Chapter 606: 386 Wanwan Confronts Head-on: Not a Magnanimous Person (2 more Chapters)
On the set of "Feng Que," within the photography studio
You Congrong had just finished a scene, the crew was busy setting up for the next one, and reporters had already swarmed around her, keeping a bit of distance. On film sets, unlike press conferences, reporters and their interviewees are practically face to face.
"Qi Zeyanâs decision to hold open interviews, although not explicitly stated against Jiang Jinsang, has clearly targeted You Congrong. The motive is pretty obvious."
Qi Zeyan wouldnât be foolish enough to tell everyone that his aim was against Jiang Jinsang; he needed to leave himself a way out.
All he had to do was tell everyone that You Congrong would be accepting interviews, send the message, and anyone with eyes would understand...
"Itâs also unclear what issues have arisen between the two of them."
"Tang Wanâs studio was accused of copyright infringement, and Qi Zeyan has probably been troubled by it for a while now. Their mutual grievances are not something we can comprehend."
"Thatâs true. Even Jiang Erâye [Jiang the second] and Xie Gongzi [Master Xie], who are arch-enemies, managed to make peace, so our understanding of their personal disputes is very limited."
"The only pity is that the mountain signal is not very good, so thereâs no way to conduct a live broadcast."
...
While reporters had much to discuss about recent events, the grievances between Qi Zeyan and Jiang Jinsang were beyond their knowledge. They could only focus on You Congrong, hoping to glean some clues from her.
"Congrong, did todayâs filming go well for you? Wearing such a heavy headdress for a period costume drama must be quite tough," the reporters had a slew of questions they wanted to ask her but started with some inconsequential small talk.
"Itâs alright. The hardest work is by the teachers and the director in our crew. Theyâre more tired than I am," You Congrong said, still wearing the makeup from her role.
"Itâs been said that the dialogue in this movie is a bit tricky, but you seemed very familiar with your lines earlier."
You Congrong smiled, "There are many seniors in this film. I worry about not being able to keep up, so I have to work extra hard."
"It is rumored that you and the Film Emperor..."
The reporter, who started with questions about the filming, then changed tack and handed over the recorder.
"Congrong, have you been following the recent news on the internet?"
"What are you referring to?" You Congrong asked, holding microphones from several websites, her smile never faltering, always composed and calm.
Qi Zeyan had earlier informed her that they couldnât live stream due to the signal issues in the mountains, meaning there was room for editing any interviews.
Naturally, she was even less worried.
"Do you know Jiang Jinsang?" the reporter inquired.
"In all of Beijing, who doesnât know Jiang Jinsang?" You Congrong laughed.
"Netizens claim heâs your first love. Is that true?"
"First love?" You Congrong feigned surprise. "Weâre just classmates."
She did not directly answer the question.
"Then why were you photographed going to the hospital together? What was that about?"
You Congrongâs smile turned resigned, "We just happened to meet by chance, I didnât expect someone would exploit it deliberately for hype."
"But there are speculations that due to your relationship with Jiang Jinsang, youâve been deliberately suppressed by Tang Wan, like the recent statement she issued without giving you any faceâis that so?"
You Congrong sighed, "Youâre all reading too much into it. Tang Wan, Jiang Jinsang, and I are all friends; thereâs no truth to any deliberate suppression."
"Besides, why would Tang Wan believe such slander and act against me?"
"Youâre all thinking too much."
...
A short distance away, the director and crew were preparing for the next shot while also observing the interview on the sidelines.
"Whatâs the point of this interview? Sheâs just playing Tai Chi the whole time, neither clarifying her relationship with Jinsang nor subtly undermining Tang Wan."
"Tang Wan really has hit a streak of bad luck. Not only is the copyright issue unresolved, but sheâs also getting tied to this whole scenario."
"Is Tang Wan going through a bout of misfortune lately? Nothing seems to be going her way, neither work nor family."
The crew who were shooting with You Congrong were well aware of her temperament. She had argued with the staff during the costume fitting and damaged some props, becoming notoriously difficult to work with within the circle.
Though Tang Wan wasnât often in contact with them, she was known to have a good nature.
However, You Congrong had crafted a strong public persona, supported by a group of die-hard fans. There was some quiet criticism of her, but it was more sensible to keep it private and avoid an ugly rift.
...
The reporters werenât fools; seeing her dodge questions without giving them a straight answer, they inevitably frowned.
"Congrong, regarding the copyright infringement issue facing Tang Wanâs studio, has it affected your filming in any way? Whatâs your take on this matter?"
You Congrong pursed her lips, "Iâm not very familiar with the situation, but I believe if Tang Wan is innocent of copyright infringement, she will be given fair treatment."
"So, you believe Tang Wan is innocent?"
"I believe in the innocence of the innocent."
You Congrong, faced with the reporters, was an old hand now, never taking sides, and certainly never openly expressing support or belief in anyone!
