Chapter 121

Before Yang Qing became the captain of the criminal police team, he once complained to Lin Dongfan that work was not easy.

Yang Qing said: "How dare you ask me if work makes me happy, are you polite? Work is like taking a dump in a public toilet; no matter whether you've finished, someone's always urging you from behind!"

Every word in his speech was filled with resentment, and also carried a hint of disgust.

But Lin Dongfan had to admit that Old Yang's summary was still spot-on; those disgusting words were also quite fitting for the tense atmosphere backstage at the Spring Festival Gala.

The urging voices of all kinds of staff were everywhere.

Chu Lingxi and her group had just arrived backstage when the dance director came over to urge them: "It's almost your turn to go on stage—why are you only just here? Hurry up and do your makeup……

Yingjie obviously didn't dare to offend anyone.

In the Jianglan Arts Troupe, Yingjie was the big sister; but backstage at the Spring Festival Gala, she was just a nobody. She apologized to the dance director and hurriedly led her subordinates to the changing room to change clothes.

In recent years, the signals of military reform have grown stronger, and rumors have spread that their arts troupe might be disbanded.

But Yingjie is already in her forties; if the arts troupe is disbanded, it would mean she loses her job. Now she hopes everyone can make a name for themselves on the Spring Festival Gala stage, so she can get more commercial performances later.

She repeatedly urged Chu Lingxi: "After you go on stage, treat the audience below as air—don't be nervous. Just like in regular training, keep a calm mind and give a steady performance."

"Mm, I'm not nervous."

Chu Lingxi glanced at Lin Dongfan standing by the dressing room door, smiled faintly—everything was understood without words; as long as Lin Dongfan was by her side, she was a fearless silly girl.

Yingjie also understood: Lin Dongfan was Chu Lingxi's reassurance.

Yingjie again begged Lin Dongfan: "Dongfan, please do me a favor—later, find a seat downstairs and don't leave before the performance ends."

"Don't worry, Yingjie, I won't go. You go change first; I'll go downstairs to find a seat."

Lin Dongfan pushed through the crowded backstage, seeing those stars he normally only saw on TV, and felt not the slightest ripple in his heart.

The childhood dream of chasing stars had long faded; compared to power, the entertainment industry amounted to nothing.

Tonight was just a recording for backup broadcast; there was no packed audience cheering below, few people, and Lin Dongfan found an empty seat in the first row and sat down.

Not far away.

Chief Director Yu An was answering a phone call.

Having just learned the dog‑licking skill, Yu An's mood was obviously not great; he held his phone and complained: "General Gao, it's not that I won't help you, but Chu Lingxi's program really can't be dropped."

"Director Yu, the whole Spring Festival Gala is up to you, and yet you can't drop a program?" Gao Lu's voice came over the phone.

At this very moment, Gao Lu was enjoying the life a rich woman ought to have.

She was soaking in the hotel's large bathtub, while Li Hengbo stood behind her rubbing her shoulders and kneading her arms; although Little Li's technique wasn't very skillful, he made up for it with youth and strength.

Unfortunately, Yu An couldn't see this scene.

Yu An also didn't know that Gao Lu just wanted to help Little Li vent his anger.

Now Yu An's mind was filled with Xie Yinxin's angry voice, and he didn't know what relationship that brat Lin Dongfan had with Xie Yinxin, who actually flew into a rage over his wife's little matter.

Yu An glanced from afar at Lin Dongfan sitting in front of the stage watching the show.

Although they were tens of meters apart.

He still worried that Lin Dongfan might hear.

He quickly cupped his left hand over his mouth and, like an underground operative, spoke softly into the phone: "General Gao, other things are easy to talk about, but Chu Lingxi's matter—I really can't handle it……

"Why?"

"I have to ask you about this—what's the background of her husband, Lin Dongfan? You never explained it clearly before, and it got me into a big mess."

"Lin Dongfan has no background worth mentioning; before marrying Chu Lingxi, he was just a low‑level clerk, a petty cannon‑fodder that anyone in the system could push around."

"And what about Chu Lingxi?"

"Chu Lingxi's father, Chu Jin‑song, is a full bureau‑level official, but his influence doesn't reach the capital, so go ahead and mess with her."

"Can't do it."

"Director Yu, this is your fault—you've had me cover all the expenses for your son's overseas studies, and now you ask me to drop a single program; you can't even handle this little thing?"

"The higher‑up leaders have already named it—they specifically want to watch Chu Lingxi's program."

"Which leader?"

"This……

"Can't say it?"

"General Gao, I'm really sorry about this—I truly am willing but unable. The program the leaders have named to watch, nobody dares to tamper with it."

"Just which leader is it? You've scared yourself like this."

"Hey? General Gao, why is there no sound? Can you hear me speaking? Hey……

"I can hear you."

"Hey? Hey? General Gao……

"I've said it—I can hear you. I'm asking you, which leader exactly named Chu Lingxi's program to be watched? Give me the lowdown so I know what's going on."

"Hey? General Gao, why aren't you speaking?"

"I've been speaking all along."

"If you can't hear me, then I'm hanging up."

Yu An said that, then hung up, wiped his forehead with his hand—it was all cold sweat.

Damn it, General Gao's backer is a vice‑ministerial level official.

Lin Dongfan's backer is even more terrifying, so powerful that his name cannot even be mentioned.

I can't afford to offend anyone; I might as well tuck my tail and play the grandson.

Today I slapped myself twice.

Who knows, maybe someone behind my back is already saying I deserved it, that a pitiful person must have something hateful about them.

Tragedy must not be repeated.

I'm a big director, not the king of comedy who acts in tragedies.

Thinking of this, Yu An steadied himself, forced out a smile befitting a sycophant, ran over and handed Lin Dongfan a bottle of mineral water: "Mr. Lin…"

"Move aside, don't block my view of the show."

Lin Dongfan ignored the bottle of water offered to him; the program being rehearsed on stage was a skit performed by the familiar faces.

Yu An forced himself to apologize: "Mr. Lin, last night's incident was my fault—I was blind and caused you and the young mistress some harm; I sincerely apologize to you."

Saying this, Yu An bowed ninety degrees to Lin Dongfan.

It looked quite sincere.

Lin Dongfan replied indifferently: "I'll stab you first, then bow and apologize, saying sorry—I was impulsive. Is that okay?"

"That's doable, mainly I don't deserve to take that blow." Yu An explained seriously: "You're wielding a butcher's knife; I'm just a chick. Using a cattle knife to kill a chicken is a bit overkill."

Lin Dongfan laughed and cursed: "You really are a talent, I'll give you a chance to atone—tell me, who had you kill my wife's show yesterday?"

"I've said it, but don't say I said it."

"Don't bargain with me!"

"Gao Lu."

As soon as that name was spoken, Yu An's heartbeat sped up considerably, feeling as if one of his feet had already stepped onto the Helpless Bridge.

But he dared not remain silent.

Gao Lu's slap could only beat him half to death.

But a slap from Lin Dongfan could very well reduce him to ashes on the spot.

Yu An stammered: "Mr… Mr. Lin, in light of my sincere repentance, could you spare me a way out? Please…"

Saying this, he clasped his hands together, adopting a pleading posture full of sincerity.

Lin Dongfan stared fixedly at the performance on stage: "Get lost."

"All right, take your time watching; call me if you need anything." Yu An felt Lin Dongfan was intentionally giving him a way out, so he stopped talking and left as far away as he could.

After Yu An left.

Lin Dongfan pulled out his phone and sent a message to Jian Sining: "Check Secretary Gao's sister Gao Lu's contact number and send it to me once you find it."