Chapter 106: Face-off at the Middle Gate

Chapter 106: Face-off at the Middle Gate

“Your previous performances were fine, but I always feel like there’s a lack of… um, a sense of contradiction.”

The director scrutinized the original footage and shook his head helplessly as he spoke.

“Contradiction, huh?”

“Yes, this song has a strong sense of buildup and release. I think the chorus is already spot on, but the build-up beforehand is still lacking.”

Bai Yi opened her mouth, looked at Yan Huan beside her, and finally said, “Actually, I had some contradictory elements in my original draft, but due to some… real-life factors, it might not be suitable to include them, so…”

Bai Yi referred to the subplot hinting at her mother, which Yan Huan had suggested removing.

The director shot a glance at Bai Yi and continued, “While I can find elements, the problem lies with me—not designing that direct conflict. Let me think about how to revise it.”

He pinched his chin in thought but quickly revealed a frustrated expression.

His gaze drifted past Yan Huan and Bai Yi, looking towards the crowd behind them, and he cursed, “Damn, this is already annoying. When will these leaders leave? They’re just making a ruckus every day without doing anything serious—just adding chaos.”

He rubbed his temples and stood up, saying, “You guys take a break here. I’m going to check on the situation and think about how to improve this.”

The director left, filled with grievances, leaving Yan Huan to sigh, his mood gradually settling down.

Maybe he was losing it; he was surprisingly okay with Ye Shiyu coming.

At least Spencer wasn’t here, right?

He thought to himself.

“Yan Huan, I’m going to get them to help with my makeup. Do you want to come along?”

Bai Yi took out a makeup mirror and assessed her face as she spoke.

Actually, her makeup wasn’t too damaged; it was mostly her hair and outfit, which had gotten a bit messy from all the bouncing around.

“I think I’ll pass. My makeup is fine. Plus, as the male lead, I really don’t need to show my face on camera—feels like I don’t even need makeup.”

Bai Yi raised a finger playfully at Yan Huan and said, “Who said that? Aunt Ye just said it’s nice to have handsome guys; it boosts efficiency for me and the other staff.”

Yan Huan smiled at her comment, “You’re using Aunt Ye’s words as your golden statement right from the first meeting, aren’t you?”

“I never said ‘handsome guys and beautiful girls,’ so I’ve skipped that part, meaning it’s now my words.”

Bai Yi winked and stood up, ready to leave, “Alright, I’m going to touch up. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

Yan Huan watched her leave, lowered his head, and began scrolling through videos on his phone.

Not long after, Meow-chan appeared eerily on his shoulder and asked, “Ye Shiyu is here, what should we do?”

“What do you mean what to do? Aunt Ye is here, she can’t stir up any waves.”

“Don’t be too optimistic. This is the Golden Lion Group’s territory. If Ye Shiyu is here, what if Spencer also shows up? She knows you’re shooting an MV.”

“…”

Yan Huan’s expression tensed. He quickly looked behind him to confirm he did not see Spencer’s figure.

Trying to calm down, just as he intended to reassure himself, a soft voice suddenly came from another direction.

“Oi!”

“…”

Yan Huan was slightly taken aback, turning around with disbelief.

There, behind a rack of equipment outside the studio, a figure in a gray hoodie was sneaking around.

Half of her golden curls peeked out along with half of her face and one clear blue eye.

Who else but Spencer?

“…Meow-chan, you jinxed it!!”

“Meow?!”

Yan Huan hurriedly pretended not to see and turned back.

“Oi, Yan Huan!”

“…”

Not seeing, not seeing, not seeing…

“Bang!”

But the next second, something soft hit the back of his head.

He held his head in surprise and turned to see a Q-version golden piggy bank lying on the ground.

Yan Huan’s face instantly darkened. He had no clue why this brainless person would carry such a toy around.

He silently pressed his lips together, picked up the piggy bank, and looked back over there.

Spencer hunched down and gestured for him to come closer.

“…”

Yan Huan looked at Spencer expressionlessly and then tossed the piggy bank back.

She quickly caught it and looked at Yan Huan, who had already turned away and clearly did not want to acknowledge her.

