After Song Wenye's visit to the set, he didn't reappear for a long time, and seemed quite busy. Chu Xiaxing, having secured the additional budget, successfully completed filming The Distant You in My Heart, and the cast and crew celebrated with a wrap party.
The staff had shared a period of time together at the filming base. After the wrap party, they would scatter in all directions, perhaps to meet again, perhaps never to cross paths. At the wrap party, Cao Yangang was experiencing this for the first time. He felt reluctant to part with everyone he met. With a drink in hand, he wept bitterly, hugging each person to say goodbye.
Cao Yangang's eyes were red-rimmed as he said in a mournful voice, "Boss..."
Chu Xiaxing was far more composed than him. She glanced sideways at him and said calmly, “Cut the drunken nonsense. We’re not done yet — go home and practice your lines, we still need to do the dubbing.”
Chu Xiaxing felt that Cao Yangan's recent progress was decent. She thought she could let him try dubbing himself. If it really didn't work, they could find a professional voice actor. The wrap party was the end for the filming crew, but it was the beginning for post-production.
Cao Yangan had originally been quite sentimental, but facing Director Chu's expressionless face, he was immediately jolted awake as if by conditioned reflex. Even the strong emotion of parting dissipated, and he hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, yes, I'm practicing, I'm practicing..."
Cao Yangan was like a student being checked for homework. He was immediately sent back to the state he was in during the filming, losing all confidence.
Halfway through the wrap party, Xia Hong also made an appearance. As the producer, he mingled with everyone quite decently. Then he turned to Director Chu Xiaxing, and couldn’t help but admire her, "I'm really impressed by you. You actually managed to get more money from Song Wenye again. Can you teach me how you do it?"
At first, Xia Hong had just thought Chu Xiaxing had a unique commanding aura (like his father). But now he found that she kept getting funds out of his friend, he was even more amazed and couldn’t help being curious.
Chu Xiaxing replied, “President Xia wants to know the trick?”
Xia Hong: "Of course! If I know his weakness, I can use it to keep him in check in the future..." After all, Song Wenye kept bringing up his new car, so he at least needed something to counter him.
Chu Xiaxing said frankly, "Just reach out and ask for it."
Xia Hong: "???" That's it?
The director of photography walked over to toast Xia Hong. After exchanging greetings, he looked around and asked in confusion, "Is President Song not coming to the wrap party today?"
Xia Hong: "He's insanely busy. He's not like me, who's idle all day."
Chu Xiaxing was curious, “President Xia doesn’t work at Yuansheng Group?” The business card Song Wenye gave her was for a senior executive of Yuansheng Group. She wasn’t sure how someone like him ended up hanging around with a rich dandy like Xia Hong.
Xia Hong was shocked, “Me, work at the group? If the Young Master found out, he’d tear me to pieces and make me fight in a palace drama with him every day!”
Chu Xiaxing: "Young master?"
Xia Hong said lazily, “You wouldn’t know even if I said his name. He’s the one Song Wenye loves to bully.”
Chu Xiaxing: "?" I don't really understand what you kids are talking about?
After the lively wrap party, Xia Hong and others also left the set one after another. Many staff members bought tickets home that day. Han Chuning, to handle Chu Xiaxing's contract, also returned to the city first. She hesitated, "Aunt, or should I wait for you to go back together?"
Chu Xiaxing said decisively, "No need. What would you wait for me for? I'll go to the editing room as soon as I'm done with the footage. You can take advantage of these two days to ask the people at the platform. Are you really counting on Xia Hong to distribute and sell the drama?"
Just shooting The Distant You in My Heart wasn’t enough. They needed to find a suitable platform to accept it and sell it at a price that can make back the investment. Xia Hong is obviously a layman. He had never gotten anything properly released before so they couldn’t count on him. They still had to rely on their own connections to find a distributor.
No matter how good the drama was, if they couldn’t get it online, it would all go to waste.
Han Chuning thought that made sense and obediently replied, "Okay, then tell me when you get back. I also have to find a chance to talk to my mom.”
Because of some past events, Chu Xiaxing had inexplicably entered the crew without being able to properly reunite with her younger sister. Now that filming was over, she finally had a chance. She nodded. “Okay.”
Before long, the staff in the crew had all left, and the once lively lounge became unusually deserted, empty and deserted. After Chu Xiaxing confirmed that the footage was correct, she said goodbye to the remaining people, packed her luggage, and went out, preparing to take a cab back to the city.
