When she was working, time seemed to be suddenly fast - forwarded, passing by in a flash.
Meng Nianchu rubbed her sore neck and took out Mu Junze's phone number. Just as she was about to call him to pick her up from the crew, someone suddenly called out to her.
Ying Youan, who had been discussing work with a business partner in the lounge, stood in front of her and introduced the partner who came out with him. "This is Mr. Zhu Qi. The crew is going to organize a small gathering. Mr. Zhu saw your comments online and took quite a fancy to you. He came here specifically with me to tell you about it."
He glanced at the time. "It's still early. Come with us."
"I still have something to do. I'll definitely go next time if I have the chance." Meng Nianchu forced a smile and tried to decline.
Ying Youan continued to persuade her. "Mr. Zhu came here personally to tell you as a sign of respect. What could be so busy that you don't even have time for a meal? That's settled. We'll leave in ten minutes."
"See you later, Miss Meng."
Without giving Meng Nianchu a chance to explain, Ying Youan and Zhu Qi walked away, leaving her with their backs.
It would be beneficial for her future career if she could get in touch with more celebrities in the circle.
After some consideration, Meng Nianchu finally acquiesced. Afraid that Mu Junze would worry about her, she dialed Mu Junze's number, trying to inform him in advance.
"Sorry, the number you dialed is not answered. Please try again later..."
Maybe he was busy with work.
Meng Nianchu didn't dare to disturb him anymore. She sent him a text message explaining the situation. After doing this, she finally felt at ease.
In her past life, she had misunderstood Mu Junze's feelings for her, which had led to such an unbearable result. In this life, having been given a second chance, she must not let the tragedy repeat itself. A happy and harmonious married life needed to be well - maintained.
The so - called small gathering of the crew was actually just a private dinner for Meng Rong, Meng Nianchu, Ying Youan, and Zhu Qi.
Meng Rong was extremely self - satisfied and boasted, "The character I play in this drama is very difficult to handle, but I will do my best to meet the audience's expectations. Mr. Zhu, you have really good taste. With me in this drama, it will definitely become a huge hit online!"
"That's good, that's good." Zhu Qi obviously wasn't paying attention to Meng Rong. He casually perfunctorily replied and then turned his eager eyes to Meng Nianchu. "Nianchu, the wound on your face has healed a lot. I accidentally watched your live - stream today. You've sacrificed a lot for your acting. You've really worked hard."
"With you in this drama, I'm not worried about it not being popular."
Meng Nianchu casually downplayed her contribution. "It's what I should do."
"Hypocrite." Meng Rong sneered silently in her heart. Unwilling to be ignored, she tried to curry favor again. "It's really an honor to have dinner with a busy person like Mr. Zhu. This red wine tastes good. Mr. Zhu, have a try."
She enthusiastically filled Zhu Qi's glass.
Zhu Qi was thinking about Meng Nianchu. He said to her, "Drinking some red wine at night will help you sleep better. Nianchu, you've worked the hardest today. Have some too."
Saying that, he took the red wine from Meng Rong's hand and filled Meng Nianchu's glass himself.
"Thank you." Meng Nianchu picked up the wine glass and took a small sip symbolically. "It tastes good."
Zhu Qi clinked glasses with her. "Nianchu, you're getting prettier and prettier."
Hearing this, Meng Nianchu forced a smile and said nothing.
Meng Rong, who had been trying to curry favor but had received no attention, was so angry that her teeth itched. She saw Zhu Qi leering at Meng Nianchu. Suddenly, she seemed to figure something out. A sly smile curled up on her lips. "Mr. Zhu, you may not know that my younger sister has been extremely beautiful since she was a child. I was shocked when I saw her childhood photos at home."
"Really?" This time, Zhu Qi truly looked at her and his attitude towards Meng Rong became a bit warmer. "Was Nianchu even more beautiful when she was a child than she is now?"
"Of course! She had red lips, white teeth, and skin as smooth as coagulated fat. Even at a young age, her facial features were so delicate that she was clearly a beauty! My father once told me that Nianchu was liked by many boys since she was a child, and she even brought several of them home. Dad joked with me that my younger sister had quite an appetite."
At first glance, it seemed that Meng Rong really knew Meng Nianchu well and that the two sisters had an extremely good and close relationship.
However, Meng Nianchu's face instantly darkened after hearing this. She slowly lifted her eyelids and glanced at Meng Rong, who was beaming with excitement. She coldly interrupted, "I don't even know these things. How do you know?"
"Ah. It was so many years ago. It's normal that you don't remember." Meng Rong's smile froze for a moment. She blinked her big, innocent eyes and looked back at Meng Nianchu harmlessly. "My younger sister is so beautiful. Dad said that you used to be very popular at school. It's nothing surprising that you had a few more boyfriends. Everyone can understand that."
After saying that, she looked at Zhu Qi. "Mr. Zhu, am I right? A girl as beautiful and kind - hearted as my younger sister would make any man fall for her, right?"
"Well..."
"What's there to hesitate about? If Mr. Zhu had been in the same school as my younger sister back then, would you have fallen for such a beauty, Mr. Zhu? It's just a joke. You can answer casually. No one will take it seriously."
Meng Rong was getting more and more excited, coaxing him step by step.
Ying Youan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly interrupted inappropriately. "Sure, I definitely would."
"Haha." Since Ying Youan had taken the lead, Zhu Qi had no more scruples when answering. He generously spoke his mind. "If I had been born a few years later, I would have found a way to marry Nianchu. Even now, if I had the chance, I'd pursue her. Right, Nianchu?"
There was an underlying meaning in his words. Everyone present was not a naive child and could naturally understand it. Meng Rong was happily waiting to watch the show, while Ying Youan watched coldly with an inscrutable expression.
Meng Nianchu pretended not to understand his meaning and laughed it off. "Mr. Zhu likes to joke. With a fortune of billions, how could a nobody like me catch the eye of a great boss like you?"
"My sister is much more outstanding than me. She's a well - known actress. I think Mr. Zhu must have taken a fancy to my sister but was too shy to say it. That's why you're joking with me. You're overthinking, Mr. Zhu. My sister is very easy to please."
"Hehe."
At this point, the atmosphere became a bit delicate.
Meng Rong didn't want the conversation to end like this. She nudged Meng Nianchu's arm and ordered, "I just saw that Mr. Zhu has been reaching for the side dish in front of you. Add some for Mr. Zhu so that he doesn't have to struggle to get it."
This was exactly what Zhu Qi wanted. A smile immediately spread across his face as he looked at Meng Nianchu expectantly.
"Mr. Zhu, help yourself if you like it." Not daring to offend this man at this moment, Meng Nianchu endured her disgust and directly picked up the whole plate and put it in front of Zhu Qi. "This way, it'll be more convenient for you."
Seeing her action, Ying Youan couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. When he noticed that everyone was looking at him, he resumed his cold and aloof expression. "We've been talking for so long. Let's start eating."
"Right, right. Let's eat." Zhu Qi still had his ulterior motives. He picked up a piece of the side dish and put it on Meng Nianchu's plate. Whether intentionally or not, his chopsticks brushed against Meng Nianchu's hand when he withdrew them.