Chapter 447: Hard Connections? An Even Harder One Arrives!

Not long after, Yuan Yuan hurried back with the director.

When the director first saw Re Ba, and then saw Re Ba soothing Zhao Zhaoyi, he instantly understood about seventy to eighty percent of the situation.

The director's surname is Liu; he is a middle‑aged bald man, probably close to fifty.

He hurried over, his face full of smiles, his tone reverently awkward: "Sister Re Ba, hello…"

The address sounded oddly stiff.

Calling a fifty‑year‑old "Sister Re Ba" felt rather incongruous.

But that's the power of capital; after all, Re Ba is the Boss's Wife of Morning Light.

When Re Ba saw the director arrive, she let go of Zhao Zhaoyi, turned to the director, and the smile on her face vanished, replaced by a hint of coldness: "Director Liu, what's up with my sister Zhaoyi's face? Does filming really require that much force? Or is someone in the crew deliberately making things hard for her?"

Director Liu broke into a cold sweat the moment he heard that.

He glanced at Zhao Zhaoyi's reddened, swollen face, felt a pang of guilt, and hurried to explain: "Sister Re Ba, this… this really isn't my business…"

Then Director Liu quickly recounted the whole story.

After listening, Re Ba finally understood what had happened.

It turned out that the drama's female lead, Wang Meng, often gave Zhao Zhaoyi a hard time in the crew because she was a newcomer, and today happened to be a scene where the two faced off.

The plot called for Wang Meng's character, after a misunderstanding, to slap Zhao Zhaoyi's character in a burst of emotion; according to the script, the scene needed to convey intense emotional conflict, but Director Liu intended to shoot it with a stand‑in, since such face‑slapping moments are usually avoided as real blows between actors.

However, Wang Meng insisted on a real slap during filming, arguing it would look more authentic.

Director Liu hesitated, but Wang Meng was the drama's female lead with a complicated background, so he didn't feel comfortable opposing her, and Zhao Zhaoyi also said she could accept it.

As a result, Wang Meng's slap was extremely forceful; Zhao Zhaoyi's face swelled instantly.

Worse, Wang Meng claimed her emotions were insufficient and demanded multiple retakes, causing Zhao Zhaoyi's face to be slapped several times.

Although Zhao Zhaoyi felt aggrieved, as a newcomer she dared not speak up and silently endured it.

Only after filming ended did she hide in the trailer and weep in secret.

Re Ba's complexion turned cold the moment she finished hearing Director Liu's explanation.

She glanced at Zhao Zhaoyi's reddened face, felt a pang of sympathy, then turned to Director Liu: "Director Liu, is this how your crew works? Let actors actually hit each other for the so‑called realistic effect, and even retake it multiple times? Have you considered the actors' safety and feelings?"

Director Liu hurriedly explained: "Sister Re Ba, this… this really was our oversight; I didn't expect Wang Meng to strike so hard… and she insisted on a real slap, I… I had no choice…"

Thinking of Re Ba's status, Director Liu blurted out: "The thing is, Wang Meng's background is a bit special… her father is a bank president, and she has ties with Harmony Praise…"

Harmony Praise Media.

It's one of the top mainland talent agencies.

For example, its artists include Zhao Liying, Gu Lina Zha, Wang Zhiwen, He Rundong, and so on…

Li Bingbing of the Four Dan Double Ice is also a partner of Harmony Praise.

After hearing Director Liu's explanation, Re Ba roughly understood; such bullying in the Entertainment Circle is all too common.

Re Ba sneered after Liu's explanation: "Director Liu, you say Wang Meng's father is a bank president and she's connected to Harmony Praise, so you just let her bully newcomers in the crew, is that it?"

Director Liu was at a loss when Re Ba asked, breaking into even more cold sweat; he stammered: "Sister Re Ba, this… I can't help it either. Wang Meng's background is indeed complicated. I'm just a small director; how could I dare offend her…"

Although Re Ba knew the blame didn't fall on Liu, she was still angry.

So she told Liu: "Go fetch Wang Meng and tell her I'm waiting here. If she refuses to come, I'll go myself. Then the embarrassment will be in front of the entire crew!"

"Sister Re Ba, I'll go get Wang Meng right now!" Liu said, then hurried away to find her.