Spencer, puffed up with anger, squeezed her fists, then cautiously glanced at the group of leaders and staff, before bending low and sneaking towards Yan Huan’s studio.

Yan Huan noticed how careful she was and felt a bit puzzled.

Given her usual reckless, fearless self, why was she so timid today?

“…Yan Huan, why are you pretending not to see me?!”

She quickly came closer.

Before even entering the studio, her soft accusation came flying in.

Yan Huan glanced at her expressionlessly and retorted, “Why should I care about you?”

“Huh? You little…”

Hearing this, Spencer stood up indignantly, ready to lash out, but her voice faltered.

She squeezed her fists, her face reddening, her eyes dodging, “Even though… even though it’s wrong for me to take your most precious thing, but I didn’t know! You can’t entirely blame me, right?”

“…”

“Old man subway cellphone.jpg”

“Wait, are you for real? What nonsense are you talking about?”

Yan Huan had no idea where she was coming from; her words were all over the place.

“Huh?!”

Her voice suddenly got higher but then she quickly realized, covering her mouth.

It seemed she was afraid her voice would attract attention.

Seeing her like this, Yan Huan sneered and asked, “Isn’t this your family’s Golden Lion Group? Why do you act like a thief?”

“Mind your own business.”

Yan Huan observed how she lowered her voice again. After a moment of silence, he suddenly opened his mouth and shouted to the outside, “Get someone here!”

“Shh!!”

Spencer panicked, frantically reaching out to cover his mouth.

Yan Huan stepped back slightly, firmly grasping her wrist.

“What? Are you going to run away now that I’m calling someone?”

“You!”

Seeing that annoying face, Spencer felt her teeth itch with rage.

Suddenly, she remembered something and smiled wickedly, “Alright, Yan Huan, you’re something! I still have four chances left; I’m going to use one right now!”

“Get lost. I have matters to attend to, I’m not in the mood to deal with you.”

“Are you trying to play dirty? Do you think I won’t…”

“What are you planning to do?”

Yan Huan held her wrist, watching Spencer’s initially aggressive gaze start to dodge.

Then her cheeks turned pink, her voice dropping a notch, “…Kiss you.”

“…”

Yan Huan froze slightly, instinctively glancing at her moist lips, now up close, and he could see her restless little tongue.

Uncontrollably, saliva started to build up in his mouth.

After several seconds, he finally forced himself to look away, pushing her hand away in disgust, cursing, “Are you out of your mind? Have you finished your homework, or is your club battle going well? What’s with your idle talk? I’m telling you, I have other stuff to deal with today.”

“Isn’t it just filming that… whatever V?”

“Are you leaving or not?”

“Huh?! This is my home, okay?!”

“Are you afraid to call your family?”

The two began bickering in the studio, completely unaware that the MV director, who had just walked away, was now peeking into the studio to gauge the situation.

He initially wanted to question President William but hadn’t seen Milos, the boss of Golden Lion Entertainment, and was turned back halfway.

On the way back, he faintly heard another girl’s voice speaking with the young man inside.

When he looked, it was a disaster.

That girl with her arms crossed, sulking fiercely, he had only seen her once but remembered her clearly.

Because he saw it with his own eyes; the stern, no-nonsense President William was uncharacteristically kind and gentle in front of that girl.

It can’t be wrong, that child is…

The young lady of the Black Gold family, the daughter of his boss’s boss’s boss.

And now she’s flirting with the young man filming the MV…?

Hiss.

Initially, he thought Bai Yi hadn’t used any other actors and instead invited students from the same school for free; he figured that young man must be Bai Yi’s boyfriend.

But now it seems that’s not the case?

What’s going on? Let me see.

The director leaned against the wall, sneakily observing.

He noticed the spoiled girl flushed in front of the expressionless handsome young man, who was clearly overwhelmed, and the director was internally amazed.

Way to go, young man.

Is he planning to live off this girl’s efforts?

“You keep this up, I won’t be responsible anymore!!”

“…What responsibility? Have you played too many Angry Birds that your brain is fried? Just leave.”

Spencer was furious, but seeing Yan Huan’s disgusted face made her think of something, and she actually started laughing.

Then, she pointed a finger at him and confidently declared, “I get it, you’re speaking in reverse!”

