Chapter 117

Fang Hong waved his hand and walked away without looking back, leaving Liu Tianxian alone, her thoughts in chaos.

In the past, Fang Hong always indulged her and was willing to help her, but this time he wouldn't.

If she took this role, stripped naked, and kissed someone, Fang Hong wouldn't treat her the way he used to—he might lose her forever.

In truth, Fang Hong asked for so little: just that she remain pure and untainted, and everything else could be compromised.

This placed immense pressure on Liu Tianxian, both in her career and her emotions.

Why couldn't this man understand her? She had her own ideals and convictions—if she abandoned them, what had all her perseverance meant? The thought filled her with inexplicable sorrow; she slumped against the wall, powerless, every word Fang Hong had spoken echoing in her mind.

She truly believed Fang Hong's words—that the film *The Genius Hacker* was made solely for her.

Because the entire plot served the female lead!

And Fang Hong could have easily cast someone else—*To Our Youth* and *Beijing Meets Seattle* were both made with other actresses.

Their investment wasn't any smaller! Fang Hong didn't want to pressure her—he truly didn't. But without pressure, she overthought everything, felt compelled to break through herself, to shatter her filters.

He also wanted her to clearly separate emotion from work.

Fuck, I'm a man—a man!

What man could tolerate his woman stripping and kissing another?

Filming of *The Genius Hacker* proceeded normally.

Fang Hong didn't let their argument disrupt work—he didn't avoid speaking to Liu Tianxian.

He still taught her acting as usual, but strictly within the bounds of work—no personal feelings discussed.

Liu Tianxian watched the man beside her explaining her scene, her heart deeply conflicted.

"Li Xian, you reported a rich second-generation's cheating, and he retaliated by throwing you into the trash pile—you lost your scholarship. You need to show signs of corruption." Fang Hong instructed Li Xian.

"Got it—anger." Li Xian said.

"Not anger. You were bullied not because you cheated, but because you're poor. You need money. You want to rise above others—that's what drives you to cheat." Fang Hong said.

"Alright, I understand." Li Xian thought for a moment.

Fang Hong glanced at Liu Tianxian, then walked away without looking back, signaling the crew to resume shooting—as if only work existed in his eyes, nothing else.

Liu Tianxian, fuming, ignored him.

The two, outside of work, no longer exchanged casual words as before—they fell into a cold war.

The crew suddenly noticed the set had grown much quieter; it had once been lively and cheerful.

Especially Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian—they used to sit together chatting when not filming, sometimes bursting into laughter. Now that atmosphere was gone.

Especially the Principal—he kept his face long and tense, as if smoldering with anger, turning the entire set into silence.

He wasn't nearly as approachable as before!

"Did the Principal and Old Liu fight?"

"Who knows?"

"I heard they went out two days ago and came back like this."

Liu Yin, Wang Ran, and Li Anran whispered among themselves; Wen Muye listened nearby.

Zhao Xiaodao and Li Xian also sat together gossiping.

In a large hall, crew members were setting up the scene when four rough-looking hooligans entered.

"Filming here? Did you pay your respects? Do you know the rules? Who's in charge? Come here, you!"

One of the gang leaders kicked a desk the crew had set up, sending a cascade of "clatter and crash" as several other desks toppled.

Then he stomped onto a chair, unbuttoned his shirt, and revealed his muscular chest.

His henchmen behind him all wore the same arrogant, lazy expressions.

This was the exam scene setup, so there were many desks and chairs.

The crew saw this—they'd never encountered anything like it—and all turned their eyes toward Fang Hong, their anchor.

Fang Hong, watching from afar, pulled out a watermelon knife and tucked it into his waistband, covering it with his shirt.

"What are you doing?"

Liu Tianxian saw it and grabbed his arm to stop him.

Fang Hong shook her off, ignored her, and walked over: "What do you want?"

The crew stood frozen; only a few assistants gathered around, including Lu Dabo. Liu Tianxian also stepped behind Fang Hong.

She feared this man might do something stupid and start slashing people! "You're the boss? Paid your protection fee yet?" The gang leader rubbed his nose with his thumb, acting brazenly.

"Protection fee? I've never heard of it." Fang Hong remained calm.

"Fine, I'll tell you now. You've been filming here over twenty days—100,000 yuan per day. I'll give you a discount: pay 2 million yuan for protection, or don't shoot here."

The gang leader held up two fingers.

Fang Hong immediately pulled a thick stack of cash from his inner shirt and flung it onto the desk in front of him, pointing: "Take it!"

So compliant—the gang leader grinned, reaching for the money.

"Shhh! Zheng!"

With the sound of a blade being drawn, a knife plunged hard into the desk, right beside the cash.

It nearly severed the gang leader's hand.

