Chapter 173 A Narrow Road [VIP]

Chapter Summary: Wanting to test what will happen after her contract expires...

Liu Rui stood in the middle of the road, blocking the way.

If Mu Zhi ignores Liu Rui, she has to walk around Liu Rui to the side.

But... why should we go around in circles?

Seeing that Mu Zhi, standing a meter away, was not moving or speaking, but only looking at her calmly, Liu Rui was remarkably composed.

For the past three months, Liu Rui had been feeling a tightness in her chest, unable to find a way to release her pent-up frustration. Now, seeing Mu Zhi was like someone throwing a lit match into a haystack drying in the sun; the haystack was instantly ignited, and the fire shot up high in a flash.

Liu Rui gritted her teeth and forced out a cold, gritting laugh: "No wonder you so readily gave up on 'Twins' when I asked to star in it."

"Was this all a setup you orchestrated? You never intended to act in this movie. You watched me fall into your trap, and now you're satisfied with the dismal box office performance of 'The Twins'?"

If you were to ask Liu Rui if she regrets choosing to star in the movie "Twins," the answer would undoubtedly be yes, she regrets it immensely.

Not only did the movie flop at the box office, failing to break 100 million, but it also caused her reputation to collapse. She was criticized for her declining acting skills, being greasy, and even more offensively mocked for dressing up properly and stopping her from always acting in sex scenes in movies.

What Liu Rui regrets even more is that she didn't guard against or suppress Mu Zhi back then, allowing a little girl who debuted as an idol to not only rise to become the company's top star in just a few years and steal all her thunder, but also to be tricked by Mu Zhi.

She was pinned to the spot by Mu Zhi's sharp dagger hidden in its sheath. The peak that she once thought would soon be within her grasp was now impossible to climb, and she was even sliding downhill.

Mu Zhi was not at all surprised by Liu Rui's "turning the tables".

She looked at Liu Rui and sneered, "Oh? Did I force you to go to great lengths to find out about my next movie? Did I force you to lower your fee and successfully snatch the movie I was talking about in a single day? Did I force you to happily release press releases to put me down after snatching the movie?"

You lacked your own judgment in choosing roles, blindly assuming that any role I was interested in would be a box office hit, and you ended up reaping the consequences.

Mu Zhi scoffed, glancing at Liu Rui, whose cheeks were flushed and who was trembling with anger, unable to speak. "You're trying to find an excuse for your failure and push all the blame onto me. This only makes you seem shameless, ridiculous, and pathetic."

The word "pitiful" sounded like a tickle to Liu Rui's ears.

Liu Rui's chest heaved as she stared at Mu Zhi with eyes that seemed to spit fire: "You only get better movie roles because you have a pretty face and are a few years younger than me."

My age and my looks may be inferior to yours, but I never felt that my acting skills were inferior to yours.

"You're lucky to have become famous at such a young age. Once your prime is over and you reach my age, you'll experience the same predicament I faced."

It means that Mu Zhi has benefited from being young and beautiful, and is unwilling to admit that Mu Zhi is anything special.

Mu Zhi did not refute Liu Rui's words, knowing that many people attributed a large part of her success to good luck.

No one knows her past life. It took her several years to go from a newcomer to an award-winning actress. It took her another four years to start over here. Her past life experience has been a great help to her. Every film she chooses is not based on luck, but on careful consideration and decision-making. She has climbed up step by step to reach where she is today.

Mu Zhi didn't care about comments like "relying on her looks," "relying on luck," or "there must be capital backing her." People can say whatever they want; the ability to keep "good luck" with her was something others couldn't envy.

I thought Liu Rui would be more clear-headed after watching the movie "Twins".

After meeting Liu Rui today and hearing her remarks, Mu Zhi felt that this person had become even more "crazy".

Mu Zhi sighed, recalling something. Once, while filming on set, there was a power outage, plunging the set into darkness. Everyone sat together chatting, and someone brought up the topic of telecom fraud, saying that a friend of theirs, worth millions, had been swindled out of everything. Even after the police came to warn him, he still transferred money to the scammers—what a fool!

Someone once said: If your current intelligence can't hold onto your wealth, it will slip away through scams.

