Chapter 851: Sit and wait for the fish to take the bait (10,000-word update)

There is a saying, don't take on the porcelain work if you don't have that diamond tool.

Lu Yan He has always felt that in these years, not to mention excellent progress, it can be considered significant progress.

How could he think of a means to retaliate against Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen, thought for so long, always felt that it combined Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen's personality, and specifically found the motivation to buy an award, from the character's psychological state to the logic of action, all were solid, but was poked by Chen Ziyan at the weak point, and found it unfeasible?

Lu Yan He didn't feel sad, just a bit depressed.

He asked Chen Ziyan: Then how do you plan to use this inner ghost?

Chen Ziyan: Like you, use him to report news, but what is reported is news that does not require us to do any more actual actions. Once we need to do more actual actions on our side, the loopholes become bigger. A lie requires countless lies to make up for it. Acting is the same. The play that allows us to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight is the brilliant one.

Lu Yan He: Uh, I understand, but I didn't think about how to do it?

Chen Ziyan: Option one, Zhou Ping'an.

Lu Yan He: What does this have to do with Zhou Ping'an?

Chen Ziyan: Use a message that Zhou Ping'an has privately reconciled with you and reached a consensus, preparing to expose your past of being maliciously suppressed and blocked by Star Entertainment through Zhou Ping'an's mouth, forcing Star Entertainment to stand up and apologize to you. This is exactly what Chen Pinhe fears most, because the behavior of Star Entertainment back then had something to do with him. And in order to make Zhou Ping'an shut up, they will definitely use coercion and inducement. Zhou Ping'an is that kind of person, he didn't leave Star Entertainment happily in the first place, we stir it up again, he will definitely not suffer. Option Zhou Ping'an, is actually sowing discord, letting both sides fight, the best result is both sides suffer, the worst can also let them get a body of trouble, no matter who suffers, we are all happy.

Lu Yan He: What about option two?

Chen Ziyan: Let Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen fight.

Lu Yan He: For example?

Chen Ziyan: For example, Chen Pinhe has privately contacted you, wanting to recognize you, reconcile, and he pushes all the persecution you have suffered over the years to Zhang Yuezhen's private instructions, he didn't know, and you therefore have signs of forgiving Chen Pinhe.

Lu Yan He understood, suddenly realized: This is sowing discord between Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen?

Chen Ziyan: That's right.

Lu Yan He: Chen Pinhe will definitely deny it.

Chen Ziyan: Of course, the key to this move is, will Zhang Yuezhen believe Chen Pinhe's denial? Or will a thorn be buried in her heart, and she will doubt Chen Pinhe? The blood relationship between you and Chen Pinhe is both a stain you hope to cut off, and also a thorn in Zhang Yuezhen's heart that she can never let go of and can never believe Chen Pinhe 100%. You know you will never reconcile and let go with Chen Pinhe in this life, but Zhang Yuezhen will worry for the rest of her life that you and Chen Pinhe will reconcile.

Lu Yan He: Attack the heart.

Chen Ziyan: That's right.

Lu Yan He: Anything else?

Chen Ziyan: I only thought of these two for now.

Lu Yan He: I truly understand what it means to have a specialty in the art industry.

Chen Ziyan: Thank you for the compliment.

Lu Yan He: You're welcome.

Lu Yan He lay on the bed, thinking for a long time, which way should he choose.

The former, the effect is unclear, not easy to control, maybe Zhou Ping'an will not fight with Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen, the uncontrollable factors are too strong. Of course, according to Chen Ziyan's statement, the possibility of them fighting is still very high.

Because the "collusion" between Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen and Star Entertainment back then, the contact person was not Zhou Ping'an. After Zhou Ping'an left Star Entertainment, he completely had the motivation to join forces with Lu Yan He. Then, according to the urine nature of Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen, they are used to hiding behind and not doing it themselves, so it is likely that they will still "fix" Zhou Ping'an through Star Entertainment.

And under the premise that the two sides have already had many unpleasant things because of Zhou Ping'an's departure, especially since Zhou Ping'an still wants to poke out the "old things," Star Entertainment wants to "fix" Zhou Ping'an, it is definitely not a "calm" way.

