Hearing that the top group would perform a confidential script, Mrs. Zong felt uneasy.

After all, Ji Fei had hinted before, saying, “Aren’t you afraid we’ll destroy everyone?” And it wasn’t like things had gone smoothly between them. Mrs. Zong couldn’t shake the worry that this mysterious script would target Zong Chun. 

So, during the final rehearsal, she couldn’t resist probing the director and producer for details.

“Madam Zong, we truly don’t know,” the producer said helplessly. “Even if there’s rehearsal footage, only snippets get recorded.”

The director was even less tolerant of Mrs. Zong’s inquiries. Focused on creating a quality program, he had little patience for those using their influence to manipulate the show’s direction.

“What’s there to worry about, Mrs. Zong? Your husband has no issues to hide. Isn’t this top group supposed to be ‘The Entertainment Judge’? Surely they wouldn’t attack Mr. Zong, would they?”

Mrs. Zong frowned, replying, “Of course my husband’s spotless. But can anyone be certain of this group’s motives with these ‘justice’ plays? Is there really anyone in the industry who’d risk offending all of the powerful just to set things right? For all we know, their true goal is to blacken the image of everyone they go up against. So far, it may have been mere coincidence, but what if they’re willing to smear even good people in the future just to keep up their act?”

Her words left the director and producer at a loss. Indeed, it was unusual for an entertainment group to take such a ‘noble’ stance. The industry was a realm of fame and fortune. The idea of reforming the industry seemed absurd.

“If there’s any chance they’d target him, shouldn’t I at least be able to protect my husband?” she pleaded.

The producer, still unmoved, insisted, “I’m not withholding anything. We really don’t know.”

Seeing she couldn’t get answers, Mrs. Zong tried another angle. “And what about the extra footage I requested?”

The director’s displeasure deepened. “I told you, no. Unless it’s part of the stage play, there’s no way we’ll add outside videos to the broadcast, especially not ones aimed at smearing someone’s reputation.”

It was true the top group had woven critical themes into their past performances, but Mrs. Zong had commissioned additional footage, hoping it would be slotted in after the royal consort’s group. Such interference wasn’t tolerated.

Mrs. Zong’s expression hardened. “Smearing? It’s just facts presented as a dramatization, meant to enhance the performance. How is that a problem?”

The director, now fully done with her, walked away, leaving the producer looking equally annoyed.

“We’ve given you plenty of leeway, but we won’t compromise the integrity of the broadcast.”

With her plan to discredit Yu Rouyin falling through, Mrs. Zong’s frustration mounted, causing her to lash out.

“Are you both defending Yu Rouyin because she’s sleeping with you?”

Both the director and producer looked at her in shock.

Realizing her slip, Mrs. Zong hastily apologized and left, her face flushed with embarrassment. As she exited, she noticed several staff members passing by, averting their eyes awkwardly. Her temper flared anew when she saw her nephew, Zong Siqi, approaching.

“Aunt, how did it go?” he asked anxiously.

Mrs. Zong’s expression softened slightly. “Weren’t you supposed to be keeping an eye on your uncle and that fox?”

Zong Siqi replied, “They’re taking a break from rehearsal. Besides, that woman left. But there’s nothing I can do; they use rehearsal as an excuse to exchange flirtatious looks, and she’s practically throwing herself at him. Honestly, the script might as well have been written just to let that woman be her true self—she’s just a cheap seductress who’d jump into bed with him if given half the chance.”

As he spoke, Mrs. Zong’s face grew darker. If Yu Rouyin had been standing there, she’d likely have slapped her on the spot.

Seeing his aunt so angry, Zong Siqi sighed, saying, “Auntie, Uncle owes everything he has to you. Even my career in the entertainment industry is thanks to you. Back then, our family was struggling, but you brought us all up. Uncle’s lost his mind, thinking he’s above everyone and letting himself be charmed by that fox. He even dared mention divorce! But don’t worry, Auntie; we’re all on your side. If Uncle ever betrays you, we’d disown him.”

