The manager did not threaten Pei Yiyi.
After all, this was a police station. Shui Mingyue was right beside Pei Yiyi, inseparable from her. Police officers walked back and forth outside the rest room at any time. It was hardly a good place to threaten Pei Yiyi.
The manager was laying out facts and reasoning with Pei Yiyi.
He talked about the company’s efforts in nurturing her.
He talked about his expectations for her.
He said today’s incident was just a misunderstanding.
Pei Yiyi, as the victim, did not need to do anything. Leave it to the company. The company would surely give Pei Yiyi the most satisfactory outcome. From the sound of it, they wanted to use this incident to extract more benefits from that investor.
What good would making a fuss do?
Even if Pei Yiyi had not suffered substantial harm, once rumours spread, how could she explain clearly?
In the industry, people would mock Pei Yiyi. If it reached journalists’ ears, they would seize the big news and report wildly… Pei Yiyi would have to live with the label of “being violated” from then on. No matter how she clarified, some people would not believe her and would maliciously speculate.
Pei Yiyi had built a fresh and pure image. At her age, acting in idol dramas for another ten years would not feel out of place. But once this matter spread, her pure image would collapse instantly.
She would never play female leads again.
Either quit the industry and change careers, or play supporting roles in some dramas, watching others become hugely popular while she gradually faded into obscurity.
The manager laid out all these reasons to Pei Yiyi, every sentence seeming to consider her welfare.
Pei Yiyi knew some girls were persuaded this way.
Since the loss was already suffered, making a big deal would not benefit them. Better to exchange for some tangible gains.
This time, Pei Yiyi truly had not suffered major harm. Rescued promptly, if she listened to the manager, she could continue her peaceful life… But thinking of the investor’s evasion when police arrived, his arrogance in trying to continue under police noses, Pei Yiyi had been terrified then, now furious.
How fearless he was.
That investor must have done such things many times before.
If she followed the company’s advice and let it go this time, the investor would surely continue.
Countless thoughts flashed through Pei Yiyi’s mind.
This matter originally had nothing to do with Wen Ying. She made one help call, and Wen Ying rushed here fastest. Could she make Wen Ying’s help “not worth it”?
At this moment, Pei Yiyi made her choice. She told the truth. “The manager did not threaten me. He was enticing me. The company wants me to let it go quietly.”
Wen Ying’s tense face softened with a smile. “The manager wants you to settle. What do you think?”
Pei Yiyi shook her head. “I do not want to. I suspect that investor has a long record! Though we may not bring him to justice this time, we should at least do something, right?”
Saying this, Pei Yiyi felt truly relieved.
She knew her career was likely over, but her conscience remained intact.
Having figured it out herself, fearing Shui Mingyue still naive, Pei Yiyi shared what she heard. “Do not think Luo Hao is a good person. Why were the director and others all drunk, but Luo Hao fine? The female manager took servers to the bathroom to grab me. My assistant was beaten by bodyguards. Yet Luo Hao could easily take you away without obstruction. Think about it. Impossible! Also, I heard the male lead was originally not Luo Hao but his classmate. But when announced, it changed to Luo Hao. He has no agency, but he may have backers!”
Pei Yiyi would not have dared say this before. She and Shui Mingyue were not that close.
Now, having escaped danger together, their relationship changed. Pei Yiyi dared speak truth.
Anyway, Pei Yiyi prepared for a dim career, no longer caring what Shui Mingyue thought of the truth.
Shui Mingyue instinctively tightened the blanket around her. “I knew the film company initially favoured Yun Chen as male lead, but I did not know they had settled on his classmate.”
This was Shui Mingyue’s first hearing of this inside story.
In her eyes, Luo Hao was a grassroots lucky guy.
Dropped out early, struggled in society, suffered much, then used savings to attend acting school, spotted by director for male lead. Luo Hao never mentioned the director first chose his classmate!
Shui Mingyue already felt Luo Hao fit her novel’s male lead image perfectly. Hearing the director thought so too reinforced it.
She sympathised with his early dropout hardships, admired his courage using savings to chase dreams.
Now thinking, a young man struggling in society for years after early dropout, how could he be pure as blank paper!
How did Luo Hao squeeze out his classmate for the role?
Today at the club, both she and Pei Yiyi drank drugged juice. Pei Yiyi controlled by club staff. Why could Luo Hao take her away unobstructed?
Deeper, where did Luo Hao intend to take her?
Shui Mingyue gripped the blanket tighter.
Some things unbearable to scrutinise, growing scarier.
As Pei Yiyi analysed, Luo Hao’s backer likely the investor. Thus squeezing classmate for role, staying sober while others drunk… Today, Luo Hao not saving Shui Mingyue, but seizing opportunity!
Pei Yiyi’s words not only made Shui Mingyue see Luo Hao’s true face, but clarified Wen Ying’s previous confusion.
