Chapter 239: Emergency Meeting, Where is the Way Forward

Another three days passed.

Jian Liting was finally able to come out to see people, and she didn't reject others approaching her.

But her whole state was very wrong. It was something anyone could see at a glance—a sense of weakness from a serious illness, and she was always distracted.

Everyone was worried about leaving her alone in one place, fearing that something irreversible would happen.

When Zhang Guang saw Jian Liting, he didn't say anything, but in the meeting held that night, he said without hesitation, "No, I can't let her continue filming!"

"You all saw her state now. Even if she can film, how much acting can she display? And there's a risk of collapse from time to time."

Yang Li hesitated to say something, but Zhang Guang interrupted in advance, "Manager Yang, medication can control treatment, but this behavior itself is wrong.

'Assassination' is not some earth-shattering big production; there's no need to torture actors like this. If it's exposed afterwards, it will affect not only your reputation but also the reputation of Tianding Entertainment.

If I tacitly approve of your use of medication to suppress it, how will netizens view Tianding Entertainment? For the sake of filming a drama, you don't hesitate to let a first-tier actor destroy her own body?"

Yang Li said, "I've communicated with Liting, and she is willing to do so."

Yang Li guaranteed repeatedly, "If anything happens, we will bear the consequences."

Zhang Guang looked at her coldly and said very sharply, "But Tianding Entertainment cannot afford such consequences.

It is an indisputable fact that the star's body has been harmed. No matter how good your statement sounds, Jian Liting's fans will think she was forced.

I cannot let the company's reputation be damaged for the sake of filming this drama. Manager Yang, Jian Liting does not have the weight to make Tianding worth a gamble."

Seeing Zhang Guang's firm attitude and refusal to let Jian Liting perform, Yang Li said anxiously:

"Half of the first part has already been filmed. Liting has the heart to continue acting. Now it's you who won't let her act, fearing she will have an accident. Then what about this drama?

Liting can pay the liquidated damages, but what about the 'Assassination' crew? Are you willing to give up like this? Is it too late for you to find another female lead now?"

As soon as her words came out, everyone was silent.

The reason Yan Jianqiao hadn't spoken was because of this.

He knew Jian Liting's state was wrong, but in the current situation, even if it was wrong, it had to be used.

Because there was no other choice.

They had been filming for half a month, and half of the first part had been filmed. Now they were talking about changing people.

Late, too late!

Suddenly, the door of the conference room was pushed open. Everyone looked up and saw Gu Cheng walking in, followed by the others from Sanyuetian.

What surprised everyone was that Jin Li, Qi Guan Mingzhu, Ji Qinglian, and Xi Sister Meng Ze also came.

Everyone was wearing brand-new performance clothes and still had makeup on their faces. Obviously, they rushed over as soon as they left the stage, and they didn't even have time to remove their makeup.

Gu Cheng looked at Brother Guang, "I'm not late, am I?"

Zhang Guang shook his head, "No, we are still discussing."

He thought for a while and said to the others from Sanyuetian, "Since you also invested in this drama, just stay and listen together. I'm afraid this drama cannot be filmed."

Zhang Guang looked at Jin Li again, and Jin Li nodded to him, "I'll stay and listen too."

Ji Qinglian felt the atmosphere in the conference room was very heavy. Although she was curious about what happened to the drama, she still politely and restrainedly said, "We'll wait for Jin Li in the next conference room."

After they came to the next conference room and closed the door, Xi Sister Meng Ze couldn't help but gossip:

"Isn't 'Assassination' the drama Jin Li invested in? The school we came to is the filming location of the crew, right? Why did you suddenly say it can't be filmed?"

Before, as soon as Gu Cheng finished recording "Leisurely Slow Life," he ran to the car and said he wanted to attend a meeting.

But their company's car was still parked in another place. Originally, according to the plan, they would return to the recording location after filming the dance and leave together with their luggage.

It was just that Gu Cheng was in a hurry, so he took the production team's car directly.

It just so happened that Sanyuetian heard it was related to the "Assassination" crew, so they followed. Jin Li also wanted to follow, so Ji Qinglian and the others came along.

All their luggage was still with the production team.

Ji Qinglian had been busy with changing jobs this month. Now her affiliated company had changed to Tianding Entertainment, but there were still many contracts signed by LP at that time that needed to be changed.

She has over a dozen endorsements, and with her change of company, she also needs to sign supplementary contracts; she has been busy these past few days and doesn't know much about "Assassination."

She only heard in the group chat that Jin Li thinks quite highly of this drama and has also invested in it; it seems Chenxi Entertainment followed suit and invested as well.

It was unexpected, however, that Tianding Entertainment also got involved.

Xi Sister Meng Ze is at Chenxi Entertainment and knows more, so she immediately filled the two of them in.

