If Yan Feifan didn’t know Zhao Xiaoting so well, he might have actually fallen for Cao Yan’s performance.
’A true professionally-trained talent,’ he thought. ’Just a shame he doesn’t use it for anything good.’
Just then, the handsome Youth also approached.
His face was taut, and he was slightly out of breath as he said, "Cao Yan, I heard what you said just now."
"These things you’re being accused of—did you do them or not?"
"I can’t have someone with a tarnished reputation acting in my show."
At this, Cao Yan’s expression immediately turned serious. "Mrs. Chu, I honestly didn’t do it. I was just trying to be considerate of..."
At this point, Cao Yan deliberately glanced at Yan Feifan before pointing to another handsome young man. "Mrs. Chu, don’t just take my word for it. Nie Yifan has been with me the entire time."
"He can attest to my innocence."
Cao Yan looked at Nie Yifan. "Yifan, say a few words."
"Wait!"
Yan Feifan suddenly stopped Nie Yifan just as he was about to speak and asked Zhao Xiaoting, "Was he there the whole time?"
Zhao Xiaoting nodded. "He was there, but those two are on the same side."
"What he says can’t be..."
"That’s enough!"
Yan Feifan cut Zhao Xiaoting off and turned to the handsome Youth, saying with feigned surprise, "So you really are a screenwriter."
He immediately followed up, "Can you make casting decisions?"
The Youth shot Yan Feifan a smug look and huffed, "If someone as young as you dares to perform heart surgery, why can’t I be a screenwriter?"
"I’ll have you know, I sold my first script when I was fifteen."
Yan Feifan just said, "Oh," and pressed, "Just tell me, can you decide who gets cast?"
The Youth said a bit sheepishly, "Well, not the main leads, obviously. But Cao Yan is playing the second male lead, so I do have some say in the matter..."
"That’s good enough."
Yan Feifan cut the Youth off again. "I promise I’ll do everything in my power to help you with the heart surgery. How about you do me a favor?"
"What kind of favor?" The Youth’s eyes were filled with interest and curiosity.
Yan Feifan leaned in and whispered a few sentences in the Youth’s ear.
The handsome Youth hesitated for a moment, his expression conflicted, but finally, he gave an eager nod.
Then, as the others watched, the Youth pointed a finger at Nie Yifan. "Nie Yifan, I’ve seen your audition and your file. You’re actually qualified to play the second male lead."
"If you can prove Cao Yan’s misconduct, then the role he’s playing is yours."
Cao Yan immediately flew into a panic. "How can you treat such a serious matter like a game?" he shouted anxiously.
"I have a signed contract with the production team!"
"If you really replace me, you’ll have to pay a massive penalty!"
The Youth, who had only been suspicious before, became even more certain of his assessment after hearing this.
"If you’re fired for misconduct, not only do we not have to pay you a cent, we can even sue you for damages."
The Youth explained coldly, his face stern. He then looked at Nie Yifan. "You had better stick to the facts. If it’s later proven that you’ve lied, the consequences will be even worse for you."
At this, Cao Yan reminded him nervously, "Nie Yifan, we’re friends. Good friends."
Nie Yifan, who had been silent until now, met the Youth’s gaze and asked, "Do you really have the authority to give me that role?"
"Nie Yifan, you..."
Cao Yan shouted in disbelief, then hastily added, "Mrs. Chu, he’s just blinded by greed! His words can’t be trusted, not one bit..."
"Shut up!"
The one who suddenly barked out the order was Shao Jun, who had been quiet until now.
His sharp rebuke silenced Cao Yan. He then turned his piercing gaze on Nie Yifan.
"I can guarantee that the role will be yours."
"The only condition is that you’re not lying. Otherwise, you definitely won’t like the consequences."
Nie Yifan let out a soft chuckle. "With Mr. Jun’s guarantee, I have nothing to worry about."
"I’ve always disdained telling lies."
As he spoke, he took out his phone and tapped the screen a few times. A voice immediately came from its speaker.
"Zhao Xiaoting, you’ve got no resources, no brains, and no acting skills. If you want to make it in this industry, the only way is to sleep your way to the top with that face and body of yours."
"Who the hell are you pretending to be so pure for..."