Zhou Ping'an is not a vegetarian either.

At that time, as long as Chen Ziyan leaks some air to Zhou Ping'an, letting him know that there is still the handwriting of Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen behind it, Zhou Ping'an cannot "sit and wait for death," and let himself be beaten without fighting back.

This is not Zhou Ping'an's style.

The second way Chen Ziyan proposed can more directly and effectively disgust Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen, and it will definitely bury a thorn in Zhang Yuezhen's heart that cannot be pulled out, truly sowing discord between the two.

It's just that Zhang Yuezhen may also choose to continue to endure.

Even if Chen Pinhe really wants to reconcile with Lu Yan He, Zhang Yuezhen does not necessarily choose to break up with Chen Pinhe, but continues to ruin the relationship between Chen Pinhe and Lu Yan He, which means she will use means to deal with Lu Yan He.

Moreover, Lu Yan He also can't stand acting in a play where he is willing to reconcile with Chen Pinhe.

The two ways have their own merits.

Lu Yan He thought about this matter until he lost sleep.

"Are you okay? I see your state is wrong today." Yan Liang came to Lu Yan He's side and asked. "Yawning frequently, what's going on? Staying up late to write the script again last night?"

"No." Lu Yan He shook his head. "It's other things."

Yan Liang said: "Insomnia?"

"Hmm." Lu Yan He nodded.

"Wouldn't it be another struggle of conscience because of something?"

"Oh, no, not a bit of struggle of conscience, only thinking about how to do it to better realize my purpose." Lu Yan He said, and asked, "Is your mother's situation okay recently?"

"Hmm, just waiting for surgery." Yan Liang nodded. "The situation is very stable. Fortunately, she fainted, otherwise it might not have been discovered so quickly that she had breast cancer."

"Auntie fainted not because of breast cancer?"

"No, it was hypoglycemia. She ate too little to lose weight." Yan Liang sighed. "She was looking for something at the time, squatted for a long time, stood up suddenly, felt dizzy, didn't stand firm, and just happened to hit her head when she fell, so she fainted."

Lu Yan He was shocked.

He had always thought that Yan Liang's mother fainting was because of breast cancer.

"Then... is this actually a blessing in disguise?"

"Right, it counts." Yan Liang said. "Thanks to this fainting, a full-body check was done."

Lu Yan He: "Yes, thanks to it."

Yan Liang asked: "By the way, remember to have regular physical examinations yourself, to prevent problems before they happen."

"Hmm." Lu Yan He nodded.

Yan Liang asked: "By the way, what's going on with *Love is Not Blind*? Why was it suddenly scheduled? Didn't ask you before."

"Sigh, Li Zhibai was followed by paparazzi recently, someone found out he was in a relationship, so I thought about letting *Love is Not Blind* be released as soon as possible, otherwise this kind of love subject movie is relatively easy to be affected by the emotional state of the protagonist."

"No wonder." Yan Liang nodded. "I said why Li Zhibai suddenly became honest recently, returning to Ziyuanqiao every night."

Lu Yan He smiled.

Yan Liang: "Then how is the preparation work for *Love is Not Blind* now?"

"It's really busy." Lu Yan He sighed. "It's indeed not easy, I hope the movie can have a good box office result."

Just as he was talking, next to him, Wang Biao suddenly said "Ah."

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang both turned to look.

Wang Biao held his mobile phone and said: "Brother Bai is on the hot search, someone broke the news that he is in a relationship."

Lu Yan He was taken aback.

He was suddenly a bit nervous.

Wang Biao said: "However, no woman was photographed, only two figures were photographed."

Lu Yan He immediately looked at what was published on the internet with his mobile phone.

The paparazzi photographed two segments. One was Li Zhibai entering a hotel late at night, alone, without a team by his side, and didn't come out until the next day. However, whether he went in or came out, there was no one else by his side, and the paparazzi didn't photograph any suspicious female.

The second segment was through the window and curtains of the room, because they were not pulled tight, so from one angle, Li Zhibai's face sitting on the edge of the bed could be clearly photographed, and through the gauze curtain, a female figure flashed by, and it could be seen that this figure was not wearing an outer coat. The next second, Li Zhibai suddenly discovered that the curtains were not pulled tight, so he got up and pulled the curtains tight again.

