Chapter 244: Chapter 242: Director Wen Has Gained Confidence

Meng Xiaoyi had a strange sixth sense. She felt that if Xie Fu Yao let that woman, Wen Ying, "treat" him, his fate would probably be the same as Jiang Beibei’s and Zhang Jingxing’s. Although everyone had changed the subject, Meng Xiaoyi couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen to him.

She had no basis for this feeling, but she was still scared.

"Brother Xie, you’re both guys, so it’s hard for me to choose. How about we make decisions together? We don’t need a leader; we can just decide everything as a group."

This was the best solution Meng Xiaoyi could think of, one that wouldn’t offend Xie Fu Yao or Zhao Qi.

Xie Fu Yao was inwardly displeased, but he knew better than to make an issue of it with Meng Xiaoyi right now.

"The director said you’re free to form groups however you like."

The cameraman chimed in, dispelling their concerns.

Xu Jiali sighed. "Well, it looks like we won’t get to hear Xie Fu Yao’s private business after all. What a shame. I’m sure the fans would have loved to see it, wouldn’t they?"

"Xu Jiali, would you be willing to air your private life for everyone to see?" Xie Fu Yao asked, displeased.

’I don’t think I’ve done anything to offend Xu Jiali. So why is she always trying to drag me down?’

"I don’t mind. I’ve only been in two relationships my entire life—one in high school and one in college. We broke up after graduation because our values started to clash. Besides my love life and family, I don’t really have any other secrets. If Sister Yingying wants to do a reading for me, I’d be more than happy to."

The corner of Xie Fu Yao’s mouth twitched. He didn’t believe a word Xu Jiali said.

’Xu Jiali is pretty and has a great body, though her personality is...’

’But in this industry, how could anyone possibly remain untainted and keep to themselves?’

’Especially a beauty like Xu Jiali. She must have been noticed by investors, directors, and the like, and then...’

’Wen Ying and Xu Jiali are friends, so she definitely wouldn’t expose any of her secrets. In that case, I’d be the only one losing out.’

Xie Fu Yao didn’t take the bait and ignored Xu Jiali’s comment.

"Zhao Qi, since we’re a team now, we have to let bygones be bygones and cooperate. We can’t afford to lose miserably on the very first day, can we?"

’Zhao Qi wanted to scream a million profanities but held his tongue.’

’If it weren’t for those two scumbags, Jiang Beibei and Zhang Jingxing, why would I have to be with a hypocrite like Xie Fu Yao?’

The three started to cooperate. Xie Fu Yao went to find food, Zhao Qi went to look for some vines and other materials that could be used for weaving mats, and Meng Xiaoyi continued to gather leaves.

Seeing the three of them leave, Xu Jiali pouted. "Sister Yingying, I’m sure that Xie Fu Yao is hiding some major dirt! Otherwise, why would he be so afraid?"

Song Jiayan finally spoke up. "Jiali, let it go when you can."

Song Jiayan was worried Xu Jiali would face retaliation. She probably didn’t realize just how terrifying this industry could be.

When people like that wanted to go after someone behind the scenes, they could completely ruin them.

Song Jiayan didn’t want Xu Jiali to face that.

"Still want to sing, Song Jiayan?"

Song Jiayan shook his head. He wouldn’t sing. Not after what just happened, and not in this lingering atmosphere.

He just wasn’t in the mood to sing.

"So what do we do now? We’ve eaten, we’ve drunk, and the shelter is built. Haven’t we perfectly completed today’s mission?"

"We don’t seem to have enough food for our next meal," Song Jiayan reminded her.

Xu Jiali brought over the bamboo basket. Looking at the single potato and the small amount of dried noodles left inside, she became worried.

’It really isn’t enough for our next meal.’

"So should we rest now or go look for food? Can the production team give us a clue in advance? After all, we’re definitely going to win this time!"

The cameraman shook his head.

Director Wen was indeed in a bind. The agents for both Zhang Jingxing and Jiang Beibei had somehow teamed up and were now approaching him on behalf of their respective agencies.

As a rookie director, he normally would have had to apologize and cooperate when faced with such a display of force.

But now, Director Wen had other plans, and the show was a massive hit!

Naturally, Director Wen no longer needed to compromise. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Liu looked at Director Wen with a troubled expression. "Director, what do we do now? If these two agencies jointly boycott our show, will any other stars be willing to join?"

After the incidents with Jiang Beibei and Zhang Jingxing, Director Wen had been thinking about adding some fresh blood to the cast.

After all, with too few guests, the show’s appeal would diminish.

He couldn’t just have Doctor Wen do a reading for every single guest, could he?

Once everyone left, the show would be left with no cast!

"Put the word out that we’re looking for new cast members! Tell any interested studios to contact us!"

Xiao Liu immediately did as he was told.

But after making the arrangements, Director Wen suddenly thought of someone.

’If this person came, the show would definitely be a huge hit with the viewers online, right?’

Lest you think too highly of it, the person Director Wen had in mind wasn’t some A-list superstar, but rather a nobody who could barely even be called a rookie.

Xu Yiran!

Xu Yiran needed to make money, and right now, she was still trending online—a topic she was trending for because of their show!

If Xu Yiran joined now, the viewers online would surely think the show was so compassionate!

The audience’s goodwill toward the show would skyrocket!

It would also solidify their spot on the trending list!

With that thought, Director Wen sent someone to contact Xu Yiran.

At that moment, Xu Yiran was sitting in a somewhat dilapidated courtyard. She had woven the stool she sat on herself. Even the rocking chair her father was lying in was something she’d made after learning the craft, saving them a lot of money.

When she found out she was trending, Xu Yiran was thrilled.

She knew exactly what being a trending topic meant.

She also knew that she only had this opportunity because of Doctor Wen and Xu Jiali.

So she told her parents about Xu Jiali offering to lend her money.

Her younger brother was away at school, so the three of them sat there in the courtyard.

"Yiran, you’re not going to be scammed again, are you? Mom doesn’t want you to suffer through that again. Sure, you can make good money in that industry, but it’s not a place for poor folks like us."

What had happened to their family before had left them all with a deep loathing for that world.

"Mom, I’m not trying to get into showbiz. A celebrity friend is willing to help me, which is why I don’t want to marry the Yang family’s son anymore."

Throughout the entire conversation, Xu Yiran’s father said nothing. His face seemed to carry all the sorrows of the world.

’He even felt that it was because of him that his daughter had to suffer all this.’

’If he were gone, would all of this just disappear?’

’The family would no longer have this burden.’

’But he couldn’t bear to leave.’

’He couldn’t bear to leave this family, couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing his wife, daughter, and son again.’

"If you want to go, then go, Yiran. Dad has been a burden on you for too long. I’ll handle things with the Yang family. We haven’t touched the money. As long as we go and formally apologize, this matter can be put behind us quickly."

Xu Yiran felt a sting in her nose.

Just then, Xu Yiran’s phone started to ring.

She answered. Three minutes later.

Xu Yiran couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into tears!