Chapter 80: Will You Tell the Lord?

She stayed soaking in the pool, her fingers got wrinkled from the water.

She still had to struggle, still had to get into character, gagged several times, and swallowed several mouthfuls of water.

But!

Tang Chenge just wouldn't let it pass!

He kept filming nonstop, constantly making adjustments.

While directing the supporting actress, he wouldn't let her get up, just kept her soaking.

He even said she should find the feeling, that near‑death feeling, the desperation of having to beg her own enemy for rescue.

Qiao An was about to lose it, truly couldn't stand it any longer.

At that moment she was about to recklessly climb out of the pool.

But Tang Chenge, who was directing the supporting actress, spotted her with a single glance.

He immediately pointed at her, "What are you doing? Who told you to get up? Stay soaking until you find the feeling and finish the take!"

Qiao An fumed, "Tang Chenge, you did it on purpose! You're deliberately grinding me, aren't you?"

Tang Chenge gave her a cold look, "Who's grinding you? Isn't it you yourself, a useless person, whose performance ability is insufficient, unable to deliver the effect I want."

"You!" Qiao An gritted her teeth, crying in anger, "You did it on purpose!"

Though she was crying in anger, Tang Chenge still wouldn't concede, gave her no face, and said, "Think what you will. Since you can't produce the effect I want, we'll take it slow; I have all the time."

Qiao An was thoroughly enraged, pointing at Tang Chenge, "You wait for me! Don't think you're so great. I'll find someone to deal with you right now!"

Tang Chenge chuckled, utterly unconcerned, "Your own professionalism is lacking and you still look for someone to take me down. Fine, you find them, come at me."

After saying that, he ignored her and kept directing the supporting actress.

A moment later someone shouted, "Qiao Xiaohua fainted, rescue her, quick!"

Tang Chenge remained calm, saying, "Rescue her, take her to the hospital."

That's how it went; Qin Zi Mo made several calls, but Qiao An didn't answer any.

Later his assistant answered and told him what had happened on set.

Qin Zi Mo hung up, his face turning dark‑green with anger, his head feeling dizzy.

Tang Chenge was in league with Song Huan Yan; tormenting Qiao An like this clearly meant he was helping Song Huan Yan.

Perhaps he knew Qiao An's marriage alliance was with a stronger aristocratic family… so he couldn't stand it and deliberately dealt with Qiao An?

Maybe just as Song Huan Yan said.

The few of them have deep roots and connections in Kyoto.

Native Kyoto folk, all from Top‑tier wealthy families, are far above a marginal aristocratic family like the Qiao Family.

That's why they are so brazen, bullying others without fear!

Even if Qiao An's marriage alliance is with a stronger aristocratic family, they still disregard it!

It's just too reckless!

But Qin Zi Mo has no recourse now.

He feels even more precarious.

It's all because Qiao An got cocky too early, now she's in a mess.

Though Qiao An ended up in the hospital, he still complains.

He blames Qiao An for being too overbearing, and he followed suit; now… he doesn't know what fate awaits them.

Originally they were currying favor with Song Huan Yan, staying safe, even enjoying the resources Song Huan Yan kept providing.

They were waiting for the drama to wrap smoothly, with follow‑up resources scheduled, so that, per Song Huan Yan's plan, the two could ascend the international stage.

It's really just a matter of time.

If things go fast, half a year; if slow, eight or nine months, and they could become International Superstars.

But now!

The painstaking flattery before… seems to have been in vain.

Looks like this time they truly angered Song Huan Yan, and even Tang Chenge started stirring trouble on set.

That never happened before.

Qin Zi Mo collapsed miserably onto his wheelchair seat.

It's over; this really is the end.

Can it be salvaged?

Tang Chenge immediately called Song Huan Yan about this matter.

After speaking, he said, "I did it on purpose; I just can't stand her overbearing attitude. But… Yan Yan… was I impulsive?"

Song Huan Yan soothed her, "No. It doesn't really matter. Whether we fall out or just tease them, the end result is the same. It's done, so we don't need to worry about them. Today Qin Zi Mo also came to me, seeking favor but failed, and he raged at me. He said a lot of harsh words, and I didn't hold back and dealt with him."

Tang Chenge raised an eyebrow, then said, "But Qiao An said she wants someone to deal with me; she sounded pretty serious. I'm afraid she'll actually call her fiancé to step in; I'm curious who that is."

"Is that so?" Song Huan Yan was a bit surprised, then calmly replied, "Hmm, let her look for them. It'll be interesting to see how capable they are."

Tang Chenge chuckled, "Since you're here, I'm not afraid. Your husband can crush them to pieces without even moving a finger."

"He still doesn't know about this," Song Huan Yan said. "I only mentioned to him that I wanted revenge. I haven't told him any of this, nor do I want to; it's troublesome. Actually, I don't need him anyway."

"Hmm." Tang Chenge nodded, "Anyway, the three of us are the Iron Triangle. Even if the other side has some clout, we can hold our own."

"Hmm." Song Huan Yan said, "So we don't need to worry about how she stumbles."

Qiao An was actually just faking a faint; if she didn't faint again, she'd probably keep being tormented enough to choke.

After waking, she really contacted her fiancé and whined miserably.

He replied with three words: "Got it."

Qiao An still wasn't sure what that meant, so she kept asking, "Aren't you going to help me?"

