The Beautiful but Obscure Star Is Targeted by a Scheming Movie Star - Chapter 9

At this moment, all the managers arrived on the scene one after another.

Yan Jun walked quickly to Tang Jingran’s side and asked in a low voice, “Are you hurt?”

Tang Jingran uncrossed his legs and shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Only then did Yan Jun turn to look at Zhang Song with relief. “What evidence is there now?”

Zhang Song, who had never seen such a large-scale confrontation, was so nervous that his calves were trembling. “This… this… the evidence…”

“Can’t we just check the surveillance footage?” Tao Shuiyuan stepped out from behind Xu Sheng, his eyes looking triumphantly at the director. “Director, there should be surveillance behind the dormitory, right?”

Zhang Song immediately slapped his thigh. “Right, right, right! There’s surveillance! Everyone, let’s look at the surveillance.”

As he spoke, he hurriedly instructed someone nearby to retrieve the footage.

“The doctor said the kitten’s injuries occurred roughly two hours ago. We finished recording the program around 4:00 PM, and the cat was discovered after 7:00 PM, so let’s start watching from around 5:00 PM.” Zhang Song clicked on the surveillance playback on the screen and turned on double speed.

Because the storage room behind the dormitory didn’t usually hold very important items, the surveillance cameras hadn’t been replaced in many years. As a result, the resolution was not very clear, and part of the view was obstructed by objects.

Then, the moment a figure appeared in the frame, everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.

In the surveillance footage, a tall man wearing a duckbill cap held a black sack. Looking closely, something was struggling inside the sack.

The man raised his hand to pull down the brim of his hat, looked around cautiously, and then quickly threw the object in his hand into the storage room before turning to leave.

Even though no one could see the person’s face clearly, in terms of physical build, this person was Tang Jingran.

For a moment, the hall was terrifyingly quiet. People’s eyes drifted toward Tang Jingran before quickly averting their gaze.

Zhang Song was also a bit stunned for a moment. Looking at Tang Jingran’s still-smiling face and then at Yan Jun’s serious, frowning face beside him, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

“This… this…”

Gong Yingxiao stared fixedly at the figure in the surveillance. After three seconds, he recognized the figure.

This person was not Tang Jingran.

He was absolutely certain.

“Teacher Tang, can you tell us why you appeared at the storage room at this time?” Everyone in the room had different expressions, but only Tao Shuiyuan looked relaxed—even gloating—as he looked provocatively at Tang Jingran.

“Everyone is waiting for your explanation.”

“Are you one hundred percent sure the person in the surveillance is Tang Jingran?” Gong Yingxiao looked at Tao Shuiyuan expressionlessly.

There was a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Tao Shuiyuan was hurt by Gong Yingxiao’s gaze. He didn’t understand; he felt he was many times more excellent than Tang Jingran, so why did this man’s gaze always fall on that unwanted orphan!

Thinking of this, Tao Shuiyuan couldn’t help but speak with a sneer, “Teacher Gong, the video is right here. Could it possibly be faked?”

“If the person in the video isn’t Tang Jingran, then why is everyone else here silent?”

Gong Yingxiao was about to argue back when he was stopped by a lean, fair arm stretching out in front of him.

Tang Jingran expressionlessly walked slowly toward Tao Shuiyuan, not stopping until he was right in front of him.

Tao Shuiyuan was startled by his manner and couldn’t help but take a small step back.

Recovering himself, he spoke somewhat angrily, “What are you do—”

Tang Jingran took pleasure in seeing the other’s panicked expression. After admiring the awkward state for a few seconds, he let out a laugh.

“Teacher Tao, I’ve found that you are really…”

“Quite cute.”

“Although you are very cute, being too cute makes you a bit foolish!” Tang Jingran stopped smiling, and mockery surfaced in his eyes.

