The video of Ning Ran getting beaten up at the event was uploaded onto the Internet. There was a public outcry, once again!
As an immediate response, Star Entertainment published a statement to admonish the violence displayed to its artist, asserting their legal rights.
The whole matter was very complicated. First, it was Ning Ran who slapped Ye Meng. The latter then put on a pitiful act to gain the sympathy of others, manipulating the public into reprimanding Ning Ran.
Later on, a video of Ye Meng was leaked, which showed her drinking and having fun at a bar. This entirely disproved her story of being upset and depressed.
Now, with Ye Meng absent from the event, Ning Ran was left to fend for herself against Ye Meng’s fans. The comments about her took a turn for the worse.
The former then decided to step in again. Once more, she put on a world-class act, crying in front of the camera while victimizing herself. She then claimed that she was first sabotaged, then reprimanded for no reason, causing her to feel wronged.
Her retaliation was rather effective. After all, she had many die-hard fans.
Netizens were now divided into two camps. One camp supported Ye Meng, while the other supported Ning Ran.
There were more people supporting the former because she maintained a certain level of popularity throughout these years.
Also, she was seen as the victim, when Ning Ran had slapped her. Many who were unaware of the truth, thought that Ning Ran was wrong, especially since she was a newcomer in showbiz.
In a bar at six in the evening.
Ye Meng’s team stopped work temporarily as the female superstar was embroiled in the scandal. One of her assistants, Huang Yan, took the chance for a vacation and went out with her friends.
Ye Meng had a very hot temper and Huang Yan constantly felt that she had to act extremely wary, around the celebrity. This was a rare opportunity for her to relax and not be stressed by work.
Just as she was enjoying her time at the bar, a server walked over and told her that a man wanted to buy her a drink.
Turning around, Huang Yan glanced over. The man was not very handsome and he appeared quite stout.
He was also very buff. In fact, he was too buff for her liking. It looks as though his muscles are about to burst out of that suit!
He raised his glass slightly in greeting.
“Tell him that I’ll pass,” Huang Yan uttered.
“That man has also said that he will pay for your table of drinks. He has also asked me to inform you that he’ll allow you to put the rest on his tab too,” the server relayed.
This is interesting.
As Ye Meng’s assistant, she was used to seeing men who would do anything for a lady.
However, she had yet to meet a man who was willing to spend on her, as she was not exactly the prettiest person out there.
It was part of Ye Meng’s criteria when selecting her assistants– they could not look beautiful.
If an assistant looked too pretty, she would steal the limelight away from the celebrity. Hence, all of Ye Meng’s assistants appeared quite average.
Even though the man was not considered handsome, he had the necessary features, possessing a certain aura about him. Who knows, he might be a good match for me!
Hence, Huang Yan walked over.
The man stood up, revealing his tall height. “Hello, Ms. Huang. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hello. Thank you for the treat,” Huang Yan murmured.
“Don’t worry about it. Come and take a seat.”
Sitting down beside the man, she could feel just how buff he was. He’s probably as strong as a bull.
“How shall I address you?” she asked.
“You can call me Qiao Zhan.”
“What a good name. You look very true to your name,” Huang Yan remarked with a smile.
“Thank you, Ms. Huang. I came here to get something from you,” he told her.
Instantly, her cheeks felt hot. Isn’t he moving too fast?
“Will that be alright with you?” Qiao Zhan probed.
“No,” she denied instinctively.
Come on, I’m a lady! How can you be so straightforward and upfront? Furthermore, how can I say yes to such a question?
“Why don’t you name a price?” he continued.
“Who do you think I am?” Huang Yan was visibly annoyed by him. Thus, she got up and prepared to leave.
“Ye Meng is mean. You won’t last long, working under her. Even after you’ve carried out her dirty for her, she will continue to have her guard up against you. Soon enough, she’ll even fire you. All of her assistants have never lasted for more than a year. One day, when she does fire you, I’ll have a job opportunity for you. Ye Meng is not worthy of your loyalty. Name a price, take the money, and go. As a young lady, it’s important that you treasure your time. You shouldn’t be working for someone like that!” he pressed forth.
Huang Yan was puzzled as she heard this. Wait, this doesn’t seem right! I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing.
“What are you even talking about?” she asked.
“I want the video on your phone, and I mean the full video. What did you think I was asking for?” Qiao Zhan told her.
She was stunned. Well, I was right!
Then, she sat down again. “What video are you speaking of?”
“The video that was taken in the dressing room on the day that Ding Mi and Ye Meng argued. I know that you’d recorded the entire thing. I’m fully aware that only a small portion of the full video was uploaded on the internet. It’s rather evident, seeing that it has been edited. I’m asking for the full video,” Qiao Zhan explained.
“Who are you? Why are you asking me for that?” She immediately grew defensive and wary.
“It doesn’t matter who I am. However, I can tell you that I’m from the Nan family. I’m sure that you’ve heard of how highly they’re regarded, in Flower City. If you continue to help Ye Meng, you’ll be at odds with them. I suggest that you reconsider your stance on this.”
“I don’t have any video. I didn’t record it,” Huang Yan asserted.
“Don’t deny it. We know that it’s you. I’m giving you two choices now. One, you name me a price. I’m willing to pay you for the video. Or, you can continue to protect Ye Meng, meaning that you’ll become an enemy of the Nan family. Remember, Ye Meng is a superstar who has the backing of her fans, while you don’t. I must also inform you that Nanshi Corporation owns an entertainment company called Star Entertainment. The Nan family is rather influential in showbiz. It will be an easy job, for us to get rid of someone like you. Even if you don’t hand over the video, we will just tell Ye Meng that you’ve done so, threatening her with it. Ye Meng gets suspicious very easily and she’ll be sure to believe us. Eventually, she’ll fire you and ensure that your work and personal life are destroyed. I suggest that you give it a good thought and choose wisely.”
The man stared at Huang Yan while he spoke.
Meanwhile, the latter fell silent.
“Did Star Entertainment send you here?”
“No, I work directly for the Nan family. However, I can pull some strings to get you a job at Star Entertainment.”
“Well, I don’t really want to work for Ye Meng either. My plan was to go overseas to further my studies. Unfortunately, I have yet to save enough money, which is also why I was alright with working under someone as tough as Ye Meng. You are indeed right. Ye Meng is very mean and I don’t like her! I don’t know why someone like her can become a superstar. I have the full video with me. Not only that, rather, I have other videos too. I’ve recorded all the dirty things that she’s done. I’m willing to sell the videos to you as long as you give me a good price,” Huang Yan admitted.
“How much do you want?”
“One hundred thousand,” Huang Yan told him.
“Deal,” Qiao Zhan replied.
She did not expect him to agree so quickly. His response filled her with regret. I should’ve asked him for more.
“I was ready to give you fifty thousand, but I’m too lazy to haggle with you. A hundred thousand it is,” Qiao Zhan added.
“Alright. Transfer me the money and I will hand over the videos.”
“Let’s add each other on WeChat. I like your intelligence and viciousness. I think that we can be friends,” he offered.
“Will you really be able to get me a better job?”
“Of course.”
While Qiao Zhan might have agreed, he was quite unsure of his chances of success. Damn it! I shall have to ask for Jiang Zhe’s help, regarding this matter.
