Ning Ran could see that the director was troubled.
If it had been the director who refused her request, she would’ve accepted it. After all, the director was the one in charge.
But Luo Fei butting in and putting pressure on the director made Ning Ran upset.
“Director, who’s the one in charge on this set? You? Or Ms. Fei?” asked Ning Ran pointedly.
Wang Yan couldn’t answer that since all the staff members are there.
After all, he couldn’t admit that Luo Fei was more powerful than he was. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to get anyone else to listen to him in the future.
On the other hand, he can’t go against Luo Fei either, because that was the sponsor’s girlfriend, and he couldn’t afford to offend her.
Fortunately, Wang Yan was an experienced director and knew just how to deal with awkward situations like that.
“Ms. Fei was right. It’s not really about who’s in charge though, it’s about what’s best for the show.”
“So are you going to let me go or not?” Ning Ran felt like she was on her last leg.
“Maybe hold it in for just a little while longer?” suggested the director.
Obviously, the director was siding with Luo Fei and making Ning Ran stay.
“What are you guys chatting about over here?”
Zhen Lunlun walked over all of a sudden.
“Ding Mi is sick and needs to go see a doctor right away. We’re asking for the director’s permission now,” explained Cheng Xiangyun before anyone could speak.
“Sick? What’s wrong? I knew I saw something off about you!” said Zhen Lunlun in a worried tone.
“I…” Ning Ran was too shy to say that her skin was itching.
“You look terrible! Come on, I’ll drive you to the hospital.”
Worried, Zhen Lunlun forgot that he was supposed to pretend they’re not friends so he held Ning Ran’s hand and walked off with her.
Everyone was shocked.
“Ah, let me go! The director rejected my request.” Ning Ran tried to pry her hand off of Zhen Lunlun’s hand.
“Director, why did you reject that request?” asked Zhen Lunlun after he turned around to face the director.
“Uh… well, the production team has made the arrangements…”
“Arrangement my a**! Actors are not tools! How could you deny them medical attention when they’re sick?” growled Zhen Lunlun.
“Lunlun, don’t put it like that. That woman is extremely sly. She’s just slacking off…” interrupted Luo Fei.
“Who the hell are you, old woman? Who allowed you to talk to me like we’re friends?” Zhen Lunlun cut Luo Fei’s words short.
Luo Fei was stunned and for a moment, she couldn’t speak.
Zhen Lunlun actually knew that Luo Fei was a third-rated celebrity. He was only out of the business for half a year so he was still up-to-date about the happenings of the industry.
Besides, Luo Fei had another important role – as his third uncle’s girlfriend… by reputation, at least.
However, Luo Fei never had the chance to get to know Nan Chen’s family so she didn’t know that this famous and handsome celebrity was Nan Chen’s nephew.
Luo Fei even tried to create rumors of a love interest between her and Zhen Lunlun, but Zhen Lunlun had kept his distance.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to the hospital. We’re not shooting any more scenes today. I’ll pay for whatever loss the production incurs,” said Zhen Lunlun in a domineering manner.
“Don’t be reckless, Zhen…” Wang Yan tried to reason with him.
“I freaking hate heartless directors like you who don’t treat actors like they’re humans. Your actress is sick and you’re pressuring her to keep working. If anything were to happen to her, would you be able to compensate?” demanded Zhen Lunlun.
Wang Yan kept his mouth shut.
Zhen Lunlun was the male lead actor appointed by Nan Chen himself whereas Luo Fei was Nan Chen’s girlfriend.
The duo being on opposite sides meant that he would be on the wrong side, regardless.
And so he decided to act dumb and let the duo fight among themselves.
Luo Fei watched as Zhen Lunlun took Ning Ran away. She wanted to stop them but was worried about pissing Zhen Lunlun off.
The industry favors the famous ones so the more famous you are, the more powerful you are.
