Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Getting down to business
Lu Xuan knew what a mess he was in without even looking. He took the tissue and rubbed it against his eyes to smooth the moisture away. He then held the wrinkled tissue and said, "I didn't get first place."
"I know, it's very rare."
Many people were looking over here, so Qiao Wu didn't say much, just said, "But you are different."
Compared to Lu Xuan a month ago, he is doing much better now.
"Teacher Lu!" the students in his group called out from behind him, "Are you leaving or not?"
Qiao Wu's tone rose slightly: "Hmm?"
"They are going to a dinner party." Lu Xuan had no intention of having a dinner party at all. All he could think about was going home.
A month ago, he would never have considered returning to the Lu residence as something to look forward to.
But Qiao Wu’s words “go home” sounded very nice.
"You want to go?"
"No, go home."
"I can wait for you," Qiao Wu said. "Liao Liao asked me out for dinner. Can we go back together after dinner?"
Lu Xuan frowned before he could even say a word.
What bird is that again!
But Qiao Wu knew he was experiencing withdrawal symptoms, so he patiently said, "I'm not part of your professional circle, but they are, and they might be like-minded friends as you move forward. Will you stay if I don't accompany you?"
Be responsible for yourself and take responsibility for yourself.
It is not easy to change a habit that has been formed since birth. Lu Xuan repeated it to himself several times before he came to his senses from the confusion of seeing Qiao Wu.
He has never had any idea about social circles. His circle can be said to be a mess, and anyone can come and talk to him.
But if I have to ask if there are any friends I can just hang out with for dinner, I really don’t have any.
Of course, the students in the same group were not his friends. At most, they were colleagues with whom he had exchanged a few words, eaten, slept, and been scolded for a month. They were just more acceptable to him than those who had only forced him to drink in the past.
But he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he narrowed his eyes slightly and stared in Liao Liao's direction for a few seconds, his tone stern: "Will I still be your side after dinner?"
“…”
Qiao Wu was caught off guard and let out a short laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Lu Xuan pressed the medal into her hand. "This is for you."
Qiao Wu lowered his eyes and saw that it was the Progress Award.
He was much more talented than she had expected.
But before she could say anything, Lu Xuan left in a hurry.
After watching Lu Xuan leave, Qiao Wu turned and walked to Liao Liao: "Do you mind riding in my car?"
Liao Liao immediately shook his head: "Of course not!"
Anyway, no one came to pick her up, so she had to take a taxi to the airport by herself.
Because the show was broadcast, almost all the students have become popular now, especially the few who have received widespread attention. There are many paparazzi and photographers waiting outside, so when Qiao Wu arrived, he parked his car directly in the internal parking lot.
After getting in the car, she asked, "What do you want to eat?"
"It's all good, depending on what you like."
Liao Liao silently calculated the balance of her bank card. She had received the notice and still had some money on her.
Treating Qiao Wu to a meal should be enough.
In her eyes, people like Qiao Wu who live in the clouds should eat the most expensive food.
But Qiao Wu didn't start the car. After hearing this, she turned around and said, "Actually... I'm only 22 years old this year."
Liao Liao, who was counting the money, was confused: "What?"
"In your school, I would probably just be an ordinary senior student." Qiao Wu said, "You don't have to think too highly of me."
Liao Liao's face flushed instantly after being exposed: "That's not what I meant, I just..."
"Don't be nervous." Qiao Wu comforted her, "Dating is mutual. You think I'm good, and I think you're good too. So if I treat you the same way you treat me, will you feel pressured?"
Then it's more than just pressure.
Liao Liao didn't even dare to imagine the moment when Qiao Wu admired her.
Qiao Wu's eyes fell on the medal in her arms and he sighed, "That's impressive, first place."
Liao Liao's face turned even redder. She felt the medal was a little hot, but she couldn't help showing it to Qiao Wu: "I'm not a survivor this time."
Qiao Wu had indeed never seen such a thing before. She felt that anyone who could come in first was truly impressive, so she carefully admired the medal for a moment: "You are one in a million."
"So first place, now think about what we're going to eat?"
This time, Liao Liao wasn't so reserved. She took out her phone and started searching for some delicious food in the city. "Is there a place with creative cuisine? Is that okay?"