Everyone turned pale; someone gasped "Sss!" and stepped back two paces—so violent!

Liu Tianxian, standing close, felt her heart jolt—she realized this man was brimming with rage ready to explode.

Probably because of their argument!

The gang leader yanked his hand back instantly, heart pounding, hands trembling—so close! Is this guy insane? "Take it!" Fang Hong barked.

The gang leader swallowed hard—he truly looked like a madman.

"Let's go!"

The junior boss was straightforward, gesturing for his men to leave.

They can bother ordinary people, but if they run into a madman, better drop it—this job isn't worth it.

Seeing those thugs driven off by just a few words from the Principal, the crew members sighed in relief, looking at the Principal with deep reverence.

Too dominant! Too ruthless!

Zhao Xiaodao's beautiful eyes flickered—this man's aura was incredibly powerful, like he had cheat codes.

He hadn't seemed like this before, but now, looking again, he was completely different from the superficial people in the circle.

He handled the entire affair from start to finish with calm composure, not a single wasted word, resolving it cleanly and efficiently.

Liu Tianxian had experienced this before, so she seemed calmer than others, but this time it was far stronger than ever before.

She knew he was angry.

After those men left, Fang Hong signaled to the crew: "Keep working. Don't delay."

No one on site dared speak; everyone quietly dispersed—some set up the set, others arranged equipment, and the busy scene resumed.

Liu Tianxian watched him, wanting to say something, but stayed silent and went back to her own work.

Fang Hong pulled Lu Dabo back just as he was about to get to work.

"Principal!" Lu Dabo called out.

Fang Hong slapped a stack of cash onto Lu Dabo's chest, then pulled another stack from his clothes and slapped it on his chest too: "Take it."

"This… this is too much!" Lu Dabo was stunned—he'd never received so much.

"I told you to take it, take it."

Fang Hong leaned close to his ear and whispered: "Before you leave Hong Kong, beat up Fa Ge for me."

"Huh?!" Lu Dabo was startled.

"He likes buying groceries, likes taking the bus—you'll get your chance," Fang Hong patted his shoulder.

"But what if I get caught?" Lu Dabo hesitated.

"Use this money to hire a third party. There are so many thugs here—if he can do it, so can you."

Fang Hong kept advising: "Do it and run. Return to Beijing before the incident spreads. No one will touch you—because no one knows you."

Hearing this, Lu Dabo said nothing, looked at the money in his hand, and decided it was feasible.

He was just an unknown nobody—forgettable the moment you saw him.

Even if you knew his name, you wouldn't know what he looked like.

Only the Principal remembered him—and he'd seen too many cases of mutual revenge.

Sometimes actors would fight over a role or an opportunity, openly beating each other up.

"After this, I'll put you in charge of all logistics for my crew," Fang Hong said.

Lu Dabo's heart stirred; his eyes narrowed slightly. If that happened, he'd become the head of dozens of people—controlling transport, meals, security, and procurement for the crew.

"But I need to make one thing clear—I'm not heartless. These words are only between you and me. If a third person finds out, I won't admit it—not only won't I admit it, you—"

Fang Hong pointed at him: "I don't know you!"

"I understand, Principal."

Lu Dabo nodded, then gritted his teeth: "If you keep your promise, I'll do it."

"Since the beginning until now, have I ever lied to you about anything?" Fang Hong asked.

Lu Dabo shook his head—he'd never lied.

"I chose you because I trust you. If I didn't trust you, why wouldn't I pick someone else? Right?" Fang Hong's logic was sound.

It reassured Lu Dabo, and gave him a sense of being recognized.

A scholar dies for one who understands him!

Fang Hong couldn't be involved directly—giving cash left no evidence. Even if they guessed he did it, who could prove it? Liu Tianxian had originally come to check on Fang Hong, saw him whispering to a crew member, and grew curious—what was he up to?

She didn't know Lu Dabo.

There were too many people on set—even if she'd worked with him two or three times, she'd forget a nobody like him.

Fang Hong turned around and saw Liu Tianxian watching him.

Their eyes met. Liu Tianxian asked: "What are you doing?"

"Nothing. Filming," Fang Hong replied, expression blank.

"Don't go too far," Liu Tianxian seemed to guess.

"You always think I'm too much. Why don't you rein in others? Why don't you rein yourself in?" Fang Hong pointed.

He knew perfectly well who sent those thugs to annoy him—if he wasn't ruthless, countless thugs would harass their filming.

Would they even finish the movie? Hong Kong isn't like Neidi.

Fang Hong's words pierced Liu Tianxian's heart—this man always felt she didn't understand him, didn't cater to him.

But she had her own principles and ideals too!

The two stood there, ignoring each other—the cold war continued.

(End of Chapter)