Lu Yan He: "..."

Mysterious girlfriend.

Yan Liang: "Fortunately, they went to high-end hotels, paparazzi couldn't sneak in, and could only photograph from such a long distance."

"However, they were like this, and didn't photograph anything else. The confidentiality measures for entering and exiting are really well done." Yan Liang said again.

Lu Yan He also had to admit this point.

Really, they were photographed in this hotel, but they didn't photograph Jiang Yuqian coming out of the hotel.

Just in this short while, the people around saw the news one after another and discussed in low voices.

Yin Xincheng was the first to come and ask them what the situation was.

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang both indicated that they didn't know.

Li Zhibai angrily said to Lin Suyang: "I guarded against everything, but I still didn't guard against it. I was still photographed."

Lin Suyang said: "Fortunately, Jiang Yuqian was not photographed."

"Hmm." Li Zhibai nodded. "However, they have been waiting for so long? Just photographed me alone, and still want to publish?"

"Enough." Lin Suyang said. "I guess they wanted to dig out Jiang Yuqian before, but they couldn't dig it out. They also have to eat. They don't have so much capital to consume with you, so they can only publish what they have in hand first."

Li Zhibai: "Did they not come to find us to buy these things?"

"No." Lin Suyang shook his head. "It's very strange. Generally speaking, this kind of exposure will contact the artist team at the beginning to earn money for withdrawing the manuscript, but I have never received any contact from beginning to end."

Li Zhibai: "Didn't you go to contact the paparazzi who contacted Ji Miao's agent before?"

"Not that paparazzi, he just heard that Ji Miao likes you, so he wanted to test Ji Miao's agent." Lin Suyang said. "He does have some ambiguous photos and videos, but they are all things of you and Ji Miao on the set, and there is nothing serious that can be hammered."

Li Zhibai: "Damn."

Lin Suyang said: "However—"

He suddenly realized.

"Bad, not good."

"Ah?" Li Zhibai was taken aback.

Lin Suyang: "Those things didn't have anything originally. However, after this exposure, if that paparazzi releases those things in his hand, everyone will naturally think that this person is Ji Miao."

Li Zhibai's face became ugly.

Lin Suyang hung up the phone immediately and went to handle this matter.

Half an hour later, Lin Suyang called angrily and said: "That person opened a lion's mouth and wanted one million for us to buy it."

Li Zhibai: "Buy his MMP, let him publish."

Lin Suyang: "Are you sure?"

Li Zhibai: "I have nothing to

Lin Suyang: "Fine, but if we do that, public opinion will ferment like crazy, and Ji Miao will be dragged into it too."

"Let him post it. Once he does, I'll deny it," Li Zhibai sneered. "Afraid of him? If I actually pay this million, it'll look like I really have something going on with Ji Miao, and it'll be confirmed as a 'hammered' fact instead."

"True, that's also what I'm worried about," Lin Suyang said. "Then that's the plan."

Another hour passed.

Li Zhibai was already hanging at the top of the trending search list when, suddenly, another account posted some ambiguous photos of Li Zhibai and Ji Miao on the set of *Even Death Won't Do*.

The ambiguous atmosphere between the two, to be fair, really couldn't be explained away as a "pure" working relationship.

As expected, everyone assumed Ji Miao was the girl whose figure had appeared behind the curtain.

Exploding.

Li Zhibai posted on Weibo himself: "First, it's not Ji Miao, don't slander the girl's innocence; second, secretly photographing my private life—isn't that illegal? I will hire a lawyer to handle this; third, no matter what you've photographed, and no matter what you photograph in the future, that is my private life. You can post it, but I can tell you right now: I won't respond, and I won't let it slide. If your actions are legal and compliant, I have nothing to say, but once your actions have any grounds for prosecution, don't blame me for being petty. Anyway, I'm a small-minded person with a big temper and plenty of money, so I can afford to play along with you."

Arrogant as hell.

Yet, everyone felt it was normal—

This was the Li Zhibai they were familiar with.

