Chapter 37

"Which film crew is this? Why is the title like this?" After laughing for a long time, until she clutched her stomach and complained of pain, Tan Lingling finally calmed down.

There's definitely a difference between paid and free content, huh? Even the TV dramas she stars in have such high-class, sophisticated titles. This—

It's not that it's outdated, but the current trend is that TV dramas shouldn't use this name, right?

"You're not making this a short drama, are you?" If it is, this script might actually become a minor hit.

Tan Lingling started to feel nervous again. It wasn't that she had to compete with Zhu Yu or that she had to live a better life than Zhu Yu.

The main problem is that if Zhu Yu becomes too famous, and she tries to seduce someone else, it will be easy for it to be discovered that she was the one who did it.

Wouldn't that make it cold?

Although such things are common in the industry, a fig leaf is always needed, especially when it comes to something so morally reprehensible.

If things escalate, even Zhou Ye himself won't benefit.

"It shouldn't be. The director said it's just a low-budget web series." Somewhat annoyed, she snatched her phone back. It's no wonder Tan Lingling was laughing like that; she was also quite skeptical about the authenticity of the text message at first glance.

After adding the person in charge on WeChat and confirming several times, they said it was also a promotional strategy.

After all, for web series, promotion is the most important thing.

That made her understand.

"Oh, I see. By the way, the director said there's a scene today where the main character talks to the innkeeper. Would you like to try it out? After all, you've never been on a proper film set before."

Tan Lingling's tone carried a hint of favor, and the assistant sitting next to her, who was carrying miscellaneous items for Tan Lingling, glanced at Zhu Yu upon hearing this.

His eyes revealed a hint of curiosity and a touch of pity.

This wasn't exactly a friendly gesture; Zhu Yu felt that the other person probably wanted to flaunt their status as the lead actress in a primetime TV drama in front of her.

Although she didn't know where this inexplicable hostility came from, Zhu Yu didn't care, since she had indeed gotten the benefits.

With her current popularity, she would be more than happy to get more exposure!

"Of course, no problem! I was just about to ask if I could get a minor role or something~"

If the character in the "Extra" picture really was just playing a minor role, then Zhu Yu wouldn't be that naive and innocent.

Having two lines of dialogue means the director will definitely see your performance in that scene. Even if the director doesn't make a strong impression on the first take, it's still much better than not making any impression at all.

Moreover, as long as the first impression is good enough, even if there are malicious people who deliberately smear her later, these directors will give her another chance because of the first impression.

Now that Shi Ru has a girlfriend (just kidding), he'll definitely have to prioritize her in terms of resources in this area, so Zhu Yu needs to plan more for herself.

Although most problems could be solved by an agent, Zhu Yu currently lacks sufficient capital, resulting in extremely low contract terms. Furthermore, she is unwilling to be bound by the various rules and regulations of the company.

-

Shi Ru noticed that Zhu Yu had been avoiding him lately. He wouldn't come out for meals no matter how many times he called her, and she even stopped playing her usual evening games.

"You mean you think something might have happened to her and she's worried about you?"

Zhang Yuge thought Shi Ru's concern was quite absurd. Zhu Yu is a grown-up with hands and feet. Although she is currently a minor celebrity, she is still working on one film crew after another (not really).

She's clearly a rising star, what could possibly happen to her?

“I checked, she doesn’t start filming her next drama for another week, but she has already refused to have dinner with me three times in a row.”

"So?" Zhang Yuge rolled his eyes. It's not like she's a mukbang streamer who goes online at a fixed time. Can't she have her own things to do?

"She's not normal!" Shi Ru said decisively. Even now, sitting in a private room at a bar with Zhang Yuge, he was still glued to his phone.

I sent a message to Zhu Yu this afternoon before leaving home, but I still haven't received a reply.

"Hey bro~ who are you to her? Does she have some kind of system mission that requires her to have dinner with you?"

Although this person is my good buddy, and he is very rich, powerful, and handsome.

Is it so hard to understand why someone doesn't want to talk to you?

"What are you so worried about? You can't expect every girl to revolve around you, can you?"

"You weren't like this before, did you take the wrong medicine today?"

Unable to bear it any longer, Zhang Yuge reached out to touch his forehead.

You can't say these things unless your fever reaches 48 degrees Celsius!

Shi Ru picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. He was definitely not acting normally today. Zhang Yuge's words made perfect sense, but for some reason, he just couldn't accept them.

It would be hard for him to accept being rejected by Zhu Yu.

The two of them would either play games together for two hours every day or eat together. When they were too busy to meet or play games, they could still chat for two hundred messages on a chat app.

But these past few days, the messages have started going in a loop: he won't come out for meals, and he won't log into games.

It's like a sudden, abrupt breakup; how can anyone accept that?

"Break up?" Hearing Zhang Yuge's question, Shi Ru realized that she had inadvertently voiced the anger that had been building up inside.

When did you two get together?

"..." Shi Ru shook his head in frustration.

"No, you've really fallen for Zhu Yu? I was just thinking you were having a fling." Seeing that he was genuinely upset, Zhang Yuge immediately stopped drinking and came over to gossip.

"I don't know. Does this mean you like someone?"

