The Thousand Layers of Schemes of a Top-Tier Green Tea

The red Ferrari was like a blazing flame, parked across the crew's narrow passageway.

Gu Yan leaned against the car door and removed the sunglasses covering half his face, revealing a delicate face marked by excessive indulgence. He scrutinized Jian Ning with a critical gaze, his eyes openly filled with disgust and contempt.

"Jian Ning, long time no see." Gu Yan toyed with the limited-edition lighter in his hand, his tone frivolous. "I heard you climbed into Huo Si's bed recently? Tsk, tsk. Huo Si must be starving to eat even leftover scraps like you."

The surrounding staff sucked in a breath.

Those words were too vicious.

There was no shortage of such things in the entertainment industry, but being humiliated so publicly was something no man could endure.

Su Mo's expression darkened. She stepped forward and stood in front of Jian Ning, saying coldly, "Young Master Gu, watch your mouth. Jian Ning is an artist from our company, and President Huo personally sent him here. Are you questioning President Huo's judgment?"

"Using Huo Si to pressure me?" Gu Yan sneered, straightening abruptly and taking two steps closer. "Su Mo, don't forget that I'm the biggest additional investor in this drama! That fifty million was real money I poured in! If I say someone gets replaced, then they get replaced! Otherwise, I'll pull my investment! Let's see how this lousy crew keeps running once they run out of money!"

The moment they heard "pull my investment," Director Li and the producer beside him broke out in cold sweat.

Although Huo Corporation had invested as well, Gu Yan's fifty million was crucial funding for the post-production effects. If he really withdrew it, production would immediately grind to a halt.

Director Li forced himself forward with a placating smile. "Young Master Gu, Young Master Gu, please calm down! We can talk this out. Jian Ning doesn't have many scenes, and his acting—"

"Acting?" Gu Yan cut Director Li off and pointed at Jian Ning's nose. "Him? A pretty boy who only knows how to sell his ass? What does he know about acting?"

Faced with that finger-in-his-face humiliation, the silent Jian Ning finally moved.

He did not angrily retaliate as everyone expected, nor did he tremble in fear.

Instead, his beautiful peach-blossom eyes reddened slightly, instantly clouding over with a layer of mist. He gently tugged Su Mo's sleeve and poked half his body out from behind her, his voice trembling, weak, and helpless.

"Sister Su... don't argue with Young Master Gu because of me. Young Master Gu is right. I... I really don't deserve this."

Come on, come on, lighting crew, give me some light! Cameraman, push in for a close-up! It's time for my performance!

Gu Yan, you idiot, the harder you curse, the better! When Huo Si gets here later, let's see how you clean this up!

As Jian Ning spoke, he seemingly "fearfully" backed away, but his foot accurately stepped on a loose prop board.

"Ah—"

A cry of alarm rang out.

Jian Ning swayed, then fell heavily to the ground like a fragile fallen leaf.

He clutched his ankle, biting his lip as tears hung on his lashes without falling. He looked so pitiful that even a stray dog by the roadside would have its heart broken.

"Jian Ning!" Su Mo's expression changed as she hurriedly crouched down to check on him.

Gu Yan froze for a moment.

He had not... touched Jian Ning just now, had he?

Why had this kid fallen over by himself?

"What are you pretending for?!" Gu Yan came back to his senses and roared furiously. "Trying to scam me? Believe it or not, I'll really have someone break your legs!"

He raised his hand, making as if to rush over.

At that very moment, the System in Jian Ning's mind finally finished loading.

[Ding! Target's emotions detected to be extremely unstable. Gossip Sense scan complete!]

[Target: Gu Yan.]

[Current major scoop (S-rank): Gu Yan's so-called "fifty million investment" was actually public funds he secretly embezzled from Gu Group, money intended for employee year-end bonuses! The Gu Family patriarch is currently unaware.]

[Additional dirt: Gu Yan lost three hundred million gambling in Las Vegas and is currently being hunted by overseas debt collectors. If he does not plug that hole soon, he will not only be cast out by the Gu Family, but also face prison time. He invested in this production because he wanted to launder money!]

Jian Ning's fake crying abruptly froze.

Holy shit?! Embezzlement? Money laundering? Three hundred million in gambling debt?

Damn, this isn't some rich second-generation heir. He's a walking criminal code!

Young Master Gu, you're not here to pull your investment. You're personally delivering your weakness straight into Daddy's hands!

A glint flashed through Jian Ning's eyes.

In that case, the script needed a few revisions.

Relying on Huo Si alone to slap faces would be too boring. Doing it himself was far more satisfying!

Gu Yan was still shouting, "Get up! Stop playing dead here! Get the hell out of the crew!"

