Chapter 39

Yan Yan Turns Into Cannon Fodder

“Liu Shu, I’m going to stop taking pictures of her now.” Louis lifted his head and smirked. “Her presence is like a tiny stain. She’ll tarnish my perfect work of art.”

Liu Shu had nothing to say.

Yan Yan might not be aware of this, but the audience could see it all crystal clear. She, who stood behind Si Huang, was not even fit to be looked at. Her pretty face was supposedly enough to make everything else pale in comparison, but Si Huang’s presence was too overwhelming, and her acting skills were far too superior. Yan Yan was unable to keep up. Her expression looked stiff no matter what she did, and her gaze seemed artificial. This woman was simply not good enough!

“Xiao Liu, there are plenty of good young saplings around. Why’d you ever choose her?” Granny Yu spoke up again.

Those words were the straw that broke the camel’s back for Yan Yan.

Director Liu’s reaction was exactly what Yan Yan had feared. “It’s my fault. I’ll take care of it. It will not affect The Sovereign Journey’s production,” he told Granny Yu. Then, he locked eyes with Yan Yan. She immediately understood when she saw the cold, distant, merciless glint in his gaze.

‘He’s going to fire me!’ She may have signed a contract, but why should he fear liquidated damages when Yu Shulan, one of the great Buddhas, had spoken?

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Yan Yan was too afraid to unleash her frustration on Director Liu and the rest, regardless of how much resentment she felt. Her face turned a red-purple shade as she faced them and begged. “I’m actually not feeling well today, so I couldn’t get into character. Please give me another chance! I promise I’ll deliver!”

Louis didn’t speak. Granny Yu did not look at her. Director Liu frowned. Suddenly, they heard a small chuckle. Si Huang turned around and looked at her. “Give it a try then.”

Most crew members felt that Si Huang was being too gallant. It was bad enough that he had such good looks and amazing acting skills, yet he had a kind heart to boot. The female staff howled internally and fretted over this young man. Such kind-heartedness did not bode well for people in the entertainment industry. He’d be pushed around and manipulated to death!

Director Liu and the rest, however, made a mental note. ‘We must never underestimate this kid! He’s obviously out to eradicate her!’

Granny Yu did not object to Si Huang’s suggestion, so Director Liu indulged him.

This was clearly an opportunity. Zhou Jian was holding on to a small sliver of hope. He cheered Yan Yan on with an earnest look in his eyes.

Unfortunately, Yan Yan’s state of mind was even more chaotic than ever.

She was too close to Si Huang. She could see Si Huang’s eyes and expression very clearly when he turned around. His eyes seemed too clear and incisive and reflected her twisted face.

Yan Yan would have preferred it if his eyes had been filled with malice and rejection instead of this clear, bottomless gaze. It served as a foil for her flustered state, as if she wasn’t even good enough to compete with him.

SMACK!

The entire set went silent.

The look on everyone’s faces changed at once. They stared at Yan Yan and Si Huang with varying expressions.

“Sorry.” Si Huang pushed his leg away as he stared at Yan Yan, who had fallen. “It was a reflex.”

No one blamed Si Huang. After all, everyone had seen Yan Yan making the first move—she was actually crazy enough to reach out to slap Si Huang.

Granny Yu leaped to her feet like a tigress protecting her cub. “Get her out of here!”

“M-Maybe you should stop watching—” Old Tie began to speak but was stopped by a single glare from Granny Yu.

“I’m sorry, Madam Yu. A great woman like you would never stoop to the level of a petty girl, right? Please do not lower yourself to our Yan Yan’s level. She’s just a senseless child. She’s used to being spoiled.” Zhou Jian rushed to help Yan Yan up to her feet, bowing and nodding to Granny Yu and the rest while apologizing continuously.

“She’s an adult. How could you possibly call her a child?” Granny Yu sneered. “She’s certainly got some nerve to show her spoiled attitude off in front of me.” Before Zhou Jian could apologize any further, the next part of her exclamation struck them so hard that their faces fell like dead ashes. “I don’t think this girl should belong in the entertainment industry, nor does she have the talent for it. She should leave as soon as possible.”

Granny Yu was one of the leading authorities in the entertainment industry. Yan Yan had no substantial family background or support. Granny Yu’s declaration had sealed her fate.

“I won’t leave! Why should I leave? What’d I do wrong? He was singling me out! Are you all blind? Didn’t you see that? He hit me! I’m going to sue him! Zhou Jian, let me go! Let me go! I won’t take this… Sniff… Sob, sob…”

Yan Yan knew what would happen if she left now. Left at her wit’s end, she had no choice but to break down and sob.

“Please return the costume and props before you leave,” Director Liu reminded her with a stony face.

‘Ooooh… That’s gotta hurt!’ everyone else thought.

Yan Yan’s tragic removal from the set promptly concluded this absurd drama. Even the male crew members did not feel pity for her.

“Why didn’t we notice how horrible Yan Yan’s acting was? What about her terrible personality?” a male crew member whispered to his colleague as he moved some equipment.

His male colleague scratched his head. “Her IQ is horrible too. I never imagined that. I guess you really can’t believe what people say until you actually see it for yourself. She was such a phony.”

Du Qiang, who was nearby, overheard their conversation. Her heart was still racing excitedly. She felt a strong swell of glory and pride. She was really excited. She had to talk to her little friends about this. She sent the video recording on her phone to the Order of Knights’ penguin group with only one caption…

Rose With Thorns: “Acting skills, crushed. You have been honorably defeated in your triumphant territory. His Highness is just that amazing!”

Du Qiang put her phone down after that and did not check for replies. She watched Si Huang. She suddenly remembered that, not too long ago, his kind, confident, smiling face had told her to “just sit tight and watch”.

In the end, it was decided that the role of the second female protagonist of The Sovereign Journey would be recast. Granny Yu gave a personal recommendation and asked Director Liu to contact her. Then, she asked, “Is Xiao Huanghuang done for the day?”

Director Liu chose to ignore her startling form of address and replied, “Yes, Si Huang doesn’t have many scenes today.”

Naturally, as the author of The Sovereign Journey, Granny Yu knew this very well. However, she smiled gleefully as if it had only just hit her. “Xiao Huanghuang! Won’t you join your granny for a meal?” she asked Si Huang.

“Okay, granny. But let me change first, okay?” Si Huang replied naturally.

Old Tie shot her a look. ‘Who could possibly fawn over someone like this? She’s thrown the word “granny” around so easily!’

However, Granny Yu was giddier than ever. One could see laugh lines at the tips of her eyes. Her voice was crisp and full of joy as she said, “Oh my! You look fine just like that! You always look amazing, my Xiao Huanghuang!”