Tao Shuiyuan was completely incensed, his eyes widening as he spoke, “The evidence is conclusive now, do you still want to—”

“I’m very sorry, Teacher Tang. I only came because I wanted to apologize to you…”

“I have reflected deeply over the past few days. Perhaps it was because I wanted to be close to Teacher Tang too much that I used the wrong method. I hope you won’t take it to heart…”

“To apologize to you, Teacher, I have specially prepared a gift. I want to give it to you at 7:00 PM in the room behind the dormitory. I hope you can come…”

In the recording, Tao Shuiyuan’s sincere voice came out steadily, falling into the ears of everyone present.

Hearing the recording, Gong Yingxiao looked at Tang Jingran’s slender figure with surprise.

He had originally thought he was a flower grown in a greenhouse, but now he discovered he was a weed growing wildly.

Tao Shuiyuan’s flushed face instantly turned deathly pale, his voice filled with terror. “No… no… it’s not like that…”

“I didn’t say that… this person isn’t me…”

The others nearby, hearing the recording, looked at Tao Shuiyuan with sudden realization. Everyone had seen his actions over the past few days. But since they still had to work together, no one had said anything.

They hadn’t expected him to actually abuse a kitten and then frame someone else for it.

“I was wondering why you went to the storage room in the back so late at night.” Realizing what happened, Xu Sheng looked disapprovingly at his company colleague. “You handled this matter very dishonorably.”

“What do you know!” Tao Shuiyuan shouted uncontrollably, suddenly lunging toward Tang Jingran. “This is all because of you! Why did you have to appear in front of me!”

Before he could touch even a hair of Tang Jingran, he was stopped by a strong, powerful arm.

“Watch your manners.”

The tall, handsome man easily deflected his strength.

“Hahaha!” Tao Shuiyuan turned his head angrily to look at this iron-hearted man. “What right do you have to judge me, you hypocritical fellow!”

“So what if I’m the one who messed with that cat? It’s because it deserved to die! It kept meowing incessantly; it was annoying as hell!”

“I should have just killed that cat directly back then, to let you all…”

Behind him, Tao Shuiyuan’s manager immediately came over, covered Tao Shuiyuan’s mouth, and dragged him back. “Tao Shuiyuan, you’ve gone too far!”

“Xu Sheng, come over and help!”

The truth was out. Zhang Song wiped the cold sweat from his face and squeezed out a smile for Tang Jingran that looked worse than crying.

“Xiao Ran, you rest here first. We’ll go deal with Tao Shuiyuan’s matter first and have him apologize to you later.”

After saying that, he led the others away to see to Tao Shuiyuan. Gong Yingxiao walked over from behind and leaned over Tang Jingran, who had his back turned.

“A pity.”

Tang Jingran turned around, tilting back slightly to distance himself from the ambiguous proximity.

“A pity for what?”

Gong Yingxiao straightened his body, his gaze fixed tightly on the other’s cold, elegant, and exquisite face. His voice was low: “A pity that I originally wanted to be the hero saving the beauty, but I didn’t get the chance.”

“No need for pity.” Tang Jingran met Gong Yingxiao’s gaze. “Because there is no beauty here.”

“There is only a hero.”

“Tao Shuiyuan, why did you do this!” Tao Shuiyuan’s manager stared in disbelief at the gentle, lovable boy before him. How could he do something so cruel?

“The company didn’t work hard to cultivate you just so you could do whatever you want! Go and apologize to him immediately!”

“You cannot continue to stay in this variety show. Go home and rest for a while first. The company will find another artist to take your place.”

“Why? I won’t! I didn’t do anything wrong!” Tao Shuiyuan’s eyes were red, streaked with blood. “It’s Tang Jingran’s own fault for looking for death. I just can’t stand the sight of him. I just don’t want to see him…”

Smash!

A glass water cup exploded at Tao Shuiyuan’s feet, glass shards grazing his ankle.

“It seems you are not fit to participate in the program lately,” the manager said with a deep breath. “Stay home and reflect until further notice from the company.”

“Now, go apologize.”

“I won’t! I never…” Tao Shuiyuan continued to resist, but his emotions were visibly subdued because of the water cup just now.

“Apologize. Don’t make me say it a second time.”

