12dz Chapter 28 Dinner Party
Chapter 28 Dinner Party
S City, Zuixianju, 7 PM.
The entire cast and crew of the TV series "Strategies of the Warring States" gathered at Zuixianju. Having just finished shooting the costume fitting photos, director Cheng Wanli organized this gathering before the official filming to help the actors quickly get acquainted.
The director, screenwriter, producer, etc., the male lead Lu Bowen, the second male lead Zhuang Zheng, the third male lead Kong Lingyu, the second female lead Shen Peipei plus Ling Xia, the female lead Qin Shiyi arrived a few days late due to an event.
Lingxia's main table was filled with big names. Besides Lu Yingdi, the second male lead, Zhuang Zheng, was a veteran actor who specialized in playing emperors. He had been in the industry for 30 years and had won numerous Best Supporting Actor awards. He was quite the heartthrob in his youth and has become even more refined in his old age.
The second female lead, Shen Peipei, comes from an entertainment family. Her father is a director and her mother is an actress. She debuted as a child star and has had abundant resources since her debut.
Why is Shen Peipei relegated to the second female lead? Because she can't afford to offend the first female lead, Qin Shiyi.
Qin Shiyi's father is a real estate tycoon, and her mother is a dancer. She's also incredibly beautiful, earning her the nickname "Fairy Sister." It's no wonder someone with such wealth, power, and good looks is so popular.
Kong Lingyu is a new actor, a newly signed artist of Qin Shiyi's company, and a professionally trained actor who wants to gain experience in the Warring States period.
He is sunny and handsome, loves to laugh, and usually shows his big white teeth when he laughs. He may feel a little awkward because everyone else is a senior.
Having finally found someone of similar age and status, Kong Lingyu warmly welcomed his partner, Lingxia. He naturally poured tea and water for Lingxia and asked her about her preferred flavors from the menu.
Since she wasn't attending an event, Ling Xia dressed casually, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and jeans, exuding youthful energy.
Ling Xia usually goes makeup-free when she's not filming; she just applies toner and sunscreen. So she arrived with a completely bare face. But her skin was smooth and delicate, like a peeled egg. Her eyes sparkled like stars.
Although Ling Xia sat quietly to one side when she arrived, occasionally discussing with Kong Lingyu which dish was better, her presence was impossible for others to ignore.
Lu, the movie star, frowned as he watched the two interact.
Kong Lingyu was acting like a peacock spreading its tail feathers; he wasn't this enthusiastic towards the other actresses earlier.
This caused Shen Peipei, who had previously been the center of attention, to lose face, and she had nowhere to vent her anger. Qin Shiyi didn't come, but Ling Xia did; they were all vixens.
Shen Peipei sipped her tea, moving back and forth between Kong Lingyu and Lingxia.
Shen Peipei looked to her left and saw Lu Bowen discussing the plot development with the screenwriter, and to her right she saw the producer and director discussing the filming schedule.
The producer's eyes lit up; it was you.
With a smile playing on her lips and a slight raise of her eyes, she said shyly to Producer Zhu, "Sister Lingxia has really added fuel to the fire for our production team. Brother Zhu, why don't you show some respect to our leading lady?"
Besides Qin Shiyi, who caused her a lot of trouble in the production crew, Ling Xia has now joined in. No wonder Ya Ya said on the phone that she's particularly scheming. Ling Xia, the third female lead, has squeezed out other actresses from the same company; how could she not let this go?
"Ling Xia is definitely the biggest contributor. The online discussion about our TV series has reached a new high, much better than our actor Lu's promotional activities." Producer Zhu turned to look at Ling Xia, his eyes filled with undisguised amazement.
As a veteran in the entertainment industry, Producer Zhu couldn't help but admire that, apart from the lead actress Qin Shiyi, the supporting actress Ling Xia's looks were in no way inferior.
Producer Zhu was momentarily captivated. He raised his glass to Ling Xia and said with a smile, "May our collaboration be fruitful."
The liquor on the table was very strong, and Xia, who wasn't a big drinker, didn't touch it for a moment.