Zhen Lunlun may be young, but he was famous. He was the man who was featured in the Times Magazine. She couldn’t afford to make an enemy out of superstars like that. If anything, she needed to befriend him.
Even if Zhen Lunlun was disrespectful towards her, she could not complain and make things worse because that would destroy any future opportunities to ease things over.
But Luo Fei was dissatisfied so she signaled Zhao Mingjie with her eyes.
Zhao Mingjie understood what Luo Fei wanted her to do, but she didn’t make a move.
She didn’t dare to.
Even someone like Luo Fei was too scared to make a move, let alone a small fry like Zhao Mingjie.
Zhao Mingjie may be manipulated by Luo Fei, but she only let Luo Fei do so because she was getting something out of it.
Zhao Mingjie knew that making a move at that moment would cause her to be hated so she didn’t do anything.
Luo Fei saw that Zhao Mingjie remained unmoved so she glared at her angrily.
Zhao Mingjie pretended to miss those signals. She wasn’t dumb enough to make a move.
Hence, with everyone watching, Zhen Lunlun held Ning Ran’s hand like they’re a couple and walked out of the set together.
Luo Fei thought of something all of a sudden and took a photo of Zhen Lunlun and Ning Ran holding hands.
When Ning Ran got into Zhen Lunlun’s RV, her body was burning up and itching, even hurting a little.
It felt like a nest of ants were underneath her skin, biting her while countless needles were stabbing into her.
Even someone as strong as Ning Ran couldn’t help but groaned in agony.
“Is it bad? What is going on?” asked Zhen Lunlun, worried.
“Her skin developed some boils. They were growing close together and looked disgusting. It didn’t look like an allergic reaction, more like being poisoned,” explained Cheng Xiangyun.
“Poisoned? How did she get poisoned?”
“We don’t know yet, but the first female lead actress and the third female lead actress have always hated Ning Ran so her being poisoned may or may not be the work of those two,” clarified Cheng Xiangyun.
“F***! I will get to the bottom of this! What the hell is wrong with this production set?” “I’m telling my uncle!” said Zhen Lunlun.
“Your uncle? Who is that?” asked Cheng Xiangyun.
That was when Zhen Lunlun remembered Nan Chen advising him not to let anyone know about Nan Chen being his uncle.
“My uncle is a doctor who practices Chinese medicine. I can ask for his medical advice,” lied Zhen Lunlun.
“Chinese medical practitioner specializes in observing the patient before giving medical advice. He can’t give any advice without seeing the patient in person. Let’s just go to the hospital instead.”
“Okay, then we’re going to see the best dermatologist! I’ll call them now and have them prepped.”
Zhen Lunlun fished out his phone and began calling nonstop.
He was a well-known celebrity and a member of the powerful Nan Family so he had friends in every industry.
Ning Ran didn’t need to wait or fill out any forms when she reached the hospital. Instead, she was treated immediately.
They drew some blood and ran some tests before injecting her with the cure.
Since there were no delays, the poison was cured.
That being said, the doctor wanted Ning Ran to stay in the hospital for a few days to observe her condition.
After two long hours, Ning Ran finally felt better.
She sat up and picked up the costume which Cheng Xiangyun had folded.
“Lie down… What are you doing?”
“I want to take a closer look at this costume. I think there’s something wrong with it,” said Ning Ran.
“No way. This costume was prepared by the crew, and I personally inspected it. Nothing was wrong with it when you put it on.”
“It’s just a thought. I’m not 100% sure either,” explained Ning Ran.
Then, she found two thin needles that are well hidden in the costume.
“This must be it! These needles must be poisonous!” said Ning Ran.
“Huh? How did this happen? Who put them there?” said Cheng Xiangyun who was also surprised.
“Either Luo Fei or Zhao Mingjie, or maybe Luo Fei had her lap dog, Zhao Mingjie, do her dirty work for her.”
“Those two women are vile! Damn it, I’m calling the police!” said Cheng Xiangyun angrily.
