CHAPTER 101: UNSPEAKABLE SECRET

As soon as Director Lin arrived, a wave of cheerful shouts swept through the set. Everyone gathered around, hoping to establish some connection with the esteemed director. Lin Ning, however, disliked such overtures. His face hardened, and the crowd immediately distanced themselves.

Everyone was wondering what auspicious day it was. First, an international superstar arrived, and now an internationally acclaimed director. The crew of "Princess Qinglian" was truly destined for success.

Han Bi rose to greet Lin Ning. Lin Ning, glancing at her with disdain, completely ignored her outstretched hand. "What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve watched Director Zhang’s work, so I came to see it," she replied.

"Oh, how thoughtful of you," Lin Ning quipped, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I thought you were here to steal a role from a young lady. Don’t you see how old you’ve become? Come on, big brother will check for crow’s feet." Han Bi visibly winced, glaring at Lin Ning with suppressed fury.

Everyone was familiar with Lin Ning’s demeanor, but Han Bi always maintained an elegant and dignified image. Even when publicly provoked by Lin Ning, she had to uphold her persona. This was the distinct difference between a pseudo-lady and a true rogue.

Director Lin, a notorious figure, was known to curse and overturn tables at movie premieres if a reporter’s question displeased him. His image had always been that of a ruffian, and one could say, the more of a ruffian he was, the more he was Lin Ning.

So, Han Bi could only stew in silent anger.

Was this the legendary feud between a top director and a top artist? Everyone secretly wondered. However, they were accustomed to Lin Ning’s style; he rarely favored actors, and his words were exceptionally sharp, even venomous.

Cai Xiaojing smiled. With Lin Ning on the scene, it saved her a lot of effort.

Han Bi, no pushover herself, responded with a sweet smile, "Director Lin, you’re seven or eight years my senior. Since you don’t have crow’s feet, how dare I?"

"Typical of someone with more curves than brains. Men blossom at thirty, women are withered peach blossoms at twenty-five—you don’t even understand such simple wisdom. A lack of culture is truly terrifying, you don’t even know common sayings." Lin Ning’s words were particularly venomous, turning Han Bi’s face pale with rage.

Especially that phrase, "a lack of culture!"

Years ago, Cheng Anya had also chastised her with those very words: "Miss Han, are you uncultured, which is why you don’t even understand the basic principles of being a decent human being?"

Due to her family background, Han Bi had left school before finishing high school to make a living, and she dreaded being called uncultured. Yet, what did a lack of education matter? She had still managed to thrive.

How many women in the country had achieved more than her?

But because Cheng Anya had once chastised her with those words, it had always gnawed at her. Even after years of taking film and television courses and earning a diploma, it remained a sore spot in her heart.

Cheng Ying, unaware of the conflict between the two, stepped in to mediate. Lin Ning ignored Han Bi’s contorted face and, with a flirtatious smile, walked towards Wen Nuan. "Little Wen Nuan, what are you shooting? Come on, big brother will give you some pointers."

His tone was both flirtatious and intimate, as if he and Wen Nuan shared a deep connection, a close bond, a profound friendship. He casually put his arm around Wen Nuan’s shoulder, smiling warmly. He wasn’t young; he was in his thirties, but he looked youthful. His "youth" seemed particularly prolonged, and coupled with his sense of style and self-care, a man in his mid-thirties looked like he was in his twenties. He also possessed traditionally handsome features, making him and Wen Nuan appear remarkably well-matched to onlookers.

Cai Xiaojing glanced at Wen Nuan and Lin Ning. Since there were no entertainment reporters on set and all the actors knew Lin Ning’s style, she continued to work, unaffected. Director Zhang raised an eyebrow at Lin Ning, pointing at Wen Nuan. "Very familiar?"

"How familiar?"

He thought to himself, ’I knew it. How could this unknown girl, Wen Nuan, replace Gu Yiting to play Princess Xiangxiang? So, there’s a connection there. If she’s one of Lin Ning’s people, then it’s not surprising.’

Lin Ning smiled charmingly, captivating everyone. "Darling, are we familiar?"

Wen Nuan flinched and shook her head decisively. "Director Lin, we’re not familiar at all."

"Oh, my dear girl, you’re starring in my drama, and you say you’re not familiar with me? Are you trying to die?" Lin Ning playfully tapped Wen Nuan’s head, looking at her with a mischievous expression, as if she were an ungrateful brat. Everyone was very surprised. What was the relationship between Wen Nuan and Director Lin?

Those present at Casablanca that night, including Chen Hang, the producer, and a group of assistant directors, all knew that Wen Nuan had an extraordinary relationship with Young Master Ye. Later, when asked, Wen Nuan glossed over it, saying she just happened to know Mrs. Ye. Although no one believed her, her innocent demeanor made them choose to believe her.

Deep down, however, there were still doubts.

Chen Hang genuinely liked Wen Nuan, whether he was hopelessly drawn to her within a role or captivated by her off-screen. He also saw Ye Feimo leave with Wen Nuan and was curious about her relationship with Ye Feimo.

However, Ye Feimo’s rumored girlfriends were always reported in the newspapers, eager to be on the entertainment headlines, increase exposure, and maintain their fame. Yet Wen Nuan remained quiet, and furthermore, Ye Feimo’s rumors continued unabated daily.

So, he didn’t believe Wen Nuan had any relationship with Ye Feimo.

After all, in their eyes, Ye Feimo belonged to a different world than theirs.

Now, seeing Lin Ning and Wen Nuan embracing, everyone was incredibly surprised, and a certain image involuntarily popped into their minds.

On the front page of Anning International Entertainment News: "Young Master Ye and Director Lin in a Standoff, Love Roads Intersect, Jealousy Flies, Wen Nuan Stands Innocently Between Them." The headline read: "Explosive Anning Executive Scandal: The Unspeakable Secrets."

Everyone shivered.

Director Zhang was surprised and glanced at Wen Nuan. "What drama of yours has she been in?"

Lin Ning had never mentioned it. Wen Nuan, feeling awkward about mentioning her stunt double role this time, couldn’t help but laugh. "It was just a small role, not important at all, Director Lin. What brings you to our set?"

Director Lin let go of Wen Nuan and smiled devilishly. "For ’Beauty Unparalleled,’ I need to reshoot Bai Xiowen’s scenes. I’ll talk to Young Master Ye in a bit. Director Zhang, I heard you’re all working late tonight, so I apologize for borrowing someone from your team."

Director Zhang coldly scoffed. "You call that ’apologizing’?"

"Does an apology come with such a self-entitled look on your face?"

Cai Xiaojing, by the side, looked up in surprise. Reshooting Bai Xiowen’s scenes? Was that what Lin Ning meant? She felt a surge of excitement. Han Bi narrowed her eyes, also understanding Director Lin’s implication.

He wanted Wen Nuan to replace Bai Xiowen in that New Year’s film?