Chapter 448 - A Plot (II)
The media's look at Wen Yin and Song Xuantin changed into suspicion after hearing what Xiong Wuyue had said.
In fact, it was highly possible that Wen Yin would cover it up for Song Xuantin, even if it was only to avoid reminding them about her scandal a long time ago.
Seeing the two women standing close together… which was actually a coincidence because Wen Yin was simply interviewing Song Xuantin when Xiong Wuyue suddenly stepped in earlier, and seeing how Wen Yin repeatedly tried to change the topic or defend Song Xuantin… which was another coincidence because Wen Yin was simply doing her job as the esteemed host of the event, some people began to suspect that perhaps these two people might really be trying to cover up for each other.
Of course, not everyone was easily goaded.
Some knew that it could just possibly be Xiong Wuyue's reckless and baseless accusations, but it had nothing to do with them so they just watched on.
Song Xuantin felt the itch to speak out some rude words in reply to this unreasonable woman who spoke nothing but accusations as she willed.
She now felt bad for Miss Wen Yin who was simply trying to settle the commotion but was instead targeted. Even the past scandal was brought back to light again. Song Xuantin's deadfish eyes drifted to the corner again.
'Where are you, my friend?'
With her experience, Wen Yin knew that talking more would simply make the rabid dog bite harder. Thus, although feeling upset, she simply sighed visibly and smiled in a helpless manner, as if looking at a willful and unreasonable child throwing a tantrum.
She chose to be silent. However, the message on her face could be easily read. 'It seems you can't listen to reason. There's nothing else I can do.'
No matter what she said at this moment, it would only make her reputation worse off. Even though she did not want to admit it, she actually fell into a trap that she laid out accidentally for herself.
Her eyes with a hidden chill inside looked at the proud woman who would probably bring a wound to her hosting career. Thankfully, Wen Yin was no longer an actress in the limelight, but had retired and simply hosted a few events or programs here and there. Wen Yin was a veteran after all, so she began to think of the follow-ups on this event to minimize the damage. She had to tell the company and her manager to have the PR team contact these journalists present here.
Perhaps they could also take advantage of this to whitewash, making Xiong Wuyue appear unreasonable for insulting her seniors, bringing up a past scandal which had been subverted already, and highlight again how she was able to win her fame with acting skills.
At least, her reaction seemed to sway a few of the journalists, because she noticed a few people seemed to frown and began to look distractedly at Xiong Wuyue, obviously noticing that Xiong Wuyue indeed appear to be throwing a tantrum, unreasonably biting anyone she saw.
There was a tensed atmosphere in the air.
The other side chose to be silent.
This made Xiong Wuyue's courage to go another step forward, feeling like she had already succeeded. As the saying goes, if one was given an inch, she would ask for a mile.
"It doesn't make sense," she continued. "I greatly admired the novel like a lot of people. I expected that only good things will come out for the movie and its production. Yet, the start is already a big joke. Are you not afraid of getting retribution because of this unfair treatment?"
The actors and actresses on-stage who tried to hold back their unpleasant expressions finally looked at Xiong Wuyue with varying expressions. However, none of them were positive.
This woman suddenly came out to cause trouble, insulted people, and now this. Xiong Wuyue was clearly jinxing their movie premiere and box-office.
"I believe the producers should think twice about it. Consider well just which person will do best as the 'Lone Star.' Don't judge unfairly." Xiong Wuyue was not really scared of pushing for more.
As a princess whose life had always went to her wishes, whose only dissatisfaction was an existence called Xiong Zhi, she naturally still held the line of thought that things would go her way.
Her father's scandal did hit her a lot, but she still naively thought it was just a mere stumble and that she would still continue forward.
Her worldview was still set on the fact that the world should revolve around her. That was why she did not think that there was a problem with her speaking in front of everyone, because everyone should listen to her, it was a given. If she was not happy, no one else would be happy. If she wanted something, she must have it. Those who offended her must definitely be taught a lesson.
Everyone below the Xiong family did not deserve to raise their heads in front of her. No dared to offend her. It had always been that way.
Now, looking at the faces of the people around her who dared not pip a squeak, it was still the same way.
Xiong Wuyue's smile grew wider. She did not even notice that the look which the production team was giving her was very ugly.
