Chapter 46: Verbal Sparring
Zhao Chen’s news was still spreading. Kou Dehai was right—the real show hadn’t even started.
After Zhao Chen’s arrest, a list allegedly provided by him circulated online, naming celebrities in the entertainment industry who used drugs.
Suddenly, everyone in the industry felt unsafe. Those on the list scrambled to release statements or lawyer notices, firmly denying the accusations.
Those not on the list breathed a sigh of relief, fans rejoicing like it was the New Year.
Jiang Yu glanced at the list. Many familiar celebrities, even reputable veterans, were named.
If the list was real, it could wipe out a third of the top-tier stars, leaving second- and third-tier has-beens largely untouched.
Oddly, no Han Entertainment artists were on the list, while nearly all top stars from Zhao Dangjian’s Fishman Entertainment were implicated.
Jiang Yu immediately sensed something unusual. He reasonably suspected it was Han Cheng’s doing, though he had no proof.
The entertainment industry felt as gloomy as the misty weather outside, with no light in sight.
Jiang Yu, focused on the drama, stayed excited all night. Sleepiness finally hit, but Qi Sheng called—since it was raining, they could film a rain scene with him and Ji Xu today.
Exhausted, Jiang Yu’s eyes barely opened, yet Wang Huan dragged him from bed to the set.
“Didn’t sleep well last night? Such heavy dark circles—who were you thinking about all night?” Ji Xu, arriving earlier, held the script and looked at Jiang Yu slouched in the chair, exhausted, teasingly asking.
“Thinking of you. I was wondering why you weren’t on that drug list,” Jiang Yu said with closed eyes, joking sarcastically.
“That would disappoint you. I have my supporters, access to top-tier resources at will—I don’t need to use that stuff to get into the industry or get resources.”
“I get it. After all, I’ve always been the one choosing; others could only take what I didn’t want.”
Jiang Yu squinted at Ji Xu, seeing his normally graceful smile suddenly darken.
Jiang Yu suddenly felt completely relaxed, mentally and physically. Ha! Still pretending with him. Who hasn’t been spoiled by Han Cheng before?
“Hmph, you’re just all talk. From now on, you’ll only get what I leave behind,” Ji Xu said, taking a large sip of his drink to calm his temper.
“That might disappoint you. After this film, I’m leaving the industry. I’m not interested in your leftovers. After all, Han Cheng gave me a huge breakup settlement—enough to splurge for years. Come to think of it, I should thank you for leaving Han Cheng. Otherwise, how could I have spent six years with him and earned so much breakup money?”
“Heh, you make being a gold-digger sound so righteous. Your face is really thick.”
“Money’s a good thing—everyone likes it. You don’t need to act all high and mighty, looking down on it.
If you don’t like money, just donate all of yours—you could become a saint overnight. I’d bow to you in three deep kowtows, worship you completely, set up a permanent memorial in your honor, and have it revered for generations.
But alas, you’re just another mundane money-lover. My memorial will never be for you.
Someone like you, born with a silver spoon, if suddenly stripped of wealth, I guarantee you’d be more obsessed with money than me.”
“Your guarantee is meaningless—I won’t donate my family’s wealth. I may like money too, but I earn it honestly and don’t sell myself.
Being a rich heir just shows that I’ve had good luck since birth. What comes easily to me is something you’d need a lifetime to achieve.
Not just money—but Han Cheng as well. We were a perfect match, childhood sweethearts, and he was always meant to be mine.
You’re just a thief taking advantage of circumstances. While I was gone, you stole six years of his time and a trivial amount of his money.
He only saw you as a diversion while I wasn’t there. Now that I’m back, he immediately kicked you out. Yet you still act like a fool, basking in your little victories in front of me.”
“I’m not basking; you’re scared. You’re afraid Han Cheng might truly love me again, afraid he’ll abandon you for me.
After all, he’s had many lovers, all briefly, but only I could be with him for six years.
And when you came back, he didn’t kick me out immediately—he struggled for over three months before ultimately choosing you.
So when you see me, you go crazy trying to belittle me, showing off your time with Han Cheng. You’re just scared that he might rekindle old feelings with me and leave you.
You… are afraid of me.”
“Hmph, you’re really good at flattering yourself,” Ji Xu sneered, still disdainful, but his air of superiority had deflated. Even as he tried to contain himself, the irritation and embarrassment of being exposed shone through.
“Jiang Yu, Ji Xu, get ready—we’re about to start filming,” the assistant director’s voice interrupted their verbal sparring.
“Hmph.” Ji Xu snorted, rolled his eyes at Jiang Yu, and stormed off.
Jiang Yu rolled his eyes back, lying down in the chair to catch a nap. This round, he had the upper hand.
Today’s scenes weren’t numerous, but exhausting. He needed to sit in a wheelchair and race through the rain.
It was a scene where he delivered urgent information. A servant drove a car to distract followers, while Jiang Yu sat in the wheelchair, braving the rain to traverse an alley and deliver the message to the third male lead, played by Ji Xu.
They met in the alley. Jiang Yu urgently told Ji Xu to have his team run quickly—Japanese soldiers had discovered their planned meeting at the academy.
Ji Xu asked who leaked the information. Jiang Yu said it was someone called Ace of Spades. Ji Xu simply said thanks and left. That was it—only three lines of dialogue. After their earlier verbal sparring, neither wanted to deliver lines to the other.
Fearing the rain would stop, the set crew quickly prepared. Qi Sheng and the assistant director each guided Jiang Yu and Ji Xu through the alley to familiarize them with the route.
“This path is long. We’ll probably need several takes to get the shots. You’ll get a lot of rain today. Wear this—it protects your waist.
If you feel uncomfortable, tell me immediately. Even if we don’t shoot, don’t risk hurting your waist. Don’t try to be tough, got it?” Qi Sheng handed Jiang Yu something to wrap around his waist, continuously reminding him.
Last night, Han Cheng’s strange phone call had him flustered for a long time. Qi Sheng had spent the night pondering it. Though Han Cheng appeared to have broken up with Jiang Yu, they were still entangled.
Han Cheng was sending a warning about last night at the banquet, when Qi Sheng had introduced Jiang Yu to the investors.
Qi Sheng felt aggrieved. Previously, Han Cheng’s breakups with minor lovers were clean cuts—sometimes even personally delivering them to Zhao Dangjian. Why did he have to play this chase-and-escape idol drama with Jiang Yu?
No wonder Zhao Dangjian suddenly lost interest in Jiang Yu at the banquet, and the additional investment fell through. Qi Sheng had thought Zhao Dangjian was displeased with Jiang Yu’s rejection and had planned to tease him during the rain scene as a warning.
Now it seemed Zhao Dangjian had more insight—he noticed Han Cheng still cared for Jiang Yu and wisely stopped.
