Chapter 42
After boarding the private elevator, Shen Li touched the button with her finger, then squatted down as if all her strength had left her, leaning against the metal wall to send a message to Cheng Qingqing: I'm going back.
Thinking of Luo Mingxiu's stubborn attitude just now, her mood plummeted like the elevator. She had said everything she needed to say, but she didn't know how much he would listen to. In short, until she saw a change, it was best not to meet again.
If he doesn't stay away, then she will avoid him. How can everything be done as he wishes? She will no longer indulge him.
The elevator reached the underground parking garage. Shen Li got up and walked out. In the dim light, her phone screen lit up. Cheng Qingqing replied: "You're leaving so soon? Aren't you going to the meeting later? It's almost the end of the year, and I was hoping you could say a few words to everyone."
Shen Li: No, I'm not in the mood.
Cheng Qingqing: What did Luo Mingxiu say to you? Did he upset you again?
Cheng Qingqing: That night it wasn't just a simple confrontation, was it? He must have done other things too. I think you're angry with him.
Cheng Qingqing sent two angry emojis in a row: What's wrong with this kid? I'll have to give him a good talking to at the meeting later.
Cheng Qingqing: You're the boss, make him show some respect!
Shen Li had a gut feeling that Cheng Qingqing had already guessed something. She had followed Cheng Qingqing since her debut, from assistant to manager. They had gone through difficulties together and shared secrets. Apart from family, they understood each other the most.
Shen Li simply told her so that they could share a common hatred: He came here today to be scolded and beaten. That night he kissed me, but I wasn't strong enough for him and he succeeded.
After sending the message, it took quite a while for them to reply: "My CPU overheated."
Cheng Qingqing: No, where did he get the guts?
Cheng Qingqing: I'm so angry! Wait, I'm going to make a phone call.
Half an hour later, Cheng Qingqing replied: I gave that kid and Liang Jin a good scolding, it felt so good.
Upon seeing this message, Shen Li was delighted and felt much better.
Often, when we tell our troubles to our friends, it's not so much to get a great solution, but to have someone on our side to help us vent.
On the other side, Liang Jin, who had been verbally abused over the phone, stopped what he was doing, picked up his phone, and called Luo Mingxiu: "Hey, where are you?"
"Third floor atrium".
"What are you doing running there? I asked you to report to President Cheng on the handling of those matters in the film crew, but instead, you've dragged me into another matter..." Liang Jin hung up the phone and slammed the door as he left.
On the terrace in the courtyard, Luo Mingxiu stood alone, the light and shadow cast around him lonely and desolate. He heard hurried footsteps behind him and said, "Brother Liang, I want to be alone for a while, just ten minutes."
Liang Jin stopped, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and walked to the side.
Outside the building, at the exit of the underground parking garage, a red sports car drove away. Luo Mingxiu watched silently, his hand clenching and then slowly relaxing on the railing.
Shen Li is right. He always revolves around her, and his emotions are dictated by her. He shouldn't continue like this.
The words and actions of those around him all told him that they were not on the same level, and that he could only win Shen Li's favor by acting well and being better than anyone else.
Let him have a chance to like her, instead of watching her leave again and again.
"Still looking?" Liang Jin kicked him, his tone sarcastic. "I thought you'd be tempted to block someone, but I never imagined you'd actually shut someone up? Just because Shen Li treats you well, do you think you can take advantage of that?"
“I went too far this time,” Luo Mingxiu turned around, “I’m sorry, I’ve made you get scolded again.”
“I’m not afraid of being scolded,” Liang Jin said, throwing away his cigarette butt with a worried look on his face. “I’ve told you too many times not to get carried away, but have you ever listened to me? I don’t care how deep your feelings are for Shen Li, I’ll just say one thing.”
The contract was only for five years, and President Cheng is considering whether to renew it. If you continue to act recklessly and lose your job, without Qingli as your backer, do you still think you can avoid becoming a traffic star and still be the male lead in Shen Li's story? Keep dreaming.
Liang Jin left it at that; smart people know how to balance work and relationships, and which side to focus on at each stage. He hoped Luo Mingxiu would understand and not go astray.
