That night, Song Yanqi dragged his tired body back to the film crew's hotel. Before he could catch his breath, he received a call from entertainment reporter Xiao Zhang.
"Hello, what's wrong?" His thoughts were still immersed in the "backstage argument" of the evening, and he couldn't get out of it for a long time, so he didn't care to answer the phone. His voice sounded cold and tired.
He had always treated people with the image of a hot-tempered, arrogant young master who was not to be trifled with. He always spoke to people in a harsh tone and was ready to curse at the slightest disagreement. However, this time his voice sounded unusually calm and composed, which made Xiao Zhang on the other end of the line feel dazed, and for a moment he thought he had dialed the wrong number.
"Th-that..."
There was a rustling sound on the other end of the line. Xiao Zhang seemed to put the phone down and then pick it up again—probably to glance at the dial pad? Only after confirming that he hadn't dialed the wrong number did Xiao Zhang dare to speak frankly.
"Mr. Song, the photographer and I felt quite guilty for not being able to take any usable photos for you at the hot spring resort last time. Tonight, during the film festival rehearsal, we took a gamble and staked out the parking lot all night, and we did manage to take quite a few usable pictures and videos. Would you like some—"
Before reporter Xiao Zhang could finish speaking, Song Yanqi interrupted him in surprise: "Did I ask you to stake out and take photos tonight? Can you please stop making decisions on your own and trying to guess my thoughts?"
As he spoke, Song Yanqi seemed about to start cursing again. Xiao Zhang trembled and retorted with a hint of confusion, "But didn't you seem very eager before? You were very eager to put Su Yanxi to death. That's why I thought that doing this would make you feel compensated and happy, Mr. Song."
"I..." Xiao Zhang's question left Song Yanqi speechless. "I used to hate Su Yanxi, but I've changed my mind now, is that not allowed?"
After watching tonight's "backstage battle," he completely changed his mind.
When Su Yanxi and Song Jinlan had their conflict, Song Yanqi watched the whole thing from the other end of the corridor. Because he had a holistic view, he also knew that Chen Yongyan was there—just around a corner in the corridor not far from him.
For the first time, he felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment, and after his first chance encounter with Chen Yongyan, he was too timid to approach and greet him. He hid behind a huge decorative potted plant, doing his utmost to minimize his presence, afraid of being noticed by those around him.
Chapter 169
He was afraid of being discovered, and even more afraid of his uncle-nephew relationship with Song Jinlan being found out. Looking at that shrewish man throwing a tantrum, and then comparing him to Su Yanxi, who remained composed and maintained her composure even in her sarcasm and retorts, he felt so ashamed that he wanted to dig a hole on the spot and bury himself completely.
He didn't want to anymore; he didn't want to deal with that shrew anymore. Wouldn't he become abnormal if he continued to associate with someone who threw tantrums and acted like that?
“I don’t want to target Su Yanxi anymore. My grudges with him… let’s not talk about them for now.” Song Yanqi took a deep breath and finally made up his mind. “Don’t worry about the resort. If we didn’t get any footage, we didn’t get any. Consider the money I paid as my treat for you and the photographer to a hot spring bath!”
"From now on, you no longer need to follow Su Yanxi. Let's end our cooperation for now!"
Entertainment reporter Xiao Zhang was stunned and pressed, "Are you...are you sure? What about what I have? You really don't want it anymore?"
"Delete it, I don't want it anymore." Having been a bad guy for too long, Song Yanqi wanted to be carefree today. "Delete all the pictures of Su Yanxi and her sugar daddy together! I, I really, really don't want to go against Su Yanxi anymore."
The rehearsal for the film and television awards ceremony will last for two days. The first day is a routine to familiarize ourselves with the process, and the second day is a mock ceremony. The official live broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. on the third day.
In other words, the artists participating in the event will meet for three consecutive days.
In the past, Song Yanqi would have been very happy, because it would mean he could see Chen Yongyan for three days in a row. But today, Song Yanqi was not happy at all. As soon as he arrived at the stadium where the grand ceremony was being held, he went straight to the lounge where Song Jinlan was.
After refusing the entertainment reporter's "kind" advice, Song Yanqi remembered something else: he had once asked Song Jinlan to help him punish Su Yanxi!
Song Jinlan had been busy with the grand ceremony for several days, causing chaos within her team over a few dresses. Song Yanqi guessed that Song Jinlan definitely hadn't done anything for him yet—she certainly hadn't connected with entertainment reporter Xiao Zhang either.
After last night's backstage battle, Song Jinlan may have already put Su Yanxi on the "assassination" list, but Song Yanqi believes it is still necessary to go to his uncle and clarify the matter he asked for help with before.
If Song Jinlan is in a good mood today, then... he might be able to say a few good words for Su Yanxi and reduce a small part of the hatred.
Song Yanqi also found himself quite strange. He had hated and loathed Su Yanxi so much before, yet when it came to switching sides, it only took one night. He was more fickle than a weathervane. He knew that betraying his uncle like this was wrong, but he just couldn't control himself.
