To Sink Into You - Chapter 21

“Get your priorities straight,” Wen Yuxi said with a cold smile. “The director respects you because he has class, not because you’re so great. We’re all just people here—who’s more noble than anyone else?”

Yin Rong’s assistant stepped forward to defend his boss. “How dare you speak like that? What’s with that tone? Don’t you know how to respect people?”

“Respect is mutual,” Wen Yuxi retorted. “You haven’t shown me any respect, so why should I respect you?”

“Xixi, stop!” Shi Yuan’s face paled with fear as she hurriedly pulled Wen Yuxi behind her. She forced a smile and apologized to Yin Rong. “I’m so sorry, Teacher Yin. My apprentice is young and doesn’t know any better. I’ll do your makeup.”

“No need,” Yin Rong sneered, rolling his eyes. “Wouldn’t want to tire out our esteemed makeup artist. Xiao Kang, escort these two esteemed makeup artists out and find someone else.”

The assistant stepped forward, sneering. “Please leave. Don’t strain yourselves and then blame us for not respecting you.”

Wen Yuxi crossed her arms, remaining calm and composed. “This is our workspace. If anyone should leave, it’s you.”

Yin Rong’s refined features twisted into a furious knot. He erupted in a torrent of curses: “You’re just a servant! How dare you bite the hand that feeds you!”

It was early morning, and crew members and extras were gradually arriving on set. The makeup room was already bustling. At Yin Rong’s furious roar, everyone turned to look, but when they saw it was him throwing a tantrum, they quickly averted their gazes and went back to their tasks, pretending they hadn’t seen anything.

The tense atmosphere was suddenly broken when the makeup room door swung open. A man sauntered in, followed by two bald, burly men in suits and sunglasses, creating quite a spectacle.

“Still dragging your feet?” Qian Lang asked impatiently, one hand in his pocket and a cigarette dangling from his lips. “Hurry up.”

“Brother, you’re here!” Yin Rong’s expression instantly transformed. He rose and clung to Qian Lang’s arm, whining, “It’s not my fault! That makeup artist refused to do my makeup.”

“Which idiot makeup artist was that?” Qian Lang lowered his head, blowing smoke rings in Yin Rong’s face with a sneer. “Get her kicked off the set.”

Yin Rong’s face lit up with delight. He pointed at Wen Yuxi, who stood nearby. “It’s her, Brother! She even insulted me. Teach her a lesson for me.”

Qian Lang followed Yin Rong’s finger, his heart skipping a beat. The cigarette fell from his lips as he exclaimed in shock, “What are you doing here?”

Wen Yuxi found the situation amusing. “This is where I work. If I’m not here, who would be?”

Hearing their exchange, Yin Rong’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Brother, you know her?”

Qian Lang recalled Ming Qian’s recent warning and shuddered. He abruptly shoved Yin Rong aside and forced a smile at Wen Yuxi. “You should have said so sooner! If I’d known you worked here, I would have had a luxury RV assigned to you immediately.”

“No need for an RV,” Wen Yuxi replied lazily. “Just keep your people in line. Teach him some respect and tell him to stop biting everyone like a rabid dog.”

“My apologies. I’ve spoiled him too much,” Qian Lang said, glancing at Yin Rong with a menacing glint in his eyes. “Are you deaf? Apologize to Miss Wen right now!”

Having been Qian Lang’s kept man for two years, Yin Rong was humiliated by this public reprimand. His eyes immediately reddened. “Brother, I…”

“What ‘I’?” Qian Lang slapped him hard across the face. “You worthless man! Apologize now!”

Yin Rong’s lips trembled as he clenched his fists. He turned to face Wen Yuxi and grudgingly said, “I’m sorry.”

Qian Lang slapped him again, snarling, “What’s with the mosquito whine? Speak up!”

Yin Rong covered his face, a flicker of resentment flashing in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and forced out, “I’m sorry, Miss Wen.”

Wen Yuxi glanced at him sideways, smiling with detached amusement. “Teacher Yin, don’t glare at me. I’m not the one who hit you.”

“Still daring to glare?” Qian Lang grabbed Yin Rong’s meticulously styled short hair, his voice dripping with malice. “I’ve spoiled you rotten, haven’t I? Thinking you’re above the rules, huh?”

Tears streamed down Yin Rong’s face from the pain. “I didn’t! I swear, I didn’t!”

Qian Lang dragged him toward the door, turning back to Wen Yuxi. “Sorry about this. I’ll take care of him personally. You just focus on your work. I’ll make sure he never crosses your path again.”

Far from appreciating the gesture, Wen Yuxi began defending Yin Rong. “Hey, wait! Teacher Yin’s actually quite good. I never asked for him to be removed. Qian Lang, take it easy. Pushing things too far can backfire.”

Qian Lang: “……”

Qian Lang cursed inwardly but said nothing more. He yanked Yin Rong out of the dressing room, two bald-headed thugs slammed the door shut, and the group vanished swiftly, leaving the air instantly still.

“What are you all standing around for?” the stage manager clapped his hands. “We’re shooting soon! Get back to work!”

The crowd dispersed, each person returning to their assigned tasks. The incident had completely changed everyone’s perception of Wen Yuxi. They had initially dismissed her as a fool who had walked into the line of fire, but now they realized that the young master of the Qian Group treated her with such respect. Just who was this woman?

Shi Yuan, still reeling from what she had witnessed, pulled Wen Yuxi aside. “Xixi, what’s going on? How could you speak to President Yuejin’s brother like that?”

Wen Yuxi smiled faintly. “My surname is Wen.”

“Everyone knows your surname is Wen…” Shi Yuan gasped. “Wait, don’t tell me… you’re that Wen, the Wen Family behind Morning Star Entertainment?!”

Wen Yuxi nodded. “That’s right. You guessed it.”

Shi Yuan was stunned. “A heiress from a wealthy family… why would you choose such grueling, thankless work?”

Having worked with Wen Yuxi for over a year, Shi Yuan knew the girl never complained about the workload. She was hardworking and resilient, and aside from her occasional fiery temper, her interpersonal skills were impeccable. Shi Yuan could never have imagined her as a pampered heiress.

“Personal preference,” Wen Yuxi said dismissively. “Anyway, I find this line of work much easier than being cooped up in an office.”

“…That’s true,” Shi Yuan agreed. “I worked in an office when I was younger, and it’s really not something a person can endure. Tsk, tsk, our job may be tiring, but at least it’s interesting. After sitting in an office for too long, you feel like your entire spirit has been drained, like an empty shell.”

“It depends on the person,” Wen Yuxi said, stroking her chin. “My wife was born to work in an office. No matter how complex the task, she handles it flawlessly. She’s truly amazing.”

Shi Yuan: “……”

Here comes the bragging.

“Even with your connections, Master still has to say you were a bit impulsive today,” Shi Yuan said earnestly. “Yin Rong’s reputation in the industry is terrible. He’s incredibly petty. We still have over two months of work together. If he holds a grudge and tries to sabotage you, it’ll be very difficult for you to continue in this field.”

“I know, thank you, Master,” Wen Yuxi said with a smile. “I’ll handle this properly.”