Chapter 9

He wasn't interested in the award-worthy script the great director had handed him; if he became interested in the future, he would consider it. If those words had come from anyone else, the entire industry would have laughed their teeth out. But coming from Ao Qingyuan, everything seemed perfectly natural. Even if the media reporters and industry peers present were secretly criticizing him, none dared show it.

After all, when the name Ao Qingyuan was spoken, what could possibly be impossible?

Because Ao Qingyuan refused to answer any more questions, the media reporters' attention was finally diverted to the other actors. The other cast members, who had been thoroughly neglected throughout the press conference, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It was admittedly awkward to see every reporter swarm around Ao Qingyuan alone. But since everyone except Ao Qingyuan was enduring that awkwardness, the scene somehow did not seem quite so awkward anymore.

While the reporters were interviewing the others, Tian Bao'er, who played the female lead in Immortal-Demon Duel, leaned over to Ao Qingyuan and quietly asked, "Did you see the second male lead? Why didn't he attend the opening press conference?"

Ao Qingyuan shook his head. "I'm not sure."

Tian Bao'er smiled. "Actually, I graduated from Yanying too. It's rather embarrassing to say, but I've spent all these years going around in idol dramas, and viewers have always criticized my acting. I've brought shame to our alma mater."

Since they would soon be working together, Ao Qingyuan had also learned quite a bit about Tian Bao'er from Ji Jie. What Tian Bao'er was most criticized for was not her poor acting, but overlapping productions and publicity stunts involving dating rumors. She often took on two or three idol dramas at once, then had each drama's male lead "fall in love with her through acting." Still, that was a common tactic among many female celebrities.

At that thought, Ao Qingyuan silently shifted his body to the side. Though he always liked verbally sparring with Ji Jie, he still had to listen to the old-timers' advice. He had no desire to see promotional articles all over the internet claiming that he had fallen in love with Tian Bao'er at first sight once the press conference was over.

Tian Bao'er noticed Ao Qingyuan's wary movement and sat up straight with a smile. She knew her reputation was poor. Ao Qingyuan was at the height of his popularity; if all his female fans around the world lined up, they could probably circle the Fifth Ring Road ten times. More importantly, Ao Qingyuan was not even twenty yet, while she was nearly thirty. Her relationship had also just been exposed by paparazzi. If rumors about the two of them really spread now, the only person whose reputation would suffer would be Tian Bao'er, with her long list of past offenses. Naturally, she would not do something that harmed herself without benefiting anyone.

The supporting actors seated nearby appeared to be intently watching the audience below, but in truth, they were all keeping an eye and ear on Ao Qingyuan and Tian Bao'er's interaction. Seeing this, they could not help having a few thoughts of their own. Before long, the opening press conference ended amid everyone's tacit understanding.

It was nearly mealtime, and everyone was starving. But because they were still in full makeup and costume, they could not eat yet. They had to wait until the promotional stills were taken and their makeup was removed. The whole process would take another three or four hours. Someone observant noticed that the actor playing the second male lead, Supreme One, had not appeared for the promotional stills either. When they asked the photographer, they learned that his shots had already been finished.

"He finished early and left early. He was taking photos while you were holding the opening press conference. He left as soon as he was done."

Some particularly curious people still refused to give up and pestered the photographer to show them Supreme One's promotional stills. But when the photographer pulled them up, every single one showed him wearing a mask, covering him completely. His face could not be seen at all.

"Isn't this way too mysterious?" someone could not help complaining. But generally speaking, the more a production hid someone away and played tricks, the more it meant they intended to promote them. In the game, Supreme One was the soul form that appeared when the male lead, Huangfu Ying, triggered a divine artifact. Not only did he follow the male lead throughout the entire storyline, he also had his own plotline and historical background. Anyone with eyes could tell that a role like this was meant to launch someone. Not to mention the way Wenren Yan had entered the production that morning.

Someone sneakily glanced at Ao Qingyuan, barely able to contain their excitement at the coming spectacle. "...Looks like Canghai Media is determined to have Ao Qingyuan carry their own newcomer."

"They threw over a hundred million in salary at him," someone said dismissively. "Shouldn't he be carrying a newcomer?"

Meanwhile, on the other side, the newcomer everyone believed was about to be carried was "throwing a tantrum" at the hotel, preparing to "ruin" a project worth tens of billions.

Author's note:

Thank you to all the little angels who tipped or provided nutrient solution between 2020-05-17 12:20:27 and 2020-05-18 11:58:58!

Thank you to Feng Chu for the 1 landmine!

Thank you to Huai Xu for 10 bottles of nutrient solution!

Thank you all very much for your support. I will continue working hard!

Chapter 9

The people at Yan Feng Capital had all keenly noticed that ever since surveillance equipment had been installed in the newly leased office building and the big boss had directly ordered them to call the police, the atmosphere at the company had clearly changed.

First, the workaholic boss had barely come to the office at all. Rumor had it that he had gone off to act. Second, something seemed off about Jack as well. Although he was the head of Yan Feng Capital's investment department, Jack had previously always been responsible for the company's security work. But ever since the police report, all the security duties in Jack's hands had been transferred to Steven.

From then on, Jack had seemed distracted and uneasy. At yesterday's market close, he had even made a fatal mistake—perhaps because he had spent too many years trading overseas and was used to the T+0 system, he had forgotten that the domestic stock market used T+1. The trading order he issued could not be executed, causing the company losses of several million.

It was said that when Jack gave the boss a work report over video call, the boss's voice as he berated him could be heard all the way out in the public area beyond the office.

He must have been furious.

"Are you really okay?" During the lunch break, Zhang Yao looked at the absent-minded Zhao Zhao and asked with a frown, "And you can't blame the boss for being angry. How could you make such a basic mistake?"

Zhao Zhao gave a bitter smile and shook his head, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Zhang Yao sighed. "I know there might be some misunderstanding between you and the boss."

"He misunderstood me." Zhao Zhao looked both aggrieved and indignant. "We've known each other for so many years. You know what kind of person I am, don't you? Do you think I'm the sort of person who would sell out his master for glory and betray a friend for profit?"