Jiayi felt the eyes around her focusing on her, all filled with sympathy and pity.

Her back trembled slightly amid Su Yan’s whispering.

Only by clenching her fists tightly could she restrain the impulse to slap the woman right then and there.

At this moment, a crew member came over:

"Miss Chu, it’s your turn to go in, the director’s team is waiting."

Su Yan’s silent laughter emerged. With those few garments smudged with paint, did she really expect to go in and bid for a collaboration with the director’s team?

Wouldn’t that be asking for humiliation?

Jiayi took a deep breath, trying to stabilize her emotions.

Having come all the way here, she couldn’t bear to leave just like that.

When she was still Mrs. Huo of the Huo Family, the bridal shop was just a big toy for her, given by Huo Zhenyang to pass the time.

It didn’t matter whether the business was doing well or if it made money.

But now, after the divorce, she realized that running a shop well was not an easy task.

If she could land the collaboration with the movie crew, the bridal shop’s brand would grow more renowned.

The hefty profits would also help increase sales and improve the salary and benefits of the employees.

Especially since business is booming lately, they had hired a few new employees.

There are too many places where money is needed.

Although Lawyer Yang emphasized that she needn’t worry about money.

Besides the divorce alimony, there’s also the never-ending Black Card and the Imperial Purple in the bank’s safe...

But she really didn’t want to use that man’s money.

With this in mind, was there any reason left to retreat?

She picked up the garments and walked into the room.

*

In the director’s office.

Several directors and assistant directors were stunned to see the garments Jiayi brought out.

"Miss Chu, you’re not joking, right?"

"The samples you brought for the bidding... why do they look like this?"

Jiayi bowed down to a ninety-degree angle: "I’m sorry, they were originally fine, but got splashed with paint accidentally at the crew."

Without evidence, she couldn’t claim it was done by someone from Yundu.

Otherwise, it would give a bad impression to the director’s team, seem as if she’s shirking responsibility.

The directors exchanged glances, clearly dissatisfied: "Miss Chu, we operate at an international level, whether by accident or not, showing us these clothes is a sign of not taking us seriously."

"We invited you because we saw your impressive design drafts, and also heard from Director Ye that your bridal shop had customized for several crews, with some experience. But Miss Chu, you have really disappointed us."

"Yeah, if that’s the case, there’s no need for collaboration. Our time is very precious."

...

Jiayi was anxious, pleading earnestly: "Directors, I know this is my mistake. I will go back immediately to redo a set and have it sent here as soon as possible, can I do that?"

An assistant director shook his head, displeased: "Do you think we’re a marketplace, where you can come and go as you please? You are not earnest about our collaboration, and there are so many large clothing companies waiting outside. Please leave!"

"Director, please give us one more chance," Jiayi pleaded, abandoning her pride.

*

Meanwhile, above the island, accompanied by the ever-nearing sound of rotating helicopter blades, a silver-gray private helicopter landed on the clearing next to the set.

The gaze of the film crew was immediately captivated.

As the helicopter’s cabin door opened, the man descended the stairs with his tall and impressive figure, a commanding presence as his cold, eagle-like eyes surveyed the film set. Accompanied by several bodyguards, he strode directly toward the villa.

Along the way, a staff member in charge tried to stop him.

A few words whispered by the bodyguard, and the crew member’s face changed instantly, stepping aside.

Everyone held their breath, watching as the man, flanked by his entourage, strode into the villa as if it were his own home.

In the director’s office.

Jiayi was still pleading desperately, but the directors remained firm, finally losing their patience: "Miss Chu, if you continue to babble, we will have to call the set security!"

Jiayi gritted her teeth, her hand slipped, and she pinched her thigh hard, forcibly squeezing out a few tears:

"Director, can’t you really give me a chance? I have elderly parents above me, a young child below, and more than a dozen employees depending on me..."

To land this business deal with the film crew, throw away your integrity!

Crying and playing pitiful, maybe it’ll work!

A director was still very determined: "Miss Chu, our place is not a charity, crying won’t do. I’ve said it, we won’t accept such sample garments, and with so many clothing manufacturers waiting outside, we cannot wait for you to make new ones. That’s it, please leave!~"

Just then, the door banged open.

A cool and slightly chilling breeze swept in from outside the door.

The man, escorted by several bodyguards, slowly stepped in, making the room’s atmosphere tense and heavy.

A gaze more intense than that of a hawk landed on Jiayi, as if through ice and fire, cold that made her shiver, yet so hot it set her entire body aflame.

This kind of gaze, all too familiar, caused her heart to skip a beat, and looking over, it was indeed Huo Zhenyang—

Why was he here?

He was accompanied by George and several attendants.

As the man entered, his gaze settled on the petite woman, lingering as he rendered everyone else in the room invisible.

His eyes paused on the tear droplets hanging from her long eyelashes, freezing over, suddenly emanating a cold chill.

Crying?

Realizing he noticed her tears, Jiayi covertly wiped them away with the back of her hand.

She didn’t want him to see her in such an embarrassing state, crying and begging the directors!

The newcomers brought an intimidating presence, leaving the directors silent for a long spell.

Finally, the chief director came to his senses, standing up abruptly: "Who are you, barging into the film set’s office..."

Yet an assistant director recognized the visitor, asking in surprise: "Is it... Master Huo?"

The chief director’s expression changed slightly, emitting respect yet still felt the need to ask: "Master Huo... What brings you to the film set?"

George stepped forward, devoid of any emotion, word by word:

"This movie has been sold to our Boss by your film crew’s producer. From now on, Master Huo will be this film’s biggest investor."

With that, he handed a contract to the chief director.

Jiayi was startled.

The chief director looked at the copy of the contract, his face changed.

Black and white on the paper clearly showed that the man before them, the young master of the Huo Family, was indeed the new producer of ’Island Martial Spirit’.

So, Master Huo is also the film’s behind-the-scenes big boss?

Films being bought and sold before shooting even starts is a common occurrence in the entertainment industry.

Although the directors were somewhat surprised, they reacted quickly, standing up and respectfully saying:

"I see—Is Master Huo here to inspect the shooting today?"