Shi Ru put on an attentive listening expression. He didn't actually think Zhu Yu was anything special; he had just gotten used to spending so much time together.

However, if this is considered liking someone, then he can try dating them.

"Big brother, from childhood to adulthood, when have you ever been this clingy with anyone? Usually, when I ask you to go out or play games, I can't find you eight out of ten times."

If we're talking about this, Zhang Yuge said he has so much to say. He had always thought Shi Ru was just a naturally aloof person.

As a result, the person went to Zhu Yu's place and clocked in on time. They didn't know better and thought they were going to work. The anxiety they felt for missing a day or two was unbearable to watch!

I don't know if Zhu Yu gave him a perfect attendance bonus. You can't just fine him 100,000 yuan for missing a single day, can you?

“What you’re saying is a bit biased,” Shi Ru listened attentively to Zhang Yuge’s words. He frowned halfway through, wanting to refute her, but out of good manners, he patiently waited for her to finish. “I refused you before because I really didn’t have time.”

"Don't you even look at the time you're trying to contact me? I usually go to bed at 10 PM, and you're calling me at 1 AM, of course I can't see it!"

Shi Ru didn't think he was applying double standards to anyone. The main issue was that the time periods were different. Could the course load in the first and second years of college be compared to now?

Unable to argue with him, Zhang Yuge was speechless. This person clearly liked someone else, but he was still being stubborn!

Zhang Yuge didn't know what he was angry about. His good brother couldn't even find a girlfriend, but someone else was single with him. He was overjoyed.

Perhaps it is because such rare sights as iron trees blooming or branches breaking off from high mountains are naturally pleasing to those who witness them?

"Alright, alright, that's normal. So what do you think of Zhu Yu? Put your hand on your right chest and honestly ask yourself, do you like her or not?"

"...?" Shi Ru looked at him in confusion. Right chest? Was this guy stupid again or mocking him?

He appeared serious, and Shi Ru couldn't tell at first glance, but he certainly wouldn't do as Zhang Yuge said.

That would be so stupid!

So Shi Ru calmly put down his wine glass, leaned back, spread his arms on the armrests, and coolly pulled his left forearm back to press against his heart.

Feeling the vibrant pulse beneath my palm, a surge of life force washed over me, and for some reason, Zhu Yu's smiling face popped into my mind again.

"That might actually be because you like them."

Shi Ru affirmed.

"If you like her, just go for it! Confess! Call her, I'll dial the number for you."

Zhang Yuge was like a badger in a melon patch, jumping around even more excitedly than Shi Ru.

As he spoke, he lunged forward to snatch Shi Ru's phone, but Shi Ru blocked him with a parry.

"Why are you getting so worked up? Even if I really like someone, we're not at the point where we need to be together yet."

In reality, Shi Ru was thinking that although he had never eaten pork, he had seen plenty of pigs run around.

When other people are in a relationship with a girl, they usually pursue her for a long time and only confess their feelings when they are sure that they both feel the same way.

Those who put up wreaths and flower arrangements without doing anything and engage in moral blackmail in public are despicable.

If Shi Ru likes someone, he should pursue them openly and honestly, and express his feelings clearly and sincerely.

He wouldn't resort to any underhanded, manipulative schemes.

Shi Ru has always despised these kinds of scheming and plotting.

It was precisely because of his attitude that he couldn't connect with Zhou Ye and his group, and they accused him of being pretentious and fake.

Even Zhang Yuge looked at him with the same expression: "You're a member of the Shi family!"

Putting aside his status as the heir of the Shi family, the mere fact that he bears the surname Shi is enough to serve as an entry point into high society.

Moreover, Shi Ru could find any woman he wanted with just a snap of his fingers.

"The way you're saying that makes it sound like women are commodities or objects."

Shi Ru shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of reproach and admonition.

Some bottom lines can be changed for specific people, but some bottom lines are the most basic backbone of being a person, and they must never be relaxed in their adherence.

Especially for someone like Zhang Yuge, who has been in the entertainment industry for a long time, it is easiest to forget that they are also just ordinary people amidst the glitz and glamour and false prosperity.

He certainly doesn't want to see Zhang Yuge's name on a legal affairs program one day.

These words were somewhat well-intentioned and, in some ways, unpleasant to hear.

Zhang Yuge didn't like listening to this. Weren't they talking about whether Shi Ru liked Zhu Yu or whether Zhu Yu liked Shi Ru?

How exactly did the topic turn to him?

"Alright, alright, stop talking about me, talk about your business!" Zhang Yuge pushed himself up on the sofa and moved a large distance to the side, creating some distance between the two of them.

"The first step in pursuing someone is dating. You have to get them to go out with you first, right?"

"She's not replying to my messages..." Just moments ago she was fiercely lecturing Zhang Yuge, but the moment the topic returned to the present, she immediately deflated.

Zhang Yuge was speechless, he had so much to say but no words to express it, so he decided to take matters into his own hands: "Useless trash! Give me your phone!"

"Yu Yu, a new cruise ship restaurant has opened over at the harbor. Want to go try it together?"

"Yu Yu? How disgusting! I've never called her that!" Shi Ru said, reaching for her phone.

"What do you know! Just you wait and see!"