Secrets in the Entertainment Industry

Holding the milk bottle, Wanwan glanced at Xia Zhihuai strangely, unsure why his mood suddenly became so low.

However, it was best for children not to interrupt when adults are talking; their conversation seemed important.

“Mr. Xia, you should know that ghosts don’t exist in this world.”

Xia Zhihuai pressed his lips tightly, not angry but calmly stating, “I’m just telling you what I saw. If you don’t believe in me, there’s nothing I can do. It’s possible that I was just tired from work these past few days, and my eyes were playing tricks on me.”

The police officer felt a bit uncomfortable with his attitude, but Xia Zhihuai’s involvement in Chen Wan’s case was minimal; they were just conducting routine questioning.

“Do you know anything about Chen Wan’s situation?”

“Her friendships, for example?”

“Or any news related to her talent agency.”

Xia Zhihuai was puzzled, “Didn’t you investigate her situation before coming here?”

“I’m not familiar with Chen Wan, I don’t know if she had any friends. Besides filming scenes together, I rarely interacted with her.”

“She had a solitary personality and rarely socialized with others on set. Most of the time, she stayed in quieter areas of the production or in the common rest area. Occasionally, Xiao Ting would call her to have a conversation in her personal dressing room. Apart from that, I’m not very clear about other details.”

Another police officer spoke up, “Mr. Xia, please don’t get agitated. We’re just conducting routine questioning. If you know, please answer truthfully. If you don’t know, just say so. We’re not trying to find fault.”

Xia Zhihuai took a deep breath, calming his restlessness, “I’m sorry, Chen Wan’s accident startled me. Please continue with your questions.”

“Mr. Xia, do you know if there were any conflicts between Xiao Ting and Chen Wan?”

This question was very direct. Xia Zhihuai lowered his gaze in silence for a moment, then nodded, “I know.”

“Could you elaborate?”

Xia Zhihuai pondered. These were secrets within the industry, and he wasn’t sure if he should reveal everything. However, he quickly made a decision.

“Chen Wan was forced to be Xiao Ting’s stunt double.”

“She offended investors in the industry right after graduating, and later couldn’t find any acting opportunities.”

“In the end, Chen Wan had no choice but to apologize and sign a contract as a stunt double for Xiao Ting for three years, after which they would part ways.”

“This year marks the third year, and I’m not particularly clear about the specific details of the contract. These were just bits of information revealed by her former manager while drinking.”

“As far as I know, the contract is about to expire in a few months.”

The two police officers didn’t expect Chen Wan to have such a contract. It seemed that her “accidental death” might have had hidden motives.

“Do you know Xiao Ting?”

Xia Zhihuai tugged at Wanwan’s clothes and sighed, “We’ve worked together twice, so I know a little.”

“Could you tell us more?”

Xia Zhihuai glanced at the two officers and said, “Xiao Ting is proud and doesn’t have particularly close relationships with other actors on set. She doesn’t have many friends in the production, so she usually arrives on time, shoots her scenes, and leaves promptly.”

“She has a boyfriend, Fu Ming, the deputy general manager of Tianming Group. He usually left the set right after work.”

“Chen Wan also offended Fu Ming in the past, which is why she had no acting opportunities.”

…

The police had gained some understanding of Xiao Ting’s background, but hearing the same answers from Xia Zhihuai confirmed their suspicions.

They asked a few more questions, and Xia Zhihuai answered truthfully.

After Wanwan finished her milk, she suddenly burped.

Everyone’s gaze immediately turned to her. Wanwan’s little face blushed with embarrassment as she covered her mouth with a small hand, explaining, “It wasn’t me.”

Xia Zhihuai playfully flicked her forehead, “Of course it was you. Your burp was so loud.”

Wanwan pouted in dissatisfaction but didn’t argue.

Well, it was indeed her burp.

But her brother was too mean. Her burp wasn’t that loud; the adults were just making a fuss over nothing.

…

The previously solemn atmosphere eased a bit. One of the police officers couldn’t help but pat Wanwan’s head, which was hard to ignore.

“Mr. Xia, thank you very much for cooperating with our investigation.”

Xia Zhihuai politely smiled and, after seeing them out, returned to the living room, lifting Wanwan and settling her on the sofa.

“Brother, this is the first time you’ve encountered cooperating with the police.”

Wanwan comforted him, “In the future, you can cooperate with them more.”

“There’s no need for that. Let’s try to avoid it as much as possible.”

Xia Zhihuai sighed lightly, feeling great pity for Chen Wan.

That girl was actually quite hardworking, but luck wasn’t on her side.

Wanwan sat on Xia Zhihuai’s belly, gently rubbing her own round little belly. She turned her head and smiled, “Brother, what shall we have for dinner tonight?”

Xia Zhihuai glanced at the kitchen. He couldn’t cook, and Wanwan certainly couldn’t either.

“Let’s order takeout.”

Xia Zhihuai took out his phone, and the two of them squeezed together, fixated on the food delivery app, their mouths watering in unison.

“I feel like having braised beef brisket…”

Xia Zhihuai tapped his finger on the picture but sadly closed the page. Sigh “Let’s forget about it. I need to lose weight.”

Wanwan squeezed into his embrace, her little finger tapping insistently as she added the meat to the shopping cart. She said matter-of-factly, “Brother, you can’t eat it, but I can help you finish it. It won’t go to waste.”

Xia Zhihuai pinched her soft, dough-like cheek and exclaimed, “Do you think what you’re saying makes any sense?”

“Isn’t it?” Wanwan scratched the back of her head, puzzled, and murmured, “Wanwan is clearly a human cub now, right?”

Although her soul was that of a little peach fairy.

When Xia Zhihuai placed the order, he still chose the braised beef brisket and several other meat dishes.

“Never mind, the filming won’t resume for a while anyway. It’s been so long since we had such a sumptuous meal. Today, I need to comfort myself.”

Wanwan lay on the sofa, resting her chin on her hands, watching Xia Zhihuai engage in self-motivation. She blinked her eyes inexplicably.

She always felt that her brother’s mind was peculiar.

Could he have some serious illness?

…

After ordering the takeout, Xia Zhihuai suddenly sat up straight, thinking of a serious question.

“Wanwan, how do you know so much about ghosts and monsters?”

“When you mentioned ‘Master’ earlier, who were you referring to?”

Wanwan twiddled her fingers, tilting her head in confusion. “Master is just Master, ghosts… they have always been there.”

Xia Zhihuai found it truly unbelievable.

Wanwan had been able to see those fantastical things since she was little. Did anyone know about this before?

Furrowing his brows, Xia Zhihuai pondered for a moment and asked, “Do your mom and dad know?”

Wanwan widened her eyes, stunned. “Wanwan doesn’t have mom and dad.”

Xia Zhihuai fell silent for a moment and sighed softly.

“Sorry, I misspoke.” Xia Zhihuai gently patted Wanwan’s head. “It’s okay, even without mom and dad, you still have me.”

Wanwan vigorously nodded, her face beaming. “I know! That’s why when I’m being bullied, I come to find Brother you.”

“Brother, you must help me deal with the bad guys!”

Thinking of the Qi family, Xia Zhihuai’s gaze darkened, grinding his teeth, but managing to hold back any profanity.