Chapter 126: The Topic

The production team thought the same, but Lan Qing’s manager, Jian Hong, strongly objected. “Director, now that Shen Jin has gotten himself into this mess, do you realize how damaging it would be for Lan Qing to continue being paired with him?”

Jian Hong didn’t just say it over the phone; she went directly to Director Chen of the dating show. “Besides, Lan Qing’s career is on the rise. We can’t afford even the slightest negative impact.”

After the last episode’s incident at the Baishan Club, Jian Hong had already cleared things up and even found out who had hired the paparazzi to take those photos — it was that actress whom Lan Qing had outshone.

Using some influence, Jian Hong had that person sent to the side of the young and promising Mr. Huang, the same one the assistant had mentioned before who liked playing little games.

Director Chen knew a bit about Lan Qing’s situation — first, the pretense of her being the eldest daughter of the Lan family, then the Baishan Club incident. But neither was important.

What mattered was the order from General Manager Wei.

“Shen Jin and Lan Qing must be tied together,” Director Chen replied coldly. Setting aside General Manager Wei’s intention, just considering the scandalous rumors between Shen Jin and Lan Qing, coupled with the current chaos, their continued pairing was the only thing that would keep viewers interested. Otherwise, what would the audience watch?

Jian Hong laughed bitterly, folding her arms. “Director Chen, although Lan Qing isn’t the eldest daughter of the Lan family now, she definitely isn’t lacking the right connections.”

“Are you sure you want to go against our Lan Qing over something so trivial?”

Director Chen stared at her without changing his expression. “You were the ones who requested we pair Lan Qing with Shen Jin in the first place. It’s clearly written in black and white.”

“If we don’t act according to the contract and you use it against us later, wouldn’t that mean you get to decide whatever’s good or bad?”

Jian Hong truly hadn’t expected Lan Qing to have done something like that before. She laughed angrily. “Fine.”

“Since that’s the case, I’ll go back and clarify, but Lan Qing must be unbound from Shen Jin.”

Director Chen gave no reply.

Jian Hong, still annoyed, grabbed her bag and left the office.

Chen snorted, lit a cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke. “No matter how powerful Lan Qing’s backers are, can they be stronger than General Manager Wei?”

Director Chen had never feared anyone.

—

When Shen Jin learned that Lan Qing’s manager wanted to replace him, he sneered coldly. “As if anyone’s willing to be her partner.”

“I’ll handle this matter, so don’t worry,” his manager said, glancing at him, reluctantly agreeing with Jian Hong’s reasoning.

“So many things have happened already. If you two keep being tied together, it won’t do you any favors.”

The manager checked a notice from the production team. “Bian He’s side insists on continuing to be paired with Yan Ningsi.”

“Lu Wenchuan and Sang Yijia’s side is the same.” The manager hadn’t yet uncovered Lu Wenchuan’s background, but last time when Sang Yijia fainted, Lu Wenchuan immediately used the hotel’s medical team. It was clear he was more than just a programmer.

Shen Jin scoffed. “Then just kick that Lu Wenchuan out.”

“And have Sang Yijia team up with me,” Shen Jin narrowed his eyes. After this incident, he realized Sang Yijia was the real heiress.

Thinking back on how cold he had been toward Sang Yijia, he regretted it deeply. If he had agreed sooner, now they would have been a couple envied both publicly and privately, and his career would have leapt forward.

“Sang Yijia used to like me, didn’t she?” Shen Jin was confident in himself. “You talk to her manager. She’ll definitely agree.”

The manager pursed her lips. “I’ll arrange it.”

“But whether it will succeed is another matter.”

Shen Jin gave a reassuring look, confident. “Sang Yijia won’t reject me.”

“...” The manager fell silent.

—

Three days later, the dating show announced they would resume filming, but this time, it wouldn’t be live. Instead, it would be pre-recorded, edited, and then aired on Walnut Channel.

Likewise, the official account tagged the guests participating in this recording, with Sang Yijia and Lu Wenchuan listed first, followed by Yan Ningsi and Bian He.

[Where are Shen Jin and Lan Qing?]

[Where’s the brother?]

The incident of Shen Jin eating three chickens in one night quickly passed, having little impact on him. His manager kept emphasizing the photos were photoshopped and not of Shen Jin himself.

Furthermore, Shen Jin’s manager had brought in experts to prove the photos were fake, even issuing a statement warning that anyone continuing to smear Shen Jin would face legal action.

Sang Zheng knew about this. He hadn’t released more evidence to let the other side grow complacent, thinking he wouldn’t follow up before striking again.

“Kid, just let him play for a couple more days,” Sang Zheng received news that Shen Jin had landed the lead role in a film set to begin shooting in half a year. In two weeks, Shen Jin would attend training and disappear from the scene for a while.

“Still acting childish at your age,” Sang’s mother said without intervening. “Just play it out.”

“Don’t let it affect Jia Jia’s career.”

“Don’t worry, it absolutely won’t,” Sang Zheng smiled. He secretly hoped the dating show wouldn’t air, so no one would speculate about his daughter and Lu Wenchuan being a couple.

Sang’s mother knew her son was sensible and said no more.

—

After the official announcement, the tagged guests all reposted it.

—

Sang Yijia’s Weibo was managed by her agent, Mo Yani, who had been busy revising a murder mystery script these days and hadn’t had time for anything else.

Once Sang Yijia finished her work and the script was submitted, she finally had time to check her phone and learned the show was continuing with a new pairing.

“Looks like Shen Jin and Lan Qing have split,” Sang Yijia recalled her agent Mo Yani mentioning Shen Jin wanted to team up with her. Sang Yijia had been itching to slap him but instead politely declined.

Agent Mo Yani thought the same. Shen Jin’s past troubles weren’t baseless rumors; someone knew something and deliberately leaked bits of it.

As for the details, Mo Yani wasn’t sure, but as long as she didn’t have to compromise, that was enough.

Sang Yijia finished browsing Weibo and returned to her newly submitted script. The editor quickly sent an automated reply, saying it would take about five working days to respond.

Five days felt long; Sang Yijia hadn’t felt this anxious awaiting a reply in a while.

Her phone rang — it was Lu Wenchuan.

She glanced at the screen and answered. “What’s up?”

“Hm.” Hearing her voice, Lu Wenchuan’s expression softened immediately. “The production team said we’re leaving in two days. Did you get the notice?”

She had, of course, but Lu Wenchuan wanted to find a topic to chat with Sang Yijia.

Sang Yijia looked down at WeChat, where Mo Yani had sent many messages. She only just saw them.

“Yeah, I saw it.” She exited WeChat and returned to the call. “What’s up?”

“This time, we’re going to the seaside.” Lu Wenchuan rubbed his fingers together. “Do you... get seasick?”

Sang Yijia tilted her head, frowning. “?”

Lu Lu wanted to make conversation with Sang Sang but somehow said the wrong thing as soon as he spoke... Tonight, Lu Lu was awkward all around.

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(The End of this Chapter)