Jian Ning sniffed and, beneath countless sympathetic gazes, slowly and resolutely stood up.

He pushed away Su Mo, who wanted to support him, and limped over to Gu Yan.

"Young Master Gu." Jian Ning lifted his head, tears still streaking his face, though his eyes were exceptionally clear—in Gu Yan's eyes, provocatively so. "Since you insist on driving me away, then I'll leave. But... before I go, there's something I want to tell you alone. Consider it... a farewell to that 'relationship' we once had."

Gu Yan looked disgusted. "Who the hell had a relationship with you? Spit it out if you've got something to say!"

Still, he instinctively bent down and tilted his ear closer, wanting to see what nonsense this loser could possibly come up with.

Jian Ning rose onto his tiptoes and leaned close to Gu Yan's ear.

In a gentle voice that only the two of them could hear, he said each word distinctly.

"Gu Yan, have you paid back those three hundred million from Las Vegas?"

Gu Yan's body instantly stiffened like a stone statue.

The corners of Jian Ning's lips curled into a devilish smile as he continued whispering.

"Embezzling fifty million in year-end bonuses from the group to invest in the crew for money laundering... tsk, tsk. If your father finds out, or if the economic crimes unit finds out, Young Master Gu, I'm afraid you'll be spending the rest of your life in front of a sewing machine."

Boom—!

Gu Yan felt as though lightning had struck him five times. His face instantly went from arrogant red to deathly pale, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

He stared at Jian Ning in terror as though looking at a monster. "You... you... how could you..."

He had handled this matter with extreme secrecy! Even his own mother did not know! How could Jian Ning possibly know?!

Jian Ning took a step back and returned to his bullied, meek appearance. He said loudly, "Young Master Gu, please don't be angry! Although my acting isn't good, I'll work hard to improve! Please don't pull your investment. Don't let everyone's hard work go to waste!"

Quick! Cooperate with me! Otherwise, I'll call Old Master Gu right now!

Gu Yan was trembling all over.

Not from anger, but fear.

His weakness had been seized, his lifeline held in someone else's grip. How could he dare remain arrogant now?

Under the shocked eyes of the entire crew, the previously overbearing Young Master Gu suddenly changed his attitude.

He stiffly forced out a smile uglier than crying. He reached out as if to help Jian Ning, but did not dare touch him, standing there in complete panic.

"Th-that... actually... I think Jian Ning is right."

Everyone: "???"

Gu Yan wiped away cold sweat and stammered, "I-I was... testing his acting! Right! Testing his acting! I wanted to see Jian Ning's ability to react on the spot! I didn't expect... I didn't expect Jian Ning to pick up the scene so well! This acting is absolutely incredible! Those tears came the instant he wanted them! Amazing!"

Director Li's mouth fell open.

Su Mo adjusted her glasses, amusement flickering in her eyes.

The onlookers all had the same thought: Was this rich heir suffering from a split personality?

Jian Ning looked "moved." "Really, Young Master Gu? You're not driving me away?"

"I'm not! Absolutely not!" Gu Yan waved his hands frantically, terrified that Jian Ning might let his secret slip. "You're the best possible choice for the second male lead! Whoever dares replace you will have to answer to me!"

Jian Ning broke into a smile through his tears, then weakly swayed. "But... I think I twisted my ankle. I can't stand anymore..."

Gu Yan immediately understood—or rather, he had been scared out of his wits—and roared, "Where's a chair?! Stage crew! Bring a chair over right now! Can't you see Teacher Jian injured his foot?!"

Before the stage crew could react, Gu Yan had already rushed to the nearby rest area and carried over the most comfortable recliner himself. He even eagerly wiped it down with tissues. "Teacher Jian, sit! Please sit!"

Jian Ning did not stand on ceremony. He plopped down into the chair and sighed comfortably. "Ah, that gave me quite a fright. I'm a little thirsty."

Gu Yan immediately turned and shouted at his assistant, "Where's the milk tea?! Go buy the best milk tea! Full sugar, no ice, extra tapioca pearls! Hurry!"

The reversal came so quickly that it was like a tornado.

The entire crew was dumbfounded.

Was this really the Young Master Gu who had driven a Ferrari here to cause trouble? How had he turned into Jian Ning's personal assistant in the blink of an eye?

Su Mo watched the scene. Though she did not know what Jian Ning had said to Gu Yan, she knew one thing: this kid... had some skills.

Jian Ning lounged contentedly in the chair, watching Gu Yan bustle around, fanning him and bringing him water. He felt absolutely thrilled inside.

Hahahaha! This feels amazing! Is this the joy of turning a villain into my personal servant?

Gu Yan may have terrible character, but he's pretty handy to order around.

