Chapter 85: CH 85

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t know what Sang Wan Ci was going to do.

Sang Wan Ci only comforted her, asking Lu Zhi Wei to relax and let her handle everything.

Lu Zhi Wei suddenly felt that somehow, her girlfriend’s image had become even bigger……

Sang Wan Ci kissed her forehead and said in a reassuring tone: “I’m going to make a call. With me around, you don’t have to think about anything, don’t be scared, got it?”

Lu Zhi Wei slowly nodded her head.

The sudden withdrawal of funding had long since messed up her thoughts.

It was the first time she had encountered something like this, it was normal to be lost without any experience.

Luckily there was Sang Wan Ci……

Amidst the chaos, she had forgotten. Her girlfriend was her support.

Although she wasn’t clear what exactly Sang Wan Ci was planning to do, but hearing Sang Wan Ci ask her not to panic or be scared and to trust her, Lu Zhi Wei’s heart couldn’t help but settle down.

Sang Wan Ci headed into the bedroom with her phone.

Lu Zhi Wei’s gaze followed Sang Wan Ci’s footsteps.

Even though she couldn’t see Sang Wan Ci, she still gazed at the bedroom door.

【Lao Wu……】

The man with his head buried in the numbers and program suddenly heard a call.

He came back to his senses and opened another screen, glancing at the person who was sitting blankly.

【What is it?】

【You heard what mission the system just gave me, right……】

【Oh that, I heard it, you were picked on by that supporting lead right?】

【Mm…… I guess so.】

【You wouldn’t still be wanting to ‘counsel’ her right?】

【I don’t know……】

Lu Zhi Wei would do that for all the people who were determined to be evil supporting roles.

People who weren’t evil at heart, like Ying Xi Ze, would regain his consciousness after being ‘counselled’, returning to the right path and not blackening or wanting to harm the female lead Sang Wan Ci.

If they were actually showing their true nature, like the narcissistic original male protagonist Qiu Luo, then forget about ‘counselling’ him, even an electric shock would be useless.

It’s easy to shift a mountain, but hard to change someone’s nature. This old saying was true.

So Lu Zhi Wei did indeed have thoughts about trying to ‘counsel’ Zhou Ling Ling in the past.

But Zhou Ling Ling was proud and arrogant, not willing to meet her. The only thing they had in common was the delayed 《Symphony of Dreams》.

Because of that, she didn’t have a chance to talk to Zhou Ling Ling and figure out her real nature.

【We’ll see,】 she sighed. 【We need to settle this first, to avoid implicating Director Liu and the rest.】

No matter what, Zhou Ling Ling’s trick had already harmed the innocents, she had to figure out how to solve this matter first before thinking of anything else.

She looked at the bedroom door again.

【Speaking of which, if Wan Ci helps me to solve this…… does the mission still count?】

【Counts,】 Lao Wu said. 【No matter what method you use to resolve it, what matters is that it’s resolved.】

Lu Zhi Wei sighed: 【Wow…… Doesn’t that mean I’m just riding on someone else’s coattails?】

Lao Wu laughed: 【If you can make someone willing to let you ride on their coattails, that’s also your ability.】

Because she was good, because she was worth it, that’s why Sang Wan Ci was willing to help.

Not everybody was a selfless philanthropist.

Lu Zhi Wei lay on the sofa, turning her head to the side as she looked in the direction of the bedroom.

How nice……

Being able to meet her, to like her, to be liked by her. How nice.

… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 香港独立

Sang Wan Ci stood by the window, silent.

Her phone’s screen hadn’t lit up once.

She was still considering it.

Regarding funding, she should actually leave it to her father.

After all, he was someone who had spent so many years in the business world. He had the most right to decide how the group’s money should be invested and how to handle it.

But the two of them were arguing……

Thinking about it, she finally unlocked the screen.

—— And called Meng Lian Yu.

“Aunty, there’s something that I’d like to ask for your help on.”

