Chapter 20: Does Everyone Want to Challenge Me?

Ye Chenhao smiled at her and gestured toward the car door. “Would you like a ride? It’s cold outside, and I’d hate for Director Fu’s ‘precious favorite’ to catch a chill.”

Jiang Yu sneered inwardly. There was not a hint of respect in Ye Chenhao’s use of “precious favorite”—if anything, it was a veiled jab, as though she were nothing more than Fu Boyun’s accessory.

“No, thank you,” she declined bluntly. “I already have a car. Mr. Ye, you’d best reserve your time for more important matters.”

Ye Chenhao didn’t take offense; instead, his smile deepened. “Miss Jiang, your candor is striking—rather reminiscent of Director Fu himself.”

At those words, Jiang Yu’s expression shifted ever so slightly.

She couldn’t be bothered to argue further, so she moved to pass him by, but Ye Chenhao’s leisurely voice sounded behind her. “By the way, Lin Zhiwei will be abroad for a magazine shoot these next few days. She won’t be able to keep you company.”

Jiang Yu’s steps faltered, a surge of anger flaring inside her.

Was this deliberate on Ye Chenhao’s part?

Of course it was—he was Lin Zhiwei’s employer, after all. But the relationship between the two of them was ambiguous, different from what she had with Fu Boyun.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Jiang Yu loathed beating around the bush.

“Very well, since you prefer things direct, I’ll be frank. Your contract is almost up—you’d best prepare yourself to leave at any moment. Just don’t try to lead Lin Zhiwei astray. Her contract with me isn’t just for three years.”

With those words, Jiang Yu suddenly understood.

So he’d come to warn her, afraid she might take Lin Zhiwei away…

What a scoundrel—no less despicable than Fu Boyun himself.

Jiang Yu didn’t respond further. She strode away, feeling that another second in Ye Chenhao’s presence would drive her mad with rage.

She and Song Zhi Ning returned to the apartment together.

As soon as the door opened, Song Zhi Ning, sitting on the sofa, was already scrolling through her phone.

“Yu-jie!” Song Zhi Ning leapt up at the sight of her. “Did you know? Behind-the-scenes footage from today’s shoot has been posted online!”

Jiang Yu frowned. “Now what?”

Handing over the phone, Song Zhi Ning explained, “Someone deliberately edited together your scenes with Cheng Xing Yu and titled it ‘A Passing of the Torch.’ Now online commentators are split into two camps—some praising your professionalism, others hyping up Cheng Xing Yu’s ‘natural talent.’”

Jiang Yu took the phone and read the comments, her frown deepening.

“Jiang Yu’s screen presence is still powerful, but Cheng Xing Yu has such a fresh aura—together they’re a perfect match!”

“They call it a collaboration, but really it’s Jiang Yu leading a newcomer, isn’t it? Cheng Xing Yu has real potential. I think she’ll surpass Jiang Yu sooner or later.”

“Director Fu truly has an eye for talent. Jiang Yu is the classic; Cheng Xing Yu is the future!”

Irritation welled up within Jiang Yu. She tossed the phone aside.

“Song Zhi Ning,” she said coldly, “do you think Fu Boyun will allow this kind of public opinion to spiral out of control?”

“Well…” Song Zhi Ning hesitated, replying cautiously, “Director Fu will probably handle it, right?”

Jiang Yu let out a chilly laugh. “He couldn’t care less. This publicity serves him perfectly—he can promote Cheng Xing Yu while draining my energy. Quite a clever move.”

“Huh?” Song Zhi Ning looked at her with concern.

“Don’t bother about it. Just wait and see,” Jiang Yu said, exhausted.

For the next few days, she immersed herself in filming with the crew, determined to avoid further conflict. If this was a soft ban, she would simply keep a low profile and bide her time.

“Miss Jiang, could you come take a look at this shot?” the assistant director called to her during a break.

She set down her thermos and walked over to the camera.

The footage was from the recent scene shot by Best Actress Du Xi.

“I still feel something’s missing. You always have ideas—how could we make better use of this snowy landscape?”

Jiang Yu rubbed her chin, deep in thought. “Here…”

But before she could finish, footsteps sounded behind her.

“Director, since when does a small-time actress get to critique my performance?”