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

Chapter 232 The World of Fame and Fortune, the Flower of Human Wealth

Inside the banquet hall, the auction officially began. The light from the crystal chandelier focused on the display stand, and one by one, the auction items donated by brands or celebrities were carried out by the hostesses.

Hua Shao's passionate commentary echoed throughout the banquet hall, attempting to ignite the bidding frenzy.

However, the sign-holding at the scene revealed an indescribable sense of restraint.

A limited-edition bracelet from an international jewelry brand had a starting bid of 100,000 yuan. Yang Yang, a top male celebrity at the next table, raised his paddle, and Hua Shao immediately started to exaggerate the event.

"Teacher Yang Yang is offering 100,000! Is there anyone offering even more? For the sake of the children's hopeful classroom!"

Jiang Qing couldn't help but glance at him again, and a cute and pretty face suddenly flashed through her mind.

If he hadn't spoken up, my celebrity fan would probably have ended up acting alongside this top male star.

After a brief silence, another actress, Zhong Chuxi, demurely raised her paddle, raising the price... by ten thousand yuan.

Hua Shao's voice immediately rose an octave.

"Thank you, Ms. Zhong Chuxi, for holding up the sign! 110,000!"

After several rounds of this process, the item was finally sold to Yang Yang for 150,000 yuan.

He stood up and waved, a satisfied smile on his face as he said he had done his best for charity.

The artists at the same table applauded enthusiastically, creating a lively atmosphere.

Jiang Qing picked up her water glass, took a sip, and looked amused.

Every year, Wuwen Technology donates to build a Hope Primary School equipped with advanced teaching facilities in a remote mountainous area of ​​western China, with an initial budget of eight figures.

The 150,000 people in front of him, along with the deliberately created sense of ceremony, seemed more like a meticulously designed show to him.

Next up is a silk scarf from a high-end luxury brand, with a starting bid of 50,000 yuan.

A Hong Kong artist, Choi Siu-Fan, who has not had many works in recent years and is eager to maintain his exposure, was the first to raise his sign and shout out 55,000.

Another male actor of similar status, Li Zefeng, who also needed to generate buzz, immediately followed suit, adding 5,000 yuan to his offer.

The two went back and forth, each time raising the price to the minimum limit, as if they were engaged in a carefully calculated game, and finally the deal was completed at 80,000 yuan.

Applause rang out again, but Jiang Qing clearly saw a fleeting look of pain cross Cai Shaofen's face after he sat down, which was then covered by a professional, standard smile.

He thought that these people wouldn't normally act like this with just tens of thousands of yuan, and suddenly remembered what he had learned about the film and television industry downturn, so he had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Yes, I can see that; they're really preparing for winter.

Although everyone knows that there's an unspoken understanding that no valuable items will be put up at this auction, the bidding war is certainly unlike anything you'd expect from the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.

Interspersed between auctions were performances. Zhou Shen's rendition of "Light" was ethereal and clear, stunning the audience and briefly washing away the glitz and glamour of the event.

Jiang Qing was also surprised by his voice, and secretly sighed that it was truly a natural talent, which was undeniable.

Twins' reunion performance of "Next Stop, Queen of Pop" triggered a wave of nostalgia, with many artists in the audience humming along.

Rong Zuer's "Fireworks Chronicle" is grand and magnificent, while Wang Yuan quietly plays and sings "The shooting star also fell for you" while holding a guitar. He looks very youthful, but his voice is too ordinary compared to Zhou Shen's excellent performance.

Compared to a naturally gifted player like Zhou Shen, it seems Berkeley can't turn trash into treasure.

It's worth mentioning that the first artist to take the stage was Chen Weiting, who sang a children's song called "The Little Insects Fly" with Tian Tian, ​​a primary school student from Macheng.

Chen Weiting smiled gently and bent down to match the little girl's height, trying his best to create a warm and loving scene.