As she stepped out of the building, she noticed a black sedan parked at the intersection and looked puzzled. She wondered which crew didn't know the rules and drove the car here. Just as she was wheeling her suitcase past it, two unfamiliar men stepped out of the car and blocked her path from both sides.
"Excuse me, are you Chu Xiaxin?" One of the men asked. His tone sounded polite enough, but his attitude of blocking the way seemed rather hostile.
Chu Xiaxing sized them up and calmly set her suitcase upright and said calmly, "Yes, what's the matter?"
“We’d like to invite you to a meal. Are you free right now?”
Chu Xiaxing glanced at the man in front of her. Although he was wearing a well-tailored uniform, some traces could still be seen in the details, indicating that he had received professional training, looking like a retired soldier. They were probably bodyguards of a wealthy family, and their tone was quite measured, not too aggressive.
Chu Xiaxing raised an eyebrow, let go of the suitcase handle casually, and nodded calmly. “Alright, let’s go then. Please have my suitcase sent back to Room 3721. I’m too lazy to carry it again.”
The man seemed momentarily caught off guard by her frank and fearless appearance, completely unlike what he had expected. He exchanged a glance with his companion, then reached out to open the car door for her, politely saying, “Then please.”
Chu Xiaxing got into the car without hesitation. Then she leaned out and looked at the other man, reminding him, “Please handle it with care. That suitcase is very important.”
The two bodyguards found her composure even more puzzling and responded, “Okay, Don’t worry.”
After Chu Xiaxing entered the car, she first sent a message to the rest of the crew, notifying them to receive her suitcase, and then sent a message to Han Chuning, informing her that she wouldn't be home for dinner.
The bodyguard was already in the driver’s seat. He noticed her actions through the rearview mirror and hesitated before asking, “Aren’t you going to ask who invited you to dinner?”
Chu Xiaxing was sending messages with her head down. Without looking up, she said, “I’ll find out soon.”
The bodyguard looked surprised. “…Are you always this easy going? Just getting in a car with strangers like that?”
Upon hearing this, Chu Xiaxing looked up at him and said, amused, "Otherwise what? You guys are specifically blocking me here. Should I have struggled with you on the street or tried to call the police? You’re just working for someone, and I have no interest in making things difficult for subordinates. Let’s all make it easy.”
"It's not easy to find a job, especially when you encounter a weird boss. It must be quite a headache."
Her understanding words visibly relaxed the bodyguard. He smiled and replied, “This job isn’t too bad, actually.”
Chu Xiaxing: "That's true. Just looking at this car, I know you guys are well paid. Money really makes things easier.”
Infected by her leisurely attitude, a trace of goodwill rose in the bodyguard's heart, and he kindly explained, "Actually, President Duan suddenly heard about your relationship with President Song. He was really curious about you, so he sent us here."
“…Please try not to clash with him at the dinner table. After dinner, I'll definitely send you back safely. He just has a strange temper, but he definitely won't hurt anyone." Thinking of Duan Chengyan's violent personality, the bodyguard was afraid that Chu Xiaxing would be scared later, so he decided to give her a heads-up.
Chu Xiaxing found it quite interesting, "That's really a coincidence. I also have a strange temper, but I'm a reasonable person. As long as he doesn't start a conflict with me, I definitely won't provoke him."
"Hurry up, I have something to do tonight. I also need to go to the editing room to review the footage." Chu Xiaxing glanced at the time on her phone. She had no intention of spending the entire evening eating, she still wanted to go to the editing room.
The black car drove away from the filming base and finally stopped at a famous hotel in the city. Chu Xiaxing stepped out of the car and looked at the magnificent and familiar building, and couldn't help but sigh, "Not bad, a famous night view restaurant. It's really rich and willful."
Chu Xiaxing used to often eat here with investors and celebrities. Here, one can overlook the bustling night view of the commercial district, and the private rooms were also difficult to book.
The bodyguard was briefly stunned, then smiled. "You're quite knowledgeable. I haven't even led the way upstairs yet, and you already know the restaurant’s details.”
Chu Xiaxing said lazily, "You've already driven the car here. He can't possibly invite me to eat fast food at the door, right? I'd really look down on him."
The bodyguard was completely amused by Chu Xiaxing. He led the way for her, taking her on the elevator directly to the night view private room.
