Some people were unwilling to accept that those actors and actresses were chosen for the movie. They thought this selection was a waste of 50 million yuan. Baseless negative speculation about these actors and actresses were spread online in an attempt to get the crew to reconsider the selection. Amongst these rumors, the negative information about the actor that would play the male lead was especially prolific, and there were a flood of comments under the crew’s Weibo accounts.

“You might as well let my dog be the male lead rather than that unfaithful cheater!”

“How can a supporting actor that won’t achieve popularity even in a thousand years be a suitable choice? Even if you want to burn money, you shouldn’t do this!”

“Although I wasn’t optimistic about this movie, I was still somewhat looking forward to it since Lu Corporation had invested 50 million yuan. But I knew I was wrong as soon as I saw the cast list. The lineup for this movie is on the same level as choosing random people off the streets.”

“Have you considered XYZ? He’s been praised by many directors. He’s a much better choice than the currently chosen male lead. He’s not too expensive to hire~”

“Meng Jie had been out of the entertainment circle for four years. Can she still act? This passerby is expressing doubts.”

“+1 to expressing doubts. Why not have XYA play the role? She has good looks and good acting skills. She’s younger and more famous than Old Aunty Meng. She can definitely support this movie in doing well at the box office!”

The numerous words of the hired fake commenters about the chosen cast could be summed up in one word: unsuitable.

Facing these troublemakers, Lu Corporation’s Weibo account responded with the words: “The cast has been carefully selected. They’re the cream of the crop.”

Lu Corporation’s straightforward rejection of those comments made the cast and crew sigh in relief, especially the actors and actresses that had been invited by Lu Corporation.

Every actor and actress in the entertainment industry wanted to play a breakout role, but being in the right place at the right time was indispensable. Year after year, many people treaded water in the entertainment circle without seeing hope.

For these actors and actresses, Lu Corporation was like a pie that had dropped into their laps out of the blue.

The script hadn’t been shared with outsiders. The actors and actresses immediately made up their minds to join the cast after reading the script. They had a deep understanding that with Lu Corporation’s support, this was an exceptionally good opportunity. However, the commotion online made these people uneasy. After all, those online comments were true. They weren’t popular actors and actresses and wouldn’t be able to promote this movie. Thus, they were worried that Lu Corporation would replace them after seeing public opinion.

After all, Lu Corporation wasn’t a company that was lacking in money and could afford to hire a more expensive cast. They didn’t expect that Lu Corporation would give them reassurance by refuting those commenters.

***

At the film’s opening banquet, the drunk Ning Yang raised his glass of wine to the cast and crew as well as the staff. He was choked with emotions for a long time. He hadn’t even dared to imagine these expensive filming equipment as well as spacious and empty shooting venues would be available to him. Without Ye Zhen’s investment, he would never have this opportunity to display his skills.

“I am very honored to spend the following five months with everyone to film this movie. This is my first time directing a movie. I know that everyone is doubtful about my skills. I’ll use the following five months to prove that I won’t let down everyone’s hard work!” Ning Yang raised his head and drank all the wine in his glass. He received a round of warm and enthusiastic applause.

He unsteadily sat down and touched wine glasses with Guan Ming. “Happy collaboration.”

Guan Ming smiled and drank his drink in one gulp too. “Happy collaboration.”

***

The filming of Qinhua’s Riverside’s began.

Ye Zhen was busy for half a year because of this movie. This was her first time being a producer, and she had a lot to learn. She couldn’t be remiss in her responsibilities. Of course, once her work hours expanded, she couldn’t stay at home every day like before.

Today, for the very first time after the filming of the movie had started, Ye Zhen returned home early. As soon as she returned, she saw the servants rushing about.

Seeing Ye Zhen, Aunty Yue quietly said, “Madam, you’re finally back.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Zhouzhou is sick. The doctor is upstairs checking on him.”

Shocked, Ye Zhen rushed upstairs. At this time, the doctor had finished his examination. While packing up his equipment, he was telling Mrs. Lu something.

“Mom? What’s wrong with Zhouzhou?”

