156: Compensation for mental distress

Director Zhao praised Shen Lian for three minutes straight without repeating himself.

Shen Lian chuckled, occasionally interjecting with "Alright, Director Zhao," "That's enough, Director Zhao," and "It's not that much, Director Zhao."

Director Zhao spoke so fast that his mouth went dry, so he unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and gulped it down.

"This character of yours, do you believe it can go viral?" Director Zhao lowered his voice.

Shen Lian was certainly confident, but it wasn't appropriate to boast before things were finalized, so he could only reply, "I hope your words come true."

"Definitely." Director Zhao's gaze was distant, as if he had already foreseen the show becoming a massive hit. He could occasionally understand why some idol stars' characters went viral—after all, having a face that was pleasing to the eye was a gift from the heavens—but their acting skills were usually lacking. However, in all his years of directing, he had only seen a handful of people like Shen Lian who possessed every advantage.

Director Zhao was usually steady-tempered, but at this moment, he couldn't hold back and whispered to Shen Lian, "If you become super famous in the future, what's the one thing you'll want to do most?"

Shen Lian didn't even think about it: "Go public."

"Go public? About what?"

"Announce my significant other, of course." Shen Lian spoke as if it were perfectly natural.

Director Zhao gave a soft huff. "Are you dreaming?"

Shen Lian: "..."

With all of you having this kind of attitude, don't say I didn't warn you when the time comes.

As soon as Director Zhao left, Liu Tang rushed over to shower Shen Lian with admiration and flattery. Not far away, Sun Binghe narrowed his eyes, his expression scrutinizing as he scanned Shen Lian from head to toe. Noticing this, Shen Lian gave a slight nod to indicate that it was safe.

Sun Binghe made a hand gesture: OK.

Chen Yan's scenes were completely finished. Shen Lian hadn't been paying attention to her until Ming Lin walked in swaggering.

Anyone with half a brain could tell that Ming Lin's claim of picking up his "girlfriend" was fake; his real purpose was to make his presence felt in front of Shen Lian.

Chen Yan's smile was forced in front of Ming Lin. From her micro-expressions, Shen Lian felt that the girl was cursing quite filthily in her head.

Then, without any reservations, Shen Lian began to carefully observe Ming Lin.

Upon closer inspection, he realized that Ming Lin's details were indeed familiar.

For example, his tie and cufflinks all came from a niche luxury brand. Because they only released a few sizes that happened to suit Chu Yilan's taste, Chu Yilan had always used them.

At least among the many wealthy people Shen Lian had encountered around Chu Yilan, he hadn't found a second person who used them.

Yet, they were clearly too large for Ming Lin.

Next were the way he walked and his facial expressions. Shen Lian even noticed that the shape of Ming Lin's eyebrows had been reworked.

Sword-like eyebrows are thick and bold, sharing the same sharp lineage as the corners of Chu Yilan's eyes. However, Ming Lin's features were cramped, and the ends of his eyebrows were a bit too long, making him look "brutish" rather than "handsome" in the slightest.

Shen Lian finally understood the meaning of "Dong Shi imitating Xi Shi."

His stomach churned, and he felt a bit nauseous.

"Assistant Sun." Shen Lian decided he couldn't suffer this alone.

Sun Binghe stepped forward. "Yes?"

Since it was just the two of them, Shen Lian didn't hide it. "Have you noticed that there are many things about that Ming Lin that are very similar to Yilan?"

A flash of horror crossed Sun Binghe's eyes, and he asked cautiously, "Did Teacher Shen have a fight with the Boss?"

Otherwise, why would he say something so nasty?

Shen Lian: "...Look closely."

Sun Binghe was an all-around warrior. No matter how much he didn't want to admit it, with just a little hint and a sign, he could capture the main point.

Shen Lian watched as Sun Binghe's expression went from disgust to doubt, to disbelief, then to falling apart, and finally, doubled disgust.

Nice!

Shen Lian felt balanced now.

"Jiang You said that Beishan Temple is very efficacious," Sun Binghe suddenly said.

Shen Lian: "Huh?"

"I'll find some time to go burn some incense and donate some money so the buddha can protect my eyes and ears."

Shen Lian: "..."

