Still immersed in the couple's lung slices, Li Ling didn't react immediately. After a moment of confusion, she said, "Who, Little Chen? Why should I go to his room?" His room doesn't have a Manchu-Han banquet. Jin Jingyao said, "You said it yourself." He still had a stern face, but Li Ling's lips curved slightly. Oh, Director Jin is unhappy, just because of this? A casual remark? What's the big deal? "I was fooling him," she said lightly. "I just said it casually. He was so drunk, what could he do to me?" After a pause, Li Ling made a solemn statement: "He got drunk on his own, it has nothing to do with me. I keep myself clean and don't touch a drop of alcohol." Jin Jingyao nodded, repeating her words with some unclear meaning: "Keep yourself clean and don't touch a drop of alcohol." Li Ling wanted to laugh but held it back. "Yes, yes," she said seriously. "Director, don't worry, I know my limits. I won't delay the filming. Everything is for the sake of the movie." She pushed the wheelchair forward until it was almost touching Jin Jingyao's pants and continued to coax him: "Don't be angry over irrelevant people. How could I go to his room? He can't even..." "He can't even run lines with me—since it's still early, Director, should we go back and run through tomorrow's lines?" Li Ling had a sudden inspiration, thinking she had made a very apt suggestion. For a workaholic like Jin Jingyao, nothing could be more engaging than running lines and rehearsing. Strangely, the usually effective tactic seemed to fall flat this time, like a stone dropped into a cliff without making a sound. The young man opposite her remained silent. There were no streetlights in the mountains, and the entire road was dark. The moon occasionally peeked through the thick clouds, making it hard for Li Ling to see Jin Jingyao's face and thus difficult to discern his emotions. In the silence, a fine breeze rustled through the grass, making a faint rustling sound. Some dangerous creature seemed to be lurking in the unseen darkness. Perhaps it was an instinct, but his breathing grew heavier, as if he was even more unhappy. Jin Jingyao suddenly said, "Are you like this with everyone?" Li Ling's heart skipped a beat. She didn't quite understand what he meant, but instinctively felt something was off—he was indeed more upset. Did she say something wrong? A sudden flash of white light appeared on the horizon, followed by a thunderous roar. It might have been a distant thunderclap from the mountain, or perhaps the wheelchair had hit a small stone, making her uneasy. A glaring white high beam tore through the quiet road. An SUV roared from the end of the mountain and stopped precisely in front of Jin Jingyao. Producer Mai Hongcheng rolled down the window, resting his arm on the edge: "Need a lift?" A strong smell of alcohol wafted from the car, and in the passenger seat lay a completely drunk Little Chen, slumped bonelessly against the seatbelt. Jin Jingyao frowned and said, "No need." Mai Hongcheng: "Are you sure? I'm afraid it might rain soon." Though his words were proper, his eyes betrayed his true intentions. He leaned further out, his gaze like a searchlight on Li Ling. Li Ling found his gaze uncomfortable. The last time she saw this big producer, he wasn't so indiscreet. Could he be drunk too? Jin Jingyao stepped forward, blocking Li Ling with his body: "Get lost." Mai Hongcheng laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, take your time enjoying the breeze." The SUV sped away, and under the glaring taillights, the two figures remained exposed. Jin Jingyao came over and silently pushed Li Ling's wheelchair. Just now he helped her block the light, and now he was pushing the wheelchair. To understand a man's attitude, don't listen to what he says, watch what he does. Li Ling thought the director's anger had subsided and felt relieved. "Thank you, Director. Just now you..." Jin Jingyao interrupted her abruptly, "This is my crew." Li Ling was puzzled. "Of course, is there a problem?" "My actors don't need to accompany people for drinks," Jin Jingyao said. "..." Li Ling's breath caught, and her face flushed slightly. "Isn't 'accompanying for drinks' a bit harsh?" she said instinctively. "Isn't it the truth?" Jin Jingyao replied calmly. Li Ling said, "Oh, so I've embarrassed the great director, haven't I? I'm really sorry." The other party was silent for a moment. "I didn't say that." Li Ling smiled, somewhat sarcastically. 