Chapter 69

Ye Ming glanced at Liu Weiqiang, wanting to see what the director's stance was.

After all, this was on set, and it was Zheng Yijian's people who had framed Ye Ming. In such a situation, naturally, they would have to follow the director's lead.

However, Ye Ming had underestimated Zheng Yijian. Who was Zheng Yijian? He was Liu Weiqiang's favorite. Ye Ming was just a newcomer, while Zheng Yijian was a top-tier star, the lead role in "The Storm: The World of Heroes," a character who could rival Guo Fucheng. The director would naturally treat him differently.

Although it was clear that Zheng Yijian's side was in the wrong, Liu Weiqiang shrugged and said, "You guys figure it out yourselves. The crew won't get involved."

In fact, if any of the crew members had stood up to testify for Ye Ming, the matter could have been settled. But as a newcomer from the mainland, how could Ye Ming expect anyone from the crew to testify for him?

Moreover, the director had said the crew wouldn't get involved, which meant Ye Ming had to handle it himself.

Clearly, the director was advising Ye Ming to endure it.

Even if Wang Zhiwen had stood up to testify, he didn't want to strain his relationship with the director over this matter. Besides, he knew very well that in this industry, if you didn't have the clout, you had to play the role of the underdog.

Everyone had worked their way up step by step. In the entertainment industry, even if you put in the effort, without luck, you might not reach the level of a top-tier star. A-grade artists weren't just achieved through hard work.

In Wang Zhiwen's view, it was good for the young to face some hardships.

Ye Ming glanced at Zheng Yijian, who was provoking him, as if his eyes were mocking, "What can you do to me?"

Ye Ming said fiercely, "My demands are not high. I won't report it to the police, but this person must leave the set. Otherwise, there's no negotiation."

Zheng Yijian waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly, and said, "Nonsense, making a fuss over nothing. I still need to get my makeup done. Xiaoshan, let's go."

Following a big star came with such privileges. Even if they made a mistake, as long as the big star wanted to protect them, it could be done in this industry.

The key was whether you were worth protecting.

Zheng Yijian had to protect Xiaoshan, or he would lose face.

Seeing Xiaoshan strut into the second makeup room with Zheng Yijian, Ye Ming took out his phone and said, "My phone has a recording function. By coincidence, I've recorded everything just now. If certain people stay on the set, I won't rule out reporting it to the police this afternoon. Maybe the Hong Kong police will take this case seriously."

After saying this, Ye Ming walked into the third makeup room without looking back, leaving the crew in shock.

Among them, although Zheng Yijian had already turned around, his trembling back revealed how much anger he was suppressing.

It was embarrassing. Zheng Yijian hadn't been so humiliated in front of so many people in years.

Being outmaneuvered by a newcomer, where was his face?

Back in the second makeup room, Xiaoshan, trembling, said, "Brother Jian..."

In his own makeup room, Zheng Yijian didn't need to pretend anymore. He said angrily, "Shut up! I told you to call me Brother. You couldn't even handle this small matter. You said it was foolproof, but look what happened. You messed it up, didn't you?"

Xiaoshan said innocently, "Brother Jian, I put the item in myself, there was no mistake. I also had makeup artist Dong help me watch Ye Ming. I only came out to accuse him after Dong confirmed that Ye Ming hadn't touched his bag. Who knew it would turn out like this? Could Dong and Ye Ming be in cahoots?"

Zheng Yijian thought calmly and said, "Dong and Ye Ming don't know each other. Why would they trick you? Maybe you're just stupid. Perhaps Ye Ming discovered your plan early and moved the item. That's why you couldn't find it in the makeup room. You're as dumb as a pig, embarrassing us all."

As the crew dispersed, Guo Fucheng glanced meaningfully at the third makeup room and then slowly walked back to his own first makeup room.

His agent, Meimei, said, "Chengcheng, I think Ye Ming is being too arrogant. He dared to defy the director like this. The director wanted to suppress this matter, but he's stirring up trouble. Although he performed on the Spring Festival Gala, he's still a newcomer in the film and television industry. This will be bad for his development."

