Rebirth from the Ashes

Of course, Hu Zheng knew what Su Ruowan was talking about. Since he could not play dumb, he advised, “Oh, it’s fine. It’s not your fault anyway. Get some rest and don’t think too much about it.”

“I… Thank you, Mr. Hu.” Su Ruowan gratefully looked at him with tears streaming down her face. The puppy dog look could tug at heartstrings. There was a delicate coquettish to her voice. “I feel sorry, Mr. Hu. I think… I think I should quit the production team. It’s for the best and to all of you.”

“What are you saying? Nothing’s conclusive yet. Besides, the children shouldn’t be blamed for the parent’s mistake.” Hu Zheng did not want to draw any conclusions before the matter was confirmed.

Moreover, he, as a director, did not have a say in deciding the fate of the actors in the production. The authority belonged to Screenwriter Cloud Seven.

Since the whole of China probably found out about the deal with Su Yi and Li Jingran, Screenwriter Cloud Seven must be no exception. However, she kept mum about it to this day.

Lin Chan also added Cloud Seven into the group chat. While everyone was getting into the gossip, some people even tagged Cloud Seven but the latter did not reply.

“Um… What does Screenwriter Cloud Seven think?” It seemed to take a lot of courage in Su Ruowan to cautiously speak of that name. Feeling nervous, she gazed at him and asked.

“Cloud Seven hasn’t let me know anything yet.” Hu Zheng relayed the truth.

Su Ruowan was not squeaky clean herself. Her plagiarism scandal on National Idol rocked the community to its core for a long time with people screaming for her to leave showbiz. In the end, the Su family bought her way out of it.

Also, her bare face at the final stage plummeted her popularity to an all-time low, she could not show her face in public since then. According to eyewitnesses, her bare face was revolting, but all videos and photos were wiped clean without a trace. Those who saw her in person were not many either.

Hu Zheng had his concerns when Su Ruowan was assigned the role of the supporting actress. He was afraid she might bring down the buzz and viewership of the TV series. Nevertheless, a measly director like him had no influence over Screenwriter Cloud Seven’s decision.

“Could you ask Screenwriter Cloud Seven for me?” At this point, there was nothing more she could do, so making the first move might give her a better edge.

Screenwriter Cloud Seven must see something in her since he did not abandon her because of the plagiarism incident. Surely, he would not ditch her because of Li Jingran and Su Yi’s scandal.

There were some who commented about boycotting her while some petitioned the production team to fire her when the cast of Lady Luck was announced. Yet, Screenwriter Cloud Seven paid no heed to those clowns.

Su Ruowan believed Screenwriter Cloud Seven would not recast at the last minute as the filming of the TV series was near its end. She trusted that Cloud Seven would have her back.

“Screenwriter Cloud Seven doesn’t like people bothering him.” As Hu Zheng did not have the right or guts to look for her, he tried to fob Su Ruowan off. “Just go back to your room and wait. I’ll be the first to tell you if I hear back from Screenwriter Cloud Seven.”

Truth be told, Hu Zheng felt sorry for Su Ruowan. If the exposé was true and her parents did commit a vile act, she as the daughter would be dragged into the mess and be caught in the public criticism too.

No one knew whether Su Ruowan should go on with the shoot. There had been a lot of instances over the years for recasts, TV shows being snubbed from airing, sponsors losing investments, and the work of the production crew going to waste because some actor screwed up and let skeletons out of the closet.

Su Ruowan bobbed her head and expressed thanks before returning to her hotel room all the while feeling restless about getting the boot.

After all, the public was already telling her to get the hell out of showbiz and the set of Lady Luck. People had started to gang up and boycott the show she was on.

However, she was not going to back down. With the Su ship sinking, her only shot was to jump aboard Cloud Seven’s ship. Su Ruowan could still make it into showbiz riding on his fame, and this was her last chance.

Once Su Ruowan was gone, Hu Zheng took a glance at the presidential suite at the end of the corridor. He hesitated for long but retracted his footsteps, retreated to his room, and closed the door instead.

The crew thought the person living there was Ms. Cai Ni, but only he knew that Ms. Cai Ni was, in fact, Mr. Cloud Seven. His world was turned upside down when he first found out. Hu Zheng lamented the fact that geniuses did exist in the world.

Back in the presidential suite, Shen Xi listlessly slouched against the sofa while taking a call. A laptop showing the Weibo page lay on her laps as her dainty fingers scrolled occasionally at the hottest news.

Yuan Yu went on talking, albeit receiving a lack of response from Shen Xi. He inquired with worry, “What’s wrong? You don’t seem yourself.”

They had planned for Li Jingran and Su Yi’s downfall. She should be happy, and yet she appeared distracted during their conversation. Was she starting to take pity on them?

“I’m fine.” Shen Xi’s eyes were glued to the computer screen, but her eyes were unfocused. “Yuan Yu, I’ll leave the matter completely to you.”

“Do you think I’m going too far?” Yuan Yu sounded her out.

He did not give a sh*t about the Su family’s feelings. The Su family could die for all he cared. On the other hand, he was concerned about Shen Xi’s thoughts and feelings.

No matter what, Shen Xi was Li Jingran and Su Yi’s biological daughter. Even if she was cast aside, snubbed, and bullied during the year she returned to her family’s arms, Shen Xi was likely only disappointed in them. She probably did not hold as big of a grudge and hatred for the Su family as he did.

“Yuan Yu, you’re doing great.” Shen Xi curled her lips. The joy in her eyes bore bloodthirst and exhilarating thrill, and delight from revenge.

Nevertheless, the happiness turned into a rather complicated feeling that drained the thrill of revenge after the news brought by Fu Qingli during the day, which was nipping at her. There was just some sort of heartache and disappointment she could not put into words.

Shen Xi knew that the Fu family never gave up looking for their daughter, but she only wanted to laugh at the absurdity when she found out that she was the person they had been searching for.

“Xixi, tell me if you’re not feeling comfortable about this. I know you’re sentimental. You may not say it, but you must be worried about them.” Yuan Yu sighed.

“Yuan Yu, are you trying to say that I’m feeling sorry and sympathetic toward Li Jingran and Su Yi?” Shen Xi’s voice was gruff as she said, “What if I were to tell you that I’m not the Su family’s daughter?”