NOVPUB
Chapter 778: Chapter 676: Give a Chance (Request for Subscription!)_1
Following Hu Li and Lin Jiaxue.
Liu Mei and Liang Meng arrived at their big box.
Looking at two half-familiar faces, they seemed familiar, but they couldn’t remember where from.
The staff of Comet Film didn’t care. In this line of work, they had seen many celebrities, and after a while, their memories would overlap. This was especially true for not-so-famous actors, let alone those who wouldn’t be recognized in different clothes.
Approaching the table.
Liu Mei saw that the one sitting in the main position was actually a young man who still retained a touch of childlike innocence. He was incredibly handsome. The man sitting next to the young man was in his thirties. As for Li Xizhao, he was sitting four seats to the right of the young man.
In Huaxia, left-side seats are regarded as honorable. Noticing the two empty seats on the young man’s left, it was clear that those seats were meant for Lin Jiaxue and Hu Li.
Seeing Li Xizhao.
Liu Mei quickly approached him.
"Director Li, long time no see." Liu Mei greeted him with a smile.
Li Xizhao, when he heard his name, looked back and saw Liu Mei. He instantly remembered her. They had interacted a few times and were considered friends. He promptly stood up and chuckled, "Oh, it’s you, Liu Mei. So, you’ve also come to the Shanghai Market."
"Yeah, today Liang Meng got a role in a film. We’re celebrating the start of filming here in this hotel. It’s such a coincidence that Liang Meng and Hu Li are roommates. I thought I would drop by to see you and make a toast. We didn’t mean to intrude." Liu Mei nodded.
"No problem." Li Xizhao smiled.
In this industry, when meeting seniors or familiar faces, it’s also necessary to make a toast, just like normal people. Face is a two-way street. By reciprocating, people become familiar with each other, and there’s no telling when they might cooperate in the future.
Liu Mei asked, "I heard you’re shooting a science fiction movie, Director Li. It must be a big production. Congratulations! This must fulfill your long-held wish to make a quality film." Liu Mei subtly probed for information while offering her compliments.
Li Xizhao knew what she was doing. But with the chairman at the scene, even if he wanted to show off, he needed to choose his place.
"It’s all thanks to the chairman’s kindness, the company’s investment, and the efforts of the scriptwriters and special effects team. I’m just doing my job." Li Xizhao responded, playing down his role like he was just an errand boy.
Tang Qing noticed the two of them awkwardly chatting on the side.
Li Xizhao found it difficult to introduce the senior executives of Comet Film, and Liu Mei was waiting for Li Xizhao’s introduction.
Since she was Hu Li’s roommate, that made her somewhat of an acquaintance.
Tang Qing spoke up.
"Director Li, why not introduce us?"
Li Xizhao and Liu Mei heaved a sigh of relief simultaneously.
If Tang Qing were just someone in the circle or even an investor, Li Xizhao could treat him ordinarily. Unfortunately, having signed with Comet Film now, Tang Qing was not just an investor but also the chairman, his immediate superior, coupled with the background of the few shareholders from Tongtian.
He was indeed intimidated.
He didn’t dare to make introductions casually. After all, upon meeting Zheng Lin, even the CEO of Liu Mei’s company could only tread carefully.
"This is our chairman at Comet Film, with the surname Tang," Li Xizhao introduced him first, not daring to address Tang Qing by his full name.
"Chairman Tang, nice to meet you. You really embody the phrase ’talented and handsome,’" Liu Mei complimented thoroughly. It was sincere. If Tang Qing were in the entertainment circle, he would definitely survive by his looks alone.
Wherever he stood.
The acting skills.
Non-existent.
An army of female fans would be willing to vanquish anyone who questioned Tang Qing’s acting skills. There was no need for any reason; being handsome was reason enough.
"You’re too kind. Liu Mei, you... you’ve kept yourself pretty well too." Tang Qing wanted to say ’still full of charm’, but it sounded too flirtatious, so he chose to use a more neutral phrase instead.
A big smile spread across Liu Mei’s face.
All women fancy beauty.
Not to mention a compliment from a handsome guy. The validity of the compliment wasn’t important.
"Chairman Tang, you sure know how to give a compliment," she chuckled.
Tang Qing was dumbfounded.
Was this also called knowing how to compliment?
Thereafter, Li Xizhao introduced everyone at the table one by one. Knowing they were all senior executives of Comet Film and seeing Li Xizhao’s strange attitude, Liu Mei, being sensitive, knew her chitchatting was making him uncomfortable.
So.
She took two cups and made a toast to everyone.
"I won’t intrude any longer. There are others waiting for me over there. If there’s any opportunity in the future, please consider casting Liang Meng in your production. Thank you in advance." And another glass of Baijiu went down.
Liang Meng also took a small sip.
Tang Qing noticed that Liu Mei had been shielding Liang Meng from having to drink. He quietly nodded in approval. A manager like her isn’t half bad. If it were Liang Meng shielding Liu Mei, he would have to question Liu Mei’s integrity.
