How to capture the evil villain? I choose to be his mother!

Chapter 412 The Most Disliked Actress's Mother in the Entertainment Industry (24)
Xie Huan appeared indignant.

If you didn't know better, you'd think she was the one being cyberbullied!
Zhu Wen patted her arm with his backhand:

"It's okay, these comments don't affect me."

Xie Huan thought Zhu Wen was putting on a brave face:

"Don't be afraid, Aunt Zhu. My uncle has plenty of money; he's not afraid to waste time with these paparazzi! Honestly, they can make up any kind of news; it's outrageous..."

"It wasn't made up."

Zhu Wen met Xie Huan's somewhat dazed gaze and explained slowly and deliberately.
"This news is true. I am indeed filming in Xu Qing's drama crew. My role... is that of the second female lead?"

The female lead is the male lead's girlfriend. Although she has a lot of screen time, her character arc is very flat. She doesn't change much from beginning to end and is just a tool to help the male lead develop.

Strictly speaking, the character played by Zhu Wen is the soul of the female lead. The complexity and captivating nature of her story even surpasses that of the male lead, the absolute protagonist. It all depends on Zhu Wen's performance!
Xie Huan clutched her forehead:

"Wait...wait, I think I'm dreaming..."

Zhu Wen pinched her cheek:

"How is it? Are you dreaming?"

Xie Huan shook her head blankly.

The next second—

"Ahhhh!!!"

She screamed excitedly and kept cheering around Zhu Wen.

"Auntie Zhu! Sister Zhu! Goddess Zhu! You actually got Xu Qing's role! My God! You're amazing! I admire you so much! I love him so much!"

Zhu Wen chuckled, then pressed his temples, feeling both amused and troubled.

"Xu Qing? You like him?"

Zhu Wen recalled Xu Qing's silly grinning face, which lacked any of the qualities of a famous director.

Just him?

Xie Huan nodded vigorously:

"Yes! He's a renowned talent in the film industry! He won the Best New Director award in his early twenties, making him an absolute genius among the younger generation of directors! I never expected him to think so highly of you! You know, he's notoriously bad-tempered, so his attitude towards you is so nice... could it be..."

"Cough cough cough."

Two coughs sounded untimely from the open doorway.

Zhu Wen and Xie Huan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xie Ji standing there.

Xie Ji leaned against the door frame:

"Excuse me, may I come in?"

Zhu Wen was already dressed and ready, so there was naturally no reason for her to refuse.
"Please come in."

Xie Ji stepped into the guest room where Zhu Wen was, and quickly looked around.

Zhu Wen had only stayed for two nights, and there was nothing special in the room that belonged to her.

But in Xie Ji's eyes, this room looked exceptionally different.

Xie Huan saw Xie Ji's little actions and thought to herself with a smug smile—

Hmph, she caught me red-handed again!

"Uncle, you haven't gone to work yet? Don't you usually leave at 7:30? It's already 7:45! You're a full 15 minutes late!"

Xie Huan deliberately exclaimed in a slightly exaggerated manner.

Xie Ji gave her a warning look without changing his expression.

In the past, Xie Huan would have been terrified.

But now, perhaps having witnessed another side of Xie Ji, or perhaps having caught Xie Ji in a compromising situation, Xie Huan felt no fear whatsoever, and even secretly hid behind Zhu Wen.

Xie Ji froze.

Zhu Wen was very polite.
"Mr. Xie?"

"Just call me Xie Ji."

After Xie Ji finished speaking, he added, in an attempt to cover up the truth,
“‘Mr. Xie’ sounds unfamiliar, after all, you and Huanhuan are close.”

May you readily accept good advice:

"Alright, Xie Ji. Are you coming to see me or Huanhuan?"

Xie Ji was somewhat bewildered by Zhu Wen's straightforwardness.

He paused for two seconds before answering:
"I came to see you because of news about you."

Zhu Wen was truly surprised this time:
"Did you see it too?"

Xie Ji pursed his lips: "I overheard the two housekeepers talking about it this morning, and I saw it by accident."

Xie Huan didn't believe a single word of this story.

Zhu Wen seemed to believe him, and nodded calmly.

"Oh, that's quite a coincidence. So you're asking if I need any help?"

Seeing that Zhu Wen didn't press the matter, Xie Ji didn't seem happy.

He lowered his eyes slightly, as if making a suggestion casually:
"Since it's fake news, I can make arrangements..."

"It's not exactly fake news."

Zhu Wen interrupted him.

Xie Ji frowned slightly as he looked at her.

Zhu Wen nodded and explained:

"I am indeed filming in this production crew."

"I know, but your relationship with that director isn't real, is it?"

Xie Ji unconsciously stared intently at Zhu Wen.

Zhu Wen smiled:
"Of course it's not true."

Xie Ji hadn't even had a chance to relax.

Then I heard Zhu Wen say:

"But there's no need for clarification. I'll ask the production team for their opinion first. Maybe they'll want to use this news as a way to generate buzz and boost the movie's popularity."

Now things were really bad; Xie Ji's brows furrowed even more tightly.

"Even if you're an actor in the production crew, there's no need to use your reputation to boost their popularity, is there?"

Zhu Wen shrugged dismissively:

"These rumors are irrelevant to me."

Xie Ji's jawline suddenly tightened, and his dark eyes seemed to be clouded with a hint of melancholy.

He carefully considered his words, wanting to persuade her further, and finally managed to speak:
"I still think this kind of hype is too despicable..."

"Excuse me, I have a phone call."

Zhu Wen took her phone and went to the balcony.

Xie Ji watched her retreating figure, the smile on his lips vanishing without a trace.

Xie Huan crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly:
"uncle?"

Xie Ji glanced at her:
"Aren't you going to help your favorite Aunt Zhu?"

Xie Huan's tone was light and cheerful:

"Of course I support all of Aunt Zhu's decisions! But you, Uncle..."

Xie Ji felt increasingly frustrated.

After a long pause, he finally admitted to Xie Huan:

"Indeed, I feel a little different about Zhu Wen."

A fleeting look of confusion and unease flashed quickly in his dark eyes.

"When I look into her eyes, they feel so familiar, and I have so much to say to her, as if we've known each other for a long time..."

If this is love at first sight, then so be it.

It has nothing to do with appearance or status.

Yes, it is simply the attraction between souls.

Xie Huan suddenly burst out laughing:
"Uncle, your trick is so outdated! It's obsolete now!"

Xie Ji was somewhat displeased that his true feelings were being mocked.

But he knew that now he was the one who needed Xie Huan's help.
"What kind of girl would she like?"

This tone and attitude can only be described as humble.

Xie Huan watched in amazement.

Finally, his chin looked just as proud:
"Hmph, I won't tell you! I want to see Aunt Zhu's attitude first!"

While the uncle and nephew were whispering to each other, Zhu Wen received a call from the film crew on the balcony.

The other party was Xu Qing, who expressed his sincere apologies for the news circulating online and said he would try his best to release official photos and information about the production team to clarify some unnecessary rumors.

Zhu Wen: "The best answer is to show your abilities."