Guo Fucheng sighed and said, "Ye Ming can't back down now. He has no room to retreat. He can only move forward, or he won't have a place on this set. If he endures today, someone else might try to frame him tomorrow. He won't be able to survive in this crew. However, by doing this, he's also putting himself in a difficult position. If he performs poorly in the future, the director won't let him off."

He had seen many things in the industry, even more despicable and shameless tactics.

The opening ceremony was about to start. Director Liu Weiqiang called Ye Ming over and said, "I'm sorry about what happened on set. I didn't expect someone like Xiaoshan to be here. I won't let him stay on the set, but this matter ends here. No one can mention it again. Do you understand?"

Ye Ming had anticipated this outcome. Given Zheng Yijian's involvement, the director's decision was already a significant concession.

Therefore, Ye Ming nodded and said, "Director, you should understand that I can't control this. As a newcomer, I just wanted to focus on my acting, not to provoke anyone. But if I don't provoke others, others shouldn't provoke me."

Liu Weiqiang seemed to realize that his handling of the matter was unfair. Everyone could see that he was biased towards Zheng Yijian, but he needed the crew to be united to finish the film.

Ye Ming wasn't yet in a position to challenge Zheng Yijian.

With ten minutes left before the opening ceremony, Liu Weiqiang had almost everything arranged. He asked, "How are the actors preparing?"

A crew member nervously replied, "Director, most of them are here."

Liu Weiqiang's eyebrows shot up. "Most of them? What do you mean? Is someone missing?"

Ye Ming's issue had already given him a headache. He had to pacify Zheng Yijian and warn Ye Ming to temporarily suppress the matter. He didn't expect more trouble from the actors.

The crew member said even more cautiously, "It's Miss Yang Gongru. She hasn't arrived yet. Her agent said she's on her way."

At this, Liu Weiqiang coldly snorted, unsure of what to say.

It was only the first day, and she was already giving him a hard time, acting like a diva. Did she have the right to act like a diva?

Looking at his watch, the director's face was calm but terrifying. "Don't wait. Tell everyone to get ready to start."

Just as he finished speaking, Yang Gongru walked in, holding an LV bag, her head held high, showing no sign of remorse for being late.

Only when she met the director did she force a smile and say, "Sorry, Director. There was traffic. I'm not too late, right?"

With that, Liu Weiqiang, thinking of Yang Gongru's background, suppressed his anger and waved his hand. "Forget it. Go get your makeup done. The auspicious time is almost here."

At this, Yang Gongru, who seemed to have expected this outcome, held her head high and returned to the makeup room, her white dress making her look even more graceful and charming, under the envious and jealous gazes of the others.

At this point, everyone was waiting for the opening ceremony, except for the journalists.

Ye Ming looked at the time and said curiously, "The director said it would start soon. Why the delay?"

Many people knew why, even Wang Zhiwen and Xu Jinglei, who had arrived earlier, understood the situation, but no one responded.

Yang Gongru might not be a big star, but who could ignore her powerful backing? Everyone in the crew, except for the newcomer Ye Ming, knew that Yang Gongru had a billionaire backing her.

Therefore, no one would comment, adopting a nonchalant attitude.

However, there were always exceptions. Huang Qiusheng, seeing no one respond, said, "Some people are late, so they're still getting their makeup done, wasting everyone's time."

At this moment, Yang Gongru, who had just finished her makeup, walked out in a white dress, looking even more ethereal and charming.

Hearing Huang Qiusheng's comment, she huffed and said, "Those who gossip behind others' backs are troublemakers. Some people in the crew like to act superior, but they're just yesterday's news. They're not clean themselves, yet they have the nerve to criticize others."

This was clearly directed at Huang Qiusheng, who had starred in some adult films and low-quality movies, which he had done to support his family, but now it was being used against him.

Huang Qiusheng, with his short temper, couldn't stand it. He stood up, ready to retaliate.

Just as a big fight seemed imminent, the director walked in and said, "What's going on? Sit down. The journalists are about to arrive."

Liu Weiqiang then signaled to Huang Qiusheng to hold back.