Huo Zhixing glared at him and said coldly, "If you can't speak properly, then shut up!"

Lu Lishan was laughing with his mouth wide open, unable to close it at all.

For some reason, Huo Zhixing and Nie Xin had a natural antagonism... Actually, it's not quite like that. You could say he disliked all the men who got close to Jiang Can.

"Alright, alright!" Lu Lishan patted his shoulder. "Jiang Can only interviewed him once, it was just work-related, you don't have to be so petty, do you?"

"I didn't," he stubbornly insisted, taking a large gulp of beer.

"It's written all over your face, yet you still deny it!" Lu Lishan chuckled. "How about this: you help me get Nie Xin to come, and I'll make him look bad at the banquet!"

Huo Zhixing's expression softened slightly. The two men exchanged a glance and simultaneously revealed a slightly roguish smile.

"Am I the kind of petty person?" Huo Zhixing said, then turned around, took out his phone, and dialed Manager Hao's number.

"Try to arrange a meeting with Nie Xin and invite him to President Lu's banquet. Be polite in your words!"

Lu Lishan: "..."

"He's a movie star, after all. Don't embarrass him in public." Huo Zhixing said in a deep voice, looking at him with a smile. "Why don't you take this opportunity to have a good talk with him and hopefully sign him!"

"Heh, he's signed it. We'll torture him slowly from now on?"

Huo Zhixing glanced at him, "I have no grudge against him, why would I torment him? I'm doing this for your own good, so that Nie Xin will work himself to the bone to make money for you in the future! Wouldn't that make your company grow and prosper!"

Lu Lishan pursed his lips and laughed.

If you expect Nie Xin to work himself to death to make money, will he even have the chance to give an interview?

Without an interview scheduled, Jiang Can wouldn't be able to see him.

In the end, it was still Huo Sanshao who was one step ahead!

...

The banquet hosted by Qingshan Entertainment Company was a grand affair. In addition to most of the entertainment industry, many well-known figures from the business and political circles were also present.

The appearance of Nie Xin surprised many people.

"Actor Nie actually came? That's unbelievable!"

"Didn't you say that President Lu invited her several times, but Nie Xin just wouldn't give him face?"

"Ha, no matter how powerful Nie Xin is, he's just an actor! Who is President Lu? He used to be a mafia boss. Can Nie Xin compete with him?"

Amidst the whispers and murmurs, Lu Lishan and Nie Xin shook hands and stood side by side for a photo.

Both of them wore polite smiles, and although they appeared distant, this scene was still talked about by many people.

Some media outlets even started writing press releases on the spot, saying that Actor Nie would definitely sign with Qingshan Entertainment and embark on a new journey...

Jiang Can entered the banquet hall as a reporter, but when she saw her editor-in-chief writing a press release, she frowned and gently tugged at him.

"What are you doing?" The editor-in-chief's eyes were glued to the computer screen, his chubby hands flying across the keyboard as if he were under a spell.

"It's not right to write this without any evidence!" Jiang Can said directly.

"What do you know!" the editor-in-chief scoffed. "Everyone else writes it this way, but our publishing house doesn't. What if we get no clicks and no traffic? Are you going to take responsibility for that?"

“But,” Jiang Can hesitated, “what if Nie Xin doesn’t sign with Qingshan Entertainment?”

"How could that be!" The editor-in-chief looked at her with disdain. "Xiao Jiang, you even interviewed Nie Xin. Do you think this movie star is the kind of person who doesn't know his place?"

Jiang Can thought for a moment and then gently shook her head.

"That's more like it!" the editor-in-chief said. "Nie Xin has risen to this level; he can tell who's who! Lu Lishan has connections in both the legitimate and underworld circles. If Nie Xin doesn't curry favor with him, is he just waiting for Lu Lishan to chop him up?"

"..." Jiang Can was speechless. He sighed and turned to sit in the side hall.

She remembered that Huo Zhixing had said he would come today.

However, because there were too many media outlets here, and Huo Zhixing didn't like to appear in front of the media, he arrived a little late.

Jiang Can found a comfortable sofa to lean against, intending to rest for a while, but then she saw someone sitting at a table not far away, playing cards with great concentration.

She steadied herself and realized that the person was actually...

Nie Xin?

How did he end up here!

While she was still in a daze, Nie Xin noticed her, smiled slightly at her, and then walked over and sat down next to her.

"Hello!" Jiang Can sat up straight, looking a little awkward.

Nie Xin has a pleasant, fresh fragrance, which, combined with his refined and well-defined features, further enhances his charisma.

"Hello," Nie Xin greeted with a smile. "I didn't expect to run into you here. Are you here for an interview too?"

"Mm." Jiang Can nodded.

The two fell silent. Nie Xin smiled and continued to focus on the cards, playing them directly on the coffee table in front of her.

Jiang Can was stunned when he saw the pattern on the back of the deck of cards.

"You... know how to play this?"

Nie Xin looked at her, "What, you can do that too?"

"This kind of deck is called Silo, right?" Jiang Can chuckled. "I don't know how to play, but my mom does!"

Nie Xin's expression changed, and she paused for a moment.

"My mom is really good at this kind of card game, no one can beat her! But I saw her playing with other people..."

"Siro cards can be played by multiple people or by one person." Nie Xin became interested. "Your mother knows how to play this kind of card game. I wonder where she's from?"

Jiang Can was taken aback. Growing up, she didn't seem to know where her mother's hometown was.

Nie Xin misinterpreted her silence as something else, and he quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry into your family's privacy. I was just curious..."

"Not many people know how to play Siro cards. This type of card came from Southeast Asia, and I am from Hong Kong."

Nie Xin chuckled, "Hong Kong is very close to Southeast Asia, and its culture has been influenced by Southeast Asia, so I've been playing this since I was a child."

Jiang Can nodded, smiled, and said, "Then you're very smart. I've been learning since I was little, but I've never been able to learn it. This card game is too unique, and there are too many rules; I can't remember them all!"

"There are many rules, but there are patterns to follow."

Nie Xin looked at her, then took out a few cards and stuffed them into her hand.

Jiang Can initially wanted to refuse.

However, when Nie Xin handed her the cards, he gently squeezed her hand. She was startled and looked up to meet his gentle eyes.

His perfectly timed upturn of the corners of his mouth was captivating.

Jiang Can panicked and quickly pulled her hand away, turning her gaze elsewhere.

“Since we’re just killing time anyway,” Nie Xin said softly, “how about I teach you how to play cards?”

“Mr. Nie…” Jiang Can looked at him. “Aren’t you going to the banquet hall? You’re one of the main characters today!”

"Mr. Lu is enough over there." Nie Xin smiled, looked at the cards in her hand, and drew one. "You play this first, and then I'll tell you what to do next!"

Jiang Can followed his advice and proceeded step by step.

His explanation was different from his mother's, but after he explained it in a simple and easy-to-understand way, she actually started to understand.

"So, should we play this one now?" Jiang Can tentatively put it down.

"Correct!" Nie Xin nodded approvingly.

Jiang Can grew more courageous with each battle, diligently considering his next move.

But at that moment, the door to the side hall suddenly opened...