Chapter 51: World Two【21】 Part 1

As the chief director of a tribute film, Director Hua’s status in the industry was predictably high. No artist who wanted to continue working in the circle wanted to offend him.

Shao Qing also knew this, so she didn’t refuse Sister Ke further and quickly agreed to attend a private banquet the evening after next where she could meet Director Hua.

“A private banquet held at a private manor. It sounds very exclusive, but it also brings some unsavory things to mind,” Jing Ke said, slightly frowning.

Jing Ke had seen the chat content between Director Hua and his friends. As a director, Hua was talented and capable, but his private life was quite decadent. He was surrounded by many male and female artists currying favor for resources, and occasionally, for the sake of so-called inspiration, he’d engage in some thrill-seeking activities.

Shao Qing pursed her lips. “Sister Ke will be with me. There should be quite a few artists attending who are participating in the tribute film. They wouldn’t leave any leverage against themselves at this time.”

“Normally that’s true, but Xu Yin and Mr. Yuan might also be part of the attendees.” Jing Ke voiced her thoughts directly. “I’ll go with you. We can just say I’m your driver, and I can wait for you outside.”

“Then let me ask Sister Ke first, see if I can bring you along,” Shao Qing said.

Jing Ke’s suspicion wasn’t without merit. Shao Qing didn’t mind adding another layer of security for herself. Soon, she was communicating with Sister Ke via WeChat, explaining she wanted to bring a friend.

Sister Ke didn’t ask too many questions. After confirming Jing Ke wasn’t planning to debut as an artist and that bringing her wouldn’t be handing over contacts and resources to a competitor, she relented and agreed.

–

After two consecutive sunny days, the sky began to turn gloomy, looking like it might rain. The previously gentle wind now carried a slight chill against the face.

The private banquet was set to start at 4 PM. To appear more sincere, Shao Qing’s group arrived at the manor gate twenty minutes early.

“Apologies, the banquet hall isn’t fully set up yet. May I trouble you ladies to wait over there for a moment?” The manor’s butler came out to receive the three, explained the situation, and led them to a reception hall.

The reception hall was very spacious, seemingly capable of holding dozens of people. Shao Qing’s group was the first to arrive. Less than three minutes after they sat down, five more people, who appeared to be together, trickled in.

Shao Qing only recognized one of the artists as someone who had won a Best Supporting Actress award. The other two men and two women were unfamiliar faces to her; Shao Qing hadn’t seen them in the industry before.

Shao Qing didn’t know them, but they all seemed to recognize her. After exchanging a few murmurs, the award-winning actress approached.

“Teacher Shao, hello, I’m Lin Xingqing. I also graduated from Sea City Media College. The year I enrolled was the year you graduated, Teacher Shao,” Lin Xingqing smiled as she introduced herself.

“Hello. I saw the movie you won the award for. Good acting,” Shao Qing replied politely.

“Teacher Shao, are you also here for Director Hua’s private banquet?” Lin Xingqing asked a question she already knew the answer to, trying to build rapport with Shao Qing.

“Yes. Are you here for the banquet too?” Shao Qing tossed the question back at Lin Xingqing.

“Yes, I’m fortunate to play a small role in Director Hua’s film, so I brought my friends who are interested in acting to see the scene at the banquet.” Lin Xingqing smiled, her gaze falling on Sister Ke and Jing Ke, lingering on Jing Ke for a moment longer.

“Are both of them your friends, Teacher Shao? I don’t think I’ve seen them in the industry before,” Lin Xingqing asked.

Seeing Jing Ke’s exceptionally outstanding appearance, a question couldn’t help but surface in Lin Xingqing’s mind.

Did someone like Shao Qing, who had won Best Actress awards, also need to use such methods to exchange for resources? Wasn’t she still very popular?

“Hello, I’m Shao Qing’s agent,” Sister Ke introduced herself. “This is Shao Qing’s friend, currently not in the industry.”

“So you’re the agent, Sister Ke. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Lin Xingqing said, becoming even more convinced of her earlier speculation.

Bringing an agent to a private banquet wasn’t strange; it was simply a safety precaution. But if, on top of that, you also brought an exceptionally good-looking outsider, it wasn’t hard to guess what the purpose might be.

Lin Xingqing suppressed her petty thoughts, exchanged a few pleasantries with Shao Qing under the guise of being a junior schoolmate, and after successfully getting her contact info, returned to her own small group.

Jing Ke hadn’t spoken much throughout, but she noticed Lin Xingqing’s attitude towards her had subtly changed.

“Shao Qing, that junior schoolmate of yours seems to have misunderstood something,” Jing Ke lowered her voice. “The way she looked at me just now carried a hint of pity, as if she pitied me.”

“Pity?” Shao Qing froze for a moment, then quickly understood what Jing Ke meant. Her gaze towards Lin Xingqing’s group also became complex.

