While Lan Mengfan was away attending other events, Song Xia took Sister Hua to see Director Qu. She had met with Brother Si once before and found out that the two of them had gone on vacation and had just returned a couple of days ago.
"What are you doing here?" Upon seeing her, Director Qu became hostile and sarcastic, saying, "Didn't the great actress Song say she was no longer going to set foot in the film industry? Don't dirty your feet by coming here to be a film director like me."
Song Xia ignored him and greeted Si Yi with a smile: "Brother Si, long time no see."
Si Yi greeted them with a smile, saying, "It has indeed been a long time. You've come all this way, why did you bring anything?"
"It's nothing valuable, just some pastries from your favorite royal pastry shop."
"That restaurant has the longest queue, which is exactly what I was thinking. You've hit the nail on the head. Please sit down, I'll go pour you some tea."
"Our family's tea is far from enough to support the great actress Song!" Director Qu said again, glancing at Song Xia, but Song Xia didn't respond. This attitude infuriated Director Qu.
Hua Jie was quite helpless on the side. Although the two always seemed to be targeting each other when they met, they actually cherished each other the most. Director Qu was just upset that Song Xia had left the industry so recklessly back then.
Si Yi brought over the tea: "It's been a long time since we last met, so please keep quiet. Weren't you always talking about it before?"
When his lover exposed the truth, Director Qu felt embarrassed and his ears turned red.
Song Xia stopped deliberately giving him the cold shoulder and softened her tone, saying, "Back then, I left the entertainment industry because I felt I had both fame and money. Then I got pregnant with Xinghe, and that man lied to me. I didn't want her to grow up under the media's constant scrutiny."
Seeing her sincerity, Director Qu couldn't continue to be harsh, and only snorted twice: "Then why are you thinking of coming back now?"
Although they hadn't been in contact, Qu Ming had been keeping an eye on the news online. He was the one who requested to return early from this trip. When Si Yi received Song Xia's call, saying she had a script she wanted to show him, he immediately lost all interest in the trip.
Si Yi looked at his lover and smiled as he watched his lover's words contradict his true feelings.
Song Xia sighed helplessly: "There's nothing we can do. Xinghe likes acting, and we can't just keep watching her get bullied."
Si Yi shook his head: "You're heartless too, watching her run into walls for two whole years."
“I have enough money for her to live a carefree life. I don’t want to be like me back then, entering that circle and being restricted in every way.”
“The environment used to be really… sigh, but it’s much better now. You don’t need to be so worried. The child has dreams, and we can’t keep suppressing them.”
"So now I've figured it out. She's an independent person, and I can't expect her to live according to my ideas. Since she likes acting, I'll make a comeback to help her."
Director Qu rolled his eyes again: "You still think that because of your past fame, all the good resources will be given to you first? You're old now, and many roles won't be available to you, nor are they suitable for you. If you rely on your past fame to go back and make money, and support StarHub, you'll be ridiculed by everyone, and you might even ruin your past reputation."
Under Si Yi's worried gaze, Song Xia smiled nonchalantly: "That's why I brought the script with me, didn't I?"
Director Qu craned his neck to look at it: "You wrote this? What kind of scripts can you write?"
Si Yi said lightly, "Qu Ming, would it kill you to say less?"
After being reprimanded like that, Director Qu actually quieted down. Song Xia chuckled, which earned her an angry glare from Director Qu. Song Xia raised her eyebrows and looked back without any politeness.
Seeing the two of them like this, Si Yi and Sister Hua were relieved. Qu Ming was just angry that Song Xia left the entertainment industry too hastily back then. This is what they mean by "the deeper the love, the harsher the criticism".
“We will read the script carefully. It’s been a long time since we’ve worked together. Qu Ming often says that none of the later actors acted as well as you.”
Qu Ming hummed twice, but did not refute it further.
"Take your time reading the script, no rush. Shall we go out for dinner together?"
"Sure, we don't have anything to do anyway. Xinghe, are you free? Come to think of it, we elders haven't given her a gift in person yet."
"Where was it not sent? Didn't you have it sent when she was born?"
"It doesn't count since it wasn't given to us personally. As for StarHub's current gigs, although we haven't filmed many dramas over the years, we still have some connections in the industry. If you like acting, we can help you get in touch."
"I'm currently filming a supporting role in an idol drama. I was thinking that once I'm almost done filming, I'll come and film the script I just gave you."
"It's not even close to being settled yet. What if I don't agree?" Director Qu chimed in, not wanting to be left out.
Song Xia helplessly spread her hands: "If you won't take the photos, then I'll have to find someone else to take them."
Director Qu became even angrier upon hearing this: "Find someone else to film it? Can anyone else bring out the best in your acting skills and charisma?"
"It's your fault for not taking pictures, I had no choice."
"You... Humph!"
Si Yi said helplessly, "Why do you have to go looking for trouble? Have you ever won an argument with Song Xia since you were young?"
"I'm not talking to you guys anymore." Qu Ming shut himself off and really didn't want to talk to them, but in fact, he was secretly eager to do something. "What kind of story is your script about? Let me make this clear, if the story isn't good, I won't film it. I don't want to ruin my reputation."
"You'll see when you get back and have some free time. How about we just treat this as a simple meal out today?"
Qu Ming finally stopped talking. When they arrived at their destination, Xie Dong drove Song Xinghe there. When Xie Dong saw the two big shots, Qu Ming and Si Yi, he was so excited that he didn't know what to do. He didn't even dare to stay and have dinner with them. It was Sister Hua who persuaded him to stay.
In any case, he is now Xinghe's agent and is loyal to Xinghe. We need to gradually make him realize the current situation so that things will be easier for him in the future.
"Here, Xinghe, this is a gift from your Uncle Qu and me to welcome you."
Song Xinghe glanced at Song Xia, and after receiving an affirmative look, he obediently accepted the thanks.
Si Yi and Qu Ming gave her a jade bracelet, a white jade bracelet with floating flowers, the refreshing floating flowers just right for her current age.
Xie Dong observed for a moment. Since wearing jewelry made of materials like jadeite and Hetian jade has become popular in the industry recently, he had also looked into it. Such quality and clarity would start at six figures. No wonder he is a big director, this is quite extravagant.
However, it seems that artists back then made quite a bit of money. Don't be fooled by the high salaries of artists today; many artists in the past settled their accounts with real estate. After all, back then, most film and television productions were invested in by real estate developers and coal mine owners. Later, housing prices skyrocketed. So, veteran artists either didn't know how to invest and only received fixed salaries with mediocre assets, or they invested in astronomical sums.
I heard Song Xinghe say before that she has changed houses many times since she was a child. I guess Senior Song is the kind of person who made a fortune by investing in real estate back then, so she doesn't even blink when she says she wants to invest in making TV series and movies.
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