Chapter 54 (Second Update)
They're utterly useless and more likely to cause trouble than anything else.
Who knows how much money they'll lose on this meal? Haven't you ever been tied up with ropes, thrown on the ground, and hit by a car?
The strong smell of alcohol filled the table, startling the directors who had originally intended to please them.
Only Qiao Wu looked at the mess on the table, chuckled lightly, and pulled Liao Liao down to sit down again.
The others hadn't quite grasped what was going on, but they had already instinctively come over to apologize: "Mr. Qin, please don't be angry!"
"Get out of my way." Qin Tianrui waved them away and turned to see Qiao Wu's reaction.
But the other party clearly didn't want to say anything, and didn't try to hit him like before.
But this often makes people more anxious.
He couldn't help but recall what Qiao Wu had said before he came in: if he asked her to give her a review, he would have to pay extra.
In the past, Qin Tianrui would simply slam the door and leave whenever he was unhappy in this situation, but today Qiao Wu clearly had no intention of leaving.
He didn't want to be looked down upon by Qiao Wu again.
Huang Long and the others were still confused. Why did he suddenly get angry just because someone offered him a toast? Wasn't he always like this?
It was only when the person who opened the door earlier finally cleared their head a little that they remembered the words Qin Tianrui had shouted at this Miss Qiao.
He's here to do serious business.
This is absurd! When did Qin Tianrui start doing anything serious?
And it seems like Miss Qiao is the one who has the final say?
The man gently tugged at Huang Long, signaling him to watch Qiao Wu's reaction.
Huang Long looked past the furious Qin Tianrui and saw Miss Qiao sitting leisurely, looking at something on her phone, occasionally glancing down to say something to the young newcomer next to her, seemingly unaware of how tense the atmosphere in the private room was.
Wait a minute, she knows that newbie?!
This is bad.
"It might be a misunderstanding," Huang Long quickly said. "I just wanted everyone to have a meal first and then talk things over."
Qin Tianrui glared at him: "Are you treating me like a donkey?"
"No, no, no!"
"Tell me the truth." Qin Tianrui pulled his chair back, not intending to sit down anymore, and asked directly, "What exactly are you thinking? What's going on with the audition?"
Huang Long was sweating profusely.
These people may be directors with some money, but they can't compare to the real tycoons at all.
With just a word from these people, even a film that has already been shot, with a great script, can be recast, and even the director can be replaced.
A movie has such a large production team, plus the actors' salaries, the investment is so huge that they simply can't support it all on their own. So they often do things like this.
If you encounter some well-behaved people, the boss will know it all, and everyone will be fine.
If they misbehave, they'll just get a beating, and the newcomers won't dare to challenge them.
But this is the first time I've encountered a boss who's not behaving properly, because Qin Tianrui is quite famous in the industry for his recklessness!
Now, his flattery backfired, and he even got kicked in the process.
Huang Long, sensing his meaning, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and immediately said, "Let's try! Let's try now! Um, have you all read the script for the trial play? Which part is it? Who wants to go first?"
They've seen it all, but after this ordeal, even if they actually get into the production team, who would dare to film in his production team?
Even if it's a tremendous opportunity, who knows what might happen in the future?
So no one dared to utter a sound.
"Still playing these tricks on me." Qin Tianrui spat and pointed at him, "Apologize to them."
Huang Long immediately looked at Qiao Wu and said, "Miss Qiao, I'm so sorry to have disappointed you."
Qiao Wu laughed at this, and said casually, "What does it have to do with me?"
Qin Tianrui finally heard Qiao Wu speak and realized that he had done the right thing this time.
So he kicked a chair: "Is this about Qiao Wu? Are you so old and blind that you don't even know who to apologize to?!"
In fact, Huang Long still didn't know the names of the three newcomers, and could only grit his teeth and say, "I'm sorry."
Qin Tianrui, putting his newfound knowledge to use, said, "Who are you apologizing to? They don't have names?"
So Huang Long went to ask the names of these people again, apologizing to each of them in turn.
Qin Tianrui then glanced at the others: "And you?"
The rest of the people felt a chill run down their spines and lined up one after another.
