**Puhaha! Is Director Wang Only Worth Five Hundred Bucks?!**

In Episode 45, investors brought their own stools to visit the set—and there was more than one of them. The Raging Sea Massacre crew was probably the first in history to have a scene like elementary school students sitting in neat rows.

Although Wang Wei believed the more capital, the better, seeing these untouchable big shots planted along the wall like weeds no pesticide could remove filled him with worry. With so many monitors watching, how was he supposed to make this movie?

If they start changing things at random, I won't even have the right to argue. Should I return the money?

No, he couldn't bear to.

So Wang Wei began pacing in circles by the wall.

"President Huo, has the company been busy lately?"

"Ah, not too bad."

"President Meng, your stocks have been pretty stable lately. Not bad."

"President Fu, do you have many trainees lately?"

"Not bad."

"Uh, President Yan, move aside. It's my turn."

Yan Jinyu mercilessly shoved Wang Wei aside. Resting her chin on one hand, she looked toward the center of the set again. At the sight of that familiar figure, her eyes curved once more. The timid director who had been shoved aside turned and saw it, thinking, Great, another lovesick fool.

Song Yichuan had already changed into the production's costume. The dark navy training uniform outlined his tall, neat figure.

The Nan Er he portrayed worked for a special department. He was a man of few words but possessed extraordinary skills, accompanying the female lead played by Pan Xiaoyue to the desert to investigate the bizarre disappearance of an entire village's population.

Since it was a science-fiction production, most scenes required post-production, so the actors had to stay in the studio for long periods and strike all kinds of difficult poses.

Song Yichuan in particular had a special role, so wire work and fight scenes were commonplace. Though he was only a supporting character, he had plenty of scenes, and his skills were strong enough that the final cut could easily steal the leads' thunder.

The role Fu Zhouchi had secured for Lu Chen, however, was rather dispensable. He often had no lines, appearing only as background dressing in shots. Sometimes he did not even make it into the frame.

A fallen rich young lady as arrogant as Pan Xiaoyue naturally did not take him seriously.

When they met on set, she could not even be bothered to greet him. Lu Chen had to approach her himself.

"Hello, Teacher Pan. I'm Lu Chen, a newcomer from Fuji Entertainment."

Afraid of missing any juicy gossip, Pan Xiaoyue had been staring at Song Yichuan's mouth. Hearing the voice, impatience instantly gathered between her brows. Isn't this Lu Chen?

I know you. The Song family's housekeeper's son—the one Song Xiaonan, that lovesick fool, used to like.

No matter how old the gossip was, it was still delicious once she got to hear it. Staying up all night with her best friend had not been in vain.

Lu Chen froze, then forced an awkward smile. "Teacher Pan, you've misunderstood. We merely grew up together. We're as close as siblings."

Hearing that, Pan Xiaoyue turned and sized him up. "That's what all scumbags say." The retort left Lu Chen deeply embarrassed. Just as he was thinking of how to explain himself, a clear but angry voice behind them interrupted. "Bullying your family again? Do you still think you're some rich young lady? Now you're just like us—a mere actor. How much nobler do you think you are?"

Having just finished testing the wires, Song Yichuan heard the familiar arguing on set and immediately relapsed into his professional habit. He quietly asked the staff member beside him, "Who's that?"

The staff member wore a strange expression. "The male lead. You don't know him? Chen Feng just won Best Newcomer."

Song Yichuan suddenly understood. "Oh, I really don't know him."

"Yichuan, come here. Let me introduce you to the pillar of our production."

Wang Wei waved with a smile.

Song Yichuan stepped forward and stood between the male and female leads. Lu Chen, who had just been at the center of the storm, was quietly squeezed out. Though unwilling, he could do nothing about it.

Society was that realistic. Those at the bottom could only look up, while those at the top found it harder than climbing to heaven to fit in.

Lu Chen's expression darkened. He secretly gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

Lu Chen could not understand it. After filming for the first season of the dating reality show had ended, he should have made a breakthrough in the entertainment industry. So why was he still lingering on the outskirts even after signing with the most powerful entertainment company in the industry?

Even that man... Lu Chen turned toward Fu Zhouchi in the corner and found that the other man's gaze had never once lingered on him, as if his attention was always fixed on that bitch.

Am I going to lose?

Impossible. I don't believe it!

"This is Song Yichuan. He joined the crew yesterday. You two have quite a few scenes together, so you can exchange pointers."

As Wang Wei spoke, he patted Chen Feng's waist. Chen Feng's expression instantly changed, but half a second later, he forced out a smile. "Hello. I watched the footage. Your performance was very good. Hello."

Song Yichuan nodded, his gaze falling on Wang Wei's less-than-proper hand.

Ah, what's going on here?

The director doesn't just like muscular men—he likes pretty young guys too. His tastes are pretty varied.

Hearing this, Pan Xiaoyue's eyes lit up as she looked back and forth between Chen Feng and Wang Wei.

Wow. No wonder Wang Wei always takes Chen Feng's side whenever they argue. So they've been sneaking around behind everyone's backs for ages.

Not sure yet. Let's listen some more. I'll go change in the dressing room first.

Chen Feng's expression did not look good as he lifted his foot to head backstage.

Wang Wei grinned. "Yichuan, don't mind him. Chen Feng's just got that kind of temper. People with talent are all like that."

"Director Wang, why haven't I seen you be so tolerant with me? I'm an award winner too, you know."

Pan Xiaoyue folded her arms, her eyes brimming with mockery. "That's true. Isn't a Best Actress award more valuable than a Best Newcomer award? Your favoritism is a little obvious. Let me see what's going on here."

The Squatting Squad by the wall perked up. It's here, it's here—the gossip is coming!

Sure enough, only seconds later, they heard Song Yichuan exclaim in his heart, No way, no way!

Did I misunderstand?

Director Wang, with that Wu Dalang build, actually managed to father such a slim young man? Did a genetic mutation happen?

Father? Genetic mutation?

What does that mean?

Chen Feng and Wang Wei are blood relatives?!

My God! If the Gossip King hadn't spilled this, I never would have imagined it!

The Squatting Squad could not help sighing emotionally. Wait, Director Wang had a child out of wedlock, and he's into men?

What kind of chaotic mess is this?!

Let me dig deeper—holy shit, so that's what happened!

Back when Director Wang's talent went unrecognized, he needed money to make films, so he treated investors to food, drinks, and entertainment at upscale bars. Places full of neon lights and liquor were especially prone to chance encounters. Director Wang never dreamed that even a loser like him would get lucky. One night, a woozy woman took him, equally woozy, to a five-star hotel. The next morning, she discovered he was too ugly to bear looking at, so she left five hundred bucks behind and quietly slipped away.

When Director Wang woke up and found five hundred bucks by the bed, he was instantly overcome with grief and indignation. He swore he would find the hateful woman who had bought his first time.

Squatting Squad member Huo Renjie.

"His first time was only worth five hundred bucks? That's way too tragic!"