Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 527 - 522: The Great Director is Cuckolded, Who is He Hooking Up With?

Chapter 527: Chapter 522: The Great Director is Cuckolded, Who is He Hooking Up With?

Saturday, a day off.

Originally, Zhang Wei planned to spend the weekend with Silly.

But unexpectedly, Xia Qianyue had come looking for him first.

It really was a coincidence.

"What, the big director is getting a divorce, and the woman is the big star Gu Shimang, the woman who sought me out before?"

Inside Zhang’s Martial Arts School, Zhang Wei was a bit baffled when he heard the news from Xia Qianyue.

He vaguely remembered that on Friday afternoon, a woman had called him, asking for help with a case.

But because of the woman’s attitude, which was off-putting, he didn’t take it on.

Later, after inquiring with some buddies from the criminal department, he found out that this woman was Gu Shimang.

As for the case she hadn’t mentioned out loud, the answer now was quite clear.

Divorce!

Gu Shimang wanted to divorce her big director husband!

And judging by the woman’s intention in seeking him out, it was apparent that she wanted to obtain as much wealth as possible from this case.

The once national goddess and popular star divorcing her big director husband; this was truly top-notch celebrity gossip.

Never mind the entertainment industry, even within the confines of Zhang’s Martial Arts School there was a not insubstantial audience for such juicy news.

No sooner had Xia Qianyue finished delivering the news than Zhang Xinwu and his sister Zhang Xinyan stopped their early training and crowded around Xia Qianyue.

"Little Sister Xiao Xia, are you serious, that big director Gao is getting a divorce?"

"Gu Shimang, oh, I used to like her so much when I was a kid, I even swore I would marry her."

"You can stop dreaming; you were only 10 years old back then, she was already a famous leading lady, she’s 15 years older than you."

"Sis, a man’s gotta have dreams, what if it comes true?"

"Right now, I just want you to live a decent life and find me a sister-in-law in the future, that’s all."

"Sis, stop talking about me, aren’t you a single dog too? Where’s your husband-to-be’s shadow?"

"Zhang Xinyan, are you asking for a beating?"

"Sis, not this again, every time you can’t outtalk me you start hitting, I..."

"You brat, take this!"

Amidst their conversation, the siblings started sparring right inside the martial arts school.

Well okay, siblings they are; why do they have to hurt each other?

"Zhang Wei, are you going to take the case or not?"

Xia Qianyue didn’t bother watching the Zhang siblings any longer and approached Zhang Wei.

"Take it, why not?"

Since Xia Qianyue was the one asking, there was no reason for Zhang Wei to refuse.

Besides, the opponent in this case was that Gu Shimang, and Zhang Wei still remembered her attitude from yesterday.

In that case, he was taking it!

"Alright, I’ll go call that director over!"

"Ah, he’s coming over? Doesn’t he have a house in Dongfang Capital, why..."

"You’ll understand when you see him."

Xia Qianyue said, stepped out of Zhang’s Martial Arts School and then waved towards a corner of the street.

Soon after, there was Gao Tianri, the big director, dressed in clothes that wrapped him up tightly, walking into Zhang’s Martial Arts School.

A mask, sunglasses, a hoodie, anyone clueless might think you were dodging the paparazzi.

"Whoa, dressed so tightly, and it’s not even October yet, aren’t you hot?"

Zhang Wei looked at Gao Tianri with a face full of bewilderment.

What happened to you that makes you look like, at any moment, someone might rush out from the side of the street to kill you, so you have to always be on guard?

"Lawyer Zhang, hello, I’ve heard so much about you, thank you for taking my case!"

Upon seeing Zhang Wei, Gao Tianri shook his hand eagerly, his tone filled with excitement.

"Director Gao, what are you afraid of, or whom are you afraid of?"

Zhang Wei looked at him, full of curiosity.

"Who else could it be, it’s my wife!"

Gao Tianri sighed and shared his recent experiences.

He met Gu Shimang on a film set.

That was ten years ago when Gu Shimang was a popular leading actress, and he was an even more famous director.

