Madam Zong was still a bit uneasy about the confidential script. After all, Ji Fei had previously said, "Aren't you afraid of total annihilation if you cast me?" Not to mention that they had somewhat offended them before.
Madam Zong was worried that the top-tier group's script would target Zong Chun. So during today's final rehearsal, Madam Zong couldn't help but approach the Director and Producer to inquire.
"Madam Zong, we really don't know. Even if we film behind-the-scenes footage of the rehearsal, we can only capture a small part," the Producer said helplessly.
The Director was even more impatient with Madam Zong. He wanted to produce a good show, so he was particularly resistant to those who used their privileges to interfere with the program's direction.
"What does Madam Zong have to worry about? There's nothing wrong with your Zong teacher. Isn't the top-tier group the judge of the entertainment industry? How could they possibly harm Teacher Zong by mistake?"
Madam Zong frowned and said, "Of course there's nothing wrong with my old Zong, but who really knows what the purpose is behind the top-tier group always performing those targeted stage plays? Are there really such fools in the entertainment industry who dare to offend all the capital for the sake of justice? I'm afraid their purpose is to target everyone who competes with them. The previous two groups were just coincidences. In the future, they might deliberately smear even good people to maintain their public image."
These words left the Director and Producer at a loss for how to refute. Indeed, what the top-tier group was doing seemed quite dreamy. The entertainment industry is a place of fame and fortune; could they really be here to rectify the industry? Even thinking about it seemed absurd.
Madam Zong said, "In case they deliberately target us, I'd like to be prepared to protect my old Zong. Could you two please loosen up a bit?"
The Producer felt he couldn't reason with Madam Zong. "We're really not hiding anything from you. We truly don't know."
Seeing no other option, Madam Zong could only say, "Then about what I mentioned to you earlier..."
The Director immediately said with displeasure, "I said no means no. Unless it's part of their own stage play, how can we add someone else's performance video in the middle of a live variety show, especially one that deliberately smears others?"
Although the top-tier group had done similar things before, it was part of their stage play composition. Madam Zong, on the other hand, had arranged for some people to perform something and wanted it to be broadcast right after the Imperial Consort Group.
Isn't this disrupting the show?
Their program doesn't interfere with the actors, but it also doesn't target them. It all depends on their own performance.
Madam Zong's expression changed slightly. "What do you mean by smearing? That's the truth. We just had people act it out. Why can't it be added as a stage supplement?"
The Director no longer wanted to deal with Madam Zong.
The Producer's expression also soured as he said, "We've given you all the face we can, but interfering with the normal broadcast of the show is absolutely not allowed."
Seeing that her best method of dealing with Yu Rouyin had failed, Madam Zong became so angry and embarrassed that she spoke without thinking.
"The two of you are protecting Yu Rouyin so much, could it be that you're also involved with her?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Director and Producer's expressions changed, looking at Madam Zong in shock.
At this moment, Madam Zong suddenly came to her senses, knowing it was absolutely impossible, so she awkwardly apologized and left.
As soon as she came out, she encountered several staff members who awkwardly hurried away. Madam Zong felt inexplicably angry. She turned her head and saw a young man walking over.
Zong Siqi looked worried and asked, "Auntie, how did it go?"
Madam Zong's expression improved a bit. "Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on your uncle and that vixen?"
Zong Siqi said, "They're on a break from rehearsal, and that woman went out. Besides, it's useless for me to watch. They're using the rehearsal as a cover to exchange meaningful glances. That woman seems to want to turn her gaze into hooks. Huh, I think the script we gave her has allowed her to release her true nature. She's nothing but a slut who can't wait to jump into bed with my uncle."
The more Zong Siqi spoke, the redder Madam Zong's eyes became. If Yu Rouyin were standing in front of her, she would probably want to slap her immediately.
Seeing Madam Zong so angry, Zong Siqi sighed and said, "Uncle owes everything he has now to you. Even my ability to enter the industry as an actor is thanks to you, Auntie. Back then, our family was so poor. It's all thanks to you that we have what we have today. Uncle is really confused, thinking he's above it all, but he's been bewitched by that vixen. He even dares to mention divorce to you. But don't worry, Auntie, our whole family is on your side. If Uncle dares to wrong you, we'd rather not acknowledge him."