Jiang Qing glanced at her deskmate without making a sound. From the moment Chen Weiting stepped onto the stage, Yang Ying had been slightly turned to the side, staring intently at the plate in front of her, as if studying the pattern on it, without ever raising her head once.

Huang Xiaoming maintained his usual polite smile, his gaze fixed on the stage, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones with Yu Dong sitting next to him, revealing no particular emotion.

Ah Sa, sitting at another table, watched the performance with a calm expression throughout, even clapping her hands lightly to the rhythm, appearing quite poised.

Jiang Qing found it quite interesting, thinking that this was much more interesting than watching an auction.

In this world of fame and fortune, love, hate, and passion are all just a performance; it's all about who can act the most naturally.

Midway through the banquet, most of the auction items sold for between 100,000 and several hundred thousand yuan, with very few "big deals" exceeding 300,000 yuan.

As Jiang listened to those numbers, comparing them to the projects worth tens of millions that his colleagues at the table were casually discussing, he felt that the cost of this "charity show" was so low that it was almost laughable.

He even noticed that several items donated by unknown artists or brands failed to sell despite Hua Shao's enthusiastic promotion, and had to be hastily removed from the auction.

His gaze occasionally swept over the guests sitting in the peripheral area, some of whom were dressed in expensive but slightly over-the-top formal wear. Their expressions were a mix of excitement and unease, but their eyes kept unconsciously glancing towards the media area or the main table, as if they were eager to be captured by the camera or hoping to exchange a few words with some important figure.

Jiang Qing recalled the revelations she had seen in the car earlier and understood the situation.

These are probably ordinary people or minor internet celebrities who spent 30,000 to 50,000 yuan or even more to buy admission tickets and red carpet access from Bazaar.

Unfortunately, the Bazaar Charity Night was not broadcast live this year, and the media's cameras only focused on the real stars. Their investments were destined to be a complete loss, making them silent background figures in this gala.

It's called charity, but if you look closely, it's all business.

The conversation at the main table did not stop because of the auction and performance.

Sha Xiaoli made several attempts to steer the conversation toward Wuwen Technology's work in the field of public welfare, hinting at the possibility of deeper cooperation.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to toast, Yang Mi approached Jiang Qing again, her words filled with a keen interest in the prospects of combining AI technology with film and television, her beautiful fox-like eyes gleaming with shrewdness and eagerness.

"President Jiang, we have many artists under our company with excellent image and temperament. Do you think we could find some time to discuss this in detail? For example, we could have our artists serve as experience officers to try out your company's latest technological achievements, which would also serve as a form of publicity."

She leaned forward slightly, her smile charming and captivating.

Even if Jiang Qing only lowered his eyes, he could see a snow-white and bottomless ravine.

He kept his eyes straight ahead, politely raised his glass and chuckled.

"Professor Yang's idea is excellent. Wuwen is indeed exploring more possibilities for the integration of science and humanities. However, we don't have any plans in this regard for the time being. We mainly cooperate with other companies to provide exclusive technical support, so it's not appropriate to disclose that information in advance. We will definitely contact you when we have the opportunity."

He skillfully deflected the conversation back to professional matters, ignoring her hints about "the artists under his management."

Yang Mi's smile remained unchanged, still warm and welcoming.

"Then it's a deal! Remember me if you have the chance! Come on, Mr. Jiang, let me toast you again. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!"

She downed the wine in one gulp, displaying a bold and unrestrained demeanor.

Huang Xiaoming also joined the conversation at the right time, talking about a new movie he is preparing and trying to explore the possible applications of AI in post-production and special effects.

Andy Lau, on the other hand, was more concerned about the potential of AI in assisting scriptwriting. He exchanged views with Chen Kexin in hushed tones and occasionally asked Jiang Qing for some professional insights.

Jiang Qing handled the situation with ease, demonstrating exceptional professionalism while maintaining a perfectly appropriate distance in her conversation.