"Okay." Qiao Wu started the car. "Send me the address."
Liao Liao sent the address with great enthusiasm, and then received a call from the company asking about the result.
Qiao Wu had no intention of prying into other people's work and life, so he didn't pay much attention to what they said, but instead drove seriously.
She thought the call was over until the other end was quiet for a while. The roar on the phone drew her attention back. She didn't move her eyes, but tilted her head slightly to express her silent inquiry.
"Does it have to be now?" Liao Liao said with some embarrassment, "I have an appointment."
"What appointment? Is work important?"
The agent on the other end of the phone said loudly, "It'll take a month for the show to finish airing. You're still a newcomer. Can't you tell which is more important, an opportunity to shine or your personal dates?"
Work is important.
But it’s also difficult to make an appointment with Qiao Wu.
From her few words, Qiao Wu guessed most of what she said: "Is there something urgent?"
"I'll call you back later."
Agent: "Don't wait, I'll send you the address. If you miss this opportunity, you'll miss it."
The person on the other end hung up the phone with a click.
Liao Liao held her phone and said, "The company has arranged an audition opportunity. The director happened to be here today and said we can meet him."
Qiao Wu understood: "Because I was delayed?"
"But I already made an appointment with you."
"You can wait until after your audition to eat." Qiao Wu decisively exited the navigation, "Send me the new address."
"Will you wait for me?"
"It's okay even if you cancel my meeting today. Friends are our life after work." Qiao Wu smiled. "It's not like I'll only have this one meal for my whole life and never see you again."
This person is so nice!
Liao Liao is now really grateful to herself for persevering and taking that step. Otherwise, missing out on Qiao Wu would really make her regret for the rest of her life.
She sent the new address for the audition and squeezed the medal again: "Wait for my good news."
Qiao Wu turned around at the intersection and teased, "Then I'll have to treat you to a second celebration dinner."
"I'll treat you!" Liao Liao patted his purse, "I saved a little money."
"Okay, then I'll have something more expensive."
Liao Liao urgently prepared her audition materials in the car. The role would be decided on the spot, but her image and performance also had to be there, which would help increase the director's impression of her and make her fit the role better.
Because we contacted the director at the last minute, the audition location was where the director had his dinner, which was south of the place we had previously decided on, and it was estimated that the place would be closed by the time we went there after the audition.
Liao Liao thought the same thing, so she asked, "Should we go to another restaurant?"
"How about this one?" Qiao Wu thought about having to go back to pick up Lu Xuan soon, and it would be bad to delay too long. "The environment looks great. This time I invite you and I'll make the decision, next time you can make the decision."
There will be next time!
Liao Liao nodded: "Then I'll go first!"
"I'll send you the table number later."
"Uh-huh!"
After Liao Liao went up, Qiao Wu found a place to park the car and came to the store.
No wonder directors come here to eat. Even the small tables in the lobby are spaced far apart and the environment is quiet.
However, there were still a lot of people below. Qiao Wu didn't quite understand how celebrities usually handled their daily schedules, but if Liao Liao was going to take this route in the future, she would try not to expose her privacy, so she asked for a more private box.
There was a long corridor between the private room and the lobby. The waiter led her to a seat and asked, "Excuse me, are you alone? Would you like to order now?"
"Two people." Qiao Wu flipped through the menu and turned to the tea drinks page. "Let's have some tea first. I'll order food when my friend arrives. Thank you."
"OK."
After everyone left, Qiao Wu sent the name of the box to Liao Liao, then opened Qin Lian's chat box and sent a question mark.
Just now in the car, she saw Qin Lian transferred another sum of money to her.
Although it was not much, the Qin family's money was not thrown out like water. Lu Yingchi and Lu Ning were still crying for a few dozen dollars a few days ago, but she received dozens of times more here.
Qin Lian didn't try to be polite with her and called her directly: "Cong Yi came to the company for a day today."
Judging from his tone, he seemed to be in a good mood. Qiao Wu asked, "And then?"
"I didn't say a word." Qin Lian found it funny when he thought about it.
He follows him wherever he goes like a little tail. Every time he signs, he leans over to take a look. During meetings, he moves a chair and squats in the corner, staring at him.
