Chapter 139: Xi Dong's Phone Call

"You're an actor?" Chen Fang asked, looking somewhat surprised.

Mainly because the young man in front of him wasn't exactly handsome; he had a large head and a thick neck. Could someone like that really be an actor? Oh! Perhaps he was a method actor—like Huang Bo back on Earth. His face might be a budget economy car, but everything else was a Ferrari.

Just as the young man was about to speak, You Nianwei scoffed, "He cooks for the cast. Most crews have to order boxed meals, but the crew he's on doesn't have to; in fact, they even have leftovers every day."

Chen Fang was stunned. He cooks? How much money could one possibly make cooking for a film crew?

"You Nianwei, I'm your brother!"

"I know," You Nianwei replied with an innocent look.

You Tianze was so angry he laughed. Having a sister like this, he truly worried he might die young.

Chen Fang had a sudden realization. So, they were siblings. No wonder their facial features were somewhat similar. It had to be said, You Nianwei’s parents were quite remarkable to have produced two such oddities. The son, instead of dutifully inheriting the family's assets worth over a hundred million, went off to cook mass-produced meals for film crews; the daughter seemed naturally dim-witted and incredibly easy to swindle.

"My name is You Tianze," he said, deciding to ignore his sister and look at Chen Fang. "You wouldn't be unfamiliar with the crew I'm currently on—it’s the set of *Three Lives, Three Worlds*."

Not bad! To actually be able to get onto the set of *Three Lives, Three Worlds*. Even if he was just the cook, it was no small feat.

Just as Chen Fang was about to offer some polite flattery, You Tianze glanced at You Nianwei and added, "Although I do cook for the crew, I am also an actor. I have scenes in *Three Lives, Three Worlds*."

As he said this, You Tianze looked exceptionally proud. Acting was his dream, while cooking was his hobby. The two didn't conflict. Chen Fang could imagine You Tianze’s frustration: if he didn't work hard enough, he’d be forced to go home and inherit a dozen properties, several buildings, and dozens of restaurants.

Chen Fang asked with a smile, "Then you must know Su Murou. She plays the second female lead in *Three Lives, Three Worlds*. She and I are quite close."

As soon as these words left his mouth, You Tianze’s eyes widened. "You know Su Murou?"

"Yes, I do."

It was more than just knowing her! Chen Fang had even touched Su Murou’s chest—though the texture was quite ordinary, it certainly had some heft.

You Tianze immediately grabbed Chen Fang’s hand, his expression filled with genuine emotion: "Big boss, I like Su Murou. Could you find an opportunity to introduce me to her?"

Chen Fang: ?
You Nianwei: ?

"Big brother, you have someone you like?" You Nianwei asked, looking bewildered. "Then why did you come back for a blind date?"

You Tianze sneered, "If it weren't for someone giving me false intelligence, I would have already prepared a table of delicious food for Su Murou on set by now. If I win Su Murou over, do I still need to go on blind dates?"

You Nianwei fell silent. In any case, playing dumb when one was in the wrong always seemed to work.

Chen Fang subtly pulled his hand away and asked with interest, "You like Su Murou?"

"Yes," You Tianze replied earnestly. "I just love the gentle, water-like nature of southern girls. Su Murou looks like such a tender-hearted girl."

Chen Fang’s expression turned strange. Su Murou, gentle as water? Where did he see that? Chen Fang didn't find her gentle at all; on the contrary, he felt she was quite fierce, possessing a sort of "Hu Yifei" vibe bred by the southern soil.

"I heard that *Three Lives, Three Worlds* has already started filming. Since you have scenes, what about your part?" Chen Fang asked out of curiosity. If he could leave the set so easily, it seemed You Tianze’s scenes were entirely negligible.

You Tianze, wanting to learn more about Su Murou through Chen Fang, didn't hold back: "The crew has stopped filming for now."

Stopped filming? Chen Fang was truly shocked.

"Director Xi Dong arrived in Hengdian late last night, intending to officially start shooting. Unexpectedly, the female lead went on strike. Director Xi is currently discussing solutions with the investors—either replace the female lead or coax her back. Either way, everyone is in an awkward position, and they can't continue filming."

Good grief! Throwing a tantrum right under Xi Dong’s nose? That took some nerve. Xi Dong was no ordinary person. Even though he seemed jovial and amiable when chatting with Chen Fang, he was someone who strictly separated public and private matters. When it came to filming, even the heavens had to listen to him. It seemed this female lead had a significant background.

Chen Fang knew from Xi Yuanyuan that the actress playing the lead came from Chuangxiang Entertainment, but he didn't know exactly who she was.

"What was Director Xi Dong’s reaction?" Chen Fang asked.

You Tianze shrugged. "Before I left, I heard others say that Director Xi was very angry. The first solution he discussed with the investors was to replace her and have the second lead, Su Murou, step up. But the investors were unwilling and hoped Director Xi would coax the female lead back."

That made sense! Xi Dong was a man who couldn't tolerate a grain of sand in his eyes. However, this was a great opportunity for Su Murou. If she grasped it, she might be able to take the spot of the female lead directly.

"Oh, right," You Tianze added. "It’s not just the female lead. Director Xi also wants to replace the male lead."

You Tianze felt it was a pity. He had really wanted to be the male lead. After all, acting was his dream, and he had been hanging around Hengdian for so long without ever landing a lead role. Moreover, this was a television series directed by Xi Dong. If he could land the male lead, he would take off! But he could only imagine it. You Tianze knew very well that his appearance wasn't up to par. *Three Lives, Three Worlds* was a typical idol drama, and the leads had to have outstanding looks. Someone like him, with a large head and a thick neck, could at most play a street vendor selling sesame cakes—what people commonly called an extra, cannon fodder, a thug, or a bandit.

Chen Fang mused silently. It seemed a lot had happened on the set of *Three Lives, Three Worlds*. It all depended on whether Xi Dong could withstand the pressure from the investors. However, none of this had much to do with him. After the end of *Road to Starlight*, Chen Fang was essentially in a period of a short vacation; he only needed to occasionally cooperate with the company for some publicity and accept some brand endorsements. If nothing went wrong, the next period of time would be quite leisurely for him.

He wanted to take this time to take Ji Mei out for a trip. If the company had other arrangements in the second half of the year, his plans with Ji Mei would have to be pushed back.

Just as Chen Fang was about to say something, his phone in his pocket began to vibrate incessantly. He offered an apologetic smile, pulled out his phone, and stepped aside. On the screen, the caller ID read: Xi Dong.

In an instant, Chen Fang had a bad premonition. At this hour, if Xi Dong was calling him, it surely wasn't for anything trivial.