He was like a calm observer, wandering in the heart of this world of fame and fortune, where people mingled and made empty promises, watching the faces around him, whether sincere or feigned, enthusiastic or distant, and observing the performances of those who generously gave money in front of the camera but meticulously calculated their finances in private.

The bubbles of champagne rose and burst in the glass, just like the lavish banquet itself.

The dazzling lights illuminated the priceless jewelry and meticulously groomed faces, but also revealed the unseemly pettiness and carefully calculated exposure costs beneath the glamorous robes.

The so-called charity here is more like an expensive admission ticket, a grand public relations show.

The dinner was lengthy, the auction was ongoing, and performances by celebrities were interspersed throughout.

Jiang Qing patiently sat for a while longer, watching a jade ornament donated by Song Jia, which was said to have been treasured for many years, being sold after several relatively unknown artists symbolically raised their prices.

He overheard Zhao Yifang from Huace Media, who was sitting at the same table, whispering a joke to Yu Dong.

"I wouldn't even put this thing in my storage room if it took up too much space."

Jiang Qing couldn't help but smile, thinking that he actually believed what he said, since the quality didn't look very good from a distance.

He put down his barely touched wine glass and smiled and nodded to Andy Lau and the others at the table.

"excuse me."

He rose from his seat, his tall figure standing out prominently in the main table area.

As he walked through the slightly crowded corridor, he could feel the gazes coming from all directions—some curious, some inquisitive, some like Zhang Ruonan's occasional furtive glances, and others like Dilraba's undisguised, seemingly hooked stares.

He walked straight to a relatively quiet area at the back of the banquet hall, his destination being the restroom, and also to get some fresh air.

Unbeknownst to everyone, after Jiang Qing left the banquet hall, a tall, golden figure quietly followed her out.

Jiang Qing went to the sink, and the faucet sensed his outstretched hand, so warm water flowed out.

He lowered his eyes and carefully washed each of his fingers. The cool water washed away the scent of perfume that had lingered in the banquet hall, and also took away some of the glitz and clamor of the hall.

As he pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands, a gentle, smiling female voice suddenly came from behind him. "President Jiang?"

The voice was unfamiliar.

Jiang Qing paused slightly, a hint of surprise at being interrupted, and slowly turned around.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw the woman standing a few steps away. It was Jing Tian, ​​whom he had never met before.

She wore an elegant champagne gold gown that shimmered dazzlingly under the lights, perfectly outlining her mature and graceful figure.

Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, making her meticulously painted face appear even more radiant and fair.

He recalled the netizens' comments about this female celebrity, and looking at her now, the description of her as a "human embodiment of wealth and beauty" seemed particularly fitting at this moment.

It's a beauty refined by time, a mature charm that's immediately apparent.

She stood there without deliberately striking a pose, simply tilting her head slightly, a perfectly timed smile playing on her lips, her clear eyes locking onto him, exuding a poised and confident presence.

"Teacher Jing Tian?"

Jiang Qing slowly tossed the tissue she had used to wipe her hands into the nearby trash can, a perfectly timed look of surprise flashing across her face before she regained her usual composure.

He nodded slightly, showing the respect expected in a social setting, but without being overly enthusiastic.

"I wonder what brings Teacher Jing Tian to see me?"

He looked at the other person calmly, without probing too deeply.

Jing Tian took two light steps forward, her high heels clicking crisply on the polished floor tiles, the sound particularly clear in the relatively quiet restroom area.

Her smile deepened, her eyes sparkling with a mature charm.

"President Jiang, I apologize for bothering you. I saw you at the main table earlier, but I haven't found a suitable opportunity to say hello."

Her voice was soft and pleasant, with a touch of natural intimacy.

"When I saw you come out, I thought... I should come and get to know you."

Jiang Qing smiled, noticing her hesitation.

He let his hands hang naturally at his sides, relaxed, and got straight to the point.

"Did Teacher Jing come all this way to see me because of something?"