Through a movie, they went from acquaintances to friends, and finally, under the blessings of their colleagues, they entered the palace of marriage.

"Director Gao, did you get married in your forties?"

"Not exactly, I had just gotten divorced. In fact, I had just finished divorcing my third wife right before I met Shi Man."

Upon hearing what Gao Tianri said, Zhang Wei nodded in understanding.

It was Xia Qianyue and Zhang Xinwu standing to the side, who both showed a hint of disdain.

Zhang Wei, however, just laughed.

That’s the entertainment industry for you.

If the client is a big director, he must certainly have a way with women.

In fact, with a director of his caliber making a movie, those second and third-tier, even top-tier female stars are all eager to offer themselves up to him.

If Zhang Wei wasn’t mistaken, Gao Tianri had already gotten involved with Gu Shimang during the filming.

But at that time, he was already divorced from his third wife and was single, so there wasn’t really a problem with him getting together with Gu Shimang.

The only issue might have been the 20-year age difference between the two.

An older man with a younger wife is a cliché in the entertainment industry.

After all, what men in the industry see most are young women decked out in finery, and these women don’t mind using their youth and collagen-rich bodies to secure the best roles in film and television.

Thus, this resulted in the typical entertainment industry scenario of older husbands and younger wives.

Even more so, some starlets have been exposed for scandals where, to land a role, they slept with the entire production team.

"Director Gao, how has your marriage with Gu Shimang been?"

"At the beginning, I was quite happy. I thought to myself that this time I really found the right person, she was the one."

Hearing this answer, Zhang Wei inwardly snickered.

You probably thought the same when you first met each of your previous three wives, didn’t you?

She’s the one for life.

But after a few years when the wife became older and less attractive, you quickly looked for new love and kicked her to the curb.

However, this is understandable. After all, the entertainment industry thrives on temporary attractions. Your previous wives probably married you for your fame as a director, not out of real affection.

Gao Tianri was unaware of Zhang Wei’s inner thoughts and continued to reminisce about his moments with Gu Shimang.

"At first, we were very happy; even that happiness lasted nearly ten years. During that time, my career advanced, and her acting career also improved."

"I received the Best Director award, and she, relying on her acting skills, won Best Actress. It could be said we really were a match made in heaven. We both admired and appreciated each other, each other..."

As he recalled the good times, Gao Tianri couldn’t hold back his tears.

"Director Gao, when did you start to realize that your wife might be out to harm you?"

"It’s not a realization, it’s a fact!"

Gao Tianri shook his head and then spoke with an increased seriousness, "I started to sense something was off two years ago!"

"In fact, I don’t know since when, but there would always be men in black lurking around my villa and apartment. At first, I thought they weren’t targeting me, but once when I was attending a party, I overheard two men in black discussing me in the restroom. They said I was the target and that they had been ordered to keep a close watch on me!"

"At first, I thought I had heard wrong, but then I noticed, even when I was shooting on set, or on vacation abroad, several familiar figures would appear, those same men in black. They were surveilling me!"

As he talked, Gao Tianri was still visibly shaken, his face filled with fear.

Zhang Wei thought for a moment and asked, "Could they be bodyguards hired by your wife, or by your company?"

"They’re not hired by my company!"

Gao Tianri shook his head and then revealed an awkward smile. "Lawyer Zhang, to tell you the truth, although I’ve made a lot of money, I’m a frugal person in my daily life. Dongfang Capital is so safe, and the Martial Association’s security is so good, I believe no one would dare to commit outrageous acts, so I never thought about hiring bodyguards."

"Besides, I asked Shi Man, and she said she didn’t recognize those people, which made me suspect that I was being targeted."

Gao Tianri said, revealing a bitter smile, "After all, I am a renowned director, I have some money and a bit of fame, maybe these people are planning to kidnap me for ransom."

"Oh, but looking at you, that’s not the case?"

Zhang Wei also sensed something was off. "Also, you said you asked your wife, Gu Shimang, and she replied that she didn’t recognize the men in black?"

"Yes, at first she said she didn’t know them, but later I discovered that those men in black were brought by her."

