The room fell into a heavy silence as all eyes turned to Long Lei. His gaze remained fixed on the director, his expression unreadable.
The director frowned. "What's the problem?"
Long Lei spoke slowly, his tone measured. "I don't think it's a good idea. I have a vision for my concert, and I won't compromise it by including someone who doesn't fit."
The weight of his words hung in the air, thickening the already tense atmosphere. Sister Lin could feel the unease ripple through the room, sensing how easily this could escalate.
The director, clearly caught off-guard, struggled to compose himself. He had expected some resistance, but not this outright defiance.
Trying to regain control, he raised his voice. "You need to follow the company's arrangements."
But Long Lei didn't budge. "I understand the company's expectations," he said evenly. "But this is my concert. I won't sacrifice its integrity just to meet a compromise."
