Chapter 038: Game of Strategy

Qian Fu had already lost all patience with Jin Yue. "Fine, I approve it. Now get out!"

Jin Yue’s face turned deathly pale, but she could only stammer, unable to form a complete sentence.

Qi Shao felt his pride wounded, and the look he cast at Qian Fu carried a hint of hostility. "Director Qian, actors occasionally feel unwell. Why must you be so harsh?"

Qian Fu found it odd. "Didn't I just agree to let her take the day off?"

Yes, Qian Fu had already approved Jin Yue’s leave. Why was Qi Shao scolding the director? Getting what you want and still complaining!

No one dared glare at Qi Shao, but everyone else turned their unfriendly gazes toward Jin Yue.

Qian Fu continued, "Besides, seeing you, Qi Shao, I was mentally prepared. It’s just a day off. Hurry up and leave; we still need to shoot."

He waved his hand dismissively, offering Qi Shao no courtesy whatsoever.

Qi Shao's expression turned cold. "Director Qian, have you forgotten I invested tens of millions in this production?"

Qian Fu looked back at him and chuckled. "Are you regretting it, Qi Shao?"

Qi Shao squinted, surprised by Qian Fu's fearless attitude. "It seems Director Qian doesn’t care about those tens of millions." The corner of his mouth curled mockingly. "If you weren’t happy with it, you should have said so from the start; I wouldn’t have invested at all."

The producer, hearing Qi Shao's veiled threat, immediately changed his expression. "Qi Shao, Director Qian is just joking! Tens of millions isn’t a small sum; how could we not appreciate it? Just a joke, a joke—ha ha..."

Qi Shao only looked at Qian Fu. "What’s the point if you appreciate it? The key is Director Qian doesn’t."

The producer grew anxious, hurriedly signaling Qian Fu.

But who was Qian Fu? None of his films ever lacked investment. Tens of millions meant little to him.

Had he known Qi Shao’s plant in the crew was someone like Jin Yue, he would have refused long ago, no need to wait until now.

Qian Fu, catching a glimpse of Song Wan approaching after finishing her scene, felt even more unafraid. "Qi Shao, you jest. Tens of millions is indeed a lot; how could I disregard it?"

Qi Shao raised an eyebrow, the arc of his mouth smug as he relished Qian Fu’s apparent concession. But then Qian Fu continued, "However, if Qi Shao feels the investment is forced, I can always find someone else. After all, it’s not my style to pressure anyone."

Qi Shao’s smile froze, while Qian Fu smiled back calmly.

The producer weighed his options, finally deciding to side with Qian Fu. "Qi Shao, are you sure you want to withdraw your investment?" He muttered awkwardly, "If you are, I’ll call Mr. Jin right away. Assistant Wu keeps saying they'd like to be the sole investor if possible..."

Pfft—

Song Wan couldn’t help but laugh; she hadn’t expected their producer to be so adept at backstabbing.

But she knew: whether it was Qi Shao, Director Qian, or the producer, their words now were just part of a game. The threat of withdrawal was almost certainly empty.

Sure enough, Qi Shao glared fiercely at the producer, then flung his sleeve and stalked away.

As for withdrawal? What was that? The wind was too loud—he didn’t hear…

Jin Yue stood frozen, looking from Qian Fu to Qi Shao’s departing back, torn between the two and unable to decide.

After a few steps, Qi Shao suddenly turned. "Jin Yue, so you’ve grown bold now? Aren’t you coming?"

Jin Yue nervously looked back, only to find Director Qian and the producer were ignoring her, already discussing other matters.

Jin Yue shivered involuntarily, realizing Qi Shao was her true benefactor. If Qi Shao abandoned her, Qian Fu would surely kick her out of the crew immediately. Where could she afford to hesitate? She rushed to catch up with Qi Shao.

—

The producer looked up, incredulous as he asked Song Wan, "Are you sure it was Jin Yue?"

Song Wan glanced at Qian Fu and replied confidently, "Ninety percent certain."

Qian Fu raised an eyebrow. "Weren’t you more definite before?"

Song Wan shrugged helplessly. "I can’t rule out someone else, but Jin Yue was right there watching. What I can say with certainty is that Jin Yue definitely knew about it."

But ninety percent was as good as absolute certainty in the producer’s mind.

He nodded, his expression grave. "Jin Yue’s scenes are already more than halfway shot. It’s not easy to kick her out now."

Song Wan nodded, understanding the crew’s predicament. "It’s fine—the matter’s been settled. But I don’t think Jin Yue has given up yet. If she does something again, I might not be so lucky next time."

She thought of Xiao Li; if there was a next time, it was unlikely anyone would witness Jin Yue’s crime by chance.

Seeing that Song Wan wasn’t demanding, the producer’s opinion of her improved further. He promised repeatedly, "Don’t worry—tomorrow I’ll buy several cameras and install them around the set. I’ll inform the whole crew."

