Chapter 57

Nan Tao wiped the tears from her laughter and wanted to tell Lin Hong about the melon she had eaten, but she swallowed the words back when they reached her throat.

Oh, it’s so hard to eat the melon by yourself. What’s the point of a melon that can’t be shared?

No, it’s too uncomfortable to hold it in. I have to share the melon so that everyone can have fun!

Nan Tao glanced at the two men walking ahead, acting like good friends, and said in a voice just loud enough for everyone to hear, "I suddenly remembered a friend of mine who's been going crazy lately. He told his wife he was on a business trip, but because his project work ended early, he came home early. He wanted to give his wife a surprise, so he kept it a secret. Guess what happened? He suddenly came home one night, opened the door, and found his longtime friend sleeping in the same bed with his wife! The kicker is, his wife even explained they were just chatting under the covers. Hahaha!"

Lin Hong knew it was fake after hearing the last part. She said speechlessly, "Where did you see that joke? It's bullshit."

Nan Tao blinked and said seriously and sincerely, "Everything I said is true."

Lin Hong didn't believe it: "How can there be so much melodrama in reality?"

When Lu Zhao, who was walking in front, heard this story, he couldn't help but look back guiltily, looking at Nan Tao in surprise and suspicion, feeling that she seemed to be implying something about him.

But then he thought again, it was unlikely. This was the first time that Nan Tao and he met. She couldn't possibly know about his relationship with Li Ding's wife.

Besides, he and Li Ding's wife have been secretly together for more than ten years, and they have been safe and sound without being discovered. The confidentiality measures were very covert. Even Li Ding didn't know about it, and it was even more impossible for Nan Tao to know about it. She probably saw a joke on the Internet.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and glared at Nan Tao fiercely. This female artist was simply his nemesis. He would definitely find an opportunity to teach her a lesson later.

After entering the office, Lu Zhao ordered, "Close the door."

Nan Tao tugged at the door frame. "Why are you closing the door in broad daylight? What shameful things are you doing?"

Lu Zhao slammed the table in anger, "Why are you talking so much nonsense?!"

Nan Tao took two steps back and said fearfully, "You two grown men, and we two weak women, we're scared."

Li Ding pretended to be a peacemaker: "Boss Lu, forget it. If she talks nonsense about what happened today on the Internet, we will suffer. Let's just leave the door open. It's not a big deal."

Lu Zhao glared at Nan Tao fiercely, "For the sake of Director Li, I won't bother with you this time. But if it happens again, get the hell out of Nan Huan."

Li Ding said meaningfully, "She's just a small-time artist. Why bother getting angry with her? You're my superior, and we'll have plenty of time to spend together in the future."

Hearing this, Lu Zhao smiled and said, "You're right. If you enjoy yourself now, you'll suffer in the future."

Nan Tao: "What on earth did you call Lin Hong and me over for? Tell me now. I don't have time to listen to you bragging about business with Li Ding."

Lu Zhao: “…”

Li Ding: “…”

They have never seen a female artist in the circle with such low emotional intelligence and who always offends others with her words. How on earth has she been able to survive in the entertainment industry until now without being banned?

The veins on Lu Zhao's forehead throbbed, and he took a deep breath. "Why would I ask you to come here if there's nothing wrong?! Are you going to piss me off to death?!"

Seeing that even someone as cunning as Lu Zhao was so irritated by Nan Tao, Li Ding suddenly felt that Nan Tao had been lenient with him before, so he quickly tried to persuade her, "Don't be angry, it's not worth it. We've been through so many ups and downs over the years."

Lu Zhao: "I've lived half my life and I've never met such a person."

Li Ding: "Well, who says it's not true?"

Nan Tao said happily: "Thank you for the compliment, I accept it with a smile."

Lu Zhao: “…”

Li Ding: “…”

I want to vomit blood!

Is this person made of wood? He doesn't understand other people's ridicule at all?!

Lu Zhao didn't want to see Nan Tao again. He felt that if he continued like this, his life would be shortened sooner or later, so he said straight to the point, "Since you already know Producer Li, I won't introduce you. I called you here to discuss the matter of Director Le choosing the female lead."