"I left after I finished watching it."
Qin Lian paused and continued, "Then someone ordered me a cup of coffee."
Maybe it was the little girl's way of showing her goodwill to him silently.
Qin Lian didn't expect his family to have a good relationship with him or to be very successful, but at least they shouldn't give him a headache or hold him back.
Therefore, he felt temporarily satisfied that he could achieve this.
The one who made the greatest contribution was Qiao Wu.
He heard that gifts for ladies should be clothes, jewelry, bags, etc., but Qin Lian had no experience in this area. Whether Qiao Wu needed them or not was one thing, but he was more concerned that if he really bought them, those things might not be able to enter the Lu family's gate.
After all, everyone else has been blocked.
It’s more direct to transfer money.
"I heard you were on a business trip again. I'll treat you to dinner when you come back."
"Okay." Qiao Wu said without hesitation, "But sometimes it's better to handle your own family affairs yourself. Don't worry, I won't ask you for anything for free, and I'll also take care of the after-sales service."
Qin Lian raised his eyebrows.
Two minutes after the call was hung up, he finally understood what Qiao Wu meant by after-sales service.
Because he received two strange documents.
They are "The Bloody Guide to Clearing Mine in Wealthy Families" and "How Traditional Hegemons Are Eliminated".
Qin Lian: “…”
"What?"
Qiao Wu: "Your family's situation is more serious, but these two documents can solve 80% of your problems. You're welcome, you deserve it."
Qin Lian: "...Thank you."
Qiao Wu exited the chat box and couldn't help laughing.
It’s hundreds of thousands of dollars, she won’t take it for nothing.
Seeing that Liao Liao had not returned yet, she planned to go out for a walk. When she came here just now, she thought the scenery of the corridor was pretty good. She now likes to observe details in life that she had never noticed before.
Who knows when we will see it again? The most important thing is to have no regrets.
After walking a few steps forward, a familiar figure came from the corridor.
The man obviously saw her as well, and he paused, subconsciously restraining his originally arrogant attitude.
The waiter was puzzled: "Mr. Qin?"
"Yeah." Qin Tianrui walked up to Qiao Wu, thought for a moment, and then stopped. "Why are you here?"
Qiao Wu ignored him.
Qin Tianrui: "Qiao Wu."
"So I have a name. I thought you were talking to someone else."
The scene of the last slap worth tens of thousands of dollars popped up in his mind, and Qin Tianrui's eyelids twitched heavily.
Last night, after Cong Yi returned home, she had an argument with his parents at the dinner table. Only then did Qin Tianrui realize that she had also met Qiao Wu and was beaten up. He immediately felt much more balanced.
But I also learned some things from those fragments that I had never paid attention to before, such as his elder brother.
So he chatted with Yi calmly for a while, which was rare, and the more they talked, the more frightened he became.
Qin Lian walked over without saying a word, grabbed his belt and started attacking. He had no idea how this man had lived through his childhood.
Now I probably understand. If the father is a pervert, the son will also be a pervert.
That's good. There is no bad person in the family.
So when he met Qiao Wu here, he thought he should say hello to her, but then he was scolded again.
He must have nothing better to do.
Qin Tianrui didn't want to be looked down upon, especially by the woman who had once pressed him to the ground, so he said without asking, "I'm here to do serious business today."
Qiao Wu found this unbelievable and gave him a strange look: "You're in your twenties and you're only just doing something serious. Do you want me to give you a certificate of honor?"
"..." Qin Tianrui said with a sour face, "I want you to see that I can stand up."
"I don't feel honored." Qiao Wu sat on the chair and said leisurely, "That's your own business. If you want me to give you an evaluation, you have to pay extra."
Qin Lian always said that Lu Jinzhi was not a human being, but now Qin Tianrui felt that Qiao Wu's mouth was not much better.
Indeed, there is no good person in the family.
He snorted coldly: "I'm here to talk about film investment."
He has indeed been a bit unlearned these years, so it is impossible for him to join the group and be beaten by Qin Lian. He has to stay in the media company under Qin's control. Today he is here to attend the summary meeting of the actor training camp. A director invited him to discuss film investment, so he came here by the way.
