Three months later.
"DP Yang, can we make it more aesthetic?" Xiao asked softly, pointing at the monitor, her voice hopeful.
"What kind do you want? Let's give it a try," DP Yang replied, his fingers already moving across the keyboard, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
Xiao flipped through the manuscript to double-check the plot. Her eyes suddenly widened; she gulped, scratching her temple with one finger.
"Zhiyu's arc is insanely intense. I hope our cast won't complain," she said, giggling despite herself.
DP Yang glanced up, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're good at everything—why would we ever worry?" he teased.
Xiao twisted her lips into a pout. "Stop flattering me, or I'll start believing it."
DP Yang sighed dramatically and leaned back, giving her a warm look. "We've been here three months already. The whole shoot will take nine or ten. But without you, we wouldn't even be here. This is the first project we've done this year. Last year we almost got banned—I honestly thought we'd never film again."
Xiao's brows knitted in confusion. "Banned? For what?"
DP Yang scooted closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know Apex CineCorp, right?"
Xiao blinked, searching her memory, then shook her head. "I… feel like I've heard of them, but I'm not sure."
He nodded. "Our company's tiny compared to the giants. Blue Lantern Press is just an ant next to Apex CineCorp. But when it comes to quality and creativity, we're the ones people love. Our programmers make everything look natural—no over-the-top green screen nonsense."
Xiao's mouth formed a little 'o' of admiration. "Ah, I get it. Seeing really is believing."
"Last year Apex tried to buy us out," he continued, voice dropping lower. "Did Ms. Wang never mention it?"
Xiao's expression cooled instantly.
"She… didn't tell me anything."
"Without Axiom Stream stepping in, we'd have lost everything." DP Yang's lips curved in relief. "Maybe Ms. Wang kept it quiet so you wouldn't worry. Only a few of us know the full story. The CEO of Apex himself came—we refused, point blank."
The manuscript slipped from Xiao's lap as she crossed her arms, leaning forward. "What exactly did they say?"
DP Yang's voice turned grave. "They're greedy. Offered us pennies to walk away. When we said no, the threats started. They claimed a small company like ours was 'blocking their growth.'"
Xiao's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"
He gave her a proud, gentle smile. "You're our Creative Producer—one of the highest ranks here. That's why you're always with us on location." He tapped her shoulder lightly. "So many hit series got released without people realizing the best ideas came from you. No wonder they betrayed you five years ago—they wanted to be you."
Xiao's face dimmed; she lowered her gaze, voice barely above a whisper. "I… thought you all believed the rumors back then."
DP Yang turned fully, his voice warm with conviction. "Your presence made us believe the truth. With our own eyes." He grinned. "Blue Lantern is small, but we have three pillars: the main studio, Chronos, and Echo. Even though they have their own leads, every spark of real creativity? That's you. Be proud."
Xiao shook her head quickly, cheeks flushing. "Don't be proud of me—be proud of all of us! I'm just a ball bouncing from court to court. At least I feel useful." She exhaled. "Ugh, I can't even finish my own scripts these days. Thank goodness only the main studio is active right now—last year Chronos and Echo nearly tore me apart."
"As the keystone, you have to stay diligent," he teased.
"I've been diligent my whole life—even when I didn't want to be," she muttered, her expression turning flat, cold. "But I hate being threatened."
DP Yang's brows shot up in gentle concern. "Ms. Yu, don't look so sad." He leaned in, whispering, "The person who killed your old script? Not from our team. It came from outside."
Xiao's mouth fell open in shock.
"Echo Studio picked it up. Soon you'll see your adaptation on screen."
A shaky, uncertain smile flickered across her lips—just as Zhu came barreling toward them, breathless.
"Xiao!" Zhu shouted, eyes wide.
Xiao shot to her feet. "What is it?"
"Trouble!" Zhu panted, grabbing Xiao's wrist.
Every head in the tent turned.
"Trouble?" Xiao echoed.
"Come see!" Zhu yanked her forward and they bolted.
The path was uneven, rocks and roots threatening to trip them, but Zhu didn't slow. Four kilometers later they skidded onto the main road. Xiao bent double, hands on her knees, gasping. "You're insane!"
"Stop yelling and look!" Zhu pointed, still catching her breath.
Black SUVs lined the road, flanked by bodyguards in matching suits. Ms. Wang stood with her own guards—and Zhiyu.
Xiao straightened, brows drawn tight. "What are they doing here?"
"Told you—trouble," Zhu whispered. "They were already arguing when I arrived."
Xiao rolled her shoulders back. "Take me to them."
—
At the parking area
"We already refused your offer, Mr. Lin," Ms. Wang said through clenched teeth, voice sharp as glass. "Why force us? You have your own empire."
Mr. Lin smirked. "I'm simply… interested."
"Interest is fine. Forcing us to kneel? Never," Ms. Wang snapped, jaw tight.
"Fine. How much did Axiom Stream give you? I'll double it," he offered, voice dripping condescension.