Luo Mingxiu pondered for a long time, and when he looked at him again, his eyes showed more determination. He said thank you.
Liang Jin knew he understood, so he composed himself and put his arm around his shoulder: "Alright, hurry up and go to the stylist. Don't be late for the Drama Star Awards this afternoon."
"Give it your best. This is your first time attending such a star-studded event. President Cheng will be watching, and Shen Li might too."
"I will do my best." Upon hearing the last sentence, the previously indifferent person's eyes shone with a vibrant light.
Liang Jin had an "I knew it" expression on his face. As long as Luo Mingxiu didn't suddenly go crazy, he was the easiest person to control.
"After you finish this event today, you don't have any other work before the New Year. Tianye's drama will start filming in March, and the script has already been sent over. Before the holiday, you can stay at the company and study the script. The company's dubbing department is currently undergoing training. President Cheng said that artists can attend the training, which is equivalent to a free dialogue class."
“Oh, and one more thing,” Liang Jin took out his phone and scrolled through the chat history, “the two episodes of the mystery variety show you recorded last time were well received, and the director intends to make you a regular cast member for the next season.”
"They're going to change the cast next season?" Luo Mingxiu frowned slightly upon hearing this. "Continuing as a pilot is fine, but a permanent role is out of the question."
"I think so too. This variety show was originally recommended by Tianye and is Yao Yunhe's main variety show. It's mainly to let you lead actors get in touch in advance and prepare for the filming of the suspense drama later."
"Your logical reasoning is so good that you've overshadowed the male and female leads. If you were to become a regular character, you'd definitely be torn to shreds by criticism."
Luo Mingxiu: "The guests were originally quite suitable, but reasoning variety shows are full of smart people, which actually reduces the show's appeal."
"Are you implying something about Yao?" Liang Jin said. "Let me warn you first, Miss Yao is not someone to be trifled with. Once you join the crew, be careful what you say and don't get into any conflicts with her."
“I wasn’t talking about her; that guy was inferior to her.”
Liang Jin's eyes widened: "Even the male lead can't be messed with."
Actors participating in too many variety shows doesn't create a good impression; they only need to participate in promotional events for their dramas. Luo Mingxiu didn't care about that. He asked, "Besides the one that's about to start filming, are there any other suitable scripts?"
Liang Jin shook his head: "Right now, you only have one drama that has been broadcast and exposed, Youth Diary. All the dramas that have come your way are similar idol dramas. You don't film kissing scenes, and you don't have many works. You should focus on making this suspense drama first."
Several filmmakers on your sister Ya-xin's side are interested in you, and they said they'll wait until "Detective Xie Huaixi" airs before watching it.
"Now I just hope that after the Detective series airs, you can benefit from the lead actor's popularity and your drama with Yao Yunhe will become a hit, then you'll have more options."
Luo Mingxiu: "I still need to work harder."
The road to pursuing dreams is winding and long, and newcomers are bound to feel frustrated.
Liang Jin comforted him, saying, "Whether a show becomes a hit or not sometimes depends on luck. My requirement for you is that you can always maintain the same passion for this industry as when you were playing minor roles, gradually build up your skills, and never forget your original aspirations."
Shen Li oversees all of Qingli's styling team. She has a strong fashion sense, and the makeup and styling of her artists are almost always flawless. She's favored by brands, and sponsorships flock to her whenever she attends an event.
As soon as the red carpet event ended, Luo Mingxiu became a trending topic.
When #LuoMingxiu'sUneditedPhotos# appeared at the top of the trending searches, Shen Li was getting her hair and makeup done in the dressing room of V Family Magazine.
The executive agent was communicating with the editor-in-chief at the door, the stylist was doing her hair behind her, and she was scrolling through her phone, suddenly appearing in the super topic and interacting with fans in the comments.
Luo Mingxiu's message popped up: Sister, have you seen it?
Shen Li glanced at it but ignored it.
Luo Mingxiu sent another expectant puppy emoji.
Shen Li typed with a cold face: What are you looking at?
