Chapter 725: Jiaojiao 5

Tan You watched the middle-aged director leaning over Chen Jiao’s lounge chair, his butt sticking out, his eyes fixed on the script like searchlights.

The Beauty System floated beside Tan You’s head. "Host, he’s hooked."

"Of course he’s hooked," Tan You said with a slight smile. But she looked down on this director. Putting everything else aside, just the web of karmic threads covering his body was enough to make her eyes ache.

Win, dine, whore, and gamble—Director Zhanng Ping indulged in all of it, stopping just short of drugs. Never mind that the man had little talent to speak of; even if he were a genius, Tan You would never let her script fall into the hands of someone like him. It would only taint her work.

Tan You hadn’t decided on a director yet, but what was the rush? With Chen Jiao’s current acting skills, she wasn’t ready to carry a production of this caliber. So, others could be anxious; Tan You remained perfectly calm.

As for how Zhanng Ping planned to get his hands on this script... Tan You’s eyes narrowed dangerously. ’If Zhanng Ping dares to make a move, I’ll have to chop off his claws.’

’Still, without a physical body, there were many things she couldn’t do.’

Zhanng Ping wanted to finish the script quickly, but unfortunately, his stomach wasn’t cooperating. After hastily flipping through two pages, he couldn’t hold it in any longer and dashed to the restroom, clutching his belly.

Before leaving, though, he made a mental note. When he came back, he was going to find out whose script it was.

Meanwhile, Chen Jiao, busy filming on set, noticed none of this. She played the fourth female lead in this production, a role with limited screen time. But because her performance had been so good lately, everyone from the screenwriter to the directors had a favorable impression of her.

After receiving another compliment from the assistant director, Chen Jiao rubbed her cheeks, trying to contain her happy grin before composing herself and heading back to her little chair.

Returning from the restroom, Zhanng Ping saw a girl of about eighteen or nineteen pick up the black leather notebook he had just been looking at. She even occasionally scribbled a few notes inside.

Zhanng Ping stopped in his tracks, his eyes slowly narrowing.

"Old Zhanng, what’s with you today?" The assistant director noticed Zhanng Ping’s preoccupied look and couldn’t help but ask, "You not feeling well? Stomach bug?"

"Sigh, I don’t know what I ate. My stomach’s been acting up all morning." Zhanng Ping gathered his thoughts. "How has filming been going?"

"It’s going well. The actors are all performing nicely." Assistant Director Liu Fu was a serious man, usually quite strict, so most people on set didn’t dare get too close. He brought up Chen Jiao’s scenes for the day. "Especially Chen Jiao. Her performance has been outstanding the last few days."

Zhanng Ping glanced at the face on the monitor, his mind flashing back to the script he had just seen. "Chen Jiao? Which agency is she with?"

"Xingyao," Liu Fu answered, glancing at Zhanng Ping. Seeing his expression was unchanged, he didn’t give it much thought. "Xingyao is decent. They protect their artists. Chen Jiao’s been in the industry for almost three years, but her eyes still look quite innocent."

"Innocent?" Zhanng Ping chuckled, a sly look in his eyes. ’How could someone with such innocent eyes write a script so heavy and full of conflict?’ He was genuinely curious about Chen Jiao now. Regardless, he had to get his hands on that script.

By any means necessary.

For the rest of the afternoon, Zhanng Ping’s gaze kept drifting toward Chen Jiao. He was subtle about it; no one noticed except for the assistant director, Liu Fu, who was right beside him.

Liu Fu felt that something was off, but Zhanng Ping was the lead director, and as an assistant, he couldn’t afford to offend him. In truth, having worked with Zhanng Ping for so many years, Liu Fu knew exactly what kind of man he was.

The man was unscrupulous, with no moral compass whatsoever. But who could argue when Zhanng Ping was the one who could secure funding? So, it didn’t really matter that Zhanng Ping was the lead director. Liu Fu was just there to fight for his own dream, anyway.

But watching Zhanng Ping set his sights on a young girl as fresh as a flower, Liu Fu felt a pang of conscience. If it were a consensual affair, Liu Fu wouldn’t say a single word.

But this was clearly a one-sided interest from Zhanng Ping. Thinking about Chen Jiao’s level of experience, Liu Fu felt he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. So, during the last scene of the afternoon, Liu Fu made an excuse to go to the restroom.

As he passed by Chen Jiao, Liu Fu whispered, "Be careful of Zhanng Ping."

Chen Jiao, who was engrossed in copying the script, froze, her expression vacant. "Huh?"

But Liu Fu said nothing more and continued straight to the restroom.

Chen Jiao was naive, but she wasn’t stupid. Having been in the industry for a few years, she knew about its dark side. Her expression changed in an instant. "Teacher, what do I do? Should I call my agent?"

Tan You had already figured out what Zhanng Ping was thinking; she knew everything he had been up to that afternoon. Unperturbed, she said, "What’s there to panic about? Do you think I’d let anyone bully you while I’m here?"

"Just carry on with your work as usual. Zhanng Ping won’t make a move right now. Tonight, when we get back, I’ll teach you how to make something for self-defense. When you’re out in the world, you need a way to protect yourself."

Chen Jiao was immediately reassured. "Zhanng Ping... why would he target me? H-his methods are vile. I heard there was a really famous actress once... To make a quick buck, Zhanng Ping’s backer kidnapped her and forced her to shoot... those kinds of films."

"Does Zhanng Ping want to do the same thing to me? But my acting isn’t even that good."

Tan You said softly, "He saw the script."

Chen Jiao felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her head. "Teacher, did I cause trouble?"

Tan You sounded amused. "What could you have possibly done wrong? I gave you the script. Is there anything wrong with studying it diligently? The one at fault is the person who’s coveting it. Don’t take the blame for someone else’s actions."

"You’re too small to carry that kind of blame."

Chen Jiao was barely placated. "Then, Teacher, what should I do? Zhanng Ping’s backer... he used to be in a gang. He’s ruthless... I’m scared..."

"Will the agency protect me? Our agency is just a small one..."

Seeing her panic, Tan You didn’t think it meant Chen Jiao was weak. She was just a nineteen-year-old girl. While her peers were in college, she had entered the workforce to make her own way. She was already doing very well.

"Don’t you trust me? As long as I’m here, I can protect you, no matter who you’re up against."

Seeing how calm Tan You remained, Chen Jiao’s anxious heart gradually slowed to a normal rhythm. "Really...? I really won’t be forced to film... that kind of video?"

"Of course not. How could I let anyone hurt you?" Tan You flicked her fingers. "Don’t worry. Just do as I say, and you’ll come out of this completely unscathed."

Chen Jiao nodded emphatically. "Teacher, I’ll do whatever you say!"

"Good girl," Tan You said, stroking her hair. "Now, pack up your things and head back. I’ve ordered some medicinal herbs that should have been delivered to the hotel by now. Tonight, I’ll teach you how to make something to protect yourself."

Chen Jiao’s eyes widened slightly. "Make what?"

"You’ll find out when you get back," Tan You said evasively. Chen Jiao was still young and had no way to defend herself. Even if she started learning martial arts right now, it was uncertain if she could handle a real threat.