Jiang Li's stiffness lasted only a second, but she smoothly put on a smile again and walked over gracefully. "Sorry, there was a traffic jam on the way."
She switched so quickly that she hardly showed any flaw.
She hadn't removed her makeup, and she even didn't have time to change her clothes. She was still wearing the dark purple cheongsam she had worn in the play just now. Every gesture of hers exuded the charm of a classical woman.
The cheongsam was form - fitting. The fabric hugged her body, making her waist look slimmer and her hips more rounded.
Everyone's eyes showed admiration. Xiao Yanzhi, however, lowered his eyes. He wiped his hands a bit more forcefully and quietly put the handkerchief aside.
When Jiang Li sat down gracefully beside him, he leaned over, picked up his suit jacket from the chair, and slowly handed it to her. "The air - conditioning in the room is quite strong. You can put this on."
Jiang Li wouldn't let Xiao Yanzhi down in such an occasion. It would be considered impolite.
So she reached out to take it and whispered, "Thank you."
The interaction between them was just right. They weren't estranged, but they certainly couldn't be called intimate.
Actually, their voices weren't very loud, but since everyone was paying attention, they all saw the action of him handing her the jacket.
For a moment, everyone's eyes were full of ambiguity.
The news that the movie had been rejected for screening was announced internally immediately. So everyone had learned the bad news that the movie was "stillborn". But now it was suddenly approved for screening again. While everyone was delighted, they couldn't help but be curious about the reason.
After seeing this scene today, everyone seemed to understand.
It was probably that someone had "selflessly" sold herself to get the capital involved and secure the screening of the movie.
Although no one said anything, the looks of disdain and disgust still couldn't be restrained. They were cast on Jiang Li from time to time.
Some actresses sitting far away even started whispering to each other. "No wonder she always came to visit the set during filming. Now she doesn't even bother to pretend."
"She must have some tricks up her sleeve. Otherwise, how could she hold on to such a big shot?"
"Tsk tsk, I can't learn such tricks."
"That's because you don't have her tolerance."
"Tolerance? I don't dare say that. Which kind of tolerance are you talking about?"
"..."
Everyone understood each other. They were saying something seemingly unimportant, but the implications were clear.
Xiao Yanzhi also heard some of these words. He frowned unhappily.
Ying Chengqi's face didn't look good, but as a director, he couldn't stop others from gossiping. He could only cough a few times, pick up his glass, and say, "Alright, everyone is here. Let's have a toast."
The gossiping gradually stopped. Everyone picked up their glasses. While shouting "Cheers", they all avoided clinking glasses with Jiang Li, as if they were avoiding a terrible plague.
Xiao Yanzhi's eyebrows were almost knitted together. He turned to look at Jiang Li beside him.
She, however, raised her lips generously. She shouted "Cheers" brightly and indifferently with everyone, and then drank it up nonchalantly.
She seemed so calm that she didn't seem to notice everyone's strange behavior.
It was only when everyone started to eat that Jiang Li secretly let out a sigh of relief. She hardly ate anything except a plate of salad in front of her.
Of course, she didn't miss the look from Lu Zhanji.
After dinner, Ying Chengqi talked about the subsequent movie promotion arrangements. He thanked Xiao Yanzhi for his great help. Everyone had another toast and then dispersed.
When everyone was about to get up, Lu Zhanji, who had been quiet all along, suddenly said, "Jiang Li, can we have a private talk?"
As soon as he said this, the other standing actors were stunned. Even those who had already walked out of the room couldn't resist their curiosity and wanted to come back to watch the show.
Jiang Li didn't move. Afraid of angering Xiao Yanzhi, Ying Chengqi quickly said, "The others can leave. Zhanji, stay. I'll talk to you two, the leading actors, about other things."
One had to give the director some face. So the others didn't feel it appropriate to stay any longer. They could only suppress their curiosity and leave.
So there were only Xiao Yanzhi, Jiang Li, Ying Chengqi, and Lu Zhanji left in the room.
"Mr. Xiao, could you please excuse us?"
At this time, Xiao Yanzhi slowly raised his eyes. He glanced at Jiang Li first and then said calmly, "I'll go to the restroom."
He didn't stay, but he didn't say he was leaving either. He just left temporarily.
As soon as Xiao Yanzhi went out, Lu Zhanji took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. "Jiang Li, I've said before that you shouldn't be such a person."
Looking at Lu Zhanji trying to hold back his anger, Jiang Li found it ridiculous. "What kind of person does Brother Lu think I should be?"
"If it's for a movie, you don't have to do this!" Lu Zhanji clenched his fists. He was very heart - broken. "Even if you don't do this, no one will blame you. Why do you have to..."
"Why do I have to what?" Jiang Li smiled. "Brother Lu, please make your words clear. I don't understand riddles."
Seeing her pretending to be innocent, Lu Zhanji angrily pointed at the handmade suit hanging on the chair. "What else do I need to say? Jiang Li, if you have to be so humble, I really misjudged you."
His indignant look made Jiang Li want to laugh.
People only believe what they want to believe, and they only bully those within their acceptable range.
If he really minded something, why didn't he talk to Xiao Yanzhi?
It was always the woman's fault for not being chaste, and no one blamed the man.
"How am I humble?" Jiang Li calmed down and said casually. "Do you think I slept with Xiao Yanzhi, so the movie can be screened smoothly?"
Lu Zhanji was stunned. After a while, he said stiffly, "Zhou Ruoying wouldn't do this. Zhou Ruoying wouldn't betray me."
"Brother Lu, I said last time that you've gotten too involved in the role." Jiang Li folded her arms. She felt cold because she was wearing so little today. "Zhou Ruoying wouldn't betray Zong Chi. She'd rather be shot than be humiliated because she loves Zong Chi."
"But the movie is over. I'm Jiang Li, Brother Lu." She didn't want to explain any more. "I don't belong to you, and what I do has nothing to do with you."
She felt that the more she talked, the more boring it became. This circle was completely rotten.
When would women no longer be the belongings of men and be completely their own, living without being criticized and judged?
Her mood had reached rock - bottom today, and her energy was at its limit.
Jiang Li didn't even intend to wait for Xiao Yanzhi to come back. She got up and walked towards the door.
Ying Chengqi finally managed to say, "Zhanji, the reason why Mr. Xiao helped this time is that I went to talk to him. We discussed the solution together. It has nothing to do with Jiang Li. How could you..."
Lu Zhanji, who just learned the truth, was extremely shocked. "What? Why didn't you say so earlier?"
He panicked and turned to chase Jiang Li, but he bumped into Xiao Yanzhi head - on. The latter's face was extremely cold, looking at him indifferently.