Director Qiu was indeed hiding from someone, but not from Liu Rulan and the others. He was hiding from people from Jingyou Entertainment—more accurately, people incited by Yun Ziqi.

Before the matter was exposed online, everything in the Film Crew of the imperial cause was proceeding normally. Even though some people were affected by the compensation issue, this project had some official support. Qiu Zhenlong himself was a director with a special status, not just a pure businessman in the industry; his return to the entertainment circle was merely to complete his own mission.

Therefore, no matter how much trouble arose at the Art Center, Director Qiu wouldn't care, nor would he back down or compromise.

However, Yun Ziqi wanted to take this opportunity to start a public opinion war. Using the Yun Family's currently justified position, he pressured the Film Crew of the imperial cause. This caused those within the Film Crew who were affected to start having other thoughts, gradually considering the idea of replacing the lead actor.

For these people, rather than letting the Yun Family use this chance to demand compensation or cause trouble, it was naturally better to simply do the Yun Family a favor and switch the lead back. That way, perhaps this trouble wouldn't fall on their heads.

Consequently, some people began to offer suggestions to Director Qiu, tactfully advising him to replace the actor.

But what kind of person was Director Qiu?

Once he decided on a role, he would never change it. Coupled with the official backing behind him and the official support for the Film Crew, these people had no way to bypass the director and change the role directly. Thus, the first Producer who came to test the waters was unceremoniously cursed away by Qiu Zhenlong.

Even Screenwriter Qin, upon learning of this, immediately rushed to the Jingyou Entertainment headquarters in Beijing and unleashed a barrage of criticism at the person in charge there.

Then he just lay down at the company; whoever tried to cause trouble for the Film Crew, he would start a scene right then and there.

But it wasn't working anymore; it couldn't be suppressed.

Public opinion was ignited like a wildfire, netizens were furious, filming was halted, and those people became even more agitated, showing up at Qiu Zhenlong's door with a sense of entitlement to demand a change in characters.

So Qiu Zhenlong simply decided to go all the way and ran away. He wouldn't see anyone, returning to his home in Beijing to enjoy some peace and quiet, while also giving those people the cold shoulder to stop them from being delusional and causing internal trouble for the Film Crew amidst the chaos.

He just hadn't expected that Xiao He's reaction speed wouldn't be slow at all.

Even his Family Residential Area, which required special access, was followed into by this Agent immediately after.

He was truly anxious—

Qiu Zhenlong couldn't help but shake his head, making another guarantee: "Alright, you really don't need to worry about the Film Crew's affairs. Just wait for the Police's investigation results to come out, and everything will naturally return to normal."

Liu Rulan took a deep look at Director Qiu, her words carrying a hint of probing: "It seems Director Qiu is not only very well-informed but also has great trust in the Police's investigation results."

Qiu Zhenlong only gave a slight smile: "Things have come to this point; all we can do is wait for the results, can't we?"

Liu Rulan pursed her lips, then smiled brightly: "True, you're right, Director Qiu."

Finally, she stood up and thanked Qiu Zhenlong: "In that case, we can rest easy. We won't disturb your rest any longer, Director Qiu."

“Mhm.”

Qiu Zhenlong nodded slightly.

—

Only after leaving the family area did Liu Rulan's smile fade slightly. She looked back in the direction they came from and couldn't help but complain: "That Old Fox."

He had certainly mastered the art of being evasive.

However, since Director Qiu had already stated his position and guaranteed that Xiao He's role wouldn't be an issue, Liu Rulan's heart was somewhat at ease.

But after walking just a few steps, her phone rang again.

As Liu Rulan got into the car, she pulled out her phone to take a look, then slightly raised an eyebrow.

"Hello? It's quite rare for you to call me."

The woman signaled the driver to start the car, her tone carrying a bit of surprise.

On the other end of the phone, Tong Junhui's voice remained very calm: "Someone just approached me to expose dirt on you. It seems you've been targeted. Keep an eye on the situation online."

"Targeted me?"

Liu Rulan suddenly found it a bit amusing. She crossed her legs, leaned her elbow on the car window sill, propped up her head, and said nonchalantly, "I see. Thank you."

Tong Junhui was silent for a moment, then continued to ask: "How is the situation on your end? I'm very sorry, we can't be of much help this time."

Tong Junhui and Zhou Junhao were still stuck in the investigation of a previous incident, so they really couldn't spare the time to help Liu Rulan and the others.

"Heh, what's there to help with? You're no longer part of the industry anyway. Stepping back into these muddy waters now wouldn't do you any good."

Liu Rulan said decisively.

"But the other party does have some capability to actually be able to find me."

When Tong Junhui said this, there was a hint of surprise in his voice. "I haven't contacted those people in the industry for a long time."

Since leaving the industry, Tong Junhui had completely cut off everything from the past. Even his contact with Liu Rulan was only re-established ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) later.

He hadn't expected to be sought out and asked to provide dirt on Liu Rulan.

And the conditions offered were truly lacking in sincerity—they actually promised to help him return to the entertainment circle.

Hehe, Tong Junhui felt like laughing himself.

Laughing at how shallow that fellow thought he was, and laughing at how he himself no longer had any yearning for the entertainment circle.

So, after Tong Junhui politely declined, he decisively came to tip off Liu Rulan.

"Then stay safe," he said finally.

"I know."

Liu Rulan hung up the phone, cast her gaze out the window, and her thoughts began to drift.

A few minutes later, Liu Rulan called her former employer, Jiaxing Entertainment.

—

Shanghai, Jiaxing Entertainment.

The boss of Jiaxing Entertainment, Song Yuanqi, saw Liu Rulan's call on his phone, and no expression of surprise appeared on his face.

He waved at the person beside him and then answered Liu Rulan's call.

"Yo, isn't this the great Agent Liu calling? We really haven't seen each other in a long time! I heard Xiao He is doing very well now, even took a trip abroad? My, it's truly enviable..."

Liu Rulan ignored Song Yuanqi's sour and somewhat sarcastic words and asked point-blank: "What has Su Shengxi been up to lately?"

Song Yuanqi paused, looked at the person beside him, and asked with feigned confusion: "Su Shengxi? Why are you asking about him?"

Su Shengxi, the last Artist Liu Rulan handled before taking over Xiao He, was also an Artist under Jiaxing Entertainment back then.

This guy was a prominent figure in those years, but unfortunately, he brought it upon himself by causing a series of incidents. In the end, he was dealt with by Xiao He and left the industry.

At that time, considering the normal broadcast of the TV drama hidden star shines and the subsequent awards, everyone left him a shred of dignity for his exit, letting him retire from the circle and return to a normal life without letting his reputation completely collapse into ruins.

Su Shengxi was sensible enough. He had earned quite a lot of money during those years, which was completely enough for him to live on for the rest of his life. So after leaving the industry, he didn't pursue any transformation work like becoming an influencer. Usually, besides occasionally posting some travel photos on the Public Alt Account known to his fans, he lived a rather carefree life.

Out of respect for her former employer and past ties, Liu Rulan didn't drive him to a dead end later, letting Su Shengxi live his own life.

It's just...

"He seems to have been a bit restless lately... Does Mr. Song know about this?"

If someone wanted to court death, she wouldn't mind bringing back the old accounts she had missed back then and settling them properly.