A Pair of Evil Women's Love - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: [VIP]

Fu Haitang pretended to be flustered, put down the hair clip, and picked up the lunch box again. After a few back-and-forths, the lunch box never landed in Fu Yilan’s hand.

“Oh?” Fu Haitang asked Fu Yilan curiously. “Student Fu, aren’t you hungry? Why aren’t you eating?”

Fu Yilan: “…”

The corner of Fu Yilan’s mouth twitched slightly. She looked at Fu Haitang in the mirror, her eyes slightly curved, and she smiled. “Director Fu, I’m not hungry. You can eat.”

The makeup artist had left at some point.

“Don’t be like that. I got it for you. If you don’t eat now, will you have the energy to perform later?” Fu Haitang put the lunch box on the table and pushed it toward Fu Yilan. “Here.”

It was a gesture of feeding.

That wasn’t enough. Fu Haitang also reached out and rubbed Fu Yilan’s head twice.

Like comforting a pet.

“Hehe.” She knew exactly what she was doing. She was deliberately being a jerk.

Fu Yilan’s smile held a hint of a threat. “Okay, I’ll eat. Thank you, Director Fu…”

Fu Haitang pulled the lunch box away again.

Fu Yilan’s voice abruptly stopped: “…”

“Hehe.” Fu Haitang laughed again.

She was taking a mile when given an inch. Fu Yilan’s eyes narrowed, and she slowly stood up. She was wearing flat shoes, so even when she stood up straight, she was still half a head shorter than Fu Haitang.

Fu Yilan: “…”

“Oh!” Fu Haitang seemed to realize what Fu Yilan was getting at. She spread her legs slightly and leaned against the table. Her phoenix-like eyes lifted, smiling as she looked at Fu Yilan.

Fu Yilan: “…”

The Omega’s deliberate lowering of her posture was more like a playful provocation. Coupled with Fu Haitang’s shirt, pants, and wavy hair, she had a more mature charm. Her leaning posture made her look like a bad woman toying with others!

“Bad woman.”

Fu Haitang was taken aback. The temporary backstage was noisy. Over a hundred people were squeezed into the tent, shouting and bustling. There were trainees, makeup artists, photographers, and other staff members.

Even when talking and communicating from two meters away, they had to raise their voices a little. But this soft whisper, tinged with a hint of shyness and annoyance, and a little bit of anger, was like a feather tickling Fu Haitang’s ear.

Her ear itched terribly.

Fu Haitang rubbed her red earlobe, still doubting if she had heard correctly. “What did you just say?”

Fu Yilan clenched her fist. “You’re not a good person.”

“Not that one.” Fu Haitang pursed her lips, reminding her. “Three words.”

She was so eager to hear it. She changed her stance and the way she was leaning on the table. To hide her little secret, she picked up a brow pencil from the table and started twirling it in her hand.

Fu Yilan opened the lunch box lid and ate with her cheeks puffed out. She took a bite and looked at Fu Haitang. After a few bites, her stomach was gradually getting full, but Fu Haitang was still watching her.

Fu Yilan blinked, looking innocent. “Director Fu? Is there anything else?”

Fu Haitang: “…”

“Aren’t you hungry?” Fu Yilan asked, then kindly reminded her, “If you don’t eat now, they’ll collect the food and clean up, and you’ll have nothing to eat.”

Fu Haitang: “…Then let me have a couple of bites.”

It was a casual joke. She just didn’t want to be led by Fu Yilan. She thought this person would be protective of her food, but to her surprise, the latter took her seriously. She picked up a piece of braised pork, demonstrated how to open her mouth, and gestured for Fu Haitang to do the same. “Ah—open your mouth…”

The Omega’s lips were red and her teeth were white. When she opened her mouth for the “ah,” half of her pink tongue was visible, along with her crescent-moon eyes. Fu Haitang had only experienced that expression of coaxing a child to eat when she was a little girl.

She did it on a whim.

Fu Haitang stood up, leaned forward, and moved closer to Fu Yilan, toward the chopsticks that the Omega’s lips had touched.

Her body, which was already half-leaning, was lowered further by this action. Fu Yilan finally saw Fu Haitang lower herself, not as a playful tease, but to eat the food from her hand.

The smile on her face disappeared. Her peach blossom eyes locked onto Fu Haitang’s eyes. As she got closer, their two breaths were like two non-intersecting vines, getting closer and closer. Once they met, it would be a struggle like a snake constricting its prey.

“Fu Haitang!”

Fu Haitang was called back from the brink. Sini came over quickly. “What are you doing?”

Interrupted, Fu Yilan also came back to her senses. She fed the piece of braised pork into her own mouth, chewing it carefully and saying with great praise, “Mmm~ It’s delicious.”