She said: "Sister Fang was persuaded to have Chenxi Entertainment invest a sum because Jin Li thinks very highly of it, and Gu Cheng is both investing and acting in it."

"I heard from Jin Li that Tianding wasn't sure whether to invest at first; they didn't think Gu Cheng could film a good movie. But once they heard Chenxi Entertainment was going to invest, they immediately followed suit—they couldn't afford to be outdone by Chenxi."

Qiguan Mingzhu quipped: "Big companies always do strange things for the sake of strange face, but fortunately, the result is good."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qinglian asked: "Since Chenxi Entertainment has also invested, does that mean your manager is coming over too?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze only then thought of this and immediately took out her phone to call Sui Lingfang.

When Sui Lingfang answered the phone, she was still a bit out of breath, as if she had been sprinting.

Hearing what Xi Sister Meng Ze said, Sister Fang immediately stated: "I'm already on my way. Zhang Guang has been notifying me to have a meeting ever since Jian Liting was able to be seen, but something came up at the company that needed handling, so I just arrived at the school."

"You're right next door? That's perfect. Just have Zhang Guang wait for me; I'll be there in ten minutes... no, five minutes!!"

Xi Sister Meng Ze had barely sat down when she immediately knocked on the door of the meeting room next door to convey Sister Fang's message.

Zhang Guang happened to want to rest and clear his thoughts; the rhythm of the impending argument was interrupted by Gu Cheng and the others filing in.

He said: "Alright, we will wait for her to arrive so we can discuss it together."

Yang Li took this opportunity to leave the meeting room, intending to go down to the first floor to get some air.

As she walked, she messaged the doctor to ask if Jian Liting's condition was alright today.

Inside the meeting room.

Jin Li pulled out a tissue and carefully wiped the sweat beads on her forehead.

She had also sprinted over just now; she hadn't reacted while running, but afterward, she felt her heart rate quicken.

Taking advantage of the free time, Gu Cheng took a small bottle of makeup remover and cotton pads from his bag, then took out a small mirror and said to Jin Li:

"You're sweating a lot; take your makeup off first."

Jin Li said "Thank you" in a soft voice. Just as she was about to take the mirror, Gu Cheng said: "I'll hold it for you; you pour the makeup remover first."

Jin Li stopped being polite with him—she had already passed the point of needing such formality—and immediately removed her makeup.

For areas that didn't feel completely clean, Gu Cheng pointed them out for her.

"The restroom is at the end of the hallway; go wash your face first. It's not good to leave makeup remover on your skin."

Jin Li then ran to the restroom.

Just as she left the meeting room, she saw Ji Qinglian, Qiguan Mingzhu, and Xi Sister Meng Ze all standing at the end of the hallway, looking far down below.

Each of them had an excited and agitated expression; Qiguan Mingzhu was even waving her fists, as if cheering someone on.

This is a school, where you can see the scenery outside from every floor; it's not the type of office building that is cut off from the outside world.

Jin Li walked over and asked: "What are you all..."

Before she could finish, she saw the scene below. The person sprinting rapidly on the playground, isn't that—

Sui Lingfang??

Jin Li: "Why is Sister Fang running so fast?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze: "She's afraid of missing the meeting. I just noticed it too; she's down there sprinting hard. If I weren't afraid of disturbing your conversation, I would have wanted to cheer for her."

But soon, Xi Sister Meng Ze's wish was fulfilled.

Because she discovered Sui Lingfang was running to the wrong place, she couldn't care about the impact and immediately waved her hands, shouting: "Sister Fang! Sui Lingfang! Fangfang! We're over here!!"

Qiguan Mingzhu joined in shouting: "Sister Fang! Sister Fang! Sister Fang! We're over here!!"

Ji Qinglian followed suit and shouted as well.

The three people's shouts were concentrated together; it didn't sound like they were giving directions, but more like they were cheering someone on.

Jin Li didn't shout.

Because she felt this scene was a bit cringey.

She went to the restroom first and washed the makeup remover off her face.

There were tissues in the restroom; she pulled out a few to carefully wipe her face. Just as she was about to turn around to throw the tissues in the trash can, she suddenly froze.

From one of the stalls in the restroom, she saw Jian Liting walk out. Her complexion was somewhat pale, and her eyes were listless, as if she wouldn't respond to anything said to her.

Jian Liting's footsteps were very light; she didn't make eye contact with Jin Li—or rather, she completely ignored Jin Li as a person.

Although the clothes she was wearing were a school uniform.

Jin Li suddenly felt that Jian Liting should be wearing a hospital gown instead; her current state was very similar to those patients she saw in the hospital who had suffered severe vitality loss!

Jin Li hadn't been to a hospital in a long time, but in her memory, this body was a frequent visitor to the hospital, and she was very repulsed by the oppressive atmosphere there.