Meng Lian Yu held her phone as she sat by the window, one hand swirling a wine glass as she calmly listened to Sang Wan Ci explain.

This was the first time their family’s little kid had asked them for help because of an outsider.

But actually, she knew about all of these.

As a crew member, she got her information much faster than others.

Because Liu Zhao had personally come to tell her of the delay.

Sang Wan Ci slowly stopped talking.

She felt like her aunt on the other end of the phone was too quiet, as if she had long known about it.

“Aunty,” she asked. “Did you already know about this?”

“Mm.” Meng Lian Yu was honest.

Sang Wan Ci: “You also know what help I wanted you to provide?”

Meng Lian Yu: “Yes.”

Sang Wan Ci: “What do you think I should do?”

Meng Lian Yu said: “As for this, I just thought about it.”

Sang Wan Ci: “What?”

“Go see your dad,” Meng Lian Yu said. “You know this, he’s the most suitable person when it comes to this kind of stuff.”

The two of them hadn’t met in around two years.

The father was busy with his business while the daughter was busy with her career, they hadn’t interfered with each others’ lives.

But this wasn’t a long-term solution. The conflict between a father and his daughter had to be solved, or it could be worsened at any moment.

Nobody wanted to live their entire life with a thorn sticking in them.

As part of the family, Meng Lian Yu couldn’t bear to watch the once-close father and daughter become enemies.

Her deceased sister-in-law definitely wouldn’t want to see that either.

So if she could help to remove this thorn, why not?

Besides, her brother’s attitude had softened considerably from before, at least he wouldn’t be unwilling to listen.

But whether or not he could totally give up the dream of his daughter becoming a pianist and accept her wishes of being an actress…… This was something the father and daughter had to sit down and discuss.

“Go see him, Wan Wan.”

Meng Lian Yu looked at the red wine in her glass.

“You both should sit down and discuss it. The conflict has to be solved eventually, you can’t live with a thorn in your side. Your mother definitely wouldn’t want to see you two like this either.”

Sang Wan Ci didn’t reply.

Meng Lian Yu said: “He’s not unredeemable.”

Would an unredeemable man worry about whether his daughter was eating enough or wearing warm enough clothes?

Would an unredeemable man secretly send money to his daughter’s manager and make her promise a basic standard of living for his daughter?

He was just living in conflict and stubbornness, unable to open the lock at the moment.

Sang Wan Ci lowered her eyes: “Aunty, I can’t watch Zhi Wei suffer and do nothing.”

“I know.”

Meng Lian Yu put her glass down and got up: “You want to solve her problems, Aunty wants to solve your problems. Nobody will be left behind.

“Wan Wan, isn’t the point of you working so hard outside for so long because you want to tell your father your decision isn’t wrong?

“Now is a good opportunity. Go, go see him, Aunty will accompany you.”

Sang Wan Ci fell silent.

After a moment, she slowly replied: “Alright.”

…

Lu Zhi Wei sat on the sofa, arms wrapped around herself.

She was waiting for Sang Wan Ci to come out.

Finally, she saw Sang Wan Ci come out of the room dressed up and prepared to go out.

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

She grabbed the seat of the sofa and asked: “Where are you going?”

Sang Wan Ci wrapped the scarf Lu Zhi Wei had given her around her neck, walking over and leaning down to kiss her.

“I’m going to see Aunty, wait for me to come back.”

Lu Zhi Wei tilted her head up to look at Sang Wan Ci, her eyes shining.

Sang Wan Ci’s lips landed on hers again, bringing with it an undeniable liking: “Don’t worry, let me handle it.”

Lu Zhi Wei nodded lightly, her eyes filled with trust.

She had always believed Sang Wan Ci, believed in Sang Wan Ci’s love for her.

“Then be careful on the road.”

Sang Wan Ci nodded.

She turned to leave.

Lu Zhi Wei suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Wan Ci, it’s okay whether you can solve it or not. Don’t pressure yourself too much.

