This question truly stumped Chu Qiao.
"Uh, it's because..."
Just as she was about to speak, Xi Chi let out a snort and said, "You're not going to say it was because of drunken passion, are you?"
Chu Qiao: "..."
With her words effectively blocked, what else could she say?
He suddenly stepped closer, "But do you know that when a man is truly drunk, he's no different from a limp noodle, utterly incapable of doing anything? Unless..."
He leaned even closer, staring at her increasingly uneasy expression, and curled one side of his lip, "I didn't want to get drunk at all!"
Chu Qiao froze, tilting her head to look at him.
The man's handsome features gradually turned cold. His gaze swept past the top of her head, and he turned to leave, "The director is rushing us. Let's go."
"Xi Chi..."
Chu Qiao quickly followed, "Actually, I..."
"Think before you speak," Xi Chi's voice held a distinct distance, a feeling that made her profoundly uncomfortable.
She was accustomed to her little assistant, who from the very beginning had followed her with his gaze, always looking at her with that familiar, affectionate gaze no matter when she turned her head...
Always, only her in his eyes.
Chu Qiao sighed softly. She felt like she had messed things up.
—
Xiao Yi had posted on his moments, and Xia Weiliang only found out afterward when Director Du specifically screenshotted it for her.
"Weiliang ah, Yi Shen truly cares about you. I've followed his moments for so long, and I've never seen him share any personal information! Look, he's posted a photo of you two right away, and you look so perfect together..."
Director Du continued to admire, the fact that "Yi Shen's girlfriend" was a female artist from his company was enough for young Director Du to walk sideways in the industry! Su Dan Novel Network
Now, as he looked at Xia Weiliang, she only became more pleasing to his eye. How had he ever thought this girl was just a brainless vase before? Even if she was! She was an antique! A work of art!
Xia Weiliang stared blankly at the photo. To say she wasn't sweet would be disingenuous, but she still felt a sense of unease. Everything seemed to be going too smoothly, so smoothly that it felt unreal.
"Weiliang? Weiliang? Did you hear what I just said?"
"Huh? What did you say, Director Du?"
"..."
Li-little Du...
Director Du struggled to maintain his smile, turning to look at Ji Huan, "Hehe... Our Weiliang is truly not what she used to be! Hehe, even calling me 'little Du'... Hehe..."
Xia Weiliang chuckled sheepishly, "I'm just trying to seem close to you! No distance between us and our superior proves our company has a great atmosphere! Don't you think so, Director Du?"
Director Du thought about it and agreed. Xia Weiliang was in Xiao Yi's circle, so getting along with her was definitely the right move!
Thus, he patted his chest, "Weiliang, if you ever need anything, just find your Director Du! I guarantee I can handle it perfectly for you!"
"You got it! Thank you, Director Du!"
Ji Huan spoke up then, "What about the new drama..."
"Right, right, right!" Director Du quickly said, "The company doesn't recommend you take it. After all, our plan for the latter half of the year is for you to follow a fashion queen route..."
Xia Weiliang wasn't particularly interested in being a fashion queen. She eagerly asked, "What drama? Whose drama?"
"Let me tell you," Ji Huan said, "It's being produced and directed by Shang Rongrong herself..."
Before she could finish, Xia Weiliang was amazed, "It's Sister Rongrong's movie?! It's that rebirth drama, right?"
Ji Huan blinked, "Did I mention it to you? Or did she tell you?"
Director Du now dared not underestimate Xia Weiliang, "Are you very familiar with Shang Rongrong now?"
"Not bad, not bad," Xia Weiliang quickly asked, "What about the role? Is it..."
She was too embarrassed to ask if it was the lead role. After all, there were discrepancies between the world before and after her rebirth, especially since she and Shang Rongrong didn't know each other well in this life.
"The lead role," Ji Huan said, "I've read the script, and the role fits you perfectly."
At first, she had worried that Shang Rongrong was only approaching Xia Weiliang for her popularity, so Ji Huan had meticulously read the entire script. Only after finishing did her opinion completely change, and she came to find Director Du early that morning.
Xia Weiliang knew this was a script Shang Rongrong had been preparing for a long time. While it wasn't an art film likely to win awards, nor a big-budget commercial film, it was a decent romance story.
However, the script was very well-written, and the plot was interesting. In the world before Xia Weiliang's rebirth, the film was already in the preparation and launch phase, and it was a pity it couldn't be made. Who would have thought that, after going through so much, this movie would return to her hands!
"I'll take it!" She decisively made up her mind.
Ji Huan nodded, "That's what I think too."
"Wait!" Director Du interrupted them, his expression somewhat troubled, "Uh, Weiliang, I think we should reconsider this acting gig. Although Sister Rongrong's film doesn't add too much pressure, your current popularity is so high, everyone is watching us. We absolutely cannot make any wrong moves..."
Ji Huan glanced at him, "Popularity is fleeting, and it will eventually cool down. Her primary job is an actress, and she should seize every opportunity to hone her skills to go further."
"Yes, she debuted as an actress, and I know that, but her acting skills..." Director Du quickly apologized to Xia Weiliang, "Weiliang ah, Director Du doesn't mean anything else. Don't be angry, it's all for your own good..."
Xia Weiliang turned to him and said earnestly, "Director Du, I know my acting isn't good, but do you want to turn decay into magic? If you can carve me, this unpolished jade, into a masterpiece, how impressive would that be? What would your industry peers think of you? What would everyone in the company think of you? How would you see yourself? Isn't this a miracle across species?!"
Her words made Director Du's blood surge with enthusiasm, "Can I do it?"
"Does that even need to be asked? What do you mean, 'Can I do it?' Be confident, remove the 'can'! You can do it! Who are you? You are Director Du! You are the Director Du who once nurtured accomplished actors like Chu Qiao! Where in the industry are your legends not spoken of? I won't allow you to underestimate yourself!"
Director Du's eyes lit up, "My legends are spoken of in the industry? What do they say?"
"How else could they say it? Other than 'unwavering will,' 'extraordinary will,' 'persistent,' I really can't think of anything else."
"Really?"
Director Du suddenly felt a little elated, as if he had drunk a small cup of wine.
"So, are you going to waste this noble quality? Even if you agree, the people of the martial world won't!"
Xia Weiliang stood up, clenched her small fist, her gaze resolute, "Come, say it with me: I can, I can, I definitely can!"
"I-I can... I can, I can, I definitely can?"
"Not firm enough! Say it again: I can, I can, I definitely can!"
"Ahem!" Director Du finally overcame his inner demons and said forcefully with her, "I can, I can, I definitely can!"
Ji Huan raised an eyebrow, smiling silently.