Chapter 26 Who's the Clown Here

As the actors recovered from their surprise at Yan Wen's acting skills, she was already standing before them. 「Do you still doubt my acting abilities?」

A crew member nearby snorted in derision. 「Shouldn't you be looking for trouble with an acclaimed actress if your own acting skills are in question.」

「Fine, your acting is okay!」

They looked at each other and turned to go, muttering. Jiang Lingyun had told them that Yan Wen could not act and had no supporters. Otherwise, they would not have bothered Yan Wen. From the look of things, they were wrong.

「Hold on!」

Yan Wen called out to them and swept her gaze to where Jiang Lingyun had been sitting a moment ago. 「I did say I wanted an apology.」

「S—sorry!」

Yan Wen knew that they had probably been bought over by Jiang Lingyun. She looked calmly at them and spoke resolutely. 「It's not easy to survive in this industry. Don't be hot-headed and destroy your own future by becoming someone else's tool.」

Yan Wen's words let them off easily. Anyone else would take revenge and they might not have a future in acting.

Yan Wen lifted her chin with proud expression and turned to leave.

She was going to return to her room to rest and review tomorrow's scenes when Xia ran up to her excitedly. 「Yan Wen, come look, someone prepared a surprise for you!」

「A surprise?」

Yan Wen froze and Xia dragged her to the studio entrance.

There were three Mercedes RVs full of bento boxes and fruits with bright banners that read, 「Wishing 'Time' A Big Hit, Yan Wen.」

「Wow, how generous. It's all abalone and steak.」

「Looks like someone supports Yan Wen. Better than Jiang Lingyun's President Fung! Only empty promises from him.」

Yan Wen tugged at Xia. 「What's this? I didn't buy these.」

「I checked. Seems they're from Dahua.」 Xia winked at her secretly.

The production team joined the queue to collect their bento boxes while Director Chen walked over with a smile. 「Yan Wen, you went to such expense to treat everyone to a good lunch.」

「It's nothing...」 Yan Wen smiled in reply. She was about to move to the side to call Jiang Sui-an in thanks.

Just then, masked men ran in, pointing at Yan Wen and shouting, 「It's her, stealing Lingyun's limelight!」

Eggs and persimmons came flying at Yan Wen.

The scene was a mess.

Returning to her hotel under Xia's protection, Yan Wen sat quietly on the bed and removed the egg from her hair.

On the other side of the room, Xia angrily hung up on the paparazzi.

「I've confirmed that this was arranged by Jiang Lingyun's assistant. She's also brought out the top searches and now the Internet is abuzz about how she has suffered being relegated to a supporting role.」

「Xia, the video and audio recordings should all be ready!」 Yan Wen's gaze was cold and her voice serious. 「Since she's creating trouble for herself, we have no need to hold back. Xia, do it!」

「I've been waiting for you to say this. Leave it to me!」

Xia hyped herself up with a fust pump and pulled out her phone to make arrangements.

Within a short thirty minutes, the video that Xia had released was making waves across the INternet. Whistle-blowers detailed every part of the video, describing how Bai Zhexuan was two-timing Yan Wen and how Jiang Lingyun had forced herself between them even though she was aware of their engagement. Watching the expressions on the video, it was obvious that she was doing it of her own free will.

Due to the scale and quality of the video, her pure image was reduced to shreds. The forums and blogs were filled with anger and her fans admitted that liking such a star had tainted their lives.

「So she's Bai Zhexuan's mistress. She destroyed Bai Zhexuan and Yan Wen's relationship and even made Yan Wen audition for her. When she found out, she tried to blame it on others. I can't stand this kind of manipulative bitch.」

「I heard she arranged for anti-fans to create trouble at the studio and hurt Yan Wen!」

「I'm leaving the forum. I'm no longer interested in anything she does. It's such a waste of time.」

Even more people put up notices apologizing to Yan Wen.

At the same time, Bai Zhexuan had brought Jiang Lingyun out for a meal with President Fung to discuss the next step of investment.

His phone was ringing madly. 「Excuse me, I have to take this call.」

As he lifted the phone to his ear, he could hear shouting from the public relations manager.

「President Bai, there's been an incident. Please return to the office.」

「What happened? Speak slower...」 Bai Zhexuan's face grew more serious the longer he listened. 「Understood. I'm on my way!」

Before he could say anything, President Fung and his associates had already received the news.

「President Bai, I can't believe that you tried to mislead us. We're shelving our investments. We will never work with Grand Entertainment again; we don't want to be implicated in your nonsense.」

「President Fung!」

Bai Zhexuan could not stop him from leaving but noticing a crowd of reporters swarming into the building, he hurriedly grabbed Jiang Lingyun and left. Jiang Lingyun was horrified when she saw the video. Her body might have been mosaiced out but she was essentially exposed.

She slapped Bai Zhexuan hard across the face. 「You took a video!」

「Calm down. How could that have been me? Would I be so stupid to put myself in the firing line?」 The newest revelations had taken Bai Zhexuan for a spin. Ignoring Jiang Lingyun's feeling, he grabbed her wrist. 「Think about it, who did it?」

「Besides Yan Wen, who could it be? I just wanted her out of the production but look at what she's done! She's destroyed my reputation just to stop me from getting the best actress award! My life is ruined! How can I ever face anyone?」

Jiang Lingyun wept and rubbed at her tears, stamping her foot furiously. 「I don't care! Call Yan Wen now to make a public apology!」

「I can't. If anything else happens, we're really done for. I'll send you back to the condo. Don't go out for the time being. I'll delay all your activities and speak to the production team.」

Bai Zhexuan patted her on the back soothingly. This was the best he could come up with in such a short time.

「Zhexuan, you won't leave me alone right?」Jiang Lingyun suddenly asked, wide eyes staring at the man in front of her. 「I'm only here because of you. If you don't want me anymore...」

Bai Zhexuan clutched her to his chest. 「Don't be silly. How could I leave you? I won't be able to see you for a while. But believe me, I'll sort this out as quick as possible.」

Jiang Lingyun only half-believed him as she exited the car. Watching it drive away, her brain was filled with hate.

Her assistant caught up with her and seeing her standing by the road in a daze, he said in a low voice, 「Let's go upstairs now before the reporters catch on.」

「Do I still have a chance to bounce back from this?」

Fearful she would keep thinking over it, the assistant rushed to reply. 「Of course. The baby is your trump card. Zhexuan can't abandon you!」

「Baby?」 Jiang Lingyun's hand caressed her belly, her eyes lit up with purpose.

Yes, she still had the child.