System, how many points can I get for this move? Can I exchange them for a "fully automatic massage chair"?

Just as Jian Ning was enjoying Young Master Gu's "supreme service," that familiar black Rolls-Royce silently appeared at the entrance to the set once more.

Huo Si had heard someone was causing trouble and had specifically pushed aside a one-hundred-million contract to come rescue him.

However, the moment the car stopped, he saw an utterly baffling scene through the window.

The Gu Family young master who had supposedly come looking for trouble was currently half-kneeling in front of Jian Ning, holding a cup of milk tea and offering it to Jian Ning's lips with a fawning expression.

Meanwhile, his "delicate little lover who could not take care of himself" sat with one leg crossed over the other like some grand lord, calmly enjoying it all.

Assistant Lin swallowed in the front seat. "President Huo... it seems... Mr. Jian doesn't need us to save him?"

Huo Si watched Jian Ning's smug expression. His previously gloomy face softened somewhat, even taking on a trace of amusement.

He pushed open the door and stepped out with his long legs.

"Looks like I came at the wrong time?"

Huo Si's deep voice cut through the crowd.

Hearing that voice, Gu Yan's hand trembled, and the scalding milk tea nearly spilled all over him.

He whipped around. When he saw Huo Si's cold, stern face, it was like seeing both a savior and the King of Hell.

"P-President Huo..." Gu Yan shakily got to his feet.

The moment Jian Ning saw Huo Si arrive, he immediately dropped his grand-lord posture. With an "ow," he clutched his ankle again, tears appearing in an instant.

"Mr. Huo... you finally came. Young Master Gu just now... just now made me fall to test my acting. It hurts so much, boohoohoo..."

Gu Yan's eyes widened. Hadn't I already apologized to you and acted like your grandson? You're still going to complain?!

Huo Si walked over to Jian Ning, ignored Gu Yan beside him, and bent down to gently pinch Jian Ning's ankle.

"Where does it hurt?"

Taking the opportunity, Jian Ning threw himself into Huo Si's arms, burying his face against Huo Si's chest and rubbing against it.

"Everywhere hurts... but my heart hurts even more. I was scared to death."

President Huo's chest muscles feel so good! Hehe!

Feeling the warmth of the person in his arms, Huo Si looked up at the already petrified Gu Yan.

"Young Master Gu." Huo Si's voice was icy. "Leave matters like testing acting to the director in the future. If I see Jian Ning lose even one hair again..."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a blade. "I wouldn't mind getting involved in Gu Group's recent overseas acquisition project."

Gu Yan's legs went weak, and he nearly fell to his knees.

Jian Ning was threatening him with prison from the front, while Huo Si was threatening him with bankruptcy from behind.

What sin had he committed to provoke this pair of calamities?!

"I won't dare do it again! I absolutely won't!" Gu Yan promised through a choked voice. "From now on, Jian Ning is my real big brother! I'll worship him! I mean it!"

The storm passed.

Huo Si did not leave immediately. Instead, he held Jian Ning and sat down in the recliner Gu Yan had brought over, though it was a little cramped.

"You handled that well." Huo Si leaned close to Jian Ning's ear and spoke softly. "What did you say to him just now to scare that mad dog so badly?"

Jian Ning's body stiffened.

This old fox really can't be fooled about anything.

I can't exactly tell him I have a System, can I?

Jian Ning's eyes spun as he raised his head, kissed Huo Si on the chin, and said with a grin.

"That's a secret. But... Mr. Huo, you were so worried just now. Did you come here specifically to save me?"

Huo Si looked at his spoiled, arrogant expression and said nothing.

He merely gently stroked the hand resting at Jian Ning's waist.

At that moment, a commotion suddenly rose from nearby.

"Look! That new third female lead looks so much like... like Jian Ning?"

Jian Ning and Huo Si looked over at the same time.

A girl in a white dress walked in. She had an innocent, pure appearance, and her brows and eyes really did resemble Jian Ning by at least fifty percent.

The System notification sounded again.

[Ding! Hidden plot triggered!]

[New character: Bai Xue.]

[Identity: The younger sister of Huo Si's legendary "deceased white moonlight."]

[Objective: Replace her sister and win over Huo Si.]

Alarm bells blared in Jian Ning's heart.

Well, damn! A white moonlight substitute trope?

And this substitute looks like me? Doesn't that make me a substitute's substitute? That's a little insulting!

Jian Ning looked up at Huo Si and found him staring at the girl, his brows tightly furrowed and his gaze... somewhat dazed.

Huo Si! What kind of expression is that? Don't tell me you've actually fallen for this cheap knockoff?

If you dare look at her one more time, I'll... I'll expose Gu Yan's three-hundred-million scoop right now and make sure no one has a good time!