Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 230 The alluring and sarcastic Reba
5:30 PM, Shenzhen.

The banquet hall was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the mixed scents of champagne, fine perfumes, and flowers.

The enormous crystal chandelier refracted dazzling light, illuminating the carefully selected jewelry and gowns of the female celebrities, making them dazzled.

When Jiang Qing and Zhang Ruonan walked side by side into the star-studded banquet hall, it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Countless gazes instantly focused on them, filled with curiosity, inquiry, envy, and a hint of scrutiny.

Whispers spread among the fragrant clothes and swaying hair.

"It really is Jiang Qing! He actually came in person?"

"Is that Zhang Ruonan next to you? Did they come in together?"

"It seems their relationship is quite special..."

"Tsk, this is going to be interesting."

……

Jiang Qing could clearly feel the weight of those gazes, and the sudden tension in Zhang Ruonan's breath beside her.

His expression remained unchanged, and his gait was still composed, only his gaze calmly swept over this glamorous world of fame and fortune.

"President Jiang, it's an honor to have you here! Welcome, welcome!"

A warm and enthusiastic female voice rang out.

Bazaar editor-in-chief Sha Xiaoli personally greeted her, her face showing just the right amount of surprise and warmth.

She wore a sleek black jumpsuit, exuding a powerful aura, and her smile was incredibly infectious.

"Your presence in person truly enhances tonight's charity gala! When I received your company's confirmation reply, I thought you would send a representative, so seeing President Jiang in person is a pleasant surprise!"

She extended her hand with a smile, and Jiang Qing politely shook it.

"Editor-in-Chief Sha, you're too kind. Wuwen has always been concerned about public welfare, and it's an honor to have the opportunity to participate."

Sha Xiaoli smiled even more brightly, her gaze lingering on Zhang Ruonan for a moment with professional approval.

"Ruonan looks beautiful in this outfit. She looks so good standing next to President Jiang."

She cleverly avoided delving into their relationship and then changed the subject.

"President Jiang, this way please. The main table has been prepared for you."

"it is good."

Jiang Qing smiled and nodded, then nodded to Zhang Ruonan beside her before walking away as she watched him leave with a smile.

Sha Xiaoli personally led the way, guiding Jiang Qing through the crowd and straight to the round table in the very center with the best view.

Wherever they went, the conversations immediately quieted down, and a group of celebrities either nodded in greeting or cast friendly glances.

Those seated at the main table were all the most important people of the evening.

As evergreen actor Andy Lau was having a quiet conversation with director Chan Ho-sun sitting next to him, Huang Xiaoming immediately stood up and extended his hand with a big smile when he saw Jiang Qing approaching.

"President Jiang! Long time no see! I never expected to run into you here!"

"Brother Xiaoming, we meet again."

Jiang Qing smiled and shook hands with Huang Xiaoming, her attitude familiar.

They had a good impression of each other after their brief time together at the Chinese restaurant.

"Come, Mr. Jiang, let me introduce you."

Huang Xiaoming enthusiastically acted as a middleman, pointing the finger at Andy Lau.

"This is Brother Hua."

"Mr. Liu, I have long admired your name."

Jiang Qing nodded slightly, polite and composed.

Andy Lau also stood up and extended his hand with a gentle smile.

"President Jiang is young and promising. That lecture on AI at Tsinghua University really put us old guys on edge."

His tone carried a touch of self-deprecating humor, easing the initial formality of their first meeting.

At the same table were several film and television company executives, including Yu Dong and Cao Huayi, as well as renowned directors such as Chen Kexin and Guan Hu. With Huang Xiaoming's introduction, Jiang Qing shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with them one by one.

Everyone showed this rising star, who has recently become incredibly successful and holds the reins of cutting-edge technology, ample respect and enthusiasm.

After everyone took their seats, the conversation naturally turned to Jiang Qing's lecture at Tsinghua University, which sparked widespread discussion, about predictions of artificial intelligence in the field of image generation.

"Mr. Jiang."

Chen Kexin asked, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"You said in your lecture that in the future, AI may be able to directly generate movie scenes, or even plot segments, that match the director's intentions? Wouldn't that mean all of us directors and actors who make a living by our skills would lose our jobs?"

As soon as he said this, everyone at the table focused their attention on Jiang Qing's face, all of them showing a hint of barely perceptible tension.

Jiang Qing picked up the champagne that the waiter had just handed her, her smile calm yet carrying an undeniable certainty.

"Director Chen is exaggerating. AI is a tool, an assistant to expand the boundaries of creation, not a replacement."

"It can efficiently achieve some basic construction, freeing up creators to focus on the more core and irreplaceable parts such as emotions, thoughts, and artistic expression."

"Just as with the advent of photography, painting did not die out, but rather reached new heights."

"The soul and depth that excellent directors and actors give to their characters can never be replicated by algorithms."

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone around him who were listening intently.

These words visibly relaxed everyone present, and they all nodded in agreement.

Huang Xiaoming smiled and smoothed things over at the right moment.