“What’s the matter?” Fu Haitang asked Sini. Her peripheral vision was still on Fu Yilan. She licked her lips, which had a little bit of braised pork sauce on them. Sini rattled on, but she didn’t hear a word. She touched her nose and asked, “Are there any more lunch boxes?”

Sini: “…”

Fu Haitang and Sini left together. Fu Yilan snorted and continued to eat.

“Are you and Director Fu that close?” A face came closer. Chen Na looked around curiously. “I was wondering why everyone went outside to watch the show, but you didn’t.”

Fu Yilan: “What show?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. Didn’t you notice that the tent is almost empty now?” Chen Na studied Fu Yilan’s expression. “Hey.”

Fu Yilan looked around. She really didn’t know what had happened, but she didn’t care much either.

“What?” Chen Na narrowed her eyes. “You said there was no problem, but you… you and Director Fu…”

“I’m done with my lunch.” Fu Yilan said. “I’m going to throw out my trash and see what you’re talking about.”

“Hey—”

…

There was a problem on site.

As soon as Fu Haitang left the tent, she knew something was wrong.

The plot in her mind synchronized.

[…The music files the production team brought to the site were suddenly lost. There was a panic on site. The vice-director found the TV station’s young lady and, after reporting, the two were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.]

A sudden added scene?

Fu Haitang knew that the “young lady” referred to herself. At some point, she had gained another identity in Fu Yilan’s script besides being a driver.

The people at the station nicknamed her the young lady, but rarely called her that in front of her.

Young lady, young lady. Whose young lady? In the end, it was a mockery of her having a powerful background. Few colleagues and outsiders really believed she had gotten to her position based on her abilities. This image was truly that of a villain.

Sini: “Haitang, hurry up and think of a solution. I contacted the station. They said both USB drives are gone. Who should we look for now? Should we ask the singers and copyright holders for the music files again?”

The songs for the fourth public performance were all from Korea. With the time difference, she didn’t know if they could be contacted within half an hour.

Fu Haitang: “You go and contact them first. I’ll go and ask about the situation.”

Not only were the USB drives gone, but the player was also broken. The trainees were all huddled in front of the stage, their faces looking more anxious than ever.

According to the original text, when Fu Rongdie was on stage with the script, a staff member in the backstage area played an interlude. The sound suddenly went out. Fu Rongdie, holding the microphone, said something out loud that she heard from the staff member’s panicked voice in her ear.

People on the scene heard it, and the news quickly spread. The files were lost. At this critical moment, with only a few hours until the official performance, it could easily lead to a show delay!

Fu Haitang: “This is…”

She had planned for everything, but she never expected a problem at this point. She had thought that every performance would have a protagonist-interaction event, and the problem would be with the fans!

This was unexpected.

“Haitang!” Sini called. “They said the copyright we bought was for a single-use performance. They’re not responsible. If we want to get it again, we have to pay another fee.”

Sini: “What should we do? This is a huge accident. The higher-ups will hold us accountable. We spent a lot of money on the one-time performance, live broadcast, and recording rights for these songs!”

Fu Haitang: “…” When she was dealing with the copyright, she only thought about saving the budget. Now, with both the master and backup files gone, there was a multi-million-dollar deficit. Being held accountable for this was a big deal.

Fu Haitang rubbed her forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out.”

Sini: “You have a solution? Really?”

A call came in. Fu Haitang glanced at her phone and immediately answered. “Fu Haitang, where are you? Do you know that the master and backup files for our songs are all gone? Can you find them? Are you going to make me dance without music?!”

Fu Haitang: “Young Miss, please don’t be so anxious. I’m backstage. The sound system is also broken, so even if we find the files…”

“What do you mean? You—” Gu Jingjing’s voice sounded like she was about to explode. “I don’t care. I’ve told my dad, grandpa, mom, and brother, and all my best friends about this live broadcast. If you make me lose face, Fu Haitang, you’re dead!”

The call was hung up, and another one came in a second later. Joey: “I heard there was an accident on site?”

“It’s not a big problem,” Fu Haitang said with a laugh.

Joey: “You sound like you’re just trying to hold it together. Fu Haitang, you must save the show no matter what. We can buy the copyright again.”

Fu Haitang walked to the side, away from the staff who were repairing the sound system. She said, “Then the money…”

Joey: “It will be deducted from your bonus. Be prepared to only get your base salary for the next year.”

Fu Haitang hung up the phone, feeling like she had nothing left to live for.

(I heard there was a problem on site. Are you okay?)

Someone’s comfort, though late, was still comforting. Fu Haitang felt slightly relieved.

• • (I’m okay. My wallet isn’t.)