Tao Shuiyuan stared intensely at his manager for several seconds before lowering his head, his hair concealing the emotions in his eyes.

“Fine. I’ll apologize.”

In the hall, everyone stood to the side watching Tang Jingran and Tao Shuiyuan in the center.

Tang Jingran scanned Tao Shuiyuan’s face with a look of interest. When Tao Shuiyuan looked up and saw this man’s expression, his own expression almost slipped.

“I’m sorry.”

The voice was so small that even an ant couldn’t hear it.

“Teacher Tao.” Tang Jingran wasn’t angry; seeing the other’s reluctant expression made him feel quite refreshed.

Tao Shuiyuan suppressed his urge to curse and looked up unwillingly. “What is it?”

“Everyone says Teacher Tao is considerate and charming. I’ve finally experienced it today.” Tang Jingran crossed his arms over his chest, one hand propping up his chin. “But you are too considerate; I might not be able to accept it.”

Tao Shuiyuan looked at him in confusion, not understanding why this person was suddenly praising him.

Not only was Tao Shuiyuan confused, but the others behind them also couldn’t understand Tang Jingran’s maneuver.

Only Gong Yingxiao, standing to the side, thought for a few seconds before the corners of his mouth curled up.

Vindictive.

“What do you mean?” Tao Shuiyuan spoke cautiously.

Tang Jingran dropped his arms and gave a small smile, though the smile carried a hint of sarcasm.

“Thank you for your consideration, but I am physically healthy and have no issues.”

“My meaning is, my hearing is very good. You don’t need to be this considerate.”

The others watching from behind finally realized what he meant—he was saying the other’s apology was too quiet.

This way of giving someone a way out while still mocking them was truly “considering” the other party. The people behind couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Truth be told, it was quite satisfying.

Hearing the intermittent, suppressed laughter from behind, Tao Shuiyuan also caught on and stared at Tang Jingran with loathing.

“I’M SORRY! I’M SORRY!”

“Can you hear me now!”

Tang Jingran nodded with satisfaction. “I heard you. Thank you.”

“I said just now, I am per-fect-ly heal-thy.” He intentionally emphasized the last few words.

As expected, Tao Shuiyuan’s expression became even uglier.

Tang Jingran took a few steps forward, leaning in slightly toward Tao Shuiyuan’s ear, his voice cold and devoid of temperature.

“Teacher Tao, your expression right now is quite good. Although I like it, if you show too much of it, you’ll look stupid.”

The expression on Tao Shuiyuan’s face was extremely twisted, his gaze wishing he could tear Tang Jingran into a thousand pieces.

“Hmph, don’t take yourself too seriously.”

“Without Gong Yingxiao, do you think you could still talk to me like this?”

“Relying on your pretty face to seduce men!”

Tang Jingran’s dark eyes reflected the other’s ugly face as he spoke softly, “Hmph, well, what can be done?”

“He just likes me. He likes to get close to me.”

“Thank you for praising my looks. Since you praised me, I’ll tell you the truth.”

“It was Gong Yingxiao himself who proactively approached me.”

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Tao Shuiyuan could no longer handle the provocation. “You disgusting thing!”

“Thank you,” Tang Jingran accepted readily. “I just love the way you can’t stand me but can’t get rid of me.”

After seeing Tao Shuiyuan off, Tao Shuiyuan’s manager came over to talk to Tang Jingran.

“I’m sorry, Jingran. We will strictly educate him from now on.”

“I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

“I didn’t suffer any substantial harm, so you don’t need to apologize to me. You were unaware of this matter as well.” Tang Jingran continued, “Fortunately, the kitten’s life wasn’t in danger this time; otherwise, I wouldn’t have agreed to a settlement.”

“Yes, yes, yes. I understand, I understand.” The manager nodded repeatedly. “Then I won’t disturb you further. You should rest.”

“Alright.” Tang Jingran shook hands with him.

Yan Jun told Tang Jingran to head to the dormitory after he finished packing. Just as he was about to go upstairs, a tall figure blocked his path.

“I seemed to hear my name mentioned in your conversation just now.”