Ling Qianhe appeared right after Lin Mucí and Zhao Lan, with flashes frantically capturing him.
Qianhe was wearing a classic suit today, with a simple yet elegant watch on his wrist, presenting a refined yet handsome figure.
He was in excellent condition, his face truly stunning, as if a god had descended.
The media chased after him, filming relentlessly.
He smiled and responded with perfect decorum.
"Coincidentally, I just finished filming with Sister Lan’s crew a while ago. Let’s take a photo together, Sister Lan. I’ll ask the media friends to take a few more pictures for us."
Outsiders were unaware of the situation.
Zhao Lan, however, turned to look at Ling Qianhe with an expression of realization.
This boy clearly had ulterior motives!
His true interest lay in Lin Mucí.
He was simply using this opportunity to openly take a photo with Lin Mucí.
Zhao Lan made space, and Lin Mucí’s eyes widened as she instinctively recoiled. Ling Qianhe looked at her, tilting his head, and mouthed at her from an angle invisible to the media.
"Do you want me to hold your hand in public?"
"Do you want me to kiss you in public?"
Ling Qianhe was truly ruthless.
Upon hearing Ling Qianhe's words, Lin Mucí gasped.
However, she genuinely dared not retreat any further.
A faint smile bloomed on Ling Qianhe’s lips. He stood beside Lin Mucí as photographers frantically pressed their shutters. Then, the red carpet host began interviewing Ling Qianhe.
"What are your plans next?"
Ling Qianhe’s smile was radiant.
"To film some variety shows."
"I watched these girls from 'Tomorrow's Idol' debut; I’ve seen their hard work and excellence. Lin Mucí also collaborated with me on a movie. I believe she is a very talented and dedicated idol and actress..."
He spoke smoothly, expertly deflecting, yet his words were impeccably chosen.
The reporters, however, were perplexed.
They were asking about his own plans.
Why did he keep mentioning Lin Mucí?
Zhao Lan, on the other hand, played along perfectly with him.
"Yes."
"Little Ci is truly, truly excellent. I’m also very happy to have met a newcomer actress like Little Ci. She is the embodiment of Qi Qingling in my heart, and I believe she will become an outstanding actress."
In the distance, another prominent actress, Huo Ziyao, was approaching.
She had originally thought she would be the last to appear.
And that she would be greeted by a frenzy of cameras!
She had already struck various poses, but the cameras completely ignored her. Everyone was still trailing Ling Qianhe and Zhao Lan, interviewing Ling Qianhe with various questions.
Huo Ziyao gritted her teeth, her face turning ashen with anger.
Having been in the industry for so many years, she was considered a figure of some importance. Yet, she had never expected to be so utterly ignored. This level of embarrassment was unprecedented.
This was the battlefield of the leading ladies.
How had Ling Qianhe, the top male star, gotten involved?
But it was precisely because Ling Qianhe had intervened that Huo Ziyao was instantly defeated!
She had intended to make a stunning debut on the red carpet. She never imagined that instead of astonishing others, she would become a laughingstock.
She walked forward.
When she clearly saw the outfits worn by Zhao Lan and Lin Mucí, who were surrounded by people, her expression changed again.
How come...
Zhao Lan wasn't wearing the dress her meticulously arranged stylist had prepared for her?
Originally, Zhao Lan's fashion faux pas on the red carpet was expected to cause an international uproar, likely ruining her future acting career.
Who had switched Zhao Lan’s dress!?
...
As Lin Mucí entered, a system prompt sounded in her ear.
"Side mission: Help Zhao Lan successfully complete the first half of the charity gala red carpet show. Completion level: Perfect."
"Zhao Lan's favorability has increased from Friendly to Close Friend."
"Please continue to strive, host, and complete the next step: Befriend three influential figures in the industry (Ling Qianhe not included)."
"Note: Only individuals who have reached a certain level in the entertainment industry will be considered to have completed this task. The system will provide relevant prompts."
Lin Mucí raised an eyebrow. After announcing the mission progress, the system eagerly came to complain to Lin Mucí.
"Little Ci, you should have seen Huo Ziyao's expression just now; her face was practically turning green with anger."
"If she knew you were the one who prepared the 'Azure Tide' dress for Zhao Lan, she would definitely not let it go. Their relationship would undoubtedly turn into one of animosity!"
Lin Mucí walked towards her seat.
As she was a newcomer, the organizers had arranged her seat towards the back.
She wasn’t in the same row as Ling Qianhe or Zhao Lan.
She didn't mind.
She sat down casually. Ling Qianhe, however, glanced at her seat with a deep gaze, lost in thought.
A moment later.
Yang Weiyang also sat down. She had just gone to speak with the actors from her crew, so she was late. Upon seeing Lin Mucí, her eyes lit up immediately, and she rushed over, giving Lin Mucí a big hug.
"Little Ci? We meet again!"
This was the first time she had encountered Lin Mucí since the show ended. Yang Weiyang hugged Lin Mucí, nuzzling her cheek forcefully, then happily asked her.
"Little Ci, how was your filming? Have you finished? Are you happy? Is it difficult?"
Lin Mucí smiled as she looked at Yang Weiyang.
"I'm doing well. How about you?"
Yang Weiyang stuck out her tongue, revealing a hint of playfulness.
