Chapter 13: A Duel of Wits

Fu Shuhua’s voice was low and hoarse, tinged with a barely perceptible trace of panic, starkly different from his usual lofty demeanor. I heard the subtle difference clearly, yet my heart remained utterly unmoved.

“Mr. Fu, is there something you need?” I asked again, my tone still cold.

After a brief silence on the other end, Fu Shuhua spoke again, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness he could hardly conceal. “Tiantian, about what happened before... I...”

I responded with a formulaic tone, “Mr. Fu, if you’re calling to explain, there’s no need. There was never anything between us, was there? I’m busy now and don’t have time to listen to your explanations.”

The deliberately distant address and icy tone were like sharp knives piercing Fu Shuhua.

“Busy?” Fu Shuhua’s voice rose a few pitches. “So late, and you’re not at the hotel? Busy with what? With Gu Yan?”

I did not answer his question and hung up immediately.

I could imagine Fu Shuhua’s expression at that moment: shocked, incredulous. That irritable man might have already smashed his phone beyond recognition.

This feeling brought me a slight sense of vindictive satisfaction. After all, the pain he caused me was far greater than this.

—

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Liang Lei’s apartment was entirely different.

Heavy perfume filled the air, unable to mask the lingering sour stench of failure.

Liang Lei stared at the news on her phone about Jiang Dian and Gu Yan, then violently threw the phone onto the soft carpet, her sharp scream nearly piercing the eardrums.

“Jiang Dian! You wretched woman! How dare you deceive me!”

She had originally thought that exposing the forged contract would utterly ruin Jiang Dian’s reputation, causing her to lose Fu Shuhua’s favor completely, never to recover.

But she never expected Jiang Dian to have a trump card—a genuine contract. Nor did she expect Gu Yan to publicly clear her name, even declaring Jiang Dian as an artist under his company.

“Jiang... Dian!” Liang Lei hissed the name through gritted teeth.

Her carefully laid trap was on the verge of success, only to be effortlessly thwarted by Jiang Dian.

“No, I can’t let this go!” A ruthless glint flashed in Liang Lei’s eyes as she picked up the landline and dialed a number. “Hello, Director Wang? This is Liang Lei... Yes, I want to make a cameo in your production. The sooner, the better... Money is no object...”

She was determined to make Jiang Dian pay!

—

The next day, I arrived early at the set, preparing for the day’s climax. The emotions in this scene were complex, and I had studied the script late into the night, striving to portray the character’s inner world flawlessly.

“Tiantian, the director wants to see you,” Xiaoya came running over, out of breath and wearing an anxious expression.

“What’s wrong?” I handed her a wet wipe.

Recently, thanks to Gu Yan’s backing, the director had treated me with courtesy. Even when he needed me, he would come personally. This was the first time someone was sent in such a rush.

A faint sense of foreboding stirred in my heart as I listened closely to Xiaoya’s next words.

“The director said... the script’s been changed,” Xiaoya hesitated.

I smiled faintly to myself. What’s so big about a script change? It’s common in film crews to tweak scripts for better effect.

Just as I was about to relax, Xiaoya continued, “Most of the original scenes were cut. Over a dozen new scenes were added, all... all scenes opposite... Liang Lei.”

I froze instantly.

Liang Lei? What’s she doing here?

Chicken Brother beside me erupted, “What the hell! This is blatant bullying! Our Tiantian prepared all night! Changing the script at the last minute is so unprofessional!”

He slammed the table suddenly. “How can they treat our Tiantian like this?! I’m going to confront the director!”

Xiaoya was startled and instinctively defended the director, “Director Wang said he had no choice. The investors insisted on adding the scenes last minute. He had to comply.”

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

Though I felt deeply wronged, I held back Chicken Brother and whispered, “Forget it, Chicken Brother. There’s no need. Let’s see how things go first.”

I knew perfectly well Liang Lei was deliberately stirring trouble and had definitely bribed the director.

When real money and interests are involved, what good would Chicken Brother’s confrontation do? Better to avoid trouble. Offending the director could mean new schemes against me later.

“Should I ask Gu Yan for help?” Chicken Brother suggested.

I shook my head. “No need.”

Such a small matter—I couldn’t possibly trouble Gu Yan.

I couldn’t back down, nor let Liang Lei succeed.

“Alright,” Chicken Brother sighed, patting me tenderly.

I forced a bitter smile at him.

It’s okay. Once this film wraps, Gu Yan will start supporting me.

He’ll give me the best opportunities.

I just need to endure this one film.

—

At the set, my eyes immediately caught sight of Liang Lei.

She wore a red evening gown, her makeup exquisite, a provocative smile playing on her lips.

“Well, if it isn’t our big star Jiang Dian,” Liang Lei sneered sarcastically. “Didn’t expect to see you again so soon. Last time, Miss Jiang wasn’t nearly this pretty.”

I gave her a cold glance but said nothing.

The director approached, holding the revised script, and handed me a copy.

“Miss Jiang, here’s the new script. Take a look.”

His expression bore no apology or guilt. I’d seen too many such sycophants in the entertainment industry—heartless through and through.

There was no point in getting angry at someone unworthy.

I took the script and skimmed through it quickly, telling myself to endure it no matter what.

But the more I read, the darker my expression grew.

These scenes were clearly tailored to humiliate Liang Lei!

Today’s scenes portrayed Liang Lei’s character framing mine—slapping, deliberately pushing into water, and so on.

This wasn’t acting; it was personal vendetta!

I clenched the script tightly. The thin paper warped under my grip, my knuckles turning pale from the force.

A wave of immense humiliation surged over me, threatening to drown me.

In that moment, it felt as if the blood in my veins had frozen, my heart stopped beating.

Liang Lei looked at me, a cold, venomous smile curling her lips, a malicious gleam in her eyes like a snake ready to strike.

“Jiang Dian, big star, ready? Don’t disappoint me. I want to see the acting skills you’ve learned all these years!”

I gritted my teeth, unwilling expression on my face, a foreboding chill rising within...