Receiving support from her nephew lifted Mrs. Zong’s spirits a little. “Don’t worry; your uncle and I aren’t divorcing.”

Zong Siqi’s eyes flickered. Noticing her mood improve, he leaned closer, flattering her with kind words.

Mrs. Zong looked at him approvingly. She and Zong Chun had never had children, so she’d always cared for her brother-in-law’s son. Without her support, a nearly 30-year-old Zong Siqi would never have had the chance to break into showbiz.

“You’re a good man, Siqi. You weren’t swayed by that vixen,” she said, feeling like any man near Yu Rouyin would inevitably fall under her spell.

Zong Siqi’s gaze darkened briefly. “She tried, but I wouldn’t dirty myself like that.”

Mrs. Zong laughed, feeling vindicated. “Exactly—filthy is exactly what she is.”

As the two walked back, chatting, the scene shifted to the women’s restroom.

Ji Fei was still in her stall, her legs numb from crouching as she’d been engrossed in reading gossip. As the feeling started to return, she was about to stand up when she overheard a conversation nearby.

“See? I told you. Now you believe me, don’t you?”

Ji Fei froze. Gossip!

“I’d heard of her reputation before, but seeing it firsthand? It’s true. She tries to hook up with a new guy everywhere she goes.”

“People online are betting she’ll be taken down by the top group this time. But if she’s already slept with the director and producer, the top group might just hit a dead end.”

Ji Fei sighed. *False rumors.*

She peered out, sneaking a look at the women chatting—apparently assistants of the director. Bold enough to spread gossip about their boss, impressive.

“Even the director and producer may not be able to stop the top group. The last two times, they were blindsided and hit hard. I heard they’ve been drowning their sorrows with booze since,” one of the women added with glee.

Ji Fei cringed. *Oh, well… sorry about that!*

“Then it’ll be all for nothing,” another one chimed in with schadenfreude.

“That would be ideal. These women who ruin workplace norms deserve to suffer. She really thinks she can get whatever she wants with her body—shameless.”

“Wow, you seem to really hate her.”

“I’ll tell you why. My boyfriend came to pick me up one day and saw her. Now he’s always comparing me to her.”

“I bet she’s seduced him somewhere. Otherwise, my boyfriend wouldn’t have even noticed her.”

Ji Fei nearly burst out laughing. The world truly was full of jealous girlfriends.

“So, do you think she hooked up with the director and producer separately, or…?”

“A threesome! I saw her go into the break room with both of them and stay there for over an hour. When she came out, she looked…”

“How’d she look?”

“You know… imagine it.”

The women dissolved into laughter and left together.

Just as Ji Fei was about to step out, she heard the door open again.

Pausing, she peeked through the stall door and froze at what she saw.

Yu Rouyin stood by the sink, her face pale and her eyes red-rimmed. She took a deep breath, slapped her cheeks a few times, then practiced her usual composed, seductive smile in the mirror before finally leaving.

Ji Fei clicked her tongue in sympathy, raising an eyebrow.

When she exited the restroom, her assistant, Xiao Tao, was waiting for her.

“Ji-jie, Pei-jie sent me to fetch you.”

Ji Fei sighed. *Busted.*

She assumed Pei Mingxuan had noticed her slacking off and wanted her back in rehearsal. But to her surprise, Pei-jie called everyone to discuss some new details for the show.

Ji Fei’s eyes lit up with intrigue.

On the other side, Qin Chao and Qin Rong heard Ji Fei’s internal monologue growing louder as she neared them.

*Hehe, is this real? Just what I need! Guess they shouldn’t have gossiped like that. Let’s see if they remember that loose lips sink ships!*

Qin Chao and Qin Rong looked at each other, excitement building despite not knowing what had happened, both sensing that they were in for a juicy scoop.