“??”

Yan Huan rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit amused with annoyance, “No, did that kiss on Thursday knock out what little intelligence you had?”

Kiss… kiss!?

With Aria Spencer?!

The director outside bit his fingers, even afraid to listen further.

You’re really something.

That girl is the eldest daughter of the Black Gold family; her lips might as well be made of gold. How did it seem like you got the shorter end of the stick?

Is this truly the highest level of living off others?

“….”

The director bit his fingers, staring over there with red-rimmed eyes.

Probably suffering from cat scratch fever.

But just then, his peripheral vision caught sight of another girl with long black hair making her way to the edge of the studio.

He had seen this girl before—wasn’t she the one who came with Ye International’s Mr. Ye?

Mr. Ye’s daughter?

Ye Shiyu didn’t hear the earlier conversation but noticed the argument unfolding inside.

“Yan Huan, you! I finally made up my mind to come and tell you about this! If you keep talking backwards, think carefully about what you’ll regret!”

“Thank goodness I already regret it enough as is.”

As she watched the disgust and aversion spread across Yan Huan’s face, she caught sight of the unfriendly expression on Spencer’s face and fell into thought.

Ye Shiyu suddenly recollected seeing Spencer causing a ruckus in a meeting meant to recruit student club members and later hearing she had joined some study group.

This was a troublesome student with a terrible personality, but she looked well-off, allowing the school to favor her.

Surely, the Student Council President, Little Huan, would find someone like her to be quite a hassle?

Mom said she should help Little Huan with trouble.

In that case, Spencer must be the so-called “trouble,” right?

Thinking of this, Ye Shiyu’s phone suddenly lit up with a haunting purple glow.

What should I do?

“….”

Meanwhile, the director hiding behind the wall was secretly observing this so-called daughter of Mr. Ye.

Unexpectedly, the next second, her abyss-like gaze turned toward him.

“Hiss!”

The director was startled, hurriedly looking away.

But Ye Shiyu merely looked at the Golden Lion Group logo hanging on his chest and the name tag beside it.

After taking it all in, it seemed as though a thought bloomed in her mind.

Thus, her gaze toward this director grew increasingly colder.

Inside the studio, Spencer was running out of patience.

Originally feeling somewhat guilty for taking Yan Huan’s most precious possession after forcibly kissing him, she thought about his continued dishonesty and reversed words (?), prompting her to feel that perhaps she hadn’t been harsh enough.

What a dishonest fellow.

Wasn’t a mouth-to-mouth kiss enough to shatter his pride?

In that case, the next step must be…

Thinking this, Spencer’s face grew even redder.

She glanced at Yan Huan’s disdainful lips, wishing she could grab his constantly contradicting tongue and give him a good lesson.

Tap~Tap~

But just then, footsteps echoed in the empty corridor.

“Uh-oh, someone’s coming!”

Spencer’s expression changed, and she turned to run.

But perhaps being around this mischievous person for too long had rubbed off on Yan Huan, making him subconsciously become worse too.

He smirked, firmly gripping her wrist, holding her in place.

“Don’t you dare leave! Earlier, I let you go, and now you want to run?”

While he didn’t know why she was running from his family’s employees, it was clear that her expression was anything but sly—she genuinely feared being seen, not playing tricks.

“You you let go!”

“What if I don’t?”

“Then I’ll…”

Spencer recalled what the AI had said earlier as her gaze flickered towards the approaching figures.

She gritted her teeth, pulling closer to Yan Huan and, eyes closed, she kissed him.

But due to the urgency, her aim was slightly off, only managing to kiss the corner of his mouth.

“Pop~”

That light little peck was like a dragonfly skimming over water, leaving Yan Huan in a daze.

He instinctively released Spencer’s wrist, and she immediately distanced herself.

Seeing his eyes widen slightly, she beamed with a devilish smile.

She pulled her finger down on her eyelid, taunting, “And you say you’re not speaking in reverse, idiot!”

“….”

“I’ll be back; today, I must show you my strength! Bye!”

After finishing her taunt, before Yan Huan could get angry, she quickly dashed toward the exit of the studio.

Yan Huan didn’t dare to pursue her with his gaze, merely touching his slightly moist lips and looking towards the approaching footsteps.

