Feeling the little imp beside him constantly watching Ye Yongning, someone wasn’t too pleased.

Huo Zhenyang ignored Jian Meiyi’s words, his gaze drifting and settling on Jiayi.

He leaned down, furrowing his dark brows, "An old guy so old he could almost be your grandfather, and you’re looking at him so intently that your eyeballs are about to fall out?"

Pfft, how could Director Ye be that old! Nonsense.

Jiayi glanced at Huo Zhenyang, pulled out her phone, swiped a few times, connected to the local WIFI, typed Ye Yongning’s name into the search engine, and showed it to the man:

"According to the information online, Director Ye isn’t even fifty yet, how could he be old enough to be my grandfather? Seeing him in person now, he’s maintained himself so well, people would believe him if he said he was in his thirties, a quite handsome uncle indeed."

Quite handsome... uncle?

Since when did this girl start fancying older men?

It’s only her first time seeing Ye Yongning, not even a word exchanged, and she’s defending him like this?

The chill in Huo Zhenyang’s eyes grew thicker, a trace of inexplicable wickedness curved on his lips as he leaned in close to her ear, "These old men, their backs are no good, are you sure they can satisfy you like I can?"

As he spoke, the damn man even let out a breath of hot air, burning Jiayi’s neck all the way up to her ear.

His voice was so low only Jiayi could hear, but Jiayi’s face still flushed a beet-red.

"Mr. Huo, can you introduce me?"

Off to the side, Jian Meiyi, having not received a reply from Huo Zhenyang for ages, saw him whispering with that girl instead, pouted her red lips in dissatisfaction, and cooed a complaint.

Huo Zhenyang gave Jiayi a sidelong glance, straightened up, and called out, "Zixun."

Lin Zixun approached, "Boss, what do you need?"

"Go and invite Director Ye over, see if he’s willing to come; I have a few words I’d like to have with him," said the man with a voice lazy and indifferent.

Jian Meiyi was delighted, Mr. Huo had such great clout!

She turned her gaze toward the VIP area.

Lin Zixun walked over, bent down, and spoke politely to Ye Yongning. Ye Yongning turned his head their way.

The internationally renowned director, always lofty, nodded to Mr. Huo and then stood up, came over in person, extending his hand with a slight smile, "Mr. Huo, long time no see, still as impressive as ever. Last time we met was at the São Paulo Film Festival, and talking about it, it’s been quite a few years."

Jiayi had heard that Ye Yongning was very picky about casting, and no matter how much money the actor’s backers threw in, he wouldn’t cast them if they didn’t fit his vision.

It seemed that for Jian Meiyi to be the female lead, not only did Huo Zhenyang invest a hefty sum, but he also had connections with Ye Yongning.

Huo Zhenyang also stood up, his lips turned up slightly, extending his hand to Ye Yongning for a handshake, "Director Ye is the same, aging gracefully."

Aging gracefully?

That phrase, to a man still in his prime, really isn’t a compliment!

Ye Yongning paused for a moment but did not seem to mind, smiling broadly and generously.

Jiayi raised her delicate brows; this man was definitely trying to provoke Director Ye.

What aging gracefully – it sounded like praise, but who wants to be told they’re old? Especially since Ye Yongning didn’t look old at all; he simply looked mature.

He must have seen her sizing up Ye Yongning.

Given his nature, how could he tolerate his companion giving another man more than a glance?

This stingy man.

Jiayi curled her lips.

"I wonder what Mr. Huo wants from me." Having lived in Europe for so long, Ye Yongning possessed a strong air of gentility, and his voice was mellow and enchanting, very alluring to the heart.

"Miss Jiang has always admired Director Ye and wanted to get to know the director better before shooting starts, to ensure better cooperation in the future," Huo Zhenyang casually explained.

Jian Meiyi immediately extended her hand, presenting what she considered her most charming smile: "Hello, Director Ye, I’m Jiang Meiyi. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with you."

Ye Yongning measured Jian Meiyi up.

A few days ago, a secretary from the Huo Group had approached him, mentioning that they wanted to cast Jian Meiyi as the female lead in his new film, "Demon Slayer Chronicles," and the Huo Family would invest a hefty sum into the production.

Since Mr. Huo had made the referral, Ye Yongning reviewed Jian Meiyi’s information and photos, thought she was reasonably suitable for the female lead, and thus granted this favor by saying there was no problem.

Today, seeing the real Jian Meiyi, Ye Yongning frowned slightly; although Jian Meiyi was beautiful, it was clear to the discerning eye that she was a beauty crafted through modern procedures. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Her ample bust was augmented, her sharp chin enhanced, her European-style double eyelids surgically created, and her nose bridge altered.

The only natural, unchanged feature on her face were probably her two eyeballs.

Such an actress might be suitable for superficial idol TV dramas, but for his movie, she seemed a bit low-grade.

However, out of respect for Mr. Huo’s face, Ye Yongning still extended his hand in a well-mannered gesture and shook hands with Jian Meiyi.

The moment he withdrew his hand, Ye Yongning’s gaze slid over to the girl beside Mr. Huo, and his expression shifted slightly.

Jiayi only felt a pair of focused eyes fixed upon her and before she could speak, she felt someone encircle her waist and pull her into the man’s arms beside her.

"Director Ye, this is my fiancée. Is there a problem?" Huo Zhenyang’s hand fearlessly rested on Jiayi’s waist, pulling her tightly within his embrace as a show of ownership.

Although he didn’t take the older half-man seriously, it was still irritating to have someone staring at his woman like this in public.

The handsome young man before him suddenly looked disgruntled, and only then did Ye Yongning come back to his senses: "Oh, so this is Mr. Huo’s fiancée. No issue, I just thought..."

Huo Zhenyang raised an eyebrow: "Thought what?"

With a faint murderous look on the handsome man’s face, Ye Yongning could only say gently: "Nothing much, just that this lady looks somewhat familiar, as if I’ve seen her before, quite endearing."

Jiayi’s thoughts flashed. Ye Yongning felt she looked familiar?

Although it might have just been a polite remark from Ye Yongning, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat excited—

Could it be that Ye Yongning really did recognize her?

If it weren’t for the premiere and the crowd of people present, she would have almost grabbed Ye Yongning to ask more.

Huo Zhenyang’s brow drew together as if concentrating a thousand layers of frost, and he tightened his grip, squeezing her even closer into his embrace.

Familiar and endearing, as if seen before? What kind of dated pickup line was that? It was so outdated!

However, it seemed the old fellow was indeed quite interested in Little Kitten.

Just then, Ye Yongning politely said, "The premiere is about to start, so I’ll head over there first."

He turned and walked back to sit down in the VIP area.

Assistant Wei Lun asked, "Mr. Huo called Director Ye over, was it to meet the new female lead?"

Ye Yongning’s face bore a heavy thoughtfulness as he pondered for a moment.

Wei Lun had followed the director for many years and knew his character well: "Is Miss Jiang Meiyi not to Director Ye’s liking? If that’s the case, I can speak with Mr. Huo. No matter how much the Huo Family invests, we shouldn’t use an actress who isn’t suitable."