Song Wan understood; with such deterrence, no one would dare stir up trouble in the crew.

Noticing the lively discussion, Hua Yu came over eagerly. "What were you talking about? I saw Qi Shao leave in a huff!"

Though her tone was worried, her expression brimmed with excitement.

Jin Yue had become deeply unpopular in the crew, and Qi Shao, responsible for her presence, was equally disliked.

Hua Yu’s curiosity was only natural.

But…

Song Wan smiled, lips curved. "You’re a step too late."

Hua Yu didn’t mind. "Ah, what a pity..." She turned to Qian Fu. "Director Qian, I heard the culprit who damaged the costumes was found?"

Infuriating Qi Shao was fun, but finding the culprit who delayed the crew was more important.

Qian Fu turned to look at Song Wan.

Song Wan frowned. "Director Qian?"

Qian Fu shrugged and said to Hua Yu, "The real culprit was found by our detective here. If you want to know the details, ask her."

Song Wan was amused and exasperated. "It’s just a sentence..."

"Go, go, go—I have a scene to shoot. Don’t bother me!"

Hua Yu laughed, covering her mouth, and pulled Song Wan toward the rest area. "Director Qian is busy; let’s not stand here and annoy him."

Song Wan went along, amused.

As they walked away, the producer finally turned to Qian Fu. "Director Qian, are you just going to let this slide?"

For fear of a negative impact on the crew, they hadn’t even told others about the costumes being sabotaged.

They had planned to investigate tonight when there were no scenes to shoot.

Qian Fu idly fiddled with the camera, his tone indifferent. "Are you joking? Stirring up trouble in my crew—I’d never let it go so easily."

Just giving Jin Yue a hard time—did that count as punishment? Impossible!

The producer asked, "So..."

Qian Fu waved him off. "Relax. I’m the director."

As a director, there were countless ways to deal with an actor—

Cutting most of their scenes in editing, shooting from special angles, asking the writer to revise the script...

"Tsk, one’s foolish, the other’s clueless. I doubt they’ve realized yet," Qian Fu said.

The producer’s eyes showed amusement. "Director Qian is wise. Not just Jin Yue—even Song Wan probably hasn’t realized you’ll..."

Qian Fu waved him off. "Don’t be fooled by Song Wan’s innocent appearance. She probably knows better than you what I’ll do."

"Really?" The producer glanced at Song Wan’s retreating figure. "She doesn’t look it. Director Qian, she’s only twenty."

Yes, a twenty-year-old newcomer—how could she know the hidden workings of a crew?

"Don’t doubt it. Song Wan has never concealed anything in front of us."

—

Time slipped by, the afternoon spent on shooting and reading scripts.

Receiving a meal box from the staff, Song Wan took it to Hua Yu’s side, about to eat when someone called her.

"Ms. Song Wan, someone’s here for you!"

Song Wan paused in unwrapping her chopsticks, puzzled as she looked back. "For me?" She stood up as she spoke. "I don’t have any friends close enough to visit on set..."

Hua Yu found it odd. "Not a single one?"

Song Wan blinked. "I used to have one, but we cut ties recently..."

Hua Yu paused, but didn’t probe. She wasn’t interested in others’ secrets. "Could it be someone from Imperial Entertainment?"

After returning to the crew last night, Song Wan had told Hua Yu she’d signed with Imperial Entertainment, but today neither her manager nor assistant had shown up, so it was natural Hua Yu thought of them.

Song Wan shook her head, more puzzled. "Director He said my new manager still has work to wrap up."

He Feng had asked if she wanted an assistant to take care of her, but she was used to handling everything herself, so she declined.

Standing there wouldn’t reveal the answer, so Song Wan didn’t hesitate. She set down her meal box and headed toward the entrance.

"Uh..."

The moment she saw the visitor, Song Wan was speechless.

Though the man’s face was expressionless, his attitude was warmly enthusiastic. "Miss Song, the young master heard you weren’t eating well on set, so he sent me to bring you food."

Song Wan: "..."

She looked at him. "Butler Feng, could you at least try to make your lies believable? I haven’t interacted much with Mr. Jin, but he’s clearly not someone who pays attention to such details."

Jin Youqian concerned about her meals on set? What a joke.

"And besides, I’ve never thought the crew’s meals were bad." Song Wan glanced at Butler Feng, sighing helplessly. "Butler Feng, if you have something to tell me, just say it. If it’s within my ability, I’ll help."

Feng Yu maintained his stern face, earnestly refuting, "It really was the young master who sent me to bring you food to improve your meals."

Song Wan: "...Butler Feng, do I need to call Mr. Jin now and confirm?"

Her intention was to scare Feng Yu, but unexpectedly his eyes sparkled. "Please, go ahead and call the young master immediately."

Song Wan was speechless. What on earth was this about?