Summer is about to arrive, so it's perfectly normal for the weather to be warm.

Xu Yue Lang’s silence lingered on the other end of the phone for a long time.

Ji Fan Xing understood her hesitation and resistance, and waited quietly for her reply.

This director, once only a hand’s breadth away from success, now seemed to be utterly forgotten by the entertainment industry, quietly curled up in a theater, unnoticed.

“Miss Ji, there are some things you might only know the surface of,” Xu Yue Lang stammered, her voice heavy with obvious struggle. “I’ve already been blacklisted. No company will give me resources, let alone let me make movies…”

Back then, Xu Yue Lang almost broke through a long-solidified circle in the industry and touched the interests of certain people. So they bribed her partners, accused her of plagiarism, and banished her from the scene.

Now, the only work she could get was small, marginal shoots, thanks to connections built years ago. Her career had stopped right there.

The entertainment business in Long Country was laughable, a big circle enclosing little circles, each more closed and rigid than the last. The resources were tightly held by a select few, who manipulated everything at will. Any variable that threatened their standing would be attacked by all.

This circle was fast becoming a playground for their own amusement, and anyone wishing to enter had to play by their rules to survive.

Unfortunately, Ji Fan Xing was a born rebel and refused to play along.

She wanted to help Ning Ze win the bet, and had to achieve the target of one hundred million within three years.

For Ji Fan Xing, this objective wasn’t difficult. She knew the market rules well: as long as the film was compelling and the masses loved it, with a box office boom and sensational effect, the goal could be met.

There were countless excellent scripts in Hua Xia; any one of them would be a force to reckon with in Long Country.

What she lacked was an experienced, capable director.

And that director was now before her eyes—Ji Fan Xing was determined to win.

“Director Xu, I truly admire your talent,” she interrupted Xu Yue Lang, her tone sincere. “Their blacklist means nothing to me. I promise you, as long as you agree, this movie will definitely be made.”

Xu Yue Lang drew a sharp breath—did this young woman really not know how treacherous the entertainment world was?

Without waiting for Xu Yue Lang’s reaction, Ji Fan Xing continued, “Director Xu, are you willing to let ‘Summer’s Echo’ be buried like this?”

“Summer’s Echo” was the film Xu Yue Lang had been nominated for. Back then, it had been submitted internally for approval, but after the plagiarism accusation, it was banned the day before its premiere and has remained sealed ever since.

At the mention of that film, Xu Yue Lang’s heart ached. She lowered her gaze for a moment, then lifted her head once more, her eyes filled with resolve.

No matter how outrageous Ji Fan Xing’s words were, she was willing to trust her.

This was not blind obedience, but rather that Ji Fan Xing truly possessed such strength.

Most importantly, Ji Fan Xing was willing to trust her, despite her tarnished reputation.

That trust was especially precious to Xu Yue Lang now.

“Alright, I agree. But business is business—the song’s copyright fee still has to be paid.”

Ji Fan Xing smiled with satisfaction at this; Xu Yue Lang’s insistence on the copyright fee proved she was a person of principle.

A principled person would never stoop to plagiarism; there must be more to the story.

“Director Xu, don’t worry. I plan to use the earnings from this song as an investment in the film.

You can use the money to make an MV. With your skills, the finished piece will surely astonish everyone—perhaps in the end, I’ll be the one gaining the most.”

After a few moments of silence, Xu Yue Lang replied quietly, “Alright.”

“When I finish the competition, I’ll come to Jin Cheng to meet you,” Ji Fan Xing added, “We’ll discuss it in detail then…”

When she hung up, Ji Fan Xing, not yet fully rested, leaned against the bed and drifted off without realizing it.

The next morning, waking up in the soft bed, Ji Fan Xing felt refreshed and invigorated.

She got up and moved around, the stiffness gone from her body.

“I finally feel alive again!” she exclaimed.

Staying up late truly takes a toll; young people should get their sleep.

After washing up, Ning Ze knocked on the villa’s front door.

The morning sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains, spilling into the living room.

“Come, sit,” Ji Fan Xing adjusted the full-length mirror and pointed to the stool for Ning Ze.

Standing before the mirror, Ning Ze looked uneasily at the gleaming scissors in Ji Fan Xing’s hand.

“What, scared?” Ji Fan Xing’s lips curled into a teasing smile.

Ning Ze’s gaze wandered. “It’s just a haircut—what’s there to be afraid of…”

Despite his nerves, the man obediently sat down.

“Don’t worry, the result will be a hundred times better than now.”

Ji Fan Xing draped a new bath towel around Ning Ze’s neck and prepared for the task. She combed down his bangs and began to trim carefully.

Ning Ze closed his eyes and let Ji Fan Xing take charge.

Her gentle, skillful fingers moved deftly through his hair, picking out and trimming the overlong strands.

The crisp snip of the scissors was especially clear.

“Your eyes are your best feature—they must be seen,” Ji Fan Xing reminded as she trimmed Ning Ze’s hair. In their industry, image was everything.

Fan Xing praised my eyes…

For some reason, Ning Ze suddenly felt nervous; his hands, once resting casually on his knees, now clenched involuntarily.

He peeked open his eyes, watching Ji Fan Xing’s focused profile, and his heart began to race.

“Close your eyes, I need to fix it a bit more.”

Caught peeking, Ning Ze quickly shut his eyes, pretending nothing had happened, and tried to rationalize his odd reaction.

It was almost the beginning of summer; hot weather was normal.

As the locks fell, Ning Ze’s once messy bangs—hiding his sharp phoenix-like eyes—were trimmed clean and neat.

When the last strand was cut, Ji Fan Xing stepped back, scissors in hand, admiring her handiwork with satisfaction.

“All done, you can open your eyes now.”

Ning Ze slowly opened his eyes, and upon seeing his reflection, exclaimed in disbelief, “Fan Xing! Are your scissors magical?”

Without those messy bangs, his deep-set features and perfect jawline were fully revealed.

His bright, phoenix-like eyes seemed capable of drawing people in.

If he was handsome before, now he was utterly striking.

“Of course!” Ji Fan Xing remarked objectively. “Your features are already perfect; you don’t need much embellishment. Just keep it clean and fresh.”

Fan Xing praised his features as perfect…

After that, Ning Ze didn’t hear a single word Ji Fan Xing said. Flustered, he jumped to his feet.

Using the excuse of returning the mirror, he hurried out, almost fleeing.

Ji Fan Xing watched him go and sighed—youth was wonderful; even a new haircut could bring such joy.

Six days remained until the finals.

With the arrival of the friends-and-family support group, the program team had arranged a tea party event.

All contestants were required to bring their friends and family.

At the event, celebrity Ruan Lin was placed in the most prominent spot. She looked affectionately at her eldest daughter, who had been downcast since their meeting, and spoke with concern.

“Fan Xing is becoming more and more unruly. Sheng Xue, you’ve been through a lot lately. Mother will make it up to you properly.”