"Exactly! The core of art is people and emotions. No matter how powerful AI is, can it act as well as our Brother Hua? Can it be as charming as Mr. Jiang himself, who plays Li Xun?"

Everyone laughed upon hearing this, and the atmosphere immediately became much more harmonious.

While they were having a lively conversation, Zhang Ruonan was led by staff to a table near the edge of the room.

Most of the people at the table were second- or third-tier celebrities or new actors.

She sat down quietly, but her gaze couldn't help but drift to the center, the one who was the center of attention, surrounded by everyone.

A female actress who had just starred in a short web series at the same table leaned closer, her expression a mixture of envy and ingratiation.

"Teacher Zhang, you and President Jiang... seem to know each other very well? You walked the red carpet together just now, and your auras were so compatible!"

Others cast curious glances their way.

Zhang Ruonan snapped out of her daze and quickly waved her hand, her face bearing her usual sweet smile.

"No, no, I just met him on the plane earlier. Mr. Jiang is a very nice person. He saw that I was a little confused just now, so he helped me out."

She skillfully avoided directly denying that they were "not familiar" and also didn't overemphasize their relationship.

Even so, the people at the table were noticeably warmer towards her than before.

After all, being able to "casually" get out of a predicament by Jiang Qing and walk the red carpet together is itself a signal.

Jiang Qinggang and Huang Xiaoming chatted about some interesting things about Zhou Ye during their subsequent recording process, when a fragrant but not overpowering rose scent quietly wafted in.

He subconsciously looked up and a stunning splash of mint green caught his eye.

Reba stood by the table, holding a wine glass and smiling radiantly.

Her look tonight was quite daring, and Jiang Qing couldn't help but be amazed.

A mint green Georges Hobeika deep-V haute couture gown clung to her graceful curves, with a daring low neckline that plunged above her waist, revealing large expanses of her fair and delicate skin and alluring waist dimples, which shone dazzlingly white under the glittering lights.

A sheer shawl in the same color family is draped halfway over the arm, which, instead of concealing anything, adds a touch of alluring charm.

Her meticulously styled hair was adorned with dazzling jeweled headdresses, perfectly complementing her deep, sculpted features and exotic charm. She resembled a finely polished gemstone, radiating a fatal attraction—both fiery and noble.

"Mr. Jiang."

She parted her red lips slightly, her voice languid and sweet, her eyes fixed intently on Jiang Qing. "It's true what they say, life is full of unexpected encounters. I was eagerly waiting for that banquet that night, thinking I'd have a good chat with you, the real-life Yu Tu, but you, Mr. Yu, didn't even show up, which left me quite disappointed."

Her tone carried a distinct hint of coquettishness, with a slight upward inflection at the end, captivating the heart.

As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, revealing glimpses of her skin beneath her deep V-neck, and a delicate diamond necklace dangled from her neck, swaying gently with her breath.

The men at the table couldn't help but be drawn to her, and even Andy Lau smiled at her with admiration.

Huang Xiaoming laughed and egged them on.

"Wow! Dilraba's outfit today is absolutely stunning! Mr. Jiang, it's not right to stand up a beauty like that!"

Jiang Qing could clearly feel the eagerness in Reba's eyes, and... her determination to win.

He remained expressionless, raised his glass to her, and gave her a gentle smile tinged with a distant apology.

"Ms. Reba, you flatter me. I really had something come up last time. It seems that we have to make up for this drink today no matter what?"

He cleverly avoided the ambiguous term "Yu Tu" and responded jokingly.

"Of course we need to replenish it!"

Dilraba immediately climbed up the pole, her smile becoming even brighter, but she was suddenly interrupted just as she was about to raise her glass.

"Oh my! Mr. Jiang, what a coincidence! You're here too!"

A clear, slightly boisterous female voice suddenly broke in.

Yang Zi, dressed in a stylish silver short dress, hopped over like a nimble little deer, her face beaming with a radiant smile. She squeezed right between Dilraba and Jiang Qing, seemingly oblivious to Dilraba's instantly frozen smile.

"So Zimei'er is here too."

When Jiang Qing saw Yang Zi, her smile became more genuine.

I had dinner with Meng Ziyi when I visited her on set before. She has a straightforward and interesting personality, like a little sun, and I had a good impression of her.

"President Jiang is really in the spotlight lately. Let's take a group photo together later, so I can ride his coattails!"

Yang Zi patted Jiang Qing's arm familiarly, her tone slightly coquettish, before exclaiming "Oh dear!" in an exaggerated way, as if she had just discovered Dilraba.

"Dilraba, you're here too! Wow, that dress you're wearing today... you're really going all out!"

Her gaze swept over Dilraba's deep V-neckline, which plunged to her waist. Her admiration sounded incredibly sincere, but a hint of disdain, something only a woman could understand, flickered deep in her eyes.

Dilraba's smile faded slightly, but her professionalism allowed her to maintain a perfect smile, though her voice lost some of its sweetness.

"Teacher Yang Zi looks beautiful today too. I was just talking to President Jiang about the penguin dinner last time."

She specifically emphasized the "Penguin Dinner," implying that she and Jiang Qing had a past connection.

