Later, as she watched those people kneeling before her, their hands trembling and heads bowed, not daring to meet her eyes.
They begged for mercy, their voices quivering with fear, "I-I was just joking, please spare me!"
Jing Yi crouched down, smiling lightly, but that smile carried a deep chill, "A joke? Why couldn't you have spared me?" Was it because she hadn't begged for mercy?
Jing Yi took a deep breath, trying to expel the turbid air in her heart. Recalling Lin Ruiqing's words, she sighed softly.
"Fierce? But she's just a pitiful person after all," she muttered to herself, gazing in the direction Shen Huaichu had left.
......
At the Jing family restaurant, the whole family had gathered for lunch, a rare occasion.
Tomorrow would be the final recording of the variety show, and Director Xu had already notified Jing Zejun and the others of the specific recording location.
For the last episode, Director Xu planned to bring all the guests together in one villa.
So after this, no one would be coming to install cameras in the Jing family home anymore.
Mr. and Mrs. Jing Beicheng were also planning to embark on their second travel adventure after the children left for the recording.
And after this recording, Jing Zejun was preparing to officially join the cast, with Wen Qingyan conveniently as the male lead.
Jing Yi ate her meal, occasionally glancing up at Jing Zeqian.
[It's been two days, why is he still sulking?]
Ever since learning that Jing Zejun's next script was co-starring with Wen Qingyan, Jing Zeqian hadn't smiled, maintaining a stern expression.
What bothered Jing Zeqian wasn't just Wen Qingyan's 'ulterior motives', but that he knew about the script too, and it was indeed a rare good script, which is precisely why he was angry.
That guy had planned everything from the start, anticipating that he definitely wouldn't obstruct it!
Although no one would listen to his objections.
In the current situation, even if they held a family meeting, he would probably be the only dissenting vote...
Lin Ruiqing had no time to worry about whether her son had the appetite to eat, he was even more controlling than her as a mother.
"You're going to join the cast as soon as you get back?" Lin Ruiqing asked with concern, worried that the continuous work might be too intense for Jing Zejun.
Jing Zejun smiled, "Don't worry, Mom. Recording the variety show is much more relaxing, it's almost like a break."
This wasn't a lie, 'Dear Family' was an indoor variety show, and recording with family made it even more enjoyable. She was even a bit reluctant to see it end.
As for the upcoming work with the cast, while it would inevitably be tiring, Jing Zejun was more excited than anything. She really liked that script.
Lin Ruiqing nodded, "That's good. By the way, what kind of script is it again?"
It was an infinite flow script, starting with the male lead discovering strange occurrences in the familiar school setting, with each story carrying some thrilling elements.
Jing Zejun had stayed up all night reading the script, finding it incredibly impactful.
But Jing Zejun was hesitant about accepting this role, after all, Wen Qingyan had already been cast as the male lead, and she didn't want to diminish his popularity.
However, her manager didn't care about such things. Since they had extended the olive branch, especially with such an excellent script, how could she let Jing Zejun pass it up?
Moreover, she was confident that if Jing Zejun took the role, this drama would definitely help her break out of the third-tier ranks!
"Even if you don't accept the script, you're already tied together now. Wen Qingyan's intentions are probably known to everyone."
Jing Zejun felt troubled, her manager's words were indeed correct.
Seeing that Jing Zejun seemed to be wavering, she pressed on, "You know this script is good, you shouldn't miss this opportunity. Do you think Wen Qingyan is the type of person who would use his privilege for personal gain?"
In the end, Jing Zejun decided to audition and successfully landed the female lead role.
"It's an infinite flow script called 'The 19th Floor Campus'."
Lin Ruiqing didn't read much fiction and didn't quite understand what Jing Zejun meant by infinite flow, so she just took it as a regular campus drama, "Is Wen Qingyan also playing a student?" Jing Zejun nodded.
Jing Zeqian immediately scoffed, "Pretending to be young!" Lin Ruiqing looked at him exasperatedly, "Is that how you talk about Startrack's artists?" Where's his CEO demeanor?
Jing Zeqian stubbornly retorted, "So what? I'm just stating facts. He's almost thirty, and he's still playing a student?"
Lin Ruiqing countered, "He's not even thirty! He's only in his twenties, and you're three years older than him." Besides, Wen Qingyan's naturally youthful looks made him perfectly suitable for student roles.
Of course, there was another important reason why Lin Ruiqing was speaking up for Wen Qingyan - his attitude towards Jing Zejun. How could she not see that Wen Qingyan liked her Jun Jun?
Watching the livestreams, every time she saw Wen Qingyan and Jing Zejun standing together, she thought they looked quite compatible. Firstly, this young man had already made a name and achievements in his field at such a young age, and secondly, his personality seemed quite nice too.
Jing Zeqian was left speechless, once again defeated.
Jing Yi buried her head, chuckling, and Jing Zeqian glanced at her.
Why bother hiding? Her laughter was already deafening!
Jing Zeqian looked helplessly at Lin Ruiqing, "Mom, am I still your son?" Lin Ruiqing was even more straightforward, "I'm just telling the truth."
Jing Zeqian's gaze grew increasingly plaintive, and Lin Ruiqing coughed lightly, quickly averting her eyes.
"By the way, where's your recording location tomorrow?" Jing Zejun mentioned a place, some distance from North river.
Hearing Lin Ruiqing mention the livestream, Jing Zeyou remembered something he hadn't mentioned yet.
"When you go there tomorrow, keep an eye on that Li Shaocheng."
Jing Yi looked up, puzzled, "Who's Li Shaocheng?"
Jing Zeqian was exasperated, "You don't even know who's recording the same variety show with you?" Jing Yi retorted, "This is a family variety show, I've been with you guys the whole time, how would I know about others?"
Jing Zejun briefly introduced Li Shaocheng to Jing Yi.
Jing Zeyou then explained what he had found out about the source of the water army, "Last time when Director Xu mentioned the situation with the livestream comments to me, I had someone investigate. There indeed was a water army, hired by that Li Shaocheng."
Jing Yi sat beside them, furrowing her brow in concentration as she tried to recall the edited version of the first episode she had seen.
"Oh, oh, you mean that sweet girl who can sing and dance!"
Jing Zeqian's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes filled with mockery, "What sweet girl? You've affected her popularity, so she's hired a water army to smear you."
Jing Zejun clearly tried to explain further, especially since they were a pair of sisters on their side, and Li Shaocheng's side also had a pair of sisters.
Jing Yi listened until her head ached, "It's so complicated! I thought only people in the same field would be competitive. Give me a break!"