Liu Rui's performance in "Twins" attracted some harsh criticism, with some mocking the sex scene in the film as "selling sex." Ironically, the film in which Liu Rui won the Best Actress award also had a sex scene, which was quite erotic and exciting, and at the time it was met with overwhelming praise.

Later, Liu Rui mostly played decorative roles in movies. Perhaps the directors thought that erotic scenes would be eye-catching and generate buzz, and Liu Rui's inability to refuse was perhaps her comfort zone in acting.

Having played these kinds of roles so many times, audiences are now tired of them, and what was once praised has turned into denigration, ridicule, and even slander.

Mu Zhi felt sorry for Liu Rui because she felt that Liu Rui, as an actress, hadn't even figured out which direction she should be heading. She saw someone else holding a watermelon and wanted one too.

If you win the Best Actress award but don't have good works and roles to support it, then the award will only become less and less valuable.

Seeing that Mu Zhi remained silent for a while, Liu Rui assumed that Mu Zhi had been rendered speechless by her retort.

Mu Zhi spoke up: "Some reporters compared us before, and you gave an interview. Later, other reporters used your interview to interview me. You should have seen the interview video of my response, right?"

Liu Rui remained silent; of course she had seen it. She remembered Mu Zhi's reply: the cake was so big that everyone could share it.

Liu Rui knew that Mu Zhi, who seemed calm and unassuming, was actually quite eloquent. After watching Mu Zhi's interview, she felt like she had punched cotton.

Mu Zhi said, "If it wasn't me, it would have been someone else. You should look for the problem within yourself."

Regarding Liu Rui's question about age, "No one can stay young forever. In a few years, I will of course reach your age, and I am not afraid."

As actresses get older, the roles and opportunities they can get become more limited. But even if there are no films, there will still be television dramas and web series, so acting opportunities will always exist.

You're already luckier than some actresses who never even get a chance to shine.

Liu Rui is playing the victim here; she's getting the benefit but pretending to be innocent.

Mu Zhi walked straight toward Liu Rui, saying, "My goal has always been simply to be a good actor and leave a mark through my work."

The subtext is: Liu Rui, what about you? Ask yourself what you really want. Do you want popularity, do you want to become a big star? Are your goals too unrealistic?

Under Mu Zhi's scrutinizing gaze, Liu Rui couldn't utter a word. She subconsciously took two steps back, slightly turned her body, and made way for Mu Zhi.

Just as Mu Zhi was about to pass by, Liu Rui remembered another reason for wanting to talk to Mu Zhi.

"I heard your contract expires next year. With your current abilities, wouldn't it be a better choice for you to open your own studio?"

Mu Zhi paused slightly. So this was Liu Rui's purpose?

They wanted to test whether she would stay with Lanxing Media after her contract expired.

Mu Zhi ignored Liu Rui's words and quickened her pace to walk away.

He Zhiyue was still waiting and didn't have time to waste time talking nonsense with Liu Rui.

Liu Rui was not upset at all by Mu Zhi's words.

Watching Mu Zhi's departing figure, she told herself to stay calm. She hadn't come to the company today to see Mu Zhi. She composed herself and walked towards the company building.

Mu Zhi walked into the first floor of the company and saw some employees eating something in their hands as they passed through the office area, laughing happily.

As they approached the elevator, a staff member carrying a box of snacks passed by and asked Mu Zhi, "Teacher Mu, would you like some?"

"The boss came to the company today and invited everyone to afternoon tea."

Mu Zhi smiled and shook her head: "No need, thank you."

The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside.

It seems that He Zhiyue's visit to the company has greatly boosted the morale of the employees. The gloom has completely dissipated, and the employees can finally put their minds at ease and continue to work hard at Lanxing Media.

Mu Zhi took the elevator directly to the top floor and arrived at the door of the general manager's office.

Luke immediately came over and opened the door for Muzhi.

It was clear that He Zhiyue had already given the order.

As soon as Mu Zhi walked in, she felt a warmth; the office was heated.

She hadn't been to this office in a long time, so it felt a bit unfamiliar. She noticed that some of the layout had changed and some things were missing.

He Zhiyue is no longer working here; he must have moved some personal belongings out. This office will soon be taken over by a professional manager.

