To Lu Chen's surprise, Song Shuixian said, "Chen, are you sure you don't want to be with me? If you were pursuing me, I would say yes. But if you don't feel that way, I... I would also consider Cong Ge. After all, I think he's very caring, and we had a great time chatting."
Lu Chen was a little embarrassed and could only say that he had a girlfriend.
Song Shuixian expressed her understanding, though her tone was a little resentful, then she smiled brightly:
"Actually, Cong Ge is really great. I'm increasingly feeling that he's quite like my idol. And, he seems quite wealthy. He said his family runs some small businesses, owns a car and a house. If he doesn't mind that I'm just a small-time actress, and he's genuinely good to me, we could try dating. What if I marry him in the future? I'll be set for life!"
Lu Chen chuckled inwardly. He wasn't just wealthy; he was a super-rich second-generation heir! "If you marry him, you'll not only be set for life, you'll be a true heiress!"
"Oh, right!" Song Shuixian added, "That Ni Dan called and asked me to attend the opening party for that movie at the Crescent Moon Bar tomorrow night. Maybe I can still get the fourth female lead. I still want to go and see."
Lu Chen was taken aback: "But that guy wants to sexually harass you!"
"Of course I don't want to!"
Song Shuixian said, "So I'm asking you to spare some time to come with me secretly and protect me. If anything seems amiss, get me out of there. After all, Ni Dan is quite influential. If I don't go, I'm worried he'll block my path in the future. If that happens, I won't be able to survive in Yunzhou City." She sounded quite worried.
"Cong Ge and I will both go, acting as your double protectors!" Lu Chen said generously.
What a joke! Who would dare block Zhuang Sicong's woman's path? Are they crazy?
Song Shuixian smiled sweetly, "I'm too embarrassed to tell him, so I'll trouble you then."
Hanging up the phone, Lu Chen sighed. He never expected Song Shuixian's first choice would be him. However, this beautiful woman was quite open-minded and rational. Girls like her, even with some ups and downs, would ultimately fare well.
Another day passed, and night enveloped Yunzhou City.
In Yunzhou City's most famous Wulidun bar street, countless men and women thronged. Among them was the Crescent Moon Bar, its neon lights flashing dazzlingly. It was bustling with activity; in several cages suspended in the air, scantily clad women swayed their hips, performing actions that made men's blood boil.
The hall was teeming with people, and a long table on one side was laden with fine wines and snacks—a buffet-style party.
On the stage, neon lights displayed a large banner that read:
"Grand Congratulations on the Successful Launch Ceremony of 'The Vampire Jade'!"
On stage, the legendary director Ni Dan, dressed extravagantly and appearing particularly smug, spoke loudly into the microphone: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's launch ceremony for 'The Vampire Jade'! This film, invested in by Huaihai Mining Company, a subsidiary of the Huaihai Group, one of the four major families of Yunzhou City (the Zhuang family), with an investment of 50 million, is destined for a glorious future! Aren't you all as excited as I am?"
He clapped enthusiastically as he spoke.
Those around him, of course, could only clap along.
Ni Dan continued, "Unfortunately, the esteemed and respected General Manager Zhuang Sicong is unable to attend in person due to pressing matters. He asked me to convey his deepest apologies to everyone. Now, let's raise our glasses and toast to General Manager Zhuang, who cannot be here! May his invested film be a huge success, and may we all achieve both fame and fortune!"
This kid, he's quite the smooth talker.
For small events like this, Zhuang Sicong wouldn't attend unless he had pressing matters to attend to.
Of course, Ni Dan didn't know that the general manager he mentioned, unable to attend due to pressing matters, was sitting not far away.
In a dimly lit corner of the hall, in a booth, two young men were sitting and drinking red wine.
Those were Lu Chen and Zhuang Sicong.
Lu Chen chuckled, "General Manager Zhuang, your director's pretty good at flattering you!"
Zhuang Sicong waved his hand, "Come on, I feel disgusted just looking at him. Damn it, he actually tried to sleep with my woman! If it weren't for the contract, I'd fire him and make sure he can't survive in Yunzhou City!"
As he spoke, he looked towards the most eye-catching area in the lobby.
It was a rather large booth, occupied by several handsome men and beautiful women, all actors from "Vampire Jade." Of course, Song Shuixian was among them. Compared to the other women with heavy makeup, their false eyelashes practically covering their eyes, the lightly made-up Song Shuixian looked so captivating, like a fairy fallen among a group of enchantresses.
Zhuang Sicong looked at her with increasing affection: "See? The woman I like is just different."
Lu Chen said, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!"
Zhuang Sicong laughed heartily, looking at Lu Chen gratefully: "Brother, I really don't know how to thank you! The first time we met, you helped me salvage a game, saving me from hundreds of millions in losses; the second time, you brought me, this woman who has moved me so deeply, to my side."