"So, with such rumors circulating about you and Fifth Master, what do you think Wanwan would think?" The reporter was somewhat helpless, as it seemed that today they were unlikely to get much of anything.
"Iâm very sorry for causing trouble for them as a couple, but Teacher Tang is a very reasonable and generous person who will definitely not believe these kinds of rumors circulating online."
All journalists exchanged looks...
Nobody was a fool, especially some of the female reporters, who felt particularly uncomfortable hearing this.
Rumors had already formed; how could there be no trouble at all? Now youâre acting completely innocent, so if Wanwan gets angry, it seems like itâs because sheâs not generous enough?
**
The interview went on for over ten minutes, and the journalists got almost no useful or sensational information.
You Congrong maintained a smile from beginning to end. She seemed to foresee how Qi Zeyan would present her after today.
"Everyone, we have scenes to shoot later, and Congrong needs to touch up her makeup, so..." The agent walked over, and from start to finish, she was on tenterhooks. Seeing the interview was finally drawing to a close, she took a long breath of relief and prepared to take her away.
The journalists knew that You Congrong wouldnât spill the beans, but as they saw her about to leave, they couldnât help but push forward.
"Miss You, give us a little more. Are you and Fifth Master just classmates and friends, or is there another kind of relationship?"
"Say a bit more, please. What are your private relationships with Fifth Master or Teacher Tang like?"
"You just said that you are friends with both parties; have you had any private communication after the incident occurred?"
...
"Sorry, we have shooting to do and canât entertain more interviews today, maybe another time," the agent and the crew members said, guarding her as they prepared to leave.
Just then, a gentle female voice suddenly came from one side.
"Miss You, why the rush to leave?"
The crew knew that this interview was specially arranged by Qi Zeyan for You Congrong, and other female celebrities in the crew had carefully avoided it. Suddenly hearing someone speak, everyone turned their gaze in unison.
She was dressed in a soft white dress with a coffee-colored sweater coat over it, and even her hair was loosely tied, looking lackadaisical. Despite the mountain wind being dry and slightly cold, she appeared delicate and graceful.
There was an exclamation from the crowd, "Tang Wan? Am I seeing things right? How dare she come here?"
"This lady from a prominent family really is different; her whole aura is amazing."
"Sheâs indeed got guts."
...
Tang Wanâs demeanour was languid, and while there was no sharp edge to be seen on her, her presence was impressive, as if even her walking posture had been refined and polished to be pleasing to the eye.
With people surrounding her, journalists wanted to rush over but didnât dare to. They could not afford to bump into her, causing a stir.
The previously chaotic crowd of journalists parted like the Red Sea, creating an aisle through which Tang Wan, much to You Congrongâs disbelief, approached.
You Congrongâs heart skipped a beat when she saw Tang Wan; how dare she come here?
These were all journalists!
It was You Congrongâs agent, however, who, upon seeing Tang Wan, instinctively tightened her grip, musing inwardly:
It might be over!
She had warned her before: those who play with fire will eventually get burned.
"Miss You, whatâs wrong? You donât seem very happy to see me," Tang Wan said with a smile, warm and non-threatening.
"Why would I be? Itâs just... somewhat surprising. How could you..."
With the infringement matter still unresolved, her public appearance was one thing, but right in front of so many journalistsâwhat exactly was Tang Wan planning?
"Strictly speaking, Iâm also part of this crew; itâs just that the people normally liaising with the crew are others from our studio. Is it so strange for me to appear here as a member of the crew?"
"Thatâs not what I meant."
"Just now, I listened to Miss Youâs comment about me and, honestly..." Tang Wan smiled, "I might disappoint you."
"What do you mean by that?" You Congrong was still relatively composed at this point.
After all, there were so many journalists and crew members around, and Qi Zeyan was on her side. She didnât believe Tang Wan would cause any problems here.
"I may not be inclined to seek revenge for every grievance, but when someone repeatedly crosses the line, I wonât be courteous to her."
Her voice was soft and gentle, with a distinctive softness typical of Southern dialect, but she was signaling to everyone presentâ
Her presence today might just mean she was ready for a confrontation.
The journalists hadnât gained any substantial content from the interview and naturally hoped for a scene between the two women, and the crew wasnât going to intervene and make peace at this moment. Suddenly, everyone was ready to watch the drama unfold.
Tang Wanâs arrival was already a surprise for You Congrong, and with such a statement, how could she not be alarmed?
You Congrongâs eyes unexpectedly met Tang Wanâs; her own gaze may have been indifferent, yet in that instant, she felt a chill emanate from the cold glint in Tang Wanâs eyes, which left her feeling cold despite her thick traditional clothing.
Tang Wan laughed lightly: "So, Miss You, you think too highly of me, especially when dealing with someone as shamelessâIâm really not a person whoâs particularly reasonable or generous!"