Chapter 123: She Is Not Someone Else (Second Update)

It was Wen Yichen’s voice. His tone was calm, devoid of any hint of anger, yet it still caused Jiang Muwen’s body to shudder instinctively.

She turned her head and looked at Wen Yichen’s expressionless face beside her, managing a sheepish smile. “Isn’t it because you’re worried the seniors might be overwhelmed?”

After saying this, Jiang Muwen smiled awkwardly again. Even she lacked confidence in the words she had just spoken. Perhaps it was simply that she was never good at refusing others. No matter how many times her heart resisted, the words that came out were always, “No problem, I can do it.”

Upon hearing her explanation, a trace of helplessness flickered through Wen Yichen’s eyes. Though he saw right through her lie at a glance, he couldn’t bring himself to expose it.

The next moment, Wen Yichen raised his hand and took the camera that Jiang Muwen had been carrying on her shoulder. “Being bullied and not even realizing it. How can a girl carry a camera like this and shoot anything worthwhile?”

Jiang Muwen had never received any professional training in this area. Besides, she was so small and frail—how could she possibly carry the camera for so long?

As Wen Yichen spoke, he placed the camera on a nearby table and then continued, “The director hasn’t arrived yet. Are you carrying it around just for exercise?”

Wen Yichen’s words were somewhat stiff. Jiang Muwen cautiously looked at him—was he angry? But this tone didn’t quite sound like anger.

“Oh, by the way,” Jiang Muwen tentatively poked Wen Yichen’s arm, “weren’t you sitting with those older sisters? Why did you suddenly come over?”

At that, Wen Yichen’s hand stilled involuntarily. He looked at the camera before him, his fingers twitching slightly. Indeed, he had originally planned to sit there, but when he tried to approach earlier, Kiki wouldn’t let him.

Kiki’s previous words, “It’s best if you don’t meddle in other people’s affairs,” were still etched clearly in his mind.

At the time, Wen Yichen hadn’t thought much of it. He coldly withdrew his hand, leaving behind a single sentence: “She’s not just anyone.” Then, without regard for consequences, he walked over to Jiang Muwen.

“Seeing you look pitiful, I just came over,” Wen Yichen said casually, then straightened up and instinctively glanced around.

“Hello, Director.”

“Hello, Director Lin.”

Voices rose and fell, reaching the ears of the two. Several children’s gazes naturally settled on the woman who had just entered.

She wore simple, neat clothes and walked steadily in high heels. Then she reached the spot where Wen Yichen had been moments before and sat down gracefully.

After exchanging a few words with the staff around her, she was handed a stack of papers. She smiled faintly and began reading the documents. Everything seemed to flow seamlessly, each movement exuding an aura of nobility.

“Have the actors arrived?” Director Lin asked softly, lifting his head.

“Not yet,” Kiki replied from the side.

“Is everything else ready?” Director Lin rolled up the papers and crossed one leg over the other leisurely.

“Yes, all ready.”

“Then why aren’t the actors here yet?” Director Lin pressed further.

“They said there’s traffic.”

Upon hearing this, Director Lin raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “Is it really traffic, or don’t they want to come?”

At these words, the air fell silent. After all, it wasn’t rush hour, and the scheduled filming time had already arrived.

After a moment of stillness, Director Lin impatiently tossed the papers onto a nearby table. “Punctuality is the most basic respect for filming. If they don’t want to come, then there’s no need to continue shooting this commercial.”

Once she spoke, the atmosphere grew even heavier. Everyone knew Director Lin’s strict reputation, and no one dared to anger her.

Time ticked away, and all work on set was halted for the absence of one actor.

After an indeterminate while, the studio door finally opened. Everyone assumed the actors had arrived, but it was Gu Nianchun who entered instead.

“Good day, President Gu,” greetings echoed in the studio.

Yet Gu Nianchun gave no response, scanning the room before speaking coolly, “Chen Xuan, what’s going on?”

The air conditioning was already strong in the studio, but Gu Nianchun’s question seemed to drop the temperature even further.

Chen Xuan—the ‘Sister Xuan’ mentioned by Jan—looked troubled as she faced Gu Nianchun. “The actors have broken their appointments.”

Gu Nianchun’s expression remained largely unaffected. “Is there a backup actor?”

“No, there isn’t.”

Silence fell once more, a silence that resembled the stillness before a storm.

Gu Nianchun’s eyes tightened slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Yin Lize suddenly broke the silence. “President Gu, what about me?”

At these words, all eyes turned to the young man. Some staff stared at Yin Lize incredulously. To them, he seemed like a fool, stepping forward to be a scapegoat at such a critical moment.

Gu Nianchun looked at Yin Lize, his gaze growing sharper.

This look made Yin Lize want to retreat inwardly. Gu Nianchun’s eyes seemed different from usual—his piercing gaze held an unspoken threat, as if the next moment he might grab Yin Lize by the collar and throw him out of the company.

The atmosphere was silent; no one dared utter a sound. Gu Nianchun’s expression was complex, and after a long pause, he finally said, “Alright.”

His agreement was not without reason. This young man had the courage to step up, so he must also have the courage to face the camera. Moreover, judging by his appearance and confidence, there should be no problem standing in front of the lens.

“President Gu, if that’s the case—” Sister Xuan looked at Gu Nianchun with difficulty. She didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone understood the implication. There were strict regulations in place; such a sudden replacement, especially with someone completely inexperienced, was hardly permissible.

“Let him shoot. I’ll handle the rest.”

“But—”

Before Sister Xuan could say more, Gu Nianchun cut her off coldly. “If you’re so determined, then the task of finding actors is yours from now on.”