly. Who would have thought she didn’t see their car and went straight to the company’s van?

Later, she spoke with Gao Xiang briefly, then entered the van.

Wu Yi felt like crying. Miss Song, didn’t you see two big guys here waiting for you? Was it really okay to abandon us like this? Didn’t you notice the chill emanating from Jin Youqian was almost suffocating? Would Ji Yao be able to handle him?

He almost wanted to call out to Song Wan or even kneel to her if he could.

Ringing—

Suddenly, the cold aura around Jin Youqian halted, then quickly dissipated.

“Hello.” Jin Youqian answered, his head slightly lowered, concealing his expression.

But from Wu Yi’s years of experience by his side, at least his mood wasn’t bad.

“I saw your car, but the film city is crowded, and who knows how many paparazzi and entertainment reporters are hiding around,” Song Wan paused, then smiled. “You drive your car away a bit; we’ll follow behind. When we reach a less crowded spot, I’ll get in.”

Jin Youqian frowned, puzzled by her concern. “Even if someone takes photos of us meeting, I won’t allow them to publish it.”

He spoke calmly, but for some reason, a trace of displeasure lingered beneath.

Song Wan didn’t want anyone to know about their relationship, and he had always been aware of this—he was even quite satisfied with it.

But at this moment, he suddenly felt rejected, his mood sour.

Wu Yi: …Miss Song, what exactly did you say to General Manager Jin?!

Song Wan chuckled softly. “I know they wouldn’t dare release photos of you, but if an unaware reporter only captures me getting into a luxury car, tomorrow’s news won’t look good.”

Especially since there had been a stir online just today—she was almost aggressively raising her profile.

Just now, her Weibo followers had surged to over fifteen million, an astonishing pace.

She couldn’t afford bad news at a time like this.

“I won’t let them release such news.”

“Why not? Admit we’re together?” Song Wan smiled wryly. She remembered Jin Youqian had been reluctant to let their news leak before.

Even if Jin Youqian didn’t speak, as long as gossip reporters knew he personally ordered no scandals about Song Wan to be published, they could guess who the other party was.

Moreover, some small tabloids without much influence or ethics might not get the memo and, chasing clicks, would post photos regardless—possibly even fabricating exaggerated, ugly stories.

That would be a disaster.

“Not impossible…” Jin Youqian wanted to say so but stopped himself at the last moment.

The timing wasn’t right. Neither he nor Song Wan was ready to announce their marriage.

He fell silent, a bit disappointed. “There’s an underground parking lot at the Imperial Capital Grand Hotel inside the film city. I’ll wait for you there.”

Only driving out of the film city to find a secluded spot? That could take forever.

He had squeezed time to pick her up—how could he waste it on the road?

The Imperial Capital Hotel wasn’t far.

Song Wan thought it over and reluctantly agreed—it was safer there.

After hanging up, she leaned out and called softly, “Gao Jie.”

“Why did I see General Manager Jin drive away?” Gao Xiang looked confused at the retreating Maybach, frowning.

Song Wan shook her head. “He said he’d wait for me in the underground garage of the Imperial Capital Grand Hotel.”

The driver understood immediately and drove to follow Jin Youqian’s car.

None of them noticed that behind them, a plain Volkswagen was tailing them, its occupant holding a professional DSLR camera.