The collaboration with Shang Rongrong was thus finalized.
The story going public was that Director Du was strongly supporting her, not prioritizing immediate gains but focusing on the actress's career development. This had garnered considerable goodwill within the entertainment industry, and her fans had spread the word far and wide. Now, Director Du had to acknowledge this good deed, whether he wanted to or not!
Upon meeting Shang Rongrong, the impression remained the same: she was as professional and disciplined as ever.
It was a small commercial cocktail party, and Xia Weiliang had been invited to attend with Director Du.
Many of the guests were influential figures in the industry, as well as some formidable capital magnates. Even Ji Huan wasn't qualified to attend. Before Xia Weiliang left, Ji Huan had advised her not to appear intimidated, stating that experience could be summed up in one word: "pretend"! The more sophisticated you appear, the less these people will look down on you.
"Sister Huan, don't worry. I'll channel the same spirit I had when I first started acting in TV dramas!" Xia Weiliang declared confidently, patting her chest. "I didn't know anything back then, but I could pretend!"
She would keep pretending until filming began, after which she wouldn't be able to maintain the facade anymore.
Ji Huan chuckled, reassured that Xia Weiliang's mindset was in the right place. Moreover, she now carried the title of "Xiao Yi's girlfriend," and no one would dare to treat her poorly. This was precisely why Ji Huan had allowed her to accompany Director Du.
Little did they know, the reborn Xia Weiliang had experienced all sorts of occasions. After becoming a sensation online, she had attended countless banquets. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that many of the guests present today were people she had already interacted with.
In terms of nervousness, Director Du was more so than she was. Firstly, he wasn't a frequent attendee of such high-end cocktail parties. Secondly, he had brought the company's "Level 1 protected animal" with him today; if anything went wrong, President Jiang would surely tear him apart!
"Weiliang, stay close to me later. If there's any question you can't answer, just push it all onto me!"
"Also, some of the bosses have very peculiar personalities. Don't try to approach them rashly. Last time, Yan Yishuang, thinking she was clever, tried to ask a big shot for his WeChat... you have no idea how embarrassing the situation was. It led to President Jiang scolding me for an entire afternoon!"
A surge of Xia Weiliang's numerous gossiping genes awakened, and she leaned in eagerly, asking, "Little Du, there's a rumor in the company that you and this Xiao Shuang are... involved, you know what I mean! What's going on between you two? Tell me, and I promise I won't tell anyone!"
Director Du's old face flushed. "You can't just say such things! She and I have a strictly pure superior-subordinate relationship. Besides, she has several godfathers, god-brothers, and god-brothers-in-law behind her. How could I possibly provoke her!"
"So, if you could provoke her, you would have, is that it?"
Director Du was practically about to wet himself. "Xia Weiliang, that's enough! Are these things you can just say carelessly? Fine, I admit, sometimes my proximity to female artists isn't handled perfectly, but that doesn't mean I dare to have any ulterior thoughts! You don't know your sister-in-law; she's the type who would genuinely take a knife if there's trouble..."
At this point, Director Du couldn't help but shiver. He was a bit of a rogue at heart, but he absolutely lacked the courage of a rogue! For someone like Yan Yishuang who threw herself at him, he would at most dare to put an arm around her waist or hold her hand; anything more, he wouldn't dare!
Moreover, having been re-educated by Xia Weiliang, his career ambitions had surged, leaving him with even fewer such thoughts.
"I see." Xia Weiliang nodded. "Good, good. Little Du, as long as you can stay grounded, I'll be at ease. I was actually thinking if I should add sister-in-law on WeChat to chat..."
"Sister Liang! Sister Liang, please don't!"
Director Du was covered in a cold sweat.
Xia Weiliang burst out laughing and followed him into the banquet hall. "Alright, as long as you behave yourself at the company and focus on your career, I and your sister-in-law will never cross paths."
Director Du felt utterly stifled!
Looking at her, he felt as though his wife had hired her to supervise him.
As the two entered, many eyes immediately turned their way. Director Du had never received such attention before, which made him even more nervous.
He lowered his voice and said, "Stay close to me later, understand?"
"Got it!"
Xia Weiliang, however, appeared very composed. Especially upon seeing Shang Rongrong, she immediately abandoned Director Du and, lifting her skirt, jogged over with small steps.
"Sister Rongrong!"
Shang Rongrong had also seen her and was contemplating how to approach and greet her. In truth, she suffered from mild social anxiety and wasn't very comfortable in such settings, often just putting on a show. Thus, when Xia Weiliang ran towards her, she felt a bit lost.
Unexpectedly, after running over, Xia Weiliang gave her a hug without a word!
Shang Rongrong stood frozen, stunned into silence. In her opinion, she and Xia Weiliang weren't that familiar, and such intimacy was naturally uncomfortable.
"Uh, Miss Xia..."
"Weiliang, just call me Weiliang."
"...Okay, Wei, Weiliang."
Shang Rongrong had never encountered such a straightforward actress before. While some had tried to show her favor in the past, Shang Rongrong's cold demeanor had deterred many. Xia Weiliang completely disregarded all of that. Hugging her, she said in a close, affectionate tone, "Thank you for inviting me to act in the movie."
Shang Rongrong stood there, looking somewhat flustered. "I just felt the role was very suitable for you. There's no other meaning, so you don't have to... don't have to be so enthusiastic."
She had been in the industry for a few years and had seen all sorts of things. Whether it was heterosexual or homosexual relationships, people formed pairings based on mutual benefit rather than affection. Some had even thrown themselves at her, assuming that because she had no scandals and maintained a distant demeanor, she might be into lesbians, which left Shang Rongrong both amused and exasperated.
But Xia Weiliang was different. She was genuinely expressing her admiration and simply liked her!
People around them occasionally glanced over. Lin Zhuonan, holding a wine glass, was mid-conversation when a friend across from him subtly gestured with their chin, indicating for him to look over. Lin Zhuonan turned his head and saw the two women embracing. Xia Weiliang was hugging her very tightly, her cheek even deliberately nuzzling against Shang Rongrong's chest...
Lin Zhuonan raised an eyebrow, his mood instantly turning sour. To his knowledge, many actresses had harbored feelings for Shang Rongrong. Some he had nipped in the bud as soon as he found out; others had approached her only to be rejected by Shang Rongrong herself. However, Lin Zhuonan had never expected that Xiao Yi's woman would also be interested in women!!
Seeing that Xia Weiliang still hadn't let go, Lin Zhuonan, with a dark expression, picked up his phone and took a photo of the two, sending it to Xiao Yi.
[Can't you manage your woman? What does this mean? Embracing and hugging in broad daylight. Can't you be more reserved?!]
There was no reply from the other end.