He thought that he and Su Yanxi could still talk things out. Su Yanxi had even greeted him when she saw him yesterday.
However, he and his uncle Song Jinlan were truly "unable to communicate." Song Jinlan's temper was terrifying, so terrifying that even his own nephew had to give him a wide berth.
Arriving at Song Jinlan's lounge, he knocked three times before pushing the door open and saying, "Uncle, it's me, Xiao Qi. I'm coming in."
He had barely opened the door a crack, barely the size of a palm, when he glimpsed a dark shadow darting past. His survival instinct kicked in, and he quickly pulled the door back and slammed it shut.
Something slammed into the door, making a loud "bang." Song Yanqi jumped in surprise and pushed the door open again to go in: "...Uncle?"
This time, Song Yanqi finally managed to squeeze inside.
"Useless, useless!" Sure enough, Song Jinlan was cursing again, hands on her hips. "How many times do I have to call you that before you remember? You piece of trash!"
The sharp curses made Song Yanqi's heart leap into his throat. He stopped in his tracks, thinking, "Oh no, I've come at the worst possible time."
"Where's my off-season dress? Where are my new leather shoes?" Song Jinlan picked up a coat and threw it angrily into the distance. "You gave me eight outfits, now you can count for yourself how many actually came out?"
It turns out that the "black shadow" that flew towards Song Yanqi just now was a piece of clothing, a haute couture outfit that the stylist had worked hard to borrow!
"Five sets! Even less than five sets!" Song Jinlan went hysterical, throwing away everything she could grab. "You couldn't borrow two sets of clothes, and one set is still on its way! Of the remaining two sets, one pair of shoes doesn't match, and the other pair has the wrong lining!"
"How the hell are you a stylist? You can't even do the simplest, most basic clothing coordination right. How the hell are you a stylist?!"
Song Jinlan's state bordered on madness, frightening even Song Yanqi from afar. The staff in the lounge, having witnessed Song Jinlan's insane behavior many times before, all hung their heads, put their hands behind their backs, and remained silent.
The room was so lifeless that no one could stay there for even a second.
The haute couture suits that should have been hanging carefully on hangers were now scattered all over the floor by Song Jinlan. The stylist, who had been patiently enduring Song Jinlan's scolding, couldn't take it anymore and started picking up the clothes that had been thrown on the ground one by one.
"The styling suggestions I gave you were just for reference! I emphasized a long time ago that I'm only responsible for providing suggestions, not guaranteeing that I can borrow the clothes 100%. Every artist has their own preferences and ideas, so the actual outfits will definitely have minor adjustments and modifications, you—"
As the stylist picked up a silver-white silk shirt, he suddenly stopped talking and froze.
Even though Song Yanqi was standing far away, he could clearly see the large stains on the chest of his shirt.
There was a puddle of sewage right where the clothes fell.
For a fashion stylist, soiling a couture gown loaned by a brand is an absolute taboo, a capital offense. To maintain long-term, positive relationships with brands, stylists cherish borrowed couture garments immensely; the slightest mishap could result in damage to both their reputation and their finances.
Chapter 170
"The clothes are dirty..." The stylist picked up the shirt blankly. "You've dirtied the clothes."
"I didn't make it dirty." Song Jinlan refused to admit it and carried out her unreasonable tantrum to the end. "Who told you not to clean the rest room properly and let water accumulate there?"
"If there's a problem with the clothes, it's entirely the stylist's responsibility. What, you expect me to take responsibility for you?"
"Can--"
"But what 'but'?" Song Jinlan raised an eyebrow arrogantly, showing no shame. "Find a way to restore it yourself. Either pay up or hand-wash it. You're faced with one of these two options. Figure it out yourself!"
Song Yanqi couldn't bear to watch any longer and fled from Song Jinlan's dressing room as if he were escaping a disaster, eager to find someone to help the poor stylist.
His first thought was Su Yanxi, and he headed in the direction of Su Yanxi's dressing room. He believed that as long as he could find Su Yanxi, she would definitely have a way to rescue the poor stylist and deal with the rude uncle!
He walked quickly with an incredibly pure heart, and he swore that he really, really only wanted to find Su Yanxi for help! But fate had other plans. After a hurried turn, he bumped into someone he had never met before, and fell into the arms of someone he had always dreamed of!
"What's wrong with you?"
Chen Yongyan instinctively pulled Song Yanqi, who was staggering and about to fall, into his arms. After realizing what was happening, he quickly let go and frowned.
"So eager?"
Based on Chen Yongyan's consistent understanding of Song Yanqi, this mad pursuer should have been ecstatic on the spot, showering him with a love confession of no less than a thousand words. However, Song Yanqi completely changed his usual demeanor, eagerly pulling his arm and speaking earnestly.
"My uncle is bullying the staff! He's forcing them to wash clothes by hand in this 11 or 12 degree weather!" Song Yanqi stamped her foot in distress, completely forgetting about confessing her love to her dream man. "Take me to Su Yanxi right now! Su Yanxi can definitely deal with my uncle and save the innocent staff!"
