Chapter 303: Chapter 303: You Can’t Always Be a Man in Movies, Can You?

Jiang Chaoyuan saw Chen Ling’s predicament and helped to clear the air, “What kind of good people can those who sneak in and cause trouble be? I guess Chen Ling doesn’t even recognize them.”

“It was our negligence that allowed such people to sneak in, Mr. Chen, we are truly sorry. We will definitely investigate how they got in and explain it to you. Next time we will also strengthen our guard.”

The head of security spoke respectfully, acknowledging that the negligence was on their part. Fortunately, Chen Ling hadn’t been hurt, otherwise they might have not been able to explain it.

“Okay.” Chen Ling dared not look at those few people; it was precisely because of her attitude that she had infuriated them.

“You owe us so much money, do you need us to remind you? Stop pretending!” The man considered that he still needed to rely on Chen Ling to make money, so he didn’t expose her real gender.

If Chen Ling’s identity were exposed at this critical moment, not only would she have to pay the penalty, but she wouldn’t get a dime either. It would be their loss, and they were not stupid!

He threatened, “Let the security let us go now, or you’re going to regret it!”

Chen Ling’s hands unconsciously clenched into fists, “Let them go, it was… it was me who let them in. I’m sorry for the trouble. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Hearing Chen Ling’s words, everyone present was stunned. Did Chen Ling really owe these people money?

The security hesitated; these men had dared to break in, committing a serious crime. Letting them go like this wouldn’t be easy to justify.

“What are you waiting for? The person involved said to let them go, let them go. Don’t speak of today’s event to anyone, you hear?”

Jiang Chaoyuan’s voice was loud, and given his status as a well-known figure, even as the Jiang Family’s “disfavored” young master, everyone would listen to him.

“Yes,” the security loosened their grip.

A few men scoffed, twisted their sore arms, and glared fiercely at Chen Ling, “Hurry up and make money, pay back what you owe us, got it?”

“I know, call me next time, don’t come here looking for me.”

Thinking back to the recent terrifying scene, Chen Ling couldn’t help but feel fear. These people had genuinely intended to harm her, and thankfully, Jiang Chaoyuan had arrived just in time.

But… it also allowed Jiang Chaoyuan to discover her biggest secret, which made her worry whether he would expose her real gender.

After all, if she lost her chance to debut, then Jiang Chaoyuan would be in the spotlight.

“If it wasn’t so hard to reach you by phone, we would have thought you had run away. We’re not keen on coming here.”

“Hurry up and go, don’t linger here any longer.” The security pushed them, urging them to leave.

“Keep your hands to yourself, we can walk on our own!” The men were pushed out.

Chen Ling looked at Jiang Chaoyuan wanting to say something, but with an agent still standing nearby, she could only swallow what she initially wanted to say and instead murmured a light “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, go back to your dorm and change your clothes. Don’t worry, we won’t speak of today’s events,” Jiang Chaoyuan said smilingly, his words laden with implication.

Chen Ling got the hint; Jiang Chaoyuan meant to keep her secret.

Liao Liao, however, looked utterly confused. So many people had seen it, even if they didn’t speak out, someone else might.

She didn’t question the contestant further but turned to her own artist, “Chaoyuan, let’s go, weren’t we going to have dinner?”

“Sure.” Jiang Chaoyuan unhesitatingly started walking towards the cafeteria.

Chen Ling watched their retreating figures and her clothes, borrowed from Jiang Chaoyuan, feeling a mixture of emotions.

She continued wearing them, but if someone pulled at them, they could reveal what shouldn’t be seen. She didn’t linger and quickly walked to the dorm, going into the bathroom and changing into a new outfit.

Once dressed, she stepped out of the dorm and sat on the steps at the entrance, waiting in a spot where she would see Jiang Chaoyuan as soon as he returned.

Chen Ling sat there for quite a while, finally seeing Jiang Chaoyuan’s figure coming back, probably after sending off his agent with a farewell.

Not long after, he returned and was startled to see Chen Ling at the stairway entrance.

“Are you done changing?”

“Yes, Jiang Chaoyuan, I want to talk to you,” Chen Ling got straight to the point. She couldn’t afford to lose her chance to debut now.

“Go ahead, there’s no one around. Just keep your voice down.”

Jiang Chaoyuan had already guessed what she wanted to say, but to put her at ease, he sat beside her, planning to let her speak before making his position clear.

He understood Chen Ling’s concerns but he wasn’t the type to climb to the top by exposing others.

“Okay, I know you saw everything just now. I… I can give up the leading position to you, just keep my secret. I’ve struggled hard to get to where I am today, I can’t lose it,” Chen Ling said nervously, fearing he would disagree. If her secret was exposed at this juncture, her reputation would plummet, making it hard to land further acting roles.

“Don’t worry, I won’t expose you. You don’t need to offer that to me.”

“I… are you really not going to?” Chen Ling was still doubtful, given the vast difference in resources between the first and second spots.

“Of course. But I don’t understand why you would disguise yourself as a man to join a boy band? With your capabilities, you could have joined a girl group or even other shows.”

Jiang Chaoyuan had always admired Chen Ling for her discipline and talent, but he hadn’t expected her to be a woman.

“It’s because the company has other female artists to promote, and there are limited spots. It’s not my turn. I owe a lot of money, and if I don’t pay it back, they will… so I had to take the risk,” Chen Ling revealed without holding back, since her biggest secret was already out.

“Then your company is really blind,” Jiang Chaoyuan couldn’t help but mock. Chen Ling had learned the boy group dance so quickly and could even mimic a man’s voice, showing her talent.

He hadn’t heard any news from the girl group lately, so he didn’t think that female artist was more talented than Chen Ling.

“It’s the entertainment industry; people without backing always have less advantage.”

Chen Ling smiled faintly, not feeling much about it. She had always been well aware of the world’s rules.

“You seem resigned to it, so what will you do? You can’t keep playing a man in movies forever.”

Jiang Chaoyuan truly admired Chen Ling’s mentality. Normal people faced with such situations would probably feel extremely resentful, but not Chen Ling. She just took it one step at a time, thinking of new strategies.

“I’ll keep acting for now. Once I’ve repaid the money, I’ll leave the industry. By then, the public will gradually forget about me.”

Chen Ling hadn’t thought much about the future. The present was already enough for her to worry about, and she didn’t have time to think of anything else.