Lin Yizhou's gaze flickered.
He recalled what the director had said just now.
"It was the investor's decision."
Because he held no power, he couldn't mobilize hundreds of millions to fund a drama or pull investment from one like Song Hanzheng could. He couldn't even decide the fate of his own role.
Even the male lead role in this drama had been wheedled out of his father with coaxing and acting like a good boy.
The condition was that he kept up the act—returning home with a smile every time, being docile and polite at every meeting, burying all his ambition and resentment deep inside.
He hesitated. "I'll think about it."
"Alright, do it soon." Li Feile's voice on the other end hung up crisply.
Lin Yizhou went home weighed down by worries, closing the door a little heavier than usual.
He immediately realized his mistake, softened the close, changed his shoes, hung up his coat—every move flawless.
Lin Mei and Song Tianqi were already seated at the dinner table. Steam rose from the dishes, chopsticks and bowls neatly arranged.
Lin Mei waved him over from across the room, her smile warm and proper.
"Dad, Mom." Lin Yizhou forced a smile, just the right amount.
Lin Mei could tell something was off with her son.
She asked gently, picking up a piece of sweet-and-sour spare ribs with her chopsticks and placing it in his bowl, her voice soft.
"What's wrong, son? Did things not go smoothly on set today?"
Lin Yizhou nodded, letting out a quiet "Mm," without elaborating.
Lin Mei spoke as if casually bringing up an insignificant matter.
"Back then, when you wanted to go abroad to train as an idol, we all supported you."
"Now that you've become a top idol overseas and achieved the dreams you pursued, why stubbornly cling to this path back home? Why not come into the company and help your father?"
As she spoke, she turned to Song Tianqi with a gentle smile.
A tender look, seeking his approval.
"Right, Old Song?"
Lin Yizhou had no real interest in managing a company. He loved the feeling of standing on stage, bathed in the spotlight, with tens of thousands of eyes focused on him.
The screams, the applause, the cheers—that feeling of being seen, cared about, needed—made him feel alive and important, as if the world held him close to its heart.
To his surprise, Song Tianqi just kept eating, picking up a piece of braised pork with his chopsticks.
He chewed twice and said dismissively, "Yizhou is still young. The company is running fine as it is."
Lin Mei's smile faded slightly.
Still, she tried again, her tone cautious and compromising.
"Yes, Yizhou is young. But Hanzheng was about the same age when he entered the company. It could be good training."
Song Tianqi suddenly looked up, his gaze turning serious.
He said firmly, without room for argument:
"Hanzheng's company was left to him by his mother. It's not under the control of the Song Group."
Lin Mei nodded awkwardly, her smile stiff.
Her lips moved, and she forced out only two words: "Of course."
Lin Yizhou didn't really care about joining the Song Group anyway.
To him, the Song Group was just a pile of numbers and reports, far less enticing than the stage lights.
But seeing the embarrassment on his mother's face, her awkwardness, and his father's blunt rejection, his heart sank little by little.
"Dad, will the Song Group be given to big brother in the future too?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying a cautious, tentative note.
Song Tianqi didn't detect any hidden meaning in his tone.
He nodded naturally, speaking with certainty:
"Yes. Though Hanzheng and I argue a lot, his business acumen is undeniably outstanding. He's worthy of being my son."
"The board and all the major shareholders will be confident with the Song Group in his hands."
Then he glanced at Lin Yizhou, his gaze filled with affection and contentment.
He added softly, "Yizhou, if you like the entertainment industry, your father supports you."
"When you get tired of acting, you can transition into directing, producing, or investing. Don't worry about funding—the dividends from the family trust fund I set up will be enough for you to live on for life."
Song Tianqi wasn't confused; in fact, he had thought it through clearly.
Logically, the family business should go to his capable eldest son—that was reason.
Affectionately, his younger son should happily do what he loved, with the trust fund ensuring a worry-free life—that was emotion.
He thought he had balanced things perfectly, treating both sides fairly, leaving no one shortchanged.
But Lin Mei and Lin Yizhou both lowered their heads, silently moving their chopsticks between bowls and plates. On the surface, they ate calmly, but inside, fury churned.
Jiang Liuyue took a day off and recovered her energy the next day.
She returned to the set for the premiere ceremony of "Falling Star."
The moment she saw the new script, she knew Song Hanzheng had made his move.
The male lead's scenes had been cut to pieces, all intimate moments deleted entirely.
The set was bustling—red silk, incense burners, roast suckling pig, everything in place. The director, assistant director, cinematographer, lighting crew, and stagehands stood in a large crowd.
"By the way, Director, where's the male lead?" Jiang Liuyue asked during the ceremony, holding incense while standing for a while, realizing Lin Yizhou was absent.
Director Daqing frowned, shaking his head in exasperation.
His tone carried a mix of helplessness and disbelief, as if he'd seen it all.
"Xiao Lin seemed so humble. When I gave him the new script yesterday, he grumbled but said he'd read it seriously."
"But today, his agent contacted me, saying he'd rather pay the breach-of-contract penalty than film this drama. What can I say... Ah, let's start filming for now! We'll shoot your scenes and the second male lead's first. We'll have to find a new male lead while we work."
Lin Yizhou had actually given up on "Falling Star."
This was supposed to be his comeback project after returning from abroad!
He'd been a top idol overseas, and his first project back home—he just quit, paying the penalty without hesitation. That took serious resolve... or was he pushed too far?
Could it be that something more important came up?
Jiang Liuyue knew Lin Yizhou's true nature. On the surface, he seemed harmless and gentle, but once he turned dark, she couldn't imagine what crazy things he might do.
Thinking this, right after the ceremony, she found a quiet corner and quickly called Song Hanzheng.
Her fingers flew across the screen, her heart racing faster than usual.
"What's wrong, baby?" came the man's magnetic, pleasant voice from the other end.
"Lin Yizhou dropped out of the production."
"Hah, I thought he'd last a few more days." Song Hanzheng's tone carried a hint of smug, predictable disdain.
"That's not it! Song Han, listen to me..." Jiang Liuyue's voice grew urgent, her pace quicker than usual.
"Earlier, Lin Yizhou blurted out something about wanting to get rid of you. I'm worried he might be provoked and actually go after you."