In the comment section, someone said, "With such a big temper, why be an artist?"

Li Zhibai retorted: "Then you go become a deputy to the National People's Congress and suggest a policy or regulation that people with big tempers can't be artists."

Someone else said, "Aren't you going to take responsibility for the girl?"

Li Zhibai retorted: "Slapping labels on people the moment you open your mouth—how lacking in quality are you? Have you taken responsibility for your parents and teachers? Do you know you're bringing shame upon them?"

Still others said, "Why don't you dare to go public?"

Li Zhibai: "Why don't you dare to go online with your real name? Afraid the people around you will find out you're a true idiot?"

For the next hour, Li Zhibai furiously blasted hundreds of people online.

It was... a bloody storm.

It caused constant trending searches, with all the marketing accounts jumping in to leech off the traffic.

Then, everyone knew Li Zhibai was dating, but no one knew who the person was.

Some agreed with Li Zhibai's retorts, others cursed him; Li Zhibai didn't care at all.

His mindset now was that he hadn't done anything wrong, so why the hell should he be afraid?

And inexplicably, perhaps because of his battle against the haters and keyboard warriors in the comment section, his fans weren't shocked that he was secretly dating and no longer single; instead, they helped him fight the online haters and keyboard warriors.

"Has *33 Days of Breakup* been affected?"

"Can't tell yet. Looking at the data, there's no impact."

Li Zhibai breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Yan He then said: "I suddenly feel that when the audience goes to see *33 Days of Breakup* and sees the character Wang Xiaojian, they probably won't think it's a breakthrough in your acting career, but will think it's you playing yourself."

When it came to sharp tongues, neither lost to the other.

Li Zhibai: "When I was acting, I actually had that feeling too, even though my style is different from his."

Come to think of it... the actor who played Wang Xiaojian actually had quite a big temper in private too.

Lu Yan He hurriedly shook his head.

What was he thinking? The two were actually completely different.

Lu Yan He asked: "How are things with Jiang Yuqian? Have you been affected by these recent scandals?"

Li Zhibai said: "How could I be? She knows what's going on; she just finds it funny."

"Jiang Yuqian is currently out promoting *33 Days of Breakup*, and she keeps getting asked about the scandal between you and Ji Miao during her promotional schedule. Do you really think Jiang Yuqian finds it funny?" Lu Yan He said, somewhat speechless.

Li Zhibai was stunned.

Lu Yan He: "No matter what she says now, if things between you and her are made public in the future, it will look very awkward."

Li Zhibai's expression froze, as if he had jammed.

"Then... what should I do?"

Lu Yan He: "I don't know either, but if I were you, I'd hurry up and apologize to Jiang Yuqian. No matter what, that might make her feel a bit better, right?"

Li Zhibai let out a long howl toward the sky.

Lu Yan He: "Can you keep it down? This is my lounge. If you roar that loudly, people will think I'm the one having a breakdown."

Li Zhibai looked at Lu Yan He with melancholy and resentment.

Lu Yan He raised his hands to block him.

"Don't look at me like that. You weren't careful and got photographed; you have to carry your own burden."

Li Zhibai: "I'm really done."

Lu Yan He: "At least you're both veteran artists who have been through a hundred battles; you still have the capacity to endure. Be thankful this didn't happen when you first debuted, and Jiang Yuqian's mental fortitude is much stronger than ours."

Jiang Yuqian was indeed a veteran of many battles.

Facing the media, she already had all sorts of scripts to deal with all sorts of tricky questions.

And as her status in the industry grew higher, the media actually used fewer and fewer tricky ways to ask questions.

They were also afraid of being "retorted" by her.

Jiang Yuqian was no longer the traffic star who needed to please the media.

It was just that, regarding Li Zhibai's matter, because she felt "guilty," she was truly a bit tied up and unable to be calm and composed.

Sometimes, Jiang Yuqian needed to make herself appear "in a bad mood and too lazy to answer."

"Ask him about Li Zhibai's business; why are you asking me?"

Sometimes, Jiang Yuqian needed to be circuitous.

"Everyone's private life—please, let's respect it."

