CH 39.4

Do You Still Hate Her? 29 – “Young Lady, I’ve come to take you home.”

So, they began rehearsing right away.

Shang Lu and Ou Yi acted out a segment according to the original script. While Ou Yi had some acting issues, as long as the actor was in the right mindset, other problems could be adjusted through subsequent guidance from a qualified director.

Soon, Yue Qi and the screenwriter quickly reached a consensus during their discussion and made some minor adjustments to this scene.

The two of them huddled together to read the script. Shang Lu held up her chopsticks and sincerely asked, “Can I start eating first?”

“You guys go ahead and eat,” Yue Qi replied, and then instructed the screenwriter to make on-the-spot changes to the script.

Meanwhile, Shang Lu sat together with Ou Yi and enjoyed their meal, then sensed a resentful gaze directed at them.

The screenwriter’s laptop was open on the table at some point, and under Yue Qi’s guidance, he made revisions while occasionally glancing up at them with teary eyes, his face reflecting the bitterness and pain of a worker who had to work overtime.

Shang Lu : “…”

Shang Lu chose to slide a plate of pineapple buns in front of the screenwriter. She could only do this much.

The screenwriter immediately grabbed a large piece and stuffed it into his mouth, then wiped his hands and continued typing on the keyboard.

Yue Qi glanced at Shang Lu, took a piece for himself, and continued supervising the live revision process with the screenwriter.

However, Yue Qi soon realized that this couldn’t go on for long. They had to return to their workplace. So, he left with the screenwriter.

As they left, the screenwriter looked back at the delicious food on the table.

Shang Lu reminded, “There are free brownie cakes at the entrance.”

The screenwriter took two pieces before leaving.

Now, only Shang Lu and Ou Yi remained.

Before, because he was afraid of disturbing Yue Qi and the screenwriter’s work, Ou Yi had already become much quieter. Now that they had left, he had reverted back to his chatty nature, incessantly chatting away.

“Oh my, Teacher Shang Lu, you have no idea how nervous I was just now. I never thought that my first time acting would be for Director Yue Qi. I even forgot my lines midway.

“Teacher Shang Lu, your acting is truly amazing. You immersed me in the scene. Your acting skills are simply…”

Before Ou Yi could finish his sentence, he saw Shang Lu pick up a drink and look at him, saying directly, “Let’s have a pleasant collaboration.”

Ou Yi was taken aback, then raised his cup to clink with Shang Lu’s.

Then he continued, “It’s truly an honor to work with you. Will I be able to spend time with you on set day and night? My Dad will be so happy to know about this!”

Shang Lu : “?”

Ou Yi seemed to have mentioned his Dad last time, but since they were meeting for the first time then, she didn’t directly inquire. What does his Dad have to do with this anyway?

Facing Shang Lu’s puzzled gaze, Ou Yi recounted in great detail and seriousness the ‘Theory of Benefactor1changed ‘noble person’ to ‘benefactor’‘ that his Dad had advised him about.

Shang Lu finally understood why Ou Yi was praising her so excessively.

So, Shang Lu said there was really no need for such extravagance; it was exhausting to listen to.

Seeing Ou Yi about to retort, she directly asked, “Don’t you listen to your benefactor’s words?”

Ou Yi thought about the teachings his Dad had given him.

Although there are many things to pay attention to when dealing with the benefactor, the most important thing is that whatever the benefactor says, goes.

So he agreed and said, “Alright, I’ll do my best to control.”

With this promise finally obtained from Ou Yi, Shang Lu then said, “Okay, let’s have a meal.”

Ou Yi indeed lived up to his words. Every time he was about to praise her, he managed to hold back halfway through.

As dinner was coming to an end, Meng Zhichuan called, saying, “I have some unfinished work here. Shall I have your assistant pick you up?”

Both of Shang Lu’s assistants were girls. It wasn’t really necessary for them to come all the way to pick her up late at night, so she directly said, “It’s fine, it’s not far. I’ll just take a cab back myself.”

However, Ou Yi interjected, “My manager will come to pick me up. They can drop you off.”

Before Shang Lu could say anything, Meng Zhichuan’s voice came with a hint of panic, “Who? Shang Lu, who are you with? Is that Director Yue’s voice?!”

Shang Lu replied, “It’s Ou Yi. Director Yue Qi also invited him for an audition.”

Upon hearing Shang Lu’s explanation, Meng Zhichuan thought for a moment. Since Ou Yi’s manager would be there too, it shouldn’t be a problem, so he thanked Ou Yi briefly.

Both of them finished their meal and were ready to leave together.

However, when they arrived at the underground parking lot, they sensed that something was amiss.

