C19 Arrogant and Despotic!

"Why are you being so insolent? I'm the leading lady of this film! When I ask you to show me the way, you don't even bother? Have I overestimated you?"

A livid shout echoed across the set.

Zhong Ming, engrossed in directing the shoot, heard the uproar and feared a mishap had occurred. He rushed to the scene.

"Everyone's swamped with work, and you find time for a squabble?"

Zhong Ming, the director, weaved through the crowd and stepped forward.

The next moment, he laid eyes on the last person he wanted to encounter.

"Miss Zhou Baobao!?"

"Shouldn't you be off-book with the adjacent crew right now?"

A wave of frustration washed over Zhong Ming. He had toiled for years, striving for success, and this film was his shot at stardom. But fate had a twisted sense of humor, casting a diva as his lead.

He couldn't voice his objections or sway her—she was backed by a boss, and he was just a director using someone else's funds. What could he possibly say?

Yet, the leads were meant to be rehearsing in a different set! Why was she here?

He was baffled. How did she even end up here?

Zhou Baobao, chafing from the scolding, seethed with rage. She glared at the director, whom she had desperately sought to impress without ever securing the role of the female lead, recalling her current part and the formidable Zhou Wancai backing her.

Without hesitation, she unleashed her tirade.

"Why don't I just send my stand-in to rehearse? And what business is it of yours anyway?"

The mood turned tense, with no one daring to meet Zhong Ming's gaze. They all sensed his foul temper.

Indeed, he was irate, but with Zhou Wancai in the wings, he bit back his anger and inquired about the situation.

After a recap from the bystanders, the pieces fell into place for him.

The issue was straightforward: Zhou Baobao had demanded to be shown the way while everyone was busy. When denied, she erupted in frustration.

Before their arrival, Zhou Baobao had even given his assistant a vicious slap!

Zhong Ming seethed with anger internally, muttering curses under his breath, yet he managed to maintain his composure, feigning a smile as he ushered Zhou Baobao out the door.

With a haughty snort, Zhou Baobao strutted off.

It wasn't until she was well out of sight that Zhong Ming allowed himself to relax, turning to address the others.

"Next time, be more cautious and avoid upsetting her. If you stir up trouble with that troublemaker again, I won't be able to bail you out. The one who got slapped, head over to finance and get some cash, then check yourself into the hospital. Let's put today's incident behind us."

"We're in the final stages of filming, folks. Let's all just hang in there."

Meanwhile, Xu Wenn's research on Water Fuel was drawing to a close.

Yet, unbeknownst to him, his assistant's face turned sour following a phone call.

This young assistant was Xu Wenn's protégé, mentored from the ground up.

After the call, he slipped out of the office and hailed a cab to the hospital.

Upon arriving, Xu Wenn's assistant entered a ward where Xu Wenn's mother lay.

Approaching, he turned to the person beside him.

"Uncle Xu, I've been swamped with work and couldn't visit sooner. How is auntie doing?"

Xu Wenn's mother let out a weary sigh from her hospital bed.

"It's all because of that incident with Xu Wenn in the car. The other party won't let it slide, and the situation's only escalating. I'm so embarrassed, I can hardly face anyone..."

Xu Wenn's assistant hastened to reassure her, "Auntie, please don't worry. I know Prof. Xu well—he would never do such a thing! There's got to be a misunderstanding..."

Xu Wenn's mother cut him off, "I'm well aware of Wenn's character, but others won't see it that way. They believe their own eyes and ears, or whatever they hear from others..."

"Go on, get back now. I didn't have Old Xu call you because your research is critical. We can't have Wenn distracted by this."

"Keep this matter under wraps once you're back at the company."

The assistant's face was etched with concern, yet he found himself at a loss for words.

Xu Wenn's father let out a sigh, "Let's leave it at that for now. At least, let's not tell him just yet."

While Xu Wenn's parents and assistant were bracing for a catastrophe, the internet was ablaze with yet another explosive update, escalating the situation even further.

An anonymous netizen posted, "Rumor has it that Xu Wenn committed an indecent act against Zhou Baobao in a public space like the subway, and there's more to the story! Allegedly, he's got a powerful patron backing him. The bloggers who spoke up for Zhou Baobao have all been silenced! It's downright chilling!"

"Chilling? It's an outright threat! Word is that several influential bloggers have been muzzled. What can we even say anymore? Where's the justice in that?"

"I never would've guessed Xu Wenn could stoop to such levels. Failing to thoroughly investigate him and his backers would be a disservice to us taxpayers!"

"Absolutely! Xu Wenn and his supporters must be investigated to the fullest extent! They need to understand that justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied!"

Little did they know, neither Xu Wenn nor his influential supporter were paying any attention to the scandal. In fact, they couldn't be bothered with such mindless chatter.

Their entire focus was on their scientific research.

Inside the vast laboratory, computers whirred, crunching through massive amounts of data. Experiment after experiment was underway, and the research was nearing its conclusion.

Barring any unforeseen setbacks, their plan was approaching the final stage.

"Water fuel!"

Should this research project succeed, the breakthrough would be unparalleled!

Moreover, the findings and associated technologies could potentially elevate our nation to the ranks of the world's elite powers!

For starters, this kind of research was unheard of abroad, meaning that success would place us at the forefront of global technological advancement.

Furthermore, the fruits of this research could significantly accelerate our nation's industrial revolution. If this project concludes successfully, our country could soon rise as a bona fide industrial powerhouse!

Having someone as gifted as Xu Wenn is nothing short of a national treasure!

And yet, what's the response? He's being vilified by the uninformed. It's preposterous.

It's a sad truth that the deeds of a general go unnoticed by his tomb, while the affairs of an actor become the gossip of the world.