Not hearing the actors speak, Qin Tianrui got impatient and looked Huang Long up and down: "What good stuff can you possibly make with this kind of stuff?"
Huang Long didn't dare to breathe loudly.
"Alright, I'll put in a good word with the people I know," Qin Tianrui said. "I'll ask them to take good care of you."
Upon hearing this, Huang Long panicked: "Young Master Qin, this won't do! I was wrong, I was really wrong!"
At this moment, Qin Tianrui finally understood why Qiao Wu had told him he didn't care about his apology that day on the Zero Ring Road.
Because it sounds really weak and is also noisy.
"Who cares? Don't let me see you again." After threatening him, Qin Tianrui turned around, wanting to kick Qiao Wu's chair, but then worried about provoking the big shot. "Is this alright?"
Qiao Wu repeated his statement, his tone innocent: "What does this have to do with me?"
Qin Tianrui held back his anger, but couldn't vent it, so he said in a deep voice, "Let's go."
Qiao Wu stood up, but instead of leaving immediately, she looked at the other two trembling actors and asked, "Are you going to stay here?"
If it were a case of Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai, she wouldn't interfere afterward.
Others have their own ways of getting ahead, and that's their choice.
But the other two were clearly frightened. As soon as they heard they could leave, they grabbed their bags and rushed to open the door.
Huang Long watched helplessly as the group left, and the atmosphere in the private room instantly turned extremely cold.
He asked, "Did you hear what Mr. Qin called that person?"
"Qiao Wu?"
Huang Long was unwilling to accept that his promising future had been ruined so easily by this woman with just a few words and expressions. He asked, "Which family is the Qiao family? Let's find out quickly."
People of high standing can usually be found through a simple search.
It just so happens that Qiao Wu was quite popular online recently, so other people quickly found Qiao Wu's name.
"Director Huang is a member of the Lu family."
The Lu family?!
Not only is she from the Lu family, but she is also the chairperson of the Lu family foundation, a friend of the president of the Lu family, and even Lu Xuan, who is involved in the entertainment industry, grew up with her and has a close relationship with her.
No wonder Qin Tianrui was so afraid of her and so cautious in front of her.
Huang Long slumped into a chair, holding his head in his hands.
That's it, it's really over.
After Qiao Wu and the others came out of the private room, the smell of alcohol had dissipated considerably, and they felt that they could breathe more easily. She turned to Liao Liao and asked, "Are you still eating? Our private room is up ahead."
Liao Liao had finally gotten this opportunity, so of course she wanted to take it.
She nodded immediately: "Eat!"
Then he turned to Qin Tianrui and said, "Thank you for your help this time, Mr. Qin. I'll treat you to dinner sometime."
"You haven't eaten yet?" Qin Tianrui asked, a little annoyed.
I wanted to prove myself, but I ended up embarrassing myself again.
He suppressed his temper and said, "It's my treat."
Qiao Wu was treating this time, so Liao Liao didn't have much of a say and just stood quietly.
Qiao Wu thought for a moment and said, "Okay."
Since we're inviting both sides, let's invite them both.
She'll have plenty of opportunities with Liao Liao in the future.
“Well…” The other two actors stood awkwardly, blushing, and said, “Thank you, we’ll be going now.”
They also knew that Qiao Wu had deliberately said those things to help them out of a tight spot.
"Together." Qin Tianrui paused, then asked Qiao Wu, "Is that alright?"
Qiao Wu smiled and said, "You're the host, you're in charge."
So what was originally a meal for two people became a meal for five.
Li Xiangyang and another actor kept their eyes down and their minds at ease. Why did he let Miss Qiao sit in the main seat when it was said that President Qin was hosting the dinner?
The dinner table was quiet, after all, Qin Tianrui's expression was not good.
He poured himself a cup of tea, downed it in one gulp, slammed it on the table, and said to Qiao Wu, "I reiterate, I genuinely believed this was an audition!"
"I know," Qiao Wu said, both amused and exasperated. "I didn't say anything to you."
But you didn't say anything either!
Doesn't that prove anything?!
"I'm just a friend you brought along, I don't really have the right to speak," Qiao Wu explained slowly. "Besides, you're their main target for currying favor, so your words carry more weight than mine. If you really like this kind of thing, and I overstepped your boundaries and wrecked your place, wouldn't you just cut me off again with your car?"
