Director Fan didn’t care what Professor Fang thought. After inwardly scorning Fang’s character, he strode toward Yuan Fenghui, whom Fang despised most.
Professor Fang’s face was a picture of dismay. Standing still, his lips twitched as if to call out to Fan but held back—Fang still cared about saving face. Last time, when Fan showed interest in Wen Ying, Fang’s two sentences had quashed it. He couldn’t bring himself to do it again.
Besides, Fan wasn’t easily fooled.
Even Deputy Station Chief Duan’s influence had limits. As a senior executive at Hunan TV, Fan’s rank was no lower than Liang Dan’s. If Fan didn’t want to give face to a deputy chief from a neighbouring province’s station, Duan could do nothing about it.
Fang could only watch as Fan approached Yuan Fenghui and Wen Ying, then saw him start talking with them.
What would Fan say?
Fang was dying to eavesdrop but couldn’t lower himself to do so.
He glanced at Pan Li, who instantly understood, “Shall I go listen?”
Fang didn’t agree but didn’t object either, so Pan Li knew he was curious. Truth be told, she was curious too!
The recording studio was bustling, and one more person like Pan Li didn’t stand out. She tiptoed closer.
…
“Producer Yuan, Wen,” Fan greeted with a warm smile, his manner natural.
Yuan Fenghui was taken aback.
She knew Fan, of course, but for him to know Wen Ying—had Mr. Liu said something? Fan read her expression and explained, “At last year’s Super Girl Chengdu regional victory banquet, Wen was there, right? I heard her say the station would hold a revival round. I wanted to talk to her then.”
Wen Ying felt flattered.
The director of Hunan TV’s programme centre, even a deputy, was no small figure. During last year’s Super Girl press conferences, Fan handled media questions and was a prominent figure at the station.
Liang Dan was impressive, sure.
But even she answered to Fan. No matter how popular a talent show was, it was still under Hunan TV’s umbrella. Even the variety show that trashed Li Mengjiao fell under Fan’s department. Wen Ying didn’t blame Fan for that incident—with his position, he dealt with strategic matters, not the content of a single episode, unless it caused a major scandal.
That episode had merely been edited to favour Xu Mei and slight Li Mengjiao, with no impact on the station or show’s reputation. Fan likely hadn’t even watched it!
To be remembered by such a figure left Wen Ying both flattered and surprised.
Fortunately, with a mature mind in a youthful body, she kept her composure and greeted Fan politely.
Fan exchanged pleasantries with Yuan Fenghui, avoiding mention of Mr. Guan’s attempt to blacklist Li Mengjiao. With Li Mengjiao chosen as the endorser and a contract signed, the so-called “blacklist” was lifted. Hunan TV could blacklist anyone, but never the sponsor’s pick.
The matter was brushed over vaguely. No one would apologise to Li Mengjiao—not Mr. Guan, not Cao Shao, not Liang Dan, not Hunan TV, and certainly not Fan, who was uninvolved.
Wen Ying’s thoughts wandered, assuming Fan was there for Yuan Fenghui, not her. But then Fan turned to Yuan with a smile, “Wen’s running around for you. Is she your assistant? I thought she was still in high school.”
Yuan Fenghui, sharp as ever, picked up on Fan’s interest in Wen Ying.
In a split second, she reacted, gently pushing Wen Ying forward, “Don’t say that, I wouldn’t dare claim her as my assistant. You don’t know yet, do you? Mengjiao filmed a drama, and the script was co-written by Wen Ying and Taiwan’s Zhang Guangzhen. After that drama, Mengjiao’s next one is ready, with a script written solely by Wen Ying!”
Yuan Fenghui praised Wen Ying lavishly, catching Fan off guard.
He’d only asked casually, not expecting such a formal response.
Wait, Yuan said Wen Ying wasn’t an assistant but a screenwriter?
Fan thought she was joking.
But when his eyes met Wen Ying’s, she didn’t flinch.
“Is Yuan serious?” Fan asked Wen Ying directly.
Wen Ying smiled and nodded, “Teacher Yuan’s exaggerating a bit. It’s really Teacher Zhang Guangzhen’s work. He saw I was eager to learn and taught me a lot.”
Wen Ying had helped revise the script but had no intention of vying for credit with Zhang Guangzhen. In front of Yuan Fenghui, she wanted to make her stance clear.
“Come on, don’t be modest. Teacher Zhang always says you’re talented. And the second drama’s script was entirely your own, right?” Yuan Fenghui said.
Wen Ying didn’t contradict her.
She hadn’t plagiarised any hit dramas from the future; she’d truly written the script herself. It was a fact, nothing to be shy about admitting.
Fan confirmed neither Yuan Fenghui nor Wen Ying was joking.
So Wen Ying had really written a script on her own!
Fan was at a loss for words.
He’d thought Wen Ying was just a promising kid with insight, maybe working as Yuan’s assistant, and wanted to do a good deed by encouraging Yuan not to overlook a media talent.
But it seemed Wen Ying didn’t need his help?
Yuan Fenghui wouldn’t let Fan think that. She was still figuring out how to sell Li Mengjiao’s first drama to Hunan TV. Fan was a golden opportunity—a good person—she couldn’t let slip. Smiling, she urged Wen Ying to tell Fan about the drama’s plot.
“Tianjiao may be a small company, but we didn’t skimp on this drama’s production. Once the sample is ready, you must give us your feedback to help Mengjiao and Wen Ying improve.”
Yuan Fenghui wanted the drama to premiere on Hunan TV?
Fan didn’t commit but didn’t refuse to hear Wen Ying’s pitch either.
The girl’s voice was clear and logical. Listening wouldn’t hurt.
…
Pan Li lingered nearby, not daring to get too close for fear of being caught eavesdropping, but too far to hear clearly. She vaguely caught something about a screenwriter and Li Mengjiao’s drama.
Yuan Fenghui’s sharp eyes spotted Pan Li, who quickly shrank back in fright.
She hadn’t heard enough to understand and couldn’t explain it to Fang.
“Is she asking Fan for a favour?” Fang asked.
Fang spat lightly, “That woman never plays fair. She’s a disgrace to women everywhere!”
Pan Li: …
If she didn’t know Fang so well, she’d think he was scolding her!
Pan Li’s expression stiffened as she changed the subject, “Xu Mei’s drama is set for the summer slot, right? If Yuan Fenghui gets through to Fan, could the two dramas clash?”
Fang fell into thought.
Li Mengjiao had secured the endorsement, easing her ties with Hunan TV.
If the drama’s quality was good, the station would likely air it.
“So, Li Mengjiao’s the competition’s ambassador, the dairy brand’s endorser, and now she’s got a drama airing in the summer slot?!”
