While they were talking, a few ladies ran over to them. “Lunlun! Long time no see!”
“Lunlun’s even prettier nowadays!”
“What’re you talking about? He’s always been this pretty!”
Hearing their frivolous giggles, Zheng Lunlun was annoyed. “Please. I’m a guy here. Can you not use a word like pretty on me?”
“You are pretty, though. What’s wrong with that?”
Soon after that, Zheng Lunlun was unable to escape the pestering from the ladies. At that moment, Ning Ran took the liberty to slip away. After all, she did not want Zheng Lunlun’s fans to hate her.
Ning Ran wanted to hide at a corner and grab some food, but the director spotted her.
He introduced her to some prominent people in the scene, and Ning Ran went with it reluctantly.
Besides, her heels were killing her. Thus, after a while of socializing, Ning Ran felt the need to take a break.
So, she bade her time and seized an opportunity to slip back into a dark corner where she sat down to eat some fruits.
The food provided at the party was delicious, and Ning Ran liked it a lot.
It was a waste, however, as everyone was busy socializing and had barely touched any food. These people are missing out!
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Ding.”
Right as Ning Ran felt that she was finally at peace, it did not last as someone approached.
He was a famous director in the industry and had two commercial films that were rather good. The box office was not bad as well.
However, Ning Ran was new to the scene, so she did not know many people – him, included.
“Hi.” Ning Ran squeezed out a reply and was about to leave.
She just could not get used to socializing with strangers, so it felt tiring to her.
“Please don’t leave, Ms. Ding. I would like to get to know you. I am Zhang, the director from The Little Fairy.”
The director thought that Ning Ran would be shocked after hearing his big box office success.
Ning Ran, on the other hand, widened her eyes in confusion.
It hadn’t been that long since her return. Hence, she seldom took note of the commercial films in the theaters. After all, most of them were just star power holding up a terrible movie – nothing note-worthy.
“You’ve never seen it?” Director Zhang was baffled.
It had a rating of 2.8, but the box office was almost two hundred million. Therefore, Director Zhang felt like Ning Ran was very ignorant for not knowing such an infamous film.
Ning Ran herself felt her ignorance as well. Oh, well! I’ve always been this way.
“Oh, I’ve… heard of it.” Ning Ran mustered up a response.
Director Zhang finally had an out. Well, at least you’ve heard of it. That’ll do.
“Ms. Ding. Would you be interested in starring in a film of mine similar to that?” Director Zhang proposed.
“I… Um… Maybe later. I have an agency, so I can’t confirm anything. Why don’t you contact my agency to discuss this?” Ning Ran replied.
“Rest assured, Ms. Ding. As long as you are willing, I can convince your agency to cooperate with me. But before that, you and I need to have some proper communication.” Director Zhang continued.
Director Zhang had a good sense of fashion and even made a good first impression. However, he was plump and had greasy hair.
“Ok. I’ll think about it.” Ning Ran nodded.
“Let’s keep in touch then. Why don’t I add you on WeChat?” Director Zhang took out his phone.
“I don’t have my phone on me. Sorry.” Ning Ran was faking it as her phone was sitting in her bag.
“Is that so? Can I have your phone number then?” Director Zhang pressed on.
“Ah… Um… I don’t remember my phone number. Maybe next time.”
Director Zhang was well aware that Ning Ran was trying to refuse him, so he was quite frustrated about the whole situation.
For he knew that, in this industry, there were a lot of actresses who would want to collaborate with him. And I’m getting refused by a newbie? She really doesn’t know her place here. I’ll teach her a lesson!
“Is this your first film, Ms. Ding?”
“Yes.”
“No matter how popular a TV series is, nothing will come of it. If an actor wants to move up and improve, they should star in a movie.”
“Okay.”
“The actresses’ pay skyrocketed ever since they starred in my movies.”
Dear Ms. Ding, don’t you want your career to be greater and your future to be brighter?
Ning Ran smiled. “Of course.”
“Then you should collaborate with me. Even though we don’t have any concrete plans at this moment, we can still talk about it privately.”
I am a well-known director. If I want to, there’ll always be a movie for me to film. And I’m a producer on the side, which means I can pool in big investments.
“I believe in your capabilities. But I’m sorry because I need to be somewhere else. About the collaboration, let’s talk about it next time.” Ning Ran was getting annoyed and did not want to stay there any longer.
From the looks of the director’s lustful eyes, she could clearly see what his intention was. Hmph! Talk about it privately, eh? Ning Ran knew all too well.
She was disgusted as memories of the past came floating out.
Back then, the person Luo Fei arranged for her to meet was also a director.
These directors treated actresses like nothing because they had some resources in their hands.
“Ms. Ding, We’re not done talking here. Don’t leave.” Director Zhang grabbed Ning Ran’s hand. He had a few sips of wine that emboldened him.
His sudden movement shocked Ning Ran, and she immediately flung his hand away.
However, that did not dissuade Director Zhang as he reached out and grabbed her again. “Ms. Ding. I sincerely want to work with you. Our collaboration would be great! I’ll most definitely make you a superstar…”
“Let her go!”
Right then, Zheng Lunlun had just gotten away from the ladies earlier and came over.
“Oh! If it isn’t Lunlun. We can discuss the new movie together!”
“Screw the new movie! Let her go!”
Who knew that the feminine-looking Zhen Lunlun would swear like that. Even Ning Ran was astonished.
Director Zhang clearly had more alcohol than he should. Because even in the face of Zheng Lunlun, he did not back down.
“Zheng Lunlun, I know you’re really popular. But you’re still just an actor. I am a director here.
“I said let go!” Zheng Lunlun roared.
“And I don’t want to! What are you going to do about it?” Director Zhang’s temper was rising.
All of a sudden, he felt a cold and chilly sensation all over his face.
Beauty Zheng had snatched a glass of wine from the table and splashed it all over Director Zhang.
What Zheng Lunlun did was bold. Director Zhang finally let go of Ning Ran after getting red wine all over him.
“Zheng Lunlun! How dare you!” Director Zhang bellowed.
“I’m a man with dignity. That’s why it’s just a splash of wine. I’d be pummeling you on the floor right now if otherwise.” Zheng Lunlun warned.
Ning Ran scanned Zheng Lunlun’s slender body. With your skinny body, I think you’d be the one getting pummeled. The wine was the right choice.
“Zheng Lunlun, just you wait…”
“For what?”
Zheng Lunlun was not the one who responded. It was Nan Chen as he approached.
He was just done with the crowd of big shots surrounding him and realized Ning Ran was gone. So, he came looking for her.
Once Director Zhang saw Nan Chen, it was as if a cat had caught his tongue.
If it were anyone else, he could have still done something. However, Nan Chen was the exception.
“What did he ask you to wait for?” Nan Chen turned to face Zheng Lunlun.
“He was harassing Ni… Ms. Ding. It didn’t sit well with me, so I splashed wine all over him. He asked me to wait for… something. He didn’t get to finish his sentence,” Zheng Lunlun reported.
Once Nan Chen heard that Ning Ran was being harassed, his phoenix eyes became dangerously narrow. “What did you want him to wait for?”