Over there replied, "Don't worry. I'll say hello."

Qiao An then felt relieved, flirted a bit, and finally exited the chat window.

Just as she left, she called Qin Zi Mo back.

Before Qin Zi Mo could speak, Qiao An immediately complained about how miserable she was.

After hearing two sentences, Qin Zi Mo cut her off, "Your assistant has already told me all this. So Qiao An, do you realize you've caused a huge disaster and also dragged me into it! You were so defiant last night that it made me fall out with Song Huan Yan today. Now it can't be settled; we're both finished. It's all your fault!"

Qiao An frowned, cursed Qin Zi Mo, and then said, "What are you afraid of? I've already told my fiancé about Tang Chenge's harassment of me, and he sent someone to deal with it!"

Qin Zi Mo also frowned, "Can Tang Chenge be afraid of your fiancé?"

Qiao An replied proudly, "Of course!"

But Qin Zi Mo no longer believed it, mainly because earlier in the office, Song Huan Yan had made it very clear.

She listed a bunch of Aristocratic Family lineages; what use could Qiao An's fiancé possibly have?

Could he even match the connections Song Huan Yan mentioned?

Qin Zi Mo took a deep breath, relayed Song Huan Yan's words to Qiao An, and then said, "Do you think her powerful network would be scared of your fiancé? Tang Chenge is her close confidante, so she'll naturally protect her. You'd better tell your fiancé to drop it and stop causing trouble. After a few days when she calms down, I'll go talk to her, plead properly."

Besides kneeling and begging humbly, Qin Zi Mo truly couldn't think of any other solution.

Before Qiao An could speak, Qin Zi Mo immediately added, "You must stop, you absolutely cannot interfere any further. Or fight her yourself, but don't involve me again!"

Qiao An hummed, "Just wait and see; my fiancé will definitely deal with Tang Chenge! As for Song Huan Yan, there's no rush; she wasn't the one harassing me today. But if she dares to meddle in Tang Chenge's matter, then we'll see who's truly powerful!"

After saying that, Qiao An hung up.

It nearly scared Qin Zi Mo half to death.

He truly feared being implicated.

But with Qiao An acting like this, could her fiancé really be an extraordinary big shot?

He can't be a decades‑old old man, can he?

Qin Zi Mo was extremely anxious; if he couldn't persuade her, at least don't drag him into it!

Half an hour later, Tang Chenge called Song Huan Yan again.

Song Huan Yan answered.

Tang Chenge said, "Yan Yan, I'm on my way; Qiao An's fiancé seems to have some background! The calls were all routed to my dad, and just now my dad called me himself to question me."

Song Huan Yan was surprised, "What did Uncle Tang say?"

Tang Chenge replied, "He said the other side is someone we can't provoke, and ordered me not to find any more excuses to harass Qiao An. He also told me to treat Qiao An with utmost respect, damn it."

Song Huan Yan twisted a brow, "Who is her fiancé?"

Tang Chenge said gloomily, "My dad wouldn't tell, making it all mysterious; he gave me a good scolding and told me not to ask."

"Did Uncle Tang tell you to apologize to Qiao An?" Song Huan Yan asked.

"Not exactly," Tang Chenge said, "My dad said the other side isn't the overbearing type, probably not too familiar with the details of filming, so he largely believes I'm not at great fault. He only said that from now on I must treat Qiao An well, otherwise Qiao An will quit this drama and the breach‑of‑contract money will go that way. He also warned that if I don't heed his advice and keep making things difficult for Qiao An, I'll never be able to stand in the directing world."

Tang Chenge, upon saying that, wanted to start swearing again.

"Interesting," Song Huan Yan said, "If the other side doesn't demand you apologize personally, then we can let it go. You can keep filming as you wish, without deliberately making it hard for her. But if they do demand an apology, this can't just be dismissed."

"Actually apologizing doesn't matter. It's just three words, and they didn't even make me kneel to apologize. Yan Yan, you don't need to handle this; it's my own loss of temper that caused it. I already regret it, fearing it might ruin your plan."

"No," Song Huan Yan said, "You did it for me. So listen to me: if he dares to make you apologize, I will never settle peacefully."

"Okay. I understand. But you didn't mention apologizing," Tang Chenge said.

"Hmm, but if the other side suddenly brings it up, you must tell me. No matter who I'm supposed to apologize to, I will never apologize to both of them."

"Got it, I understand."

"Fine. Then you don't need to worry about it. The more her fiancé dotes on her, the better; I was only afraid that the man would be indifferent to her, just using her as a stepping stone. Now, isn't this getting more interesting?"

Tang Chenge understood instantly, "Yeah!"

The more that man puts effort into Qiao An, and then learns her real face, that would be so entertaining!

"Hmm." Tang Chenge instantly cheered up and asked, "Yan Yan, will you tell Lord Yu about this?"

Song Huan Yan thought for a moment, "No need, I guess. These matters are already convoluted. He's very busy."

Tang Chenge asked again, "When will he return?"

Song Huan Yan replied, "I don't know; it hasn't been mentioned."

Tang Chenge rubbed his forehead, "You're truly laid‑back."

Song Huan Yan gave a slight smile.

Tang Chenge suggested, "How about this: have him call my dad, ask who the other side is; I guarantee my dad will answer promptly!"