He Lost Control with Jealousy — What Happened to Being Untouchable? - Chapter 17

Luo Zheng nodded repeatedly with satisfaction, looking at Sang Wan as if through a ten-level beauty filter, the more he looked, the more she resembled the Luo Qiao in his mind.

After the audition ended, Luo Zheng personally escorted Sang Wan out, his face openly admiring.

“Miss Sang, your performance was truly inspired. The role of Luo Qiao belongs to no one but you.”

“Director Luo, just call me Sang Wan. I’m still young and will need your guidance in the future.”

Luo Zheng nodded approvingly. “Humble yet talented. Excellent, excellent.”

Seeing Luo Zheng personally escort her out, Song Zixi’s eyes burned with barely concealed fury. Why did the director seem so impressed with Sang Wan?

But since rumors had long circulated that Liu Xi, an industry-recognized blend of beauty and talent would play the female lead, it never occurred to her that Sang Wan had landed the role.

When her turn to audition was called, Song Zixi suppressed the jealousy in her eyes.

At the elevator, Luo Zheng added, “I’ve arranged a gathering tonight to introduce the main creative team. A few investor representatives will also attend. Given your limited experience, attending such events will be beneficial.”

Sang Wan smiled sweetly, her tone polite yet charming. “Thank you for the opportunity, Director Luo. I’ll definitely be there.”

This lead role had come too suddenly, like a diamond-studded pie falling from the sky.

She knew full well that such chances were rare.

Bai Wei also chimed in courteously, “Sang Wan is young and inexperienced. We’ll rely on your guidance in the future, Director Luo.”

Luo Zheng chuckled. “Xiao Bai, the talent you’ve brought is remarkable. I may need you to give me opportunities in the future.”

Amid the flattery, Bai Wei maintained a humble demeanor, though inwardly, she was overjoyed.

Luo Zheng hadn’t expected to secure not only substantial funding but also such an outstanding actress, a double stroke of luck.

Outside the studio, Bai Wei still felt lightheaded, as if floating on clouds.

She grabbed Sang Wan’s arm excitedly. “The female lead in an S+ blockbuster! Directed by Luo Zheng himself! My god, how many people were eyeing this golden opportunity, and we just… just snatched it so easily?”

Sang Wan herself was a little dazed, but more than anything, she was eager to explore the role.

“Maybe… my acting won him over?” She blinked playfully.

“I feel like I’m dreaming. I was originally aiming for the supporting role, what was I thinking?”

Qi Qi, driving, added, “From now on, think bigger, Sister Wei. You know what they say bold ambitions yield great rewards.”

Sang Wan frowned. “That doesn’t sound quite right. What am I, then?”

Bai Wei burst into laughter. “Hahaha, you’re the fertile soil where seeds bloom effortlessly.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized how they might be misconstrued.

Glancing at Sang Wan and Qi Qi, both young and unattached, she sighed in relief. At least they wouldn’t take it the wrong way.

Dusk settled, and city lights flickered to life.

Yet the atmosphere in the VIP room of the “Moyu Xuan” private club was far from the usual lively banquet.

All because the man seated at the head of the table exuded an overpowering presence.

Lu Tingzhou, clad in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuated his tall frame, sat with an air of detached elegance. An invisible barrier seemed to encase him, cold and commanding, demanding respect without a word.

Even his casual recline against the chairback stifled any frivolous chatter. This didn’t feel like a dinner, it felt like a negotiation table.

He had no intention of attending such occasions, but Luo Zheng was his elder brother’s classmate. When the Lu Group suddenly proposed venturing into the film industry, Luo Zheng had unhesitatingly thrown his support behind it.

Even without the Lu Group’s investment, Luo Zheng’s reputation alone meant securing substantial funding was only a matter of time.

Not to mention, he had also slipped someone into the project.

As for that someone… Lu Tingzhou’s eyes darkened slightly, a delicate figure flashing through his mind.

By the time Sang Wan arrived, the private room was enveloped in an eerie silence.

She wore a soft mint-green sleeveless maxi dress, fresh and elegant, accentuating her graceful curves. With every step, the hem swayed, revealing a glimpse of her fair, dazzling calves.

The moment she entered, nearly every gaze in the room subtly drifted toward her.

Luo Zheng spotted her immediately and strode forward to greet her.

“Sang Wan, come, come! We’ve been waiting for you!”

With that, he naturally guided her toward the main table, heading straight for the empty seat beside Lu Tingzhou.

Having navigated the industry for years, Luo Zheng was a seasoned veteran. Though Lu Tingzhou hadn’t explicitly stated his intentions, his meaning was crystal clear. A big shot throwing money into a project while slipping in a personal recommendation was standard practice.

What was rare, however, was that this time, the recommended person turned out to be an unexpected delight, her acting was so impeccable even he couldn’t find fault.

So, this seat had been reserved especially for Sang Wan.

Sang Wan was momentarily taken aback. Gazing at Lu Tingzhou, who was now within arm’s reach, his deep, unreadable eyes gave no hint of approval or displeasure.

She nodded politely. “President Lu.”

Lu Tingzhou acknowledged her with a faint nod, his gaze lingering on her face for less than a few seconds before shifting away. Yet, the fingers gripping his wine glass tightened almost imperceptibly.

Luo Zheng was puzzled. He had assumed there was something between them, but judging by the big shot’s demeanor, he didn’t seem particularly fond of Sang Wan.