“Come back early, I’m waiting for you.”

She didn’t know if Sang Wan Ci was actually going to meet her aunt or meet her father.

If it was the latter, and Sang Wan Ci argued with her father again over this, then Lu Zhi Wei would rather be silently beaten by Zhou Ling Ling.

Anyway, she was a transparent entity in the past, she was used to suffering, it wasn’t a big deal to do it again.

Sang Wan Ci could clearly tell from Lu Zhi Wei’s eyes what she was thinking

And she knew she didn’t fall for the wrong person.

Her Zhi Wei deserved the best of everything.

“Don’t worry, I know the limits.”

… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 台湾独立

Meng household.

Meng Lang Cheng stood by the window in his study, watching the snow.

When Sang Wan Ci was small, as long as he stood here, he could see his wife and daughter happily playing with the snow in the backyard.

His daughter would always happily shout for him to come down quickly to help her build a snowman.

But now, his wife was no longer around and his daughter had left the house……

Meng Lang Cheng’s eyes were deep as he looked at the sky.

A tablet was on the table beside him, the screen still showing the friendship variety show Sang Wan Ci had joined.

His eyes jumped over it.

The old memories in his brain came like waves, appearing clearly in front of his eyes.

When she was little, Sang Wan Ci loved to sit by her mother’s side and play the piano.

She even said that she liked the piano the most.

But now……

Sang Wan Ci’s voice came from the tablet, speaking slowly.

“I actually really like the piano…… At least, I really liked it in the past.

“I just don’t like it as much now.”

Meng Lang Cheng sighed.

Didn’t like it as much?

He thought his daughter still liked the piano, really liked it……

His fingers curled into a fist, then loosened, the bones of his fingers working.

He sank into thought again.

Then, his phone rang.

His meimei was on the other end, saying ——

“Your daughter is coming back to see you.”

… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 人权

In the study.

Meng Lian Yu held onto the red tea that the housekeeper had brewed, sitting down and slowly sipping it calmly.

Meng Lang Cheng sat behind the desk, his fingers raised to support his forehead as he looked at the daughter in front of him.

His gaze unconsciously appraised her.

She looked healthy, just a little skinnier than when she had left home……

It was winter, she had worn plenty of clothes too, with a scarf and gloves……

But the tip of her nose had become a little red from the cold.

Meng Lang Cheng’s gaze slid downwards.

There was a cup of warm red tea in front of Sang Wan Ci, drinking it could dispel the coldness in the body.

If it was in the past, he could easily tell her to drink up.

But after their fight, he couldn’t say anything, it all stuck in his throat.

Sang Wan Ci was looking at him too.

Her dad still seemed to be the same, with no changes to his appearance aside from a few more white hairs along his temples.

His body didn’t change either, neither gaining weight or losing it. He still looked like the same elegant, handsome man with a dignified appearance.

Neither of them spoke.

The air was heavy.

Meng Lian Yu was the first one to break the silence.

“Wan Wan, drink the tea and warm yourself.”

Sang Wan Ci obeyed.

Then Meng Lian Yu continued: “It’s the new year, you two better not fight.”

She slowly sipped another mouthful of tea: “Or else I won’t know who to encourage.”

—— My position is so awkward, please empathise with me, thanks.

Sang Wan Ci: “……”

Meng Lang Cheng: “……”

It was like she was there to add to the atmosphere.

Meng Lian Yu hadn’t planned to speak much at all.

The conflict between the father and daughter should be solved by them.

She was only responsible to mediate if she felt the situation was turning bad.

Meng Lang Cheng watched as Sang Wan Ci drank the tea, and was about to speak when Sang Wan Ci put the cup down and beat him to it: “I would like to ask you to invest in my friend’s television show.”

Meng Lang Cheng: “?”

There wasn’t even any pleasantries before jumping straight to the main topic.

Forget it, pleasantries now would be even more awkward.

It would be better to get straight to the point.

