Entry to the dinner party was by invitation only. Sister Fei dropped Song Yushi off at the entrance and reluctantly let her go. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to remind her, “Producer Guo! You’ve seen his photo! Remember!”
Song Yushi had heard of this producer. No matter how big the IP or how luxurious the production team, the films he handled all turned out to be terrible, without exception.
So, Song Yushi had no interest in this film.
While she had no interest in the film, many people were interested in her. After dealing with several people and chatting for a bit with the director of her next film, Song Yushi finally had a moment to breathe.
Who knew that just as she took a bite of fruit, her shoulder would be tapped.
“Yushi!” The hand that had tapped her shoulder wrapped around her waist, and a sweet, familiar voice sounded by her ear. “My dear superstar, you’ve been surrounded since the moment you walked in. Do you know how hard it was for me to find an opening?”
Song Yushi turned her head helplessly. “Meng Ying.”
Meng Ying, Sweet Day’s second main vocalist. She was adored by fans and attacked by anti-fans for her persona as a scatterbrained fairy who had descended to the mortal realm to face tribulations. She continued to do as she pleased, and even though she was unemployed upon graduation, her mindset was still explosively good.
Meng Ying grinned and let go of Song Yushi, also grabbing a slice of watermelon to eat. She mumbled, “If I’d known you were coming, I would have snuck in with you. Then I wouldn’t have had to put up with that young miss’s attitude.”
Meng Ying gestured with her chin towards a gorgeously dressed female star not far away, who was chatting and laughing with someone.
After her girl group days, Meng Ying had amicably terminated her contract with the company, only to be tricked right after into signing a five-year contract. Not only were resources pitifully scarce, but she also had to play second fiddle to others.
Song Yushi asked, “What did you sneak in for?”
Meng Ying said, “To freeload food and drinks, and meet some people along the way.” She looked left and right. “Hey, since you’re here, why isn’t Qi Ke? I remember this place isn’t far from her home.”
Song Yushi didn’t say anything.
Having been her teammate for three years, Meng Ying knew her temperament well. Without waiting for an answer, she sighed wistfully, “You two are really something. How could you hype a CP without me? My super topic with Qi Ke used to top the charts all the time, okay? The number one main vocalist and the number one good-for-nothing went viral, you know?”
Song Yushi gave her a helpless look. “…Is that something to be proud of?”
Meng Ying: “Uh…”
It had been a long time, but the captain’s skill at retorting had only grown, not diminished.
With Meng Ying’s sudden appearance, Song Yushi was happy to have someone to chat with to avoid some of the advances she didn’t want to deal with. Meng Ying loved to talk, and as long as Song Yushi gave an occasional response, she could chat about everything from the sky to the earth, and from the earth to the sea.
Just when Song Yushi thought she could make it through the dinner party peacefully, that producer took the initiative to approach them.
Song Yushi nodded slightly and smiled, polite and proper. “Hello, Producer Guo. I was looking for you just now, but I saw you were busy, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Producer Guo was nearly fifty, bald with a large belly and a corrupt look. His lecherous eyes were murky, and he sized Song Yushi up from head to toe, nodding repeatedly with a greasy and sleazy smile. “It’s fine, we can talk now.”
He offered the wine glass in his hand to Song Yushi. “Drinking this glass of wine will count as your apology, and we can continue our chat.”
Song Yushi’s brow furrowed. She felt this man was truly shameless. She offered a few pleasantries, and he’d take a mile. Even if he was willing to talk, it still depended on whether she was.
Just as she was about to tactfully refuse, a hand suddenly reached out from the side and took the glass. Meng Ying’s other hand grabbed Song Yushi’s arm, her face beaming. “Producer Guo, is it? Our Yushi is allergic to alcohol and can’t drink. I’ll drink with you.”
Song Yushi tried to stop her. “Meng Ying—”
But Meng Ying tilted her head back and drained the glass in one go.
Having his drink intercepted, Producer Guo shot Meng Ying a disgusted look. Seeing she wasn’t a familiar face, he said sarcastically, “Has the standard for these dinner parties dropped so low? Any young model or internet celebrity can get in now?”
Meng Ying was taken aback. “I’m not…”
“Producer Guo, please speak with some respect.” Song Yushi interrupted Meng Ying. She stepped forward, shielding Meng Ying behind her, and lifted her chin slightly. “You’ve been in the industry for many years. It’s truly difficult when you can’t even distinguish between pleasantries and flattery.”
Producer Guo’s face turned ashen. “What do you mean!?”
“Then let me be clearer,” Song Yushi said unhurriedly. “I’m not interested in your film, not interested in becoming the female lead of a terrible movie, and I deeply regret that this IP is being wasted in your hands.”
Producer Guo had never been rebuffed so directly to his face. His complexion shifted from ashen to red, then back to ashen. He said viciously, “Song Yushi, I see you’ve gotten arrogant just because you won a Hundred Flowers Best Actress award, haven’t you? Don’t get cocky in the entertainment industry. The consequences of offending people are not something you can afford!”
Since she had already offended him, she wasn’t afraid of offending him more. So, Song Yushi raised an eyebrow slightly and gave the most honest response: “Oh?”
Producer Guo: “…”
He was so angry he was hopping mad. “I’ll make you see how serious the consequences are!”
Song Yushi and the others were far from the main area, and with many people dancing on the dance floor, not many had noticed their friction. But Producer Guo’s shout instantly drew eighty percent of the attention, and the venue fell silent.
Meng Ying whispered, “Should we go?”
Song Yushi patted her hand reassuringly. Just as she was about to speak, a light voice drifted over from not far away. “How serious is it?”
Song Yushi froze and turned her head.
In the European-style villa, a thick carpet covered the circular staircase. The sound of high heels on it was a dull thud, striking everyone’s heart.
Meng Ying gasped softly, “Qi Ke!”
Qi Ke wore a pale lavender evening gown, her long hair styled into a beautiful bun at the back of her head. She looked gentle and beautiful, but her words were dangerous and charming. “Do you know how serious the consequences are for offending a friend of Qi Ke’s in this industry?”
Meng Ying excitedly grabbed Song Yushi’s hand. “nbcs!!!”
Song Yushi thought for a moment and tried to translate, “nobody cares?”
Meng Ying rolled her eyes at her. “No! It’s ‘badass class’!”
“…” Song Yushi muttered something under her breath.
Meng Ying didn’t hear clearly. “Huh?”
Song Yushi: “Show-offs get struck by lightning.”
Meng Ying: “…”
Watching Qi Ke descend from the heavens, taking advantage of everyone’s shock to flash a small, triumphant smile at her, Song Yushi couldn’t help but curve her lips into a smile.
But it was pretty cool.
