Chapter 103: Chapter One-Hundred and Three: Causing Trouble
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“I’m really sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Wang, but we couldn’t waste our time squabbling with Xiao Ya. As for keeping our entire production crew a secret… We had no choice. Someone had already exposed the fact that our lead actress had run away while we were still worried about Gao Bei, and made us a laughing stock. I remember the first person to break that news was also from
Xinyan Press. Am I right, Mr. Wang?” There was an instant uproar at her words.
Wang Wei refused to concede despite this and stubbornly remarked, “Our news has always been the fastest.” With that said, he disdainfully looked down on everyone.
Fang Xi observed the scene and the crowd’s growing anger toward the man and smiled. “You’re right!” she stated. “It’s really difficult to get such first-hand information without an insider!”
Fang Xi didn’t give Wang Wei a chance to argue and continued, “We’re also well aware of this. We went back to investigate our own production team and actually found a few spies waiting to reveal our helplessness to the public. Of course, their goal was to ensure Yun Nan would be broken by the incident and never be able to make a comeback.”
“Hence, we sealed off the set so we wouldn’t be affected by the outside world and focused on presenting a good movie to everyone. I’m glad we finally have this opportunity to explain things to the public today.”
Fang Xi gestured for Shi Xiu to come to her side as she spoke, “As for Miss Shi Xiu, she’s indeed a newcomer. She was initially chosen to play another role, but after our lead actress stood us up, she stepped up to the plate and retook the previous scenes. Having watched the movie, I’m sure I don’t need to say any more about her performance. As a newcomer yet to graduate from university, she truly impressed us.”
Fang Xi then went on, “Judging from Mr. Wang Wei’s words just now, I think he means we planned for Shi Xiu to be our lead actress from the beginning, but we set up the whole missing lead actress drama to make a name for ourselves. I have to say, you really pulled out all the stops to sling mud at us. I feel that anything I say—or don’t say—would be a mistake, would be taken out of context, or misinterpreted. So I’ll save myself the effort and wait for time to prove our innocence.”
Wang Wei opened his mouth, still wanting to speak up. Someone beside him stood up, put a hand on his shoulder, and teased, “Wang Wei, bro, we’re all fellow colleagues, aren’t we? The entertainment industry is only so big; we’re bound to meet each other from time to time, so why don’t you tell us the source of your information? Let us all make progress and get rich together!”
Wang Wei frowned, shrugged the man off, and reached out to dust his shoulder with a look of disdain.
Someone on the side jeered, “Hey! Take a hint, will you? This guy is paid to do his business. All the questions he asked went for the jugular, or didn’t you hear? He’s clearly working under someone’s orders, so aren’t you stealing his job by asking such questions?
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Wang Wei barked and glared at the person speaking.
That person laughed and taunted, “Don’t you guys make money by talking nonsense? So what’s with the sudden dislike for it? Besides, I’m not talking nonsense. Can you please point out which word I said was nonsense?” The crowd burst into laughter at that.
Wang Wei was immensely frustrated; he wanted to be rid of these idiots and continue pestering Fang Xi. He returned the man’s comments with even ruder responses. The others had long disliked the Xinyan Press, and immediately, several people surrounded him after his offensive words. The situation was a hair-trigger away from a fight.
Noticing the situation was getting out of hand, the emcee sought assistance from their boss while trying to attract everyone’s attention. “Miss Shi Xiu,” the emcee inquired, “What do you plan to do next? Will you continue to act in movies or television dramas?”
Shi Xiu also noticed the disturbance in the back rows. Just as Fang Xi reached for the microphone to speak for her, Shi Xiu gently blocked her hand and took the microphone. “I would have had the people deliberately causing trouble like this chased out with my previous temper, ” she uttered. “However, the biggest benefit I gained after playing the role of Xiao He is the ability to restrain my temper. Gentlemen, either you come on stage and talk things out, or you can solve things the manly way and have your fight outside. Well, what will it be?”
The audience immediately fell silent, and everyone stared at the petite little girl. Shi Xiu acted as if she hadn’t said anything and turned to look at the emcee with a smile. “I haven’t graduated from university yet, so the most important thing for me now is to study. However, if the right opportunity comes, I’m willing to try roles that suit me. Acting is a completely new field for me. My family is very supportive of me finding my own interest and potential through continuous experience..”