Chapter 126: Publicly Proving Medusa Wrong

"I would very much like to see who exactly calls the shots in this entertainment industry, Film Empress Ye," a refined yet chilling male voice resonated from outside the private room.

As the heavy doors slowly swung open, the arrogant expression on Ye Linyun’s face vanished, replaced instantly by a deathly pallor.

"Boss..." She could never have imagined that the person arriving would be her own employer, Zhou Munian.

The man walked in with steady, measured strides, heading directly toward Lin Zhiwei.

Lin Zhiwei straightened her collar and rose to her feet, showing no trace of the dramatic confrontation that had just occurred. The man approaching her appeared to be around forty, his physique impeccably maintained. He wore a bespoke Armani suit tailored to perfection and gold-rimmed spectacles. He offered a gentle smile and extended a hand, saying, "Director Lin, a pleasure to meet you. Please forgive the poor arrangements; I fear you have been neglected."

Lin Zhiwei nodded, returning the handshake with polite grace. "You are too kind, Chairman Zhou. Film Empress Ye merely invited me for a casual meal. I apologize for causing a disturbance to your schedule."

Lin Zhiwei’s calm, unyielding tone drew nods of approval from Zhou Munian. Although he had caught a glimpse of this person during the premiere of *The Masked All-Rounder*, he hadn't examined them closely. Now, observing her carefully, he found Lin Zhi surprisingly slender and plain in appearance, yet there was a flicker of something devious in her eyes.

He smiled faintly at Ye Linyun, who stood to the side, her face twitching and her eyes glazed. "Linyun, you invited Director Lin without informing me. Director Lin is a young talent, after all. Very well, those who are not needed may leave."

The three male escorts quickly took the hint and departed. A waiter reset the chairs and poured red wine.

Zhou Munian sat down first and gestured for Lin Zhiwei to make herself at home. Swirling his glass, he said with a warm demeanor, "Director Lin, do try the '92 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon I brought. It is the only bottle I have left. Oh, Linyun, why are you still standing? Have a seat."

Ye Linyun’s lips trembled uncontrollably; her legs felt stiff and uncoordinated. At a nudge from the waiter, she collapsed into a chair, her face drained of color, not daring to draw a full breath.

"Director Lin, I toast to you. The success of the premiere of *The Masked All-Rounder* was inseparable from your coordination," Zhou Munian said, raising his glass with a casual, natural tone, as soft as a spring breeze over the hills.

Lin Zhiwei maintained a polite smile and raised her glass in return. "You are too kind, Chairman Zhou. Ruoyu places great importance on these performances. I wonder if you recall the finale of the show—Ruoyu didn't even want to remove his mask."

"Yes, yes, I remember it vividly," Zhou Munian said, downing his wine in one gulp. His eyes brightened as he recalled Ling Ruoyu’s decision to keep his mask on. Although he had been puzzled at the time, the subsequent surge in Baimu’s stock price after the show had thrilled him. He hadn't expected such a small gesture from the Film Emperor to have such a staggering effect.

Lin Zhiwei laughed softly and sipped her wine. It was indeed a superb vintage, having aged for two years in a small French cellar, and one could almost smell the scent of new oak. "A fine wine. Thank you for your hospitality, Chairman Zhou."

"Haha, it is only right."

"Given your kindness, Chairman Zhou, I will certainly spare no effort in making the upcoming episodes of *The Masked All-Rounder* capture the audience's attention. Would you have any objections to that?" Lin Zhiwei probed with a twinkle in her eyes.

"How could I? Director Lin, you tease me. To be honest, I poured all my financial resources into this show. The success of any participant only adds luster to the program, and I benefit equally," Zhou Munian said slowly, before shifting his tone. "Likewise, everyone involved in this show—be it the actors or the producers—are my lucky stars. Don't you agree, Linyun?"

"Ah?" Ye Linyun, suddenly addressed, let out a startled gasp. She dared not look at Zhou Munian. She knew her boss’s methods well; the gentler and warmer he seemed, the angrier he actually was. She feared she had already touched a raw nerve.

"Film Empress Ye seems to be feeling unwell today, so I won't intrude any further. Chairman Zhou, thank you for your hospitality. I am sure there will be opportunities for collaboration in the future, and I hope you will not find me lacking when that time comes," Lin Zhiwei said, rising and offering a polite nod.

Zhou Munian stood up immediately. "Director Lin is too modest. There will be plenty of opportunities."

"Please, there is no need to see me out, Chairman Zhou."

The door opened, and Lin Zhiwei walked out with perfect composure. She cast a sidelong glance at the shell-shocked Ye Linyun, hoping she had truly learned her lesson. However, knowing her personality, she likely wouldn't give up so easily; the humiliation of today would surely be etched into her mind.

"Damn!" Nan Yu shouted on the other end of the video feed. "She really got herself out of there so politely! Little Lin is incredible—she finished it without a single soldier or weapon?"

"Isn't that just telling on someone like we did in school? Wow, what a shameless move, she actually used it! How disgraceful," Nan Yu added, though she gritted her teeth in frustration when she saw the vicious look on the "Medusa's" face. "Letting her off like that is too easy on her."

Inside the car, Ling Ziheng, who had been observing the situation calmly, finally let out a breath of relief after seeing the girl’s steady and composed performance. Although he had guessed her contingency plan involved Zhou Munian, he had still been anxious and unfocused until that very moment.

It seemed his little girl was truly gifted at acting.

Pei Xi, seeing his young master staring at the screen with such doting admiration, finally felt at ease, though he was also deeply impressed by Lin Zhiwei. If a physical confrontation had actually broken out at the Jade Pavilion, the commotion would have been significant. Resolving it so peacefully was indeed for the best; she was worthy of being called Director Lin.

In a quiet suite at the other end of the Jade Pavilion:

"Young Master Chu, the boss has arrived," a man in black reported, having knocked and entered to whisper in Chu Cuo's ear.

Chu Cuo had been resting with his eyes closed in the darkness. Despite his restless mind, he sat up straight upon hearing that Zhou Munian had arrived in person, frowning as he asked, "When?"

"Just now. Sister Yun did not succeed; the boss arrived at the perfect moment."

Chu Cuo scoffed. So, this girl had played the card of cutting off the source of the trouble. No wonder she dared to attend the banquet alone.

He had truly underestimated her. If he wasn't mistaken, this was a trap within a trap.

"Lin Zhiwei, you really have quite the means," Chu Cuo murmured in the darkness, his voice low and enigmatic.

A moment ago, he had been worried about how she would break the deadlock, but now, he found himself concerned for Ye Linyun, who had become a chess piece unlikely to survive much longer.