"Really?"

Yang Zi blinked, turning to Jiang Qing with an innocent and curious expression.

"President Jiang, was Penguin fun that night? Was it like today, with a bunch of beautiful women surrounding you?"

Her words, though seemingly a joke, were like a light thorn that pricked her, highlighting Dilraba's initiative while placing herself in the position of an "observer," and subtly satirizing the realities of the world of fame and fortune.

Jiang Qing gently swirled her wine glass, watching with great interest the two female celebrities in front of her, who had very different styles but were equally radiant.

Reba's beauty is as fiery as fire, carrying a strong sense of aggression and seduction.

Yang Zi is lively, carefree, and outgoing, but she also has a knack for being sarcastic and unpredictable.

The perfume scent in the air seemed to carry an invisible tension, and he could clearly feel the undercurrent of competition between the two of them, which was much more interesting than the previous discussion about AI.

He simply relaxed his body and leaned back slightly, a relaxed smile on his face as if watching a show. He didn't answer Yang Zi's question immediately, but instead glanced at the two of them before slowly speaking.

"I had something to do at the banquet that night and didn't go. As for the beautiful women..."

He paused deliberately, and only added with a smile when both of them were slightly holding their breath.

"I see many during the day, shining brightly on stage, but in the dark below, how can I see who they are all fawning over?"

He used minimal force to achieve maximum effect, and even made a small self-deprecating remark.

Dilraba choked for a moment, her red lips slightly pursed.

Yang Zi chuckled, finding Jiang Qing's answer both cunning and satisfying.

"Mr. Jiang, you really know how to talk! The lights are bright enough tonight, can you see clearly?"

She glanced at Dilraba again, her gaze meaningful.

Reba was not about to give up easily. She immediately adjusted her posture, leaning her body a little more towards Jiang Qing. She didn't care that her shawl had slipped down a bit, and she lowered her voice, with a hint of affectionate complaint.

"President Jiang, those words are really hurtful. We had a very pleasant chat the other day, didn't we? But you didn't even say a word about not attending the banquet. You can't make it today. After watching your lecture on Tsinghua University, I have so many questions I want to ask you."

She emphasized the word "pleasant" with a meaningful tone, and her eyes conveyed an invitation in a straightforward manner.

"Ask a question? Does Teacher Dilraba need to ask questions?"

Yang Zi immediately chimed in, her tone exaggerated.

"You're a top star, a small-time actor like me should learn more from President Jiang! Don't you agree, President Jiang?"

She had no intention of hiding her thoughts at all.

Everyone in the industry knows that she and Dilraba's team have been attacking each other a lot, and there's no possibility of them shaking hands and making peace anytime soon.

Anyway, she had no other intentions towards Jiang Qing. It would be good to annoy Reba and help Mengmeng at the same time.

Jiang Qing watched the two of them go back and forth, and the smile on her lips deepened.

He swirled the champagne in his glass, and the bubbles rose gently.

"Industry specializing in surgery."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, his gaze lingering for a moment on Reba's radiant face before turning to Yang Zi's vibrant eyes.

"Just as Reba's charm is unique, Yang Zi's infectious energy is also a gift, and I..."

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, with a hint of a smile.

"I work in science and technology. If you two want to learn about quantum mechanics, you can contact me. Otherwise, forget about me."

He deftly kicked the ball back, implying that the two of them could compete on their own and not drag him into it.

Dilraba and Yang Zi were both stunned for a moment.

Dilraba was surprised that Jiang Qing didn't side with her, while Yang Zi thought Jiang Qing's "shifting the blame" tactic was brilliant, making her want to laugh but also feel a little unwilling.

"President Jiang is really good at playing the game of tai chi! Is he just trying to avoid trouble and be lazy?"

Yang Zi reacted quickly, laughing and playfully scolding him.

Dilraba gave Jiang Qing a charming sidelong glance, her red lips curving upwards.

"Is President Jiang finding me annoying?"

At this delicate stalemate, Jiang Qing caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye that Zhang Ruonan gently put down the fork in her hand in a distant corner.

He had noticed before that she had been paying attention to this area.

She lowered her head and fiddled with the edge of the napkin in front of her with her fingertips, her full cheeks puffing out slightly, like a deflated glutinous rice ball.

Although her subtle expressions were obscured by the distance, the faint sense of loss and the "I knew it" aura emanating from her were clearly conveyed.

She picked up the juice on the table and sipped it slowly, her gaze no longer fixed on this side, but instead turning to the staff on stage who were adjusting the equipment, as if there was something particularly attractive there.

Jiang Qing understood.

This girl probably felt that the glamorous and influential center of fame and fortune was too far removed from her own position.

The aura and attention surrounding him were probably like the enormous, unattainable crystal chandelier above her head—brilliant yet cold—to her.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at Reba and Yang Zi, who were still full of fighting spirit. Suddenly, he felt that the elegant ladies and the clinking of glasses in the room seemed to have diminished his interest from before.

Just then, music started playing on stage, and the host slowly walked to the front of the stage.

The dinner event is about to officially begin.

(End of this chapter)