Volume Two: Shadows of the Past, Chapter 42: A Scumbag’s Way of Speaking?

"So that's how it is. I really thought Chen Jing had actually started the fight."

"It must be that way; otherwise, the table wouldn't have fallen apart so easily."

"Exactly. Look at Zhang Ke's face—there isn't a single bruise, just a bit of a nosebleed. Nothing like what you'd expect if he'd actually been beaten..."

Most of the people present believed Liu Manqiang's version of events, while the few who had witnessed what actually happened wisely chose to keep their mouths shut.

Nearby, Zhang Qishan's eyes lit up when he heard Liu Manqiang's explanation. He was quite satisfied with this version of the story.

"Not bad. This Liu Manqiang is truly a clever one," Zhang Qishan thought to himself as he watched the earnest-looking Liu Manqiang. He then feigned a sudden realization and said, "So it was all just a misunderstanding! Since it was a misunderstanding, it’s settled. Everyone, go back to what you were doing."

Now it was Zhang Ke's turn to get anxious. He hurriedly argued, "No, that's not how it happened! Chen Jing was the one who started it—"

Zhang Qishan waved his hand, cutting Zhang Ke off immediately. Without hesitation, he said, "Enough, Zhang Ke. I said it was a misunderstanding, so let's not talk about it anymore."

"But, Uncle!" Zhang Ke tried to protest further.

Zhang Qishan said gloomily, "Do you remember what your father told you when you came here?"

Hearing Zhang Qishan invoke his father, Zhang Ke instinctively replied, "He said I must listen to my uncle regarding everything that happens on set."

"And now?"

Only then did Zhang Ke say, feeling resentful, "Alright... fine."

Seeing that Zhang Ke had stopped making a scene, Zhang Qishan turned to Lin Xi and smiled. "Director Lin, since it was just a misunderstanding, let's leave it at that."

Lin Xi nodded. This was a good way to resolve things. She said, "Yes, it was indeed a misunderstanding. My apologies, Director Zhang; it was a lapse on Chen Jing's part." She felt she needed to give Zhang Qishan a way to save face; after all, he was the director of the set and needed to maintain his authority. It wouldn't do to embarrass him too much.

Zhang Qishan waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine, as long as the misunderstanding is cleared up." He then turned to the crowd and shouted, "Alright, alright! There's nothing to see here. Why are you all still standing around? If you've rested enough, let's get back to filming."

Hearing Zhang Qishan start to clear the area, the onlookers quickly dispersed.

Chen Jing thought for a moment before saying apologetically to Zhang Qishan, "Director Zhang, I'm truly sorry for the trouble. Since I don't have any more scenes for now, I'll be heading back. If there's anything else you need me to reshoot later, just let me know."

Zhang Qishan didn't speak, merely nodding.

Hearing that Chen Jing was leaving, Lin Xi turned and walked away immediately. Lin Zitan followed close behind, and Chen Jing caught up with them.

***

Watching the three of them leave, Zhang Ke's eyes were filled with resentment. Once the people around him had dispersed and they were alone, he asked his uncle, Zhang Qishan, "Uncle, Chen Jing was clearly the one who attacked me first. Why let him off so easily? Did you really believe Liu Manqiang's story? It wasn't an 'accident' at all—Chen Jing grabbed my head and slammed it into the table."

Zhang Qishan listened to his nephew's whining without interrupting, his expression indifferent as he watched him.

As Zhang Ke continued, he noticed the look on Zhang Qishan's face. He realized his uncle was truly angry this time.

Zhang Ke quickly gritted his teeth and stopped his accusations. He couldn't fathom why his uncle would be angry with him when it was someone else who had bullied him.

Looking at Zhang Ke, who stood there with his head bowed, looking aggrieved, Zhang Qishan sighed internally. *Sigh! He's still my nephew; I have to teach him properly.* With that thought, Zhang Qishan calmed down a bit and asked in a flat tone, "Do you still not understand why I chose to smooth things over rather than vent your frustration for you?"

Zhang Ke gritted his teeth and gave a stubborn nod; he wanted to know why.

"Alright then. Setting aside who was right or wrong for a moment, let me ask you: do you know the consequences of offending Chen Jing? Or rather, are you prepared to bear them?"

Zhang Ke was taken aback. He frowned and retorted, "What consequences? Isn't he just a minor pop singer? Are we really afraid of offending him?"

Zhang Qishan looked at Zhang Ke and shook his head in disappointment. "Look at you. You dare to act recklessly without even investigating who you’re offending. Even if nothing happened this time, it would happen sooner or later." He added, "Putting aside his potential as a singer—which admittedly doesn't have much influence yet—he is currently the most sought-after composer in the music scene. With a composer like him, which superstar or idol wouldn't give him some respect? If he wanted to, he could befriend a dozen superstars like Ling Ruohan with his songs in a heartbeat. Do you really think his title as a 'musical prodigy' is just empty praise? That’s something he earned through his own talent and the recognition of industry professionals."