They seemed like decent people.
That was Tang Qing’s evaluation of them.
At this point.
Their information came flooding in through his earpiece.
Just as he thought, Liu Mei was indeed a good person. She had a reputation in the circle of being protective, she shied away from engaging in any dirty work, and had never treated Liang Meng as a pawn to be casually sold off. She was often shielding her from drinking, and in the end, Liu Mei was naturally like Liang Meng.
Not famous or infamous.
But both of them were putting in a lot of effort. Liu Mei took the lead in drinking, and many roles were offered to Liang Meng through reputation alone within the circle. Coupled with Liang Meng’s competence in acting, Tang Qing suddenly found this combination to be to his liking.
"Director Pu, Director Li, in the future, if there are suitable movie roles, please consider Liang Meng and Liu Mei first. I think they’re pretty good." Tang Qing unexpectedly proposed to Pu Chaodong.
Pu Chaodong was stunned. What did Tang Qing mean by speaking so openly?
It didn’t matter though.
"Got it. We will consider Miss Liang Meng for suitable roles in the future." Pu Chaodong immediately nodded in agreement.
Liu Mei and Liang Meng did not understand the meaning in Tang Qing’s words.
Was there such a strategy?
Li Xizhao was smart. He was happy for Liu Mei. As a veteran in the industry, he knew Liu Mei quite well and understood her character. If Tang Qing said such a thing, it meant that Liang Meng might skyrocket to stardom because of this.
He believed this without a doubt.
Just like this science fiction movie was bound to make Hu Li a popular star.
"Liu Mei, you should thank President Tang. This is a rare opportunity for Liang Meng." Li Xizhao said to the bewildered Liu Mei.
Liu Mei didn’t even bother to think about it, having a role was better than not having one at all. She happily said, "Thank you, Director Tang. I toast to you."
"No, no, drink less. You’re always grabbing baijiu to drink, no one can stop you. Forget about this drink. I only suggested for Director Pu to consider, it’s not absolute. Wait until Liang Meng truly lands a role, this toast can be made later." Tang Qing promptly discouraged.
Li Xizhao took advantage of the situation and snatched the drink out of Liu Mei’s hand. Liu Mei still had to entertain later, drinking less was best. He felt that he had a better understanding of Tang Qing’s personality - he did not like to drink and didn’t rally others to drink either.
Everything in moderation.
After expressing their gratitude once again, Liu Mei and Liang Meng left.
"I’m sorry, Liu Mei caused a disruption just now." Li Xizhao apologized as he sat down. Regardless of whether he was wrong or not, it’s always right to apologize first.
Tang Qing gave a bitter smile.
Where did Li Xizhao pick up this habit?
Did he find apologizing addictive?
"No, it’s not easy for any of us, and besides, I think Liu Mei and Liang Meng are pretty good. Director Li, you certainly know about their reputation in the industry, right? This is the reason I spoke up." Tang Qing explained.
Li Xizhao finally understood.
However, the others didn’t.
Li Xizhao immediately communicated the information once more. Everybody understood.
"Director Tang, how did you know?" Zheng Lin asked with astonishment. How could Tang Qing know so much about someone he had never met?
Of course, Tang Qing wouldn’t tell the truth.
"I’m also half a member of the entertainment industry. There’s nothing weird about understanding the current situation in the industry. If we do something, we should be passionate about it."
Tang Qing’s words made everyone respect him.
He could remember the names of small-time actors in the entertainment industry and even knew about their ’history’. This Director was truly exceptional. The phrase "if you do it, love it," made them feel somewhat ashamed.
Especially Pu Chaodong.
He was determined to familiarize himself with knowledge about the entertainment circle as soon as he got home.
Although Tang Qing usually didn’t handle company matters and generally only interacted with Sky Eye, it appeared that Tang Qing was not unconcerned, but very concerned, they just hadn’t noticed it before.
Successful people truly are extraordinary.
So once again, Tang Qing had successfully displayed himself.
...
After dinner.
Tang Qing and Lin Jiaxue returned to the villa. As expected, Zheng Lin decided to shamelessly enjoy the hospitality, moving all his luggage here at noon. He must have been brought by Chai Ren, accustomed to enjoying benefits at others’ expense.
However, Tang Qing also welcomed it.
Because whenever he stayed in Zheng Lin’s ’Autumn Palace’ in Beijing, he had free food and lodging. Zheng Lin covered all the expenses, even for the best suite, the Heavenly Room. Given Zheng Lin’s generosity, Tang Qing couldn’t be stingy, could he?
"I want a painting too. That Chai Ren has been showing off everywhere after he went back, it’s annoying me to death." Zheng Lin cried out.
Tang Qing was helpless.
These second-generation rich kids were really idle.
Of all the things to compete over, they chose to compete over collecting – and it was his paintings they were collecting.
But why did Tang Qing suddenly feel a little pleased?
Was it an illusion?
No.
It was vanity.