“Director, you’re back?”

The director, expressionless, walked in, his eyes focused ahead as he spoke, “There’s a girl named ‘Ye Shiyu’ looking for you. She wants you to go over.”

“Shiyu sister?”

Yan Huan’s heart tightened as he exited the studio to check outside.

His first question for Ye Shiyu would be: Is Aunt Ye here?

Only if Aunt Ye was here would he dare to go; otherwise, he feared he might face another of Ye Shiyu’s deep hypnosis sessions.

“….”

Regardless, I’ll find Aunt Ye first, pretending I didn’t see where Ye Shiyu was.

No matter what, he had to drag Aunt Ye along with him to meet Ye Shiyu.

“Alright, I’ll go take a look and be back soon, Director.”

“….”

The director behind him stood straight, not responding.

The atmosphere made Yan Huan squint as he seemed to sense something.

On his shoulder, Meow-chan popped up, warning him, “Meow, Ye Shiyu…”

“I know, Meow-chan. Don’t worry; let’s see what Ye Shiyu intends to do.”

“Meow~”

Pretending not to notice, Yan Huan glanced around before stepping out of the director’s studio, heading towards the direction the director pointed out.

As soon as he left, Ye Shiyu, who had been hiding around the corner, stepped out expressionlessly, gazing in the direction where Spencer had just vanished.

“….”

She clenched her phone, engulfed by ominous thoughts, and walked toward Spencer’s departing figure.

“Humph~”

Outside Golden Lion Entertainment’s workspace was a corridor connecting the supply room and idle offices. This was also an emergency exit, usually void of any passersby.

Spencer had fled from the studio to this point, sitting down to take out her phone and began playing “Angry Birds” again.

But the little pigs on her slingshot kept missing their targets, reflecting her distracted mind.

“Tsk.”

The next moment, her phone screen locked up.

Under the lights, her flushed face reflected back at her.

Her heart raced, and her entire face felt as if it were on fire.

“….”

What started as a last-minute escape method, now that she sat down, she felt a bit reluctant to part with it.

It seemed she was getting a bit addicted to the feelings that kisses brought.

“Aish, I’m so annoyed! It’s not like I enjoyed it or anything!”

Spencer seemed to have a habit of talking to herself when alone.

She pouted and tried to resume playing “Angry Birds,” hoping that the game could dispel the chaotic thoughts in her head.

Tap Tap…

But just then, an ethereal echo resonated in the deserted corridor.

Spencer froze for a moment, gazing down the corridor beside her.

No one?

Shh Shh…

It felt like a wind blew by, but after examining it for a while, she couldn’t discern where the wind was coming from.

Suddenly, the temperature around her began to drop, dissipating the heat from her shyness.

Sizzle…

Then, the bright lights of the corridor flickered as if having a bad connection, becoming erratic.

“Uh? W-What’s happening?!”

Panic surged within Spencer, causing her to stand up. This atmosphere made her feel increasingly uneasy.

It reminded her of the time she had stealthily watched videos on her mother’s tablet, accidentally clicking on a horror film.

She was terrified to sleep alone for a week, and the ghostly imagery still haunted her.

No way.

Is there really a ghost?

Mom did say there are no ghosts in this world, right?!

Could it be that she was just joking?

“Who is it? Get out here! Or else…”

Sizzle…

Suddenly, the lights went out completely, the electronic screen on the wall flashed, drowning in white noise.

“There’s a ghost!!”

The sudden blackness caused her legs to weaken, nearly making her collapse onto the floor.

In the dark, a tall shadow suddenly appeared in the middle of the corridor as if it had been slowly walking toward her.

In its hand, a swirling purple screen stayed illuminated, catching Spencer’s attention.

Sizzle…

The lights flickered erratically, casting an almost ethereal glow on Ye Shiyu’s face standing in the corridor.

“You…”

Looking at the expressionless girl in front of her, Spencer realized she looked familiar. It quickly dawned on her: this was the girl she had met at school before.

She’s Yan Huan’s sister.

“You are… Yan Huan’s sister.”

Not a ghost?

Spencer shrunk back, confirming the figure before her was human instead of a ghost and snapped, “What are you doing here, trying to scare me to death?!”