Zhang Ke was still unconvinced. "So what? Even if he can command the music world, that doesn't mean he has any influence on our film industry."

Hearing Zhang Ke's naive comment, Zhang Qishan gave a disdainful laugh. "Oh? So you think that because the music world can't influence the film industry, you have the right to provoke him? Why don't you try provoking stars like Ling Ruohan and see if they can influence your ability to get roles in the future?"

"This..." Zhang Ke was instantly silenced.

"We are all in the same entertainment industry. We see each other every day, and there will always be times when we need help from others. No one should be provoked lightly," Zhang Qishan sighed, patting Zhang Ke on the shoulder. "Besides, the biggest issue isn't Chen Jing, but the company behind him. You know how fast Jingrun Entertainment has been growing these past two years."

"Uh, surely Jingrun wouldn't offend us just for an artist like Chen Jing?" Zhang Ke still couldn't wrap his head around it.

Zhang Qishan said impatiently, "Why wouldn't they? Didn't you see Lin Xi step in? She is Chen Jing's manager. Do you even know who Lin Xi is? And don't be so narrow-minded. Why are you so fixated on the idea of offending Chen Jing? It’s not like he dug up your family's graves... or stole your woman. He just accidentally took a role that was meant for you. Do you really need to be this vengeful? Be a man—can't you be more broad-minded? Why not look at the bigger picture and try to be friends with him instead of hanging around with those useless, fair-weather friends?" As he spoke, Zhang Qishan grew increasingly agitated. "If you still don't get it and you're unhappy, go back to your parents. If you cause any more trouble on my set, I'll have your father come and take you away immediately."

Zhang Ke had wanted to ask who Lin Xi was, but seeing his uncle's rage, he lost his nerve and replied weakly, "Oh, I understand."

Zhang Qishan waved him away. "Go, go. Find somewhere to think about it. You're giving me a headache."

Zhang Ke: "..." Is it my fault?

***

On the other side, the three of them were driving back to the company. Chen Jing looked at Lin Xi and Lin Zitan and smiled, asking, "What brought you two to the set today?"

Lin Xi smiled. "Zitan said you were wrapping up filming today, so we thought we'd come by to see. I didn't expect we'd actually get to see such a 'good show'."

"Yeah, yeah! We just wanted to see you finish up, but we happened to run into you hitting... uh, run into someone provoking you. Hehe, Chen Jing, that move where you slammed that guy into the table was so cool!" Lin Zitan teased. In reality, they had arrived just in time to see Chen Jing slamming Zhang Ke's head into the table.

Chen Jing shrugged, not offering much commentary. After all, hitting people wasn't a good thing.

Lin Xi gave Lin Zitan a stern look before turning to Chen Jing. "Don't do things like that in front of the public again. It doesn't look good."

Chen Jing shrugged indifferently. When it was time to act, he would act. If his principles were challenged, he wouldn't hold back. The worst that could happen was some public criticism or a bit of negative press.

Lin Zitan asked curiously, "Actually, I'm curious—how did that guy provoke you? You're such an even-tempered person, yet you couldn't help but beat him up."

"Uh..." Chen Jing was stumped. This wasn't an easy question to answer. He couldn't just say the truth. If he admitted he hit Zhang Ke because he was harassing Ling Ruohan, not only would Lin Xi and Lin Zitan potentially get jealous, but his relationship with Ling Ruohan would become even more complicated.

Chen Jing hesitated and asked back, "Do you really want to know why?"

"Yes, definitely!" Lin Zitan nodded decisively. Even Lin Xi turned her head to look at Chen Jing, waiting for his answer.

There was no choice; he had to say something. Just as Chen Jing was about to answer, a flash of inspiration struck him. Maintaining a calm expression, he said, "It was nothing. Zhang Ke came over and asked me what it was like to be with the beautiful woman who had come to see me earlier, so I just lost my temper." Chen Jing inwardly praised himself for such a brilliant answer!

As expected, upon hearing this, Lin Xi and Lin Zitan both blushed. They assumed the "beautiful woman" Chen Jing was referring to was one of them, as they had both visited him before.

They believed he had fought to defend their honor. Lin Zitan was suddenly too shy to speak, while Lin Xi, though more composed, managed to say, "Oh, I see. Then he certainly deserved it. But Chen Jing, don't be so impulsive next time. There are many other ways to deal with people." Though she was scolding him, her tone held no real blame.

Chen Jing shrugged and said firmly, "I just can't stand it when people insult those close to me." *Forgive me, forgive me. This isn't the talk of a "scumbag," just the art of conversation. Yes, that's it.*

Hearing his words, Lin Xi said nothing more, though the slight smile on her lips betrayed her joy.