"Why are you bringing up old grievances?" Qin Tianrui said with a dark face. "Besides, who likes this kind of thing?!"
His brother is really strict about this. If he ever messes around outside, or if any little life is born...
He suspected that he didn't have enough belts at home.
So he usually just causes trouble for other people.
"In their eyes, you like it," Qiao Wu said slowly, sipping his tea. "Look at who would dare to flaunt something like this in front of your brother?"
"Why do they assume I like it?!"
Qiao Wu didn't answer, but just raised an eyebrow at him.
"???"
Qin Tianrui got goosebumps from that meaningful gaze and became furious: "If you slander me again, I will really sue you!"
So that's how he's perceived by other people?!
Tomorrow he'll definitely invite the Qin family's entire legal team and sue them one by one!
"You wait, I'll definitely call you first next time I'm doing something important."
Qiao Wu: "..."
She couldn't quite understand this young master's thought process. Why did he insist on showing it to her? She wasn't some kind of ruler.
"Young Master Qin," she said helplessly, "I also have my own job, and even if you offer more money this time, it won't work."
“Speaking of this,” Qin Tianrui said. He had heard his brother mention that he had once wanted to bring Qiao Wu to his home to be his housekeeper, but the plan never came to fruition.
Putting everything else aside, she's capable of keeping Cong Yi under control.
"Your housekeeper has a wide range of responsibilities," he said, puzzled. "How much would it cost to hire one?"
"Don't mention this again once you're out of this door."
"Why?"
Qiao Wu: "Because your brother hasn't been removed from Lu Jinzhi's blacklist because of that sentence."
"..."
Is Qin Lian really that lacking in class?
It's better not to talk about this dangerous topic. Qiao Wu shifted his attention: "But you stood up straight today."
"What's the meaning?"
"It means that if you continue like this, no one will arrange these kinds of dinners for you anymore."
Qin Tianrui understood the meaning behind her words, and his back instantly straightened up.
See? I told you I was here to do something serious!
He glanced at the other people who dared not speak, cleared his throat, and finally adopted the demeanor of a host, pouring himself another cup of tea: "Today's matter is also because of me. Give me your information in a while. If I come across a suitable role for you, I will recommend you to audition. No drinking involved."
"We should thank you." The others quickly picked up their teacups. "Thank you and Miss Qiao, otherwise we really wouldn't know how to handle this situation today."
They were just ordinary people with little influence, while the other party was a well-known director. If it were someone with real ambition, they might have dragged this out for ages.
Speaking of this, Qiao Wu asked curiously, "What are the usual procedures and channels for your auditions?"
"We either see the call sheet and go to the audition, or some directors see our profiles and think we're suitable and will contact us. But we're still newcomers and don't have much exposure, so most of the time it's the first option," Liao Liao replied. "And then there's something like today... the company arranges for us to come and socialize."
Qiao Wu frowned: "Company arrangement?"
She had never heard of such a process in JS.
Every company has social events, but they wouldn't use auditions to trick actors into going out for meals. At other times, actors should be accompanied by agents or assistants.
Where is your agent?
Li Xiangyang said, "Our agents manage many artists, and we generally don't specifically manage any one of them."
"Is that even a thing? What's the difference between that and pimping?" Qin Tianrui clicked his tongue in disbelief. "Which company are you from?"
"Tianfang".
Qiao Wu had never heard of this company.
Qin Tianrui, who frequently works in the entertainment industry, had a vague recollection of it: "I remember now. It's not a large operation, but they have a lot of tricks up their sleeve. They really like marketing and like to sign college students with no background so they can make arrangements for them."
He tilted his head. "Now that you mention it, he really is a pimp. He'll be in jail sooner or later, won't he?"
The actors all lowered their heads.
Qiao Wu turned around and asked, "Was that fat guy who took you to the charity gala last time also from your company?"
"Um……"
It was because that person offended Lu Xuan that the company fired him after hearing about it.
Only then did Liao Liao understand why the company had chosen her from among the newcomers for the actor training camp opportunity. It must have been because she had added Qiao Wu's contact information that time, which the company people found out and assumed that she knew Lu Xuan.
