Crossover Actors - Chapter 7
Lu Wen took another round through the banquet, making sure he didn’t miss anyone who might need a greeting.
When he was a chubby little kid, his father used to carry him to events, where everyone would come to tease him and pinch his cheeks. That was his first experience with socializing while drooling.
Growing up beside his father, he had seen many impressive scenes and met many prominent figures. Thanks to his father’s influence, he didn’t have to worry about anything in such settings; he just had to show up and enjoy the compliments and flattery, whether genuine or not.
Now, as he navigated on his own, he had to wander around with a glass in hand, smiling until his face ached. Despite the exhaustion, he managed it with ease.
Lu Wen chose an empty table in a corner, partially screened off by a partition. He propped his legs up and sat in a leather chair, idly waiting.
Sun Xiaojian, like a stray dog, came over after catching the scent, his face still glowing with straightforward happiness: “Xian Qi is so damn beautiful. I’m smitten. I really want to take care of her.”
Lu Wen said, “I’ll ask if she still needs an assistant.”
Sun Xiaojian, still a bit guilty, said, “I’m not someone who values looks over friends. No matter how great the temptation is, I’ll never leave you before you’re famous.”
Lu Wen, worried, asked, “What if I never become famous? Will I have to support you in your old age?”
“Phooey!” Sun Xiaojian said, “You’re the male lead now, and the male lead for Qu Yanting. Once this show airs, you’ll definitely be a big star.”
Every aspiring star dreams of fame, overflowing with scripts and ads, hectic schedules, and being surrounded by fans wherever they go, even getting thousands of comments on Weibo for a simple post.
Probably suffering from low blood sugar, Lu Wen, feeling a bit lightheaded, asked, “If I become famous and release an album, how many streams would it get?”
Sun Xiaojian’s face fell: “You’re dreaming about the music industry, which is just like me craving Xian Qi.”
“Deeply in love?”
“No, just a dreamer.”
Before Lu Wen and Sun Xiaojian could argue further, someone appeared around the partition—it was the director’s assistant.
Sun Xiaojian immediately stood up: “You’re here! Please, sit down!”
The assistant stopped by the table: “I’m not sitting. I’m just here to pass on a message.”
Sun Xiaojian eagerly asked, “Is there some arrangement from Director Ren?”
“Yes,” the assistant said, “Mr. Lu, Screenwriter Qu wants to see you. Get ready and head to the private room in ten minutes. Is that enough time?”
Sun Xiaojian quickly replied, “That’s enough, we’re always ready.”
The assistant revealed, “Originally, Director Ren didn’t want the actors to disturb Screenwriter Qu since he doesn’t like interacting with actors. But Screenwriter Qu specifically asked to see the male lead.”
Lu Wen was surprised: “He asked to see me?”
“Absolutely,” the assistant confirmed. “You’ll go in ten minutes.”
Lu Wen hurriedly asked, “What does Screenwriter Qu look like? I’ve never met him.”
The assistant replied, “Screenwriter Qu is sitting next to Director Ren, wearing black. On the other side of Director Ren is Zhou from Haoyang Culture, a major player among the joint producers. You can greet him as well.”
Sun Xiaojian grasped Lu Wen’s hands: “Did you hear? Screenwriter Qu specifically asked to see you.”
Lu Wen, initially annoyed from waiting, was now full of energy: “You were right. Screenwriter Qu really wants to see me!”
Sun Xiaojian said, “Hurry up and get ready. In ten minutes, you’ll meet the talent scout of your acting career.”
Lu Wen panicked: “How do I prepare? What should I say when I meet him?”
Sun Xiaojian pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket: “Don’t panic. I’ve already prepared a script for you.”
Lu Wen, who wasn’t good at flattery, would follow the script.
Sun Xiaojian said, “Screenwriter Qu associates with big names and is used to calm and confident people. You should show your small-time characteristics: be sincere, awkward, and even nervous to the point of stuttering. Make Screenwriter Qu find you unique and see how excited you are to meet him, understand?”
“Got it.” Lu Wen quickly memorized the few lines, ensuring not to say too much and risk irritating Screenwriter Qu.
Sun Xiaojian reminded: “Since Screenwriter Qu specifically wants to meet you, he’ll probably chat with you and ask questions.”
“Ah?” Lu Wen, who had always been afraid of teachers asking questions, worried, “Will it be too difficult?”
Sun Xiaojian said, “Just remember, if you’re unsure about a question, it’s better to say you don’t know than to improvise. Sincerity is key—don’t try to show off in front of Screenwriter Qu.”
Ten minutes passed quickly. Lu Wen, holding a glass, left the banquet hall with Sun Xiaojian. They walked from one end of the corridor to the outside of the private room, where faint sounds could be heard through the door.
Lu Wen said, “I’m going in to play the fool now.”
“Go ahead, and smile cutely,” Sun Xiaojian said with hands clasped together, “I’ll pray for you. Amitabha.”
Lu Wen entered, and just as he reached the door of the private room, Sun Xiaojian caught up.