During this long period of time when Ye Zhen left early and came back late, Mrs. Lu had been the one taking care of Zhouzhou. Zhouzhou cried and threw up when the nanny fed him this morning. Perhaps, this was due to the temperature turning cold recently. His temperature wasn’t right either. When they called a doctor over, he confirmed that Zhouzhou had a fever.

The doctor patiently explained, “Mrs. Lu, the changing of seasons has brought colder temperatures. Babies have weak immune systems. It's normal for them to catch a cold or get a fever. He’s already okay now.”

Ye Zhen touched Zhouzhou’s forehead. His temperature really was unusually high.

On the side, Mrs. Lu couldn’t stop worrying. “Dr. Chen, don’t go back tonight. I’ll have someone clean out a guest room. Stay here for a night and wait until tomorrow when Zhouzhou’s condition is better. What do you think?”

Dr. Chen was the Lu's private doctor. There was a precedent of him staying overnight at the Lu’s. 

“Okay, Mrs. Lu.”

Mrs. Lu had someone lead Dr. Chen to a guest room to rest. Then, she turned around and sighed. “You and your husband, neither of you are willing to stay at home. You didn’t even know that Zhouzhou got sick. Tell me, is work important or is your baby important?”

Until now, Mrs. Lu had never spoken harshly to Ye Zhen. It was only that she was rather critical of Ye Zhen leaving early and coming home late for work.

Ye Zhen was self-aware and ashamed. She didn’t refute. “Sorry mom. I’ll be more concerned about Zhouzhou in the future.

Mrs. Lu sighed and didn’t say anymore.

Perhaps, there was a connection between mother and child. Zhouzhou woke up shortly after Ye Zhen entered the room. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked very sickly and in low spirits. He stared at Ye Zhen with his dark, round eyes.

It might be because he wasn’t feeling well or because it had been too long since he saw his mom, so he felt wronged, but either way, he pouted and burst into tears when he saw Ye Zhen.

Distressed, Ye Zhen immediately picked him up and carefully bounced him to cheer him up.

Zhouzhou was almost a year old. He really had grown much bigger than when he was just born. Although his face was still chubby, she could more or less see that the shape of his face and his facial features resembled Lu Beichuan. 

Day by day, Zhouzhou had become increasingly clingy towards her. As soon as Ye Zhen picked him up, Zhouzhou leaned on her and continued loudly crying.

“Be good Zhouzhou, mom is here. Don’t cry.” Ye Zhen stroked his back and kept comforting him.

Hearing these words, Zhouzhou gradually stopped crying and only made convulsive gasps. He cautiously rubbed his face on Ye Zhen’s shoulder. Feeling her son’s little body moving as he gasped, Ye Zhen’s heart ached.

The nanny brought over a milk bottle. Ye Zhen held Zhouzhou as she fed him milk. Looking at those big eyes that were looking straight at her, she thought about how she would leave home before Zhouzhou woke up every day. By the time she came back, Zhouzhou was already asleep. There really had been very few interactions between them. As a mother, she had been negligent.

It took a while before Zhouzhou fell asleep in Ye Zhen’s arms after he finished drinking milk. Ye Zhen remained in the nursery to take care of him. From time to time, she would check his temperature with a thermometer. 

Around 9PM, Lu Beichuan finally came home. Mother Lu nagged at him for quite a while in the living room. As soon as he heard that Zhouzhou was sick, he immediately went upstairs.

Lu Beichuan first glanced at Zhouzhou’s crib. Zhouzhou’s head was turned to the side. He was clearly asleep. He touched his son’s forehead to check his temperature. Still worried, he used the thermometer to check. Seeing that Zhouzhou’s temperature was within the normal range, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

On the side, Ye Zhen’s head and arms were lying on the table. She was already asleep.

Lu Beichuan was aware of the energy and time that Ye Zhen contributed to the movie’s cast and crew. Although his heart ached for her, he didn’t try to persuade her to work less.

He would silently support her in any goal that she pursued.

Lu Beichuan leaned over and scooped Ye Zhen up in a princess carry. He gently carried her back to their room to sleep.