Luo Mingxiu: I trended on Weibo after attending the Drama Star red carpet event.
Shen Li clicked on the trending topic and scrolled through it with a cold expression. The first Weibo post under the topic was his photo, a nine-grid post by a big V. These accounts specialize in submitting unedited photos of celebrities, which are usually meant for people to nitpick and criticize. The comments section is full of sharp words and won't be controlled by fans.
Unfiltered beauty v: Regardless of everything else, among the fresh faces, this guy's looks are absolutely stunning.
[I just passed by, even though I don't like him.]
[We're old acquaintances, no inspection required.]
[Handsome guys stay young forever, as long as they don't develop a fuller jawline in middle age.]
...
She clicked on the middle picture and saw that Luo Mingxiu's makeup was natural and not pale. His features were already three-dimensional, and the makeup artist further highlighted his dark and deep eyebrows and eyes. The photographer took this picture up close to his face, and you could clearly see his pores. However, his skin tone was even, his nose was straight, and his thin lips were slightly pursed, so he was indeed very suitable for this kind of photo.
What's more, he was wearing a suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and physique tonight, making him look exceptionally handsome.
[Judging from her appearance, Shen Li is a sucker for good looks and knows how to pick people; none of the two artists under her management are considered ugly here.]
Upon seeing this comment, Shen Li's lips curled slightly. Praising someone else also included praising herself. Of course, it was all thanks to her good taste, the aesthetic sense of her company team, and the stylist.
She knew what Luo Mingxiu was thinking when he sent the message; he wanted her to praise him. Dream on.
Seeing her hair done in the mirror, she got up and replied that she hadn't looked, she was busy, handed her phone to Xiaoyu, and went to the shooting room with the staff.
The chat ended there. In the following days, Luo Mingxiu sent a couple of greetings, but Shen Li didn't reply. He also wisely stopped bothering her.
On the last day after finishing her work, Shen Li made a brief appearance at the company's year-end party. In order to avoid running into Luo Mingzheng, she deliberately avoided the lobby and the artist management department after the party and left quickly.
But when we got to the underground parking garage, we still ran into each other.
Luo Mingxiu was also there to pick up his car. His parking space was right next to hers. When he saw her, he immediately went up to her and said, "Sister, I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year in advance."
One doesn't hit a smiling face, so Shen Li responded, "Happy New Year."
"What's wrong with him?" She looked behind him; Liang Jin was leaning against the passenger seat, his head tilted to the side.
Luo Mingxiu: "It's okay, I'm just feeling sleepy from drinking. I'll drive back."
Shen Li nodded, squeezed the keys in her hand, and wanted to turn around and get into the car, but seeing that Luo Mingxiu's gaze was burning and he had no intention of leaving, she had no choice but to chat with him for a few more minutes.
When are you going back to City C?
"I booked a flight for tomorrow."
"Where is my sister?"
"I'm driving back today."
Drive carefully and be safe.
"Um."
Shen Li couldn't hold on any longer. After that night, she couldn't pretend nothing had happened and face him as before. The atmosphere between them became awkward.
"I'm leaving." Shen Li turned to the side, and Luo Mingxiu reached out and pulled her back, then quickly let go.
He lowered his gaze to look at the woman's puzzled expression, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes: "Sister, have you forgotten? You're coming to my house during the Spring Festival."
Shen Li suddenly remembered and regretted agreeing too readily. She wanted to see Aunt Luo, but she really didn't want to see him.
"Sister, do you want to back out? My mom is really looking forward to your visit." Luo Mingxiu looked at her with those pitiful eyes again.
This suddenly made her feel a little guilty.
"Okay, I'll go back and tell my parents we'll go." Shen Li said, got into the car, and started the engine.
She deliberately mentioned her parents to remind him that they were a family visiting relatives for the New Year, and that he had better behave himself and not try anything funny.
Luo Mingxiu kept staring at the car turning before looking away. He knew perfectly well that Chen Li hadn't appeared in his sight for a week and hadn't replied to his messages. She was indeed avoiding him.
He could only try to use the previous agreement to secure a meeting opportunity.
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