"Ah, I take back what I said before about filming being easier than being an idol! Filming is so, so much more tiring! As an idol, it's true you have to remember dance moves, but filming is truly exhausting. You have to memorize lines and stage blocking, and if you forget, you get scolded by the director. Our director is so fierce!"
"For historical dramas, makeup and styling take three to four hours every day!"
Yang Weiyang vented her frustrations, envying Lin Mucí for being in a Republican-era drama.
"I heard you acted with Ling Qianhe, Instructor Ling. How was the experience?"
When asked by Yang Weiyang, Lin Mucí paused slightly and fell into thought.
Her experience acting with Ling Qianhe.
Hmm.
"Sore waist and aching legs."
She was constantly tied up.
Forbidden to move, often imprisoned, or forced to play dead.
So, it was indeed a matter of a sore waist and aching legs.
As the words left her mouth, she noticed Yang Weiyang looking at her with a peculiar expression. Lin Mucí coughed twice, suddenly realizing the ambiguity in her statement!
She desperately wanted to explain.
That wasn't what she meant!
Behind Yang Weiyang, another figure emerged. He looked at her with a hint of confusion.
"Weiyang, this is—"
Yang Weiyang immediately stood up and bowed!
"Hello, senior. This is my fellow contestant from the survival show, Lin Mucí. She was the first to debut."
Since not everyone had watched "Tomorrow's Idol," Yang Weiyang quickly added.
"She just finished filming with Senior Zhao Lan and is acting as a couple with Instructor Qianhe."
The man opposite her immediately brightened.
"A newcomer. Being able to film with Sister Lan, her future is boundless."
From Lin Mucí's perspective, a bright light emanated from this man's head, indicating he was a key figure.
The system immediately provided the man's profile.
"Wu Minlong. A renowned action star in the entertainment industry. In five years, his personal box office gross will exceed ten billion. His sci-fi series 'Star Rescue One, Two, and Three' will become a famous personal sci-fi hero IP in the film and television industry."
"A five-star figure in the entertainment industry. It is recommended to establish a friendly or better relationship!"
Although Wu Minlong would be very famous in the future, he was currently only playing Yang Weiyang's elder brother in her drama and had not yet entered his era of fame.
Lin Mucí stood up and politely greeted him.
"Hello, Brother Long. I'm newcomer Lin Mucí. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Wu Minlong looked at the young girl in the emerald green dress and smiled kindly.
"It's not easy to film with Ling Qianhe. I worked with that kid Qianhe back in the day; I know he's a method actor. He's fearless when filming, and ordinary young girls can't handle his intensity."
Wu Minlong seemed very familiar with Ling Qianhe.
Yang Weiyang looked somewhat troubled.
"Instructor Ling is quite cold."
"Brother Wu is much kinder!"
Wu Minlong glanced at the demure Lin Mucí standing there, smiling amicably.
"Newcomers all have it tough. Since you and Weiyang debuted together, you’re welcome to visit our set anytime in the future."
Wu Minlong wasn't very famous yet, so not many people sought him for small talk.
He chatted with Yang Weiyang about the martial arts choreography for the drama, which made Yang Weiyang feel sleepy. Lin Mucí, however, pursed her lips and suddenly said.
"Have you considered incorporating Wing Chun?"
The young girl demonstrated with a few hand gestures.
"Martial arts have thousands of variations, but considering the audience, hand-to-hand combat is more exciting than special effects."
Wu Minlong's eyes lit up.
"You know Wing Chun?"
Lin Mucí hesitated before replying.
"I know a little. We have a very capable driver at home… he knows how to fight."
Actually, in one of her past transmigration worlds, she had become a grandmaster of Wing Chun.
Although her martial arts were forcibly forgotten by the system when entering new worlds, she still retained some basic theories.
However, since they asked, she could use Uncle Li as a shield!
As Wu Minlong was an action star, his curiosity was piqued.
"Your driver? What school is he from? Can I visit your home to discuss it with him?"
Fearing the young girl might feel awkward, he quickly added.
"It's not about fighting him. It's just that there are so few people who truly understand Wing Chun these days. That's why I'm so eager!"
"I'm filming a Wing Chun film next, and if possible, perhaps he could make a cameo appearance!"
Lin Mucí felt a slight headache; she didn't know if Uncle Li would be willing to agree.
But the system was already clamoring in her mind.
"Quick, agree to it! It shows here that this is a very important opportunity!"
"The subsequent butterfly effect could even increase your global recognition!"
Lin Mucí readily agreed.
A line of small text appeared before her eyes.
"Befriended three influential figures in the entertainment industry. One-third of the task completed."
So, this counted as meeting Wu Minlong?
But there were still two more. She didn't know where to find them.
As she was contemplating, she saw Ling Qianhe walking towards her with a white-haired elder. Yang Weiyang took one look and exclaimed.
"Is that... Director Li Ping?"
"He's an Oscar-winning director… Only Qianhe could invite such a distinguished guest!"
And this white-haired elder had a radiance above his head that was brighter than a light bulb!
The system was practically ecstatic.
"Host, go for it! This guy, this old man, he is definitely a super big shot in the entertainment industry! Get his favorability, let him help you get resources. Host, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, don't miss it."
Lin Mucí watched Ling Qianhe converse fluently with him in English.
So, was Ling Qianhe intentionally leading the person towards her?