Chapter 145
Jin Youliang scrambled into the car they came in, as soon as he took out his phone, he saw the staff members he brought over, also looking disheveled, walking towards the car.
After cutting off the live broadcast, Jin Youliang finally managed to contact Zeng Huanian and found out that Shi Dingshan was also on his way to the air-raid shelter, so he hurriedly rushed over with his people. On the way, Jin Youliang had already prepared himself for Shi Dingshan’s questioning, he was planning how to clear his name while subtly implicating Lü Liwei. But who would have thought that Shi Dingshan actually called the police! Which production team, when encountering problems, wouldn’t try to handle it internally, to avoid negative news affecting the project! This was a live broadcast show, how could he just call the police!
And the key was, Lü Liwei was still being stubborn when he was taken away. Jin Youliang was preparing to answer Shi Dingshan’s questions, but he didn’t even ask, he just told him to get lost… Without witnesses or physical evidence, how could he just fire an assistant director based on speculation! Jin Youliang was不服！ But that police car earlier…
He left first, not because he was afraid of Shi Dingshan, but to find a solution. But look at what Shi Dingshan did… He not only humiliated him but also chased away the people he brought, this was rubbing his face in the dirt!
Jin Youliang was so angry that his hands were shaking.
They got into the car one after another, and until the car started, no one spoke to Jin Youliang.
The atmosphere in the car was eerily silent and tense. Jin Youliang, in the passenger seat, rubbed his face vigorously, shifted his body away from the driver’s seat, and opened his phone.
Unread messages, one, another, and another.
Just like how Zeng Huanian was too focused on rushing into the air-raid shelter to answer Jin Youliang’s call earlier, Jin Youliang, on his way to the air-raid shelter, was in no mood to deal with that anonymous person.
Jin Youliang casually glanced at a few messages, they were all similar, asking why he suddenly stopped the live broadcast, if there was a problem with their plan. Oh, there were also a few asking if the plan succeeded but the scene was too bloody, so they stopped the broadcast.
Heh, Jin Youliang smiled wryly, they were truly delusional.
Jin Youliang briefly summarized what happened at the air-raid shelter, explained his and Lü Liwei’s current situation, and sent it all as a message. Of course, he didn’t forget to ask if the other party had any connections in the police department. Whether Shi Dingshan would truly investigate or not, it was always good to get Lü Liwei out first.
The reply came quickly.
Jin Youliang, full of anticipation, opened it, and in the next second, he was angered by the reply: [???] Just three question marks. Just as his head was buzzing, and he was about to reiterate the seriousness of the situation, the second message arrived.
[What’s wrong with the person you found? He was already exposed, the rope was caught, what was he afraid of being too obvious? He should have just pulled hard, could a six-year-old child even compete with his strength?]
Jin Youliang read the message twice to confirm he hadn’t misinterpreted it. It turned out the other party thought Lü Liwei wasn’t ruthless enough, since he was already exposed, he might as well just go all out and pull the person down.
Were they crazy?
There was a huge difference between a failed attempt and succeeding after being exposed!
The question now wasn’t whether Cheng Tingyan was okay? It was whether they would be okay!
Jin Youliang gritted his teeth, he replied with enough force to crush the screen.
After his outburst, the other party only replied after a while.
[Okay, I understand, go find this person, “Zhang Yi Er,” he’ll tell you what to do next.]
Finally, they were doing something, Jin Youliang felt a bit relieved, he clicked on the blue link “Zhang Yi Er.”
Then instantly, his phone… went black.
Jin Youliang was stunned, he instinctively pressed the power button, trying to restart his phone.
However…
No matter how hard he pressed, his thumb burning with pain, the screen wouldn’t turn on, Jin Youliang suddenly realized that it wasn’t his phone that had a problem, it was the link “Zhang Yi Er” that he clicked earlier!
What the hell!
Was he being abandoned?
Trying to get rid of him just like that?
Dream on!
Jin Youliang turned around and looked at the people behind him, who had been silent for a while. “Can someone lend me their phone?”
Silence, silence, they exchanged furtive glances, then quickly looked away…
Seeing their little movements, Jin Youliang, anxious, could only wait, relying on his last bit of rationality.
Thankfully, the last person who had profited from Jin Youliang’s shady dealings handed him their phone.