After hearing this, Qiao Wu's expression became more serious: "Movie?"
"how?"
"Audition here?"
"You know?"
"Well, I have a friend who's an actor." Qiao Wu raised his eyebrows slightly. "Will he bring in some illicit stuff?"
"What do you think I am?" Qin Tianrui said displeasedly, "Why don't you go and take a look too?"
"Why should I go while you guys are talking about business?"
"You're just waiting for that friend of yours, right? If you don't tell me, no one will care what you do. No one will say anything about you if you're with me."
Qin Tianrui insisted on showing this person that he could do serious things.
Qiao Wu thought about it and felt that it was a good idea. By the way, she could also help Lu Xuan understand the audition process of these movies in the entertainment industry in advance. She stood up.
"But I won't give you a back door." Qin Tianrui was alert.
Qiao Wu hummed: "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone who I'm related to."
She followed Qin Tianrui to the door of the private room. The waiter knocked on the door a few times and it opened.
"Mr. Qin!" Someone came up to me with a big smile on his face. "It's been a long time, thank you for coming... Hey, what's this?"
The man's gaze paused on Qiao Wu behind him and looked him over.
Qiao Wu looked back quietly.
"She's my friend, don't worry about her, just do what you should do." Qin Tianrui didn't explain too much, he just pulled out a chair and looked back.
He drew another card and sat down.
If Qiao Wu catches him with something, he will definitely gossip about it in front of his brother.
Only then did Qiao Wu see clearly that there were four or five middle-aged men and women and two or three young people in a private room. One of them was Liao Liao, whose eyes widened when he saw her.
She shook her head almost unnoticed, withdrew her gaze and sat down next to Qin Tianrui.
Every circle has some hidden rules, and there will inevitably be more backdoors due to certain relationships. She doesn't want to be this backdoor.
Although Qin Tianrui told them not to care about the people who came with him, the others saw Qin Tianrui pulling out a chair for her, and seeing that this young woman had a temperament and demeanor that was definitely not that of an ordinary person, they did not dare to neglect her.
Qin Tianrui looked around and didn't understand: "Why would there be an audition at the dinner table?"
A middle-aged man wearing a hat sitting across from him said with a smile, "Business is what's negotiated at the dinner table. Mr. Qin probably hasn't had much experience with it. You'll understand in the future."
He then pointed at the three people sitting in the corner and said, "These are all newcomers to the circle. It's only by chance that we meet today."
"What are you all standing there for?" the man said, "Pour Mr. Qin some wine. You can't even introduce yourself."
Qin Tianrui frowned and moved closer to Qiao Wu: "Does your family own a media company? Do you need to drink before the audition?"
He subconsciously regarded Qiao Wu as a member of the Lu family and did not care about his own words.
Qiao Wu shook his head thoughtfully: "No, I occasionally invest."
But she hasn't taken over yet.
"So you're also doing business with Mr. Qin!" The man who opened the door just now heard what Qiao Wu was doing and immediately understood what he was doing. "What's this lady's name?"
Qiao Wu: "My last name is Qiao."
"Miss Qiao." The man immediately stood up and made room for one of the handsome young men. "Come, sit next to Miss Qiao and pour her some wine today."
The young man responded, but before she could react, he stood up and walked over to sit next to Qiao Wu, saying awkwardly, "Hello, Miss Qiao, my name is Li Xiangyang."
Qiao Wu: “…”
She raised her hand to stop the man from pouring the wine: "I drove the car."
Others chimed in: "We can hire a designated driver!"
Qiao Wu glanced at Qin Tianrui indifferently.
The latter shuddered, sat up straight and slapped the table: "What are you doing? Huang Long, aren't you auditioning? Hurry up and drink some wine."
The man called Huang Long is the one wearing a hat, he should be the director.
Huang Long agreed, but thought to himself that Qin Tianrui was just an uneducated second-generation rich kid, how could he understand an audition.
What's more, these are all newcomers he called here today, and it is impossible for them to play any big roles in his movie. He just wants them to take this opportunity to make Qin Tianrui happy and invest obediently. Then he can add a few insignificant small roles for them in the script.
If someone who knows a little bit more gets in touch with Qin Tianrui, that would be another matter.
