Hu Yize’s face was stiff. "Back when Qi Yu was stirring up trouble, you were the one who helped smooth things over on several occasions, Brother Nan. That just gets us more entangled."

Brother Nan froze as well. "This... What are we going to do? Lu Wen is on a roll right now..."

Hu Yize was silent for a long moment. "Let’s ask her out for a meal. We need to hash things out in person. Back then... to be blunt, I was the one in the wrong."

His agent, Brother Nan, sighed. "Just look at you. If you hadn’t broken up with Lu Wen back then, wouldn’t things be completely different now? Look how well her career is going. I never realized she was this talented before."

Hu Yize said, "There’s no point in talking about the past. What’s done is done."

Hu Yize was a decisive man. He knew it was better to act sooner rather than later. If Lu Wen really decided to make a move, the price he’d have to pay later would only be higher.

Now that he had made his decision, Hu Yize needed to find someone to set up the meeting. After all, he and Lu Wen hadn’t seen each other in years. Besides, it was always awkward for a cheating ex-boyfriend to meet his ex-girlfriend again.

Director Wang was the best choice. He was a bit reluctant. "I’m not that close with Lu Wen. I just received a script from her. If I turn around and set up a meeting for you, what is she going to think of me?"

Hu Yize pleaded sincerely, "Director Wang, I just want to apologize to her. I swear I’ll be completely docile—I won’t say a word if she yells, and I won’t lift a finger if she hits me. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility. The only directors I know who are on good terms with Lu Wen are you and Director Qi."

"Old Director Qi’s son works at Lu Wen’s company. It was a big deal for him to even give me a heads-up. He definitely won’t help me any further, so I have no choice but to swallow my pride and beg you."

Old Wang pointed a finger at Hu Yize. "So now you know how to ask for help. You shouldn’t have been so ruthless back then. It’s a good thing she managed to pull through on her own. I mean, honestly, if you’d had a clearer head back then, would things have ever gotten to this point?"

Despite his words, Old Wang still gave Lu Wen a call. At that moment, Lu Wen was having a meal with Jin Xi. It seemed like eating together was the main thing they did.

"Director Wang? Long time no see. What’s up? A busy man like you is actually calling me." Lu Wen wiped her mouth and pushed her bowl and chopsticks aside.

Director Wang sounded conflicted. "Lu Wen, I know this is a big ask, but Hu Yize wants to see you. He feels there’s some bad blood between you and wants to clear the air in person."

Seeing that Lu Wen’s expression remained unchanged, Director Wang quickly tried to distance himself from the situation. "Look, you’re on good terms with me and Old Qi. Old Qi definitely won’t take his side, so now the kid’s come begging me. We’ve worked together in the past, and it went well, so I couldn’t really turn him down..."

Lu Wen had no intention of making things difficult for Director Wang. ’News travels fast,’ she thought. ’She had just been about to make trouble for Hu Yize and Qi Yu, and now the main culprit was already at her door, asking for a truce?’

"Alright. I’m free this afternoon. If it’s convenient, you can bring them over." After a moment’s thought, Lu Wen added, "Oh, right. I believe Hu Yize’s agent is named Zhang Nan? An important occasion like this wouldn’t be complete without him."

Hearing his name, Zhang Nan stiffened. ’What do I do?’ he wondered. ’She really has me on her radar?’

"Great, we’ll see you this afternoon. Oh, and let’s discuss the script then, too. We haven’t had a chance to get together since you got back from overseas..."

Director Wang laughed and changed the subject. This was a grudge between Hu Yize and Lu Wen, and acting as the go-between was his limit. He had no intention of getting any more involved.

"Okay, we’ll talk in detail this afternoon." Lu Wen could see that Director Wang had no desire to get involved. She wasn’t one to fail to appreciate a favor, either. She knew that in this circle, everything was an entanglement of interests; there was no point in expecting anyone to be completely pure.

While Lu Wen was on the phone, Jin Xi had stopped eating. His hearing was excellent, so of course, he’d heard the conversation. He was not in a good mood. "Why is he coming over?"

Lu Wen didn’t hide it from Jin Xi. "A few years ago, I had to lay low to avoid him. Deep down, I was never okay with how things ended. Now that I have the power, I’m naturally going to get some payback. I guess he must have heard something through the grapevine."

"The guy’s well-informed."

Jin Xi was a little curious. "What do you plan to do?"

Lu Wen replied, "We’ll see what happens at the meeting. Honestly, if Director Wang hadn’t intervened, I wouldn’t even want to see him. A man who’s cheated is like a fly—disgusting just to look at."

Jin Xi said, "I’ll go with you this afternoon. I don’t want you to have to face a situation like that alone."

"It’s not as dramatic as a battle," Lu Wen said, picking up her rice bowl again. "But it would be great if you came with me. We have to let Hu Yize see that you’re so much better than him. He’s really not that great."

Jin Xi’s mood brightened. "Alright. I’d like to meet him, too."

Shortly before two in the afternoon, Hu Yize, Zhang Nan, and Director Wang arrived at the company. The moment they stepped through the main entrance, everyone knew Hu Yize was there.

An instant crowd of onlookers gathered. Everyone was speculating: why was Hu Yize here?

A young artist tapped her fingers together. "Is this the start of a ’groveling ex’ drama? But our Sister Wen already has Brother Xi."

Hu Yi rolled up a script and tapped her on the head. "What nonsense are you spouting? A guy like Hu Yize? He doesn’t even qualify for the groveling part. Do you think our Sister Wen has such low standards?"

"That’s true. Hu Yize is a huge step down from our Brother Xi. Other than being a celebrity and maybe having a bit more money, he can’t compare to Brother Xi in any way. He’s not as tall, not as handsome, and he’s not as good of a person."

Hu Yi gave her a suspicious look. "Why are you so quick to call him ’Brother Xi’? You’re not..."

"Hehe," the young artist said, clinging to Hu Yi’s arm. "Last time, I saw Brother Xi and Sister Wen having dinner with some friends. One of Brother Xi’s friends was gorgeous—so cool and handsome. I was hoping to ask Brother Xi to introduce me."

"You think he’s a pimp?" Hu Yi asked, then breathed a small sigh of relief. "You just got into the business and you’re already thinking about dating? Aren’t you afraid of losing fans?"

"Our company doesn’t forbid artists from dating," the young artist said nonchalantly. "Besides, I’m not a big star, so what’s there to be afraid of? Plus, Brother Xi is such a good person, his friends can’t be bad."

"Good men are a scarce resource these days. When you find one, you have to snatch him up. You can always develop feelings later. If you don’t make a move, a good man isn’t just going to fall into your lap."

Hu Yi laughed. "But Brother Xi delivered himself to our door."

The young artist retorted with conviction, "That’s because Sister Wen is so amazing herself that someone would scheme to win her over. I’m just a Z-lister, so don’t I have to be more proactive? Men and women have been equal for a long time now. Girls have the right to pursue love, too."

Hu Yi was actually convinced. "Are all young people this bold nowadays? Expressing their feelings so directly?"

The young artist said, "Maybe I’m just an exception? So, Hu Yi, could you put in a good word for me with Sister Wen...? I don’t know Brother Xi’s friend... It’d be a little embarrassing to just go up and talk to him out of the blue."