After years in the industry, he had seen all kinds of unspoken rules, but this time, he truly couldn’t decipher Lu Tingzhou’s intentions.

Song Zixi had arrived earlier and was seated at the edge of the room. Witnessing this scene, her face twisted with fury.

That seat! The seat beside Lu Tingzhou! How could Sang Wan possibly deserve it?!

The female lead was Liu Xi, the supporting female role was hers, Sang Wan was, at best, a tertiary character. How had Director Luo allowed her to sit next to Lu Tingzhou?

Song Zixi shot Sang Wan a disdainful glance. A mere third-tier actress wasn’t worth Luo Zheng’s fawning, let alone a seat beside President Lu. Sang Wan’s methods were becoming increasingly baffling.

Holding her wine glass, Song Zixi elegantly sidled closer to Sang Wan and lowered her voice, her tone dripping with undisguised mockery.

“Sang Wan, I’ve underestimated you. To climb higher, you’d even take a third-tier role? How… unselective of you.”

Sang Wan picked up the juice in front of her and took a small sip, not even sparing Song Zixi a glance, as if she hadn’t heard a word.

This indifference stung Song Zixi more than any retort could.

Who did this third-rate actress think she was to look down on her?

Before Song Zixi could say more, Luo Zheng raised his glass and announced loudly, “Everyone! Today marks the first official gathering of the main creative team for Storm Rising. Unfortunately, our male lead, Xiao Yan, couldn’t make it tonight due to scheduling conflicts.”

Xiao Yan’s packed schedule was common knowledge, and since he had been cast as the male lead from the start, no one raised any objections.

“However, Xiao Yan specifically asked me to convey his excitement about working with Miss Sang Wan!”

With that, Luo Zheng turned his blazing gaze toward Sang Wan and raised his voice:

“Now, I am honored to introduce to everyone, the actress playing the female lead, Luo Qiao, in Storm Rising, Miss Sang Wan! Let’s welcome Sang Wan to the team! I believe she will bring Luo Qiao to life in the most perfect way!”

As soon as his words fell, enthusiastic applause erupted in the private room.

Sang Wan stood up, gracefully bowing to the crowd with a composed smile on her lips. “Thank you, Director Luo, and thank you, everyone. I will do my best to embody Luo Qiao and live up to everyone’s expectations.”

Her voice remained soft and delicate, yet it carried an unmistakable firmness.

Lu Tingzhou’s gaze lingered on her, a fleeting trace of gentleness and pride, passing through his deep-set eyes.

Song Zixi was utterly dumbfounded.

Her hand, holding a wine glass, froze mid-air, her expression as if she had just been slapped hard across the face, stinging with humiliation.

Luo Qiao?

The female lead in Storm Rising?!

She… Sang Wan… was the female lead?!

How was that possible?!

She had schemed and begged for so long, only to secure the supporting female role. How could Sang Wan land the lead just like that?

Song Zixi’s mind buzzed with disbelief. Every mocking word she had thrown at Sang Wan moments ago now felt like sharp slaps rebounding onto her own face.

She stared at Sang Wan, who remained poised under everyone’s attention, then glanced at Lu Tingzhou at the head of the table, his expression as indifferent as ever. Yet her heart burned with fury and resentment.

Because she had just seen it, the faintest curve of his lips.

That perpetually aloof man had almost imperceptibly smiled when the director announced Sang Wan as the lead.

He had promised her sister to take care of her. If he was the investor, why couldn’t he have given her the lead role instead?

Song Zixi’s face instantly turned as pale as paper.

She had never imagined that Sang Wan would be the female lead!

That Sang Wan, the one she had trampled on and mocked countless times, the one she thought only deserved a minor supporting role had quietly secured the lead role she hadn’t even dared to dream of!

Her fingers tightened around the stem of her wine glass, her smile stiff as she struggled to maintain her composure.

Barely suppressing her jealousy, she endured until Sang Wan toasted with Director Luo before finally slipping out of the room.

The moment Song Zixi entered the restroom, she pulled out her phone and dialed.

Soon, a languid female voice answered. “Xixi? What’s wrong? Calling me at this hour?”

“Sister!” Song Zixi’s voice trembled with tears, thick with grievance and venom. “Sister, if you don’t come back soon, that vixen is going to steal Lu Tingzhou away!”

The woman on the other end paused, her tone still steady. “Impossible. All these years, Tingzhou has never spared a second glance at any other woman.”

“Sister, better safe than sorry, what if it is possible?” Song Zixi hissed. “Lu Tingzhou invested in Storm Rising. Even with his influence, I only managed to get the supporting role. Sang Wan has the same experience as me and debuted a year later, yet she somehow got the lead!”

“The lead?” The voice on the other end finally wavered slightly. “Did Lu Tingzhou personally choose her?”

“Hard to say,” Song Zixi fanned the flames. “Otherwise, how could someone like her land Luo Qiao’s role?! Sister, you have to do something! I can’t let her keep gloating like this!”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before the voice spoke again, slow and measured: “Don’t worry. I know Lu Tingzhou better than you do. If he promised to look out for you, he won’t go back on his word. Even though the last role was also a supporting female lead, it was well-received, and your popularity has risen quite a bit. As for that Sang Wan… just a clown jumping around, nothing more. She definitely has nothing to do with Tingzhou.”

“But…”