Fu Yilan’s input box started to shrink and bounce. Fu Haitang comforted the people on site, walked out, and headed straight for Lu Jing’s van while waiting for Fu Yilan’s reply.

“What’s all the noise about outside?” Lu Jing had just arrived at the site and was getting his makeup done in the van.

Chen Yi, with his pinky finger sticking out, shook his phone and said, “There’s a problem. This is great. Heaven helps those who are patient. Karma has finally arrived!”

Lu Jing: “What happened?”

Chen Yi: “The master and backup music files are gone. At eight p.m., everyone will have to perform a silent show on stage. Hahahahaha. This is a great day… Who is it?”

The van was suddenly knocked on. Chen Yi stopped laughing and cautiously opened the window, worried that a fan had found them. To his surprise, the person standing outside was Fu Haitang, the one he wished would be struck by lightning!

Fu Haitang: “Manager Chen, you’re here too. Is Teacher Lu in the car? Oh… is it convenient for me to come up and talk?”

“You just had a scandal with Lu Jing, and now you’re trying to climb into his van. Do you think I’d let you up? Do you not want to live, or do I not want to live?”

Fu Haitang: “…”

The effeminate Alpha next to Lu Jing was truly annoying. Fu Haitang didn’t want to get tangled up with him and spoke directly: “Teacher Lu, there’s a problem with the show. I know you must have a solution. Please help us.”

Lu Jing had always been aloof and kept every Omega away from him except for the female lead. He continued to do his makeup, not intending to pay any attention to Fu Haitang.

Fu Haitang shouted at the van for ten minutes until she was hoarse and out of breath, but she still didn’t see Lu Jing.

(Did you go to beg Lu Jing?) The message was from Fu Yilan.

Fu Haitang: (How did you know?)

Fu Yilan: (That effeminate Alpha next to Lu Jing was making sarcastic remarks in a group chat. Someone took a screenshot and it spread. What are you thinking?)

Fu Haitang: (Don’t worry about it.)

Fu Haitang frowned. Even if she was mocked a thousand times, ten thousand times today, she had to persuade Lu Jing to come forward and solve the problem.

Lu Jing had debuted in Korea and was already famous all over the country when he returned to China. He was also the producer of a few of the girl group songs for the fourth public performance. Lu Jing must have a solution.

Fu Haitang clenched her fist. “Teacher Lu, I know I offended you a few days ago, but I have tried to make amends. If you’re still not satisfied, I can hold a press conference and invite the media to clarify again. Please, for the sake of the director of the station, give me a chance!”

“Teacher Lu…”

Half an hour passed. Fu Haitang was glad she was wearing flat shoes today. At five o’clock, she gave herself some space. If Lu Jing still wasn’t willing to help, she would have Sini contact the music company…

Fu Haitang gritted her teeth. “Teacher Lu, can I talk to you up there?”

(I’ve asked Brother Lu. He said he has no solution. Hurry up and come back. You’re making a fool of yourself outside!) Gu Jingjing said angrily.

Gu Jingjing: (Sini said the live broadcast copyright is one-time. How much money do you need? I’ll raise it for you.)

Gu Jingjing: (Fu Haitang, get back here right now…)

The van door was pulled open. Lu Jing looked out at Fu Haitang.

Fu Haitang’s eyes lit up, thinking she had finally persuaded Lu Jing. She was about to go up to him when she saw Lu Jing get out of the car and walk past her.

Fu Haitang turned around.

[…”Teacher Lu, I want to ask you…” Fu Yilan stood outside the car and bowed slightly to Lu Jing. Before she could finish her sentence, the man seemed to know what she was there for and said, “Don’t worry. Leave it to me.”

Lu Jing: “Yi, go get my sound equipment and bring it here. Tell them to get ready. I need a recording studio.”]

Fu Haitang: “…”

Her forehead ached. Fu Haitang squinted and endured the pain, rubbing her forehead as she looked at Fu Yilan.

Fu Yilan: “Lu Jing needs a recording studio. Why aren’t you going to arrange it?”

Fu Haitang: “How did you suddenly…”

“I sent him a few messages asking for his help. Teacher Lu agreed very readily. Didn’t you say it yourself?” Fu Yilan shrugged. “The way adults go for what they want is by using their connections.”

Fu Yilan’s face was relaxed. “Does this count?”

Fu Haitang’s jaw tightened. She clenched her fist and, with the red mark on her forehead, suddenly said, “I regret it.”

“What?” Fu Yilan was stunned and asked in confusion.

“I regret saying that,” Fu Haitang took a deep breath. “I won’t mess up a second time.”

I won’t let you ask for resources and connections.

She regretted it. She absolutely didn’t want Fu Yilan to accept Lu Jing’s favor!