The Sound of Thunder 2 was in the last stage of filming now. The director had made arrangements to complete the filming within one week and to enter the post-production stage immediately, to make it in time to screen on television during the upcoming festive period.
It was a calculated risk to screen the series during the festive period. It would be competing against big-budget films, and the various exciting variety shows on television. A drama series must be of superb quality to attract the viewers during the festive period, so most producers avoid screening new drama series during this period. However, Nan Chen had full confidence in it and insisted on it to be screened during this period.
Furthermore, he was convinced that the viewers must have grown sick of the numerous hosts standing on stage hosting those disorganized New Year parties, and those silly big-budget commercial films.
Certainly, they prefer a new drama series with a handsome cast and superb acting skills.
Although everyone was apprehensive, they believed in Nan Chen’s decision. He was seldom wrong, and even in the rare occurrences where he was wrong, he had always found innovative solutions to remedy the situation.
Thus, everyone was rushing the filming schedule frenziedly, to make it in time to screen on the New Year day.
Today was the latest Ning Ran had worked till in recent days. It was already 9.30 pm when she left the film set. She was dead beat.
Qiao Zhan had arranged for a bodyguard to wait for her.
After she boarded the car and apologized to the bodyguard for letting him wait, she leaned against the back of the seat and closed her eyes to rest.
The car drove on for a while before it screeched to a sudden halt.
Ning Ran banged her head against the headrest of the seat in front of her due to the impact. Luckily, it was well-cushioned and did not cause her much harm.
“Sorry, I’m sorry.” The bodyguard apologized to her frantically.
“What happened?”
“A man suddenly dashed across the road. I almost knocked into him; it was so dangerous. I’m so sorry, Ms. Ding.”
“It’s fine. Luckily you did not knock into him.”
Ning Ran looked up at the road before her. Indeed, a man was running on the streets, and two men were chasing him on his heels.
It seemed like he could not run much longer as he was slowing down despite his best efforts.
The two men chasing after him had caught up to him. One gave him a kick and knocked him down to the ground.
A harsh beating ensued.
But that man miraculously broke free and resumed his run.
“Let’s call the police.” Ning Ran took out her phone.
“Let’s check out what has happened first.” In their line of work, bodyguards would avoid contact with the police whenever possible. It would be detrimental to their job if the police recognized them in the future.
Ning Ran caught the man’s face just as the bodyguard was replying her.
He’s Ning Ziqiang!
Regardless of his character, he was, after all, Ning Ran’s father. Thus, she recognized him in an instant.
“I want to help him,” said Ning Ran to the bodyguard, her voice trembling.
“Okay, I will settle the men.” The bodyguard agreed immediately.
He alighted from the car and went at them, bare-fisted.
At this moment, Ning Ziqiang was captured by the two men again who were pounding at him with their fists.
By now, Ning Ziqiang was drained out of energy and failed to shake off their grasp no matter how hard he struggled.
“Let him go,” hollered the bodyguard.
“Who in the hell are you? How dare you poke your nose in others’ businesses?”
“I said, let him go!” The bodyguard repeated.
“Darned, why is he so nosy? Finish him off!”
The two men dashed towards the bodyguard.
All the men under Qiao Zhan were professionals, and all of them could single-handedly beat three men at one go.
Soon, the two men were defeated. They scrambled to their feet and ran away, cursing and swearing.
“Our Young Mistress has asked us to help you. You need to thank her.”
Ning Ziqiang walked towards the car.
Ning Ran did not actually want to see him and was not interested in the reason behind his beating, but she had nowhere to hide.
Thus, she rolled down the car window wide enough for her to slip her hand out. She waved her hand dismissively, signaling the bodyguard to lead Ning Ziqiang away and not let him near her.
The bodyguard was perplexed. Is Ms. Ding intending to do good while staying anonymous?
But since it was her wish, the bodyguard had no choice but to comply. He asked Ning Ziqiang to go, “Leave. My Young Mistress doesn’t want to see you.”
“Please ask her to help me out. Those men will find me again soon. Please ask her to give me a ride,” Ning Ziqiang begged.
“How dare you push your luck. My Young Mistress doesn’t want to see you. Hurry up and leave!” The bodyguard hollered at him.
“Please, I beg of you. They will surely kill me if they catch hold of me!”
As the car window was slightly down, Ning Ran caught his words, loud and clear.
Ignore him! Ignore him! He and Luo Yi were the cause of Mom’s death!
But Ning Ran was still too soft-hearted. Thinking to herself that he might really die if he was captured again, she alighted from the car and ordered the bodyguard, “Let him in.”
“Ran?” Ning Ziqiang shouted out in delight. “So it is you! That’s simply great!”
The bodyguard looked at them in astonishment. Thank god I did not push the old man just now. I might have unintentionally offended my boss!
Ning Ran was cold, “Do you want to get on the car or not?”
“Yes, of course!”
Ning Ran had no desire to sit together with Ning Ziqiang, so she moved to the passenger seat.
“Ran, I haven’t eaten. Can you buy me a meal?”
Ning Ran sighed, “Why are you reduced to this state and can’t even afford to eat?”
“My creditors are after me. For the last few days, I haven’t slept well and can’t afford to eat. Ran, please save me! Else I will die if this continues!”
Suddenly, Ning Ziqiang burst out in loud wails.
Ning Ran was caught off guard by his sudden wailing and was at a loss on what to do next.
The bodyguard was confused by the whole situation before him, but he did not dare to ask her. Thus, he continued driving in silence.
“Stop crying!” Ning Ran bellowed at him.
“I have done you wrong. I have done…”
“Stop! Continue and I will kick you out of the car!” Ning Ran ordered coldly.
Ning Ziqiang wanted to say that he had done her mother wrong, but Ning Ran stopped him dead in his tracks.
What’s the point of apologizing now? If someone who has done wrong, can be forgiven simply with an apology, then why does one need the law?
“I’m so hungry…”
“Sorry to trouble you. Stop at any eatery in front,” said Ning Ran to the bodyguard.
“No trouble at all,” The bodyguard replied cautiously.
Twenty minutes later, Ning Ran was sitting in front of Ning Ziqiang, watching as he wolfed down the food.
She had wanted to ask him to eat slower but decided against it. Anyway, evil men lead long lives. He won’t die so easily.
“Ran, I don’t have a place to stay now. Can you find me a place to stay?”
“How dare you cling to me now?” Ning Ran bristled with anger.
“Of course not. I know you are kind and will definitely help me out. Aren’t I right?”
“No. I will not help you!”