To make such a judgment after just one brief meeting, it could only mean Lin Xingqing had come with that very purpose. Those so-called four friends were likely here to use some grey transactions to exchange for a chance at fame.

The two men and two women who had followed Lin Xingqing were all decent-looking. None were top-tier in the industry, but they were better-looking than many C-list stars.

Most importantly, they all possessed a clean, pure aura, like blank sheets of paper ready to be painted with any desired color.

Thinking of certain things, Shao Qing’s mood instantly soured. Much of her original respect for Director Hua vanished.

“Shao Qing, if you don’t like it, we can just leave early,” Sister Ke, who had also heard Jing Ke’s words, gently patted Shao Qing’s shoulder.

“Those people know their limits too. It’s mainly consensual transactions; they don’t use forceful methods,” Sister Ke comforted her. “Our ability is limited; we can only restrain ourselves from being drawn in.”

It was clear that Sister Ke knew exactly what kind of events occurred at this private banquet. This was also one of the reasons she had chosen to accompany Shao Qing and hadn’t prevented her from bringing Jing Ke along.

Shao Qing slowly exhaled, a hint of helplessness in her eyes. “I know. I’m just a little surprised. They’re so young, they still have time to try and make mistakes. There’s no need to go down the wrong path right from the start…”

Shao Qing didn’t finish her sentence. The entertainment industry certainly wasn’t a good place, but she hadn’t really seen someone so young stray into the wrong path like this.

–

After waiting in the reception hall for over ten minutes, the butler came to inform them the banquet hall was ready and they could now be seated.

There were no strict seating arrangements at the private banquet, and certainly no seat cards with names.

So, when choosing a seat, one had to be especially careful and clearly recognize their own standing in the industry. ‘Accidentally’ sitting in the wrong place could also come at a painful price.

Jing Ke followed half a step behind Shao Qing, and upon entering the banquet hall, quickly scanned the room.

“I don’t see Xu Yin, nor Mr. Yuan,” Jing Ke whispered. “Director Hua isn’t here either.”

“Hmm, they might appear a bit later. Let’s just keep our distance from them,” Shao Qing slowed her pace and, when Jing Ke reached her side, proactively reached out and linked arms with her.

“We’ll sit together later. Sister Ke needs to greet some other people,” Shao Qing said.

Jing Ke nodded and followed Shao Qing to choose a relatively central, less conspicuous seat.

The banquet started at 4 PM, but the main guest, Director Hua, only appeared with his friends just before 5.

Even so, the guests who had waited nearly an hour had no complaints. After Director Hua appeared, everyone wanted to go over and greet him, striving to leave a good impression.

Shao Qing and Jing Ke were naturally not among them. They simply poured some juice into their glasses and watched from afar as Director Hua was surrounded.

“Jing Ke, did Xu Yin also come? I think I saw him,” after observing for a while, Shao Qing noticed a figure following behind Director Hua, her eyes dark and unreadable.

“It’s him.” Jing Ke looked in the same direction and saw Sister Ke amidst the crowd. “Shao Qing, Sister Ke seems to be waving at us. Should we go over?”

“Hmm, let’s go take a look,” Shao Qing gently exhaled.

After Jing Ke stood up, Shao Qing again linked her arm with hers. The two walked side-by-side towards where Sister Ke was.

Sister Ke was a veteran agent at Zongheng Entertainment and had wide connections in the industry. Many people, seeing her, voluntarily made way, allowing Shao Qing to smoothly pass through the crowd and meet Director Hua.

“Little Shao, have you considered my offer for you to play the miniseries female lead? If there’s no problem, you can join the crew in a few days,” Director Hua said with a smile.

Director Hua’s tone sounded very amiable. He looked at Shao Qing with an appreciation one might show a junior.

“Thank you very much for your generous regard, Director Hua, but I already have other arrangements for the period before the New Year. I’m afraid I’ll have to miss this good opportunity,” Shao Qing said, full of regret. “I’m truly sorry to disappoint your intention to cultivate me.”

“Director Hua, it’s truly unfortunate timing. After finishing her variety show, Shao Qing already signed a crew contract with Director Li and can only regretfully miss this chance,” Sister Ke chimed in, taking the responsibility onto herself.

“This was also my oversight. When Director Hua contacted me, I didn’t react immediately. It was my mistake. Allow me to punish myself with a drink first.” As Sister Ke spoke, she proactively picked up a glass of red wine and downed it in one gulp in front of Director Hua.

Objectively, Sister Ke was very competent as an agent; she never hesitated to support her artist.

As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling face. Although Director Hua was somewhat surprised that Shao Qing would push away such a good opportunity, seeing how much importance the two placed on his invitation, he wasn’t truly angry.