Sometimes, Jiang Yuqian was asked directly about her relationship status.

"Of course I won't talk about such things. If you ask me, whether I'm single or not, I'll only remain silent. I don't want to lie to you, but I also don't want to lay my life out to be judged and scrutinized by others. No one can withstand scrutiny, and I don't want to ruin my life."

Sometimes, Jiang Yuqian was also asked for her opinion on Li Zhibai.

"He's a pretty good person, a very authentic one. He's not difficult to deal with. Difficult people are those with big egos; he doesn't have a big ego, he just has a bit of a temper. In fact, everyone has their own circle of friends. In your circle, are the difficult ones the people with a bit of a temper, or the ones who seem mild-mannered but are actually high-maintenance and have big egos?"

Anyway, the heat surrounding Li Zhibai's matter lasted for nearly a week.

It wasn't until *Friends* was about to wrap up, and two episodes had already aired, that the heat slowly died down.

As for Lin Suyang, his actions didn't stop; he sued where he should.

The paparazzi's act of secret filming was indeed illegal.

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang both breathed a sigh of relief.

Because after waiting so long, Jiang Yuqian hadn't been exposed, which meant those paparazzi truly hadn't discovered anything.

On the day of the wrap-up, Chen Ziyan came.

And she wasn't the only one.

"I'm Huang Yunlan, nice to meet you all."

The woman before them was like her name—like a small orchid, with a gentle appearance and fair skin.

She was Yin Xincheng's fiancée.

"Nice to meet you." Lu Yan He was the first to speak up.

The others were all scrutinizing her to some degree—thinking they were hiding it, but in reality, they couldn't hide it at all.

It wasn't for any other reason than that Yin Xincheng had previously been with Zhan Yun, and they all sincerely believed that those two would end up together and were "family" on *Friends*.

And now, someone else had appeared by Yin Xincheng's side.

They couldn't say they were resistant, but they definitely couldn't be welcoming right away.

Especially with Zhan Yun still present. On the surface, everyone still greeted Huang Yunlan in a friendly manner.

Huang Yunlan, however, seemed completely unaware of the "distance" in everyone's attitude. She was enthusiastic and cheerful, saying: "Finally got to meet everyone! I've always told Xincheng I wanted to find a chance to get to know you all. I love you guys so much; I'm a loyal fan of *Friends*."

Yin Xincheng himself was a bit awkward.

He certainly knew that his partners weren't that comfortable in front of Huang Yunlan.

"Now you've met," Yin Xincheng said. "After this season of *Friends* finishes airing, we'll announce our marriage. When the time comes, everyone must find time to attend."

Everyone nodded.

Huang Yunlan immediately followed up: "Everyone is welcome to bring their partners along too."

The smile on her face was very sweet.

Lu Yan He, however, noticed that her gaze finally landed on Zhan Yun.

At this moment, Bo Jin suddenly gasped.

"What's wrong?"

Bo Jin said: "I suddenly remembered I left my script in the makeup room. I need to go get it quickly."

She turned to look at Zhan Yun.

"Xiaoyun, come with me."

Zhan Yun nodded and said okay.

The two girls turned and left.

After turning away, Bo Jin gave Wen Minglan a look.

Wen Minglan understood and immediately smiled at Yin Xincheng and Huang Yunlan: "The two of you are moving so fast, it caught us all off guard."

Huang Yunlan was interrupted and stunned for a moment before saying: "We... it's not just Yin Xincheng. When he met me, he often drowned his sorrows in alcohol, and it just so happened I ran into him several times."

Wen Minglan shook her head helplessly and said: "No wonder."

As for what she meant by "no wonder," who knows.

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang exchanged a glance.

They both felt the awkward atmosphere at this moment.

"In any case, I wish you both happiness," Wen Minglan said with a smile, completely oblivious.

"Why do I feel like everyone doesn't really like me?" Huang Yunlan whispered, holding Yin Xincheng's hand.

Yin Xincheng knew why, of course, but he couldn't tell Huang Yunlan explicitly—in fact, Huang Yunlan must have had an inkling too.

He said: "Everyone isn't familiar with you yet, it's not that they don't like you."

That was all he could say.