Jin Youliang grabbed the phone and quickly opened the email where he had saved the screenshots of his chat with the anonymous person.
The email was… empty…
“F*ck!” Jin Youliang, his eyes bloodshot with anger, threw the phone against the wall.
Impressive! Impressive! With such capabilities, why bother using him! They could have just hacked the amusement park rides last time and thrown the person off!
Hehe, hehe, did they think they could just get rid of him like this?
He had carefully saved the screenshots of their earlier discussions about how to deal with Shi Dingshan on a USB drive at home. Trying to abandon him and make him take the blame? They didn’t know who he was!
Jin Youliang immediately booked the earliest flight back.
Since he hadn’t memorized the anonymous number, he could only go home, get the USB drive, and then curse them out.
Bai Lei, who had just spent a fortune, didn’t know that someone was on their way to scold her, she was looking at her recent expenses with a frown. It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford it, but spending so much, causing so much trouble, and the person was still perfectly fine, it was a bit annoying, wasn’t it? If she had exchanged this money for coins, it would be enough to bury Cheng Tingyan alive. And now? Even throwing it into a river would at least make a splash!
Thankfully, she was smart, both the phone and the money she spent these past two days went through several intermediaries. That useless guy even asked her to help him save someone. They were all useless, what was the point of saving them, to make dried salted fish?
Bai Lei scrolled through the old phone one last time, confirming there was nothing new, then clicked on the “Zhang Yi Er” link.
Old things, they would break after being left unused for a while, it was normal. Out with the old, in with the new, she would give Rongrong a new one when she came back.
Hopefully… her foreknowledge would also have something new by then.
This time’s… didn’t seem very effective.
Bai Lei, after dealing with the last bit of this failed plan, called Zhang Jin.
“It’s almost noon now, where did she say she wanted to meet? That restaurant downstairs from her place?” Bai Lei asked directly as soon as the call connected.
Zhang Jin laughed in exasperation. “Are you okay? Who was the one who said she wasn’t available at noon just now? How long has it been? Have you lost your memory?”
“That was then, this is now.” Bai Lei said impatiently, glancing at the live broadcast page, which still showed a technical error. “Didn’t you say you booked a private room? Send me the address.”
The familiar bossy tone, the familiar infuriating attitude.
Zhang Jin didn’t answer immediately, he paused, then said perfunctorily, “Wait, I’ll call and ask what she says.”
After saying that, Zhang Jin hung up and turned to Liu Qiongfang next to him. “She said she’s available to meet now, what do you say?”
Since Liu Qiongfang had agreed to meet with Bai Lei, Zhang Jin had rushed over early this morning, he watched as she washed her hair, picked out her clothes, put on makeup, and spent a long time getting ready, then Bai Lei said she wanted to change it to the afternoon. Then he watched as she, initially full of fighting spirit, suddenly lost all her energy, removed her makeup, and even took out two bundles of noodles from the fridge and asked him to stay for lunch…
The noodles weren’t even cooked yet, and Bai Lei was available again. Zhang Jin felt that it was best to just let them meet, who knew what kind of trouble this crazy woman would create if they delayed.
“Tonight.” Liu Qiongfang said, throwing some bean sprouts into the pot.
“What? You mean this afternoon, right? She changed it to this afternoon.” Zhang Jin asked, thinking he had misheard because of the boiling water in the pot.
“I said tonight.” Liu Qiongfang said, stirring the noodles in the pot. “She says she wants to meet, then we meet, she says noon is not okay, then noon is not okay, she says afternoon, then afternoon, she says change it back to noon, then back to noon, who does she think she is, God?”
Zhang Jin: “… “
“Listening to everything she says, how can you gain the upper hand? Tell her, I said tonight, we’ll meet tonight.” Liu Qiongfang said, shaking her chopsticks, she looked at Zhang Jin. “Do you want some pickled mustard greens?”
Zhang Jin rubbed his forehead. “I can’t afford it…”
He felt like the number of crazy people had increased. What was wrong with these two? Was this how they were supposed to discuss things? This was just a power struggle!
Had he made the wrong decision again… Why did he have to be the filling in a cookie sandwich!
The boiling water in the pot, the rising steam, just like… Shi Dingshan’s mind at this moment.
