82: justifiable defense

Chen Rui acted as if he were on intimate terms with everyone, practically treating Qingcheng Entertainment as his own home.

There were only about ten minutes left until it was their turn to go in for the audition, and he didn't want to get tangled up with Chen Rui any further.

Zhou Fang knew clearly in his heart that Chen Rui was just a petty person. The resource he had lost previously was his own problem, yet he insisted on believing that Zhou Fang had sabotaged him and stolen his role, causing him trouble both openly and covertly.

Especially in one previous drama where he happened to play a guard for Chen Rui; he really hadn't let Zhou Fang off easy.

Zhou Fang: "I appreciate the kind intention, but it's not necessary."

Zhou Fang's attitude was cold. If it had been anyone else, they would have just walked away, but not Chen Rui; he simply wanted to humiliate Zhou Fang.

Because that whole business about the role change had caused him to be mocked online for a long time, and many Producers had questioned his professionalism, causing him to lose quite a bit of work.

Chen Rui hated that high-and-mighty look of Zhou Fang's the most. Who was he putting on an act for?

Chen Rui's face turned cold: "Zhou Fang, why bother putting on such an act? You came to audition here just to get the role of the male third lead, didn't you? If I help you, you'll save yourself a lot of trouble."

As soon as Chen Rui said this, the other six or seven people who were also auditioning for the male third lead shot looks at Zhou Fang like daggers.

Others whispered among themselves; if Zhou Fang failed the audition, they wouldn't say anything, but if he succeeded, they would definitely believe in their hearts that Zhou Fang had gotten the role through connections.

Zhou Fang also thought of this and clenched his fists, enduring it. He couldn't afford to get into a dispute with anyone in this place; if the Director and Producer inside heard the commotion, it would have a bad impact.

He hadn't even gotten the role yet, and he was already causing trouble outside; Producers didn't like using such troublesome actors.

Thinking of this, Zhou Fang stood up with a start, giving Lu Qingyu a fright.

Was Zhou Fang unable to hold back? Was this kid about to rise up?

Chen Rui also thought Zhou Fang was about to explode, but Zhou Fang just flushed red and forced out a sentence:

"There's free coffee outside, I'm going to have a cup."

Chen Rui sneered; he just knew Zhou Fang didn't have the guts.

Zhou Fang went to the coffee machine outside to get two cups of coffee, taking the opportunity to calm his mood.

Zhou Fang told himself he must endure it; his career was worth more than this minor squabble.

After calming down for five minutes—during which many people from inside the room came up to greet Chen Rui, wanting to build a good relationship—

Zhou Fang returned with two cups of coffee in his hand, one for himself and the other brought for Lu Qingyu.

"Little brother, do you want a cup?"

Lu Qingyu didn't take off his mask, but he still took the coffee.

Seeing this, Chen Rui directly grabbed the other cup from Zhou Fang's hand.

"Thanks."

Zhou Fang: ???

That was his coffee, and Chen Rui had fucking taken it.

He really wanted to punch Chen Rui, but he couldn't. Fine, endure it again.

Inside the room, Chen Rui was practically acting like an interviewer. Seeing Lu Qingyu covered up, he was a bit curious about who he was: "What role are you auditioning for?"

Lu Qingyu held the coffee without speaking, not wanting to pay him any mind.

Seeing that Lu Qingyu didn't speak, Chen Rui thought, *Little brat, wearing a mask and thinking you're a big star?*

"Did you not hear me talking to you?"

Chen Rui couldn't help but kick Lu Qingyu's chair. The coffee in Lu Qingyu's hand sloshed, his brow furrowed, and his gaze towards Chen Rui became sharp.

It was clear that the threshold for the entertainment industry was indeed low; all kinds of people were in it.

The way Lu Qingyu looked at Chen Rui made Zhou Fang's heart tighten. Fearing that Lu Qingyu was young and impulsive, he immediately answered for Lu Qingyu: "male third lead."

"He's auditioning for the male third lead."

