"Let's go, Director Wang and the others have already gone ahead."
The two walked out side-by-side.
Jiang Mian softly responded, then tilted her small face up. "Where did you book?"
She hadn't had a chance to check her phone yet.
"Fuyun Ju, a very distinctive restaurant."
Hearing him say that, Jiang Mian naturally assumed he had been there. "You seem very familiar with it."
Song Xingjia curved his lips into a smile. "Reasonably so."
He knew Jiang Mian had a little assistant with her. Not seeing her now, he couldn't help but ask, "Where's your little assistant?"
"I let her go back first."
It was a cast and crew gathering, and everyone was familiar with each other. There wasn't much for Li Zhuyi to do, so Jiang Mian sent her back, also to return the dress.
"I see."
As they were about to exit, Jiang Mian fumbled in her bag and pulled out two masks, handing one to him. Her eyes sparkled. "Here."
Song Xingjia took the mask from her hand. Jiang Mian chuckled, "This way, we shouldn't be recognized too easily."
"Let's go, my driver is waiting for us in the parking lot."
The two entered the parking lot.
Seeing Jiang Mian, Song Yan, with considerable tact, immediately opened the car door for her.
Jiang Mian thanked him and slipped into the back seat, taking out her phone. "I wonder if Director Wang and the others have arrived yet."
She hadn't realized it herself, but at some point, she had started to see Song Xingjia less as a senior figure to look up to.
In front of him, she felt increasingly natural and at ease.
A faint smile flickered in Song Xingjia's eyes, like a spring breeze. "What's wrong?"
Jiang Mian looked at him earnestly. "I have something I want to eat!"
She had only eaten an egg all morning and hadn't drunk any water, to avoid going to the restroom.
Self-discipline of a female celebrity.
She was naturally hungry now.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked.
"Sweet skin duck!" As a native of Jiangnan, Jiang Mian's palate naturally leaned towards sweet.
Sweet skin duck and Beijing roast duck were entirely different in flavor. Thinking about the sweet skin duck she had seen before sleeping last night, Jiang Mian was craving it.
Her gluttonous appearance had a touch of girlish charm, unknowingly cute.
Song Xingjia nodded slightly. "It will be there."
Hearing him say that, Jiang Mian looked like she had guessed correctly. "You've really been to this place before, you know it well."
"I did go many times when I lived in Kyoto. You should like it too."
Jiang Mian nodded vigorously. "Then I'll tell Director Wang to add a portion of sweet skin duck when they order!"
"It's alright, it's not too late to say when you get there."
The private room was lively, waiting for the two of them.
When Director Wang saw them enter, he stopped his loud chatter. "Why are you two so late?"
"Traffic jam. Have you ordered yet?" Jiang Mian gave a playful smile and found a seat.
"Just in time, we're ordering now."
Director Wang handed them the menu. "You two add some dishes."
"Is there sweet skin duck? Just add that for me," Jiang Mian said.
Director Wang flipped through the menu. "There doesn't seem to be. I looked for quite a while just now and didn't see it."
Song Xingjia spoke up. "It's alright, just tell them."
Director Wang nodded. "Okay, then you don't need to add anything else. I'll go send the menu."
"You don't need to do this, Director. I'll go," Jiang Mian took it from his hand.
Director Wang smiled. "It's Mianmian who is thoughtful."
Jiang Mian left the private room and found a waitress, handing her the menu.
Now without her mask, her small face was revealed, looking lovely and charming.
The waitress blushed. Seeing that she wasn't leaving, she asked, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Do you have sweet skin duck here?"
Remembering the earlier conversation, she nodded repeatedly. "Yes, we do."
"Then please add a portion of that to our room," Jiang Mian said, her eyes sparkling with joy. Song Xingjia was right, it was indeed there.
"Certainly, please wait a moment."
Jiang Mian returned to the private room. "Mission accomplished."
Director Wang was happily cracking sunflower seeds and looking at her with increasing satisfaction. "Mianmian, for my next new play, would you consider being the female lead?"
This was an overt invitation, showing no restraint in his high regard for Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian asked curiously, "What genre is it?"
Director Wang said with some pride, "A Republic of China drama."
Those people always said he favored sentimental themes. Now he wasn't doing that anymore.
He wanted to create a story of tragic love. Wasn't it said that Republic of China romances usually ended in sorrow?
Jiang Mian had never acted in a Republic of China drama before, and she was very interested. She nodded. "Approximately when? I can clear my schedule in advance."
"No rush, no rush, there's still some time. The script is still being polished. Don't netizens want to see you two collaborate again? For the male lead of the new drama, I've written it with Xingjia in mind. I just don't know if Xingjia will give me face?" His gaze shifted to Song Xingjia.
Song Xingjia smiled faintly. "Director Wang, I'd love to, but I'm genuinely busy. I've rejected all work invitations recently."
Director Wang, being familiar with him, immediately looked displeased when he heard this, stopping his sunflower seed cracking. "I'd like to ask what you're so busy with. It's not like you've really gone abroad for a secret marriage and to raise a child, as the gossip says, right?"
He was just saying it out of frustration. Song Xingjia's refusal had left him no room to maneuver, and of course, he knew Song Xingjia wasn't that kind of person.
Jiang Mian looked at him with concern.