Jin Youliang, taking his useless tools, got into the car and left. Qin Sichao, who had successfully built a ladder for the villain, raised an eyebrow at Shi Dingshan smugly. “With your nagging, how could you chase him away, it still depends on me!”
“Yes, yes, yes, you’re the best.” Shi Dingshan said perfunctorily, his mind filled with worries, he turned to the victims, his earlier coldness towards the enemy gone, replaced by a sincere apology. “It’s my fault, I didn’t notice such a person in my team, I’m truly sorry. Calling the police is just the first step. Like I said before, even if the police can’t find anything, I won’t let it go. I promise you, I’ll get to the bottom of this and give you an explanation.”
Wei Chengli sighed, he didn’t know what to say.
Earlier, during the costume fitting with the other dads, he was told about the incident in the air-raid shelter by a staff member, even though he was repeatedly assured that no one was injured, that Maomao was fine, Wei Chengli’s mind was still racing with anger, anxiety, and pain on his way here. To put it bluntly, he was filled with a burning rage, wanting to incinerate all the bad guys.
But when he arrived, hugged his safe and sound baby, and looked at Shi Dingshan, his face pale, looking twenty years older after just two days, his anger subsided.
Wei Chengli was also a director, a film crew had so many people, where there were people, there were problems, and people’s hearts were unpredictable… Now the one who should be caught was caught, the one who couldn’t be caught for now was chased away, and Shi Dingshan had also expressed his stance, whether it was because of their past friendship or the current situation, Wei Chengli couldn’t bring himself to blame him.
And besides…
Wei Chengli looked down at Cheng Tingyan next to him.
Although there was no evidence yet, not even a testimony, Wei Chengli felt… Cheng Tingyan was the one who needed an explanation the most.
Compared to his own ordinary family, no matter how he thought about it… that rope wasn’t meant for the little chubby dumpling.
Wei Chengli, lost in thought, his gaze lingered on Cheng Tingyan for a moment.
Then Wei Maomao noticed it.
Wei Maomao, afraid that Wei Chengli would blame Cheng Tingyan, her heart skipping a beat, she instinctively patted Wei Chengli’s leg, effectively grabbing his attention.
“Dad!” Wei Maomao said, looking up, her chubby face full of relief. “Dad, Yan Yan discovered the bad guy, Brother and Sister caught the bad guy, otherwise, I, the baby, would have rolled down!”
Wei Chengli: “… “ He didn’t even intend to blame Cheng Tingyan, there was no need for her to blindly defend her like this!
At this moment, Wei Chengli really wanted to borrow Director Shi’s words when complaining about Director Zeng.
“Dad, without Yan Yan, without Brother and Sister, I, the baby… what would I do!” The little chubby one said, covering her chubby face, pretending to be pitiful. “Dad, you wouldn’t have a cute baby… Mmm… Mmm…”
“Shut up, you can say anything, you have no filter, do you!” Wei Chengli said, covering her rambling mouth, exasperated. “I know, I know! Dad will thank Yan Yan, thank Liu Ming, thank Xiao Shi for you! They’re the best!” Were you satisfied now, silly baby!
Wei Maomao, unable to breathe, pinched Wei Chengli’s leg to express her satisfaction.
Wei Chengli’s cries of pain finally broke the awkward silence. Even Shi Dingshan, “forced” to put aside his worries for the moment, looking at Wei Chengli jumping around and grabbing his baby, couldn’t help but chuckle.
But no matter what, the things that needed to be clarified still needed to be clarified.
“For now, we can only handle it this way. The police will keep the investigation confidential for now, the live broadcast is currently paused due to technical issues, at the moment when the children encountered Liu Ming, before they entered that corridor, it didn’t capture the incident inside. Our variety show, such a big project… we can’t just stop it…” Shi Dingshan said with difficulty, he looked at the three victims, mainly Wei Chengli. “I still hope… we can complete this variety show. There definitely won’t be any more air-raid shelter scenarios, and I’ll adjust the tasks and activities, have the dads and babies stay together as much as possible. I know I’ve made this promise before, but after this incident, it probably doesn’t sound very trustworthy…”
“This air-raid shelter treasure hunt, Director Shi canceled it before. It was me, because the laser tag location was canceled, and we couldn’t find a suitable replacement nearby, so I decided to use this place again.” Zeng Huanian said, interrupting softly, then continued, “When Director Shi found out I changed the location, he immediately asked the staff assigned to protect the babies to enter the air-raid shelter. Even if it would affect the live broadcast, he wanted them to be with the babies as soon as possible. Director Shi’s promises are genuine, it was me who messed things up. Director Wei, I’m truly sorry! I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but please don’t take Little Maomao away from the show early.”