So, she got to where she is now because of Qiao Wu.
Liao Liao's initial courage vanished completely in that instant.
Qin Tianrui was still trying to show off his intelligence to Qiao Wu, babbling, "You guys haven't even graduated yet, aren't you just wasting your lives staying in this kind of company?"
Even without him saying it, the people who came today knew they were doomed.
But what can you do once you've signed a contract?
Qin Tianrui: "Let's untie it."
The group remained silent.
Qiao Wu glanced at Qin Tianrui: "Think before you speak."
Putting aside the fact that the contract termination process is always complicated, these are all college students, where would they get so much money to pay the penalty for breach of contract?
She remembered that in the original storyline, Liao Liao did indeed join a shady company, and was later pushed to Zhong Min's dinner party to get to know him. Later, Zhong Min fought for her to terminate her contract and even acquired the company. The two of them became entangled and complicated because of these things.
Even if Zhong Min had known Liao Liao for a while, his mind was already preoccupied with the village kindergarten and activity room, and he didn't have the resources to acquire a company.
Strange, how come she's the one who's encountered all the male lead's problems?
Li Xiangyang also said softly, "There is a penalty for breach of contract."
"I said it's no big deal, this time it's on me." Qin Tianrui was generous and wealthy. "I'll hire my family's legal team to handle your case. I guarantee you won't have to pay too much. I'll cover it all for you."
The tone was as casual as inviting them to dinner.
Qiao Wu thought for a while, then suddenly laughed: "Have a broader perspective."
"What?"
"Since they're going to end up in the company sooner or later, let's just send them in." Qiao Wu's expression didn't change as he said this, as casually as if he were eating. "Isn't it better to just get a subsidiary company cheaply to solidify your position as CEO Qin?"
A direct acquisition would certainly cost a lot of money, but it's a different story when someone commits a crime.
Qin Tianrui clearly hadn't expected this, staring blankly for a long time before exclaiming, "You really are related to Lu Jinzhi."
No businessperson is immune to ruthlessness.
"That sounds alright." Qin Tianrui was genuinely interested and couldn't wait to prove himself. "I'll go back and discuss it with my brother."
Qiao Wu hummed in agreement.
Unexpectedly, Qin Tianrui asked again, "Do you want to invest?"
"Um?"
"I can give you an opportunity to invest in the company based on your suggestion," Qin Tianrui said. "This company has nothing to do with my brother or my family. It's just the two of us. You can invest as much as you want."
Money isn't the point.
The key point is that he wants Qiao Wu to witness his rise to power firsthand!
He, Qin Tianrui, is not only going to stand up! He will also be a rising star in the entertainment industry!
Qiao Wu: "..."
Qin Tianrui's eagerness and desire to perform were so obvious that she couldn't ignore them even if she wanted to. It was all because she had been infected by Lu Jinzhi to look into people's eyes.
But then again...
She has learned a lot of things, but she knows very little about this industry. Only today did she realize that there are some behind-the-scenes operations. If Lu Xuan's contract expires and he leaves JS to open his own studio, he will have no one to guide him.
She can scout out the path for the crybaby.
She didn't nod immediately, but simply said, "I'll think about it."
Upon hearing that there was hope, Qin Tianrui perked up: "Take your time to think it over. I'll discuss with my brother how to kill them first."
After finishing his meal, Qin Tianrui left excitedly, and the others followed suit.
Liao Liao was brought by Qiao Wu, and he was also responsible for taking her to the airport, but he could pick up Lu Xuan first.
After getting into the car and shutting out the outside noise, Qiao Wu started the car and asked, "Were you scared?"
She found Liao Liao unusually silent.
In fact, Liao Liao was not hurt at all today, but she just felt very useless.
“Sister Qiao.” She lowered her head. “You told me last time not to apply survivor bias to myself, and I think I messed it up again.”
We still need someone else to step in and rescue us.
Qiao Wu said gently, "This is not your fault."
“It’s not just that.” Liao Liao shook her head. “I thought I could get through this, with resources and a way out, but in the end, it was all because of you.”
Qiao Wu never agreed with this logic, but it's understandable that he would think this way occasionally.
