Chapter 42

Zhong Ruanxing said that Hangzhou's sun was even more scorching than the capital city's. As soon as they got off the plane, a wave of heat rushed up. Ran Ting had already arranged the pick-up car, and the three of them smoothly made their way out of the airport. Kou An'an was blocked by the fans who came to pick her up and the onlooking passersby. It was so crowded at the exit that it was impassable. Airport security was also dispatched to maintain order.

At this time, Kou An'an was no longer as aloof as she was on the plane. She took off her sunglasses and greeted the fans with a smile.

Ran Ting kept looking back. Seeing such a big scene, she was really envious.

The hotel arranged for them was near the film and television city. The crew arranged a standard suite for Zhong Ruanxing. It was not luxurious but still quite spacious.

Most of the crew members of the crew stayed here. While Song JinXing was unpacking, Ran Ting went out and inquired around, then came back and told him, "Kou An'an and Teacher Yu Lin are both staying in the luxury business suites on the top floor. The other main actors in the crew and you are all staying on this floor."

Kou An'an and Yu Lin were the male and female protagonists of “Spy”. Yu Lin was in his forties and considered a veteran actor, but after so many years, he was always a little short of luck and just missed the Best Actor award every time, though he had many nominations.

"I heard online that Teacher Yu plans to win an award next year with this movie! Even Teacher Yu looks favorably upon this drama. Ruanxing, maybe you can win Best Supporting Actress too!"

Song JinXing had read the script before and discussed the character Shi Yufeng that he was going to play with Zhong Ruanxing.

At that time, after Zhong Ruanxing finished reading, she was excited for a while, "A tragic foil character, this role has great tension and will be outstanding to play. And it's Director Zeng's movie, maybe it can win awards next year!"

Song JinXing did not have much feeling about winning awards or not. To him, acting was just like managing the company, it was just work he needed to do well for the time being.

All he needed to do was to perfectly complete this job, nothing else mattered.

When the actors arrived one after another, Director Zeng notified everyone to go to the script discussion meeting.

They had met online twice before joining the crew, and of course they had to meet face-to-face again before shooting started. They borrowed the conference room of the hotel. This was the first time the actors of the crew formally met. Kou An'an, who had been very aloof at the airport earlier, was very friendly at this time and greeted everyone.

Kou An'an was the actor with the most fame and status in the entire crew. Her acting skills matched her fame. She was definitely a hot artist at present. But in the face of Yu Lin, who was older than her in seniority, she still kept a very low profile, which made the little actors present like her.

On the contrary, the heroine number two who did not have much fame, sat there coldly without saying anything except greeting them. She looked a little scary.

Although Song JinXing didn't speak, he was fully mannered. The temperament nurtured by a noble family made him very courteous despite speaking little. On the contrary, this unique aura made others glance at him frequently. After all, no one had worked with Zhong Ruanxing before, and they didn't know her personality. They thought she was just naturally aloof and arrogant.

There were also those who had heard the rumors about Zhong Ruanxing and sized her up silently, feeling that she didn't seem like the kind of person who would sleep around for roles.

The script discussion meeting lasted an afternoon. At the dinner party that evening, in addition to the two main actors, several other important supporting roles also had to attend. Before the meeting adjourned, the producer happily reminded them, "The investor will also participate in the dinner party, so everyone should go back and tidy up properly."

After having the meeting all afternoon, they were all quite tired and of course could not attend the dinner looking haggard.

Song JinXing also took a shower when he returned to the room. Ran Ting tried her best to pick out a figure-hugging skirt for her artist, but it was denied in one glance, "No skirts."

Except for the day they switched identities and shot commercials, Song JinXing had never worn a skirt again. That was simply his nightmare.

Seeing him change into casual clothes, Ran Ting was quite regretful. Then she started talking about another topic, "When I was chatting with the crew members this afternoon, I heard that there will be a new investor coming tonight to invest more funds. With sufficient funds, the movie will definitely be better!"

Ran Ting was happy when she said this. She felt that her artist was truly turning for the better.

Song JinXing listened but did not take it to heart until a familiar figure walked in just before the dinner party began, and he remembered Ran Ting's words.

The new investor?

It turned out to be Song Lecheng.

The last time they had a conflict at the mall, Song Lecheng was detained for a day before being released. Zhong Ruanxing had warned him to be wary of Song Lecheng's tricks.

After waiting for so long without any action, so Song Lecheng was waiting for him here?

As soon as Fang Yi led him in, Song Lecheng's unkind gaze accurately fell on the most dazzling face in the private room.

He thought that when his own appearance here, that face would show panic, fear, anger. He would be very happy just to see a trace of Zhong Ruanxing's unease.

Unfortunately, this was destined to disappoint him.

That face showed no expression at all, beautiful and dazzling, but also beautiful and cold. She just glanced at him lightly, with eyes no different from looking at an irrelevant passerby, and then looked away.

With just a gaze, Song Lecheng lost the first round.

He was so angry that his previously surging pride was shattered by just one of her glances.

Others present found it strange. This new investor brought in by President Wang seemed very proud when he entered, how did his face change so ugly in the blink of an eye? They hadn't even spoken yet, surely he hadn't been offended already? The producer introduced enthusiastically at the side, "This is Young Master Song from Huaguang Media."

Huaguang Media, surnamed Song. With this introduction, who didn't know his identity, it was that young master of the Song family!

Everyone was a little surprised. Although their crew was not small, it was not top-tier either. Although Zeng Mingsong had fame, he was not a first-class director, and his films were always critically acclaimed but not commercially successful, and were not favored by the mainstream film and television industry.

Although Huaguang Media was just a small entertainment company created by Song Lecheng, it carried the Song family name after all. In recent years, it has been smooth sailing with all its businesses in the industry, and has close relationships with major cinema chains. It was currently growing in strength. How could it suddenly come to invest in their crew?

But if the Song family really invested more, the prospects for the crew would definitely be bright. Huaguang Media could influence theater scheduling!

Zeng Mingsong planned to release this movie in the May 1st golden week next year. The May 1st golden week was when various movies competed for theater screening rates. With the support of Huaguang Media, the box office of “Spy” would definitely go further!

Thinking of this, everyone became a little excited, and their eyes towards Song Lecheng were full of eagerness.

That's right, this was the reaction he wanted to see.

Song Lecheng's face relaxed a little, but only a little. He still looked cold, and under the guidance of the producer, he sat between Director Zeng Mingsong and Kou An'an.

Facing this big shot, Kou An'an naturally did not dare to be negligent. She had heard some unsavory rumors about this young master, and was averse to him. But how could a small individual resist capital? Even as popular as she was now, she could be brought down with just a word from others.

No matter how much she disliked him in her heart, she still treated him with a smile on her face, "Young Master Song, nice to meet you. Please give me your guidance in the future."

After saying this, Young Master Song ignored her.

Kou An'an was nervous, sized him up secretly, and found that the young master's gaze went straight to another direction.

Kou An'an was startled. That gaze could not be described as friendly at all, but was full of malicious provocation.

She followed his line of sight and looked over to see...

Zhong Ruanxing.

She was suddenly relieved in her heart. It seemed he had not come for her.

The next second she also sympathized with Zhong Ruanxing. It was obvious that the young master's target tonight was her.

No matter what his purpose was, Zhong Ruanxing would surely not end up well. Everyone present was worldly-wise, and had noticed Song Lecheng's intentions.

The young master had come to make trouble for the second female lead.

Director Zeng took a sip of tea and frowned.