When Chen Rui heard it was the male third lead, he was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"Did I hear that right? He's auditioning for the male third lead? Zhou Fang, are you sick in the head? He's competing with you for a role, why are you being polite to him?"

Zhou Fang didn't explain, but Lu Qingyu said leisurely: "Even people who live by the sea aren't as nosy as you. If you're really that bored, go to the restroom and touch up your makeup; your foundation is caking up your eye bags."

Chen Rui's face turned black, visible to the naked eye. Zhou Fang gasped; this little brother hadn't said much while chatting beside him earlier, and he hadn't known that this little brother had such a sharp-tongued, aggressive personality.

Zhou Fang: "He, he's just joking."

Chen Rui was angry: "How the fuck are you talking?"

The people in the room were attracted by the commotion over here. Others wanted to keep a low profile, but Chen Rui didn't care about that.

Lu Qingyu's gaze drifted over, and he said indifferently: "I can't even point out your caked makeup? Then let's talk about your poor acting skills. You've acted in six short dramas and none of them were the lead, all of them were stupid male lead two roles. Haven't you reflected on whether your own compatibility with being an idiot is just naturally high?"

Chen Rui was truly furious. Ever since he became popular from shooting short dramas, he had been full of himself. Although those who shot mainstream television dramas looked down on those who shot short dramas, they had traffic, and traffic was king.

"Kid, if you know what's good for you, leave now. I'll tell you clearly: you won't get this male third lead role."

Lu Qingyu narrowed his eyes: "Are you the Director? Is this something you get to decide?"

Chen Rui: "Heh, it wouldn't hurt to tell you. The Assistant Director is my relative. As long as I say a word, I can give this male third lead role to whoever I want."

Lu Qingyu really wanted to laugh; he didn't know when his own family's affairs had become something others could decide.

"That's not necessarily true. There's still the Director and Producer. Maybe your relative's word doesn't carry that much weight. As for you, let alone the Male Lead One, you wouldn't even get a role as cannon fodder."

Chen Rui pointed at Lu Qingyu: "Just watch and see if I can stop you from getting the male third lead."

Lu Qingyu: "So noisy. Whose dog got let out?"

Lu Qingyu's provocation made Chen Rui laugh out of anger; it had been a long time since anyone had dared to provoke him.

Chen Rui stood up and walked to Lu Qingyu's seat, kicking the chair. He wanted to intimidate Lu Qingyu.

Who knew that just as his foot went down, Lu Qingyu stood up. The chair made a screeching sound, and the coffee in Lu Qingyu's hand splashed onto Chen Rui's face without a single drop left.

Chen Rui felt as if he had been slapped in the face. The water-slap was not a bit weaker than an ordinary slap; for a moment, he was stunned.

The people in the room collectively gasped. *Ah, this, is this allowed?*

"It's over, this kid is going to have bad luck."

"Is he new to the industry? Why is he so impulsive?"

"Does he not want to work in this industry anymore? He dares to do this right before the audition."

Fortunately, the coffee was no longer hot, but the brown, sticky coffee slid from his face onto his Gucci shirt. Chen Rui was furious and went up to beat Lu Qingyu.

"You're fucking looking for death."

The scene instantly turned chaotic. Seeing this, Zhou Fang immediately blocked in front of Lu Qingyu, holding Chen Rui back.

Zhou Fang's intention was to keep the two from fighting; if they started a fight, it wouldn't be good for Lu Qingyu.

Seeing Zhou Fang hold the person back, Lu Qingyu stepped to the side and kicked Chen Rui in the waist.

Zhou Fang didn't manage to hold him, and Chen Rui fell to the ground, stunned.

Only after coming to his senses did he realize he had taken another kick.

"Fuck your mother, Zhou Fang, you dare to help him."

Zhou Fang looked back at Lu Qingyu. Lu Qingyu shrugged; he was too despicable, I really couldn't help it.

"Self-defense, everyone, please bear witness for me."