“...I don’t care who you are, you need to apologize to my assistant right now!”
Chu Qiao’s temper was truly fiery. This was her first day on set, and she was confronting the immensely famous, three-time Golden Film Award winner!
Xiao Yi lightly rubbed his temples, his face etched with fatigue. “Are you planning to drag this out?”
He directed the question to Xi Chi.
Chu Qiao, unaware of the directed question, turned and threw an arm around the person behind her. “Drag it out? Then we’ll drag it out!”
Xi Chi looked down at her, her efforts to stand on tiptoe to touch his shoulder so endearing that he swallowed the clarification he had intended to make.
Having someone who didn't question anything, who defended him wholeheartedly, felt incredibly good.
Plus, seeing his fourth brother’s flustered expression was quite satisfying.
The commotion here had already attracted some attention. After all, it involved the film emperor, so everyone was straining their ears. Fortunately, the film emperor’s resting area was somewhat secluded and quiet, so even if voices were heard, the details remained unclear.
However, this "Sister Yu" was indeed living up to her reputation, a walking powder keg, ignitable with a single spark!
Who was that?
It was Xiao Yi! Daring to go up against him? She probably didn’t want to work in this industry anymore!
Just then, a light chuckle sounded.
Upon seeing the newcomer, the onlookers grew excited!
Director Wang, not bothering with the effort, rushed over. After getting the gist of the situation from the outer circle, he squeezed in, eagerly anticipating the unfolding drama!
“Heh, what’s this? Trying to extort him now?”
Xia Weiliang, with the imposing aura of a concubine from the ‘cold palace,’ walked over unhurriedly and stood directly in front of Xiao Yi.
This clear act of protection was almost declaring to the world that Xiao Yi, the film emperor, was under her wing!
Xiao Yi looked up at the young girl blocking his way. A smile gradually appeared in his eyes, his lips curving upward silently.
Then, with extreme arrogance, he shifted his gaze to Xi Chi opposite him, as if to say, “See? You’re not the only one with protection.”
Xi Chi: ...
When facing Xia Weiliang, Chu Qiao’s demeanor automatically switched to combat mode. The cause and process of the incident were no longer important!
This was war!
This was a war between two women, her and Xia Weiliang!
Similarly, after meeting the fiery gaze of the other woman, Xia Weiliang’s entire demeanor shifted!
What about it!
Who was afraid of whom!
The atmosphere around them began to swirl with an unseen energy, a duel between masters! Any observer, however slightly, risked being wounded by their residual sword energy!
Director Wang’s eyes widened, his gaze fixed, and with deliberate slowness, he took out a palm-sized notebook from his pocket, flipping to the last page. At the top, a clear, small line read: Female stars absolutely not to be provoked.
Without even looking at the page, he familiarly jotted down the names of these two women with his pen.
Chu Qiao initiated the attack first: “Xia Weiliang, this has nothing to do with you!”
Xia Weiliang covered her mouth and chuckled delicately: “It has nothing to do with me, but it has something to do with you?”
“Xi Chi is my assistant, so of course it has something to do with me!”
“Teacher Xiao teaches me acting; he’s like half a teacher to me. So, tell me, does it have anything to do with me?”
“Xiao Yi bullied my assistant, so what’s wrong with me seeking an explanation from him?”
“You say he bullied him just like that? Have you understood the cause and effect? How do you know it wasn’t your assistant who offended Teacher Xiao first?”
“I know my assistant!”
“Ha! Ridiculous! Who here doesn’t know Teacher Xiao’s character?”
“Xia Weiliang, are you deliberately picking on me?”
“I don’t have many habits, but I do like to draw my sword to help those in distress!”
“You? Helping those in distress? I think you’re deaf and blind!”
“Ha! Chu Qiao, you’ve finally spoken the truth; you’re clearly targeting me at every turn!”
“That’s right, I am targeting you, so what? Bite me, come on, bite me!”
Without another word, Xia Weiliang bared her teeth and lunged forward!
