Chapter 037 Suspicion

The decor of the hillside villa remained as splendid and opulent as it had been during her last visit, not a single detail changed. Yet standing in the grand hall, Song Wan felt a new layer of awkwardness. She touched her nose, curiosity getting the better of her. “Mr. Jin, now that I’m here, could you tell me why you insisted I come over?”

Jin Youqian glanced at her without answering, then walked straight to the kitchen and knocked on the door. “Uncle Feng, I’ve brought the person you asked me to bring.”

What kind of development was this? Did she know Jin Youqian’s butler?

Without another word, Jin Youqian turned and headed upstairs, making it quite clear that Song Wan’s presence had nothing to do with him. Then again, in his eyes, she was likely just another opportunist. Even if her looks had caught his interest, it would never go beyond that.

Uncle Feng emerged, and Song Wan greeted him with a polite smile. “Hello, Butler Feng.”

His expression was stern and rigid, his demeanor severe. He didn’t reply, simply studied Song Wan intently, his gaze as penetrating as an X-ray, making her nervous for reasons she couldn’t name.

Just as Song Wan wondered if she’d somehow offended him, he tightened his lips and spoke with utmost seriousness, “Miss Song, I hope you’ll visit often in the future.”

Song Wan was left speechless.

Why did she feel a chill run down her spine under that expectant gaze?

—

In the end, Song Wan didn’t stay the night. Despite Butler Feng’s earnest attempts to persuade her, with Mr. Jin showing no such intention, she wasn’t about to overstep her bounds and make herself unwelcome.

—

Early the next morning, Song Wan left her hotel room, ready to head to set, only to run into Jin Yue, the third female lead, at the door—accompanied by Young Master Qi.

She greeted them with a cool nod and walked past, intending to go straight to filming.

Jin Yue let go of Young Master Qi’s arm, strutted up to her with a smug air, chin lifted so high that Song Wan could almost count the nasal hairs in her dark nostrils.

Suppressing her discomfort, Song Wan frowned. “What is it?”

She and Jin Yue had never gotten along—truth be told, Jin Yue had problems with nearly everyone in the crew. Always flaunting her status as Young Master Qi’s woman, she acted as though the entire crew should hold her in their palms and never contradict her. Only after repeated setbacks, including almost being thrown off the project by the director, did she finally restrain herself.

But that had never changed her attitude toward Song Wan. Jin Yue’s eyes glinted with glee. “Why are you going to set? You don’t have any scenes today, do you?”

Song Wan paused, frowning. “Who told you I don’t have scenes today?”

Though her scenes had been postponed yesterday afternoon and evening, no one had told her today’s scenes had been rescheduled as well. The costumes had already been mended—there was no reason for another delay.

Song Wan’s gaze flickered as she smiled. “You must have heard about the costume mishap, right? You really must love our crew, keeping up with the news even while on break.”

“Who cares about this crew—”

Song Wan interrupted her. “But perhaps you missed the rest of the story.”

Jin Yue’s mouth hung open, a sense of foreboding creeping in. “What rest of the story? Wasn’t it just that your costume ripped during filming, you made a fool of yourself, and your scenes couldn’t be shot after that?”

Song Wan’s eyes turned cold. “Seems your source wasn’t very thorough.”

“Impossible!” Jin Yue protested.

“The costume was indeed torn, but before filming, I happened to discover that someone had deliberately snipped the stitches.”

Jin Yue’s body went rigid, her forced smile crumbling. “Your eyesight is impressive, to notice such a hidden spot…” Suddenly realizing her slip, she forced a laugh. “Haha, I guess my informant really was careless. Such news shouldn’t be spread carelessly. I was worried about you for nothing, haha…”

She laughed awkwardly, sneaking glances at Song Wan’s expression, anxious to know if her words had been understood.

Song Wan feigned ignorance, her polite smile unchanged. “Indeed, you should have a word with your source. I’d say it was intentional—otherwise, why would they hide the fact that my costume was already fixed yesterday?”

Jin Yue’s face grew even stiffer, her mouth twitching as she failed to produce a smile.

Song Wan paid her no further mind, apologetically adding, “I won’t keep you. My first scene is about to start, so I’d better not be late.” She turned to leave, but then looked back with a smile. “You have scenes today too, don’t you? Why not come with me?”

Jin Yue’s lips trembled. “No, I… I’ll ask the director for leave in a bit.”

Song Wan’s eyes flickered with meaning as she glanced at Jin Yue’s chest and lower abdomen. Leaning in, she whispered sympathetically, “I know Young Master Qi is your patron, but you’re still here to work. Have him show some restraint. Otherwise, after all the effort you’ve put in, it would be a shame to be kicked out by the director.”

Jin Yue clenched her fists, forcing out, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Young Master Qi is very gentle.”

Song Wan patted her shoulder. “Of course, of course. But do take my advice to heart. You know as well as I do, Young Master Qi can’t overrule Director Qian.”