There was already a beautiful woman at the door of the private room. She had an outstanding temperament, exquisite makeup, and wore an elegant champagne-colored long dress, revealing a large expanse of fair skin on her back. She stood quietly at the door, like an oil painting, attracting Chu Xiaxing's attention.
The bodyguard said politely, "Just follow her in. I'll send you back after the meal."
The beautiful woman in the long dress walked over. She nodded slightly to Chu Xiaxing, and said in a pleasant voice, "Hello, my name is Zhou Xuelu. You must be Chu Xiaxing, right? Just sit next to me later. The young master was a bit reckless today. Please forgive him..."
Chu Xiaxing's gaze had originally been fixed on Zhou Xuelu. Upon hearing this, she came back to her senses, feeling that the address was strangely familiar, "Young master?"
Zhou Xuelu didn't explain, but led the way, "Please come in. They're already inside."
Chu Xiaxing followed behind Zhou Xuelu, shamelessly scanning the other woman's back, only to see the smooth and graceful neckline. Finally, she couldn't help but whistle leisurely. Sure enough, handsome men and beautiful women can make people feel happy. She would never admit that one of her perks as a director was getting to work and interact with attractive people.
Outside the spacious floor-to-ceiling windows was a dazzling and bustling night view. The large table in the private room was already full of people, leaving only two empty seats. The man in the main seat was handsome, but his expression was dark and moody. He exuded a rebellious aura, lazily listening to flattery around him, but didn't seem to be in a good mood.
Chu Xiaxing saw the face of the legendary young master and couldn't help but sigh in disappointment, not expecting it to be another brat. She really didn't like immature, hot-headed, and unstable boys. It felt like taking care of a child. Probably not even as cute as little Han Chuning.
Hearing the sound of the private room door, everyone turned their gaze to the two women. Zhou Xuelu introduced, "She's here."
Upon hearing this, Duan Chengyan looked directly at Chu Xiaxing behind Zhou Xuelu, his gaze sharp and critical. After a moment, he revealed a provocative smile and couldn't help but mock, "So you're Chu Xiaxin? Song Wenye's taste isn't that great after all.”
Chu Xiaxing said indifferently, “Then why did you bring me here? Trying to prove you’ve got just as poor taste as him?”
Zhou Xuelu turned back in shock upon hearing her rude words, looking quite flustered. The others also gasped, really not expecting the two to clash right away and began sneaking glances at Duan Chengyan.
Duan Chengyan didn't get angry right away. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully, "You're really something. Alright, have a seat."
Zhou Xuelu breathed a sigh of relief. She led Chu Xiaxing to the table, and the two sat together. Chu Xiaxing didn't refuse. She sat down slowly, picked up the tableware naturally, glanced around at the food on the table, and said confidently, “I want two servings of sauce. One’s not enough.”
The restaurant’s signature dishes each came with a special sauce. Chu Xiaxing always had two servings every time, and this time was no different. She wasn't polite and took the opportunity to shamelessly freeload.
Zhou Xuelu was still sitting stiffly, her mind blank. She murmured in confusion, "Ah? You're going to eat now?"
Chu Xiaxing raised her chin towards the distance, signaling her to look at the chatting and laughing men, and said calmly, "They're eating too. I'm starving."
Zhou Xuelu responded good-naturedly, “...Alright, I’ll ask for more for you.”
Zhou Xuelu was probably at the bottom of the food chain at the dinner table. She was probably a female companion of one of the men at the table, mainly responsible for serving tea and water, and taking care of everyone, so she didn't argue with Chu Xiaxing about anything. Of course, the look in her eyes towards Chu Xiaxing was quite subtle, probably because she had never seen such a brazen freeloader before. She looked hesitant for a moment, not knowing whether she should remind Chu Xiaxing.
Chu Xiaxing didn't have Zhou Xuelu's concerns. She didn't need to please anyone at the table. Since someone had come to invite her for a meal, she was naturally going to eat her fill and leave, without wasting any time. Fortunately, the others hadn't brought up the topic of Chu Xiaxing yet, so she ate in an orderly manner, without attracting anyone's attention.
Duan Chengyan was quite irritable today. Several of his words were barbed and sarcastic, scaring the people around him into silence, and for a time, no one dared to take the initiative to talk to him.
Someone mustered up the courage and said earnestly, "Chengyan, it’s really not that serious. You've spent more time with the old man. It was just an accident that the project was given to Song Wenye. He was just lucky..."
Duan Chengyan frowned with an unkind look, "Are you saying that even my luck is worse than his!?"