'Are you like this with everyone?' His words still echoed in her ears, and she finally understood what he meant. So this is how he saw her. The cold wind seeped into the back of her neck. Without turning around, she knew what kind of superior expression Director Jin was wearing now. Perhaps he was still looking down on her, like she was trash. Otherwise, it would be like the producer Mai who had just left, with a gaze so sharp it seemed to strip her bare. Her hands rested on her knees, tightening and then relaxing. Suddenly, she felt a bit wronged. Had she done something wrong? She had merely dealt with an annoying person in her own way. Otherwise, who would have helped her? "Sorry, Director Jin," Li Ling still smiled, but her tone was unusually sharp. "For small actors like us, this is how we usually speak and act, not very presentable. If you think I'm embarrassing, don't call me next time when such esteemed guests come." "But then again, wouldn't such occasions be quite dull without actresses? I thought you specifically called me for this." Jin Jingyao: "What do you mean?" "Director, you said I shouldn't accompany people for drinks. Then why weren't you there when Mr. Chen was forcing me to drink?" After a moment's pause, she smiled. "Were you creating an opportunity for him?" The shadows of the trees swayed, rustling in the wind, like secret lips whispering under the moonlight. Li Ling was completely unaware that such a venomous, accusatory tone was unlike her, more like A-Ling. But being A-Ling had its own joys. Once the words were out, they were like a blood-stained knife, wounding others and herself. Jin Jingyao: "I speak harshly, and you speak nicely?" Despite his words, he wasn't angry. It was as if he had turned into Zhou Jing, becoming a lifeless iceberg. The young man continued to push the wheelchair steadily forward. The wheelchair's friction against the floor made a harsh, grating sound. Li Ling said mockingly, "But that's Chen Fei, Director Jin. Don't you also have to dine with his son, cooperate with him bringing his family to visit the set? What's the difference..." Jin Jingyao said, "I thought you wanted to see him." He paused, then said rather coldly, "Do you think I'm happy to have unrelated people in my crew?" Li Ling suddenly froze. "Or have you forgotten him too?" he continued. She hadn't noticed that he used the word "too." An invisible net woven from words had already enveloped her from head to toe. Li Ling's face turned pale, and her voice lowered. "You know?" Jin Jingyao's tone grew colder as he retorted, "Why wouldn't I know?" "Nine years ago, you were the 'He Girl' that He Wei meticulously selected."Unfortunately, the film was not completed. He suddenly passed away from a heart attack, and you were left with a huge penalty fee, from which you never recovered." His choice of words was very precise, almost like an emotionless media report. And such words, Li Ling had read too many times in the past. This was already the most objective and fair description, the one that made her feel the least embarrassed. But the term "He Girl" still made her feel utterly disgusted. Jin Jingyao: "You must have been paying off that penalty for many years." Li Ling tugged at the corner of her mouth: "It's fine, just shooting dozens of web movies a year, the money comes in quickly." "You wasted your talent." "Thanks," Li Ling said, "I don't even know if I still have any talent left." They had a calm conversation, but every word felt like a blunt knife, cutting Li Ling's heart open. Yes, she thought, why wouldn't he know? This wasn't some unspeakable secret. If anything, it was like a corpse crawling with maggots. Buried deep, unrecognizable. But if you really wanted to dig, you could always find a bit. The moonlight broke free from the thick clouds, shining nakedly on the earth. Li Ling looked at her hands resting on her knees, her skin almost deathly pale. She seemed to be talking nonsense, sighing again: "So you knew all along." She felt a sense of being stripped bare. Like a fish turned belly-up, naked and trapped in a net. There were many questions she could ask him. When did you know, how did you know. How much do you know, how much do you believe. But in the end, Li Ling only said: "So, Director Jin, is this why you chose me for this film?" "What else did you think?" Jin Jingyao lowered his eyes, almost mockingly, "Because you're a great actress?" Out of the corner of her eye, Li Ling saw the young man's hands, long and strong, gripping the sides of the wheelchair, like green mountains under the moonlight. She smiled and said, "No, I still have some self-awareness." Li Ling gently reached out her hand, slowly touching the back of his hand. Tentatively, caressing, then interlocking their fingers tightly, as if in a past lesson. Jin Jingyao seemed to stiffen for a moment. But he didn't pull away. Their hands gradually fit together perfectly, from the base of the palm to the knuckles. His skin was too pale, she felt like she was sinking into snow. But in fact, the young man's palm was very warm, with a high temperature. Probably just a dormant volcano covered by a thin layer of snow. Li Ling felt the warmth in his palm, as if taming a pure white volcano. "...What are you doing?" he asked her, his voice a bit hoarse. "Nothing," Li Ling smiled sweetly, "I just always thought the reason you chose me..." "Was because that slap felt