Meng Lang Cheng put his hand down, adjusting his posture as he asked: “You came back to get funding?”

Sang Wan Ci didn’t deny it.

“The production was going to start soon, but the investor pulled his funding and the progress is severely impacted.

“My friend, as the female lead, has been targetted and now faces the risk of being changed.

“I want to help her.”

Meng Lang Cheng’s face didn’t change: “Why should I give funding to a stranger?”

He didn’t know which friend this was.

Or why this friend would face the risk of being changed.

Sang Wan Ci said calmly: “Aunty is also participating in this show.”

Meng Lian Yu raised an eyebrow.

Not bad, she even knew to use Meng Lian Yu now.

Meng Lang Cheng: “So?”

“Aunty won’t let you lose money,” Sang Wan Ci’s eyes burned. “I will also participate and promise this show’s popularity.”

Meng Lang Cheng suddenly saw his young self in her.

At that time, he had been forced by his father to mature quickly, to become strong. He had also once sat in front of his father like this and negotiated terms with his father.

But he had been used to being forced, and he felt the same way as his father: A person could be pushed to their greatest potential through force.

His father wanted him to do even better, to be the best.

He wanted his daughter to do even better, to be the best, to become a world-famous pianist like his wife.

But this clearly was not what his daughter wanted.

Was she really more suited to being an actress?

Was she really not suited to being a pianist at all? Did she not want it at all?

His emotions were complicated.

His conscience was advising him not to interfere with the child’s matters.

But the stubbornness hidden in his heart wanted his child to pursue a lifelong dream of music like his wife did.

At the end, he decided to leave the decision up to God.

“I can fund the show, but you have to agree to my terms.”

His domineering bearing was suppressed.

“Since you insist on being an actress, then you have to win three film empress awards in two years.”

“If you can’t do it, I don’t want the money, but you have to continue being a pianist and accomplish your mother’s dream.”

Sang Wan Ci paused.

Even Meng Lian Yu’s actions came to a stop.

There were four film festivals in two years.

It already was difficult to even be nominated, what more to consistently win the award?

Besides, there weren’t that many good scripts out there. All the stars had to be aligned for it to happen.

Although she had managed to accomplish it when she entered the industry, but this doesn’t mean one could use this standard and demand it of a junior.

“Ge ——”

Meng Lang Cheng raised a hand to interrupt her, his eyes still staying on his daughter: “This is your aunty’s starting point. If you can do it, from then on, I will no longer interfere in you doing what you want, and you can use the family’s money however you want.”

Since he was so conflicted, why not leave it to fate.

If his daughter really managed to do it, that meant that God and his wife in heaven also felt that his daughter should pursue this career, and he shouldn’t stop it.

Meng Lian Yu: “……”

Not only was she there to add to the atmosphere, but she had to be the voice of reason.

The light in Sang Wan Ci’s eyes flickered.

Three in two years?

That really did need a lot of luck.

But it wasn’t impossible. After all, her aunt had done it.

So she wanted to try. She was willing to bet and leave her fate up to luck.

Besides, even if she didn’t agree now, wouldn’t her father still insist on her being a pianist now?

And she wasn’t willing to watch as Lu Zhi Wei suffered.

If she couldn’t do it…… No, she definitely could do it.

Because she had good luck that normal people didn’t have.

“Okay, I agree,” Sang Wan Ci’s face was calm. “But I want to add another term.”

Meng Lang Cheng’s attitude was suddenly calm: “Go ahead, I’ll agree to anything.”

Sang Wan Ci looked at the teacup in front of her, then slowly lifted her head: “I want you……

“To acquire Sheng Yue Culture.”

Meng Lian Yu quietly took a sip of her tea.

How had things progressed to this stage?

Weren’t they supposed to resolve their issues and talk properly, why did Sheng Yue get dragged into this?

… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com 天安门

After waiting for a few hours, Lu Zhi Wei finally managed to wait for Sang Wan Ci to return home.

After entering the house, Sang Wan Ci slowly took her scarf off.