Originally, Lu Zhao wanted Nan Tao to apologize for offending Li Ding, but after seeing Nan Tao's fighting ability, he gave up, fearing that it might anger both him and Li Ding to death.

Li Ding took over the topic: "Thank you, Mr. Lu, for your help."

Then he looked at Nan Tao and Lin Hong and said with a smile, "Director Le has been unwilling to sign a contract with Rong Ya. He is so stubborn that he believes that only Nan Tao is suitable for the female lead role. Rong Ya is a very malleable actress. As long as she joins the crew and is well taught by Director Le, I believe her acting skills will not be too bad. Whether in terms of image, temperament, or acting skills, I think Rong Ya is more suitable than Nan Tao. This is the decision I made after discussing with your President Lu."

Nan Tao was curious: "What decision?"

Li Ding had a smile on his face, but there was a vicious look in his eyes.

In his eyes, Nan Tao is nothing more than a clown with low emotional intelligence, incompetence, and no background. This kind of people are the easiest to manipulate and bully in the entertainment industry. They are the ones who are unreasonable, speak without thinking, and use sharp tongues to irritate people. Sooner or later, they will fall.

Now, he is going to step hard on the resources that Nan Tao cares about most. Only after suffering losses and learning lessons will one learn to be smart.

It was as if he saw Nan Tao lying under him crying and begging for mercy, and he laughed out loud with joy.

"Guess?" Li Ding said.

Nan Tao took two steps back in disgust and said disdainfully, "Stop laughing! Your eyes are so small. If you laugh like this, they'll disappear. Someone who doesn't know you would think you're blind."

Li Ding was so angry that his hands were shaking: "You, you..."

Nan Tao: "What do you mean by 'I'? You're smiling like that, clearly harboring malicious intent. Do you think I'm stupid and can't understand? Haha, that's disgusting. How did someone like you become a producer? I don't think you're a good person either. You must have a lot of shady dealings. Didn't the Tianyu Century Legal and Compliance Department investigate you?"

Li Ding felt guilty and bluffed, "What nonsense are you talking about? I've done my job conscientiously and dedicated everything to the company. What are you investigating?!"

Lu Zhao quickly brought the topic back to the topic: "Producer Li, why are you saying this to her? Just continue with what you were saying."

Li Ding was furious. He had clearly seen Nan Tao's sharp tongue, yet he still said so much to her. Fearing that he would make more mistakes, he just got to the point: "Tell Director Le that you are willing to withdraw from the role of the heroine and persuade him to accept Rong Ya."

Nan Tao: “???”

Turning to look at Lin Hong: "Hong~Did I just hallucinate?"

Lin Hong's expression was indescribable: "I'm not hallucinating."

Nan Tao laughed: "No, how dare you say that? You used Tianyu's investors to force Director Le to accept Rong Ya. Director Le didn't want to, so you came up with another plan. You directly announced it online and used public opinion to threaten Director Le. In the end, Director Le still didn't want to be manipulated by you. Now, you come to me directly and ask me to give up? You stole my role but failed, and you take the initiative to come to my door and order me to give up? I say, who gave you such a big face, a cesspool?"

Li Ding and Lu Zhao's faces kept changing from red to orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, and finally stopped at red, as if they were flushed with anger.

Lu Zhao: "I'm informing you, you have no choice!"

"No choice?" A cold voice came from the door.

Everyone looked up and saw a tall and handsome man accompanied by President Nan Huan.

President Nan Huan scolded: "Hurry up and say hello to President Nan."

Lu Zhao was so scared that his face turned pale and sweat broke out on his forehead. Why did President Nan come to his office? Wasn’t the semi-annual meeting being held in the conference room?

"Boss Nan, why are you here? Come and sit down."

Lu Zhao bent down and wiped the boss chair clean with his hands, then bent down humbly and stretched out his hand, making a gesture of invitation.

Nan Bo's eyes were cold, "I can't come?"

Lu Zhao stammered and explained: "No, no, that, I..."

President Nan Huan interrupted: "Alright, stand aside."

Li Ding on the side felt very embarrassed. After all, he was not from Nan Huan, but he ran to Nan Huan. He wanted to leave but didn't dare. If it was only the president of Nan Huan, he might be able to say a few words, but the person who came now was the prince and the person in power of Nan Group, so he didn't dare.