so good." - After saying such outrageous words, Li Ling was mentally prepared to be thrown out by Director Jin and crawl back home. But in the end, he said nothing and escorted her to her room door. Li Ling said, "It's okay, Director, don't worry, I won't commit suicide in the bathtub. But if you're really worried..." She held the door and smiled at him, "Do you want to come in and sit for a while?" The hallway was still dim. A kind of lifeless, almost dying animal light flashed in the young man's eyes. He said calmly, "No need, you should sleep." - The next morning, Li Ling found out why Director Jin suddenly left the dining table. It was because of her. The dinner party had just started when Qin Yi suddenly resurfaced on the internet with a newly registered account to start a live stream. With a somber tone, he announced that tonight, he would be revealing some "hard truths about this industry." He described a two-character-named actress from the same group—lacking both looks and acting skills, her only strength being her thick skin and shamelessness, willing to go to any lengths. By offering herself to the director, this two-character-named actress gradually climbed from the most ordinary extra roles to the position of the second female lead. "Some people are really ambitious. I just don't know how she can stomach it, such an old man. Could it be she has a fetish for old men..." "The old man, anyway, flirts with her every day, touches her little hand here and there, and under the pretense of filming, plays wet games with her, saying he wants to cultivate her, teach her how to act, and even how to be a real woman..." "I heard this is her usual trick. She's quite skilled at serving directors." The more Qin Yi spoke, the more animated he became. His words were greasy, and his facial expressions were far more vivid than when he acted. Unfortunately, this person had recently let himself go completely, becoming as fat as a pig. Even with high-level beauty filters, his chin and neck still had several layers of folds, and his face was bloated and puffy. "Oh, with her habit of sleeping with someone for every film, her next project involves a remarkable director." Qin Yi laughed lewdly, "Fans, you better watch out..." By this point in the live stream, the comments were already buzzing with speculation. Everyone was guessing who it could be, but Jin Jingyao's name rarely came up. Perhaps his reputation was too good, too pure, for anyone to make such a dirty association. Li Ling didn't feel much when Qin Yi was slandering her earlier; she was already immune to such comments. But at this point, her heart twinged, and she felt a strange sense of guilt. It was as if she had sullied him. Recalling the outburst he had at her last night, everything now seemed justified and reasonable. Just then, the live stream was cut off. Qin Yi had spent the whole night hinting, but before he could name anyone, his account was completely banned, and all his IPs were blocked. The webpage was now clean, with no trace of his filthy words. "A clown, truly a clown," Xiao Liu said gleefully, "Qin Yi is done for this time. He wanted to take a controversial route to gain attention, but now he's offended someone he shouldn't have..." He then reassured her, "Don't worry, with your cousin's financial power... I mean, PR skills, if he can ban Qin Yi once, he can ban him a second time." Li Ling opened Weibo, and sure enough, the trending topics were all peaceful. Actress A called for reconciliation with natural beauty, Actor B showed off his eight-pack abs on a variety show, different ways to eat spicy noodles, the thoughts of a single woman nearing thirty... In short, there was no mention of Qin Yi or Li Ling. Thanks to the great power of money. Before logging out of Weibo, Li Ling vaguely saw that 9787532754335 had sent a new message. She was too overwhelmed to check it. "Qin Yi must have heard from someone that you're going to star in your cousin's new film as the lead actress, which is why he suddenly went crazy," Xiao Liu cautiously observed Li Ling's expression, "Don't take his words to heart, okay?" "It's fine," Li Ling smiled, "I've heard things a hundred times worse than this." Xiao Liu was a bit shocked, "A hundred times worse? Is your online film circle really that cutthroat?" "Yes."Lí Líng said absentmindedly, "Anyway, whatever he says is useless. He's finished now, and I'm the one on the rise in my career, taking on roles he can't. Just this alone can make him angry for a lifetime." Xiao Liu silently gave her a thumbs up. "A good mindset determines a woman's life." "I'm more curious about who told him about this," Lí Líng turned to look at Xiao Liu. "Was it you?" Xiao Liu was taken aback, his thumb still up, almost scared to the point of breaking it. "How, how could it be me?!" Lí Líng said, "Didn't you once sabotage my audition for Qin Yi?" Xiao Liu's face turned ashen, looking at her as if he had seen a ghost. "How, how did you know..." Lí Líng looked directly at him and said naturally, "I forgot before, but yesterday I saw you wearing a full set of trendy brands, and I remembered that Qin Yi once invited a Mr. Liu to a party. That was you, right?" Some people are ostensibly forgetful, but the more they see, the more they hold grudges. Mr. Liu's expression grew increasingly terrified, almost kneeling before her. "It really wasn't me," he said, almost in tears. "What happened before was a moment of confusion. I, I apologize to you... But as for that useless Qin Yi, I blocked him a long time ago. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be cleaning toilets every day now. How could I make the same mistake twice? I'd strangle him if I could..." "But you still owe me one, right?" Lí Líng's gaze grew more affectionate. Mr. Liu was so scared he almost started hiccuping. "What, what do you want me to do?" "Nothing much, just want you to find out something for me," Lí Líng smiled. "Find out what?" Lí Líng's expression paused. She concealed her momentary hesitation well and said nonchalantly, "Before your cousin debuted, did he really work as an assistant cameraman in He Wei's crew?" Mr. Liu's face showed caution. "You have a lot of nerve, why are you asking about him?" Lí Líng said, "Mr. Liu, your relationship with Qin Yi should be..." Xiao Liu: ! "I get it, I get it, I'll ask for you!" Mr. Liu clenched his fist. "Don't just talk about an assistant cameraman, wait, I'll dig up everything about my cousin since he was born for you!" - Returning to the set, Lí Líng felt very unsettled. At first, she was worried that others on set might believe the slander and look at her with prejudice, even secretly preparing for a fight. Unexpectedly, nothing happened. Everyone treated her the same as usual, very kindly. This made Lí Líng feel even more indebted to the director. She was not an ungrateful person. He had quietly helped her resolve such a big issue. Not to mention scolding her once, even a hundred times would be justified. Perhaps she also wanted to explain a few things to him. Everything Qin Yi said was false, not a word could be trusted, he must not believe it. She didn't know if he believed it or not. Theoretically, he shouldn't have, otherwise, he wouldn't have helped her settle the matter so easily. But if he really didn't believe it, why did he say those things about her that night, and why did he look at her with those eyes? With Qin Yi's matter in between, the existence of that night suddenly seemed less real. The mountain road was rugged, and she seemed to be standing in a pale fog, gazing at the distant Director Jin. She wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to him, but he was very busy, surrounded by the main creative team, and didn't give her an extra glance until the shoot started. Before she could find the right moment to speak, the shoot had already begun. The two actors had just experienced a night of tension, but the scene they were shooting was very intimate. Zhou Jing held A-Ling in his arms, helping her comb her hair, and then fed her bite by bite. Ever since watching Qin Yi's video, Li Ling had felt uncomfortable, as if she had rolled around in a mud pit. She even took another shower before filming. Water streamed over her body and splashed onto the ground. Transparent, colorless, leaving no trace. Where was the mud? Had it never been washed away from her body? When Jin Jingyao hugged her from behind, he suddenly said in a low voice, "You smell nice." "..." Li Ling's body stiffened, almost thinking she was hallucinating. The breath brushing past the back of her neck suddenly became too intense. Like waves crashing against the rocks, carrying a chill and dampness, the salty tang of seawater, about to erode her. Why did he say that to her? What did he mean? She immediately thought, Jin Jingyao was just Jin Jingyao. He only pointed out facts, without any other implications. When he said that, maybe it was just that the noble capitalist had never used ten-yuan-a-bottle shampoo and was curious. Or perhaps the cheap shampoo scent on her body disturbed his thoughts, making it hard for him to get into character. "Sorry, Director, I'll change my shampoo tonight," Li Ling said, ashamed. Jin Jingyao glanced at her, said nothing more, and quickly called "cut." Li Ling was used to this, but what surprised her was that just as she was about to silently ponder her emotions, Director Jin called her back. He actually started giving her acting directions. "Your emotions are off right now. You should be afraid of me," he said. Li Ling responded with an "oh," somewhat thoughtfully. She saw the young man turn slightly, his gaze very focused. He stood very close to her, his eyes dropping strangely, as if still sniffing the scent in her hair. Like an obedient student, he humbly asked his teacher, "So, what should I do to make you afraid of me?""