Chapter 12: Discord on the Set

"Is that so?" Fu Boyun let out a cold snort, his eyes growing even more frigid. "Your job is to act, not to stir up trouble. If you can't even grasp that rule, then don't waste other people's time."

Jiang Yu listened to his merciless rebuke, feeling as if a heavy stone pressed against her chest.

She forced herself to calm down, clenched her teeth, and retorted, "President Fu, do you simply take someone's word for it and decide it's my fault?"

"I don't need to hear both sides," Fu Boyun replied, his words as hard as iron.

A stubborn glint flashed in Jiang Yu's eyes, but she lowered her voice and said, "Yes, I understand."

Lin Zhiwei wanted to add something, but Jiang Yu stopped her.

"There's no point talking to someone who's pretending to be oblivious. Let's go," she said, not wanting to spend another moment with that man.

The two of them left the studio, walking side by side on the way back to their apartment.

Lin Zhiwei couldn't help but curse, "Jiang Yu, you're just going to endure it? Fu Boyun doesn't even care who's right or wrong—what right does he have to scold you?"

Jiang Yu gritted her teeth, her voice low and heavy. "If he wants to scold, let him. In his eyes, I was never worth anything."

Lin Zhiwei stopped in her tracks, a trace of sympathy in her gaze. "Jiang Yu, if it's too much, just put up with it a few more days. The contract's almost up. You're not meant to be in the same world as him anyway."

"We'll see," Jiang Yu replied, feeling only exhaustion in her heart.

As night deepened, Jiang Yu entered the apartment lobby, lifting her tired hand to press the elevator button. The bright lights made her squint, and the memory of being chastised by Fu Boyun on set replayed in her mind.

The elevator chimed as it arrived. She stepped in, pressed her floor number, and leaned against the wall, closing her eyes for a moment's respite.

The doors slowly began to close, and in the quiet, she finally felt she could breathe.

Suddenly, a slender, well-defined hand reached in from outside, halting the closing doors.

With a snap, the doors slid open again. Jiang Yu's eyes flew open in alarm, her heart tightening as she instinctively stepped back.

"What, are you so surprised to see me?" came a low, magnetic voice, tinged with casual mockery.

Jiang Yu looked up and met a pair of deep, piercing eyes. Her heart sank, and her brow furrowed instantly.

"President Fu?" she forced herself to speak, her tone openly cold.

Fu Boyun shot her a sidelong glance and strode in.

"What is it?"

Jiang Yu didn't reply, simply fixing him with a chilly gaze, her face clearly unwelcoming.

"What happened on set just now?"

Fu Boyun leaned against the elevator wall, his tone unhurried.

Jiang Yu let out a cold laugh and looked him straight in the eye. "What do you think happened, President Fu? Wasn't I already accused of 'delaying the filming schedule'?"

Fu Boyun narrowed his eyes, a faint frown between his brows. He despised the way she spoke—always so sharp, despite her outwardly delicate appearance.

"Jiang Yu," he said quietly, his displeasure obvious, "you'd better behave yourself these days. Stop drawing so much attention to yourself. If you stir up any more nonsense, don't think I'll have time to clean up your mess."

"Clean up my mess?" Jiang Yu's expression changed abruptly at his words. "You're impressive, President Fu—speaking as if I'm scheming to cause you trouble."

Fu Boyun's face darkened as he stepped closer, looking down at her, his voice slicing through the air. "Isn't that so? Every time you cause trouble, doesn't the company end up handling it? Don't take my patience for granted."

Jiang Yu's chest rose and fell with anger.