Though emotionally inexperienced, Shui Mingyue gentle yet resilient.
Once told Wen Ying, even heartbreak, at most write one or two abusive novels to recover.
She cared deeply about her works’ adaptations. Even retiring from new writing, with so many novels to adapt, she would continue as scriptwriter or consultant… Yet public heard no more from her. She handed all adaptation rights to Luo Hao.
Why no public appearances?
Wen Ying guessed, previous life, Pei Yiyi and Shui Mingyue both violated.
Without Wen Ying’s involvement, Shui Mingyue and Luo Hao worked closely on set, emotions intensifying, likely already dating by this point.
When investor targeted Pei Yiyi and Shui Mingyue, Luo Hao, for self-interest, did not warn her. This scheming young man perhaps hid, watching violation, then saving her, showing unwavering support, becoming her pillar.
He took dozens of works’ adaptation rights from her.
Perhaps her years of novel earnings too.
Seeing no new works, no more value, Luo Hao would dump her.
Whether Shui Mingyue, drained, took extreme path, Luo Hao cared not. Perhaps hoped she vanished forever, burying his deeds!
Previous life, why Pei Yiyi quit and married?
If she compromised, she should gain promised benefits. Even if this drama not aired on time, other works should have.
But Wen Ying saw no other Pei Yiyi works.
Likely Pei Yiyi refused company’s “settle” advice, powerless to punish investor, chose distance from these disgusting people!
Wen Ying’s eyes moistened, impulse to tear, for Pei Yiyi’s defiance both lives, for Shui Mingyue’s previous suffering. Previous life, drama aired five years later, meaning before 2012, someone blocked broadcast. Wen Ying guessed Shui Mingyue’s parents.
Daughter wronged, parents seek justice.
Five years later, Luo Hao rose hugely, using extracted from Shui Mingyue to enter capital.
Shui Mingyue no value, they no longer allowed parents’ trouble, or parents powerless. The suppressed five-year drama aired.
Unknowing audiences discussed plot excitedly, cheered Pei Yiyi’s performance, Shui Mingyue’s story. No one knew screen success buried two young girls’ lives.
Wen Ying glanced again at Luo Hao outside, and Pei Yiyi’s manager pacing, calling in the yard.
“As long as you two stay firm, nothing to worry.”
Wen Ying said only this. Pei Yiyi’s heart pounded. Could Wen Ying punish the investor?
Manager finished call, came advising again. Glanced Wen Ying, whispered. “You are Teacher Little Fish, right? Ranking bestselling writers domestically, you are top-tier. But entertainment not as simple as you think. You believe helping Yiyi? No, no, you are harming her!”
Wen Ying cold-faced. “Then what counts as helping? Like you, sweet words, foul intent, sending her to some stinking rogue’s bed?”
“You… Sigh, cannot reason with you!”
Manager glared fiercely at Wen Ying, turned to Pei Yiyi. “You really thought it through? If it blows up, too late for regrets. You not famous yet. Company won’t spend big suppressing news. I see you can only quit!”
Shui Mingyue reached from blanket, held Pei Yiyi’s hand.
“If your company shelves you, I recommend you to Jiaxin. I sold 11 novels to Jiaxin. 11 different female leads, one must suit you.”
Pei Yiyi moved, speechless.
Oh, Mingyue truly naive about industry. Once rumours, Jiaxin would not risk her as lead.
Manager immediately pointed out Shui Mingyue’s naivety.
Shui Mingyue flushed angrily. “If Jiaxin not use Yiyi, I write script specially for her. Whoever buys my script must bundle accept Yiyi as lead.”
Manager glanced sidelong at Wen Ying nearby.
Shui Mingyue lacked such influence, but Wen Ying might. On “Princess’s New Clothes” and “Starry River and You” hot dramas’ face, perhaps some company risk it.
Pity influential Wen Ying did not promise help on spot. Manager confident. Wen Ying and Pei Yiyi barely knew each other. Today’s meddling for Shui Mingyue!
Wen Ying found manager’s shifty look amusing. “Ever considered possibility this matter won’t spread? Wrongdoers punished, near-victims move on refreshed. Just minor harmless episode in their lives.”
Manager found Wen Ying’s words absurd, snickered uncontrollably.
Click, click, click.
High heels entered rest room.
“You disbelieve Wen Ying? I advise you believe. That investor surely doomed, Pei Yiyi not. Guess why? Because Tianjiao plans PR for Pei Yiyi!”
Yuan Fenghui’s tone and manner could play idol drama CEO!
Manager bewildered. “Why Tianjiao PR for Pei Yiyi? What relation to Tianjiao?”
You all mad!
One by one, jumping into muddy water!
Manager wanted to curse.
Yuan Fenghui pulled contract from bag. “Tianjiao helps whoever we want. What business of yours… I already spoke with your boss. Trouble you take Pei Yiyi’s termination contract to him. Have him sign quickly!”