"...I didn't mean that."
Duan Chengyan said sarcastically, "Then what did you mean?"
"..."
Everyone immediately fell silent again. No one wanted to provoke him at this time.
Chu Xiaxing looked at the young master who was as explosive as a firecracker, her expression intrigued. No wonder Xia Hong said the young master is Song Wenye’s punching bag. So it turns out that he was beaten up by Song Wenye while working at the company—no wonder he looks a bit withdrawn.
Duan Chengyan seemed to notice Chu Xiaxing's probing gaze. He raised his eyebrows and said irritably, "What's that expression? What's so funny?"
Chu Xiaxing casually replied, “Come on officer, what, is it illegal to even smile these days?"
Zhou Xuelu turned to look at Chu Xiaxing in horror, her face stiff with the expression of someone silently saying 'you’re done for', not daring to move a muscle.
Duan Chengyan sneered, "You were eating quite happily just now. Shouldn't you toast the person who invited you?"
Duan Chengyan had seen clearly just now that Chu Xiaxing had been eating heartlessly and had Zhou Xuelu frequently add dishes for her.
Chu Xiaxing asked, "You want me to toast you?"
Duan Chengyan mocked, "What? You don't want to? I've seen your news. I'm letting you toast me in clothes today. I haven't asked you to toast me without clothes. It shouldn't be too much, right?"
Chu Xiaxing had initially been in a relaxed mood, but when she heard that, her gaze turned cold as she stared straight at Duan Chengyan. Her fingers started tapping rhythmically on the table—again and again. Anyone who knew her would recognize this as a warning sign: Director Chu was in a bad mood at this time, and it was best not to push her. But Duan Chengyan, seeing her displeasure, gloated instead, thinking had caught her handle.
Duan Chengyan didn't know why Song Wenye would get involved with the little star in the nude loan incident, but Song Wenye made him unhappy, and he also wanted to make the other party unhappy.
Chu Xiaxing was silent for a moment. She stood up calmly, casually picked up the crystal clear goblet on the table, shook the bright and dazzling wine in the glass, and said with a smile, "Hey, it's just toasting a glass of wine. What's the big deal?"
Duan Chengyan mistakenly thought that she had given in and snorted coldly, "Hmph."
Chu Xiaxing held up the wine glass with a smile, walked calmly to Duan Chengyan's side, leaned leisurely on his chair, and said casually, "Don't mention toasting a glass of wine in clothes, toasting a glass of wine without clothes is also fine."
Hearing her frivolous tone and noticing her leaning closer, Duan Chengyan didn't know why he felt a little irritated. He lost the joy of victory, wanted to stay away from her in annoyance.
However, the next second everything changed. As Duan Chengyan instinctively leaned back to avoid her, Chu Xiaxing swiftly grabbed the metal steak knife from the table and used her other hand to strangle Duan Chengyan's neck!!
"The problem is that I dare to toast, do you have the guts to drink?" Chu Xiaxing succeeded in one strike. She directly restrained the struggling Duan Chengyan, and her tone sounded as if it had been soaked in ice water.
Everyone nearby was shocked and frightened by the sudden turn of events. “What are you doing?!”
"Are you crazy!?"
Chu Xiaxing held the wine glass in one hand, tightening her grip on Duan Chengyan, and held the metal knife in the other, restraining his vital points, forcing him not to move. Duan Chengyan wanted to forcefully pull away her arm, but felt the cold blade against his neck. He shivered subconsciously and broke out in a cold sweat.
Chu Xiaxing was originally too lazy to pay attention to him, but when Duan Chengyan mentioned Chu Xiaxin's experience, she immediately felt disgusted. She didn't think that the nude loan incident had much impact on her, but she couldn't stand Duan Chengyan's arrogant face.
"Does mocking other people's misfortune make you happy? Then should I take away your happiness so you can experience what misfortune is like?" Chu Xiaxing gently leaned into Duan Chengyan's ear, her voice like a demon's whisper, “Little boy, trying to play gangster with me—aren’t you afraid of being devoured by a real one?”
Since Duan Chengyan couldn’t feel compassion for those who’d been through hardship, then she would simply make this pampered young master experience it firsthand. If his parents didn’t teach him well at home, he would be beaten up by her in society.
In the early years, a lot of the industry’s capital had shady origins. It’s only now, with the government's strong crackdown on organized crime, that life became more peaceful. But that didn’t mean Chu Xiaxing hadn’t seen what real darkness looked like.