"Even if you offered billions, I'd spit on it," Ms. Wang retorted, eyes blazing.
Mr. Lin's gaze slid to Zhiyu, smile turning predatory. He stepped closer. "So this is your new little genius?"
Zhiyu took a step back, bumping into a car. Mr. Lin kept advancing.
"Leave him alone!" Ms. Wang barked.
Mr. Lin ignored her. "What's your name, pretty boy?"
"Cheng Zhiyu," he answered, voice steady though his fists trembled.
"How much are they paying you?" Mr. Lin sneered.
"My dignity isn't for sale," Zhiyu shot back.
The smirk vanished. Mr. Lin's face twisted. "Look, Ms. Wang—your pets are rude."
"Who exactly is the rude one here?" A familiar icy voice cut through the air.
Mr. Lin spun—and froze.
Xiao walked forward, expression carved from ice.
"Yu Xiao?" he choked, eyes wide.
She barely glanced at him, turning to Zhiyu. "Zhiyu, come here."
Relief flooded Zhiyu's face; he hurried to her side, clutching her hand.
"Senior… thank you for coming."
"Thank Zhu. Without her, I wouldn't know." She lowered her voice. "Stay beside her, okay?"
Zhiyu nodded.
Then Xiao faced Mr. Lin, one brow elegantly raised. "Did you see a ghost?"
"It's impossible," he stammered. "I thought you were dead. I searched everywhere—"
"Really?" Her lips curled in a mocking smile. "Then why waste time looking for a corpse? Great acting, Lin Chen."
Silence fell like a blade.
Mr. Lin forced a laugh. "Yu Xiao, stop running from reality."
Xiao began pacing, deliberate and predatory.
"Reality is right in front of you, Lin Chen. Not whatever fantasy you've doctored up."
He stepped closer, studying her face. Xiao dropped her gaze, unbothered.
"Still can't move on, hmm?" he murmured.
She met his eyes—dark, lifeless, deadly. "You're delusional." She turned to Ms. Wang. "I'm taking my people."
Lin Chen's brows shot up, laughing mockingly. "Now I understand why Ms. Wang wouldn't sell." He reached out, tilting Xiao's chin. "Look at you—grown into such a delicate beauty."
"Don't touch her!" Zhiyu shouted, stepping forward.
Zhu yanked him back, whispering, "They're armed—"
Lin Chen chuckled. "Protective little cub, aren't you?" He started toward Zhiyu.
"Don't touch him!" Xiao's voice cracked like a whip.
Lin Chen turned, brows raised, then laughed harder.
"Relax, I won't." He lifted his hands innocently, then leaned in close to Zhiyu, voice low and threatening. "Seems Xiao raised quite the loyal puppy."
"I protect good people," Zhiyu spat, fists white. "Unlike wolves who devour hearts."
Zhu trembled, gripping Zhiyu's sleeve. "Don't provoke him—"
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed. "Are you accusing me, boy?"
"Yes," Xiao said, stepping between them. She looked Lin Chen over, then gently pushed him back.
He clutched his chest theatrically, stunned. "You dare push me away now?"
"What did you expect?" Xiao's eyes blazed. "Five years ago you finished your scheming. Why keep harassing people who just want to work?"
Lin Chen's jaw clenched. "See? You still can't move on. Just admit you still have feelings for me—we could settle this, you and I."
Ms. Wang's eyes widened in horror.
Xiao stared at him a long, silent moment, then let out a soft, mocking laugh. She took three steps back. "In your dreams," she said sweetly.
Lin Chen's smile shattered.
"I hid so well no one could find me," Xiao continued, voice calm and cutting. "If today hadn't happened, you'd still be chasing ghosts. Yes, Lin Chen—I'm still breathing. You ruined my life, stole my scripts, dragged my name through the mud so you could shine. And now that you're 'successful,' you still can't stand on your own. You have to steal another company because you're terrified you'll be exposed."
She sighed theatrically. "If people call you a wolf, don't complain. It fits."
She turned on her heel. "Let's go."
Zhu and Zhiyu fell in step.
"Xiao, you've gone too far," Lin Chen hissed.
She paused, glancing over her shoulder.
"Me? Too far?" Her voice dropped to ice. "Feeling guilty yet?"
His eyes shrank.
"The day will come, Xiao'er," he threatened, voice shaking. "You'll regret this."
Xiao's face froze into something lethal. "Don't ever call me that again." She stepped closer, voice low and deadly calm. "And don't worry—if something happens to me, it won't be an accident."
She turned away for the last time.
"Blue Lantern Press belongs to us. It never belonged to you." She walked off, hand firm around Zhiyu's wrist, Zhu hurrying beside them.
Ms. Wang shook her head at Lin Chen, lips curling in disdain. "Loser," she said coldly, then followed her team.
Lin Chen stood alone in the dust, fists clenched so hard his nails drew blood.
"One day Blue Lantern Press will be mine," he snarled under his breath. "Just wait and see how long you can hold it."
The black SUVs roared away, leaving only tire tracks and fury behind.