Fearing Lu Wen might forget, Sun Xiaojian waited until the last moment to remind him: “After you finish your lines, add an exaggerated, emotional, and unique comment at the end. Make Screenwriter Qu remember you from the first meeting. Only if he remembers you will he have a chance to think of you in the future.”
Lu Wen memorized the points and told the waiter, “Open the door.”
The two doors across from each other were pushed open, revealing a mini foyer in an old New York style. An arched console table served as a partition, with a vase full of peonies. Through the swaying flower branches, Lu Wen saw a peacock-feather-colored accent wall.
He approached the table, where an extravagant feast was spread out. Champagne and Wuliangye bottles were scattered around, and a circle of velvet chairs was occupied by people, half of whom were already slightly tipsy.
Lu Wen barely had time to scan the room before his eyes were immediately drawn to Qu Yanting.
Initially a bit nervous, he was now completely stunned.
What’s going on? Why is this person here in the private room?!
In front of Qu Yanting was a bowl of steaming noodles. He had drunk quite a bit and ordered the noodles to settle his stomach. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and met Lu Wen’s gaze across the table.
Lu Wen widened his eyes, silently asking: Why are you here?!
Qu Yanting raised an eyebrow and shrugged slightly.
Before they could silently communicate any further, Ren Shu waved: “Lu Wen is here.”
Lu Wen snapped out of his daze and turned his gaze from Qu Yanting to Ren Shu. He was startled again to see that Ren Shu was sitting next to the director!
What kind of status is this? Sitting next to the director?!
Lu Wen’s mind raced as he recalled the assistant’s words—the person next to Director Ren was…
Lu Wen finally realized that this person was Zhou, the head of Haoyang Culture.
He glanced back at Qu Yanting, his expression stiff, suspecting that he might have unknowingly offended a major figure among the joint producers.
Noticing Lu Wen’s awkward expression, Ren Shu guessed it was because he felt out of place and said, “Lu Wen, don’t just stand there. First, toast to Screenwriter Qu.”
Lu Wen suddenly came to his senses. Yes, he was here to meet Qu Yanting.
Qu Yanting was the biggest investor. As long as Qu Yanting appreciated him, the others didn’t matter.
With the director on one side and Qu Yanting on the other, Lu Wen shifted his gaze to the other side of Director Ren. The man was in a suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, slightly plump, and looked like a cultured senior writer.
But was the director’s assistant colorblind? Screenwriter Qu was clearly wearing gray.
Qu Yanting continued eating his noodles, while Lu Wen, moving along the semicircle of seats, approached him, noticing a fresh citrusy perfume among the lingering alcohol smell.
Then, Lu Wen passed by him, not stopping.
He reached the side of Zhou and stopped beside him. On closer inspection, Zhou’s head was slightly balding, which made Lu Wen think that writing probably required a lot of mental effort.
Zhou looked up hesitantly.
Lu Wen slightly bowed and made eye contact with Zhou, then, following his prepared script, he spoke clearly and loudly, “Screenwriter Qu, hello.”
The sound of eating stopped.
Lu Wen took a deep breath: “Screenwriter Qu, my name is Lu Wen. You might have heard of me, but I couldn’t help… wanting to tell you face-to-face.”
“I’ve always been your fan, and I never dared to imagine that I would one day participate in your script. I feel incredibly lucky to meet you today. I’m truly excited!”
Zhou said, “Young man…”
“Hey!” Lu Wen responded.
To avoid Qu Yanting asking questions too soon, Lu Wen preemptively added, “Screenwriter Qu, I know every character is the result of your hard work, especially the lead role. I will carefully study the script and do my best to portray my character. Just watch my performance!”
After finishing, he paused for a second, worried that being too fluent might seem less awkward, then held up the champagne with both hands, smiling a bit foolishly and shyly, “Screenwriter Qu, I hope to have the honor of working with you in the future.”
Zhou said, “I…”
“You’re welcome!” Lu Wen insisted on the last line, “I’ll toast to you first!”
He drank the whole glass in one go, suddenly remembering Sun Xiaojian’s reminder to end with an exaggerated, emotional, and unique remark to make Qu Yanting remember him.
Lu Wen glanced at Zhou’s wrinkles and slightly shiny bald spot, estimating his age.
He gritted his teeth, risking being beaten when he got home, and said, “Screenwriter Qu, I grew up in a single-parent family. Seeing you today… it feels like seeing my father.”
The room fell silent, with everyone stunned and even the drunk people sobering up.
Qu Yanting put down his chopsticks, turned his head, and looked at Lu Wen’s tall figure.
His mouth was full of spice, but his tone was as calm as a cooled-down Longjing tea as he said, “Fool, the person you’re looking for is here.”
Longjing tea, also known as Dragon Well tea, is a famous Chinese green tea known for its delicate flavor and smooth, mellow characteristics. In this context, Qu Yanting’s tone is compared to this tea to emphasize its calm and composed quality, despite the spicy food he has just eaten.
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