One hour later, Ning Ran was at the headquarters of the Nanshi Corporation.
Jiang Zhe had called her and told her that Nan Chen wanted to talk to her.
She didn’t want to see that Poker Face, but he was the biggest investor of the show.
The production had been halted once more because of her, and the negative impact was indescribable so she was responsible for explaining the situation.
However, the truth was that the Poker Face already knew what had happened so the only reason why he had called her over was to make things even more difficult for her.
She was, in fact, partly responsible for that nightmare so even if the Poker Face was mean to her, she had no choice but to take it because the Poker Face was the only one strong enough to handle a situation like this.
Lowering one’s head was a routine activity when living under someone else’s care.
“Ms. Ning, this way please,” said Jiang Zhe who had personally come to welcome her and was smiling as usual.
That was an intelligent man. When others were present, he would refer to her as ‘Ms. Ding’, but when no one else was around, he would use Ning Ran’s birth name.
That made them seem closer and made Ning Ran feel like she was in the presence of a friend.
An old fox like Jiang Zhe knew that even though it would take a lot of twists and turns, there was a good chance that the ridiculously beautiful actress in front of him would be a bride of the Nan Family in the future.
Ning Ran was a ‘hidden financial portfolio’ and being nice to her may be a good investment for his future.
After Ning Ran entered the private elevator, she frowned and thought What do I say when I see that Poker Face later?
Jiang Zhe observed the future Young Mistress’s troubled expression and said, “Ms. Ning, don’t worry. Sir Chen had invited you over to talk about the disturbance on the production set, but someone malicious must’ve done something to make it happen so it’s not your fault.”
Something about Jiang Zhe’s words felt off so Ning Ran thought about them and concluded that Nan Chen was still investigating the matter but had asked her over anyway to make things difficult for her.
“What does Sir Chen plan to do?”
The elevator was moving fast, and they would reach Nan Chen’s office soon. Time was running out so Ning Ran decided to be direct instead of wasting time being polite.
I better find out everything I can before I deal with that Poker Face.
“I’m not sure,” answered Jiang Zhe, “However, I do know that Sir Chen cares deeply about the kids and is worried that they might be hurt by the incident.”
Ning Ran got the message immediately.
The Poker Face is taking advantage of the situation to take my children away! His excuse for doing so would be to question how I intend to keep the children safe when I can’t even protect myself.
At that moment, Ning Ran’s phone rang. Cheng Xiangyun had called.
“The security at our place called. People had gathered around my house to try to get to you. Ran, don’t come home tonight. It’s not safe anymore.”
They went all the way to Cheng Xiangyun’s house?
Who could’ve leaked that information? Who knew that Ning Ran was staying there?
Ning Ran had a better idea of who the main culprit behind these incidents might be.
“I got it,” replied Ning Ran whose heart was getting heavier.
“Don’t worry, it’ll pass soon enough. You can stay in a hotel for the time being or go live in the Nan Family’s place. Oh wait, didn’t Nan Xing say he wanted to give you a villa? You could…”
“Shut up, woman,” said the exasperated Ning Ran.
“You shut up. You must be the world’s dumbest person to turn down a villa like that,” replied Cheng Xiangyun, “Why am I a friend to an idiot like you?”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re smart, but you can’t even find a husband.”
“Oh, and you can?”
Ning Ran wasn’t in the mood to keep arguing with Cheng Xiangyun so she hung up.
Nan Chen was having a conference so he had Ning Ran wait for him in the office.
She waited for two long hours.
The anxious Ning Ran kept drinking the coffee that the secretary had prepared for her and ended up finishing 5 whole cups.
With so much liquid in her system, Ning Ran’s visit to the toilet became more frequent.
Her breathtaking beauty caught all the employee’s attention. They got their phone out to confirm that the woman in their office was the one who got on the front page with Zheng Lunlun and the fourth young master of the Nan Family.
One of the employees deliberated for a long while before she decided to approach Ning Ran and ask to take a photo together.
“You want to take a photo with me?” said Ning Ran who wasn’t sure if she had heard right.
“Yes, we love you,” said the female employee, “and we admire your bravery.”
Bravery? What bravery? Was it because they thought it took guts to have dinner with Zheng Lunlun? Or did they think that it was brave to be one of the most hated people on the news?
“Am I brave?” murmured Ning Ran.
“Of course,” said the employee with excitement in her eyes, “You were brave when dealing with the camera and are able to ignore the haters gracefully. You are our role model!”
Ning Ran was delighted to hear those words. She must take that photo together to thank the employee for her encouragement if nothing else.
Hence, the two of them took a couple of photos together while Ning Ran had her arm on the employee’s shoulder.
“Can I also have an autograph?” asked the employee again.
Ning Ran was happy to hear that.
Only celebrities were asked to sign autographs so it was weird that a nameless actress like her was asked.
“There’s no need for that,” said Ning Ran who smiled wryly, “I’m not that famous.”
“No, you have lots of fans now,” refuted the employee, “My colleagues and I are your fans. You are beautiful and brave, and are our idol!”
Just for that, Ning Ran must sign an autograph for her.
“Okay then,” agreed Ning Ran, “Where do I sign?”
The employee handed Ning Ran a notebook that was previously prepared.
Ning Ran hesitated but still signed ‘Ding Mi’ on the notebook.
That was the first time she signed an autograph so it was downright ugly.
It didn’t feel right so Ning Ran tried to redo it, but the employee suddenly took her notebook back and fled in the opposite direction.
Ning Ran was stunned and wondered, what’s going on?
Then, she noticed that the other employees were also running away like they had seen a ghost.
That was when Ning Ran realized what was going on. She turned around to see Nan Chen’s angry face.
Oh, so they did see a ghost.
“I…” Ning Ran’s lips moved, but she didn’t actually know what to say.
“Did you really think you’ve become a celebrity?” asked Nan Chen whose tone was insulting and filled with disdain.
“I… No, I just…”
Nan Chen turned around and went back to his office.
Ning Ran sighed and followed Nan Chen into his office like she was a kid who had just been caught being naughty.
“She approached me and asked…”
Ning Ran was trying to explain the situation, but she was interrupted by Nan Chen’s wave. He didn’t want to dwell on that topic.
Nan Chen pressed a button on his desk, and his secretary brought two more cups of coffee into the office. One cup was for Nan Chen while the other one was for Ning Ran.
Ning Ran didn’t dare to take another sip. She’ll stay awake for the next two days if she keeps drinking.
“Wang Yan said that the production will be delayed by at least three days. We’re losing 800 thousand a day because of it, and our total loss will be about 2.4 million,” said Nan Chen in a terrifying tone.
Ning Ran felt a chill down her spine the moment she heard those numbers.
He’s not asking me to pay for it, is he?
“Are you paying by cash or via a bank transfer?” asked Nan Chen whose sharp, merciless eyes were glaring at Ning Ran.
“I… I’m broke.”
Nan Chen was stunned because he wasn’t expecting an answer like that. However, it didn’t seem to have any problems either because the lack of funds may just be the best excuse to survive through it.
She didn’t have any money so what could he do?
“Playing dirty, huh?” said Nan Chen, “The legal team of the Nanshi Corporation is top-notch, and we can take legal actions anytime we want.”
Ning Ran’s lips curved into a beautiful smile because she wasn’t buying any of that.
“There’s no point in taking legal actions. I have no asset for the judge to take away so there is nothing to do. Having me thrown into the jail might be possible, but that would affect the kids’ development in the long term, and you won’t do that to them.”
Nan Chen was furious to hear that.
That woman is so calm even when she’s acting so shamelessly!
Yet, her words and analysis were on point!