Huang Yunlan: "What if they never like me?"

"I'm the one who films with them, not you," Yin Xincheng said. "You don't need to interact with them often in the future anyway."

"But they're basically your closest friends in the entertainment industry, right?" Huang Yunlan said. "How can I not be familiar with them?"

Yin Xincheng: "It would be great if we could get familiar, but if we can't, there's nothing to be done. Besides, it doesn't matter if we don't."

Huang Yunlan: "I don't want that. I don't want to be someone who can't integrate into your life. We're getting married, after all."

"Baby, you can't force these things."

Huang Yunlan pouted unhappily. "Could it be that someone is intentionally rallying the others to exclude me?"

Yin Xincheng: "Huh? Who would do that?"

Huang Yunlan: "Who else do you think?"

Yin Xincheng was puzzled for a moment before he realized who Huang Yunlan was talking about.

"How is that possible? You're overthinking it," Yin Xincheng said. "Zhan Yun isn't that kind of person."

Huang Yunlan's expression suddenly changed.

"Do you still like her?"

Yin Xincheng frowned.

"Why are you doing this again?"

Huang Yunlan's eyes turned red immediately.

"I knew it, you still like her in your heart." Huang Yunlan's tears fell rapidly.

Yin Xincheng could only helplessly relax his brow.

He hugged her.

"How could that be? The person I love now is you."

"I don't like her," Bo Jin said to Zhan Yun with conviction. "I didn't like her the first time I saw her."

A look of gratitude appeared on Zhan Yun's face, but she said: "No need for that. Yin Xincheng and I are a thing of the past. We are still friends and colleagues."

Bo Jin: "This has nothing to do with Yin Xincheng, although he's not a good thing either. I just don't like that girl; she gives me a bad feeling. She's not as frank as you."

She suddenly thought of something and asked: "Xiaoyun, you don't still like Yin Xincheng, do you?"

Zhan Yun didn't speak.

Bo Jin slapped her own forehead.

"OMG!"

Zhan Yun: "It's already in the past."

Bo Jin sighed.

"Damn that Song Liuchun!" she cursed.

Zhan Yun looked blank and asked: "Who is Song Liuchun?"

Bo Jin shook her head and said: "A trash author who forgot how they started their story, tore a pair of lovebirds apart, and now has to think of all sorts of ways to patch it up."

Zhan Yun: "There's no other way; now I have to accept the fact that we broke up."

Bo Jin: "But actually, Xiaoyun, it's okay. There are many men in this world; it's not just Yin Xincheng. To get together with another woman so soon after breaking up with you, and to get her pregnant so quickly—humph, scumbag."

Zhan Yun: "At the time, my fans were all cursing him, and he was under a lot of pressure. I understand. He was in a very bad state during that time, drinking almost every day. Many times he called me, but I didn't pick up."

"Why?" Bo Jin asked, puzzled. "Since you still like him, why couldn't the two of you hold on?"

"Holding on would only be painful," Zhan Yun shook her head. "He was never a person with a firm will. He is kind and enthusiastic, but he isn't firm. I know he was suffering; he couldn't turn a blind eye to the humiliation, sarcasm, and attacks. At first, we both thought love and courage could overcome all difficulties, but... maybe people just can't always forge ahead."

Bo Jin opened her arms and hugged Zhan Yun.

"Hey, Xiaoyun, it's okay, really okay," she said. "Since you aren't together, it means you weren't meant to be. Your true love is still waiting for you in the future. You must firmly believe in this; that's how I believe in it."

Zhan Yun smiled.

Wang Meng shook his head.

"A Shura field," he laughed. "I reckon Huang Yunlan came here today to assert her dominance."

The others laughed too.

"Still, Yin Xincheng's speed is fast enough. How long has it been since he broke up with Zhan Yun, and he's already found another one."

"That girl is actually quite pretty, very delicate."

Wang Meng: "Forget it, it has nothing to do with us. These big stars could find ten girlfriends and it wouldn't matter to us. We're just wage earners, making a living."

"That's right."

"Wrapping up today, we can finally get some good rest," Wang Meng said. "Want to go grab a drink together tonight?"

