Provoked! At the Critical Final Push, She Was Actually...

While Pan Xiaoyue was touching up her makeup for Episode 40, she suddenly shivered for no reason. She turned and glared at her assistant. "Hey, why is the air conditioner blasting so hard? Are you trying to freeze me to death?"

The assistant scratched his head. "Sister Pan, the production uses central air conditioning. The temperature and airflow are all set uniformly."

"What a blockhead!"

Pan Xiaoyue rudely cut him off. "Can't you go ask the giant thing to adjust it?"

"Oh, okay, I'll go right away."

The assistant hurriedly agreed. As he turned away, he muttered to himself, Strange. The temperature isn't high, and the wind isn't strong either. Why does she want it adjusted?

Could Sister Pan be up to something again? Does she want to roast everyone to death?

Ugh, the spoiled entitlement that comes with a declining family. She always wants to stir up trouble to get everyone's attention. So annoying.

The makeup room fell quiet again. Only then did Pan Xiaoyue take out her phone and tap open the WeChat message she had just received: Song Yichuan is joining the production. Be careful.

Suyichuan had been especially popular lately. He had exposed so many unknown juicy scandals—was he really that impressive?

And I need to be careful of him?

She curled her lip disdainfully and picked up her powder puff to continue concealing her blemishes.

Though the director had forbidden excessive makeup because it would affect the overall realism, the slap from her sponsor had left her left cheek red and swollen. How could she appear on camera without covering it up?

After finally finishing her makeup, Pan Xiaoyue took a deep breath, put on what she believed to be her most beautiful smile, and walked out of the makeup room, swaying her way toward the filming set.

She suddenly froze.

Why had so many people suddenly appeared? And they all looked familiar—were they all industry insiders?

"Xiaoyue, come here!"

The director waved enthusiastically. "Let me introduce you to several new investors."

Pan Xiaoyue was utterly dumbfounded. Were these people here to invest? They were obviously here to watch the drama!

"Huh?"

"No, was this really necessary? Were they really so eager that they were willing to pay just to watch?"

After signing his contract with Fuji Entertainment, Lu Chen returned to the Song family home to pack his things. Entering through the foyer, he saw Mr. and Mrs. Song drinking tea with their younger daughter in the living room. They looked relaxed and casual, as though his departure had caused them no emotional reaction whatsoever.

Lu Chen's expression darkened slightly. He walked into the living room. "Uncle Song, Auntie Song, Xiaonan, I came to say goodbye."

Upon hearing his voice, Song Xiaonan did not even raise her eyelids. "Dad, Mom, I'm going back to my room."

She left as soon as she spoke. As she brushed past Lu Chen, she held herself with lofty pride and never once looked his way.

Lu Chen watched Song Xiaonan's retreating figure. Hmph, so many years of affection, and it vanished overnight? That was a little too fast, wasn't it?

Lu Chen did not believe it. He thought this was merely Song Xiaonan changing tactics to attract his attention—probably playing hard to get.

Hmph, what an outdated trick!

Lu Chen sneered inwardly. When he turned and walked into the living room, his face showed regret. "I'm sorry, Uncle Song, Auntie Song. I never expected to hurt Xiaonan so badly. If there's anything I can do, please just tell me."

"Call us Uncle and Auntie."

Song Deyi set his teacup on the table, then abruptly changed the subject. "Have you found somewhere to live?"

So Uncle and Auntie are already trying to distance themselves from me? Dream on.

How are you going to settle the life my family owes?

Hmph!

Lu Chen still wore an innocent expression. "Thank you for worrying, Uncle and Auntie. I just signed with Fuji Entertainment for my debut. They'll provide a dormitory."

"That's good."

Qin Shuyuan nodded. After all, she had watched him grow up. How could she possibly feel nothing for him?

Although Hao Da'er had said Lu Chen was an ungrateful wretch who would harm Song Jia in the future, nothing had happened yet. It was unrealistic to suddenly turn hostile. At most, they could take precautions and drive him away first.

Lu Chen stood there waiting for a long time, but did not hear the words of persuasion he had expected. He could only smile awkwardly. "Uncle, Auntie, the company has just helped me land a role. There shouldn't be any financial problems."

"A role?"

Song Deyi keenly sensed something. "Which drama?"

"Rage, Harm, Frenzied Killing."

Thinking Song Deyi was concerned about him, Lu Chen's expression softened.

"The pay is pretty good. I should be able to pay my mother's medical bills in advance."

Song Deyi ignored him and turned directly to Qin Shuyuan.

"Huh?"

"Isn't that the drama Xiao Chun is acting in?"

"I heard there's a huge scandal involving a Best Actress, and it's being livestreamed. Should we go join the fun?"

Qin Shuyuan understood her husband's look in an instant.

"Ah, it's our dear son's production. We have to visit the set. Let's go now!"

Song Deyi made as if to stand, but Qin Shuyuan beat him to it.

"Of course! Don't tell me you want to wait until the dishes are served before going?"

The two hurried toward the restaurant exit. As they passed Lu Chen, they tossed out a remark. "Once you finish packing, leave. We won't see you off."

"Maybe we'll run into each other at the set later."

Lu Chen was dumbfounded. Something seemed wrong, but he could not put his finger on it. He only desperately wanted to curse, What the hell?

"Uh..." The moment Song Yichuan entered the set, he was so startled he nearly burped. He swept his eyes over the packed crowd. "Didn't I just come along with Brother Yu to have lunch? Why are there suddenly so many people?"

"Could there be some explosive news I don't know about?"

"Impossible. I just checked Melon Sweet. Aside from Pan Xiaoyue getting caught cheating in a closet by her sponsor this morning and slapped, nothing else happened!"

Pan Xiaoyue froze on the spot. There had only been three people present when she was caught in the closet. There was no way word could have gotten out!

How did he know?

Song Yichuan narrowed his eyes. Aren't those my biological father and mother? Why are the Song couple here?

"Never mind. Let's keep reporting for duty!"

Song Yichuan walked further into the set and greeted several familiar faces.

"Huh? You guys are this free?"

"Love Sect finished filming. Don't you need to work?"

"Ah, the vacation isn't over yet!"

Huo Renjie explained guiltily.

Of course he had work. He just wanted to watch the drama first.

"Director, this is the second male lead you found?"

With her privacy exposed, Pan Xiaoyue's face had turned crimson.

"Didn't you see the web drama he acted in before?"

"His acting is terrible. If you let him join, I'll quit."

No matter who had put Song Yichuan here, she had to get rid of him. Even if it meant offending a tycoon, there was no helping it. This man was a ticking time bomb.

"Xiaoyue, regardless of his surname, we should at least let him audition first."

The director tried to persuade her with a troubled expression. Pan Xiaoyue opened her mouth to retort, but Song Yichuan's inner voice got there first.

Hilarious. She just became a Best Actress, and now she wants to throw her weight around by threatening to quit. Does she think the director is stupid enough to let an actor control him?

She was once a socialite, at least. Can't she use her brain?

Such a secret affair, yet she was caught cheating on the spot. And the closet door was opened right during the critical final push, nearly causing permanent damage.

Hahaha, was that really just a coincidence?

Did no one tip off the sponsor?

Pan Xiaoyue's expression abruptly changed. "Ah!"

That was right. It had happened so suddenly—why had she never thought to find the person who had leaked the information?

She whirled around, her eyes gleaming. "Who was it?"

"Say it!"

The industry insiders watching at the set were thrilled. "Good stuff, good stuff!"

"Keep going, keep going!"