Although Wang Meng's connections were indeed strong, today her luck ran out; she ran into someone with even stronger ties.

After Liu left, Re Ba turned to Zhao Zhaoyi: "Zhaoyi, don't be afraid; with me here, no one can bully you. When Wang Meng arrives, I'll make her apologize. If you're still angry, you can slap her a few times!"

Zhao Zhaoyi wiped her tears, worriedly saying: "Sister Re Ba, Wang Meng's background isn't simple; I don't want to cause you trouble…"

Re Ba smiled, ruffling her hair: "Silly girl, you're my sister; how could I watch you suffer? Don't worry, I've got this under control!"

Soon, Director Liu arrived with Wang Meng.

Obviously, Wang Meng had already heard the situation from Liu; her complexion was a bit sour, but she forced a smile and walked over.

"Sister Re Ba, hello…" Wang Meng forced a thin smile, though her tone carried a hint of unwillingness.

Re Ba gave her a cold glance and said: "Wang Meng, you were heavy‑handed on set today; Zhaoyi's face is swollen. Do you have an explanation?"

Re Ba's gaze was icy, exuding an invisible pressure.

Though she didn't shout, the aura radiating from her bones made Wang Meng dare not meet her eyes.

After all, having been by Lin Mo's side for so long, such aura comes naturally.

Wang Meng, pressed by Re Ba's aura to the point of breathlessness, still forced herself to say: "Sister Re Ba, it's all for the sake of the drama's effect… I'm also thinking of the crew's good…"

"For the drama's effect? So you think that for the sake of effect you can bully newcomers at will? Or do you think your strong background lets you run roughshod in the crew?"

Wang Meng was left speechless, her complexion growing ever worse.

Re Ba stared at her, voice sharp: "Wang Meng, I tell you, you must apologize to Zhaoyi today; otherwise, not even Harmony Praise—or even your father—could protect you."

Although Wang Meng was extremely unwilling, …

There was no other way.

The backing she relied on was insignificant before the Morning Light Group.

Harmony Praise…

Presumably, Harmony Praise, upon learning she offended Re Ba, would even have Li Bingbing come over to apologize.

As for her father…

If her father found out, they'd probably break both her legs.

"Sister Re Ba… I… I know I was wrong…" Wang Meng finally lowered her head.

"I said apologize to Zhaoyi!" Re Ba said coldly.

Hearing that, Wang Meng glanced at Zhao Zhaoyi, then gritted her teeth, walked over, and whispered: "Zhaoyi, I'm sorry, I was wrong today, please forgive me.."

Zhao Zhaoyi looked at Wang Meng, felt a bit conflicted, but nodded: "It's fine… just be more careful next time."

She really didn't want to cause Re Ba any trouble.

As for what Re Ba said, let her slap Wang Meng a few times and then return.

She had no such thought at all.

Getting Wang Meng to apologize to her was already something she never dared to imagine.

When Re Ba saw Wang Meng apologize, her tone finally softened considerably: "Wang Meng, I hope you remember today's lesson. In the Entertainment Circle, background is indeed important, but character is more important. If you dare to bully Zhao Yi again, don't blame me for being impolite."

How to put it, Re Ba herself also relied on her man's influence.

Of course, she also didn't want to cause Lin Mo any trouble.

What she said earlier was quite full‑hearted, as if even her father couldn't protect her…

But in reality she didn't even know how it would turn out, nor whether this would cause trouble for her man.

After all, it was also her first time using background to pressure someone.

So seeing Wang Meng admit his mistake with a fairly proper attitude, the matter could be considered settled.

From now on Wang Meng should no longer dare to bully Zhao Yi.

Wang Meng kept nodding, silently lamenting inside.

Since entering the Entertainment Circle, she had always been the one bullying others…

Today she finally got to taste what it feels like to be bullied.

After Wang Meng left, Re Ba turned to Zhao Zhaoyi with a smile and said, "Alright, Zhao Zhaoyi, don't worry. From now on in the crew, no one will dare to bully you again."

Zhao Zhaoyi looked at Re Ba gratefully, her eyes reddening again: "Re Ba, thank you…"

Re Ba laughed, ruffling her hair: "Silly girl, thank what… Come on, I'll take you to get something tasty; I've already asked Director Liu to grant you leave."