Feeling the cold blade against his neck, Duan Chengyan panicked for the first time in his life and trembled, "...What exactly do you want to do? You can't run away. There are so many people here!"
Duan Chengyan felt that she was simply out of her mind. How could she escape after committing the crime!?
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really are born in a good era—never seen any big villains. Some people may seem to have nothing, but that doesn’t mean you can mess with them casually.”
"Because these people have nothing, so they are fearless and can easily perish together with you, who has everything, and give you a painful lesson." Chu Xiaxing said leisurely, "Do you think I will care whether I can escape or not after I have risked my life to play with you?"
Sweat broke out on Duan Chengyan's forehead. He said sternly, “I’m warning you—don’t do anything rash! They’re all here…”
Chu Xiaxing: "You're still being stubborn. A young master like you with delicate skin and tender flesh should cry for a long time after being injured, right? When they finally come and pull me off you, what state do you think you’ll be in?”
Chu Xiaxing and Duan Chengyan were pressed together tightly, and she used sharp weapons to restrain him, so the others naturally didn't dare to take the risk, and were anxiously running around.
Zhou Xuelu said anxiously, "I've already called Xia Hong. President Song should be here soon. Don't do anything stupid!"
Duan Chengyan felt her arms constantly exerting force. He soon had a dizzying feeling of suffocation. Coupled with the knife against his neck, he finally closed his eyes subconsciously, waiting for the final blow.
After a moment, the restraints binding him suddenly loosened. He instantly collapsed on the seat, gasping for breath, and then heard the clanging sound of the knife falling into the plate.
Chu Xiaxing calmly dropped the knife and looked at his frightened and pale face with satisfaction, seeming a little pleased.
"Just kidding." Chu Xiaxing raised the goblet filled with wine. She casually touched Duan Chengyan's glass on the table and asked with a smile, "Is it fun? Is it exciting? Is the wine I toasted delicious?"
Chu Xiaxing: One punch per brat. This really is too much fun.
Duan Chengyan: "..."
Duan Chengyan's face turned blue and white, and he immediately roared and pounced over, "You're dead—"
"Hey, Chengyan, don't be impulsive!"
"Alright, alright, don’t be so rash!"
The private room instantly became chaotic. Everyone was obviously afraid that Duan Chengyan would have another accident and wanted to stop the enraged young master. In the commotion, Chu Xiaxing was also hurriedly dragged away. She was pulled directly out of the private room, and Duan Chengyan's angry voice came from behind.
Duan Chengyan shouted at the top of his lungs, "Where did that person go? Wasn't she just here!?"
In the women's restroom, Chu Xiaxing was calmly washing her hands in front of the sink. She looked at Zhou Xuelu, who had pulled her away, and said calmly, “If you wanted to ask me to the restroom, you didn’t need to be so eager.”
Seeing that the other party was still like nothing had happened, Zhou Xuelu frowned and asked in shock, "Are you crazy? Do you know who he is? His grandfather is the head of Yuansheng Group!"
Chu Xiaxing: “Well, now I know.”
Zhou Xuelu said worriedly, "Don't go out yet. Let's talk about it later. Wait for Xia Hong to come over..."
Chu Xiaxing touched her pocket and said decisively, "That won't work. I didn't bring my phone. I'm going back to get my phone."
Zhou Xuelu was so annoyed by Chu Xiaxing that she lost her temper. It felt like the eunuch was more anxious than the emperor. She said pitifully, “I’m begging you. Can you get it a bit later? Please?”
Chu Xiaxing was much more tolerant of beautiful women. Seeing Zhou Xuelu's pleading eyes, she nodded, "Okay, it's okay to be idle anyway. Do you have any makeup remover?”
Zhou Xuelu opened her delicate evening bag that she carried with her. She took out lipstick and makeup remover from it and asked curiously, "Are you going to remove your makeup? You don't seem to be wearing makeup, right?"
Zhou Xuelu's evening bag couldn't even hold a phone, but it could hold a lot of delicate cosmetics. Obviously she was someone who took her appearance seriously.
Chu Xiaxing said calmly, "No, I mean you remove your makeup and let me see your bare face."
Zhou Xuelu: "?"
Zhou Xuelu stared in disbelief. “Are you kidding me? Don’t you think that’s kind of offensive?”
Chu Xiaxing: "I don't think so. Your makeup today doesn't suit you. It doesn't matter if you remove it now."
