Chapter Ninety-Nine: Refusing to Leave

Director Li glanced disdainfully at Tian Jie, who was sitting beside him.

“How long are you going to keep this up? Doesn’t your crew need you to start working?”

Tian Jie replied with a distinctly bachelor-like tone, “Without the female lead, how can we start?”

“I’m asking, what is it about Bai Chenxi that you value so much? Why are you refusing to leave?”

It had been several days now, and Tian Jie came punctually every day regardless of rain or shine to clock in. Back when he was in school, he was never this diligent.

Tian Jie mimicked his words, “What is it about Bai Chenxi that you’re so attached to? Why won’t you let go?”

Director Li patiently explained, “To keep them focused, my actors can’t take on overlapping roles. You know that. So don’t waste your time here.”

But Tian Jie wasn’t buying it.

“Spare me the excuses. That kind of talk might fool outsiders, but don’t use such a flimsy reason to stall me.”

Director Li asked again, “Are you leaving or not?”

Without even looking at him, Tian Jie said, “Not leaving.”

Suddenly, a script was thrown onto Tian Jie’s lap. He looked at the rising Director Li with a slight smirk and said, “What, looking for a fight?”

Director Li rolled his eyes. “If you’re not leaving, then get to work. Help keep an eye on things. I’m going to take a nap.”

Tian Jie actually took the script and started working enthusiastically. Bai Chenxi watched and whispered to Xiaoyu, “When two people are arguing, it’s really best not to get involved. Who knows when they’ll make up? That’s truly the truth!”

Though it sounded like a cliché, Xiaoyu couldn’t shake the feeling that Bai Chenxi’s tone was a bit strange when she said it.

Bai Chenxi took a deep breath. It was almost her turn to film. The harsh words Director Tian once hurled at her echoed in her mind, and she wondered how much harsher he might be this time.

Mo Li, who was about to act alongside her, noticed her nervousness. Bai Chenxi was visibly restless; it was almost impossible to pretend not to see.

“Why so tense today?”

Bai Chenxi glanced briefly at Director Tian sitting there, then quickly looked away. “How can I not be? When I auditioned, Director Tian berated me harshly.”

Mo Li reassured her, “It’s nothing. That’s just his temperament. He only scolds you because he sees potential. If he didn’t want you, he wouldn’t say a word.”

Bai Chenxi looked at Mo Li with some doubt. “Really?”

“Of course. Don’t overthink it. When we start filming, I’ll be with you. You have to trust your acting.”

Mo Li’s confidence calmed Bai Chenxi considerably.

Director Tian watched Bai Chenxi’s performance. After some time apart, he noticed her acting had improved significantly. She truly was a talent worth cultivating.

Apparently, old Li had invested a lot of effort in her. No wonder he was reluctant to let her go.

“Cut! That’s a wrap.” Bai Chenxi was still in disbelief. “That’s it already?”

“What else?” Mo Li teased, “Do you expect him to scold you again to be satisfied?”

Bai Chenxi shook her head vigorously.

Though Director Tian wasn’t present, Tian Jie continued directing earnestly and didn’t take the opportunity to say anything to Bai Chenxi. Still, a few pointers were unavoidable. Bai Chenxi felt that the Director today was a completely different person from the one at the audition.

She wondered if it was the difference between being on home turf and away.

After a while, Director Tian returned from his break. Seeing Bai Chenxi sitting there, absorbing the lessons, he began to shoo people away. “Take your scripts and go study them.”

Bai Chenxi left quickly; she didn’t want to be cannon fodder here.

Director Tian looked at Tian Jie. “I told you, pestering me all day won’t work. Bai Chenxi is the one filming. If she doesn’t agree, you can’t do anything.”

Tian Jie immediately said, “You don’t have to worry about that. I have my ways. Just tell me if you’re willing to let her go or not.”

When Bai Chenxi auditioned, the light in her eyes was unmistakable—she truly loved the script. If given the chance, Tian Jie was certain she wouldn’t refuse.

Reluctantly, Director Tian said, “Let’s wait until Bai Chenxi agrees.”

Upon hearing this, Tian Jie gave Director Tian a big hug. “I’ll take that as a yes. Brother, much appreciated. I’ll treat you to dinner someday.”

Director Tian grumbled, “No thanks, I can’t eat anymore.” Tian Jie didn’t mind; it saved him a meal.

Seeing the two suddenly reconciled and hugging, Bai Chenxi sighed to Xiaoyu, “I think I finally understand why the media always gets slapped in the face. I feel embarrassed for them.”

Director Tian recognized her talent and wanted her as the female lead. Xia Yan told her, but she didn’t believe it. Mo Li told her, but she was indifferent. It wasn’t until Director Tian himself stood before her and said it that she dared to believe.

Tian Jie wore a displeased expression. “What’s with that face? Don’t you want it? Shouldn’t you be excited, agree immediately, and thank me?”

Bai Chenxi swallowed nervously. She had to admit, the impression Director Tian left during the audition was too deep. Even now, facing him made her uneasy.

She blankly asked, “Why me?”

Tian Jie was not the kind of gentle director who would say, “I admire your acting.” That was impossible.

“There’s no need for so many whys. Just give me a clear answer—will you act or not?”

“Didn’t Director Tian say during the audition that he would never cast me?” Bai Chenxi finally asked the question she had been wanting to.

Tian Jie choked up. He hadn’t expected his earlier words to become a problem now.

“Well…” Tian Jie steeled himself. “I guess I can tell you.”

“At the time, the investor, Mr. Che, who you probably know, had already decided on Li Keke as the female lead. But suddenly, we tricked you into thinking you were the lead.”

“I felt something was off and feared they had an ulterior motive, so I said that on purpose—to keep you from being fooled.”

After saying this, Tian Jie asked, “You weren’t deceived, were you?”

Bai Chenxi’s expression stiffened momentarily before returning to normal. “No, thank you, Director.”

Tian Jie was straightforward. “If you want to thank me, just take the role.”

“But…” Bai Chenxi looked troubled.

“What’s the ‘but’?” Tian Jie wondered why things were so complicated and nothing like he expected.

Bai Chenxi pointed toward Director Tian, who was far away. “But Director Tian doesn’t allow overlapping roles, so doesn’t Director Li’s filming have to wait?”

Previously, Director Tian had been watching every move here closely. When he saw Bai Chenxi point over, he immediately turned his head to pretend to be looking at the equipment.

“What’s the matter?” Tian Jie said confidently. “It’s fine; he agreed.”

Bai Chenxi was skeptical. Everyone on the crew knew Director Tian didn’t allow overlapping roles. Could it be that he took it upon himself to agree?

Tian Jie looked at Bai Chenxi as if to say, “Anything else? If so, you’d better say it all now.”

Bai Chenxi hesitated but quietly said, “I still need to talk to my agent.”

Tian Jie had completely lost patience. “Fine. Discuss it and let me know.”

Director Li saw Tian Jie return dejectedly and knew the negotiation hadn’t gone well. He mocked him without mercy, “Back already? Wasn’t it supposed to be a done deal?”

Tian Jie snorted sourly. “Eventually.” Then he sat down, sulking. Why was it nothing like he imagined? Bai Chenxi should have been excited and agreed on the spot!