Chapter 351 - It has always been me

"Who was the one who asked the question?" Han Ye asked in a cold voice as he scanned the reporters before him. When there was no response, he sneered, "A reporter is supposed to be brave and to tell the truth, yet the person who asked that question is now afraid to stand out? If you are so afraid, why would you even ask?" 

A moment of silence later, Han Ye shook his head and turned around to go in. However, before the door was closed, the young reporter from earlier stood out and called out his name. 

"Mr. Han!" 

Han Ye stopped in his track and looked back at the person who called him. 

"Mr. Han, I'm not the one who asked that question earlier, but I'm sure that many seniors here would have the same question. We all know that it's not easy to get a role in this kind of major movie, and we just want to know it so that it would be fair for everyone. Did Ms. Xiao audition like everyone else, or did she get the part because of some unspeakable affairs?" 

Han Ye did not know if the young man was too dumb or too brave when he asked that question; a question which none of the older reporters dare to admit to asking. He stared at the young man, who was now trembling slightly as he continued to hold his microphone in front of Han Ye, and after exerting enough pressure on the poor young man who was now sweating, Han Ye said, "This Mr. Reporter, I'll give my comment on that. It is true that Ms. Xiao did not go for the audition on the same day as everyone else..."

The reporters immediately perked up when they heard his words, and more and more microphones were thrust upon him. 

"However," Han Ye glared at those reporters as he continued, "that did not mean that Ms. Xiao did not go for any auditions. Ms. Xiao Xiao Lei was working as my assistant when President Wei spotted her and asked her to go for the audition. Unfortunately, due to my schedule, she could not attend the formal audition. Hence, President Wei allowed her to audition on another day. I can fully assure you that Ms. Xiao went through the same rigorous audition as everyone else."

"But she's a newbie! Even though the budget for this movie is not as big as the other movies produced by Wei Entertainment, President Wei mentioned in an interview before, stating that this movie is more important than any other movie that his company has produced so far. How could a newbie take on the lead role of such an important movie?" a different reporter asked, feeling braver now that more and more reporters were more curious than fearful of the threat earlier. 

Han Ye glanced at the man who asked that question with a disdainful glare, as if he were mocking the man silently in his mind. He then said, "Slumdog Millionaire is a movie that used inexperienced child actors. The 2018 Capernaum is also a movie that used inexperienced actors. Every now and then, great, award-winning movies have been produced with inexperienced cast members, and these inexperienced cast members managed to shock the audience with their performance that, in some cases, outshined older, experienced actors. Producers and directors of these movies used inexperienced actors, which they believed could better portray the characters."

He looked at the other reporters, and as his eyes scanned through them, he said, "It's the same with Ms. Xiao's case. President Wei felt that Ms. Xiao fitted the description of the female lead that he wanted for his movie... And I believe that you guys would know why once you see her on the big screen."

He turned around and was about to go into the set when he saw Xiao Lei standing behind the workers who were tasked with guarding the door. The reporters noticed her as well, and they immediately started to take her photos.

Instead of stopping them immediately, Han Ye smiled and went to stand in front of her. She was dressed in a killer's outfit, with blood splattered over her shirt. Her chin was bruised, and there were cuts on her face as well. 

However, from her calm expression, it was clear to everyone that those were just makeup. 

Putting his right hand out, palm up, he asked with a grin, "Ms. Xiao, do you mind making an appearance with me?" 

Xiao Lei blinked. She looked up at his face for a second before looking at his hand. Even though she was curious about what he was planning, she still fully trusted him and placed her hand on his. Han Ye guided her to the front where she could see everyone else clearly. 

"You want to know if Ms. Xiao has a strong backer, right?" Han Ye asked no one in particular. He then nodded and answered himself, "She does have a backer, and I would say her backer is quite strong as well."

The reporters' interests were piqued as their eyes went wide open. It was extremely rare for someone to ever admit to having a backer so easily.

"Is Ms. Xiao's backer President Du?" 

"Is it President Wei?" 

"Is it the director?" 

The reporters were just throwing random names one after the other. 

Han Ye's lips twitched as he thought to himself. "Am I that bad? What the heck..." 

He could see Xiao Lei chuckling from the corner of his eyes, and he held her hand tighter to express his dissatisfaction at her behavior, to which she merely stuck her tongue out slightly at him as she looked at him. 

Han Ye sighed and looked at the cameras as he finally admitted to everyone, "Xiao Xiao Lei's backer is not someone with an extremely big thigh for her to hug. Her backer is just a simple, everyday man. And her backer is me, Han Ye."

While the reporters, as well as the workers at the set, gasped out loud, Han Ye added in a proud tone as he looked at Xiao Lei in the eyes, "It has always been me, right from the start. There's no president, no director, just me, a simple secretary."