Chapter 26: Popularity

Outside the lounge, Chen Kun, Shu Chang, and other actors and crew members were waiting anxiously.

Li Dawei, Zhang Yuan, and Huang Yuanwen had been called inside by Liu Guoquan fifteen minutes ago.

For people who usually found even a thirty-minute break insufficient, these fifteen minutes felt like an eternity, excruciatingly difficult to endure.

"Kun-ge, Sister Dong Jie, Brother Yuan, what are we going to do?"

Shu Chang’s eyes were brimming with tears, and she couldn't stop sobbing in her anxiety.

"We don't know either..." Chen Kun and Qiao Zhenyu exchanged glances, both wearing troubled expressions.

"Look at the two of you. Zhang Yuan is the only real man here," Dong Jie said, patting Shu Chang's back to comfort her while shooting a glare at the two men.

"Kun, how about we go talk to Director Liu in a bit? We can try to smooth things over, or even beg her if we have to."

"We've been in this crew for two months; we've developed real feelings here."

"Besides, Zhang Yuan wasn't doing this for himself this time. He's definitely more of a man than us."

Even Liu Xixi, who rarely showed any sign of worry, looked distressed. Usually carefree, she was now standing on her tiptoes, peering anxiously into the room.

"We'll go talk to Director Liu together!" At that moment, a cameraman stepped forward, joining Chen Kun and the others.

"I'm in too! I've been sick of that woman for a long time!"

"Count me in. That bitch deserves it, ha!"

"Me too."

"Me too!"

...

Before long, nearly half the crew was united in indignation, gathering together to discuss how they could help.

Several veteran actors heard the commotion and came over. After learning the whole story, the "Auntie" of the veteran circle, Wu Jing, sighed.

"That child is too impulsive!"

"If it really comes to it, the few of us will swallow our pride and go talk to Director Liu," Kou Zhenghai said. Currently dressed in his period costume, he looked like a feudal patriarch, appearing as though he could take the lead.

What did it mean to have popularity?

One only had to look at Zhang Yuan and then at Miss Huang to see the difference clearly.

Zhang Yuan was polite to everyone; even when accepting a lunch box from a production assistant, he would say thank you without a hint of arrogance.

Just as the crowd was becoming heated, the lounge door suddenly swung open. The noisy crowd fell silent instantly, their eyes turning toward the door.

Huang Yuanwen was the first to step across the threshold. She kept her head down, covering her face, and hurried away in silence like a stray dog.

Following her out was Zhang Yuan.

After exiting the room, he closed the door and was about to leave when he noticed the crew members staring at him.

"Brother Yuan!" Shu Chang rushed forward and hugged him, sobbing against his shoulder.

"Zhang Yuan, you... what are your plans for later? If you need any help, just say the word." Chen Kun stepped forward and gripped his hand, his eyes filled with admiration.

"If you want to help, just try not to break character when we're acting together later."

"What do you mean?" Chen Kun didn't understand. "I'm asking what your plans are after leaving the crew."

"Why would I leave the crew?" Zhang Yuan looked bewildered.

"You..." It took the crowd a few seconds to process his words before they snapped out of it.

"You're actually staying in the crew!"

"Otherwise, what? Are you guys going to pay my salary?"

"This... this... this..."

No one believed that Zhang Yuan could walk away from such a serious incident unscathed.

"So, it's settled then."

"Of course not!" Zhang Yuan said, looking pained.

*I knew it, it wouldn't be that simple...* the lead actors thought to themselves.

"I was fined ten thousand yuan!"

*Cough, cough, cough...* Chen Kun nearly choked on his own saliva. To think such a massive incident only resulted in a ten-thousand-yuan fine!

Actually, it wasn't exactly a fine; it was medical compensation for the other party, which worked out to 2,000 yuan per slap.

"Director Liu said that this kind of set accident must never happen again, and everyone should take it as a warning."

A physical assault and a "set accident" were two completely different things.

By classifying it as a set accident, Liu Guoquan had effectively absolved most of Zhang Yuan's responsibility.

"Would that woman agree to that?" Chen Kun still found it hard to believe.

Of course she didn't agree, but Liu Guoquan had been in the entertainment industry for decades; he was in a different league than an eighteenth-tier actress like her.

"Dawei, prepare 4 million yuan in cash in a moment and hand it to President Jiang personally. We're dropping this investment."

"Huang Yuanwen, I've heard rumors of what you've done. Believe me, if I make one phone call to spread the word, you'll never be able to act again in your entire life!"

These words were clearly threats, but Huang Yuanwen had no choice but to lower her head in submission.

"Act well from now on, and I'll increase your pay. Then, have Zhang Yuan give you ten thousand yuan for medical expenses. How does that sound?"

