43: Your will to survive is really strong.

The rain grew increasingly fierce.

Shen Lian was flipping through a fashion magazine when he looked up at the sound of a loud "boom."

It seemed the shoot would have to be delayed.

"If you can't shoot, why did you call me here? Couldn't you just solve it with background special effects? Do you have any idea how busy I am?" An angry, abrupt male voice rang out from the doorway.

The young man in the center was dressed fashionably, surrounded by a crowd of people. He wore heavy smoky eye makeup, through which his original appearance could barely be discerned.

Wang Yueling had debuted in a boy band. With a powerful backer, he seemed to have someone specifically promoting him. Regardless, he had been reported several times for acting like a big shot.

The staff members smiled apologetically, bowing and scraping as they explained something to Wang Yueling, only to receive a frustrated roll of the eyes in return.

Shen Lian looked away, uninterested.

As soon as Wang Yueling arrived, the VIP area instantly became lively. Shen Lian didn't know how seven or eight people could create such a chaotic atmosphere.

They were either saying the brand was incompetent and intentionally wasting time, or that the food here was bad and the coffee was terrible, or they were just complaining about everything. To some extent, the core values of this little group were quite consistent.

Wang Yueling frowned and looked at his feet. An assistant immediately knelt down to tie his loose shoelaces. This young master sat in his chair with his arms crossed, looking as if the world owed him eight million.

"Stay away from them," Shen Lian instructed.

Li Yi and Jiang You nodded vigorously.

Wang Yueling soon noticed the other two groups. He asked the staff around him, and after a brief conversation, he turned to look at Chang Qing, his expression clearly softening. However, when he looked at Shen Lian, he became contemptuous and arrogant again.

His gaze was piercing. Shen Lian felt it but didn't bother to acknowledge it.

"You guys just sit here. Order something to eat if you're hungry. I'm going out for some fresh air," Shen Lian said as he stood up.

Li Yi: "Teacher Shen, I'll go with you."

"No need," Shen Lian waved his hand. "I'll be back in ten minutes at most."

The air conditioning in the VIP area was set too high. While the others didn't seem to notice, Shen Lian felt it was exceptionally stuffy. He found a side door to step out. Only after breathing the damp, cold natural air did the tightness in his chest dissipate a bit.

Shen Lian pulled out his phone and took a look. Chu Yilan hadn't replied to the message sent twenty minutes ago; he was likely busy.

He scanned the group chat. It was almost entirely Feng Yueshan talking. This guy really had an endless stream of drinking parties; he certainly knew how to have fun.

"Hey! What are you doing?" the security guard outside suddenly shouted sternly, pointing at a group of four or five girls who had gathered together.

They all had young faces. Some wore headbands with ears, others held star props and support banners—clearly fans.

It was raining heavily now, and they were soaked to the bone, shivering with their arms wrapped around themselves.

"Uncle, can we take shelter from the rain? We can't catch a taxi."

"No!" the security guard refused. "Don't think I don't know. You just want to sneak in while things are chaotic. You Young Girls, you spend what little money you have on this nonsense, chasing after strangers every day and buying this and that. Are you this good to your own parents? I'm warning you, leave now!"

"Did they spend your money?" Shen Lian said coldly.

The security guard turned around and saw Shen Lian standing behind him.

"Did you see with your own eyes whether they're good to their parents?" Shen Lian asked again.

The security guard was in his forties with an ordinary appearance, but his brow seemed etched with a rustic "authoritarianism." Hearing Shen Lian's words, he started to retort, but seeing his handsome and elegant looks, he realized he might be a celebrity and immediately fell silent.

Shen Lian sneered. Bullying the weak while fearing the strong.

"Come up," Shen Lian said to the girls.

The security guard smiled apologetically: "Please don't make things difficult for me."

"Aren't you also making things as difficult as possible for others within your tiny sphere of power? If I remember correctly, the sign at the main gate says 'Fans are allowed to visit if the relevant personnel agree.'" Shen Lian wasn't polite. "I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

The security guard ran off to the side to make a phone call.

The girls walked up cautiously, all looking like drowned rats, but their eyes were filled with gratitude as they looked at Shen Lian.

Shen Lian frowned: "Why did you come out in this weather?"

"We've been waiting at the hotel for three days. It was planned. Many sisters are waiting for our photos."

They sounded like fansite masters.

Shen Lian asked: "Who are you looking for?"

"Chang Qing."

Shen Lian paused.

One of the girls looked at him and asked in a low voice: "Have you seen Chang Qing?"

"I've seen him," Shen Lian said. "But if I go look for him directly and someone sees it, I'll get scolded easily."

Their status levels were completely different; those who knew, knew.

The girl let out a chuckle. "Teacher Shen, your desire for survival is really strong."

Shen Lian was a bit surprised: "You know me?"

Girl: "..."

You seem to have some misunderstanding about your influence lately.

Soon, a person in charge dressed in black ran over. The security guard immediately acted as if he'd found his backbone and started complaining to him. The girls were a bit scared. Shen Lian said deeply, "Just stand here."

"Teacher Shen." The person in charge was very polite to Shen Lian.

"Yes, they're all my fans. They couldn't get a taxi," Shen Lian said. "There are only five of them; they won't disturb your work."

"Of course, of course." The person in charge nodded repeatedly. Since the celebrity had agreed, according to the rules, fans could come in to visit as long as they didn't affect other progress.

Shen Lian walked in front and then beckoned to the girls, signaling them to follow.

The girls looked at each other, and then their expressions instantly became excited.

The person in charge was quite considerate and found clean towels.

Shen Lian waited for them to dry their hair before speaking: "It's hard for you to enter the VIP area. I'll talk to the staff around Chang Qing in a bit. If you can meet him, that's best. If not, don't blame me."

"Thank you, Teacher Shen! Chang Qing will definitely see us!"

Shen Lian ordered hot drinks for them and then returned to the VIP lounge area.

It was also good luck that he ran right into a staff member who worked with Chang Qing.

"Excuse me, sir, please wait." Shen Lian stopped the man.

The other party looked wary: "What is it?"

"It's like this. There are some Young Girls outside who are Teacher Chang's fans. It's pouring rain and they couldn't get a taxi, so I took the liberty of bringing them in. Could you see if it's convenient?"

The man was taken aback. He then took a shallow breath and immediately pulled his phone out of his pocket, but after tapping it several times, there was no response.

"Damn," the man said in frustration. "How did it run out of power? I didn't even notice. They came today? Where are they?"

Shen Lian said good-naturedly: "I'll take you there."

"Brother Zhu!" The lead girl cried out when she saw this staff member, sounding incredibly aggrieved.

"I'm so sorry! My bad, my bad!" Zhu Wen clicked his tongue as he looked at them. "If it's raining outside, you should have just given your names to come in."

"It was no use, the guard wouldn't agree no matter what." The girl looked at Shen Lian behind Zhu Wen: "It's all thanks to Teacher Shen!"

"Alright," Shen Lian made an 'OK' gesture. "Then you guys chat. I'll head back first."