Mu Zhi turned her gaze to the man sitting on the sofa.

He Zhiyue was wearing a white shirt with a black suit vest over it. His overcoat and suit jacket were placed next to him. He was originally looking down at his phone and handling some official business. After Mu Zhi walked in, he put his phone on the coffee table.

She has now stood up and is walking towards Muzhi.

His eyes sparkled with starlight, and a smile played on his lips. He touched his broken eyebrow, seemingly embarrassed, and asked, "Are you cold?"

Mu Zhi: "...It's alright."

She bent down, opened her bag, and took out the gift box.

Luke knocked on the door and brought in two cups of coffee. He placed the coffee on the coffee table, then immediately and considerately left and closed the door behind him.

"Sit down and have a cup of coffee."

He Zhiyue watched as Mu Zhi's disheveled hair was blown a little messy by the wind, with a few strands fluttering around her ears. He felt a little itchy to touch her but didn't dare to. He shifted his gaze away and instead focused on the box Mu Zhi was carrying.

He instantly guessed what gift Mu Zhi was going to give him.

Mu Zhi wanted to say "no need," as she had only come to give a return gift and would leave afterward.

However, after chatting with Liu Rui for a few minutes in the ground-level parking lot, I did get a bit cold from the wind and was also thirsty.

Seeing that He Zhiyue had already gone back to sit on the sofa, she had no choice but to sit down on the sofa opposite him and put her bag and gift box next to her.

The coffee has already been brewed; it would be a waste not to drink it.

Mu Zhi picked up the coffee on the table, took two sips, and put it down.

Then, he picked up the gift from the small gift box beside him, stood up slightly, leaned forward, and placed the small gift box in front of He Zhiyue with both hands.

"Thank you for the safety amulet."

"I picked out a watch for you."

He Zhiyue happily accepted it, saying, "Thank you."

He couldn't wait to open it in front of her. Mu Zhi had given him a watch worth several million, which was more expensive than the safety buckle He Zhiyue had given him.

He Zhiyue was happy but also a little dumbfounded. Even if Mu Zhi had given him a watch worth a few hundred yuan, he would have been very happy. He didn't want her to be too calculating with him, or even want her to take advantage of him instead.

He Zhiyue saw that Mu Zhi was about to leave after giving her the gift; he had finally managed to meet her.

I asked the creative team of "Escape from the Game" how their roadshow had gone after more than a week.

Mu Zhi, who had intended to say goodbye and leave, had no choice but to sit down and answer.

After she finished answering, He Zhiyue wished her: "I wish Teacher Mu's new movie great box office success."

Mu Zhi thought to herself: Lanxing Media also invested in this movie, not just her new film.

She didn't brush off He Zhiyue and told him honestly that she had no idea about the box office performance of "Escape from the Game".

I'm genuinely quite uncertain, not about the quality of the film, but because the competition during the Spring Festival season is extremely fierce, and the box office performance is really hard to predict.

"I believe in Teacher Mu."

Mu Zhi: "..."

He Zhiyue's gaze was inexplicably intense, making her feel uncomfortable.

Mu Zhi stood up: "Um, I have something to do, I'll go down first."

I haven't tried on the dress I'm going to wear tonight yet.

He Zhiyue also stood up: "Yes."

He knew that Mu Zhi was going to attend a grand event that evening and had only returned to Beicheng that morning, so she would definitely be very busy.

He came all the way to see her, and feeling satisfied, he prepared to head to the airport.

Mu Zhi asked He Zhiyue not to see her off, as she didn't want others to see her.

As soon as Mu Zhi came out, she ran into Liu Rui again.

What a small world!

The next second, Mu Zhi realized how coincidental it was to run into Liu Rui twice. She guessed that Liu Rui must have received news that He Zhiyue had come to the company, so the two of them bumped into each other one after the other.

Mu Zhi glanced at Liu Rui, then walked past her again without looking to the side.

Liu Rui watched Mu Zhi leave with a suspicious look, a thought flashing through her mind.

Luke, standing nearby, said, "Teacher Liu, President He has a tight schedule today and is about to leave for the airport..."

It means there was no time to see Liu Rui.

But Liu Rui wouldn't listen at all: "I have something important to discuss with President He." She barged in.