The meal concluded with Yue Chengfeng and Yu Zixuan showering Xia Qingtian with affection, making for a pleasant evening filled with laughter.
At a nearby table, Yu Linwan deliberately tried to elevate Mo Jianing, while Mo Jianing aimed to belittle Yu Yinyin. Several traps were set, but Wen Ning skillfully deflected each one.
Zhao Dao found the boisterous, ostentatious, and frivolous demeanor rather embarrassing.
In contrast, Yu Yinyin understood the wisdom of speaking less to avoid mistakes. Coupled with her naturally introverted personality, she only spoke when prompted by others. Throughout the evening, she remained quiet and well-behaved, earning significant points with Director Zhao.
After dinner, Director Zhao specifically approached Xia Qingtian to say, "So, shall we go over the melody and lyrics tomorrow? Oh, and the composer of this piece is an old friend of yours."
"Old friend? Who?" Xia Qingtian was surprised. "Is it Teacher Song, who guided me in vocals before?"
"You'll know when the time comes," Director Zhao chuckled, keeping her in suspense.
Wen Ning simply waved goodbye to Xia Qingtian and went to see Director Zhao out. Yu Yinyin was still a newcomer and needed Director Zhao's support. Her private relationship with Director Zhao was also good, so a chat might lead to suitable roles and opportunities.
Seeing Wen Ning and Director Zhao depart, Yu Yinyin scurried over to Xia Qingtian and whispered, "I'm so nervous... I hope I don't say anything wrong..."
"What are you afraid of? Director Zhao isn't someone who cares about face and is petty with newcomers. As long as you sing well and are diligent, he won't mind minor flaws," Xia Qingtian said, having worked with Director Zhao before and knowing him well. "As for the song and role, don't be anxious. With Sister Ning here, she'll do her best to help you secure it."
"Qingtian... you're all so good to me..." Yu Yinyin's voice wavered, and her eyes began to sting.
She felt unworthy, with so many excellent people willing to lend her a hand, push her forward, and give her opportunities.
"Just consider it exclusive benefits from your number one fan~" Xia Qingtian winked playfully while holding Yu Yinyin's hand, causing Yu Yinyin to blush with embarrassment.
"Xia Qingtian, you're truly generous," Yu Linwan's voice was cold and resentful, her gaze sharp, as if she had seen through all of Xia Qingtian's schemes and secrets. She sneered and said, "I admit, you are calculating and strong, but... that's all you are."
"I don't feel happy at all to be acknowledged by you," Xia Qingtian tapped her fingertip on the table. "However, out of politeness, I must thank you."
Yu Linwan glared at Xia Qingtian, then coldly turned her attention to Yu Zixuan, "Someone who is getting married next month, you're quite idle now. I wonder if this marriage will even happen."
To speak to someone about to be married in such a way was a sufficiently vicious curse.
Yue Chengfeng and Yu Zixuan's expressions immediately changed, but Xia Qingtian let out a laugh. "Yu Linwan, you can't possibly expect everyone else to be as miserable as you are just because your fiancé changed faster than turning a page, and your marriage is unhappy. You call my aunt idle; I think you're the one who's truly idle."
"Xia Qingtian! You!" Yu Linwan's face contorted upon hearing Xia Qingtian mock her marriage. Just as she was about to retort, Mo Jianing spoke up.
"Xia Qingtian, leave some room for courtesy. Don't think you can be high and mighty forever!" Yu Linwan is her current strongest backing, Mo Jianing thought. If she didn't show her loyalty now, how could she?
"If I fall to the bottom in the future, it will prove that I once stood high, unlike some people who have never been in a high place in their lives," Xia Qingtian retorted, making Mo Jianing's face turn ashen with anger.
"Xia Qingtian, you'd better realize who you're talking to," Yu Linwan glared at Xia Qingtian. "Offending me will bring no good to you or Gu Yaoyang."
Did she think others were fools because she wasn't getting angry?
She held Gu Yaoyang's secret. Wasn't she afraid of her exposing it and making Gu Yaoyang completely kicked out of the Gu family?
Did she not consider herself, nor care about Gu Yaoyang?
In that case, it seemed Xia Qingtian didn't love Gu Yaoyang that much.
"You're threatening me with this again? Go ahead and say it," Xia Qingtian smiled. "Let the Gu family know they have such a disloyal eavesdropper. See if the position of matriarch of the Gu family is still yours."
"You!" Yu Linwan dared only to provoke Xia Qingtian subtly, but how could Xia Qingtian dare to speak so clearly in public?!
"What about me?" Xia Qingtian scoffed. "Yu Linwan, do you want me to buy you a trending topic? I can afford a few million. If you grit your teeth, I can even sponsor a year-long trending topic for you.
Don't say I didn't warn you. If you dare to provoke and mess with me again, and if I don't mess up your scheme with Gu Yaoqing, I'll change my surname to yours!"
Yu Linwan trembled with rage. She had never seen such an aggressive and petty person as Xia Qingtian!
"Even without the Gu family, Gu Yaoyang is still Mr. Gu of Gu Entertainment, holding half the entertainment industry in his hands. Talented people are never afraid to start from scratch and never crave external forces," Xia Qingtian looked directly into Yu Linwan's eyes. "But if you lose the Gu family, what are you, yourself?"
A chill ran down Yu Linwan's spine. She glared at Xia Qingtian, realizing for the first time how malicious this woman could be.
Xia Qingtian chuckled with feigned innocence, her voice as gentle as water, but her words made Yu Linwan and Mo Jianing feel cold from head to toe. "If you still want to live like a person, don't provoke me."
"Xia Qingtian..." Yu Linwan gritted her teeth but knew she couldn't do anything to her at this moment.
Xia Qingtian had her own strength, and now she had Yu Yinyin's support, giving her the confidence to challenge her.
But what if Yu Yinyin was completely ruined and abandoned by the Young Master?
What else would Xia Qingtian have to be arrogant about?
With this thought, Yu Linwan shifted her gaze from Xia Qingtian's face to Yu Yinyin.
As Yu Yinyin met Yu Linwan's gaze, she trembled.
For some reason, she was truly afraid of Yu Linwan.
Xia Qingtian raised her hand and snapped her fingers twice in front of Yu Linwan. "If you have something to say, say it to me. Threatening a poor, defenseless little girl like that, what kind of skill is that."
Hearing Xia Qingtian's protection, Yu Yinyin was filled with emotion.
Yu Linwan's lips twitched. She found Xia Qingtian to be incredibly two-faced.
A poor, defenseless little girl?
That was someone personally chosen by the Young Master. Did Xia Qingtian really need to put on this act?
"Hmph." With a cold snort, Yu Linwan turned and left.
Mo Jianing shot Yu Yinyin a look of intense jealousy before quickly following Yu Linwan.
Yu Yinyin, this slut who always opposed her!
Just wait and see, she would make Yu Yinyin disappear from this circle sooner or later!