Chapter 126: Causing Trouble

Zhao Li’s expression turned somber as she took the call. "Don't panic. Leave everything to Sister Gu. I’m out of town, but I’ll be back first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhou Miao sensed that something was wrong and asked, "What happened?"

Zhao Li hung up the phone, her face still flushed with anger. "Ke’er landed the role of the third female lead in Director Zhao Zijing’s new film. The male lead is his son, Zhao Jianyi."

"That bastard Zhao Jianyi, leaning on his father’s status, tried to force himself on Ke’er. She kicked him right in the crotch, and he’s been rushed to the hospital. Ke’er has fled the set."

Zhou Miao thought for a moment and said, "How much strength could a girl like Lin Ke’er possibly have? It probably just hurt at the time. Don’t worry, it shouldn’t be a big deal."

Zhao Li sighed. "Ke’er is a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo. She looks delicate, but she’s actually very formidable. She told me she saw blood. It sounds like she really did rupture something."

Zhou Miao gasped. That was a serious complication. Zhao Zijing was a renowned director in the Beijing circle; his only precious son had been maimed, and he certainly wouldn't let it slide.

"Brother Miao, will the company put Ke’er on ice because of this?" Zhao Li asked anxiously.

"Don't worry. Rainbow isn't that heartless. This wasn't her fault. Even if she can't make it in the film industry, she can always return to the music scene," Zhou Miao reassured her.

Hearing this, Zhao Li felt a wave of relief. She had few friends, and Lin Ke’er was one of the rare people she could truly confide in.

The sudden turn of events ruined their appetite for hot pot. After a hurried payment, they returned to their hotel to rest.

In the early hours of the morning, news broke that Zhao Jianyi had been rushed to the hospital, though the official story was that he had suffered a high-altitude fall during a stunt.

Zhao Zijing knew full well that if the public learned his son had been hospitalized for attempting sexual assault on an actress, his own career would be finished. As for that little actress, he had plenty of ways to ruin her.

The next day, the pair took the earliest flight back to Beijing and headed straight to the company.

The atmosphere in Zuo Qiu’s office was heavy. Zhao Jianyi’s medical results were in: one of his testicles required removal, and the other was severely damaged, with its survival uncertain.

Zhao Zijing hadn't slept all night, and upon hearing the news, he seemed to have aged years. He had arrived at Rainbow early that morning and was now in the office with Zuo Qiu and Lin Ke’er.

"Director Zhao, please state your terms. Anything within my power, I will agree to," Zuo Qiu said.

Zhao Zijing rubbed his temples, his eyelids drooping as if he couldn't lift them. He glanced at the pale-faced Lin Ke’er. "I don't want anything else. I just want her."

Zuo Qiu frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"My son is ruined for life. How is a broken man supposed to get married? I want her to marry him and take care of him for the rest of his life," Zhao Zijing said, glaring at Lin Ke’er.

"That’s impossible!" Before Lin Ke’er could speak, Zuo Qiu flatly rejected the demand. She leaned back in her office chair, her expression turning cold. "Do you think this is still the old society?"

"You need to get this straight: your son was the aggressor. Lin Ke’er was acting in self-defense."

Zhao Zijing asked blankly, "Where is the evidence? What proof do you have that it was self-defense and not intentional assault?"

Zuo Qiu and Lin Ke’er fell silent. This was the crux of the problem. The incident occurred on a mountain, and Zhao Jianyi had snuck into Lin Ke’er’s tent in the dead of night. It was pitch black, there were no cameras, and it was essentially his word against hers. The crew would surely side with Zhao Zijing, which was why Zuo Qiu was negotiating; otherwise, she would have taken it straight to court.

Zhao Zijing lit a cigarette. "Intentional assault resulting in permanent disability—if you don't agree, then prepare for her to spend decades in prison."

Lin Ke’er was trembling, tears streaming down her face and onto her clothes. She choked out, "You know perfectly well that Zhao Jianyi tried to force himself on me and I only fought back! Aren't you afraid of retribution?"

Zhao Zijing laughed bitterly. "I’ve already lost my chance at a bloodline; what retribution could I possibly fear?"

"I admit, I didn't raise Jianyi well. Over the years, he’s ruined many actresses and became increasingly lawless, but he finally hit a brick wall with you. Regardless, he is my son, and I must consider his future."

Before Zhao Zijing could finish, Zuo Qiu suddenly asked, "Did you record that?"

Lin Ke’er, who had been trembling with tears just moments ago, instantly wiped them away. With a steady expression, she picked up the phone from the table. "I recorded it."

The sudden turn of events stunned Zhao Zijing, who instinctively reached out to grab the phone.

Lin Ke’er pulled back with one hand and delivered a swift kick. Her size-six sneaker stopped precisely in front of Zhao Zijing’s nose, the gust of wind ruffling his thinning hair.

Zhao Zijing didn't dare move. He stepped back and pointed a finger at them. "Fine! Just you wait!"

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door. The two women let out long sighs of relief. They had finally managed to goad him into a confession; otherwise, this would have been very difficult to resolve.

"I’m sorry, Ms. Zuo. I’ve caused trouble for the company," Lin Ke’er said, bowing her head. Zhao Zijing had extensive connections, and it was certain that Rainbow’s artists would find it much harder to land roles in the future.

Zuo Qiu managed a faint smile. "This isn't your fault. You don't need to apologize."

Just then, Zhou Miao and Zhao Li arrived at the company. Zhou Miao pushed the door open. "We saw that old man Zhao Zijing downstairs. What did he want?"

"It’s fine, it’s settled. Though Ke’er might be blacklisted by Zhao Zijing."

Zhao Li hugged Lin Ke’er to comfort her. "It’s okay. If worse comes to worst, we’ll just stop doing television dramas. His reach doesn't extend to the music scene."

Zuo Qiu took a bottle of Western spirits from the rack. "Shoot them? Why wouldn't we?"

"The company already had plans for self-produced dramas. If we can't get roles, we’ll just make our own!"

Zhao Li was stunned for a moment, then added, "When that happens, I’ll give you half of the songs Brother Miao writes for my next album. I guarantee you’ll become famous faster than if you were acting!"

Zhou Miao and Zuo Qiu were speechless, reaching out to pinch Zhao Li’s ears from both sides.

"You’re quite generous with my songs, aren't you?"

"You seem to have a low opinion of our company’s self-produced dramas."

Having provoked the two bosses, Zhao Li quickly shrank her neck and apologized with a grin. However, Zuo Qiu’s plan for self-produced dramas was no idle boast; she had truly been preparing for this for a long time.

"Did any of you play a game called *Legend of the Strange Heroes* when you were kids?" Zuo Qiu asked.

*Legend of the Strange Heroes*? Both Zhao Li and Lin Ke’er shook their heads, but Zhou Miao froze. The name sounded so familiar...