Chapter 022: Entering the V Stage

Jin Youqian’s ears turned slightly red; he was about to speak when Song Wan handed the videotape directly to Qian Fu without even looking at him. “Director Qian, since we’ve got the tape, there’s no reason for me to go out. You know Director Zhou well—could you find someone to give the tape to him? After all, I’m just a newcomer.”

The video from the Imperial Capital Hotel was not something a rookie could get their hands on, and even if they did, it wouldn’t attract much attention. Qian Fu realized this as well and agreed immediately. “I’ll call Zhou Qi right away and have him come over.”

Song Wan looked at him in surprise. “There’s really no need to trouble Director Zhou to come in person for this, is there?”

Now that the matter was resolved, Qian Fu felt relieved and was in the mood for a bit of banter. “Why not? Don’t be fooled by Zhou Qi’s usual lecherous demeanor—he’s actually the most devoted man I’ve ever seen in the entertainment industry. True, this incident hits Song Wan’s career hardest, but emotionally, Zhou Qi is probably already furious.”

Song Wan glanced at Hua Yu in amazement, and Hua Yu responded with a firm nod.

Even Hua Yu knew about this, so it must be true.

Yet, when she thought of how Zhou Qi had dragged her upstairs to a banquet to meet a sponsor on the night Miao Yu wrapped up filming, she couldn’t reconcile him with the word “devoted.”

Song Wan’s expression amused Qian Fu, who burst out laughing. “You’re really inexperienced. Take General Jin for example—everyone thinks he’s been through countless women and has no idea how many beds he’s shared, right?”

Song Wan couldn’t help but look at Jin Youqian, successfully darkening his face.

He was about to rebuke her when Qian Fu continued, “But in reality, all those men and women who tried to take shortcuts never even got close to General Jin—they all failed, not a single one succeeded.”

He concluded, “General Jin is one of the rare gentlemen in this industry.”

Song Wan found her suspicions confirmed and felt her heart stir even more for Jin Youqian, but she was also increasingly certain she shouldn’t set her sights on him.

She gazed at Jin Youqian, her look lingering and full of regret.

Noticing Song Wan’s gaze, Jin Youqian silently softened his expression; since Qian Fu was speaking up for him, he decided not to take offense.

Jin Youqian turned his head, shifting his attention away from Qian Fu.

Qian Fu relaxed. “Since we have the evidence, I’ll go call Zhou Qi now. You two take your time.” He stood up, then asked Hua Yu, “Didn’t you say there was something in the script you didn’t quite understand? Let’s talk about it as we walk.”

Hua Yu was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered and hurried after him. “Yes, yes, I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it. If I run into it while acting, I’ll mess up the scene again.”

As she left, she called back, “There might be some paparazzi mixed into the crew now, Song Wan, don’t go out. Stay and chat with General Jin, pass the time.”

Song Wan: “……”

Zhou Zhou, who’d been quiet as a mouse, suddenly jumped up in alarm. “Ah, Wan-jie, I—I have something to do too, I’ll go now.”

Watching them leave, Song Wan: “……”

What on earth was this? When she wanted to flirt, nothing worked; now that she didn’t, everyone was creating opportunities for her?

Jin Youqian sat in his chair, looking straight ahead, a picture of icy restraint, as if warning strangers not to approach. Yet in Song Wan’s eyes, he seemed to be tempting her to make a move at any moment…

Song Wan pressed her hand to her forehead. She must have fantasized about Jin Youqian too much, to the point of hallucinating.

Jin Youqian waited for a while, but Song Wan remained silent, so he couldn’t help but cough.

Song Wan looked at him curiously. “General Jin, what’s wrong? Do you have a cold?” She hurried over to fetch her satchel, rummaging until she found a bottle of medicine. “Luckily, I still have this bottle.”

“Here, General Jin, take some medicine.” Song Wan handed him the bottle, her face full of concern.

Jin Youqian looked at the medicine, then at her. “Are you sick?”

Song Wan blinked. “Aren’t you the one who’s sick?”

Jin Youqian felt irritated, his gaze sharp enough to intimidate, though in Song Wan’s eyes it was more bluff than bite. “I rushed over as soon as I got the news to bring you the tape, and this is how you thank me?”

Though delivering the tape in person was an impulsive act, it was also a gesture of goodwill. He wasn’t typically petty, but Song Wan’s reaction left him feeling disgruntled.

Song Wan shrugged, withdrew her hand with the medicine, and smiled lightly. “Didn’t I say before? I could offer myself to you.” As she spoke, she leaned toward Jin Youqian. “General Jin, how about tonight?”

No sooner had she spoken than Song Wan regretted it, wishing she could slap herself: Serves you right for being cheeky, for flirting!

Her gaze happened to fall on Jin Youqian’s flushed ears, and inspiration struck. She blurted out, “General Jin, if I could eat while staring at your face, I’d absolutely burst my stomach.”

Jin Youqian couldn’t help but scold her. “Is your mind always filled with lewd nonsense?”

“Actually, my mind is always filled with thoughts of you.” Song Wan replied without thinking.

She wasn’t lying—ever since she decided to let Jin Youqian, this high-quality patron, go, she’d been pining for him, his face, his figure, and of course, the resources he represented.

So saying this felt completely sincere—straight from the heart.

But recalling Jin Youqian’s original words, Song Wan snapped out of her reverie over his attractive ears and hastily explained, “General Jin, listen, I didn’t mean it that way…”

Jin Youqian radiated coldness, shooting her a frosty look before sweeping out.

Song Wan raised a hand in protest. “I really wasn’t calling you lewd!” Though honestly, whenever I see you, my mind is filled with lewd thoughts… sob sob…

…

On the other side, just as Song Wan had provoked Jin Youqian into leaving, Qian Fu got through to Zhou Qi.

Zhou Qi was busy investigating the events of that day, ultimately confirming that Song Wan had told the truth. But Zhao Meng was utterly fearless, convinced they couldn’t produce any evidence.

Just as Song Wan had feared, without evidence, if they were to accuse Zhao Meng of framing them, it would only bring trouble upon themselves.

After all, she was a popular young actress with millions of fans.

Zhou Qi’s tone was irritable and impatient. “Qian Fu, could you not call me right now? I’m frustrated to death!” He paced back and forth in anger. “Zhao Meng admitted the photos were hers, and she got someone to leak them, but I have no proof! Damn!”

“I just want to rip her face off when I see it. What’s wrong with her brain? Did she grow two extra holes? She’s dragged the whole crew down—what does she gain from it? Damn, damn…”

Qian Fu finally found an opening. “The videotape from the Imperial Capital Hotel…”

“You think I haven’t tried to get the tape? Huh?” Zhou Qi, thinking of his internet-savvy wife’s reaction to the photos, lost all reason. “You know the hotel’s rules—they never lend out tapes!”

Protecting guests’ privacy is the hotel’s highest principle.

“Will you shut up and let me finish?” Qian Fu snapped, now angry himself. “Stop whining like an aggrieved wife—I’m not your spouse, I have no obligation to listen to your complaints.”

Zhou Qi’s expression was as if he’d swallowed something foul: “……”

Qian Fu composed himself and explained, “I wanted to tell you, the videotape from the Imperial Capital Hotel…”

Zhou Qi was