Chapter 75 I'm not drunk.
"Oh, so you two know each other. Then I won't go into any further introductions." The director said with a smile, "Mr. Chu and Manager Xue, please have a seat here."
"Director Chen, you're too kind." Xue Fangfei extended her hand and shook hands with the director politely.
The private room was large enough to seat about ten people. Besides the director, there were several supporting actors at the dinner, including two veteran actors known in the industry who specialize in playing parents.
The investors of this movie are willing to spend money, even hiring well-known and talented actors to play supporting roles. It seems they are determined to make the movie a hit and achieve great success.
Director Chen, seeing that Chu Ruofu and Shen Wuyang knew each other, stood up to offer them his seat and specially arranged for them to sit together.
"Teacher Chu, Shen is the original author. You should talk to him more and learn more about the character."
This was Chu Ruofu's first time attending such a formal occasion. Famous directors and talented actors from the industry were all present at the dinner, along with numerous other people, including assistant directors and screenwriters.
Inside the large private room, she and Shen Wuyang appeared reserved and quiet, while Xue Fangfei chatted enthusiastically with the director and actors with ease, making the occasion very lively.
Chu Ruofu greeted Shen Wuyang.
Suppressing his excitement, Shen Wuyang smiled slightly at her and asked with concern, "Are you hungry? Shall we eat something first?"
The meeting took place across a district, a drive that took more than an hour. They didn't arrive at the hotel until eight o'clock. Chu Ruofu was a little hungry, so she nodded, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating.
On the round dining table in the private room, a rotating glass screen displayed a variety of delicious dishes, which she slowly rotated as she picked out her favorites to eat.
Shen Wuyang stared intently at Chu Ruofu. Seeing her eating in small bites, he, who usually didn't have much of an appetite in crowded places, became a little hungry and ate a few more bites of food.
After Chu Ruofu had eaten for a while, Director Chen stood up and invited everyone to have a toast.
She put down her chopsticks and raised her glass along with everyone else, looking at the rosy-cheeked faces and eyes of the crowd, and symbolically clinked glasses.
After a few rounds of drinks, everyone in the private room got to know each other and became somewhat familiar with each other. They started talking about filming, and Chu Ruofu listened quietly and watched them chat.
Shen Wuyang was just as quiet as her, but when she was eating, he would stop the turntable for her so that she could pick up the food she wanted. When he saw that her glass was empty, he would pour her red wine and give her tissues so that she could wipe her hands and mouth.
Director Chen witnessed this scene, which deepened his misunderstanding. He wondered if the two were a couple, and if Shen Wuyang was willing to lower the copyright fee just to make his girlfriend famous.
Many female celebrities in the industry date directors, screenwriters, and investors, all for the sake of their own development. Resources are controlled by those at the top, and to get a share of those resources, one must pay a higher price.
"Master Shen, I'd like to propose a toast to you."
Faced with the director's enthusiastic greeting, Shen Wuyang raised his glass, and the two clinked glasses. He took a sip of the wine, but the director was not satisfied: "One sip is not enough, you have to finish it."
Shen Wuyang never attends business occasions. Since he's here, it would be awkward if he didn't drink and lost his temper. The director wasn't deliberately making things difficult for him; it's clear the director genuinely wants to be his friend.
So, Shen Wuyang finished the remaining small glass of red wine.
Director Chen smiled with satisfaction. In his youth, he was arrogant and made many good movies. However, in recent years, the times have developed too fast, and two of his commercial works have flopped without making a splash, bringing him to the point of running out of ideas.
He had read the plot of Shen Wuyang's new work, "The Evil Woman." Unlike his previous works, which featured violent aesthetics, this suspenseful subject matter that explores human nature is more likely to resonate with people.
If Shen Wuyang's new work can be filmed well, and if the actors can give a perfect performance, it will definitely win an award.
Best Actor, Best Director, Best Film, Best Supporting Actor... If he could sweep a whole host of film awards, he could return to his peak.
Director Chen poured another glass of wine and looked at Chu Ruofu, saying, "Teacher Chu, let's have a drink too."
It's usually the actors who curry favor with the directors. Famous film directors toast the actors, showing them great respect. Chu Ruofu politely stood up, picked up her glass, and clinked glasses with him.
Director Chen had a full glass of wine, while her glass was only half full; they both finished theirs.
When Xue Fangfei saw that Director Chen still wanted to have a drink with the two of them, she quickly came over and warmly invited them to leave so that they could drink with the other people at the dinner party.
Chu Ruofu had drunk a few drinks tonight, and her heart was beating unusually fast, and her hands and feet felt a little weak.
She was feeling the effects of the alcohol; she rested her chin on her hand, waiting for the effects to wear off.
Xue Fangfei received a phone call and whispered in her ear when she returned, "Something came up at the company and I have to go back to handle it. Are you coming back with me, or do you want to go straight to the hotel to rest?"
It will be very late when we get back, and after all that cleaning up, we probably won't be able to rest until 2 or 3 a.m. The two of them hadn't planned to go back tonight and were going to stay at the hotel.
If Xue Fangfei were to take her back and then rush to the company, it would delay things.
"You go and take care of things first. I'll go to the hotel to rest after the dinner."
Xue Fangfei said, "I've already booked a room for you. You can just go and get your room key later."
Seeing her worried expression, Chu Ruofu said, "Don't worry, go back home. I can take care of myself."