Chu Qiao, on her end, showed no fear and met her head-on!
However, neither of them managed to get close to the other before their collars were grabbed respectively.
Xi Chi held Chu Qiao, trying to placate her: “Sister Qiao, I’m really fine…”
“Let go of me! We’ll talk about whether you’re fine later! Let me act on behalf of heaven and subdue this demoness first!”
Xi Chi: “…”
On the other side, Xiao Yi also held Xia Weiliang, his voice filled with helplessness: “Are you here to mediate or to fight?”
“Don’t bother with me!! I’m going to bite this demoness to death!!”
Seeing the anger levels of the two female stars escalating, continuing to argue in front of the crew and extras would only bring harm, not benefit!
Xiao Yi slightly raised his gaze, his dark eyes sweeping over Xi Chi, a clear warning in their depths.
The latter, resigned, lowered his head and tugged at Chu Qiao’s sleeve. “Sister Qiao, it was a misunderstanding just now. I’m really fine. We should leave.”
Thinking he was bowing to the dark forces, how could Chu Qiao compromise?
She broke free, turned to face him, and said each word with utter seriousness: “Xi Chi, you don’t need to be afraid! Today, even if I have to give up this role, I will get justice for you!”
Frankly, not only the onlookers in the crew but even Xia Weiliang was quite shocked.
She stopped struggling and pawing, frowning and looking at Chu Qiao with suspicion.
Was this… a change of heart?
Was she going for the straightforward + clumsy route?
In her impression, Chu Qiao had always been a competitor. Although their resources didn’t overlap much and their career paths were different, they inevitably ended up being compared.
Over time, they had both acknowledged each other as rival competitors.
Because of this, with the characters in place, Chu Qiao was, in her eyes, someone who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals!
But when she saw Chu Qiao actually seeking justice for a mere assistant, risking offending the film emperor, she began to waver.
Did she really know Chu Qiao?
Xi Chi gazed steadily at Chu Qiao, his gentle eyes almost overflowing. Sudan Novel Network
Hiss!!
Xia Weiliang, standing opposite, saw it most clearly and couldn’t help but gasp.
What was going on?
A domineering female lead and her little househusband?
But even so, shouldn’t you be more discreet?
Chu Qiao was determined to be an acclaimed actress. Despite being a leading figure in Mei Yu, she had too few representative works and lacked award recognition to prove her strength. She hadn’t fully established herself in the industry yet. If rumors of an affair with her male assistant were to break out now, it would definitely have an impact!
Xia Weiliang felt a surge of anger again. Didn’t this woman change at all? Still so reckless in her actions!
No one knew better than she did how difficult Chu Qiao’s journey had been. She had only just managed to get ahead of her, and now she was looking to self-destruct?
And Xiao Yi! Wasn’t he the one who recommended Chu Qiao for the female lead’s second role? And now he was turning his back on her?
Such a small-minded man!
She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes as she glanced at Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi: “?”
She had been determined to defend him just a moment ago, but now she had changed her mind?
Heh, women were indeed fickle!
Especially her!
However, this farce indeed needed to end.
With the interference of the two actresses, Xi Chi’s attention would be diverted, and the old man at home likely wouldn’t notice.
Thus, he finally spoke.
“It was a misunderstanding. I apologize.”
“Apologize for what? No, you can’t, you absolutely mustn’t!”
It wasn’t because of Chu Qiao; no matter who it was, she couldn’t stand to see Xiao Yi bow his head!
No one could!
Xi Chi ignored her, smiled at Xiao Yi, and said, “I accept.”
Making his fourth brother bow his head was worth the price of admission!
Chu Qiao also exploded. “Accept what? I don’t accept it! Xi Chi, I’m telling you, don’t be afraid, you…”
Before she could say more, Xi Chi hoisted her onto his shoulder.
“Hey! Hey, put me down!! Xi Chi, are you rebelling? Watch out, I’ll dock your pay!”