“Those people are talking absolute nonsense!”
In front of Manager Guan, Cao Bo cursed out loud.
Even if it had been Xu Mei caught by Professor Fang, for the sake of his own reputation, Cao Bo wouldn’t admit it.
Pah, pah, pah, that green hat wasn’t on his head to begin with!
Having a green hat slapped on a man wasn’t exactly glorious, and now, with one forcibly placed on Cao Bo’s head, he was furious enough to kill.
—Which bastard dragged Xu Mei into this, making him look like a cuckold?
Xie Qian was right. When Manager Guan and Cao Bo met to discuss, their first suspect was Yuan Fenghui.
Yuan Fenghui was the one they feared most, and she happened to be at the station today, with Wen Ying’s trio witnessing Professor Fang catching the affair…
“I thought Yuan Fenghui didn’t care!” Manager Guan said, angry but with a trace of smugness he couldn’t quite explain.
Their drama project must have threatened Yuan Fenghui, prompting her to use such a disgusting tactic.
“But Xu Mei didn’t do anything. Trying to pin this on her? Yuan Fenghui’s shameless,” Manager Guan said, never considering his own reflection. His skills were mediocre, but when it came to shamelessness, he excelled.
Cao Bo fumed, “There were reporters at the celebration next door today. We can’t let this get out. The drama’s about to start shooting, and a scandal now would be disastrous.”
For publicity, drama crews sometimes leaked rumors about their leads.
Unmarried actors? Let reporters hype it up, and the crew benefits.
This was different. A young woman like Xu Mei entangled with a married middle-aged man was a scandal, plain and simple.
In 2005, such a scandal could ruin a young actress’s career, and even years later, it’d be devastating! Society was harsher on women. An unmarried actress with a married man would be torn apart, while the man might claim regret, return to his family, and escape unscathed.
Of course, this was a calamity for Xu Mei. Once the scandal spread, clearing her name would be tough.
When Cao Bo mentioned reporters, Manager Guan gasped, realizing the stakes, and bolted to the celebration venue.
Gossip spreading within the station was one thing, but if reporters took it outside… He had to stop them and shut them up!
He’d planned to put in just eight parts effort to cover for Station Chief Duan, but now, twelve parts wouldn’t be enough.
Manager Guan had a fine plan, but when he reached the celebration hall, the staff were already cleaning up. The reporters were gone, the decorations mostly cleared, and Manager Guan, furious, stomped on balloons.
“Pop, pop, pop, pop!”
A string of balloons burst, debris scattering, startling the staff.
What did the balloons do to deserve this, bearing Manager Guan’s wrath?
The cleanup crew thought Manager Guan lacked class.
They didn’t expect his help, but don’t make their job harder!
Who knew why Sister Liang Dan married such a man—her eyes must’ve been caked with mud.
Sensing the odd looks, Manager Guan suspected everyone knew Xu Mei’s “scandal,” fueling his anger.
Cao Bo caught up, urging calm, “I’ve thought about it. We can’t handle this alone.”
Xu Mei wasn’t even the scandal’s culprit.
Station Chief Duan and Pan Li’s affair backfired, dragging Xu Mei and the drama project into it. Why should they clean up the mess?
If the scandal spread everywhere, Station Chief Duan’s job would take a hit too!
Cao Bo’s words were spot-on; Manager Guan had been too angry to think straight.
He quickly called Station Chief Duan.
“Sorry, the number you dialed is off. Please try again later…”
That coward not only fled but turned off his phone to dodge!
Manager Guan’s blood surged. Thankfully, he didn’t have hypertension and was fit, or Duan might’ve given him a stroke on the spot.
Cao Bo was also on the phone, trying Pan Li.
Pan Li hadn’t turned off her phone but wouldn’t answer!
Cao Bo suspected she was with Station Chief Duan but had no proof.
Finding Pan Li might lead to Duan. Cao Bo sent her a text:
“I know what you’re thinking. You think this will get you a promotion? Don’t be naive. This has blown up, and Duan can’t cover it. He can’t even save himself, let alone you. If I were you, I’d admit fault, help us fix this, and maybe get some benefits.”
The message sent, but like a stone in the sea, no reply.
Cao Bo laughed in frustration.
Pan Li’s ambitions were big but foolish, her vision narrower than Xu Mei’s.
Xu Mei wasn’t sharp either, but at least she was obedient.
—Did Pan Li really think Station Chief Duan would marry her?
Brain-dead!
Could you trust a middle-aged married man’s words? They might spend time and money on a mistress, even fight with their wife for her, but when their career’s at stake, the lover’s nothing!
Cao Bo had a flash of insight, “We need to find Sister Fang.”
Professor Fang definitely couldn’t stay as Xu Mei’s manager.
But she was still the manager now. Shouldn’t she do something for Xu Mei?
She’d taken plenty of Manager Guan’s money!
Cao Bo and Manager Guan only had Station Chief Duan’s work number from his card. For a personal number, they’d need to ask Professor Fang.
…
Xu Mei didn’t know she’d become the scandal’s female lead, taking the fall for Pan Li.
She’d been consoling Professor Fang, who’d calmed slightly when Manager Guan and Cao Bo arrived.
Manager Guan’s expression was grave, “Things have gone wrong…”
In a few words, he explained the situation. Xu Mei’s face alternated between red and pale.
“Me and Station Chief Duan?!”
She’d never had private contact with him. Forget that he was an “old man”—even if he were a young talent, as long as he was married, Xu Mei wouldn’t dream of it!
Xu Mei had her vanity and was willing to pay for it, but her first love was Qin Yi, her second was Cao Bo. Her taste would have to plummet to hook up with Duan… This was an insult!
Xu Mei, pale and teary, said, “The rumor-mongers are vicious.”
“Fang Sister, say something! This has nothing to do with me. I’m just caught in the crossfire.”
Cao Bo spoke earnestly, humbling himself, “We really need Sister Fang to clear Xu Mei’s name. You know she’s about to start shooting. With reporters at the celebration and this spreading through the station, it’s bad for her.”
All three urged Professor Fang to help.
No one had time to consider her personal feelings.
They expected her to show a manager’s professionalism.
Catching a cheating husband was her private matter, but when it affected an artist’s career, the manager should step up.
Yet Professor Fang wasn’t an ordinary manager. Her thinking diverged from the norm. While Xu Mei was frantic, Professor Fang was calm, her gaze sharp, “You say you’re just caught up in this… Pan Li’s always with you. How did she and Old Duan get together without you noticing?!”