Being acknowledged by her husband's relatives still made Madam Zong feel better inside. "Don't worry, your uncle and I won't get divorced."
Zong Siqi's eyes flickered. Seeing that Madam Zong's mood had improved a bit, he quickly stepped forward and said flattering words.
Madam Zong looked at Zong Siqi with appreciation. She and Zong Chun had never had children, so they took very good care of Zong Chun's older brother's children. Otherwise, given Zong Siqi's age of nearly thirty, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to suddenly enter the entertainment industry.
"Siqi, you're a good boy. You weren't seduced by that slut," Madam Zong sighed. It was as if she believed any man who stayed around Yu Rouyin would be seduced by her.
A flash of hatred crossed Zong Siqi's eyes. "She tried to seduce me, but I was afraid of getting dirty."
Madam Zong loved hearing this. "Isn't she just filthy?"
The two of them talked as they walked back.
At this time, in the women's restroom.
Ji Fei's legs had gone numb. It was her fault for reading gossip news for too long. Just as she was about to get up, she heard several women come in outside, washing their hands while gossiping.
"I told you last time, and you didn't believe me. Now you know, right?"
Ji Fei immediately stopped moving. There's juicy gossip!
"I'd heard of her reputation before, but I didn't expect it to be true. She really does seduce men wherever she goes."
"People online are betting that she'll be judged by the top-tier group this time, but since she's already slept with the Director and Producer, the top-tier group might hit a wall this time."
Ji Fei: ... Fake gossip.
Ji Fei felt a bit upset. She quietly opened the door and peeked at the two women talking. They seemed to be the Director's assistants. They even dared to spread rumors about their own boss. Impressive.
"Even the Director and Producer would find it hard to stop the top-tier group, right? The first two episodes caught everyone off guard. I saw the Director and Producer drowning their sorrows in alcohol."
Ji Fei: ... Well, that's a bit embarrassing.
"Then doesn't that mean she slept with them for nothing?" someone said gleefully.
"It's best if it turns out that way. Women like her who disrupt the normal professional ecosystem deserve to suffer like this. It'll teach her that she can't get everything just by using her body. Shameless."
"Wow, why do I feel like you particularly hate her?"
"I know why. It's because her boyfriend came to pick her up and saw Yu Rouyin. Now he compares her to Yu Rouyin every day."
"She must have seduced my boyfriend somewhere too. Otherwise, with my boyfriend's straight-laced personality, he wouldn't have even noticed her."
Ji Fei almost laughed out loud. There really are so many jealous wives in this world.
"Sigh, do you think she slept with the Director and Producer separately, or..."
"A threesome. I saw with my own eyes when the Director and Producer were in the break room, she went in alone and stayed for over an hour. When she came out, she had that kind of look."
"What kind?"
"Use your imagination."
The women laughed together before leaving.
Ji Fei was about to open the door to leave when she heard another door opening.
Ji Fei paused and peeked through the crack to see who was coming out. Her eyes widened in surprise.
She saw Yu Rouyin with a face as dark as ink and slightly red eyes. She came to the mirror, suddenly slapped her face a few times, then practiced smiling at the mirror. After a few tries, she had once again put on that carefree, invincible, charming smile before turning to leave.
Ji Fei clicked her tongue a couple of times and raised an eyebrow.
As soon as she went out, she saw Xiao Tao coming to look for her.
"Teacher Ji, Sister Pei asked me to come get you."
Ji Fei: ...
She thought she had been slacking off for too long and Sister Pei wanted her to go back and continue rehearsing. Unexpectedly, it turned out that the Director had called them over to discuss other procedures.
Ji Fei's eyes immediately lit up.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Qin Zhao and Qin Rong, who had arrived earlier, heard approaching thoughts.
[Hehe, is this so good? I was just feeling annoyed, and now they're giving me an opportunity? Don't blame me for bullying people. You know, there's a reason for the saying 'Misfortune comes from the mouth'!]
Qin Zhao and Qin Rong: Although we don't know what happened, we inexplicably feel like we're about to get some juicy gossip.