Zhou Xuelu: "???"
Just moments ago she’d been soft-spoken. Now, as if someone stepped on her tail, quite unconvinced, she snapped in indignation, "Where doesn't it suit me? I think my makeup looks good today!"
Chu Xiaxing said disdainfully, “Gaudy, mediocre, designed to cater to the male gaze. No personality—like a small internet influencer.”
Zhou Xuelu, who was always elegant and composed at the dinner table, was now exasperated and said angrily, "Nonsense! Utter rubbish! You don't understand anything. You have no taste!"
Chu Xiaxing sighed, "Anxious, anxious, so anxious..."
Zhou Xuelu: "..."
Chu Xiaxing had been observing Zhou Xuelu for the entire meal. She really thought that the other party had a good foundation and said casually, "Do you want to be an actor?"
Zhou Xuelu was stunned, "Ah? How can I be an actor?"
Chu Xiaxing said unhurriedly, "Remove your makeup and I'll tell you."
Zhou Xuelu: "...Aren't you just being unreasonable?"
Chu Xiaxing began to walk off and said calmly, “Then forget it. I’m going back to get my phone. Nothing else to do here anyway.”
Zhou Xuelu immediately panicked and hurriedly stopped her, "Okay, okay, remove, remove… I'm removing it, don't go back!"
After a moment, Zhou Xuelu used a simple and convenient makeup removal wipe and cleaned her face. She helplessly showed it to Chu Xiaxing, muttering, "Is this okay now?"
Chu Xiaxing looked at the other party's wet face and scanned it critically, complaining, "Your double eyelids surgery looks really mediocre. Otherwise, you could have more of your own distinctive look."
Zhou Xuelu couldn't stand others criticizing her appearance the most and immediately protested angrily, "You're going too far! I originally had monolids that made my eyes look small. This way I look better in photos!”
Chu Xiaxing sighed, "Alas, your aesthetics are just like this, everyone is chasing the same cookie-cutter look…”
Chu Xiaxing knew the direction of the micro-adjustments of today's stars, but she didn’t find them attractive. Slight flaws in appearance often give more charm. Things that are perfect and flawless feel fake and stiff, and in fact would be of very low quality when presented in camera, which is especially obvious on the movie screen.
Still, looking at Zhou Xuelu overall, her strengths outweighed her flaws. She had a natural spark to her. If she found the right path, she could go far.
Chu Xiaxing felt that she hadn't misjudged her and asked curiously, “Why were you dining with those guys? Do you have something you want to do?”
Zhou Xuelu was confused by Chu Xiaxing's series of operations. She had even had her makeup removed, so she couldn't put on airs anymore and said bluntly, "I want to marry a rich second generation."
Chu Xiaxing nodded understandingly, "Oh, then do you want to be an actor? It doesn't conflict with you marrying a rich second generation."
Zhou Xuelu gave a suspicious look, her eyes wandered, and she asked weakly, "...Can I be an actor?"
“Who knows? You can try. If you ever decide to give it a go, you can call me.” Chu Xiaxing glanced around. Neither of them had a phone, so she simply picked up Zhou Xuelu’s lipstick and wrote a string of numbers on the clean mirror. “That’s my number. Memorize it and wipe it off later, don't bother the cleaning staff."
Zhou Xuelu looked at her outrageous actions and broke down, "This is the new color I bought!"
Chu Xiaxing shook her head and said unceremoniously, "This color really doesn't suit you. You should change it as soon as possible. You won't be able to catch a rich second-generation like this. Your vision and business level are not good enough."
Zhou Xuelu: “……” Ouch, that hurt, my sister.
Chu Xiaxing felt that discovering a promising seedling during this meal meant her time hadn't been wasted. After checking out Zhou Xuelu's bare face, she was ready to leave and said calmly, “Alright, I’ll go get my phone. I need to head to the editing room too.”
Seeing that she was so bold, Zhou Xuelu hurriedly advised, "No! Don't go back now. Duan Chengyan is angry!"
Zhou Xuelu couldn't stop Chu Xiaxing this time. Chu Xiaxing had finished dealing with the business of discovering actors, so there was no reason to stay. Zhou Xuelu followed Chu Xiaxing in a hurry. She suddenly remembered that her makeup had been removed and quickly covered her face and lowered her head all the way. She wanted to rush back to the bathroom to touch up her makeup, but was afraid that Chu Xiaxing would cause trouble again, so she followed helplessly and embarrassedly.