Once bitten by a snake, Xue Fangfei became extremely wary of ropes. Even though everyone at the dinner party seemed normal, who knew if her personality would change after drinking?
She caught a glimpse of Shen Wuyang beside Chu Ruofu. In the dating reality show, Shen Wuyang's innocent demeanor resembled that of a clueless student secretly in love with his goddess. He was the only one among the group who was relatively familiar with Chu Ruofu.
“Mr. Shen, I have something urgent to attend to and must leave now. Please take care of Ruofu.”
Shen Wuyang said with a slightly serious expression, "Okay, I will."
Xue Fangfei then picked up her coat and bag and left the private room. Not long after she left, it was past 10 p.m., and the people at the dinner party gradually dispersed. Director Chen was flushed, and an actress was with him.
Those who couldn't go back too late chose to stay at the hotel, and the group checked in at the front desk.
There were quite a few people, so Chu Ruofu declined Director Chen's offer to book a room, saying that her agent had already booked a room for her. Director Chen glanced at her and Shen Wuyang, a knowing look flashing in his eyes.
Chu Ruofu didn't understand and felt a little confused. But after watching Director Chen and the actress leave together, she suddenly realized what was going on.
The entertainment industry is rife with dirty secrets. Scandals abound, including couples on set, reading scripts late at night, and rehearsing scenes in the middle of the night. No matter which circle you're in, there are plenty of messy things going on.
Director Chen wouldn't misunderstand that there's something between her and Shen Wuyang, would he?
Chu Ruofu took the room key and said quickly to Shen Wuyang, "I'm going back to my room now."
Shen Wuyang was still checking into the room when he saw her turn to leave. He chased after her anxiously, saying, "Fufu, don't go yet. Wait for me to take you home."
"No need," Chu Ruofu said, not wanting to get tangled up with him in the hotel lobby. "I can go upstairs to my room myself."
Seeing her avoidance attitude, a hint of hurt flashed in Shen Wuyang's eyes. He quickly ran back to the front desk to get his ID card and room key, and chased after her again.
Fortunately, the elevator didn't go to the first floor.
Shen Wuyang ran to Chu Ruofu's side and hurriedly said, "I live next door to you."
He was worried that it would be unsafe for Chu Ruofu to stay in the hotel alone, so he specially asked the front desk to open a room next to hers.
Chu Ruofu was slightly taken aback.
The elevator dinged as it arrived at the first floor. Chu Ruofu went in first, followed by Shen Wuyang, who pressed the button for the ninth floor.
The door was closed, and the two stood together in the cramped space.
Shen Wuyang also drank a lot of alcohol tonight. He had never drunk so much alcohol before. In the cramped elevator space, he smelled a faint fragrance emanating from Chu Ruofu.
The fruity and floral scents of the perfume permeated his nostrils, stirring his heart.
Shen Wuyang held his breath, his hands hanging down at his trousers tightening.
He wanted to say something to break the silence between them, but his throat was dry and his voice was hoarse, so he couldn't speak.
The elevator was going up, and the lights fell on the two of them. Shen Wuyang's gaze fell on Chu Ruofu's fair face. She was wearing light makeup and a very casual and comfortable outfit.
He stared intently at her, her pert nose, delicate lips, and exquisite chin, his eyes mesmerized.
Fufu is beautiful no matter how you look at her, like the most perfect goddess created by the Creator.
Chu Ruofu felt his burning gaze, lowered her head, revealing a section of her fair neck.
Shen Wuyang's eyes were churning with emotions. He pursed his lips, trying to keep his Adam's apple from bobbing, lest he look like a greedy little dog.
Chu Ruofu thought the effects of the alcohol had completely worn off, but it seemed to have a stronger aftereffect. Her mind was exceptionally clear, but her body had little strength. When the elevator arrived at her floor and the doors opened, she couldn't wait to get out.
Her thin-soled stilettos sank into the soft, heavy carpet. The sensation was so different from the hard floor that she almost tripped. Shen Wuyang instinctively reached out and grabbed her arm. "Be careful."
Shen Wuyang looked down at her and asked, "Fufu, are you drunk?"
Chu Ruofu's mind was actually very clear; the alcohol had numbed her body. She gently pushed him away and said, "...I'm not drunk."
Hearing her soft, lower-than-usual voice, Shen Wuyang realized she was a little drunk. He held her arm tightly and said, "I'll take you back to your room."
Chu Ruofu felt as if she were walking on clouds, her heart pounding faster and faster. She returned to the door of her room and swiped her room card to open it.
Shen Wuyang helped her into the room, the door closed, and Chu Ruofu's room card fell out of her hand, plunging the room into darkness.
"I dropped my room key..." Chu Ruofu bent down to pick it up.
“I’ll do it.” Shen Wuyang bent down with her.
Their heads bumped lightly, and Chu Ruofu hissed as she blurted out, "You bumped into me."
Shen Wuyang became nervous and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Chu Ruofu pushed him: "Go away, I'll find it."
Afraid that she might lose her balance and fall, Shen Wuyang held her arm, put his arm around her soft waist, and led her to the bedside. "You sit down, I'll go find it."
He took out his phone, turned on the rear light, squatted down to look for the dropped room key, and inserted it into the card slot.
Ambient lighting was turned on in the room.
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Author's note: Not finished yet, one more chapter to come.
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