The production team wanted to explain. However, this Xiong Wuyue was a 'Xiong', having the same surname as the biggest investor of the movie. They were afraid that giving explanations in public would result to a misconception that they were humiliating her and the rest of the Xiong family. That would really go on the wrong way.
Thus, they could only fall silent for now, try to discuss things with Miss Xiong Wuyue privately, and let the PR handle the rest of the media.
One of the producers who was in the dark was confused and sweating inside.
If Miss Xiong Wuyue wanted this role badly that she was willing to go this far, then why did the Xiong family recommended another artist?
That artist happened to be one of the most preferred of the directors and the writer among the candidates in the audition, thus, they immediately agreed without a hitch.
Yet this happened. The producer did not fully understand the current situation of the Xiong family.
After all, looking out for the trends and pits in the entertainment industry was hard enough. He could not also easily believe the rumors from the media that Xiong Wuyue now was akin to a black sheep in the Xiong family.
To the producers, as long as she was surnamed Xiong, she was still part of the legendary family.
As the production team sweated on how to handle this matter, salvation finally arrived.
Another voice sounded inside the quiet hall aside from Xiong Wuyue's.
"I agree. Why don't we listen to the producer's explanation on how they came up with this so-called 'unfair' judgment?" Xiong Zhi's cold, clear, and crisp voice reached people's ears.
All attention turned to the person who was sitting at the investor's side. She was still sitting down calmly, as if she was not the one who spoke out. The investors recognized who she was, but the media who was at the back could only see the silhouette of her head and upper back, the rest was blocked by the tall seat.
But she spoke again, confirming that it was her who spoke. "Isn't that the proper thing to do, Producer Ning?" Xiong Zhi turned to the man who was seated a few seats away from her. He happened to be the closest producer to her.
Producer Ning was a highly influential producer and director in the domestic entertainment industry.
The major directors and producers of this movie were naturally from the Hollywood production team, but their studio was also included in the cooperation due to the Chinese-themed nature of the film. The main directors and producers planned to get assistance and cultural perspective from them who was more experienced with shooting movies with these elements.
Producer Ning naturally recognized Xiong Zhi.
She was the person surnamed 'Xiong' who was the biggest investor in this movie. She was also the one who recommended the talented artist, Song Xuantin.
He stilled for a moment, unable to speak. Then his eyes began to light up. Did it mean that they were allowed to explain, even if they ended up offending another Xiong in the process?
Producer Ning glanced again at Xiong Zhi who was sitting calmly at the side then at the woman who was standing.
He did not really get the whole situation within the Xiong family currently.
However, Xiong Zhi was the undisputable person he must never offend, because from what he had heard, this person held a really big influence. How big, he did not know. She was also the main investor.
Also, perhaps what was in the recent rumors he heard from the upper levels were true.
He then made a decision to explain himself. He stood up, clapped his hands, took the microphone, and spoke.
"Alright, since Miss Xiong Wuyue is really adamant on asking us how we got to this decision, then we will show everyone how we meticulously arrived to our every decision, down to the details."
Then Producer Ning whispered to his assistant to get something.
The media was on uproar again.
Would they change the role and give Xiong Wuyue a chance? Or would they totally deny everything?
On the other hand, it was only Xiong Wuyue whose face was frozen.
How... How could that woman be here?! Why was she here?!
Xiong Wuyue could not get her eyes away from her nemesis.
The same with Xiong Zhi, she never took her eyes away from Xiong Wuyue.
Two women, one standing, one sitting, looked at each other with an undercurrent that they only know themselves.
Sparks flew, and their bout started with a gaze.
Xiong Wuyue was in turmoil. She was getting an ominous premonition.
This woman being here was bad news.
She still remembered how this bitch schemed at her father!
Did Xiong Zhi design a pit for her here, too?
What was her plan? What was she planning to do?!
Xiong Wuyue's burning gaze held suspicion and unease.
Xiong Zhi saw that.
Provoking her more, she gave her a cold, faint smile.
'Go on. Think hard about it.'
Xiong Wuyue saw her mocking smirk and the arrogant eyes as if the other was looking down on her.
Challenging her.
The previous unease and suspicion was blown away from her mind.
Undoubtedly, she was trying to harm her! She was definitely challenging her! How dare she?! Did this woman think she could do as she pleased in public?!
This was her, Xiong Wuyue's, domain! She did not care anymore if Xiong Zhi wanted to fight it out with her. She would face it all head-on! And she would win it!
'Just you see, bitch!
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