Fortunately, nothing happened to Chu Xiaxing after she returned to the room, because Song Wenye and others had arrived.
Inside the private room, Song Wenye stared at the unruly Duan Chengyan, his gaze as cold and sharp as a knife. Rarely dropping his refined demeanor, he asked impatiently again, “Where is she now?”
Duan Chengyan grinned provocatively, smiling mockingly, "How do I know? I didn’t believe the rumors before, but it looks like you do have something going on with her.”
Song Wenye said unhappily, "I don't care too much about your petty troubles in the group, but now that innocent people are involved, it's a different matter altogether."
Duan Chengyan sneered, "It's the first time I've seen you with a cold face. Aren't you usually good at pretending? What can you do to me, run to grandpa and complain?"
“Chengyan, just drop it already…” Some of the others, now seeing Song Wenye in person, became a little timid. Though they usually hung out with Duan Chengyan, they also knew Song Wenye’s influence in the group was steadily rising.
The two sides were now at daggers drawn in the private room, and the intense confrontation made the people around them feel a little uneasy.
Chu Xiaxing heard the conversation between the two at the door. She stepped into the room calmly, picked up her phone on the table, raised her hand to greet everyone, and said casually, "Are you all chatting? Then I'll leave first. I have something to do tonight."
Duan Chengyan: "???"
Song Wenye: "..."
Duan Chengyan and Song Wenye were still confronting each other about Chu Xiaxing's whereabouts, but who would have thought that the person involved was like strolling around the street, and she broke in front of everyone, coming and going freely.
Everyone: So you really were just here to eat?!
Seeing Chu Xiaxing suddenly appear, Song Wenye naturally had no intention of continuing to entangle with Duan Chengyan and said calmly, "Let me take you."
Neither of them paid Duan Chengyan any more attention, which made him even angrier. He shouted, “You’re just gonna leave like this? I haven’t even settled the score with you yet!”
Hearing Duan Chengyan's violent tone, Song Wenye frowned slightly, but Chu Xiaxing turned her head with a grin and teased, “What? Still wanna treat me to a midnight snack?”
Chu Xiaxing's right hand was slightly clenched into a fist. She stretched out her thumb and made a provocative throat-cutting motion towards her neck, implying meaningfully, "Does the young master still have the guts to eat with me?"
Duan Chengyan remembered the feeling of suffocation when he was held hostage. He felt furious but couldn’t speak for a moment: “...”
Now that Song Wenye had shown up, no one dared to stop Chu Xiaxing from leaving. She followed him to the elevator. Spotting the familiar bodyguard at the entrance, she took the initiative to suggest, "Just let him take me to the editing room. I already told him about it earlier.”
The bodyguard bowed his head respectfully now. He obviously knew Song Wenye. Apologetic that Chu Xiaxing had been caught in the mess, Song Wenye said apologetically, “It’s okay, I’ll take you there. I’m really sorry about today—I caused you too much trouble.”
Song Wenye really didn't expect Duan Chengyan to find Chu Xiaxing. He didn't even contact that brokerage company at the time and specifically asked Xia Hong to come forward to handle things because he didn't want to cause trouble. Duan Chengyan's personality was a bit extreme. Song Wenye usually didn't bother to pay attention to him, but who would have thought that he would get excited instead.
Seeing that he insisted on sending her, Chu Xiaxing simply didn't refuse and got into the car generously, saying, "If apologies were useful, what would the police do?"
Song Wenye felt even more guilty and lowered his eyes in embarrassment, "It was really my oversight this time. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Chu Xiaxing said with a smile, "You transfer a huge sum of money now and I'll choose to lose my memory on the spot."
Song Wenye: "..."
Song Wenye picked up his phone and said, "Okay..."
Seeing that he was really going to transfer money, Chu Xiaxing immediately stopped him, "No, no, no, if you're so easy, I won't feel any sense of accomplishment scamming you!"
Song Wenye chuckled and put the phone away again. His eyes flickered slightly as he nodded, “Yeah, actually I was just faking it.”
Chu Xiaxing: "?"
Chu Xiaxing looked at him in disbelief, "You’re already trying to trick me? Growing up so fast?"
Song Wenye’s eyes, dark as the night, shimmered with a faint smile. "I’ve picked up a lot of new tricks on set," he said calmly. “I’ve even received Director Chu's guidance on the ways of the jianghu.”