Ou Yi grasped Shang Lu’s wrist but didn’t say anything.

Shang Lu froze, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

“Ugh, so annoying. Why hasn’t my manager arrived yet?” Ou Yi complained, speaking these words. He took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to his manager, all the while tilting his phone screen towards Shang Lu’s direction.

[There’s someone inside, probably one of my dedicated fans]

Shang Lu immediately understood.

After all, idols like Ou Yi, especially those who trained abroad for a few years, had a reputation for having incredibly devoted and sometimes even obsessive fans who would follow them everywhere.

However, right at that moment, they heard footsteps coming from the entrance behind them.

Shang Lu initially thought it might be just a passerby, but when they looked up, they realized that something was off.

The person was heavily disguised, and neither Shang Lu nor Ou Yi would go to such lengths to cover their faces.

That familiar figure…

Yet before Shang Lu could recognize the person, the person spoke up on their own initiative, his laughter tinged with a touch of madness. “Shang Lu, Ou Yi, you’re actually here. I knew it, you’re truly a couple of lovebirds! I’ve finally caught you today. Just as I thought!”

As the person spoke, he began walking towards them.

At this moment, Xia Yuan was extremely delighted. Initially, he had only wanted to teach Shang Lu a lesson, but he hadn’t expected Ou Yi to be here too. This was a bountiful harvest!

Everything was just so coincidental.

While waiting at the entrance, Xia Yuan saw Yue Qi and his screenwriter, and when they mentioned Shang Lu and Ou Yi’s performance for today, he knew that his two most despised individuals were sitting inside.

He had just a sliver of rationality left, and now even that was gone. Today, he was determined to make these two pay.

Shang Lu’s voice turned cold. “Show some respect. We were invited here by Director Yue Qi.”

But at this moment, Xia Yuan wasn’t interested in explanations. Or perhaps, he simply didn’t want to listen.

Ou Yi pulled Shang Lu behind him, then looked at Xia Yuan and asked directly, “What do you want to do?”

“What do I want to do? Of course, I want to expose the true colors of you two-faced couple,” Xia Yuan said with a smile and continued, “Shang Lu, I’ll give you a chance to tell everyone that you seduced me, that everything is your fault.”

Shang Lu readily agreed, “Sure, should I post it on Weibo?”

Xia Yuan looked at her, remained silent for a while, then asked, “Are you that kind-hearted?”

“Just think it’s pointless,” Shang Lu replied with a sly smile and continued, “How many people do you think will believe it?”

Xia Yuan’s face instantly turned dark.

He burst into manic laughter, “You wicked woman, indeed even more malicious than I imagined! I shouldn’t have approached you in the first place. I was deceived by your appearance. How didn’t I see what kind of person you are!”

“Ridiculous,” Shang Lu found it absurd and asked him, “Even now, you don’t reflect on your infidelity during your relationship. Instead, you only blame me, someone difficult to manipulate? Are you worthy… of your girlfriend?”

“You want to talk about Jiang Jing, right? Just say it directly, what does it matter? She’s the same as you, both of you are despicable, both betrayed me!” Xia Yuan got angry, then burst into laughter again and continued, “She’s so much older, just a couple more years and she could be my mother. After being together with her for so many years, getting tired of it is normal, isn’t it? It’s her who’s too clingy. Otherwise, I would’ve kicked her to the curb a long time ago!”

Xia Yuan became more excited as he spoke, even adding, “But Shang Lu, your appearance and figure are quite impressive. I’ve slept with several people who looked somewhat like you. Those internet celebrities used your face as a template for their plastic surgeries quite a bit. However, they still fell a bit short compared to you. Otherwise, if you spend a night with me, we can let this matter go.”

Before Shang Lu could reply, it was actually Ou Yi who stood in front of Shang Lu, warning, “Xia Yuan, shut up.”

“Is this any of your business to speak here? My imitation,” Xia Yuan pointed at Ou Yi and laughed even more exaggeratedly, even raising a hand to wipe away his tears.

“Don’t argue with him, he’s not in the right state of mind,” Shang Lu pulled Ou Yi’s sleeve and lowered her voice to speak. Ever since Xia Yuan started exposing those ‘dark secrets,’ she had realized that this wasn’t just a simple verbal fight.

Xia Yuan had suffered from the consequences of being recorded before. Even though he suddenly appeared here and knew that there were no recording devices as he caught them off guard, he couldn’t be completely unprepared.

After all, a love affair might lead to a loss of his fans at worst, but what he had just revealed would truly and completely ruin him once it was exposed.

Unless he stops caring about everything, he dares to say anything.