"You've got a point there! What's wrong with being on a variety show? Don't make it sound like he descended from the heavens! Hmph, our Yi Shen even came on one, so what? Did it stop him from winning awards or hinder his screen time?"
Xia Wei Liang had made her comeback through variety shows. Although many still called her a "variety show queen," which was somewhat derogatory for an actress with aspirations, Xia Wei Liang never forgot where she came from. Without variety shows, there would be no "Niang Niang" today!
Even the character invitations she received now, and the opportunity to star in Director Song's film, were all thanks to the exposure from variety shows.
"Alright, I'm not looking down on people who do variety shows!" Chu Qiao was just being playful, not truly arrogant. "I just mean, take it easy. Brother En is a top-tier figure among the middle-aged generation in the acting world, and Yi Shen is an unshakeable presence in the film industry. If these two clash, it'll be like gods fighting, and mere mortals will suffer!"
As for who the mere mortals were?
It was undeniably them!
"They can fight their own battles. I, as a 'leg' actor, won't worry about them. If I have time, I should focus on how to make my career take off!"
As the saying goes, she couldn't control how others perceived her, whether good or bad. So, she might as well just relax.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'm a little envious of your carefree attitude. Do I also need a boyfriend who's a film emperor?"
Xia Wei Liang narrowed her eyes and looked at her, then suddenly asked, "What about your little assistant? Haven't seen her in a while."
"Busy."
"Busier than you?"
"Too much going on at home, so she took a long leave."
Xia Wei Liang slowly nodded and smiled. "On the matter of using our brains, you've surprisingly reached my level."
Both were pragmatists who preferred action over thought.
Chu Qiao disagreed entirely. "Do you have a misunderstanding of the word 'level'?"
As they chatted, they entered the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close, someone entered, and Xia Wei Liang pressed the open door button.
"Thank you."
Hearing the voice, she looked up and then said in disbelief, "Xin Hong?!"
Chu Qiao also looked over. It was a tall, slender young man, quite handsome with good taste in clothes, a natural clothes hanger. If she hadn't been so impressed by the name "Xin Hong," she might have mistaken him for a new artist signed by the company.
Xin Hong gave a slight twitch of his lips, which served as a smile. Upon entering, he first nodded slightly to Chu Qiao and introduced himself, "Xin Hong."
The next second, his gaze fell on Xia Wei Liang, his expression clearly pleased. Xia Wei Liang was also quite surprised.
After the program filming ended, everyone went back to their busy schedules. It felt quite novel to run into Xin Hong outside of Baqi Village.
In that regard, Xin Hong was indeed stylish, a man with a unique personal charm.
If he were to enter the industry, even if he didn't become explosively famous, it would only be a matter of time before he became a major star.
Similarly, Xin Hong was also seeing Xia Wei Liang for the first time since they parted ways.
Compared to their meeting in Baqi Village, Xia Wei Liang now looked much more refined and refreshed. And seeing her here again, her identity as a movie star was even more pronounced.
He slowly shifted his gaze back and said, "I'm here to discuss some business."
Chu Qiao immediately chimed in, "It's about the endorsement for Baqi Village, right?"
Xia Wei Liang looked at her suspiciously. "How do you know that? The next episode hasn't aired yet, has it?"
"Heh, if it's news related to you, there's nothing I don't know!" Chu Qiao said with pride.
"Are you secretly in love with me?" Xia Wei Liang, accustomed to teasing her, blurted it out. "You know so much about my affairs; if it's not a secret crush, what else could it be?"
Xin Hong glanced towards her upon hearing this.
"Yes, yes, yes, of course I'm secretly in love with you!" Chu Qiao playfully responded, uninhibited in front of Xin Hong since the program was filmed in Baqi Village. "Xiao Yi is my number one love rival, and Xi En is the second!"
Xin Hong's eyes showed a slight change upon hearing this.
Xia Wei Liang then asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"A director surnamed Du."
"Ah, Little Du!"
Xia Wei Liang was also on her way to see him, so she took Xin Hong along. Su Dan Novel Network.
Chu Qiao was a seasoned bystander and, being from the same company, she brazenly went along to join the fun.
"Mr. Xin, welcome, welcome."
Director Du was becoming more and more like his role in front of outsiders, humble and proper. In Xia Wei Liang's words, he was an all-around charming little sprite~
They chatted for a while. Before Xin Hong arrived, they had already communicated several times over the phone, so they got straight to the point. "...Miss Xia's image and temperament are a perfect match for our Baqi Village. If I want Baqi Village to be passed down as a spiritual symbol and cultural heritage, I need Miss Xia's help."
He spoke so sincerely that Xia Wei Liang felt obliged to help.
Just as she was about to speak, someone tugged her arm.
Chu Qiao, having procured some sunflower seeds and various nuts from somewhere, shoved a handful into her hand. "Let Little Du handle the negotiations; don't get involved."
Xia Wei Liang knew Chu Qiao meant well, and she also remembered Xiao Yi had instructed her not to worry about this matter, as he would handle it.
But Xin Hong had still come, so perhaps he hadn't handled it properly?
One of Xia Wei Liang's strengths was that she was very amenable to advice and wouldn't even participate in anything that could lead to trouble!
She silently started cracking seeds. While they were negotiating, she and Chu Qiao sat nearby, cracking nuts with a cheerful crunch.
This snacking annoyed Little Du, who turned to look at her. Xin Hong also looked over.