Producer Zhu's expression changed. "This is because they look down on me and are not giving me face."
For a moment, the atmosphere at the dinner table became somewhat ambiguous, with everyone's eyes shifting back and forth between Producer Yao and Ling Xia.
Kong Lingyu, who was standing next to him, chimed in, "We have filming scheduled for tomorrow, so let's not drink so much."
Kong Lingyu is backed by Bufan Entertainment, but he is a complete newcomer with no fan base, so Producer Zhu doesn't care much about his voice.
Zhu Zhipian smiled but didn't laugh, retorting, "It's just a few drinks, don't spoil the fun by not drinking. Just have fun tonight."
Shen Peipei chimed in, "Yes, we're having such a great time today, Lingxia, don't spoil the fun." She looked smug.
Director Cheng Wanli, his fiery temper flaring up, shouted at Producer Zhu, "If you don't want to drink, then don't drink. Nobody can force you."
Producer Zhu was embarrassed; how could he have forgotten about the fiery Director Cheng? He immediately slapped his forehead in agreement, "Yes, yes, yes."
Actor Lu chimed in, "Producer Zhu is drunk. He has to film tomorrow. Let's all have some tea and toast him."
Producer Zhu, having been in the entertainment industry for many years, had long since developed a keen eye for detail. Seeing the director and Actor Lu defending Ling Xia so much, he chuckled and said, "Yes, yes, I'm a little drunk tonight. We have filming tomorrow. After you finish your tea, everyone should go home and rest early." He then laughed heartily.
While he didn't refuse the advances of female celebrities, he didn't force them either. That's called having a code of honor even among thieves.
Shen Peipei's eyes showed even more disgust for Ling Xia, and she also looked down on Producer Zhu, who had no airs of a producer at all and was a good-for-nothing.
After the cast and crew of "The Strategy of the Warring States" finished their dinner, Ling Xia came out and happened to see Lu Bowen.
Ling Xia stepped forward, her eyes filled with gratitude, "Thank you so much for what you did earlier."
Lu Bowen's gaze remained unchanged as he glanced at Ling Xia and suggested, "You're in your prime right now, so it's best not to date yet." With that, he lifted his long legs and left without waiting for Ling Xia to respond.
Ling Xia: ?
Who should he date? Ordinary people simply can't understand the thoughts of Movie Emperor Lu.
Kong Lingyu had just finished greeting the director and screenwriter when he walked towards Lingxia.
"Sister Lingxia, do you need me to give you a ride?"
"No need, my agent will be here soon. Thank you for today."
Kong Lingyu was taken aback. "But my words don't carry any weight."
Ling Xia shook her head and looked gently at this innocent young man who had just entered the entertainment industry and was not yet corrupted, saying, "You are better than many people." After all, he had not yet grown up, and for a newcomer to face a producer was like an egg hitting a rock.
Just then, Brother Li parked his car in front of Ling Xia, and Ling Xia waved to Kong Lingyu.
Kong Lingyu watched Lingxia leave, his eyes lost in thought.
Ling Xia sat in the car and told Sister Zhao what had happened in the private room that day, but she had to be careful, because she felt that Producer Zhu had ill intentions.
Upon hearing this, Sister Zhao immediately flew into a rage. "That producer Zhu is incredibly audacious! Our company is one of the investors in this TV series. Once I have time, I'll talk to the boss and fire him if he tries anything with you again."
Looking at the serious Sister Zhao, Ling Xia teased, "Sister Zhao really does have the backing of a big company; even her tone has become assertive."
Tian Tian chimed in from the side, "Sister Lingxia, did you meet Actor Lu at the event tonight?" Tian Tian's face was flushed, and she looked at Lingxia with expectant eyes.
Ling Xia smiled slyly, "I'm sure he's alive. I even talked to him."
Did you shake hands or not?
"No, not really, but now that you've joined the cast, are you worried you won't have a chance to meet your idol?"
Tian Tian looked like she was about to live a happy life.
The tense situation was diverted by Tian Tian's interruption.
Everyone in the car laughed.