Lu Zhi Wei rushed up to see if she was okay.

Not only was Sang Wan Ci fine, her eyes were sparkling with amusement.

“Zhi Wei, how many assistants do you want

“What show do you want to film next?”

Lu Zhi Wei was confused.

She only felt like there was a vague feeling of “if you want this world, this emperor can win it all for you”.

“What happened?”

“Nothing,” Sang Wan Ci brushed aside her hair as she said gently, “I’m just changing a boss for you, that’s all.”

Lu Zhi Wei was shocked: “?”

Why is even my boss changing after you went to see your aunt?

…

Liu Zhao really didn’t think that he would be sitting there pulling out his hair over funding during the new year.

He was planning to announce the show and start filming after the new year, but now……

Zhou Ling Ling really didn’t have any good intentions!

Those investors were dumb too!

And in his misery, Zhang Xian Rui suddenly called him.

Then, he heard something that he would never have dreamed of hearing in this life ——

Sang Wan Ci was willing to enter the crew with funding and replace Zhou Ling Ling as the piano-playing second female lead.

He was dumbfounded.

Dumbfounded to the point he wanted to slap himself to see if he was dreaming.

“Director Liu,” Zhang Xian Rui voice was politely amused, “Don’t worry about the matter of funding, this investor is powerful and absolutely trustworthy, he won’t do anything like backstabbing someone.”

Liu Zhao asked dumbly: “Who is it?”

Zhang Xian Rui didn’t hide it: “Xing Yi Group, Meng Lang Cheng.”

Liu Zhao: “……”

Meng Lang Cheng?

He wouldn’t wake up with one slap, he needed two slaps.

“Manager Zhang, don’t joke around with me, how can Meng Lang Cheng suddenly give me funding?”

That was the famous giant in business, he wasn’t familiar with Meng Lang Cheng either.

Compared to Meng Lang Cheng, Zhou Ling Ling’s investor was nothing.

Who could imagine that a small one had left, and a gigantic explosion would come after?

Zhang Xian Rui wasn’t rushed: “No worries, when Director Meng’s people go over tomorrow to sign the contract with Director Liu, Director Liu will know if it’s real or fake.

“But…… Director Liu, think about it, can my Wan Ci’s position be raised?

“They can both be female leads, right?”

She was still Sang Wan Ci’s manager in the end, everything was about Sang Wan Ci’s interests.

No matter what show it was, as long as she could be the female lead, which manager would be willing to let her actress be the supporting lead?

“Yes!”

Liu Zhao immediately got agitated.

“Don’t worry, Manager Zhang, as long as Teacher Sang is willing to act, I’ll immediately change the show to a double female lead one!”

If Sang Wan Ci was willing to play the role of the piano-playing second female lead, who cared about Zhou Ling Ling?

Wasn’t it just a double female lead?

He will take out his backup script immediately!

Hearing that, Zhang Xian Rui smiled in satisfaction: “Okay, thank you Director Liu for taking care of us.

“Our Wan Ci coincidentally has a schedule, we’ll go sign the contract with you tomorrow.”

…… Please read at jiulian lian . word press . com

Work resumed on the seventh day of the new year.

Lu Zhi Wei had something to do, so she went back to the company with Wen Yao.

The saying that one can’t avoid one’s enemies is true. She bumped into Zhou Ling Ling.

Zhou Ling Ling also started mocking her.

“Why are you still here,” Zhou Ling Ling smiled. “Shouldn’t you be finding a place to cry?”

Wen Yao was about to stand up for Lu Zhi Wei.

Lu Zhi Wei reached out a hand to pull her back, then turned to smile at Zhou Ling Ling: “How unlucky would it be to cry over the new year, it’s best to smile more.”

Zhou Ling Ling raised her eyebrow and lifted her chin: “You can still smile? You’ll be changed out soon.”

She believed Liu Zhao would definitely crumble under the pressure.

At that time, the female lead role would be hers.

