The author of "Partridge Sky" was quite satisfied with Chong Yan. He had collaborated with the director before and knew that this was Tian Yue's biggest investment project for next year. Even for the sake of recouping their investment, they wouldn't mess around.
With Yao Chong and Director Chen paving the way, the director wasn't too worried. Moreover, the actor was good-looking. As long as his performance wasn't too bad, it wouldn't become a public disaster.
As for the others, their influence didn't compare to Qin Chumíng, the president of Tian Yue, and certainly not to Qin Yue Rong, the chairman of the Qin Group. None of them had any objections.
Thus, the role of Chong Yan was finalized.
The so-called auditions were essentially to give those people some peace of mind.
To see what the best-case scenario would be, even when considering the worst possible outcomes.
Qin Chumíng had his assistant see the others out first, deliberately keeping the two of them behind. Thinking of something, Zhu Lán felt a inexplicable sense of annoyance.
"President Qin, if there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
"There is something."
Qin Chumíng's expression changed. The image of a young talent vanished, replaced by a somewhat dissolute and unrestrained demeanor. He looked at her and scoffed without concealment.
"I've heard so much about you. I heard my uncle is head over heels for you, and I thought you must be someone of celestial beauty. But looking at you now, you're just so-so."
Zhu Lán's face darkened.
"Am I wrong?" he asked. "You're quite capable, juggling my uncle while also keeping a younger man. Or have I misunderstood something? For example, the three of you are involved together."
"Slap!"
The independent sofa where Qin Chumíng was sitting was kicked over by Zhu Lán. Qin Chumíng hadn't expected her to suddenly resort to physical violence. He was sent flying to the ground.
He scrambled up in a disheveled state, looking at her in disbelief.
Zhu Lán stepped forward and kicked again, not only knocking him to the ground but also intending to strike again.
Chong Yan quickly intervened.
"A Lán, stop hitting him. Calm down."
Judging by her expression alone, Zhu Lán wasn't exactly angry. She was as calm as a malevolent god, and the entire office was as quiet as the calm before a storm.
"He wouldn't dare speak to me like that. You're seeking death!"
Qin Chumíng's knees were in great pain. He endured the agony and looked up at her. Meeting her excessively fierce and vicious gaze, the anger he had accumulated seemed to be suppressed by something. He simply stared at her, his eyes unblinking.
Chong Yan stood in front of her and said to Qin Chumíng, "President Qin, if you specifically invited me to audition just to insult us, then we'll have to excuse ourselves. A Lán has no relationship with your uncle, so please refrain from making baseless accusations."
"You think you're so tough now that you've hooked up with her? Do you believe I can..."
"Can what?"
A voice came from behind them, a voice that both Zhu Lán and Qin Chumíng were familiar with.
Qin Yue Rong walked in with his entourage, his gaze as cold as ice as he looked at Qin Chumíng kneeling on the ground.
"What can you do?" he said sternly. "I wasn't aware that I gave you the authority to threaten people. What do you intend to do?"
"Uncle."
This was the first time Qin Chumíng had seen him so angry. Qin Yue Rong more often than not displayed the demeanor of an authoritative figure, rarely showing the emotions of ordinary people.
"I apologize, Miss Yao, Mr. Chong. It is my Qin family's poor upbringing. I will have his parents discipline him properly."
"Isn't his authority granted by you? Can't you discipline him yourself?"
The words carried a strong sarcastic undertone, yet Qin Yue Rong didn't feel offended in the slightest.
"I can also discipline him. How would Miss Yao like to discipline him?"
"There's no need for discipline. I don't have the leisure to concern myself with your family matters. In light of the convenience Tian Yue provided Chong Yan previously, I will consider today's incident as if it never happened. We'll be even from now on."
With that, she pulled Chong Yan and left.
Qin Yue Rong's assistant glanced around, silently righted the sofa, and then retreated, closing the door behind him.
Qin Chumíng looked at his uncle's angry expression and felt a surge of apprehension.
He was the eldest grandson of the Qin family, a true scion of privilege, who had been flattered for too long and habitually disregarded everyone and everything.
But he knew that his power and the Qin family's glory stemmed from his uncle.
"Get up."
Qin Yue Rong sat down on the side, his eyes sharp as he looked at him. "Tell me, who instructed you to do this?"
Qin Chumíng felt a pang of guilt, but thinking of his initial intention, he spoke in a tone of indignant righteousness. "No one told me to. I thought of it myself. Uncle, you previously asked me to look after Chong Yan, and then you were so good to that woman. I thought she was manipulating you, so I wanted to vent your anger and see if they were as devoted to each other as people say." Sudán Novel Network
"So, did you see?"
No.
Not only did he not see, but he was also beaten.
That woman was too bold to dare hit him.
Qin Yue Rong was silent for a moment, then said, "Starting tomorrow, hand over your current responsibilities to Zhen Ting. From next month, you will be transferred to the branch company in H City."
"Uncle!"
"Or do you not want any of it?"
Qin Chumíng's protest died in his throat.
If he caused any more trouble, he would be left with nothing.
Qin Yue Rong looked at his dejected appearance and thought of his words.
See if they were as devoted to each other as people say?
He had once wanted to see, and then he had received news of the two of them dying for love.
"If death cannot separate two people, then nothing else can."
Indeed, it couldn't.
He stood up and walked out.
Qin Chumíng watched his retreating back. For a fleeting moment, he felt that his uncle, whom he had always admired and looked up to the most, wasn't as strong as he seemed.
Just a pitiable person who couldn't get what he loved.
—
"You hit him?"
Zhou Lu's expression shifted from excitement to horror. Looking at the person before her, she suddenly felt as though she didn't know her.
Zhu Lán nodded calmly. "Mm."
"You're just 'Mm'? How could you hit someone? And not just anyone, but the president of Tian Yue! He's Chairman Qin's nephew! Aren't you afraid of his retaliation?"
"He was rude. If Qin Yue Rong can't even control his own nephew, and he dares to confront me again, I'll discipline him for him."
She was still fuming.
Zhou Lu felt like her head was about to catch fire. She had never imagined so many things would happen today. If she had known, she should have gone with them.
At least she could have restrained herself when she was hitting someone.
"Save it. You're too bold. Although Chairman Qin seems to have some feelings for you, you rejected him so rudely that day, and today you so rudely hit his nephew, on his territory. I don't even know how to clean up this mess. Have you considered accepting him? At least..."
"Stop!" Zhu Lán said. "I'm calling you to tell you that you don't need to handle any work from Tian Yue for me and Chong Yan anymore. I'm not here to be lectured by you. I have other things to do. I'm hanging up now."