So he raised his chin and gestured: "Then come one by one, first show Mr. Qin and Miss Qiao what talents you have."
Li Xiangyang was the first one.
He stood up and said, "Hello, teachers! My name is Li Xiangyang. I'm an artist under Tianfang Entertainment and a junior in the Acting Department of Chuan University. This time, I want to audition for the third male lead in the script. I..."
"Specialties, they want to see your specialties." Huang Long interrupted him, "Let's see your talents first."
As he spoke, he looked towards Qiao Wu, the hint was obvious.
No matter how unfamiliar Qiao Wu was with this line of work, she sensed something was amiss. She placed her hands on the table and asked the nervous young man beside her, "Do you know what we're here for?"
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Audition."
Qiao Wu looked at the director named Huang Long and smiled. "Director Huang, I'm new to this business. I'm here with Young Master Qin to see the world. I think this little brother is a little restrained. Why don't you explain the specific process to him?"
This was said so tactfully that Huang Long felt elated immediately. It seemed that this Miss Qiao was also someone who "knew the business".
Many people in the circle are open to both men and women, so they never bring only boys or girls to dinners like this. They bring both, and whoever performs best gets to be the one.
I didn't expect to bump into this by accident today. This Miss Qiao is obviously interested in Li Xiangyang!
Huang Long immediately took out a wine dispenser and stuffed it into Li Xiangyang's hand, gently pushing him: "Don't all of you acting students know how to dance or something? You have such a good figure, why don't you show Miss Qiao how to dance? If she's happy, everything will be easy. How can you, a young and promising male college student, worry about not having a chance?"
"And you guys." He continued to gesture towards Liao Liao and the other girl. "This is your first time meeting Mr. Qin. You should know some etiquette. How can you leave him hanging there?"
The others also laughed knowingly.
Li Xiangyang, who was holding the wine dispenser, turned pale and blue. He now understood completely that this was not a serious audition opportunity at all.
He clenched his hands tightly, stood there stiffly, and couldn't help but look down at the people around him.
Then he noticed that the woman was also laughing and asked with interest: "What if I like it?"
Not to mention others, Qin Tianrui and Liao Liao looked at her in astonishment.
No, sister, why don’t you take a look at your own conditions? !
Huang Long was also stunned for a moment. He didn't expect her to be so straightforward. He laughed twice and said to Li Xiangyang, "Did you hear that? Are you still standing there? Young people should know how to seize opportunities and serve Miss Qiao happily."
Seeing that Li Xiangyang was still motionless, he pushed him directly, and the wine in the wine dispenser spilled out and dripped onto Qiao Wu's clothes.
She slowly stopped smiling.
"Miss Qiao, he's a naive person. Don't bother with him." Huang Long immediately said ambiguously, "I'll call two more sensible people for you later."
"No need." Qiao Wu took a tissue and wiped the wine off his sleeve. Then he looked at Li Xiangyang, whose face had turned completely pale, and said softly, "Don't be afraid. Sit down."
Li Xiangyang obviously didn't know whether he should sit down or leave immediately, but the company asked him to come.
He just stood there motionless.
Qiao Wu did not force him, but raised his hand to take the wine dispenser from his hand, then stood up and walked to Liao Liao in full view of everyone, and put the wine dispenser in her dazed and frightened hands.
Then he took her other hand and came to Qin Tianrui.
"Come, let's toast to Mr. Qin."
Qin Tianrui felt his face swell up again. What was there for him to not know about this situation?! How could he not know who Qiao Wu's friend was?! How could he not know who Qiao Wu was talking to that man just now?
Seeing that Qiao Wu was really about to raise his wine glass, Qin Tianrui felt that his life would be shortened today.
He suddenly stood up, snatched the wine dispenser and threw it hard on the table, his face flushed and his neck thick.
Everyone was startled by his sudden outburst.
"Mr. Qin?" Huang Long asked anxiously, "You don't like it?"
Qin Tianrui roared: "I like your uncle!"
In the midst of everyone's stunned yet dignified expressions.
Qin Tianrui looked at Qiao Wu, whose expression had become dull, with shaking hands.
"I don't know why they're doing this!" He was furious and anxious. "I'm really here to do something serious!"
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