So she calmly asked, "If you go for a job interview and the company hires you, do you feel like you're benefiting from the company's success?"
"Won't."
"Then why do you feel like you're benefiting from my fame?" Qiao Wu laughed. "To be honest, I didn't pay attention to you at first on the yacht, and the same thing happened the second time. If you hadn't taken the initiative to ask for my contact information again..."
"Your choice of me and my choice of you are mutual." As she was leaving the underground parking garage, she glanced at Liao and gave her a smiling look before looking at Lu and continuing, "I admire your courage and your resilience, which is why I became your friend."
Liao Liao's heart was beating very fast.
From childhood to adulthood, she has interacted with many people, and has said things that were genuine or insincere to her friends.
But this is the first time I've talked about this word so frankly and directly with someone.
Is she courageous and resilient?
“Since you’ve made your choice, you’ll take responsibility for it. If there’s no other solution today, I’ll make sure you leave that company, even if it means paying your breach of contract penalty.” Qiao Wu’s voice was slow and calm. “Do you think I’d pay the breach of contract penalties for the other two?”
Liao Liao shook her head.
"So you can use me as your resource and climb over me to get ahead, and I'm willing to do it."
Qiao Wu pointed a finger at the bag on her leg: "Did I give you this first place too?"
Liao Liao gripped her bag tightly.
This recognition from her teacher was earned through her own hard work.
“We may have different upbringings and experiences, so the things we can do are also different, but at least we are now sitting in the same car and breathing the same air, which is something we have chosen.”
Qiao Wu smiled gently and said, "You're very good."
Liao Liao stared at the bag for a long time, then suddenly fiddled with it and took out her first-place medal.
"Sister Qiao, this is for you."
Qiao Wu glanced at it briefly and chuckled, "Is giving away medals a tradition? This is very meaningful to you, don't just give it away casually."
She already had one in her bag.
"No." Liao Liao said firmly, "It is very meaningful, but you are also very meaningful to me. This is the starting point. In the future, whether you are my boss or my friend, I hope you can see me climb up and win more awards. I hope we can share the same wind in the future."
When Qiao Wu stopped the car at a red light, she looked at the medal, smiled brightly, and reached out to take it.
"good."
Feeling the warmth of the medal, she thought to herself, "It seems I really should invest in Qin Tianrui's new company."
Soon, Qiao Wu drove to the place where Lu Xuan was having dinner.
Lu Xuan had drunk a little bit of wine, and his face was a little red. When he saw her coming, he went straight to open the passenger door.
When the door opened, there was already someone sitting in the passenger seat.
Lu Xuan frowned: "This bird hasn't left yet?!"
Qiao Wu: "Go to the back."
"No." Lu Xuan knocked on the car window, staring coldly at Liao Liao. "Get out, I want to sit in the passenger seat."
Liao Liao, clutching her bag, said, "Me neither."
“You…” Lu Xuan’s gaze shifted, and he saw that Qiao Wu had an extra medal in front of him, which was different from his own. He narrowed his eyes, “Whose medal is that?”
“Mine,” Liao Liao said. “I gave it to my sister.”
"Who's your sister? She's an only child!" Lu Xuan exploded. "This is the passenger seat!"
Seeing the two locked in a stalemate, Qiao Wu clicked his tongue and said, "This is a rented car, there's no passenger seat. Either get in the back or take a taxi to the airport."
Lu Xuan stared at her in shock, unable to believe that she could say such cold words.
During the course of a meal, not only did he no longer favor her, but she also won someone else's medal.
He gripped the car door tightly, remaining motionless.
A car pulled up behind them, so Qiao Wu had to call out, "Lu Xuan."
Lu Xuan looked up at her, and finally let go of her hand.
If he doesn't get in the car, Qiao Wu will definitely leave him here and take a taxi himself!
This woman is really capable of doing such a thing!
He slammed the car door shut, the effects of the alcohol washing over him instantly, his eyes reddening, and he huddled silently in the corner of the back seat.
Qiao Wu saw this and warned, "Stuck there, watch your head."
Lu Xuan muttered to himself, "I shouldn't be here, I should be under the car."
Qiao Wu: "..."
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