Chapter 228: Backing

“Don’t worry, big brother, I know what I’m doing. There aren’t many historical records on the character Ding Mengfei is playing. I’m improvising based on the requirements of the plot. Hence, the amount of screen time I allot to her won’t affect the quality of the production.”

Tan Jinqi nodded his head and smiled. “I knew that you had things under control.”

…

The moment she returned to school, she heard that Professor Zhao, Professor Guo, and President Mu were all on campus.

Tan Mo went to greet them, one by one.

Back when she had become part of the production crew, these three people had called Director Liu because they were worried about her.

Tan Mo would never forget the love and concern they had shown for her.

On the first day of school, Tan Mo reported to Professor Guo’s research team first. Then she went to Professor Zhao’s team to say h.e.l.lo.

Since it was the first day of school, most of the team was in attendance.

All the seniors on Professor Guo’s team were present.

However, when she got to Professor Zhao’s team, Tan Mo glanced around and realized that someone was missing. “Where is Senior Shen?”

Everyone’s faces seemed to have unhappy looks.

Wu Jiazhen sighed and said, “She left the team.”

“She left?” Tan Mo was shocked.

Wu Jiazhen seemed to be the most well informed regarding this matter. He explained to Tan Mo, “She became an adviser for the ‘Legend of Wei and Jin’ drama production team as part of her interns.h.i.+p. Professor Zhao was the one who sent her there, but she didn’t take it seriously. In the end, she caused the production crew to incur a huge loss, ruining Professor Zhao’s reputation at the same time. Professor Zhao didn’t want her to stay with the team.

“However, Shen Jingyi has been with our team for such a long time. She has also completed a fair share of work. Hence, Professor Zhao promised that he would credit her in the final paper.

“To be honest, she was only doing this interns.h.i.+p to expand her future prospects. These accomplishments should be enough for her. Once her name is credited to our current project, it will be an outstanding line on her resume.

“What’s more, she was once Professor Zhao’s mentee. Although he is very disappointed in her, he will never leak news of this incident. Hence, it won’t really have an impact on her. Although Shen Jingyi can no longer call herself Professor Zhao’s dedicated mentee, she won’t be lying if she calls herself one of Professor Zhao’s students.”

However, she will no longer be able to get Professor Zhao’s recommendation letter in the future. This was her biggest loss.

Shen Jingyi’s small mistake had cost her so much. Her gains would not make up for her losses.

Without Shen Jingyi on the team, Tan Mo was happier. At the very least, she would be able to complete her research in a more conducive environment.

However, although Professor Zhao would not leak this incident, Director Liu might not keep silent on this matter.

Director Hou Yuehai had just finished a production. So he had been taking a break.

He had taken the opportunity of the break to visit Director Liu on his production set.

He wanted to see an old friend and check on the performance of his student.

Naturally, he was also doing this to support Tan Jinqi.

He wanted everyone to know that Tan Jinqi was his student. He wasn’t a lone director who had popped out of nowhere trying to seek success. He wasn’t some pitiful lad who didn’t have a good background or backing.

In actuality, the fact that Ding Mengfei had been making trouble for Tan Jinqi had reached Director Hou Yuehai’s ears.

Hou Yuehai didn’t inform Director Liu that he was coming. He just made a sudden appearance.

“a.s.sistant Director Tan, are you using public resources to avenge private issues?” Ding Mengfei held the script and waved it in front of Tan Jinqi.

The script almost hit Tan Jinqi’s face on many occasions.

Even Ding Mengfei’s a.s.sistant and the production crew did not dare to say anything, in fear of bringing trouble on themselves.

“What are you talking about now?” Tan Jinqi remained composed. Even though the script had come close to hitting his face numerous times, he didn’t even bat an eyelid. He continued to speak patiently, and there wasn’t a hint of anger in his voice.

“Why has my screen time been reduced so much?” Ding Mengfei exclaimed in anger.

“Miss Ding, I’m not the person you should be asking if you don’t have much screen time. I don’t know why either,” Tan Jinqi explained calmly.

“I heard that the scriptwriter, Tan Mo, is your younger sister,” Ding Mengfei said. “She is the one who is manipulating official matters for a personal grudge. She intentionally reduced my screen time.”

“Where did you get this idea?” Tan Jinqi asked in bewilderment. “Miss Ding, my sister left the moment you joined our team. She has never interacted with you before. How can she manipulate official matters for a grudge?”

“She’s doing this to avenge you,” Ding Mengfei said angrily.

“And why do you say that? Miss Ding, is there an issue between us?” Tan Jinqi retreated a few steps backward. He smiled and asked, “Why would you think that? Have you offended me in any way? Or have you wronged me in some way that I am unaware of?”

Ding Mengfei was momentarily stumped by Tan Jinqi’s words.

Was he expecting her to say that it was because she had made things difficult for him?

She couldn’t say these words out loud.

Even though the whole production crew was aware of this, she could not say it.

If she did so, it would be equivalent to admitting to it.

“Give me your sister’s contact details. I want to have a chat with her,” Ding Mengfei said.

“My apologies.” It was fine if Ding Mengfei made things difficult for him.

To him, Ding Mengfei was just an irritating bug.

However, Ding Mengfei could not drag Tan Mo into this.

Tan Jinqi couldn’t be bothered to continue acting this out with Ding Mengfei.

“I will not give you my sister’s contact details,” Tan Jinqi said coldly.

“You’ve finally stopped pretending? Decided to stop acting?” Ding Mengfei raised her voice angrily. “Do you think it’s fine to withhold her contact details from me? If you refuse, I’ll go straight to Director Liu.”

“You guys are merely a.s.sistant directors and scriptwriters. Do you really make yourselves out to be important people?” Ding Mengfei scoffed icily. “Ignorant!”

“What’s happening? Why are you guys arguing?” Director Liu had caught wind that Tan Jinqi and Ding Mengfei were arguing. So he had hurried over.

Director Hou had introduced Tan Jinqi to him. What was more, Tan Mo was an extremely important member of the production team.

He could not ignore this matter.

He was not unaware that Ding Mengfei had been making things difficult for Tan Jinqi.

However, everyone in this line of work would have to experience this one way or another.

Ding Mengfei wasn’t stupid. In order to make things difficult for others, she had brought up various reasons to excuse herself. It was quite hard to intervene since she could always explain herself.

When Ding Mengfei noticed Director Liu, she was about to speak up.

At this time, a familiar voice rang out. “Runlin, how are things? Is the filming going smoothly?”

Director Liu glanced over in surprise. “Yuehai!”

Director Liu quickly went over to welcome him. “Why have you come? You didn’t even inform me!”

“I did it to surprise you! At the same time, I’m here to check how Jinqi is performing. I was worried that he would purposely perform well if he knew that I was coming. I’m here to see him in his natural state.” Director Hou Yuehai chuckled.

They were all veterans who were very crafty by nature. Hou Yuehai wouldn’t have been able to hide his intentions from Director Liu.

This man was obviously here to show his support for Tan Jinqi.

Director Liu had not expected Hou Yuehai to treat Tan Jinqi like his personal protégé.