After finishing these, Fang Miaomiao gave Chen Tianming a gentle smile. "Director, I'll leave this to you."
With that, Fang Miaomiao led a little one by each hand into the kitchen.
There, Cui Mantong had been waiting for a long time.
She gave Fang Miaomiao a thumbs-up. "Miaomiao, that slap you just gave was so cool."
It was swift and decisive. The thought of Shen Jiani's bewildered expression almost made her burst out laughing.
"Just someone who bullies the weak and fears the strong," Fang Miaomiao smiled nonchalantly. She then scooped water from the basin, wet a clean cloth, and wiped Wen Yan'an and Cui Yongsi's faces.
"Aunt Miaomiao, I'm sorry I didn't protect little brother An'an."
Fang Miaomiao affectionately patted Cui Yongsi's head. "Sisi was very brave. I should thank Sisi for helping Aunt Miaomiao protect An'an."
"Miaomiao, what are you saying?" Cui Mantong said disapprovingly. "Honestly, I just thought Shen Jiani was a bit dramatic before, but I never expected it was all an act. This person is truly wicked."
"I saw some people online criticizing her acting, but now it seems she's used all her acting skills for petty tricks in daily life."
Fang Miaomiao smiled and shook her head. "Mantong, could you watch the pot for me? I'll go get some alcohol from the director to disinfect An'an's wound."
"Sure, go ahead."
Fang Miaomiao arrived at the film set and saw Chen Tianming sitting in a chair with a troubled expression. "Director, do you have any alcohol?"
"Yes, I was just about to send some over," Chen Tianming said immediately. "How is An'an's hand? Does he need to go to the hospital?"
"It's fine, An'an isn't fussy." Fang Miaomiao took the alcohol bottle, thanked him, and paused at the doorway. "By the way, Director, you might have to hold off on releasing the statement for a while."
Chen Tianming's right eyelid twitched wildly. Before he could speak, he heard Fang Miaomiao say, "After all, the director will likely need to cooperate with the program's official announcement regarding the withdrawal of those two."
Without waiting for Chen Tianming to react, Fang Miaomiao left.
"Director, what do we do now?" The assistant director also looked distressed. "What is all this?"
Chen Tianming took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it after several attempts. He had done his best by letting Shen Jiani participate in the variety show, but the two of them kept causing trouble, and now they had injured Wen Yan'an.
It seemed he would have to find new cast members for the program again.
Fang Miaomiao cleaned Wen Yan'an's wound.
"Does it still hurt?"
Wen Yan'an shook his head and whispered, "It doesn't hurt."
He had felt a bit wronged at first, especially after he had stuffed the baozi into Chen Jiabao's mouth. He felt even more wronged then, as it was the first baozi she had made for him, and he hadn't even had a chance to eat it.
"It doesn't hurt," Fang Miaomiao said, glancing up at Wen Yan'an. "If it doesn't hurt, why are you crying?"
"The baozi is gone."
Fang Miaomiao's bandaging fingers paused. She tutted. "You have no backbone. It's just a baozi. I can make you more later if I'm happy."
"Really?"
"Provided I'm happy."
"Teacher Fang, the steamed buns are ready."
"Okay, please take them out. I'll make a seafood rice and then we can eat," Fang Miaomiao said, standing up and pinching Wen Yan'an's nose. "Stay here, be good."
"Aunt Miaomiao, An'an and I will play here."
"Okay."
"I'll help."
With Cui Mantong's assistance, Fang Miaomiao worked faster. Soon, two large basins of fragrant seafood fried rice were fresh out of the wok.
In the courtyard.
The staff were all busy with their tasks.
Chen Tianming resumed filming, but it was not live. He was worried about any further incidents if they were to stream it live while the issues were unresolved.
While one side was bustling with activity, the other side, Shen Jiani and her companions, were in an awkward situation.
Fang Yanhuan hesitated for a moment before biting her lip and walking up to Fang Miaomiao. "Miaomiao, you're amazing. Is there anything we can help you with?"
Fang Miaomiao acted as if she hadn't heard and continued with her work.
"Heh, Yanhuan, I don't think you should be trying to win someone over when they're not interested. Look at her, is she even paying attention to you?" Shen Jiani said with a defiant air, as if she had nothing to lose. "If I were you, I'd just slap her."
Hearing this, Fang Yanhuan nervously waved her hands at Fang Miaomiao. "Sister Miaomiao, you know I didn't mean it that way. I just..."
"Fang Yanhuan, I don't know who my biological parents are, but it's certainly not you," Fang Miaomiao stopped her work. "So, please don't call me 'sister' anymore. We were born in the same month and at the same time."
Upon hearing this, Fang Yanhuan seemed to suffer a tremendous blow. She took an uncontrollable step back, her eyes red and tearful as she looked at Fang Miaomiao. "Sister Miaomiao, you know I didn't mean it that way, and Mom and Dad miss you too."
"The reason I came on this show was because Dad asked me to persuade you. He hopes you'll come home with me."
"Sister Yanhuan, are you alright? She took your rightful place for over 20 years, and you're still here on the show asking her to go back for your parents?" Wang Qing asked incredulously.
Fang Miaomiao: "......"
Can this world just end? It's too noisy. These people are like mosquitoes that can't be swatted away, buzzing around her head.
"Are your Mom and Dad so unwilling to part with this fake daughter that they're sending you, the real daughter, to persuade her? I think you're just too stupid," Wang Qing sneered disdainfully. "If it were me, I'd directly post on Weibo to expose Fang Miaomiao and see what face she has to return to your Fang family."
Cui Mantong stepped out of the kitchen just in time to hear the sarcastic voice and impatiently interrupted Wang Qing. "Wang Qing, if you can't speak properly, then shut up."
"Cui Mantong, how dare you speak to me like that?" Wang Qing stared intently at Cui Mantong.
The main reason she disliked Cui Mantong was that their positions in the industry overlapped. For a time, she had even been called "Little Cui Mantong."
But heavens knew how much she hated that nickname. Yet, every time she was in front of the cameras, she had to express her admiration for Cui Mantong and her honor in being "Little Cui Mantong."
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Cui Mantong scoffed dismissively.
"Don't bother with her. Let's eat," Fang Miaomiao stopped Cui Mantong. "Seafood gets unappetizing when it's cold."
It wasn't that she tolerated their repeated provocations without a word, but because she was certain someone would handle the situation. After slapping Shen Jiani, the subsequent matters were no longer her concern.
"Hmph, then I'll listen to Miaomiao and not stoop to the level of people with poor judgment."
"Dinner's ready, dinner's ready!"