Chapter 40: Malice Born of Courage

Zeng Xu sneered at her apology, "Just because you say it wasn’t intentional, it wasn’t? Do you think an apology means you don’t have to pay for it? Tsk tsk tsk, look at this vase, it’s a nice piece. How much do you think it’s worth?" A man on the sidelines saw Zhang Yue being bullied like this and was about to step forward to reason with Zeng Xu, but someone next to him immediately grabbed his arm tightly. After mocking Zhang Yue, he turned and fiercely swept a glance at this man and the surrounding onlookers, "What are you looking at! Are you going to pay for her? Get lost!" The man finally broke free from the person beside him, helped Zhang Yue up, and comforted her by the side. The crew already had some complaints about Zeng Xu. He had just joined the team for three days and had scolded several departments. One moment he complained about the hotel room’s lighting, another moment saying the crew’s boxed meals were bad, disdaining the entire crew inside and out. When it happens often enough, even if Zeng Xu has a background, it will trigger public outrage. Just after Zeng Xu finished shouting at the crowd, discussions began from some unknown corner. "Tch, who does he think he is? If Mingsheng’s investment wasn’t the largest, and he wasn’t placed here by Mingsheng, could he even get this role with his acting skills?" "Shh, keep your voice down. I’ve heard he’s ’that’ for someone high up in Mingsheng, you know what I mean by ’that’?" "Really?" "I heard it too! That high-level person could be his father!" "Shut your filthy mouths!" Zeng Xu was already heading to his dressing room, but the gossip stopped his steps and made him roar furiously. He had a scene this morning, but he ditched the crew to attend a popular variety show to maintain his popularity. The reason he got this role and could act so outrageously in the crew was indeed as these people said. That old man had nothing on him except his status, yet he had to rely on him to gain many resources that didn’t belong to him. After confirming Yu Xiaozhe would star in this drama, he spent a lot of effort on the old man, agreeing to many disgusting demands, only then did he snatch this role from others’ hands. The reason he was so brazenly causing trouble in the crew was all because this old man was the main person in charge of Mingsheng’s investment in this drama. Just as Zeng Xu was about to open his mouth to scold these ungrateful people, a voice full of vitality and anger sounded from behind, "What are you all doing! Filming is about to start, why are you all gathered here, what is this supposed to look like!" Director Wang was already very dissatisfied with Zeng Xu, but he endured it because of Mingsheng’s face and the persuasion of the assistant director. Now Zeng Xu wasn’t just a problem with poor acting skills, he had delayed the normal operation of the crew. "Zeng Xu, what kind of nonsense are you up to again? There was a scene for you this morning, why didn’t you come?" Zeng Xu was also filled with anger at this moment, so his tone wasn’t much better, "I had other commitments, and besides, I’m not an important character." Director Wang was furious, "Whether your role is important or not, forget it for now, I’m just asking you, why didn’t you request leave in advance this morning?" Zeng Xu had nothing to say to Director Wang’s question, but he won’t take the blame on himself. He pulled over the small assistant who had been standing by his side and slapped the assistant’s face, leading to a chorus of gasps at the scene, and he scolded the assistant, "Didn’t I ask you to request leave for me? Why didn’t Director Wang receive the leave request? Don’t you want to work anymore?" While speaking, he slapped the assistant’s head. The assistant shrank to avoid Zeng Xu’s hand, but was still pulled back by the hair, "Still dare to hide? You must be tired of living!" The people on the scene tried to speak out to stop the abuse, but Zeng Xu turned a deaf ear. Until Director Wang couldn’t endure it any longer, shouted, "Enough!" and with his eyes signaled the assistant director beside him to take the assistant away. The assistant director got the hint, quickly stepped forward, leading the assistant to the side, glancing at his swollen face from Zeng Xu’s slap, advising him to apply some medicine. "Zeng Xu, how long are you planning to keep this up? Do you know how much time you’ve wasted, how much budget these hours will consume, are you aware?" Director Wang, thinking of the assistant director’s advice, still held back his temper and didn’t directly expel Zeng Xu. With the advancement of technology, fewer and fewer people go to theaters to watch movies, as audiences can mainly watch films online. Who would want to go to a cinema when they can watch movies lying at home? Many investors withdrew from the film investment circle when they saw that movie returns weren’t good, causing many directors and producers to lament, so even a director like Director Wang, who values acting skills, had to accept Mingsheng placing people in the crew. "Ha, so what? We Mingsheng can afford this money!" Zeng Xu still spoke with arrogance. Director Wang’s temper was also piqued, repeatedly saying "Fine," then turned and shouted, "Security!" and pointed at Zeng Xu, telling them, "Kick him out for me!" Director Wang’s patience finally reached its limit. "Let’s see who dares touch me! Xiao Li, quickly call Brother Wang!" Zeng Xu shouted to the assistant on the sidelines, but the assistant just kept his head down, continuing to apply ice to his face as if he didn’t hear Zeng Xu’s shout. "You all really are rebellious! I’ll make President Zhang withdraw the investment! None of you will be able to shoot anything!" Just as Zeng Xu’s hysterical shouting ended, a low, hoarse voice came from behind, "Wouldn’t ask for more." Zeng Xu instantly turned around, not even having time to retract his somewhat terrifying expression filled with anger. "Huasheng will invest in the ’Different Paths’ crew after your President Zhang withdraws his funds." This person continued to provoke Zeng Xu. At this point, Zeng Xu was already somewhat losing his mind, wandering around the crew like a headless fly. Suddenly his eyes lit up with a sinister glow when he saw something. He quickly walked towards the props that had been knocked over earlier, picked up something, and rushed towards the person who just spoke, shouting loudly, "Yu Xiaozhe, Yu Xiaozhe! You are the one who ruined me like this! I’m going to kill you! Go to hell!" The people present didn’t have time to react to this sudden change, only hearing Li Mu, who is usually calm, running anxiously towards Yu Xiaozhe’s position, shouting a sentence, "Boss! Watch out!" The worried Yu Xiaozhe did not panic because of this sudden change. He quietly looked at Zeng Xu rushing towards him, and just as Zeng Xu was about to reach him, he lifted his left foot and kicked Zeng Xu. ———Bang——— Everyone only saw a black shadow flash by, then heard the sound of an object hitting the ground and a scream at the same time, "Ah!" Li Mu’s running steps stopped, and everyone came to their senses, all walking towards Yu Xiaozhe, asking if he was injured. No one paid attention to Zeng Xu, still lying on the ground.