After saying that, Zeng Huanian bowed deeply to Wei Chengli.
Wei Chengli, startled, took half a step back.
“Xiao Wei…” Shi Dingshan said, looking at Wei Chengli hesitantly.
Wei Chengli looked down at the little rascal, who had gone to stand next to Cheng Tingyan, he poked her chubby arm. “What do you think?”
“I want to be with Yan Yan!” Wei Maomao said without hesitation, gripping Cheng Tingyan’s cold hand tightly.
Whether it was being questioned earlier, or playing around with Wei Chengli, Wei Maomao, when dealing with the outside world, seemed to be in a daze. In fact, when Cheng Tingyan mentioned the trap in the air-raid shelter, Wei Maomao’s soul had already left her body, and it hadn’t returned yet. Who would have thought that even after being reborn, she almost watched Cheng Tingyan fall into a trap again. If it weren’t for Yan Yan’s alertness, Wei Maomao couldn’t imagine what would have happened. She felt truly useless, so useless that her soul ached.
Perhaps all she could do was to stay with Cheng Tingyan.
The little chubby dumpling, the little chubby bunny, slightly raised her proud little chin, just as determined as every time she said these words before. Neither Wei Chengli nor Cheng Tingyan could see the self-loathing in her little body.
Wei Maomao’s answer didn’t surprise Wei Chengli at all.
“Jin Youliang and those people he brought earlier…” Wei Chengli said, there were still some things he needed to confirm.
Shi Dingshan understood what he meant. “I’ll officially announce Jin Youliang’s dismissal from the show in the staff group chat now, as for those people he brought… The TV station had plans to collaborate with the village from before on a new tourism show, I’ll have them all go back to the village to do research and handle reception, they definitely won’t be coming with us. And for the babies, I’ll also choose some trustworthy people to stay by their side at all times, even during bedtime, there will be someone on night duty at the door!”
Wei Chengli nodded, agreeing with Shi Dingshan’s arrangement.
The biggest issue was more or less resolved, Shi Dingshan then looked at the most important person.
“Yan Yan, you and Maomao encountered this together, but I only called Maomao’s dad… because your dad…” Shi Dingshan said, squatting down and looking at Cheng Tingyan, trying to explain.
“My dad wouldn’t be of any use even if he came.” Cheng Tingyan said, looking at the pale-faced, still-alive Shi Dingshan, she kindly finished his sentence.
“Logically, we should inform the parents. But we all know… that day in the bathroom… right…” Shi Dingshan hesitated, he glanced at the remaining people, only him, Qin Sichao, Wei Chengli, Liu Ming, Shi Hongxiao, and the two little ones, he sighed and continued, “Personally, I don’t think telling your dad would do any good. But if you think it’s necessary…”
“It’s not necessary.” Cheng Tingyan shook her head.
Although there was no concrete evidence yet, Shi Dingshan suspected that the Cheng family was behind all this. Since Cheng Tingyan agreed not to tell Cheng Feiying for now, it was for the best.
“Okay, okay.” Shi Dingshan said, patting Cheng Tingyan’s shoulder with relief.
A six-year-old child’s shoulder, so slender and thin, it made Shi Dingshan’s heart ache even more. His variety show would be over in a few days, but little Yan Yan, she still had to go back and live there. If, after investigating, it was truly the Cheng family…
“Yan Yan, there are no outsiders here, I’ll just say this. You’re cooperating with me now, letting this variety show continue filming smoothly, you’re helping me. If you need any help in the future, come and find me. As long as it’s within my capabilities, I’ll definitely help.” Shi Dingshan said solemnly.
Cheng Tingyan’s eyes lit up slightly, but before she could even speak, someone else spoke up first.
“What a coincidence, there is something now.” Wei Chengli said, finally snapping out of his worry for his baby and remembering the unfinished business from yesterday.
Shi Dingshan, his promise immediately thrown back at his face: “???”
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