Sun Binghe knew more about Ming Lin than Shen Lian did. After all, he had personally investigated him and had already told Chu Yilan everything that needed to be said.

When Ming Lin strode over, Shen Lian was discussing with Sun Binghe what amount of donation would be auspicious.

"Teacher Shen Lian, Special Assistant Sun." Ming Lin stood straight, but his neck length was somewhat tragic, having nothing to do with the word "slender." Holding himself up slightly only made him look pretentious and ridiculous.

Then, under the gaze of Shen Lian and Sun Binghe, Ming Lin took out a cigarette, lit it, took a shallow puff, and finally flicked it with his fingertip.

Shen Lian's fists tightened instantly.

The posture, the movements, even the angle at which he tilted his head to exhale the smoke, all seemed to be a carbon copy of Chu Yilan.

"Are you free? My treat for dinner," Ming Lin said in a gentle and polite tone.

Chen Yan had chosen to stand on Shen Lian's side, so she had used coaxing and deception to make Ming Lin believe her true purpose hadn't been exposed. Meanwhile, the things Ming Lin was doing in secret had long been investigated thoroughly by Sun Binghe—including the recently intercepted cooperation with Kangsheng Pharmaceuticals. Ming Lin thought it was just an accident, completely unaware of the massive net hanging over his head. His current posturing in front of Shen Lian and Sun Binghe was no different from running naked.

"No, I still have scenes to film." Shen Lian declined with difficulty. The feeling of having curses pressed against the tip of his tongue that he couldn't spit out was quite uncomfortable.

Sun Binghe only said two words: "No need."

Ming Lin's expression turned slightly cold upon hearing this, and his chin dropped. "You won't even give me this much face?"

Shen Lian immediately stood up from his stool.

This small movement was also one Chu Yilan habitually made when angry; he would directly express his aggression.

Shen Lian felt like his body was crawling with fleas. He couldn't even imagine how long Ming Lin must have observed Chu Yilan in secret to be able to replicate such details.

Sun Binghe's facial features were tense. Clearly, in addition to the garbage grades of someone he knew, Ming Lin was now another thing that could break his composure.

Not only will he get out of Qudu, I'm going to pack him up and throw him into space, Sun Binghe thought to himself.

Even as a grand best actor, Shen Lian was about to lose control of his emotions. He hurriedly said, "I need to pee," and turned to stride away. There was really nothing to say to Ming Lin. Seeing his black eyebrows and his increasingly obsessive imitation, Shen Lian felt suffocated staying for even one more minute.

Sun Binghe: "I need to pee too."

Ming Lin: "..."

The decisive retreating figures of the two were like two slaps to Ming Lin's face. He was first stunned, then turned angry from embarrassment.

Ming Lin had originally planned that since Chen Yan couldn't be relied on for the time being, he would first get close to Shen Lian. A minor celebrity could be made grateful with just a little sweetness, and then there would be plenty of ways to deal with him. If he could win over Sun Binghe as well, it would be an unexpected gain.

He had no idea how absurd his thoughts were.

Actually, Ming Lin didn't have much interaction with Shen Lian, but who told Chu Yilan to like him?

Ming Lin took a deep breath. This wasn't the place to lose his temper. Thinking of that person's instructions and how Chu Yilan never panicked when things happened, always regaining his reason in an instant, he closed his eyes and then opened them again. It was as if he could once again control everything in this world. He turned and left with Chen Yan.

His steps and posture were still very much like a template.

On the other side, Shen Lian and Sun Binghe ran out through the back door to a wall and a strip of an abandoned long garden. It was overgrown with weeds, much like their souls which were currently being ravaged.

Shen Lian: "I want to have a cigarette."

Sun Binghe: "I actually can't bring myself to refuse you."

"What do you think, Assistant Sun?"

Sun Binghe covered his face. "I'm really going to ask the Boss for compensation for mental distress."

Assistant Sun was a man of action; he did exactly what he said.

Chu Yilan's face was full of question marks when he received the message. His salary and year-end bonus were already so high, and he still wanted compensation for mental distress?

Sun Binghe: [Boss, Teacher Shen said he wants it too.]

Chu Yilan: "?"

What are you doing?