A slap followed by a sweet treat—the old lady's tactics were deep. She intimidated the opponent in a few sentences and then settled everything with a bit of compensation.

After all, she had a guilty conscience.

Zhang Yuan knew the old lady was just talking; she wouldn't actually return the money to the investor.

Why was he so confident?

First, he had a good relationship with Li Dawei and Liu Guoquan; it was a matter of saving face.

Second, Li Dawei had agreed to the script changes. Moreover, Chen Kun and the others could see there was something wrong with his actions—how could Li Dawei, the director, not see it?

In truth, he also detested this woman. She was unreliable on set and had a terrible attitude; she was nothing more than a social climber using her body.

But due to his position, he couldn't do anything. When Zhang Yuan struck her just now, he felt immensely satisfied.

And Liu Guoquan, to protect his son, the crew, and the film, could not allow such a "scandal" to leak out. He would certainly find a way to suppress the situation.

Besides, even if the woman caused a scene and the investor withdrew, Zhang Yuan had already planned his way out.

If the film *Conquer* could be sold, and with so many stars in *The Story of a Noble Family*, how could he not trick "Fatty" Zhao Decai into investing?

Other people's money had to be earned, but for a coal boss like him, money was dug straight out of the ground. It came fast, and a few million was nothing.

"Why is everyone gathered here?" Zhang Yuan looked at the stunned crowd.

"We were planning to collectively plead for you, but it looks like we wasted our effort." The veteran actress, Wu Jing, let out a long sigh of relief.

"It wasn't a waste!" Seeing that everyone was present, Zhang Yuan spoke up: "I am deeply grateful for your intentions. I'll treat everyone to dinner tonight. You all must come!"

Amidst the cheers, the crowd dispersed, and the tension in everyone's hearts finally eased.

"Xixi, looking at your expression, you were worried about me too." Zhang Yuan noticed Liu Xixi's furrowed brows from earlier.

"Only an idiot would worry about you!" Liu Xixi tossed her head back. "I was just afraid no one would treat me to chicken drumsticks in the future."

With that, she made a face and ran off, disappearing in no time.

"Everyone's gone." At this moment, Zhang Yuan patted Shu Chang, who was still leaning against his shoulder.

Shu Chang moved her head away, her face flushed bright red.

In her excitement, she had instinctively rushed forward to hug him, but once she did, she felt awkward. With so many people watching, she was stuck between staying and leaving.

"It's okay. No one will bully you anymore."

"Mm." Shu Chang nodded obediently.

【Received gratitude from Shu Chang: Acting +8, Acting Talent +17, Appearance +12, Learning Ability +15!】

This batch of attributes was larger than any he had received before.

It was worth it, both emotionally and practically.

Inside the lounge, Li Dawei and the mother and son, Liu Guoquan, were still talking.

"Mom, it's my fault for poor management..."

"Enough, don't try to play dumb in front of me." Liu Guoquan shot his son a look. "Do you know why I always act with high principles but handle things with a light touch?"

Li Dawei shook his head.

"Remember, talented people have tempers. Those without tempers are just mediocre."

"Besides, Zhang Yuan actually indirectly helped you solve a huge problem."

"If that woman kept making trouble and actually did something heinous that the reporters found out about, not only would the film receive 'special attention' from the authorities—potentially being shelved—but we would likely be blacklisted as well."

"We would lose everything, including the investor's money, and end up bankrupt!"

Li Dawei felt a chill in his heart upon hearing this. He hadn't thought that far ahead.

Prompted by his mother, he remembered the disastrous aftermath of the film *Hero Zheng Chenggong* being suppressed by the authorities; the feeling of investors banging on your door every day was not something to be trifled with.

"In the future, if Zhang Yuan needs help, help him whenever possible. Build up some social capital with him."

"I understand..."

Because of this incident, filming for the afternoon had to be suspended.

However, the news did not stop spreading just because the production had temporarily halted.

In less than an hour, the news that Zhang Yuan had "slapped a bitch" had spread throughout the entire crew!

Everyone was shocked by his boldness, and even more shocked that he hadn't faced severe punishment.

This was a very specific signal. Everyone began to wonder: if it were anyone else, could they have walked away unscathed like Zhang Yuan?

Liu Guoquan was even this lenient with his own son!

The more they thought about it, the more they felt Zhang Yuan was truly extraordinary; others wouldn't even dare to dream of doing what he did.

Unaware of the external commotion, Zhang Yuan booked three connected large private rooms at a restaurant.

Seeing that the time was right, he borrowed several cars from the crew and drove all the cast members who had "pleaded" for him to the restaurant.

Just as they were about to start the feast, Zhang Yuan's phone suddenly rang. He answered the call.

It was a call from the coal boss, Zhao Decai...

(End of Chapter)