Lu Chen sighed: "We were like walking into a forest, stepping in Mount Tai's shit!"
"Huh?" Zhuang Sicong was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "Fate, fate!"
His laughter was so loud that people were looking over, forcing him to quickly cover his face with his hands.
Meanwhile, on Song Shuixian's side, although her expression was calm, she couldn't hide the hint of anger in her eyes.
"Shuixian, you actually dared to come? If I were you, I wouldn't have come! Don't you remember that day when you were filming on location in the park, you bumped into Mr. Ni and injured his wound, and then you actually went and left with his enemy!"
"Exactly! When we went out, we saw you sitting with those two guys chatting, laughing quite happily! Mr. Ni immediately flew into a rage and berated you horribly!"
"Mr. Ni said you conspired with them, just waiting to embarrass him!"
"Mr. Ni called you here this time, do you think you still have a chance to be the fourth female lead? Forget it, he already got rid of you, just sent you here to humiliate him!"
"Ha, I really advise you to leave as soon as possible, don't embarrass yourself, you won't be able to survive in this industry afterward."
...
These words pierced Song Shuixian's heart like needles.
These words, though seemingly advice, were full of mockery, sarcasm, and attacks.
Song Shuixian feigned nonchalance, smiling slightly as she said, "I'm quite sorry about what happened back then, but my conscience is clear, so how could I dare target President Ni? As for the fourth female lead, although I really want it, man proposes, God disposes; it can't be forced. Anyway, since President Ni summoned me, I had to come!"
"Come on!" a particularly flamboyant woman scoffed. "Shuixian, don't blame me for saying this, but we're all smart people. Who do you think you can fool with that? You clearly still want the fourth female lead position, yet you pretend to be high and mighty—it's disgusting!"
She then giggled, "To tell you the truth, since you haven't been with the fourth female lead these past few days, I talked to President Ni and got one of my sisters the position. President Ni is very satisfied with my sister; he kept praising her! Hehe..."
This was all very lewd. Everyone knew perfectly well what she meant by "very satisfied," and they all smiled slyly.
"Sister Yingying's methods are truly superior; no wonder she's our leading lady!"
Many people gave her a thumbs up.
Song Shuixian was disgusted. She still couldn't understand how such a sordid thing could be discussed so openly on stage. Just then, a voice rang out: "Alright, alright, what's all the fuss about? Get ready quickly, it's almost time to go on stage and introduce yourself. Say some nice things! Go, go, make way."
It was Ni Dan.
Hearing the director's words, everyone got up to leave. Song Shuixian didn't say a word and also stood up to leave, but Ni Dan suddenly grabbed her hand: "Shuixian, I didn't ask you to leave, sit down, sit down!"
Song Shuixian frowned, instinctively shaking off Ni Dan's hand, but still sat down.
Ni Dan smiled coldly, then feigned concern: "Shuixian, I was so sorry about that day! I was so angry and took your kindness for granted. Come, let me see where I kicked you, does it still hurt?"
As he spoke, he actually reached out to lift Song Shuixian's clothes with a lecherous grin.
Song Shuixian quickly stepped aside, saying coldly, "Mr. Ni, I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
Ni Dan's hand froze, then he smiled, a smile that became even colder. He straightened up, leaning back on the sofa, and said calmly, "Shuixian, you probably already know, this fourth female lead role isn't yours anymore. Who told you not to cherish it and seize the opportunity? I feel sorry for you!"
Song Shuixian's tone was even more indifferent: "If I get it, I'm lucky; if I lose it, it's fate."
"Well said, well said!" Ni Dan clapped his hands through gritted teeth, then chuckled and said, "However, this movie is still missing a young girl working in the restaurant, with several lines, practically the seventh or eighth female lead, and no one has been chosen yet. If you'd like, I can totally give you the role! And the pay is double the usual! How about it?"
As he spoke, a look of obvious favor appeared on his face, and he added ambiguously, "Of course, I don't need you to repay me. Just accompany me on a happy trip for a few days, I'll take you sightseeing!"
Song Shuixian smiled: "Mr. Ni, I've suddenly lost interest. I'll be going now!"
As he spoke, he picked up his small bag and stood up.
Ni Dan's face turned sinister: "Damn it! You don't know what's good for you! Let me tell you, Song Shuixian, if you offend me, you can forget about working in this industry! Forget about me being the seventh female lead; you won't get any roles anywhere, not even small commercials or micro-movies! I'll shut you down!"
His face contorted as he spoke, his tone brimming with smugness, as if he held life and death in his hands.
Song Shuixian's body stiffened slightly: "Ni Dan, you can't control everything. Someone will take care of you!"
"Hahahaha!" Ni Dan laughed arrogantly: "Someone will take care of me? You fucking say it! Keep talking! Let's see if God will take pity on you after you've said too much! You damn slut, what are you pretending for? You think your 'skin' is more valuable than others? You're just a piece of trash!"