"Uncle?" Chen Yongyan frowned. Perhaps moved by Song Yanqi's eager attitude, he didn't shake off Song Yanqi's hand for the first time, letting Song Yanqi pull him along. "The one who argued with Brother Yanxi in the backstage corridor yesterday, is he your uncle?"
"Yes!" Song Yanqi nodded in agreement, "He has a particularly volatile temper! But because he's a movie star and has a high level of seniority in the industry, so—"
"No, no, this isn't the time to talk about this! Xiao Yan, I'll explain later. Take me to find Su Yanxi first!"
"good."
Chen Yongyan gently pulled his hand away from Song Yanqi's grasp, and instead took the initiative to wrap his arm around Song Yanqi's left wrist, pulling Song Yanqi forward with a forceful and irresistible posture.
"Come with me."
In the dressing room of the "Red Flower" crew, Su Yanxi was putting on makeup while chatting with Zhou Tong.
"...So, is Lin Xiaohai's hand alright? What did the doctor say after the checkup?"
"It's nothing serious. The doctor prescribed iodine and said to pay attention to disinfection to prevent infection, and to apply more aloe vera gel after the scab forms to prevent scarring." A night has passed, and Su Yanxi is still angry about it. "I know that hot water burns are not very serious, but I just wanted to get revenge for Xiaohai, so I exaggerated a bit and told Xiaohai to go to the hospital for a check-up no matter what."
The more serious the situation becomes, the more support it will give Lin Xiaohai. Su Yanxi isn't one to mince words; once she encounters something like this, she will never let it go easily.
“I feel bad for Xiaohai’s mother. She trusted me so much, entrusting her 22-year-old son, who is in the prime of his youth, to my care, and I…” Su Yanxi sighed, “But thankfully, Yunzong comforted me last night, and after I got home, he even called Aunt Lin for me and explained the situation.”
"Aunt Lin didn't blame me. After she found out that Xiao Hai was alright, she even asked Yun Zong to tell me 'Thank you for your hard work.'"
Because of that "thank you for your hard work," Su Yanxi felt much less guilty. He couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Aunt Lin is so gentle."
Zhou Tong smiled and straightened the artist's collar: "You are very gentle. You are the head of the family, and Lin Xiaohai is a servant. You don't really need to feel so guilty, but you are still sad for Lin Xiaohai."
"That's probably why Lin Xiaohai's mother was willing to let her son work under you."
"I hope so." Su Yanxi chuckled, then quickly turned cold. "But the feud between me and Song Jinlan is now officially established. He's really unreasonable, isn't he? How could he cause such a scene backstage in front of so many people?"
Just as Zhou Tong, who knew Song Jinlan's habits well, was about to answer, the door to the lounge was rudely pushed open: "—Brother Yanxi!"
Su Yanxi and Zhou Tong turned to look at each other simultaneously.
Stylist Xiao Xie was using a hair straightener to style Su Yanxi's hair when she saw this and quickly closed the straightener to prevent her esteemed customer, Mr. Su, from being burned by the hot straightener.
"W-What's wrong?" Su Yanxi frowned slightly. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Upon seeing Chen Yongyan, Su Yanxi was stunned, thinking she was hallucinating.
If it wasn't a hallucination, how could he have seen Chen Yongyan holding Song Yanqi's hand?
"Let Song Yanqi talk to you." Chen Yongyan pulled Song Yanqi into the lounge and closed the door behind him.
Su Yanxi blinked, unable to believe what she was seeing—Chen Yongyan really was holding Song Yanqi's hand!?
He exchanged a strange look with Zhou Tong, who also looked surprised. He pointed at Chen Yongyan, then at Song Yanqi, and finally spread his hands, asking him in lip reading: What's going on?
Su Yanxi shrugged, indicating that she didn't know either.
His previous attempts to mediate and plead had all been ineffective, and Chen Yongyan had even refused to acknowledge the matter when asked about it yesterday; but who would have thought that the two of them would hold hands overnight?
Chapter 171
To round it off, did he successfully create a romantic pairing?
"Yanxi-ge!" Song Yanqi was so anxious that he couldn't speak coherently. He rushed forward and grabbed Su Yanxi's arm. "Quick, go to my uncle's place. My uncle is bullying the staff—he's really fierce!"
Song Yanqi didn't know how he came up with the nickname "Brother Yanxi." If he had to say, was it because Su Yanxi was too kind and approachable?
How strange! He used to think Su Yanxi was a bit pretentious, so no matter how gentle and approachable Su Yanxi was, he always felt that she was faking it, trying too hard to act! But after getting close to her today, he realized that wasn't the case at all; Su Yanxi was genuinely very approachable!
He also found Su Yanxi to be beautiful and elegant, with a gentle and polite demeanor, and a graceful and poised manner in every gesture! Looking at such a beautiful face and such bright and beautiful eyes as she spoke, he felt an unprecedented sense of peace!
Compared to her manic and volatile uncle, Su Yanxi won effortlessly!
"Bullying staff?" The righteous Su Yanxi immediately straightened her posture and asked, "What exactly happened?"