Chapter 9 Have you really found a backer?
As expected, the marks were not left in a place where others could see them, and there was no need to cover them up with clothes. Shen Zhiyi came to the company early in the morning. She thought her job today was to shoot a variety show, but she was notified to go to the new crew to attend a reading session.

This was the role she had clearly stated she would not take.

"I said I wouldn't do this show."

Guo Ting ignored her opinion and said, "The contract has been signed. The company has taken the role for you and has discussed with the director to exempt you from the audition. What else do you want?"

Similar things have happened many times in the past few years. Every time, the company ignored Shen Zhiyi's opinions and forced her to sign the contract. Shen Zhiyi always thought that this was just the robbery of the agency, but now she suddenly thought of another possibility.

"Did Huo Heng ask you to do this?"

The director was contacted by Huo Heng, and the role was found by Huo Heng, so it was impossible for him not to know the inside story.

"So what?" Guo Ting didn't think there was anything wrong with doing this. "Huo Heng is so busy that he still has to take care of you. It's okay if you don't appreciate it, but at least you should cooperate a little, right?"

He squinted his eyes and said, "Your contract with the company still has half a month left. Whether you like it or not, you still have to listen to the company during this half month."

He was determined to control her through the contract and squeeze out all her value.

"Huo Heng and I have already broken up. What will happen to public opinion if I continue to act in the same drama?"

"This is handled by the public relations department. You don't have to worry about it."

Shen Zhiyi understood that this meant that they wanted to continue using her as a shield. Anyway, she was the one who kept pestering them, so the fans would only attack her.

What a good hand of cards.

"In that case," Shen Zhiyi said calmly, "then I don't have to save face for you."

Guo Ting sneered, not thinking that she could do anything at all.

The reading session will be held in two hours.

As the male lead of the show, Huo Heng naturally sat in the middle, while Shen Zhiyi was seated in the corner. As soon as she appeared, she attracted a lot of attention.

Ever since their relationship was exposed, the name Shen Zhiyi has been tied to Huo Heng, and they even starred in TV dramas together. But now they suddenly announced their breakup, and those who were watching the fun were curious about what she was thinking.

Even the director asked, "Xiao Huo, I heard that you broke up recently?"

He glanced at Shen Zhiyi in the corner implicitly, and was quite surprised. You know, when he asked Huo Heng to play the leading male role, he specifically proposed to keep a role for Shen Zhiyi. The director looked down on actors who relied on backdoors to compete for resources, so he asked the screenwriter to directly fabricate a villain role. Although she was considered the fourth female role, she didn't have many roles, and her character was brainless and vicious.

The relationship is so good that they are willing to give each other resources, so how can they be divided just like that?
Everyone around looked over curiously, obviously wanting to eat this melon.

Huo Heng smiled gently, "Nothing, it's just that there was a misunderstanding between Zhiyi and I that I didn't explain clearly. Although we broke up, we are still friends."

He cast his gaze towards Shen Zhiyi and sighed vaguely, "I wasn't good enough to Zhiyi. Now that Zhiyi has someone who treats her better, naturally... I've said too much, please don't mind it."

There were gasps in the crowd. Everyone was a smart person, so there was nothing they couldn't understand about this. Huo Heng was hinting that there was a third party involved in their breakup!

Considering Shen Zhiyi's reputation on the Internet, maybe she has found someone bigger than Huo Heng.

No wonder she could give up Huo Heng so easily.

Shen Zhiyi raised her head and met Huo Heng's meaningful gaze. She frowned slightly, "Someone who treats me better? Who do you mean?"

Huo Heng looked away, looking a little sad, "I know you are resentful towards me, but you can't——"

Before he could even utter the suggestive word "self-degradation", Shen Zhiyi interrupted him. "Huo Heng, you told your fans that you were with me on the anniversary, but I only saw you once. Who was the one that was with you the whole time?"

Huo Heng suddenly turned his head, his pretended gentleness began to crack, and his anger surged up instantly.

Does she want to expose his affair with Xia Xia? !
Shen Zhiyi looked at him expressionlessly, "You talk too much. This is a reading group, not a love column. Don't bring up your private matters in front of everyone. It will make people laugh."

These few short sentences made everyone think a lot. Although it was not clear what the truth of the matter was, everyone was certain that the separation of these two people was definitely not a good one.

"What are you guys talking about? Sorry I'm late."

The heroine arrived late, and the atmosphere at the table suddenly became lively. When Shen Zhiyi saw the new person, she understood why Huo Heng insisted on letting her participate in this drama.

The heroine who plays opposite him is actually Xu Xia.

Xu Xia has a pure and cute appearance, and has been the national sister since her debut. This TV series is her first work after her transformation.

As soon as she appeared, even Huo Heng's expression returned to normal. Everyone tacitly stopped talking about irrelevant topics and completed the reading session smoothly.

After the reading session, the crew had a dinner together. After Shen Zhiyi toasted the director and screenwriter, he went to the corridor to get some fresh air.

"Sister Zhiyi,"

The girl's voice is as sweet as her appearance, which makes people feel good about her.

Xu Xia stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking at Shen Zhiyi who was leaning against the railing. She had a slender yet graceful figure, and even a simple shirt and trousers couldn't hide her perfect figure and skin. Even when she was being criticized the most by her fans, no one had ever attacked her face.

Shen Zhiyi turned his head, his eyes quietly falling down, watching Xu Xia take two steps towards him.

"Sister Zhiyi, is it because of me that you and Huo Heng are having a quarrel?"

Xu Xia sighed and said guiltily, "I'm sorry, Sister Zhiyi, Huo Heng has a bad temper but it's all unintentional. Don't take it too seriously if he makes you angry."

"I have known Huo Heng longer than you, and I understand him better than you do," Shen Zhiyi said with a calm expression, "You don't have to make excuses for him. There is more to him than just a simple conflict."

"But Sister Zhiyi," Xu Xia looked up, "you two have been friends for so many years, how can you just break it off like that? Huo Heng treats you as his best friend."

"best friend?"

Shen Zhiyi said sarcastically, "I don't deserve it."

Maybe she was really Huo Heng's best friend when they were young, but this friendship had long since disappeared over the years.

Sadly, she's only realizing this now.

Shen Zhiyi said expressionlessly, "I will no longer be your shield, nor will I tell anyone about your affairs, but the premise is that Huo Heng will stop doing these little tricks."

"Remember to remind him."

She passed by Xu Xia and suddenly heard Xu Xia ask, "Have you really found a backer?"

Xu Xia's innocent face showed a curious expression, and he said naively, "If you are short of resources, you can tell us. Why do you have to degenerate?"

"Self-degradation..."

Shen Zhiyi suddenly smiled, her delicate eyebrows curved slightly, "In the past few years since I got involved with you, I have really fallen into depravity."