“There are rumors that the Chen family plans to use Ye Aotian as a training ground for Chen Fan—a worthy opponent to help him grow.”
This was getting interesting.
To be honest, Xiao Feng was also upset by the earlier conversation. He was familiar with the industry and knew it was messy, but there were still clean people in it. Outsiders just liked to dwell on the dirty parts.
Chen Fan took Cao Zijin to a nearby trailer.
Inside, he tossed his phone onto a table and said, “Explain. What’s going on?”
Looking at the tabloids, Cao Zijin sighed and said, “I don’t know. I can’t control the media.”
“You do realize you represent the face of the Chen family, don’t you? Or do I need to spell it out for you?”
“But … I really don’t know. I’ve been doing my best to avoid it.”
It was true; Cao Zijin had tried hard to avoid any rumors. But there they were.
Chen Fan raised his hand, about to slap her.
At that moment, Cao Zijin snapped to attention. She knew Chen Fan was creating a pretense. He needed to hit her.
Only by hitting her could he push her further toward the role of the villainess, highlighting Chen Fan’s position as the villain.
This would make it even more satisfying for audiences when the protagonist “defeated” him. But he wouldn’t actually hit her … would he?
To her surprise, Chen Fan slapped her, though not very hard—just enough to make a point. But Cao Zijin still felt uncomfortable.
“You … you actually hit me?”
“I’m disciplining you so you understand who’s in charge.”
“Ahhh!” Cao Zijin grabbed Chen Fan by the hair and fought back.
Damn it, I’ve never been slapped in my life! You actually dared to slap me? Sure, it didn’t hurt much, but you still did it, didn’t you? Screw this diary and this villain stuff. I don’t care!
“Let go, or I’ll lose it.”
“Who cares! You slapped me for no reason! I’ve been targeting Ye Aotian every day, and you don’t even compliment me! Instead, you slap me! So, everything’s supposed to revolve around you? You’re the sun around which we all orbit, is that it?”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Chen Fan tried to stick to the storyline. He had held back, after all. If he hadn’t, her head would’ve flown right off her shoulders. He was just following the plotline here!
But she wouldn’t let go.
Just then, the trailer door opened, and Liu Feifei peeked in, looking at the two of them in surprise. “Are you … fighting?”
At that moment, Chen Fan’s hair was an absolute mess, with strands sticking out every which way thanks to Cao Zijin’s grip. Cao Zijin didn’t look any better, as Chen Fan was pulling her hair just as aggressively. It was clear they weren’t going to go easy on each other.
Forget the plot and forget the diary; at this point, both of them were genuinely angry.
“Mind your own business!” they both shouted simultaneously, startling Liu Feifei.
“He slapped me and gave me a hard time!” Cao Zijin exclaimed.
“I barely even used any force! Just a light tap to give you a reminder. Got it?” Chen Fan snapped.
“It still hurts! Liu Feifei, you tell me—doesn’t a slap hurt?”
“But sis, wouldn’t brother never really hurt you? I mean, he’s so infatuated with Lin Qingyue. Why would he be violent toward women, right?”
Cao Zijin reluctantly let go, and so did Chen Fan, each taking a moment to straighten their clothes.
“Crazy woman. If you marry into the Chen family, you’ll turn the place upside down,” Chen Fan muttered.
“Then go ahead and try to tame me! What are you waiting for, huh? Chen the almighty! The ‘Chen family’s lapdog,’ right? Weren’t you the proud one?” she shot back, fury sparking in her eyes.
Chen Fan looked at Cao Zijin. What’s wrong with her today? Did she have some bad beef?
Actually, Cao Zijin wasn’t entirely at fault for losing her temper. While the storyline required Chen Fan to hit her, she had done her best to manage the rumors. She didn’t want to get slapped for nothing.
She thought, I’ve done so much to support you, even if I don’t like you that much. But still, I’m a queen in my own right! I don’t deserve to be slapped over this!
Liu Feifei tried to interject, “Um, I don’t think Brother would slap you on purpose.”
Liu Feifei’s instinct told her this was all part of the plot, but her intuition also whispered that Chen Fan wouldn’t willingly hit a woman. When he talked about Zhu Yeqing in the diary, he was so gentle.
How could such a gentle brother hit women? It had to be an act.
Chen Fan said, “Yes, but this woman has no sense of tact.”
“Oh, Liu Feifei, come over here. Let’s test it out. Chen Fan, hit her with the same force you hit me so she can see for herself whether it hurts or not.”
“She’s not even involved. Why would I hit her?” Chen Fan was starting to feel flustered. This crazy woman is throwing off my rhythm.
There was no audience, no protagonist—just the two of them here. All he had to do was give her a light slap and this scene would be over, allowing him to take a break from his “villain duty.”
Liu Feifei said, “I actually think you didn’t use much force, Brother.”
She closed her eyes and leaned forward, saying, “Brother, go ahead and hit me. I think Sis misunderstood you.”
Chen Fan looked at his hand, then at her face.
“Am I really doing this?”
Liu Feifei shut her eyes, and Chen Fan raised his hand slowly.
But before he could do anything, Cao Zijin grabbed his hand and forcefully brought it down on Liu Feifei’s face.
In an instant, a large, red handprint appeared on Liu Feifei’s cheek.
Chen Fan was dumbfounded, staring at Cao Zijin in shock.
Cao Zijin turned her head, whistling as if nothing had happened. “I had nothing to do with it. You’re the one who hit her.”
“It … it doesn’t hurt. Not at all …” Liu Feifei said, forcing a smile while holding her cheek, clearly on the verge of tears. “You two don’t need to fight. Really, I’m fine.”
But then she couldn’t hold back any longer, covering her face as she started crying and ran out of the trailer.
This entire scene had been witnessed by several people, including Ye Aotian.
You son of a … Chen Fan, are you asking for death? You dare slap such an adorable girl right in front of me?
Ye Aotian clenched his fists, his eyes full of fury. This wouldn’t be the end. He’d make sure Chen Fan paid for this audacity.