“…You’re Spencer, right?”

Ye Shiyu ignored her irritation and held her phone, softly speaking.

The upgraded Hypnosis APP could affect nearby electronic devices; since Ye Shiyu’s desire to use the Modifier was overwhelming, it was causing the lights to malfunction.

“It’s me. What’s wrong?”

“You’ve been causing trouble for Little Huan at school—fighting in clubs, study groups, and today… consistently hanging around him, making trouble without reason.”

Ye Shiyu lifted her icy gaze, devoid of any light, devouring everything around her like a black hole.

“What do you want with Little Huan?”

“Why do you care?!”

Spencer’s surprise faded into a laugh as she said, “Oh, he told me you’re just his sister. Besides, you guys from the Dragon Kingdom have different last names; you’re not even biological siblings. You’re not even family, and definitely not someone he likes…”

“So，what qualifications do you have to meddle? Whatever I want to do to him, I’ll do!”

“Because Yan Huan is already mine.”

Since the last time Yan Huan explained that Ye Shiyu was just his sister, Spencer had dismissed her, focusing on Sakura Kyoko instead.

After all, only those who owned something could talk about being robbed.

She had taken the most precious thing from him, and even Sakura Kyoko couldn’t stop it.

As for this seemingly unrelated sister, she ought to go find somewhere else to cool off!

Sister…

Not Little Huan’s family…

Not someone Little Huan likes…

Little Huan was already hers…

Those words struck like knives, piercing deeply into Ye Shiyu’s heart.

“What… did you say?”

Ye Shiyu’s pupils shrank as she locked onto Spencer’s annoying face through her hanging black hair.

Her entire face was engulfed in shadow, transforming into a fierce specter, seemingly influencing the very environment around them.

Shh…

Sizzle…

If it were Yan Huan here, he would probably have been crushed by the incredibly low pressure radiating from Ye Shiyu.

But who was Spencer?

Even though she felt a shiver down her spine, she wasn’t afraid—she was even more thrilled.

Spencer stepped forward, giving Ye Shiyu a cold, derisive stare, and said each word clearly, “I said… what, is it your business?”

Thunderous silence.

Ye Shiyu ceased to speak. The next second, her right hand, holding the phone, rose rapidly, intending to point the screen at Spencer.

“!!”

The purple light seemed to transform into the sun, so prominent in the flickering corridor.

The moment Spencer caught a glimpse of that purple glimmer, even if just a sliver…

An unprecedented wave of nausea washed over Spencer, as if her entire body were sinking into a sticky swamp.

Her skin pricked with goosebumps, and sweat trickled down her spine.

Though her consciousness felt unaffected, her body was reeling.

It felt as if something repulsive was gnawing at her, evoking sensations of nausea and discomfort.

And thus, it made her focus intently.

The instant Ye Shiyu raised her hand, Spencer locked onto her movements.

Although Spencer’s mind couldn’t analyze what the other intended to do, her instinct to avoid danger screamed at her:

“This girl is doing something dangerous!”

So, Spencer’s eyes turned fierce.

In that same instantYe Shiyu raised her hand, she swiftly swung her arm, making a preemptive strike!

“Whoosh!”

The speed and force were so great that it cut through the air, even faster than Ye Shiyu’s yet-to-be-raised hand as it rushed towards her.

Spencer’s right hand transformed into a shadow, swiftly swinging against Ye Shiyu’s wrist.

Slap!

The crisp sound resonated through the corridor, echoing intensely, causing Ye Shiyu’s initial expressionless face to shift into disbelief.

In the next second, the phone that was knocked into the air twisted and crashed onto the ground.

Bang!

Crack!

As it fell, a shower of shattered screens fell, sliding several meters away.

“…”

“Ha ha.”

Ye Shiyu stared wide-eyed at the figure in front of her, who had raised her hand, slightly sweating and panting.

Then she looked down at her slightly trembling wrist.

Though her skin was wrapped in her sleeve, the skin beneath was reddened, accompanied by a throbbing pain.

“…”

The instant zero-frame takeoff—the hypnoses that bared a hundred percent success rate…

Was it broken by this girl before her?