Gao Tianri recalled that moment and could only admit that he had been blind.

"That Valentine’s Day, I was filming on set, but since the filming equipment hadn’t arrived, the progress was affected, so I simply gave the crew a half-day off and drove to the villa myself, planning to surprise my wife."

What happened next, Zhang Wei could guess without Gao Tianri having to say it.

Planning to surprise his wife, only to be surprised by her instead, that’s probably how the story went.

"Lawyer Zhang, you have no idea, I just got back to the villa when I saw Gu Shimang and a man..."

"In bed!"

Zhang Wei’s eyes widened, instantly roused.

Xia Qianyue also leaned in closer, and even Zhang Xinwu and Zhang Xinyan, who had already begun to physically confront each other, stopped their altercation and perked up their ears.

The spirit of gossip burned brightly within them.

"No, it wasn’t that, I heard my wife on the phone with a man!"

"Big deal, it’s just a phone call, what’s the issue with that?"

Hearing this outcome, Zhang Wei immediately lost interest.

Xia Qianyue also shook her head, looking somewhat disappointed.

Seeing this, Zhang Xinwu suddenly and unexpectedly seized her brother Zhang Xinyan by the neck, pretending to choke him, prompting him to frantically clap his hands in plea for mercy.

"Lawyer Zhang, that phone call was different!"

But Gao Tianri frowned, his face pained, "I heard with my own ears, Shimang calling the man on the phone ’hubby’, ’darling’, and speaking all kinds of cheesy lovey-dovey lines!"

"She was also cooing at the man on the phone, asking why he didn’t come to spend Valentine’s Day with her. All told, these are words that Shimang hasn’t said to me in years."

"Is that all?"

Zhang Wei’s face remained unimpressed.

It was just a phone call, some flirting with a man, right?

At most, it’s emotional cheating, isn’t it?

Did you need to be so guarded, paranoid, and even afraid of being attacked?

"Lawyer Zhang, I didn’t pay much attention when I first overheard their call, even thought Shimang was rehearsing a script, reciting lines with someone, as after all, she’s an actress and has played many ambiguous roles, which I understand."

Gao Tianri spoke, then suddenly furrowed his brows deeply, "But later on, they mentioned the people surveilling me, those men in black!"

"The men in black, what about them?"

"I eavesdropped on the phone and found out that those men in black were actually arranged by the man on the phone, just to monitor me, to keep an eye on my every move. That man even assured Shimang that if necessary, he could take my life at any moment!"

Zhang Wei, who had appeared nonchalant, finally looked serious.

"Director Gao, do you think that man was just joking around to comfort Gu Shimang, or do you think he was serious?"

"I think he was serious, otherwise how could those surveilling me be around my home and near my villa every day?"

Zhang Wei nodded; that made sense.

But Director, the green hat on your head might not be coming off anytime soon.

"So what happened after that, what else did you hear on that call?"

"After that, I was worried the men in black would realize I had sneakily come back, so I went downstairs and made a commotion, then called out Shimang’s name, pretending I had just arrived."

Zhang Wei looked at Gao Tianri with surprise.

You, the big director, are pretty cautious, even considering this detail.

But this answer made Zhang Wei frown.

Because it was just a phone call; it couldn’t prove anything.

Even if he confronted Gu Shimang with Gao Tianri’s statement, she could deny it without any recourse.

Even if Zhang Wei actually found the phone records and grilled her about the contents of that call, she could just brush it off, saying, "I was just rehearsing script lines."

Gu Shimang was once a big star, an actress.

Pretending and playing parts are her specialty.

"So, Director Gao, you have no idea who the other party is, right?"

"Yes, I don’t know the identity of that man."

Hearing this response, Zhang Wei knew this case just got trickier.

If Gu Shimang truly had an affair, they could take action against her.

But Gao Tianri likely didn’t have any proof.

Without evidence, how could you prove the other party cheated?

In the end, the key was still to confirm the identity of that man.

"Director Gao, do you really have no guesses as to the identity of that third party?"

"Guess? I can only say I have a general direction," he said.