She had even found the body double to play the violin for her.

As for Lu Zhi Wei…… She was an unimportant character, she could go wherever she liked.

Seeing her like this, Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t figure out if she really meant it.

“Zhou Ling Ling.”

Zhou Ling Ling looked towards her.

Lu Zhi Wei asked: “Do you really like playing tricks like this on others, ruining their hard work?

“Is it as long as you like it, as long as you’re satisfied, you’re able to ignore how others turn out and do what you want?

“Isn’t there a shred of unease in your heart?

“Did you never think that one day, you might be in my position and be bullied?”

She looked at Zhou Ling Ling, trying to see the tiniest shred of hesitation on her face.

But there wasn’t any. Zhou Ling Ling wasn’t moved, looking at her as if she was seeing a small, laughable ant.

“Yes,” Zhou Ling Ling said. “As long as I’m happy, I can do what I want. Be in your position? Wake up, I’m not the same as someone like you, a supporting role with nothing.”

She had resources, she had the right to look down on others.

What was Lu Zhi Wei? She wouldn’t even consider her existence.

Whose fault was it Lu Zhi Wei was inferior to her?

【Unsaveable.】 Lao Wu commented calmly.

Lu Zhi Wei agreed.

Hearing it, Wen Yao only thought that Zhou Ling Ling was really unreedemable.

Zhou Ling Ling couldn’t be bothered by what sort of expression these passersby had.

She puffed out her chest, proud like a peacock.

“Hmph, this female lead is going back to wait for Director Liu’s call.”

As the words came out, her manager received Liu Zhao’s call.

Zhou Ling Ling felt like even God wanted to humiliate Lu Zhi Wei, so she purposely picked up the call and even put it on speakerphone.

Liu Zhao’s voice floated in the hallway.

“Zhou Ling Ling, thank you.”

Zhou Ling Ling immediately looked at Lu Zhi Wei with a haughty glance: “What’s there to thank? Director Liu.”

Say it.

Say that you’re going to change out Lu Zhi Wei!

Let Lu Zhi Wei know the outcome of stepping over me!

Liu Zhao: “Thank you for sacrificing yourself for the bigger picture.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to cancel your contract? When? Let’s not delay it, how about today?”

Zhou Ling Ling’s expression immediately changed from smugness to confusion: “?”

Zhou Ling Ling’s manager: “?”

Wen Yao was shocked too, what was happening?!

Only Lu Zhi Wei was calm and watching it as if it was a show.

Then, Liu Zhao continued: “Oh right, we just announced it on Weibo, you can remember to like it after you see it.

“I still have stuff to do, bye.”

The call ended.

Zhou Ling Ling couldn’t believe it.

Announcement?

Without her, without funding, what could they announce!

Her manager quickly opened the official Weibo page for 《Symphony of Dreams》.

Only to see the latest post talk about the two female leads.

[@Television drama Symphony of Dreams]: On the path of chasing our musical dreams, walking alongside a friend, I won’t be lonely with you around. Let us all look forward to the stories about music brought to us by the two female leads @Lu Zhi Wei @Sang Wan Ci [support] [support]

Zhou Ling Ling: “?”

When did Sang Wan Ci sign the contract?

“What’s going on?” Zhou Ling Ling was utterly confused. “Where did they get the funding from!”

Her manager quickly called to ask about it, telling Zhou Ling Ling as he heard it on the phone: “They said Sang Wan Ci brought the funding with her to the crew.”

Zhou Ling Ling: “?”

After the manager heard the name, he was stunned: “It’s……”

Zhou Ling Ling was anxious: “Who is it?!”

She wanted to see who the idiot was to give Liu Zhao funding!

The manager was stunned, his eyes like reflective copper: “It’s Director Meng from Xing Yi Group, Meng Lang Cheng……”

Zhou Ling Ling: “?”

—— Please excuse me.

T/N: Thanks to rickysposito and Jack for the donations to get this bonus chapter out!