"Mr. Nan." Li Ding said flatteringly.

Nan Bo didn't even glance at Li Ding. He said calmly, "What were you talking about just now? Tell me."

Nan Tao wiped away her nonexistent tears and pretended to cry, "Boss Nan, we are wronged."

Nan Bo: "Oh? Tell me about it."

Nan Tao sobbed, her sobs dry, no tears in her eyes. She sobbed, "I heard that President Nan is impartial and a truly kind man. You must stand up for Lin Hong and me, otherwise I won't be able to stay in this company. He's too much of a bully."

Nan Bo listened to his sister's praises, his brows relaxed, and he said happily, "You tell me, as long as you are wronged, I will make the decision for you."

President Nan Huan watched President Nan Bo cooperating with the eldest lady in an act, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Is Lu Zhao blind? He offended the eldest lady as soon as he took office. Does he think his life is not short enough?

Seeing that Lu Zhao was still glaring at the young lady, President Nan Huan was so angry that his stomach ached. He closed his eyes and felt tired.

Forget it, let it be destroyed. As long as it doesn’t implicate me, Lu Zhao, that idiot, can just get out of here.

Lu Zhao glared at Nan Tao, then looked at Nan Bo in a flattering manner: "Boss Nan, don't listen to her nonsense, she..."

"Shut up!" President Nan Huan shouted angrily, almost giving Lu Zhao a big slap in the face. The brother and sister are acting happily, why are you butting in?

Lu Zhao felt wronged, but he dared not speak again.

Li Ding sensed the strange atmosphere and was so frightened that he dared not breathe. He just prayed that Nan Tao, who had a big mouth, would stop talking nonsense.

However, things went against their wishes. The more Lu Zhao and Li Ding didn't want something to happen, the more it happened.

Nan Tao whimpered, "I'm going to report Lu Zhao and Li Ding for colluding to bully Lin Hong and me."

Nan Bo cooperated and asked, "How did you bully me?"

Nan Tao said logically, "At the moment, there are two aspects of the bullying. First, Lu Zhao picked on Lin Hong and me without any reason, and asked Lin Hong to write a 5,000-word character rectification report, saying that I was lazy, a slacker, and a bad influence on the other guests. He forced me to change my character. It's too much..."

Nan Bo nodded: "It's indeed excessive!"

Lu Zhao: "Boss Nan, don't believe her one-sided words. I asked her to change her personality out of kindness..."

President Nan Huan felt the chill coming from Nan Bo, closed his eyes, pinched Lu Zhao's arm, and whispered through gritted teeth, "Shut up!"

Lu Zhao gasped in pain, not daring to make a sound, and endured the pain.

Nan Bo: "What about the second point?"

Nan Tao: "The second point is even more outrageous. Lu Zhao actually teamed up with outsiders to bully his own company's artists! How shameless!"

Nan Bo: “Oh?”

Li Ding's forehead was covered with cold sweat: "Nan Tao, don't talk nonsense!"

Lu Zhao subconsciously wanted to open his mouth to scold, but when he received the threatening look from President Nan Huan, he shut his mouth in frustration and let Nan Tao talk nonsense and slander him.

Nan Tao continued, "I'm a good actress and I'm beautiful. Director Le wanted me to be his leading lady. But the bad guy Li Ding actually used his status as Tianyu's largest investor to threaten Director Le. Fortunately, Director Le remained loyal and unyielding, refusing to comply no matter what. Seeing that this was useless, Li Ding devised a ruthless plan. He used public pressure through an official online announcement to pressure Director Le. But Director Le is a man willing to sacrifice for the art of film. How could he give in? Seeing that this trick didn't work, Li Ding colluded with Lu Zhao to force me to give up Director Le's leading lady role."

Nan Bo sneered: "Really?"

Lu Zhao and Li Ding turned pale and both denied it: "No, no..."

Nan Tao cried aggrievedly, "If President Nan hadn't come over, I would have succumbed to their tyranny and been 'actively' abandoned."

Lu Zhao couldn't believe that Nan Tao said everything so bluntly and glared at her.

Looking at Nan Tao's delicate facial features, he suddenly realized something, his face turned pale, his lips trembled, his hands and feet became weak, and he almost fell down.