She made sure to step into Jin Yue’s line of sight, her disbelief written plainly across her face.

Jin Yue was nearly bursting with anger, but with Young Master Qi nearby, she swallowed it down. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Song Wan looked at her with the same gentle pity one might show the simple-minded, then waved her hand. “If you say so. I’m off to film now. If you’re taking leave, do it quickly. If you wait till the set’s all ready like last time, Director Qian might just throw you out.”

She didn’t bother to hide her words from Young Master Qi, earning a glance from him. She smiled back, then strode away, unconcerned with whatever might happen between them next. She’d gotten what she came for—

The costume sabotage yesterday was without a doubt Jin Yue’s doing.

As she passed Young Master Qi, she caught the look he gave her—lustful, yet laced with wariness.

She’d long suspected that, like Director Qian, Young Master Qi had heard rumors about her “relationship” with Jin Youqian.

His gaze at her was complicated, but when he looked at Jin Yue, it was pure contempt, as if watching a farce.

Song Wan’s traps were hardly subtle—Young Master Qi, seasoned in business, saw through them instantly. But he had no intention of warning Jin Yue, choosing instead to watch with amused detachment.

He was an audience member, observing the two of them coldly.

Song Wan understood, but couldn’t care less. In fact, she glanced back at Jin Yue, stirring the pot.

Jin Yue, oblivious, simply thought Song Wan was provoking her out of jealousy for Young Master Qi’s attention, and glared back with growing resentment.

Song Wan inwardly scoffed. She was nothing like Jin Yue in her “persistence.”

Young Master Qi was handsome enough, wealthy, and tall—not quite on Jin Youqian’s level, but more than enough to play the patron.

If only he didn’t have those particular proclivities, and wasn’t so unabashed about them…

It was precisely because of those proclivities that, when Jin Yue had tried to provoke her before, Song Wan hadn’t bothered to throw herself at Young Master Qi.

A pity, really.

Still, it proved that Jin Yue was ruthless enough, willing to do whatever it took.

—

Soon after, Song Wan arrived at the set. Director Qian was already having the scene prepared, hands clasped behind his back as he inspected everything.

She hurried over and shared her suspicions with him.

Director Qian narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp. “Are you certain?”

Song Wan nodded. “Almost. She slipped up herself.” After a pause, she added, “Besides, it was clearly aimed at me. There’s only one person in this crew who hates me that much—Jin Yue.”

He looked at her. “You two have a grudge?”

Song Wan gave a wry smile. “It’s one-sided. Jin Yue’s grudge against me.”

Director Qian suddenly remembered the incident on the first day of shooting. It seemed Jin Yue had targeted Song Wan from the very start.

She added, “By the way, Director Qian, I ran into her at the hotel entrance just now—with Young Master Qi.”

Out of a sense of mercy, she didn’t mention Jin Yue’s intention to take a leave of absence.

Director Qian’s temper flared. “Does Jin Yue even want to act? Why doesn’t she just sleep in Young Master Qi’s bed every day?”

This was not a comment Song Wan could respond to, so she simply stood aside in silence.

Thankfully, after years in the business, Director Qian had dealt with plenty of troublesome actors. His anger rose quickly but faded just as fast, and he soon regained his composure.

—

Perhaps Song Wan’s warning had an effect. Just as the first scene was wrapping up, Jin Yue finally arrived on set, hand in hand with Young Master Qi.

But as soon as they approached, Director Qian waved them off like pests. “We’re filming! Stay out of the way!”

Jin Yue’s heart tightened. She was about to apologize, but Young Master Qi grabbed her arm.

She panicked. “Young Master Qi, I—”

“What are you worried about? Don’t forget, I’m the investor here.” He shot her a warning glance. “Don’t embarrass me.”

Jin Yue pressed her lips together, Song Wan’s words echoing in her mind.

You know very well, Young Master Qi has little sway as an investor—he can’t overrule Director Qian.

Of course she knew. After all, she was only in this project because Young Master Qi had forced her in. She was more aware than anyone that, here, Director Qian’s authority was absolute.

When she’d read the script, it wasn’t the meager role of third female lead that had attracted her…

But in front of Young Master Qi, she didn’t dare contradict him.

When the first scene was finally done, she all but rushed to Director Qian. “Director Qian, I didn’t mean to be late. I’m really sorry.”

He regarded her with a half-smile. “Oh?”

Jin Yue wavered, debating whether to skip taking leave altogether…

But the burning pain in her body reminded her that she couldn’t possibly endure filming today.

Director Qian waited a moment, then his gaze turned icy and his mouth flattened. “Anything else?”

Jin Yue shuddered and shook her head, not daring to speak further.

Young Master Qi, however, leaned in. “Director Qian, I’m here to accompany Jin Yue while she asks for leave.”

Jin Yue’s eyes widened in alarm, and she looked up to meet Director Qian’s cold stare, shaking her head in panic. “No, I—It’s not—”