Second Take On Romance - The A-List Actor Wants Me
Chapter 197 : The Scandal From Three Years Ago

Chapter 197: Chapter 197 : The Scandal From Three Years Ago

Of the many people who frequented Paradise Hills every day, only a fraction was there to play golf earnestly. Most of the people enjoyed several casual rounds before retreating into a private setting to discuss business matters.

Shang Ruohai definitely belonged to the latter group.

But today, whatever the business matter he needed to deal with, deep lines were etched between his brows, refusing to go away.

When Shen Jingwei arrived, Yan Renzhong was out playing a round of golf with the others.

Shang Ruohai was lounging at the corner of a restaurant, with one of his legs crossed over his other one. He was wearing a set of stylish sportswear, all white save for the several black stripes adorning his outfit and his shoes. It was a stark contrast from his usual formal attire.

Sitting before him on a table was a cup of cold coffee and a plate of half-eaten croissant.

Shang Ruohai was busy scrolling through his phone. So busy that he did not have time to finish his coffee and snack.

"Senior Shang."

Shang Ruohai lifted his head when he heard Shen Jingwei’s greeting.

"Hey, Little Shen. You made it. So, what’s up? Are you going to join CNC Studio at last?"

Shen Jingwei forced a laugh, hoping to lighten the mood, but his attempt fell flat. Shang Ruohai’s piercing gaze, fixed on Shen Jingwei, silenced him before he could make matters worse.

Shen Jingwei cleared his throat.

"Actually, I come to you to speak about a certain colleague of mine."

One of Shang Ruohai’s brows shot upward.

"Oh?"

Shen Jingwei retrieved a copy of Jin Zhuo’s portfolio and slid it across the table.

"His name is Jin Zhuo, he is a promising actor. Can you do me a favor and give him a chance to perform anywhere?"

Shang Ruohai’s eyes scanned the portfolio from top to bottom one time before he pushed it back in Shen Jingwei’s direction and said, "I refuse."

Shen Jingwei’s heart turned cold at the abrupt rejection.

"But... But why?" he asked, slightly confused by Shang Ruohai’s cold attitude. Was he probably in a bad mood? Did Shen Jingwei visit him at the worst time possible?

Shang Ruohai fixed Shen Jingwei with a stare for a long time before he slowly took a deep breath and sank further into his seat, his arms folded neatly before his chest.

"Say, Little Shen, there was a huge scandal in the entertainment industry three years ago, involving a veteran singer, Zhou Jiuyan, and a rising singer, Liu Suansuan. Have you heard about it?"

Shen Jingwei gave a brief nod.

Of course, he heard about it. Both singers were signed with CNC Studio. They faced severe backlash from the public and were ultimately blacklisted by the industry.

"In a nutshell -- just in case you didn’t have all the facts right thanks to the swirling rumors in Weibo --, Zhou Jiuyan was the one who scouted Liu Suansuan. He took her under her wing and nurtured her career from the ground up.

Their relationship was a model of mutual respect and admiration akin to that between a father and a daughter, earning the praise of their peers.

Until one day, video clips of Liu Suansuan having sex with Zhou Jiuyan were leaked on Weibo by Zhou Jiuyan’s wife, along with the six-page exposé detailing their intimate relationship with each other, transcending that of father and daughter."

"Zhou Jiuyan, who was lauded as a devoted husband and a doting father of three children, was ruined overnight.

Not wanting to be dragged down as a homewrecker, Liu Suansuan released a statement saying that she had been ’forced’ to sleep with Zhou Jiuyan for years in exchange for Zhou Jiuyan’s help in promoting her career.

She even went as far as saying that Zhou Jiuyan forced her to abort their babies three times in total."

Shen Jingwei swallowed hard.

"You might be wondering," Shang Ruohai continued, "why I even brought this case up. The truth is, and it is known to very few people, it was Liu Suansuan who first seduced Zhou Jiuyan. She told Zhou Jiuyan that she loved him, and she was willing to stay in the shadow as long as Zhou Jiuyan loved her in return.

Gradually, she began asking for Zhou Jiuyan’s help to promote her career. Zhou Jiuyan probably felt guilty because he could not make Liu Suansuan his official wife, so he did everything he could to launch Liu Suansuan’s career in the music industry.

Now, I am not trying to make any excuse for Zhou Jiuyan here. He cheated on his wife consciously, but he did not force Liu Suansuan into anything. Even the babies were aborted without Zhou Jiuyan’s knowledge."

"Once we had all the facts together, CNC Studio banned Liu Suansuan from the company and tried to repair Zhou Jiuyan’s image in public, but it was for naught. You see, Shen Jingwei, celebrities are held to an impossibly high standard, and expected to maintain a flawless public image at all costs.

Restraining oneself was difficult enough, why complicate the matters by having a forbidden relationship that might destroy you?"

"But I am not..." Shen Jingwei began, but Shang Ruohai intervened, "I know that you are not having any affairs on the side. One Yan Renzhong is difficult enough to handle. You don’t have time for anyone else."

"..."

"What I am saying is, regardless of your current connection to Jin Zhuo, he can use it anytime against you, and you may or may not be powerless against it."

"..."

Shang Ruohai nodded toward the portfolio on the table.

"From then on, I strictly refuse to admit any talent per recommendation. If they have the talent and confidence, they are welcome to make their appearance at CNC Studio’s talent recruitment section. We welcome all applicants and will evaluate them based on our standard recruitment process."

"... Oh."

"Sorry, Shen Jingwei, my decision is final."

Shen Jingwei swallowed hard. He understood where Shang Ruohai came from, but he did not know how to let Jin Zhuo down gently.