"Sure," the others nodded.

Wang Meng said: "OK, I'll go check with Director Bai first, then I'll post the location in the group chat."

"Got it."

As one of the three assistant directors of this show, Wang Meng's presence on the crew was quite strong.

And before becoming an assistant director, he had already participated in the filming of several seasons of *Friends*; he was already an old-timer on the crew.

"Are you out of your mind? You actually went with Chen Pinhe—" a woman's voice stopped abruptly.

Chen Pinhe?

Wang Meng's footsteps paused.

Hearing the name Chen Pinhe here was quite rare.

He immediately followed the sound and happened to see Chen Ziyan pulling Lu Yan He away to another place.

Wang Meng followed immediately.

In Hu Siwei's producer office, Bai Jingnian picked up his glass, took a sip, and let out a satisfied sigh.

"This season is finally finished. Thank goodness, no more mishaps," Bai Jingnian said. "I've been worried these past few days that something else would happen with Yan Liang's mom and we wouldn't be able to film."

Hu Siwei: "Yan Liang is still quite professional; he hasn't asked for a single day off since then."

Bai Jingnian shook his head. "That's only because Lu Yan He helped him cover the bottom and his words carry weight. Otherwise, with the way Yan Liang was doing things, we would've definitely had to stop."

Hu Siwei: "Lu Yan He has really done everything for him."

"Having a friend like Lu Yan He is worth it for a lifetime," Bai Jingnian laughed. "Whatever is missing, he provides; whatever help is needed, he gives."

Hu Siwei: "Indeed. Come to think of it, haven't we also benefited from his light?"

Bai Jingnian: "Yes, but, sigh, this time with Wang Meng, it's my fault. I didn't judge the person correctly."

"People's hearts are hidden behind their skin; who could have guessed? Don't blame yourself too much," Hu Siwei shook his head. "No one wanted something like Wang Meng to happen. Fortunately, it didn't lead to too serious consequences and was discovered early."

Bai Jingnian: "But why not fire him immediately? Why keep him on the crew?"

Hu Siwei: "Yan He probably has other plans. Behind Wang Meng, there should be someone pulling the strings; it's not just about selling news for money."

"Greed knows no bounds. He's already an assistant director, yet his vision is so short-sighted," Bai Jingnian frowned, clearly feeling that Wang Meng's behavior was too short-sighted, or even that his brain wasn't clear. "He originally had a bright future ahead of him."

Hu Siwei smiled.

"People, how can everyone be so smart? Smart people are mostly just being clever for their own sake."

"You're reconciling with Chen Pinhe? Burying the hatchet? You believe him?"

"Why are you so naive? Yan He, have you forgotten how they treated you before? Do you really believe what Chen Pinhe said to you?"

"To be honest, you'd be better off believing what Zhou Ping'an said to you. At least he really broke up with Star Entertainment. He and Ma Zhongquan can be said to be dead to each other now. In that respect, he truly has common interests with you."

"Chen Pinhe said it was all Zhang Yuezhen's doing and he was unaware. You actually believed it directly. You've been in the industry for so long, why are you still so easy to believe what others say?"

Each sentence struck firmly at Wang Meng's heart.

Wang Meng only remembered to take out his phone to record halfway through.

He crouched under the window, listening carefully while looking around to avoid being bumped into.

The words coming from inside the room made him "terrified."

He waited until Lu Yan He suddenly said, "Sister Ziyan, I'm willing to believe him once," and then Chen Ziyan said very angrily, "You will pay the price for your blind trust. I'm telling you now, Yan He, I'm really disappointed in you." It seemed someone had left, as there was the sound of a heavy door closing.

There was no more sound.

Only then did Wang Meng carefully move a few steps away.

Wang Meng arrived at the front and happened to see several people looking at the parking lot with surprise.

"What's wrong?" Wang Meng asked them.

"Chen Ziyan just left in a huff. Don't know what happened."

Wang Meng: "Is that so?"

He suddenly asked: "Where's Director Bai?"

"Don't know." The others shook their heads.

Wang Meng then pretended to turn and go look for him elsewhere.

Half an hour later, Lu Yan He came out of his lounge.

