"Director, the investors have come to visit the set." A staff member came running over.
The director was startled, surprised. "Investors? No way, no one called to notify me today."
"They're already here. They say they just want to take a look," the staff member replied.
"Okay." The director looked serious, then said to the two people in front of him, "Shen Shuyao, Ji Nian, the investors are here, so you'll have to wait a bit."
Shen Shuyao nodded obediently, "Alright, we'll wait here. You go ahead."
After the director hurriedly left with his assistant, Ji Nian remained nonchalant, as it didn't concern her.
"The big boss is here?" Ji Nian asked curiously while helping the lead actress ice her face.
"It must be the biggest investor. Otherwise, why would there be such a fuss, with the director going out to greet them?" Shen Shuyao looked in the mirror, seeing the swelling on her face had subsided a little.
"Wow, the biggest investor? How much did they invest?" Ji Nian asked.
Shen Shuyao wasn't too sure either, shaking her head. "I don't know, maybe a few million?"
"One billion," He Yi quietly spoke up from the side.
"One... billion?" Ji Nian was stunned. Which rich buddy had that kind of money?
But thinking about it, she felt for the big boss, investing in Shen Shuyao's drama was definitely a safe bet that would make a profit.
"How did you know?" Shen Shuyao asked curiously.
"This big IP adaptation of a famous fantasy novel has many companies investing in it. I overheard the director mention it last time," He Yi answered.
"So the biggest investor must be..." Ji Nian blinked, suddenly realizing that ever since the lead actress met the male lead, everything had been smooth sailing for her. It must be because the male lead had been secretly funding her.
As she spoke, the director came in with a group of people. Shen Shuyao looked at the newcomers and clearly froze for a moment.
The crew members began whispering when they saw the capitalists arrive, and a few minor actors were even fangirling.
"I thought investors would be chubby old men."
"This is the most handsome investor I've ever seen."
"Wow, isn't that... that famous young master...?"
As Ye Jingzhan entered, he saw the stunned faces and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes as he walked straight towards that direction.
The director was stunned, following behind, and only introduced them slowly once the man stopped, "Mr. Ye, this is our female lead for this drama, Shen Shuyao, who is also considered quite famous in the industry."
"What happened to her face?" Ye Jingzhan saw the woman's swollen, reddened face, his eyes coldly narrowing as he frowned in askance.
Seeing the male lead's dark expression, Ji Nian meekly raised her hand and weakly answered, "I... hit her..."
"Mr. Ye, it was like this - we were filming a scene that required close-range actual fighting just now," the director explained from the side.
Puzzled, he wondered if Shen Shuyao and the investor knew each other? The originally cast lead actress had been replaced due to a scandal, causing the original investors to withdraw funding. Later, a new major investor had come on board. Could it be...?
"Ah Zhan, you're the investor?" Shen Shuyao's eyes shone with happy surprise.
"Let me take a look." Ye Jingzhan gently touched her face, giving the people beside them a displeased look.
Was he really holding a grudge? Ji Nian felt uneasy, wondering if she should make an excuse.
"It's okay, it was just for the scene today. Ji Nian didn't mean it," Shen Shuyao said gently.
Seeing the lead actress speak up for her, Ji Nian quickly nodded to show her innocence.
"So this is how the crew operates." Another voice came over, and everyone looked towards it.
A man wearing gold-rimmed glasses had a cultured, curious expression as he looked around.
Just when one wave settled, another rose. Ji Nian stiffened as she saw the antagonist approach.
"Miss Ji?" Pei Yuchen's eyes flickered with surprise when he saw her.
"Haha, what a coincidence," Ji Nian forced a laugh.
"We do seem to have a connection. We're from the same company, neighbors, and now even on a project I invested in," Pei Yuchen smiled warmly.
Yeah, you wish we had a connection. This was purely malicious fate, Ji Nian muttered inwardly.
Ye Jingzhan was surprised too. What an uncanny coincidence? Shen Shuyao also found it amazing that Ji Nian's new neighbor turned out to be Dr. Pei.
By now, the crew was quite bewildered. The female lead seemed too intimate with the investors. And the second female lead also seemed to know them quite well...
Seeing the newcomer, Cheng Liran's expression remained calm. Wasn't this the new CEO who had taken over their company?
Ba Ge hurriedly went over to greet the executive, "Mr. Pei, hello."
Pei Yuchen looked over, smiling and nodding in acknowledgment. He had taken over his family's entertainment company, and was also a shareholder of Hua Entertainment, so he currently oversaw both companies.
His gaze fell on the man in ancient costume sitting to the side, and Pei Yuchen raised his brows slightly.
"Are you from the Cheng family?" This was the person his stepsister wanted to form a marriage alliance with?
Being from the same circle, everyone knew each other. Cheng Liran stood up, a distant smile on his face as he answered, "Yes."
Ji Nian was completely lost. What were these weird relationships? The antagonist knew Cheng Liran?
"Are you all done?" Ye Jingzhan asked.
Shen Shuyao nodded obediently, "Yes, the director said I can rest this afternoon."
"Then go back with my car." Ye Jingzhan nodded, still displeased as he looked at her swollen face.
"Okay," Shen Shuyao agreed.
Ye Jingzhan's main purpose for coming today was actually to visit the set, and also to bring the newcomer Pei Yuchen to get acquainted with some of the company's invested projects.
"I'll head back first." Ye Jingzhan naturally took the woman's hand, casually telling the other man.
Pei Yuchen nodded, "Sure, I've got a good understanding of things now."
The director was stunned, asking, "Won't Mr. Ye stay for some tea before leaving?"
Ye Jingzhan's face was cold as he said, "No need, we just came to take a quick look today."
"Oh, okay." The director finally understood. So the female lead of his drama had such strong backers, yet strangely, no one seemed to know about it.
After speaking, Ye Jingzhan pulled the woman along as they left. Shen Shuyao turned back to wave goodbye to Ji Nian.
Pei Yuchen looked at the woman and smiled, "Miss Ji, would you like to head back? We're going the same way."
"No need, no need. How can I trouble Dr. Pei again? My car is waiting at the main entrance," Ji Nian quickly refused with a smile.
The previously unnoticeable He Yi suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "I forgot earlier... I asked Xiao Tang to go somewhere else, so he's probably still on his way back..."
Ji Nian froze, staring at her in shock and blinking her large eyes. "When did this happen?"
"Two hours ago," He Yi said innocently.
"Director, do I still have scenes this afternoon?" Ji Nian turned to ask the director.
The director looked puzzled. "This afternoon is for Liran and some of the supporting actors' scenes. Most of your scenes are scheduled for the morning, Ji Nian, so it's fine if you have something to take care of."
Ji Nian inwardly wanted to cry, forcing a smile as she said, "I see, I was just asking."
