Dousing

He certainly had mastered the art of throwing his weight around on someone else's authority.

Qiao Xi trembled with anger. "You..."

"Enough. If you want to shoot, wait. Otherwise, get your refund and leave!"

The staff member cut her off sharply, then turned and ushered Wei Xinghe and his group into the studio with fawning attentiveness.

Just before reaching the door, he even flashed Yan Ningke a provocative smile.

In an instant, only their group remained in the hallway.

Qiao Xi took a deep breath, suppressing the hurt that threatened to spill over, and forced an awkward smile. "Mr. Yan, I'm sorry. We may have to wait a little longer."

Yan Ningke expressed his understanding. Knowing she needed time to compose herself, he went back to the lounge alone, leaving the assistant there to comfort her.

The lounge was frighteningly quiet. Yan Ningke took out his phone and searched for celebrities with the surname "Wei."

The third person he scrolled to was a match.

Looking at the information on his phone, Yan Ningke chuckled. He had thought the guy was some top young star. It turned out he was an internet celebrity.

Not bad. A content creator with over ten million followers.

He certainly was doing better than Yan Ningke. At least he had a wide reach.

Unlike Yan Ningke himself, who probably would still have been a complete unknown if he had not gained a little attention a few days earlier.

Before long, Qiao Xi and her assistant returned. They nodded to one another and began their long wait.

The assistant went out several times during the wait and brought back word that the other party kept finding fault with the finished shots, so the shoot was still going.

Qiao Xi's expression went from livid to thunderous and back again.

As the sky gradually darkened, Yan Ningke could no longer sit still either. He got up and went to the restroom.

He had just entered a stall when someone came in.

"We're going to miss tonight's livestream if we don't leave soon!"

Wei Xinghe adjusted his hair in the mirror. "Has that moron left yet?"

His assistant obligingly turned on the faucet for him. "No, he's still waiting. But we really can't drag this out any longer. We're running out of time."

They still had to go over the script and do his makeup when they got back. This guy was not very bright, either, and could not remember his lines. If he did not go back and memorize them properly, his public persona would fall apart.

Wei Xinghe glared at him. He had not even used the toilet yet. Why would he wash his hands?

He picked a stall at random and pulled the door open. "Tell them to set up the scene. I'll shoot when I get back."

The assistant went back, troubled.

Wei Xinghe whistled as he made a call.

Yan Ningke instinctively switched on the voice recorder.

"Hellooo, Zhu Zhu. I'm doing a livestream battle tonight. Are you coming?"

"Oh, come on, please? I'll come keep you company after the stream. My girlfriend's away on business, so your baby can spend the whole night with you."

Yan Ningke felt thoroughly unwell.

"I'm in such a bad mood today. I ran into this asshole who insisted on fighting me for my slot and even mocked me, blah, blah, blah..."

Yan Ningke slipped out of the stall as quietly as he could. Looking around, he found a supply closet in the corner, took a bucket used for rinsing mops, and filled it halfway with water.

Wei Xinghe heard the noise, assumed it was a cleaner, and kept putting on his cutesy act over the phone, making all sorts of unbearable noises.

"Babe, I don't know why, but today I really want it-Aaaah! Fuck! Are you trying to kill me?!"

"Who the fuck was that?!"

A huge bucketful of water came down over his head, making him lose his grip on his phone and drop it into the toilet.

A torrent of shouted curses came from the restroom, with an exceptionally high concentration of mother-related profanity!

Keeping his achievement to himself, Yan Ningke tucked his hands into his pockets and strolled leisurely back to the lounge.

Qiao Xi heard the noise and wanted to go out for a look, but he talked her out of it.

[Still not done?]

Yan Ningke typed back: [Someone cut in line. It's still not my turn.]

Less than a minute after he sent the message, a call came in.

"What happened?"

Shao Ke's voice sounded even better through the phone.

Yan Ningke's mood immediately brightened considerably. He explained in a few words, then teased with affected dramatics, "Ah, that's what happens when you're not a big enough name. I just can't compete!"

Shao Ke: "..."

Even though he knew Yan Ningke was doing it on purpose, he still could not help frowning.

"Ask your colleague whether she minds changing locations."

Yan Ningke blinked. "Huh?"

Of course Qiao Xi did not mind. Who would put up with this crap if they had somewhere else to go?

They immediately agreed and prepared to change venues. Qiao Xi went to get the refund and told them to head downstairs first.

Anyone could benefit, but not those bastards!

Yan Ningke was about to get into the elevator with her assistant when an angry shout came from behind them.

"You fucking idiot! Who the fuck said you could leave?!"

Soaking wet, Wei Xinghe strode furiously toward them with his assistant.

Qiao Xi's assistant stepped forward to block them, but Yan Ningke pulled her behind him.

"You fucking idiot! You dared to throw water on me? Do you have a death wish?!"

Wei Xinghe grabbed Yan Ningke by the collar and swung at him, but Yan Ningke stopped his hand.

His assistant hurried over to break them up, too. Whatever he did behind closed doors was one thing, but the hallway was full of people now, and there were security cameras. It would be trouble if someone happened to film him.

"Calm down!"

Yan Ningke's expression had already cooled. He shoved Wei Xinghe away and said coldly, "Your girlfriend's away on business? Going to see your older lady friend?"

Wei Xinghe abruptly stopped trying to charge at him and stared at him in shock. "You!"

Yan Ningke took out his phone and waved it, his tone unhurried. "I was bored and happened to record something interesting. Want to listen together?"

It was as though someone had pressed pause on the scene. The others had no idea what was going on.

Wei Xinghe glared at him resentfully and shook off his assistant's hand. "Fine. You win! You'd better never fall into my hands, or else..."

Yan Ningke raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Don't worry. I'll make sure to take you down with me before I die."

The elevator arrived, and he beckoned Qiao Xi's assistant inside.

Outside the doors, Wei Xinghe was still glaring fixedly at him. Yan Ningke did not spare him a glance.

Qiao Xi and her assistant followed Yan Ningke into the black sedan, which looked ordinary from the outside but was fitted with expensive accessories throughout.

The driver must have received instructions. Once they got in, he drove them straight to their destination.

It was not far, since both locations were in the city. This time, however, the venue was a very well-known photography studio complex in the industry.

Qiao Xi and her assistant were dumbfounded!

"Mr. Yan, this..."

Was this right?!

Yan Ningke did not know, but the driver surely would not have made a mistake. "Let's go. This should be the place."

Before they even went inside, a man in a sharp suit was waiting at the entrance.

Seeing them approach, he stepped forward. "Hello, Mr. Yan. I'm Boss Shao's assistant."

Yan Ningke said, "...Hello."

Was this really necessary? He even sent his assistant over.

The man was exceptionally good-looking, with stern brows and clean, defined facial lines. A small mole sat on his high nose bridge, and his well-fitted suit outlined his tall, slender figure.

Honestly, with looks like those, a little styling would have him ready to debut.

Qiao Xi and her assistant agreed.

He led them into the lobby.

Yan Ningke asked, "How should I address you?"

"My name is Lin Yechen. Lin, written with two trees; Ye, as in 'jade gleaming with brilliance'; and Chen, as in 'meritorious minister.'"

"All right, Assistant Lin."

"..."

A major company really was efficient. As soon as they entered the studio, everyone at their respective stations got to work.

Yan Ningke was pulled away to have his makeup done, while a woman who looked like an accomplished professional invited Qiao Xi aside to ask about her concept and plans for the shoot.

In short, everyone did their own job.