Chapter Forty-Three: Schemes of the Mind

“Director, there’s a call for you.” At that moment, a staff member approached, barely concealing their frustration.

The chief director shot a cold look their way but still took the phone, his tone surly as he asked, “Who is it?”

“Director Chen, you really have quite a temper.” The caller’s voice was calm and unhurried. “I’ve called several times, but I’m always told you’re too busy to answer.”

The moment Director Chen recognized the voice, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. “Secretary Gao, it’s all a misunderstanding—just a big misunderstanding.”

“I hardly have anything else to occupy me. This whole show is my priority,” Director Chen hurriedly wiped his brow, no longer sparing a glance at his subordinates, and turned away to find a quiet spot to take the call.

Secretary Gao gave a light, mirthless laugh. “Director Chen, I’ll get straight to the point. Regarding the matter with Sang Yijia, President Wei wants you to resolve it as soon as possible.”

“Yes, yes, of course!” Director Chen agreed hastily, laughing obsequiously. “I’ll handle it immediately and make sure Miss Lan receives a satisfactory response.”

“Director Chen, I think you misunderstood.” Secretary Gao cut him off coldly. “President Wei’s instructions are for you to give Miss Sang a satisfactory answer as soon as possible.”

Director Chen was stunned, wondering if he’d misheard. He asked again, “Secretary Gao, did you mean Sang Yijia?”

“Give Sang Yijia—?” The information he’d received said that Lan Qing was the one with connections. How had it suddenly become Sang Yijia?

“You heard correctly. Miss Sang is a friend of President Wei’s—there’s no mistake.” Secretary Gao deliberately avoided further explanation; his point was clear enough. “Director Chen, if this matter isn’t handled well…”

“You should know President Wei doesn’t tolerate incompetence among his people.” With this final reminder, Secretary Gao hung up.

A chill swept through Director Chen. Only moments ago, he’d ordered someone to demand that Sang Yijia apologize to Lan Qing.

Now, his mind went utterly blank. He had no idea what to do.

His staff, oblivious to the change in circumstances, once again rejected Mo Yani’s request when she phoned. Upon hearing this, Director Chen rushed over in a panic, snatching the phone from his subordinate and answering Mo Yani with forced politeness. “We have the footage—I’ll have it edited right away and sent to you shortly.”

“Thank you.” Mo Yani, though puzzled, accepted his help.

“You’re welcome.” Director Chen licked his parched lips. “You’re Miss Sang’s manager, right? Could you do me a favor?”

“All of this was just a misunderstanding. Now that it’s cleared up, I hope Miss Sang might put in a good word for me with President Wei.” Director Chen was rattled; he never imagined Sang Yijia would align herself with Wei Heng, especially after her apparent indifference toward Shen Jin on the show.

He cursed his own shortsightedness. He should have realized from the start that Sang Yijia’s presence on the program signified she wasn’t ordinary.

Mo Yani gave a faint “Ah,” not quite grasping his meaning, but still agreed. Only after hanging up did she continue to puzzle over it. “President Wei?” she murmured to herself. “Who?” She couldn’t imagine Sang Yijia knowing the president of Meiheng Entertainment, Wei Heng, so she dismissed the thought, yet she couldn’t think of any other prominent Weis in the industry.

—

Sang Yijia’s response in the livestream infuriated both Lan Qing’s and Shen Jin’s fans. They descended in droves to attack her, dredging up old scandals in a renewed attempt to boycott her across the internet.

The situation quickly spiraled out of control. Lan Qing’s manager rushed to the hospital, hoping to discuss a strategy, only to find Lan Qing and Shen Jin exchanging flirtatious glances, which stoked her irritation even further.

A forceful knock at the door shattered the room’s intimate atmosphere.

Manager Jian Hong entered, coughing twice, then looked at the two of them.

Seeing it was Lan Qing’s manager, Shen Jin’s expression softened slightly. “Qingqing needs to rest. Why are you here?”

Shen Jin and Lan Qing were only a step away from becoming an official couple; it was just a matter of someone breaking the ice. Shen Jin had nearly done so moments before, but was interrupted.

“I came to check on Qingqing.” Jian Hong shot Lan Qing a meaningful look, signaling her to send Shen Jin away.

Lan Qing caught on. “Brother Shen, you should go back for now,” she said. “I need to talk to Sister Hong.”

Since Lan Qing spoke up, Shen Jin reluctantly agreed. “All right, I’ll come see you later.”

“Mm.” Lan Qing, understanding his meaning, blushed faintly as she replied.

“What’s going on with you?” Jian Hong had brought Lan Qing into the industry and knew her well. “Didn’t we agree before?”

“No relationships for five years.” From the way Lan Qing and Shen Jin interacted, Jian Hong found it hard to believe nothing was going on.

“Sister Hong, weren’t you the one who suggested I find someone influential?” Lan Qing replied nonchalantly. “Isn’t Shen Jin a good choice?”

“I’ve looked into it—he’s the young master of the Shen family, very favored.”

Jian Hong furrowed her brow. “All right, then.”

“But young masters from wealthy families aren’t easy to handle—you should be careful.” Jian Hong had indeed once hoped Lan Qing would cozy up to some powerful businessmen, but Lan Qing had always refused, repulsed by their appearance. Though Jian Hong said nothing, she’d always had her doubts. Now, seeing Lan Qing so proactive, she felt uneasy. “I actually came to talk about what’s happening on Weibo.”

“Fans are getting heated. Post a couple of messages to calm them down—make sure they don’t cause any more trouble.”

Lan Qing was unconcerned. “Fans are fans. What does that have to do with me?”

“What they do isn’t under my control, is it?” Lan Qing wanted to say more, but, seeing Jian Hong’s stern expression, fell silent.

“Fine, I’ll do it.” She picked up her phone to post on Weibo.

Jian Hong folded her arms and watched. “Right now, thanks to the dating show, your pairing with Shen Jin is really popular.”

Lan Qing grew serious and noticed that people were saying nasty things about her under her posts. Her brow furrowed. “Sang Yijia really said too much during the livestream.”

“Sister Hong, can’t we just ignore it?” She was reluctant to post.

“Your image is that of a kind, generous person. How can you not speak up now?” Jian Hong was annoyed, her brows knitted tightly.

“Soon you’ll have to return to filming—remember to maintain a professional, dedicated persona, understood?”

Lan Qing replied half-heartedly, posting to Weibo with little enthusiasm before immediately logging out.

—

Elsewhere, Sang Yijia and Lu Wenchuan walked along the path, finally reaching the vineyard.

It was late September, not yet October; few grapes had ripened.

Lu Wenchuan glanced around and pointed toward another orchard. “Let’s go there.”

“Really?” Sang Yijia tilted her head. “That’s his too?”

Lu Wenchuan nodded. “All these hills around here belong to him.”