Gao Tianri looked around, then leaned toward Zhang Wei and whispered, "Shi Man has been busy preparing for a play these past few months."

"But actually, I’ve asked around the crew, and her real time spent on set is very little. Almost all the time, the whole crew is just waiting for her. If she suddenly loses interest in filming, the crew might just end up waiting for nothing that day."

"So arrogant, bringing funds into the group?" Zhang Wei was stunned for a moment.

It was a bit too diva-like.

"Director Gao, is it because of you?"

"Lawyer Zhang, don’t look at me like that. Although I have a bit of fame in the entertainment circle, I’ve never taught Shi Man to behave like this. In fact, what I dislike most is actresses who throw their weight around just because they have some fame. It is strictly prohibited in my crews!"

"Then why is Gu Shimang so arrogant?"

"I’ve heard that it’s because the boss behind that production took a fancy to Shimang. That’s why they indulge her whims and even warned the crew not to let her be bullied in the slightest, which may be why she acts that way," Gao Tianri explained, even he seemed a bit doubtful.

Who was this boss behind the scenes? So capricious; having money doesn’t mean you can just waste it like that.

"So you’re saying the financial backer behind that production is the man involved with Gu Shimang?"

"It’s possible!" Gao Tianri nodded, then shook his head again. "But I’ve also inquired about it, and I can’t find any specifics about the financiers. It seems that there are several parties involved in investing in this movie. If you were to investigate each one, it might take a very long time."

"What’s the name of the production? Maybe I can help you look into it."

Seeing Zhang Wei interested in the production, Gao Tianri recalled and said, "The play is called "The Martial World of Two", I think?"

""The Martial World of Two"!"

Zhang Wei repeated the name, then felt a strange sense of familiarity.

"Oh, I remember now. When I won that martial arts event, the financiers said they wanted me to do some film promotion, and I think the script had this same name!"

"Oh, now that you mention it, I remember too!"

Zhang Wei finally recalled.

It was during the martial arts event that Xia Qianyue and Zhang Xinwu attended. Xia Qianyue defeated Wu Renjie in the finals and won first place in the event.

Not only was there prize money for the winner of that event, but also an opportunity to act in a wuxia script.

The drama was supposed to promote martial arts and traditional culture, and the financiers were all the sponsors of the martial arts event.

But everyone knew that Xia Qianyue was part of the serious crime squad at the investigation bureau and couldn’t leave to film a movie.

Later it was said that the production team also approached Zhang Xinwu, hoping she would play the lead actress.

But because of the old Alliance Hierarch, Wu Shentong’s reneging behavior in the challenge, both Xia Qianyue and Zhang Xinwu became disgruntled with the martial arts event and even the financiers.

Zhang Xinwu also refused the financiers’ request and turned down the terms offered by the production team.

What was unexpected, however, was that the production team continued filming and invited Gu Shimang to play the lead actress.

By then, the hype around the martial arts event had dissipated, and the financier’s interest in the drama had waned.

The financier’s expectation was probably that it would be good enough if the drama was completed at all. As for what it turns into, we don’t care.

Amongst the financiers, there was a big shot involved with Gu Shimang, whose demands changed to, it doesn’t matter if the drama is filmed or not, I just want my woman to get some screen time.

"Director Gao, not to speak out of turn, but it seems the financiers behind this drama are quite significant!"

Zhang Wei looked at Gao Tianri, even feeling a bit of sympathy for the director.

Because the financiers behind this production were none other than the sponsors of the martial arts event.

And the sponsors of the martial arts event were the Five Great Families of Dongfang Capital!

The Zhang Family, the Lin Family, the Zhao Family, the Hua Family, and the Wu Family had all invested in the martial arts event.

As for the other investors who just wanted a familiar face, Zhang Wei saw them as minor characters.

Only these few families had the power and the potential to threaten Gao Tianri’s position.

Of course, the Zhao Family could be ruled out because Zhao Qingyan wouldn’t do something like that.

So, the lover of Gu Shimang could possibly be from one of the other four families.

Zhang Wei felt this case suddenly got more interesting.

This time, which of the Five Great Families would he have to wrestle with?