I raised stunning young ladies, but they all wanted to possess me.

Gu Yan nodded to Zhang Xiong: "Boss Zhang, thank you for your trouble."

He turned his head, just about to say a few words of encouragement to Zhang Zihao, who was still squatting there.

"Waaaaah—! Master Gu! Help!"

Zhang Zihao suddenly yelled and pounced on Gu Yan's leg, grabbing her thigh!

"Master Gu! Please have mercy! Find someone else!"

He looked up, his expression utterly miserable, "That's Miss Chen! So cunning..."

"Oh no, I mean, she has an exceptionally good memory!"

"We're keeping this from her for now! Just in case, I mean just in case!"

"If word gets out and she finds out that I was the one going against her on stage, acting like a complete idiot... how am I supposed to work in Shanghai now?"

"Does my business even exist? Master Gu! Please have pity on me!"

His cowardly yet exaggerated crying voice amused all the young masters and ladies around him; several of them covered their mouths, their shoulders shaking.

"Disgraceful! You've completely disgraced me!"

Enraged, Zhang Xiong slapped Zhang Zihao on the forehead.

Gu Yan was both amused and exasperated. She'd never seen a grown man clinging to her leg and wailing like that before.

"Zihao, get up first, get up and let's talk properly."

He tried to pull his leg out.

But in my heart I was thinking, this villainous character is very important.

The actor had to be arrogant and domineering enough to bring out Bai Zikong's refined gentlemanly demeanor and fearless spirit.

Zhang Zihao is so scared that if he goes on stage and his legs go weak and he forgets his lines, or if he chickens out, the whole plan will be ruined.

The plan can't be ruined.

Since I've made up my mind to be the director behind the scenes.

You can make money and advance the plot without having to personally treat patients or endure the pain of your head exploding! What a great thing!

We absolutely cannot fail.

"Since Zihao is so unwilling... then, is there anyone else willing to give it a try?"

"If you perform well, you might leave a good impression on Miss Chen?"

He looked at the group of young people who were snickering.

brush!

The smiles of the young people who were just laughing instantly froze.

Those who were caught in Gu Yan's gaze quickly lowered their heads, some looking at their shoes, others playing with their fingers.

Several people clearly showed fear on their faces.

Gu Yan: "..."

Well, I can't count on these younger ones.

He then looked at the seemingly composed heads of the families.

With his advanced age and rich experience, surely he could act in a play?

To his astonishment, the heads of the families he was looking at all avoided his gaze.

Some gave him an awkward smile, while others simply turned their heads away and pretended to look at the ceiling, refusing to engage in conversation.

Gu Yan was truly stunned.

Cecilia is in Shanghai...

Is his reputation that scary?

Li Zhengguo, the Minister of Law Enforcement standing to the side, coughed twice and explained in a low voice, "Master Gu Yan, Miss Chen..."

"Exceptionally capable, and also very shrewd."

"Those who offended her in business never had a good time later on."

"Although this is just acting, if... Miss Chen takes a liking to it in the future, it could indeed cause some trouble in Shanghai."

Her family calls her Cecilia, but outsiders usually address her respectfully as Miss Chen.

"I, Chen Ssu-nien, am grateful for everyone's help and care for my daughter."

"It's best to keep this from Leah forever."

"Even if we can't hide it anymore, we have to wait until she's almost fully recovered before we tell her."

"So the actor playing this villain..."

"What might happen afterward..."

"It will indeed cause some minor trouble. I understand everyone's concerns."

Chen Sinian also sighed, stepped forward to speak, his tone both grateful and helpless.

He also had a headache.

The plan is stuck at this crucial step.

After a few seconds of silence, Chen Sinian's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had thought of something.

He glanced tentatively at Gu Yan and asked cautiously:

"Master Gu Yan...you see, you wrote this script, you know best how to act it."

"How about... you take the trouble to personally play this second male lead, playing yourself?"

As soon as he said that...

Swish!

Everyone who had been hiding away just moments before suddenly looked up, their eyes lighting up!

It's like finding a savior!

Yup!

Master Gu Yan!

He wrote the script, so he'll definitely be the most convincing actor!

Besides, he's the doctor who treated her, so even if Miss Cecilia finds out later...

You can't exactly go and hurt the attending physician, can you?

Everyone, including Zhang Zihao who was still clinging to Gu Yan's leg, looked at Gu Yan with expectant eyes and hope.

Gu Yan's lips twitched.

Let him act it out himself?

His first reaction was to refuse.

I absolutely must not have anything to do with these crazy female leads.

But upon closer reflection...

It seems that I really am the most suitable one?

Anyway, it's only for a week. After the performance, he'll take the money and run off to South Africa. The emperor is far away, and the female lead won't be able to find him if she wants revenge.

Anyway, I'll only live for four years before I die.

But these people have their businesses all based in Shanghai and Luzhou, so it's perfectly normal for them to be afraid of Cecilia settling scores later.

Looking at it this way...

As an outsider, I'm actually the one who's least afraid of Cecilia.

Furthermore, Cecilia is the female protagonist of this world, and if something happens to her, judging from the ending, the entire world will be destroyed.

It doesn't matter if I die, Grandpa must live a few more years.

but!

What the heck is Chen Sinian talking about, playing himself?!

It was one thing to show off his prowess before, but now he's putting on a true-to-life performance!

"Boss Chen, what's your educational background?"

Gu Yan asked Chen Sinian in an annoyed tone.

Chen Sinian was taken aback, and honestly replied, "I dropped out of junior high school to start a business."

"Don't use words you don't know how to use!"

Gu Yan rolled her eyes.

Those around them, hearing the conversation and recalling Chen Sinian's spontaneous and natural performance, couldn't help but laugh, which lightened the atmosphere considerably.

There was a moment of silence.

"Alright... then, I'll take the second male lead role."

Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Gu Yan sighed and spoke resignedly.

"Very good!"

"Master Gu is awesome!"

Cheers and applause immediately erupted from the crowd!

Zhang Zihao jumped up, so excited that he wanted to hug Gu Yan's leg again, but Gu Yan glared at him and stopped him.

"Quiet! Quiet down!"

Gu Yan raised her hand to lower her voice, and once it was quiet, she looked at Li Zhengguo and asked, "Minister Li, has Bai Zikong arrived?"

"They're here, they're in the back lounge."

Li Zhengguo quickly said, "I'll call him over right away."

He made a phone call.

Less than two minutes later, a young man strode over from the side passage.

He wore a clean white shirt, was tall and slender, handsome, and had an air of righteousness in his eyes, making him seem very reliable.

He is Bai Zikong.

Bai Zikong walked closer, first nodding to Li Zhengguo and Chen Sinian, then his gaze fell on Gu Yan, and he became visibly nervous.

The boy in front of him looked a few years younger than him, with a thin build and a sickly pale face, but standing there, he inexplicably exuded an aura that made people dare not underestimate him.

It is gentle, yet carries a sense of aloof nobility, which is very attractive.

Several young ladies hiding behind the crowd secretly glanced at Gu Yan, pretending to be casual.

Gu Yan extended her hand and grasped Bai Zikong's slightly sweaty hand, smiling, "Mr. Bai, hello. Have you read the script?"

"I...I've already seen it."

Bai Zikong's palms were sweating, and his voice was a little tense.

He felt considerable pressure facing this legendary top psychological counselor of the Great Xia.