Ran Xueyi turned her head to glance over at Yao chuan, who had his head ducked down as if he was ashamed that his dirty laundry was being aired by Wu Qi.
Seeing that the young man didn't seem to be unaware of his mistakes, Ran Xueyi had Wu Qi leave her office before stalking over to take a seat next to him. She crossed her legs and placed her intertwined hands on her knees.
"Before I took you away from ABC Media, you promised that you would do anything for me, didn't you?"
Yao Chuan slowly nodded. He could still remember what he had promised to her.
"You also called me your savior, your benefactor." Yao Chuan nodded again, feeling somewhat unease at her words. But Ran Xueyi didn't seem to notice this as she continued, "I don't mind you acting up because of how you were treated in the past. But you mustn't place your frustrations and anger on an uninvolved person, Yao Chuan. It'll be an unrepeatable mistake and by the time you did something wrong, you won't be able to redo anything."
Ran Xueyi didn't know what was happening to him. However, for the short time she had observed him during her stay in the country three years ago, Yao Chuan wasn't the type who would be lazing around. On the contrary, he was one of the most hardworking people she'd ever met after her retirement.
ABC Media had abused their control over himself. His treatment was not favorable as with the contract that was signed over by his maternal family for their own gains. It was an unfortunate and miserable fate being sold over by his own family whom his mother trusted to a shady contract that would chain Yao Chuan to the devil.
"I didn't take you in my company merely because I pity you." Ran Xueyi shook her head. "No, it's definitely not because of pity. There are a couple or hundreds of people who have undergone the same mistreatment in our industry. But I chose to take you in because you have the talent and determination to stand on your own feet through all the pains and abuse."
"So, I don't understand why you are suddenly rebelling and trying to refuse all your projects that Sister Zhao handed to you?" Ran Xueyi asked.
Yao Chuan hung his head lower, and for a while, he didn't speak. He didn't even make a sound aside from the low noise that came from his nose which was due to him breathing. And it was noticeable how nervous he was with how his breathing turned faster.
'Pat'
Suddenly, a tear rolled down his cheek which he didn't bother wiping. Ran Xueyi stared at him in silence before reaching for the tissue box and handing one for him to use.
Yao Chuan took the tissue but didn't wipe the tears from his eyes, he folded the tissue and put it into his pants pocket.
"My maternal family has been threatening me," said Yao Chuan finally.
Ran Xueyi's eyes widens.
He continued, "It started a year ago. They were subtle and did it secretly. Sister Zhao and Uncle Wu didn't notice it. However, every time I enter the building of my apartment, the locker room has a crumpled letter in it. The letter said that my mother was no innocent woman. That... that she was a whore who gave birth to me from another man. I didn't want to believe it. Mother was the kindest and most loving mother I ever had."
Ran Xueyi didn't stop him even after hearing the brash words that were coming out of his mouth. She didn't think it was right to do so because Yao Chuan was doing his best to tell her his story and the reason behind why he had suddenly changed in character.
Yao Chuan was also grateful for not being interrupted as he continued his story for the past year.
After the letter continued to appear in secret, Yao Chuan took the risk to tell Sister Zhao about it. However, it was brushed over as a fan's prank. There were many cases like that that had happened in the past so Yao Chuan also thought that it was a tasteless prank from one of his anti-fans.
But due to his complete indifference, the letter changed from a teddy bear mixed into the presents he received from his fans. It was the only bear he received from his late mother. Nobody knew about it but his family, whom he had long abandoned after he was taken out of ABC Media.
"Did they tell you what they wanted?" Ran Xueyi patiently listened to him retell what had happened the past year he had started to receive the letter to the recent events.
Yao Chuan smiled bitterly as he said in a casual tone, "What else do they want from me? After I transferred and signed to Chestnut Entertainment, they could no longer take the money I earned from acting my roles." He paused for a second as his eyes tremblingly closed, then he said, "They wanted me to give them back the rights to become my guardians again. They said that it was the only way for me to pay back for my mother's infidelity and lies as well as pay back for the debt she owed them."
...
Ran Xueyi stayed in the office for a while after she let Yao Chuan go back to the artists' lounge area in the building.
If she hadn't experienced a horrible first-hand experience of her own family's betrayal and cruelty towards her, she might have brushed off what Yao Chuan had disclosed to her like how Sister Zhao and many other people would have normally reacted.
A family trying to blackmail another member of the family was not something that you would see everyday. Perhaps not in public view, but privately. But still, Yao Chuan was just a young man who had lost his mother. Now, these people are trying to besmirch his mother's reputation by questioning her loyalty.
Moreover, there was the debt that she might have owed them.
"Madam, are you alright?" Wu Qi finally interrupted her from her thoughts after waiting for a while next to her. He had been called into her office right after Yao Chuan left, but as soon as he arrived there, he saw his boss' wife sitting in a daze.
"Uncle Wu... How long have you observed Yao Chuan?" Instead of answering his previous question, Ran Xueyi asked him her question.
Wu Qi thought about it and replied, "Ever since he signed under the company."
"Then, have you noticed any inclination that he was being blackmailed?"
Wu Qi stared at her in a start before he shook his head, "Blackmail? That is news to me, Madam." He paused before an enlightenment entered his mind. "Is this the reason behind Yao Chuan's recent strange behavior?"
Ran Xueyi slowly nodded. "He believes it was done by his maternal family. They are coming for him for his money."
Wu Qi already heard of Yao Chuan's past situation that had his face turn grim and dark for a brief moment before he straightened it with a firm and calm facade. "I will carefully look into this matter. Don't worry, I will make sure that Yao Chuan will be able to live peacefully without a shadow of his past."
He knew what Ran Xueyi was most worried about. She could see herself in Yao Chuan and it was no wonder that she pardoned his previous shamelessness and impoliteness towards her. In her eyes, she found a kindred sibling due to their similarities.
Ran Xueyi relaxed upon hearing him say that. Yao Chuan's matter was a sensitive matter. She could help him herself, but it would become a huge matter that could be leaked into news and articles if she wasn't careful. As the president and also an actress, Ran Xueyi was not the ideal person to handle this matter. Hence, she let Wu Qi handle it himself as he sees fit.
In that way, this matter won't be blown out of proportion and affect Yao Chuan's future and opportunities in life. She trusts Song Yu Han's people in handling what normal people couldn't.
After sending Wu Qi out of her office again, Ran Xueyi dialed the number in the script she had read last night.
The ring continued before making a full stop as it was picked up.
A low and refined voice filled her ears, "Hello?"
Ran Xueyi was slightly stunned before she tentatively asked, "I'm looking for Director Daren Wang? Is this him?"
The voice was silent for a second before it replied, "Yes, that is me. Who are you and why are you looking for me?"
"I am Ran Xueyi. And I'm asking if you're interested in having me play the role of Rosie Chang, the female lead of the script <<Unholy Desires>>?"
There was another silence, but this one took a bit longer than the first time. Ran Xueyi felt nervous and anxious waiting for his answer.
"Miss... Is this a scam?" Daren suddenly asked. "You should do better than scamming people so early in the morning! You almost made me believe that the real Ran Xueyi is asking to be part of my film!"
Ran Xueyi: "..."
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