He went to find Yan Liang.

Yan Liang had already packed everything up.

"Are you going straight to the hospital?" Lu Yan He asked.

Yan Liang nodded.

"I'll stay at the hospital with my mom for these few days; she's about to have surgery."

"Mm," Lu Yan He said. "It's the day after tomorrow, right?"

"Right," Yan Liang asked. "You're going to the United States tomorrow, right?"

"Mm," Lu Yan He nodded. "The PR and promotion for *Storm Calmer No. 1*—I have to go. There are several jobs waiting."

Yan Liang patted Lu Yan He on the shoulder.

"I'm sorry I can't go stand on stage for you this time."

"Auntie's health is the most important thing. You're still thinking about this—that's enough," Lu Yan He shook his head. "Finally wrapped up, you don't have to worry about two things at once anymore. By the way, I had Wang Biao go ask around earlier; there are still a few apartments for sale at Huiziyuanqiao. Remember to take some time to go look at them later. Didn't you say you wanted to buy an apartment so it would be convenient for your parents to stay when they come over?"

"Mm," Yan Liang nodded. "Okay, Wang Biao has already told Ning Luo."

"That's good," Lu Yan He laughed. "Auntie's surgery will go smoothly. Even if you can't help but worry in your heart, don't show it in front of Auntie. Your attitude determines her mindset toward the surgery. It's really not a high-risk surgery; mindset is very important."

"Understood, I'll act well," Yan Liang said.

The two parted ways on the set.

Lu Yan He returned to Huiziyuanqiao.

Chen Siqi was waiting for him.

When he got home, the sun hadn't set yet.

As soon as he entered the door, he smelled the fragrance of pork ribs.

It must be stewed soup.

Lu Yan He changed into slippers and came to the kitchen door.

Sure enough, Chen Siqi was busy in the kitchen—

Although she had no talent for cooking, she seemed to have the determination that "diligence can make up for clumsiness." She had been practicing diligently for the past year, and her skills had improved significantly.

"You're back!" Chen Siqi turned around, saw Lu Yan He, and smiled. "Are you hungry?"

"It's okay, not hungry. What did you make?" Lu Yan He walked into the kitchen and took a look.

Chen Siqi: "Bought roast duck and braised dishes. I only stewed a soup, and I'll just stir-fry some lily bulbs and shrimp, and that'll be it."

Lu Yan He: "Do you need my help?"

"Don't interfere with my work," Chen Siqi said. "Get out."

Lu Yan He laughed.

"By the way, how did your scene with Sister Ziyan go today? Smoothly? Didn't break character laughing?"

"Break character? Who are you looking down on? I'm a professional," Lu Yan He said.

Chen Siqi: "So now we're just waiting for the fish to take the bait?"

"That's right."

"Alright, then I'll wait to watch the show too."

"Mm," Lu Yan He said. "Then I'll go change my clothes and pack my things. I have to set off for New York again tomorrow."

"Okay," Chen Siqi said. "I've helped you pack your things. The list is on the table; take a look and see if there's anything you need to add."

Lu Yan He was pleasantly surprised.

"Okay."

Chen Siqi's preparation was very meticulous.

She even specially prepared a medicine kit for him, just in case.

"Yan He, your flight is tomorrow afternoon, right?" Chen Siqi suddenly asked in the kitchen.

"Right," Lu Yan He asked. "Why?"

"My grandparents are coming here tomorrow morning. If it's convenient for you, can we have lunch with them?"

"Sure, of course," Lu Yan He said. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? Is the restaurant already booked?"

"I've already booked it," Chen Siqi said. "They're coming for a check-up and will leave right after, so I didn't tell you specifically."

Lu Yan He suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Under normal circumstances, for something like an elderly person's check-up, as Chen Siqi's boyfriend, shouldn't he be the one to accompany them?

Chen Siqi, however, had never made such a request.

Although there were objective reasons.

Lu Yan He asked: "Are you going with your grandparents tomorrow?"

"Mm, I'll go with them tomorrow. We'll just meet at the restaurant at noon."

"I'll go with you in the morning," Lu Yan He said. "I don't have anything else to do."