Chapter 123: Chapter 123 - 123 123 Initiative

Chapter 123: 123 Initiative Chapter 123: 123 Initiative The moment Xia Ning heard “hotel,” her whole body tensed unconsciously. She touched her neck, where traces of Yang Kaitai’s mark from last night still lingered. It had taken nearly half a bottle of concealer this morning to cover them up just barely.

“Lady, what’s wrong, you look so pale?” Qin Xiaonian said while pretending to help Xia Ning to the caravan, “Wait in the car for a bit, I’ll go find a doctor to come and check on you.”

“No need,” Xia Ning quickly stopped her. She knew all too well that there was nothing wrong with her; she just didn’t want to go back to that room where Yang Kaitai was.

Xia Ning had the driver head to the city center instead, claiming she wanted to go shopping.

The entire crew knew that Xia Ning was an actress who had parachuted into the role of the second female lead. Even though she had been slacking off for a day and a half, no one dared to say a word.

Now, naturally, Xia Ning could go to the distant city center if she wanted to. As for whether she could return early the next day to start work, that was a separate matter.

The ultra-luxurious caravan made its way towards the city center, drawing attention all along its route.

H City, though a newly established city, was developing very quickly. The city center was filled with hotels, bars, various snacks, and all kinds of branded clothing and jewelry.

Once Xia Ning arrived at such a place, all her cells came to life. She forgot all her unhappy thoughts and went from one shop to another until she was satisfied and then headed straight into a bar.

…

This was Fu Han’s first real day as a film photographer, and she had pushed herself to the limit, feeling as if her bones were about to fall apart.

At this moment, she finally understood why her teacher had once said that very few girls could work as photographers in a crew. It wasn’t anything else but the fact that being a photographer was physically demanding to a certain extent.

Su Cheng finished work earlier than her, and as he waited by her side, once the director announced “That’s a wrap,” he approached with a smile, “Fu Han, I heard there’s a great Lamb Steak place around here, how about we go there for dinner tonight?”

“You go by yourself, I want to rest early today.” Fu Han shook her head like a rattle-drum. She wasn’t a foodie. Seeking out gourmet food was only for when she was in a good mood and had time. On a busy day like today, all she wanted was to fill her stomach and get some sleep to recharge.

The glow on Su Cheng’s face visibly dimmed, but he didn’t give up, “Then I’ll buy some and bring it to you, the Lamb Steak is really delicious there.”

“No need,” Fu Han felt a slight aversion in her heart. She didn’t like others pestering her incessantly, and Su Cheng’s behavior seemed like pestering to her.

Su Cheng picked up on the change in Fu Han’s tone as well. His face turned a few shades paler as he hurriedly said, “Then… we’ll go another time. You… get some rest early.”

Nobody noticed He Xing’s lips curling into a faint smile as he discussed the plot with the director, that smile was like a spring breeze sweeping across the land.

He was handsome even when he wasn’t smiling, but his unsmiling demeanor carried a coldness that made him seem unapproachable.

He Xing used the excuse of taking a phone call to pull aside Liang Tao, “Call the chef and have him prepare the meals for me and Fu Han, and have them sent directly to Fu Han’s room.”

Liang Tao’s mind raced, immediately offering a suggestion, “Mr. He, should we also prepare things like red wine and candlelight?”

He Xing’s earlobes turned red. He coughed twice, his fist covering his mouth, “Prepare them in advance, just in case.”

…

After wrapping up for the day, Luo Qinghe took the initiative to find Bai Wei. His handsome face clearly spelled “awkward,” “Um… do you have plans tonight, if not, I… I’d like to take you out to dinner.”

He thought he was a sure bet, but Bai Wei flipped her hair, “Sorry, I have plans.”

“But…” Luo Qinghe was stunned. He opened his mouth in surprise, “I asked your assistant, and she said you didn’t have any plans for tonight.”

Bai Wei was inwardly gleeful at seeing Luo Qinghe’s deflated look, but her face remained calm, “I have no work arrangements, but do I have to go to dinner with you? We’re making a movie now. If people saw us going out to dinner together tonight, wouldn’t rumors about the two of us start flying everywhere?”

As Luo Qinghe stared in disbelief, Bai Wei leisurely added, “You think I don’t know what you new actors are thinking? You want to use the opportunity of a scandal with me to raise your own profile.”

Luo Qinghe couldn’t bear it any longer, “Bai Wei, aren’t you a bit too full of yourself? I suggest you go to the hospital to get checked. Don’t you have delusions of persecution?”

Bai Wei ignored him and turned away gracefully.

Luo Qinghe turned back dejectedly, only to catch Su Cheng’s meaningful glance. His face flushed red.

…

Not far from the crew was a bustling food stall.

Su Cheng poured Luo Qinghe a glass of beer, “Brother Qinghe, since you have scenes to shoot tomorrow, let’s not drink liquor. We’ll just have a bit of beer for the sake of it.”

Luo Qinghe’s face hadn’t completely returned to normal as he used the beer glass to hide his embarrassment, “About that, don’t tell Fu Han about today’s incident, okay?”

“What incident are you talking about?” Su Cheng was always a very transparent person, and at this moment, he was full of honesty, “You mean the part where you asked Bai Wei out for dinner, and she not only refused but also put you down?”

“You little brat, don’t rub salt in the wound.” Annoyed, Luo Qinghe slapped Su Cheng’s forehead.

Su Cheng didn’t dodge and continued with a grin, “Brother Qinghe, even if I don’t say anything, so many people in the crew heard it. Can you make everyone keep quiet?”

That left Luo Qinghe speechless. He felt a surge of regret. Now, truly embarrassed, how was he, the leading man, supposed to face the crew now? Was his face saved or lost?

Checking his phone, Su Cheng leaned in closer to Luo Qinghe, “Brother Qinghe, I know what you’re worried about. Now that things have come to this, the only way to save face is to make an effort to get Bai Wei to go out for a meal with you. That way, people won’t say you’re a toad lusting after swan meat.”

“Toad?” Luo Qinghe felt nauseated just repeating the word, “I, the second young master of the Li Family, can have any woman I want. Who dares call me a toad?”

Su Cheng nodded emphatically, “That’s exactly how everyone sees it now, you can check the group chat.”

Luo Qinghe immediately opened up Whatsapp, and hundreds of chat messages popped up, many of which detailed his failed proposal.

Some even analyzed his thought process, saying he gave up being a young master to act in a film solely because he was smitten with Bai Wei and wanted to pursue her.