Free Web NovelChapter 1358: Chapter 1353: Unspoken Rules
On the stool in front of the background wall.
Zhang Lianyi sat upright, nervously watching the entrance of the photography team, seemingly waiting for someone’s return.
A middle-aged woman dressed in a red sweater and heavy makeup walked over, pulled up a stool, and sat next to Zhang Lianyi: "Ripples, why aren’t you eating? Do you dislike the boxed lunch here?"
"Without you." Zhang Lianyi showed a formulaic smile, "I just don’t feel like eating yet."
"Don’t want to eat, more like you find the boxed lunch unappetizing!" Hong Gu pretended to be generous as she smiled and handed over a lunch box from her hand: "Here, this is a special meal from Director Hong. He asked me to bring it for you. See, how much Director Hong cares for you."
The regular meals are taken from the cafeteria, uniformly two meat dishes and one vegetable dish, with mediocre taste and small portions.
The special meals are different, they are procured for directors and other management personnel, custom-made by private chefs from top hotels, naturally of a higher taste and quantity.
Zhang Lianyi glanced at the food packed with meat and fish in the box and politely shook her head: "Thank you, Hong Gu, but I really don’t feel like eating. Also, please thank Director Hong for his kindness on my behalf!"
"Hehe, is the little girl feeling shy? Never mind, there’s no need to be embarrassed. I’ll leave this meal here with you, eat it whenever you feel like it."
Hong Gu said this, placing the lunch box aside. After her eyes darted around a few times, she leaned closer to Zhang Lianyi and said in a low voice: "By the way, how do you feel about this play?"
"I’m very happy." Zhang Lianyi said earnestly, "All the actors are industry leaders, Director Hong is a well-known domestic director, and you, Hong Gu, along with the rest of the logistics team, are amazing. This is a wonderful experience!"
One could tell, after mingling in the entertainment industry, Zhang Lianyi’s ability to articulate had improved significantly.
"Hehe, the little girl really knows how to talk, no wonder Director Hong fancies you!"
Hong Gu looked up and down at Zhang Lianyi’s figure with a mischievous gaze, thinking to herself: "Having a baby face is one thing, but her body is so slender, with curves where there should be and none where there shouldn’t be, tsk tsk."
"Hong Gu?" Zhang Lianyi didn’t understand the meaning, frowning.
Hong Gu posed a "you know" look, exaggeratedly saying, "Oh dear, little sister Zhang, don’t you understand yet?"
"I don’t understand." Zhang Lianyi shook her head, realizing that the conversation had taken an odd turn.
"Hehe, still pretending." Hong Gu looked disbelief, "Director Hong arranged so many scenes for you, specifically altered the script to promote you, don’t you yet understand what he means?"
Seeing Zhang Lianyi unmoved, Hong Gu could only say, "You really are naïve. Let me be frank with you, spend more time with Director Hong in the evenings. He promises that you’ll have endless resources in the future, and before long, you’ll become a top star!"
The pie Hong Gu drew was ignored by Zhang Lianyi, and upon understanding Hong Gu’s implication, she felt a deep sense of disgust.
Indeed, she’s young and unaware of many social manners.
But, she’s understood this straightforward "unspoken rule."
Thinking back, no wonder Director Hong occasionally showed concern for her and looked at her with strange eyes.
Turns out, it was all premeditated.
"Hong Gu, please thank Director Hong for his kindness on my behalf, but I currently have no interest in dating."
Despite her deep aversion, Zhang Lianyi still maintained politeness.
"Who said anything about dating? Director Hong has a family!"
Seeing Zhang Lianyi refusing, Hong Gu got a bit anxious: "Are you foolish? Just have a bit of fun with Director Hong. Rest assured, as long as you satisfy him, the benefits will be ample in the future!"
"No!" At this point, Hong Gu still didn’t understand the situation, and Zhang Lianyi could no longer pretend, directly refusing.
"Zhang Lianyi!" Hong Gu was somewhat angry, "I kindly brought you food and told you this, and this is how you repay me?"
"I’m sorry." Zhang Lianyi was startled by Hong Gu’s loud voice.
After all, inside, she was still just a fragile young girl.
"Don’t say sorry to me! If you’re sorry, you should properly follow Director Hong!"
Hong Gu seized the opportunity, intentionally adopting a harsh appearance. In their days together, she knew Zhang Lianyi wouldn’t give in to soft talk, so she deliberately acted fierce.
"No!"
If it were other matters, Zhang Lianyi might have been intimidated, but when it came to her body, she was resolute not to sell herself to become an actress.
"Hehe! Silly girl, do you not want to work anymore? Do you know, for this role, there are usually 30,000 applicants?"
Hong Gu said with a face full of anger, "And you, among those 30,000, what makes you stand out? If not for Director Hong’s interest, do you think you could be a supporting character?"
Zhang Lianyi bit her lip and remained silent.
Hong Gu continued, "Zhang Lianyi, don’t be ungrateful. If you refuse Director Hong, you won’t even need to shoot any more scenes, and I guarantee you won’t have a good end!"
Upon saying this, she widened her eyes, eagerly saying, "So what will it be now, will you agree or refuse?"
"I..." Zhang Lianyi hesitated for a moment, then her expression turned firm, "Sorry, I still can’t do it."
"Alright! You really have limited vision for a woman like you!"
Hong Gu angrily stood up, just about to utter a harsh remark, when not far away, a pot-bellied middle-aged man walked over.
"Hong Gu, Ripples, what are you talking about?"
"Director Hong is here!" Hong Gu immediately put on an ingratiating smile, winking.
"Hello, Director Hong." Zhang Lianyi greeted with her head down.
"Hehe. Hello to both of you, what are you discussing?" Director Hong revealed a kindly smile, looking like a kindly old grandpa.
However, the lewd way he looked at Zhang Lianyi was clearly seen by Hong Gu, who intentionally sighed, "Director Hong, this Little Sister Zhang doesn’t understand your painstaking cultivation. No matter how I persuade her, she still refuses."
Hearing this, Director Hong still smiled, but the smile already carried traces of anger.
He chuckled, "Ripples, are you really not considering it? You need to know, I’m a small-minded person, and for things I can’t obtain, my only option is to destroy them!"
Hearing this, Zhang Lianyi turned pale. How could she not understand the hidden implication?
Refusing would end both this scene and her future in the entertainment industry.
Agreeing meant spending a night with Director Hong, after which success would come easily.
At the crossroads of fate, she was not confused, only tormented.
Although she wanted to become a big star to improve her family’s situation, thinking of a certain image in her mind, she slowly became resolute.
"Mr. Qin Hao, I suppose you wouldn’t want to see me fall either? I will always follow in your footsteps, striving hard! Honestly and diligently!"