Jin Li nodded at her: "Hello Jian Liting, I am Jin Li. I invested a bit in 'Assassination'."

Hearing the specific words, Jian Liting's eyes flickered. She nodded mechanically, as if wanting to force a smile, but on the surface, she could only lightly twitch the corners of her mouth.

"Hello," Jian Liting said in a soft, whispering voice.

Jin Li had long heard about Jian Liting's condition from Gu Cheng and felt that she wasn't incapable of communication, so she asked: "Sister Liting, where is your manager?"

Jian Liting: "She should be nearby."

Jin Li: "Are you alone?"

Jian Liting: "Yes."

Jin Li: "Being alone feels a bit dangerous."

Jian Liting suddenly raised her head, looking at Jin Li in the mirror, and twitched the corners of her mouth again.

She should have been trying to make a smiling expression, but her expression management seemed to have malfunctioned; this brief smile looked more like mockery.

"Do you also think I would commit suicide?"

Jin Li's heart sank slightly, and she shook her head: "No, your body is weak; it's better to have someone with you."

Jian Liting lowered her head again to wash her hands: "Yes, I know."

Jin Li left first, her expression somewhat solemn. Compared to the noisy commotion outside, the restroom was excessively quiet.

She walked over to Xi Sister Meng Ze and the others, told them to stop waving, and also quietly mentioned that Jian Liting was in the restroom.

Ji Qinglian frowned slightly, then relaxed: "It's normal for her to come over; after all, she is the lead actress of this drama, so she should be notified regardless of whether she can act or not."

The others also quieted down, patiently waiting for Jian Liting to walk out.

But after waiting for a good while, they didn't see Jian Liting walk out, which made Jin Li and the others feel a bit strange.

Jin Li asked: "Should we go in and take a look?"

Ji Qinglian frowned: "Wait, let's wait for your manager to come over first."

A few minutes later, Sui Lingfang and Yang Li arrived on the fourth floor together, both of them out of breath.

Sui Lingfang thanked Yang Li, and Yang Li said: "You're welcome. I happened to be looking for someone too; Liting said she was in the restroom here, so I'll go take a look."

Ji Qinglian, Jin Li, and the others felt their minds relax immediately upon hearing this.

Sui Lingfang looked at them with a strange expression: "Why do you all have such heavy expressions? Weren't you full of energy when you were shouting for me to cheer up earlier?"

Jin Li immediately said: "Sister Fang, I didn't shout."

Xi Sister Meng Ze pulled Sui Lingfang to the other side, and after Yang Li walked into the restroom, she whispered:

"Earlier, Jin Li went into the restroom and ran into Jian Liting. She felt her state wasn't right, talked for a bit, and then came out. We've been waiting outside, but Jian Liting hasn't come out."

Sui Lingfang didn't think as much as they did.

She wasn't clear on Jian Liting's true state and had very limited understanding of her, so she said: "What's there to be afraid of? She's not going to eat you."

After she finished speaking, she walked into the restroom. Xi Sister Meng Ze, Ji Qinglian, and Qiguan Mingzhu gathered their courage and followed her in.

But after only a few seconds, Sui Lingfang and the others immediately retreated, their expressions all becoming solemn. Sui Lingfang even stopped catching her breath.

She had felt her body was a bit hot from sprinting up earlier, but now she only felt a chill in her heart.

She quickly asked: "Where is the meeting room? I'll go to the meeting room first."

Jin Li walked into the meeting room with Sui Lingfang, and Xi Sister Meng Ze and the others also went to the meeting room next door.

Xi Sister Meng Ze deliberately locked the door before lowering her voice to say: "Did you see Jian Liting's state?"

Ji Qinglian nodded with a serious expression: "Her face was too white, her eyes were very red, as if she hadn't slept for several days."

Qiguan Mingzhu: "I feel like she's a bit like a ghost."

Xi Sister Meng Ze asked hesitantly: "Do you think the drama crew suddenly saying they can't film is because Jian Liting, the lead actress, has a problem?"

Ji Qinglian: "Anyone who has seen Jian Liting would nine times out of ten think she has a problem."

She paused and frowned: "Is she sick, or does she have a mental illness, like depression?"

They had followed Sister Fang into the restroom and saw Jian Liting curled up in the corner by the window, staring blankly ahead.

Yang Li kept saying something to her, but Jian Liting didn't respond to a single word.

Qiguan Mingzhu couldn't help but ask: "In Jian Liting's state, can she really film?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze: "If she couldn't film, she wouldn't still be staying here, right?"

Ji Qinglian shook her head: "If it really is a mental illness, the 'fine' in her cognition is different from the real 'fine'. Let's wait for news from Jin Li."