Chapter 40 Inexplicable and Unclear
Manager Li was also in the car. Seeing his artist smiling broadly while holding his phone, he still helplessly reminded him, "Don't forget that you're on the rise right now. Romantic rumors are absolutely a red line."
He was hired by the Lu family at a high salary to serve this young master, and he knew the young master's temper well, so he couldn't speak too harshly.
Lu Zhao suddenly sat up straight, slamming his phone face down on his lap, his eyes darting around: "W-what dating! Me...who would I date? Who wants to date me? Brother Li, don't talk nonsense!"
Brother Li: "..."
No, young master, what are you trying to prove with me?
Since he started working three years ago, he has been watching this young master secretly register a fake account to spy on other people's Weibo social media accounts, and then quietly have people collect information on Ling Wei's latest movements.
They're even more like sasaeng fans than sasaeng fans themselves.
Upon learning that someone had just joined the "City Chase" team, he casually mentioned that his next variety show appearance was absolutely on the show. Later, due to a scheduling conflict, he had to postpone it to the next season, and his face turned as black as hell.
As soon as he joined the crew, he specifically asked someone to be the PD. Did he really think others couldn't see through his intentions?
Brother Li sighed inwardly and chose to compromise: "Fine, fine, you didn't talk, you didn't talk."
He then shifted his focus to a more practical concern: "But, ancestor, when you're on the field, could you please control your gaze a little? Don't keep glancing in Director Ling's direction. Your fans, especially the fan site admins, have such high-definition cameras that they can count every single one of your eyelashes."
You could explain it by watching the PD adjust his state during the game segment, but what if he was caught on camera during a break...?
Brother Li didn't say anything more, but they both understood the implications.
Lu Zhao has been in the entertainment industry for quite some time now. Some things are best left unsaid. If you say too much, this young master will get angry and dare to directly confront even reporters.
His incredibly powerful fanbase makes dealing with them even more difficult.
As Lu Zhao listened, his earlier outburst and sophistry gradually subsided.
He lowered his head, his thick eyelashes drooping down, casting a small shadow under his eyelids, and gave a muffled reply:
"...Okay, I understand."
Lu Zhao was quiet for quite a while.
The new season of the variety show is coming to an end amidst its immense popularity.
With the addition of Lu Zhao, a "ratings bombshell," coupled with Zhou Han's ingenious new rules and Ling Wei and others' precise camera storytelling, "City Chase Order" went completely crazy, with its ratings soaring and its online viewership repeatedly breaking records. Even the game props and the clothes worn by the guests in the show became best-selling items on e-commerce platforms, making it a veritable walking trend-making machine.
The final battle was scheduled for early summer.
The weather had already turned hot, especially the afternoon sun, which was quite scorching.
The final episode before the series ended was filmed at a large outdoor theme park.
The morning recording went smoothly and efficiently. At lunchtime, the staff gathered in twos and threes under the limited shade of the trees, holding their boxed lunches, their foreheads glistening with sweat.
The guests had already returned to their air-conditioned vans.
Ling Wei, also holding a lunchbox, huddled together with Yingzi and several other female colleagues in the shade.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from her smooth forehead and the tip of her nose, her cheeks flushed from the steam. She listlessly poked at the vegetables in her lunchbox with her chopsticks, and was eating her rice in a daze when Lu Zhao's agent, Brother Li, came over carrying several large bags of things.
"Everyone has worked hard. Xiao Zhao will treat you to some fruit and cold drinks to cool you down."
With a beaming smile, Brother Li distributed the exquisitely cut fruit and chilled drinks, then walked up to Ling Wei and said, "Director Ling, thank you for your hard work."
"Thank you, Brother Li." Ling Wei readily accepted the fruit, but politely declined the drink that looked ice-cold. "I won't take this."
Brother Li didn't insist and walked away with a smile.
As soon as he left, hushed whispers arose around him.
"Lu Zhaoren is really great, and his team is very generous!"
"That's right. He's been treating people to meals quite a bit lately. I heard from his team that he's also been sending out red envelopes frequently."
"Working with top talents is so exhilarating!"
Ling Wei didn't reply and continued eating her meal.
At this moment, Zhou Han walked over with a loud, whirring solar-powered fan, which was equipment provided to the director by the production team.
The fan was placed directly in the middle of their group of female colleagues.
"Ladies first, let's get this done." He glanced at Ling Wei's sweaty forehead and added, "I've ordered another batch, it's on its way, everyone hang in there a little longer."
Cheers immediately erupted around them, and someone exclaimed, "Director Zhou is not only strict at work, but he's also an amazing person! He never withholds overtime pay and approves time off on a whim!"
"I heard they have powerful connections! Last time we went to Dongda University to shoot on location, the other party changed their mind at the last minute, but Director Zhou made one phone call and not only let us in, but also helped clear the area!"
"Huh? Wasn't it handled by the station?"
"Hmph, the station? They can't possibly control this!"
Ling Wei squinted, enjoying the gentle breeze from the fan, and ate small bites of sweet fruit.
A short while later, Brother Li returned. Seeing the group of people still struggling against the heat, he warmly invited them, "Teachers, why don't you all come and sit in our car? The van is spacious and has great air conditioning; it's much more comfortable than here."
The group was somewhat tempted but also felt embarrassed.
Brother Li immediately smiled and said, "It's alright, we even have some desserts in the car. Everyone's worked hard, so don't be shy!"
Unable to refuse their hospitality, a group of female colleagues happily followed Brother Li, while Ling Wei lagged behind at the very back.
Lu Zhao's van was very spacious inside, with comfortable leather seats, ample air conditioning, and even a small refrigerator and entertainment system.
After everyone boarded the bus, they couldn't help but murmur in amazement. Ling Wei, who was on her period, had been running around under the sun all morning, and her lower abdomen was aching slightly. After boarding the bus, she found a seat in the back and quietly hugged a soft pillow, wanting to lean against it and rest for a while.
Lu Zhao, holding his phone, casually sat down next to her, as if to discuss work. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he lowered his voice and asked, "Why aren't you eating anything? Don't you have an appetite?"
After a season of getting along, under Lu Zhao's one-sided and shameless offensive, the two became much more natural in their interactions.
Ling Wei lazily lifted her eyelids and said, "Mmm."
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? You look a little pale..." he said, his hand instinctively reaching for her forehead.
Ling Wei slapped his hand away: "I'm fine."
Lu Zhao wasn't annoyed. He turned around, poured a glass of chilled lemonade from the car's mini-fridge, and handed it to Lu Zhao. The glass was instantly covered with icy steam.
Ling Wei didn't take it: "I don't want it, it's cold."
Lu Zhao seemed to suddenly realize something, her gaze sweeping over the tiramisu desserts on the table that also needed to be refrigerated. A slight blush crept onto her ears, and she stammered, "You...you that...?"
"Mmm." Ling Wei leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. "I'm going to rest for a bit, don't bother me."
Lu Zhao looked at her slightly pale face, pursed his lips, got up and went to find Brother Li to whisper a few words to him. After hearing this, the other man's eyes widened instantly.
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