Sensing her gaze, Song Xingjia smiled at her, his voice laced with helplessness. "I'm truly busy."
Director Wang was unhappy. "I'm not in a hurry. If you're busy now, does that mean you'll always be busy?"
"I can't guarantee it. I don't want to delay things," he said calmly.
Of course, he wanted to collaborate with Jiang Mian again. He was eager to use his popularity as a stepping stone for her to become even better.
The key was that the Song family couldn't do without him.
Director Wang waved his hand. "Fine, consider me as if I never brought it up today."
Director Wang didn't mention it again after saying so, and he didn't give Song Xingjia a pleasant look for the rest of the time.
Jiang Mian whispered, "Why is Director Wang acting like a child?"
Song Xingjia smiled, appearing nonchalant. "It's alright, he's always like this."
The dishes were served, and Director Wang's eyes lit up. "Good wine!"
Jiang Mian stood up and poured wine for him. "Actor Song specifically ordered this wine for you. He knows you like it."
Director Wang snorted faintly. "If he truly cared about me, he wouldn't have refused me."
The script he had written for Song Xingjia wouldn't be the same with anyone else.
"It's my fault, for failing to live up to your kind intentions."
Director Wang always responded better to gentle persuasion than to stubbornness. With Song Xingjia's words, his expression shifted from sullen to somewhat pleased.
After taking a sip of wine, Director Wang couldn't help but start talking. "Xingjia, you really must come for this drama! This script! I guarantee you'll fall in love with it once you read it!"
"Believe me! If that doesn't work, I'll wait for you! Wait until you're not busy anymore! This is my biggest concession!" he said earnestly.
Song Xingjia was taken aback, then nodded after a moment. "Alright, I promise you."
"That's more like it! Come!" Director Wang grinned, patting his shoulder. "A toast!"
"You, Jiang Mian, and Little Yang, Little Li, are all people I have great faith in. My judgment is never wrong! Look! I said you'd be famous before, and now you really are." Director Wang spoke enthusiastically.
Jiang Mian ate her food like a little hamster, occasionally chiming in with a response.
She was truly hungry. The moment she tasted a bite, her eyes couldn't help but light up with surprise. It was indeed delicious.
She liked every dish.
Director Wang smacked his lips, took a few drinks, and his old habit resurfaced. "Xingjia, you're not young anymore. It's time you found a partner."
Jiang Mian, sitting next to him: ...
Others: ...
Save us! I never thought I'd live to see the film emperor being pressured into marriage. Is this something we're allowed to listen to?!
Jiang Mian swallowed the beef ball in her mouth, unable to resist perking up her gossipy ears.
"You're not young anymore, aren't you planning to settle down?"
Others might not know him, but Director Wang knew him very well.
Song Xingjia had been in the industry for so many years, maintaining his purity and never having a girlfriend.
Rumors flew everywhere, with everyone wanting to capitalize on his popularity, but none of them ever materialized.
"Shall I play matchmaker for you?" Seeing Song Xingjia remain silent, he became even more enthusiastic.
A smile played on Song Xingjia's lips, his voice gentle as he looked at him. "If you say so, how would Madam know you've been drinking?"
Director Wang instantly choked, his face turning bright red. "You rascal!"
Madam??
Jiang Mian's eyes widened, and she whispered, "Director Wang is your teacher?"
"He used to teach us acting classes," Song Xingjia explained.
"I see."
Jiang Mian wiped her mouth and put down her chopsticks.
"Are you full?" he asked, turning his head.
Jiang Mian shook her head seriously. How could she be? She was only half full!
"Rest for a bit before eating more!"
...
As the meal neared its end.
President Wang had to admit his admiration for Ji Zhixiu. He couldn't help but say, "There's a reason President Ji can lead Ji Corporation to become a benchmark in our industry. I was short-sighted. Today, I truly understand what it means for the younger generation to surpass the older, one wave stronger than the next, leaving the previous wave to die on the beach!"
Ji Zhixiu lowered his eyes, his expression indifferent, and did not respond.
President Wang didn't feel awkward. He smiled broadly. "This is my first meeting with President Ji, and I've prepared a small gift for you. I hope Director Li will accept it."
He clapped his hands together, and someone pushed the door open from the outside.
The newcomer appeared to be in her early twenties, with a melon-shaped face, crescent-shaped eyes, and cherry-like lips. Her pair of beautiful large eyes locked onto Ji Zhixiu the moment she entered.
She wore a tight-fitting short-sleeved shirt, her chest practically spilling out. She was tall and said shyly, "President Ji."
She was young and beautiful. Her voice was also extremely soft and charming, instinctively arousing a man's protective instincts.
Several people present even felt a stir of interest.
Most importantly, she exuded a sense of youthfulness.
Only Ji Zhixiu remained unmoved. A cold smile played on his lips, and he didn't even deign to look at her, his gaze fixed on President Wang. His voice was as cold as ice. "What does President Wang mean by this?"
Cheng Siyuan chuckled. This President Wang really didn't know how to flatter.
President Wang said smugly, "What do you think, President Ji? Do you like it? Still young, isn't she? Men, after all, have their hobbies. She just graduated. President Ji, you can train her as you please. From now on, she's yours."
"Iā¦ I will listen to President Ji's instructions!"