He didn't try to probe in a roundabout way.

In today's world of fame and fortune, he is more accustomed to this kind of direct efficiency.

Jing Tian was clearly taken aback by his directness, and the smile on her face froze for a moment.

She quickly relaxed, a hint of hesitation creeping into her smiling face.

She gently pursed her rosy lips, her long eyelashes fluttering rapidly twice, as if carefully choosing her words.

After a brief silence, she looked up and stared directly at Jiang Qing, her eyes filled with a hint of pleading.

"President Jiang... It is indeed a bit abrupt to say this. Well, I have something to ask you for help with, but it's not convenient to go into details here."

She paused, observing Jiang Qing's reaction, and only continued speaking when she saw that his expression remained calm.

"Would it be convenient for you to spare some time tomorrow morning? Let's find a quiet place to talk. It won't take up too much of your time."

Have something to ask for?

A hint of surprise flashed through Jiang Qing's mind.

He and Jing Tian had no connection whatsoever; their social circles, whether in the tech industry or the entertainment industry, almost never overlapped.

What could she possibly need his help with?
And it looked quite solemn.

He scrutinized Jing Tian's expression; the charm she had been deliberately displaying earlier was gone from her beautiful eyes, leaving only utmost seriousness and palpable tension.

After a quick thought, Jiang Qing didn't press the matter further.

He glanced at his watch; it was nearly 8 p.m.

I'm free before 10 a.m. tomorrow.

He provided a specific time window.

"I need to head back to Luyang after 10 o'clock. You can decide the location if the time is suitable."

"Before 10 o'clock? No problem, thank you, Mr. Jiang!"

Jing Tian's eyes lit up instantly, and a genuine smile returned to her face, filled with a sense of relief and joy.

"No problem at all! There's plenty of time! I'll arrange the location; I'll definitely find a quiet and private place. Later... um, if it's convenient, could I add you on WeChat? I'll send you the detailed address and time later."

As she spoke, she took out her phone and tapped the screen with her fingertip to bring up the WeChat QR code interface. Her movements were smooth and natural, showing a familiarity and decisiveness in social situations.

"can."

Jiang Qing readily agreed and took out her phone from the inside pocket of her suit jacket.

Unlock, open WeChat, scan the QR code, add a friend.

The two worked together seamlessly throughout the process, without exchanging any unnecessary words.

Jing Tian's phone vibrated slightly, indicating that the friend request had been successfully added.

She glanced down at the screen, quickly tapped a few times to make notes, then looked up at Jiang Qing with a bright smile.

"Alright, Mr. Jiang, I'll send it to you later after I find a good place."

"Ah."

Jiang Qing put her phone back in her pocket and smiled and nodded.

"See you tomorrow then."

"Okay, thank you very much, Mr. Jiang! See you tomorrow!"

Jing Tian's voice was filled with sincere gratitude.

The two said no more and naturally walked side by side toward the bustling banquet hall.

The champagne gold gown swayed gently with Jing Tian's steps, making her graceful and radiant.

Jiang Qing strolled along unhurriedly, and his composed demeanor gave Jing Tian more confidence in getting his help tomorrow.

They maintained a distance of about half an arm's length between them, without any deliberate attempt to get closer or any sense of distance. The only remaining scent in the air was the faint fragrance of her perfume.

As they stepped back into the banquet hall, a deafening roar of noise immediately enveloped them.

The performance on stage continued, and the auctioneer's voice echoed through the hall via microphone.

As light and shadow intertwined, countless gazes, some bright and some dim, instantly focused on it, filled with curiosity and inquiry.

Clearly, the sight of the two returning together from the side caught the attention of many observant people.

Jiang Qing remained expressionless, her gaze calmly sweeping over the main table before heading straight to her seat.

He could feel Jing Tian beside him immediately adjust her posture, her face once again displaying the graceful smile befitting a "worldly beauty," and her steps becoming more elegant and composed, as if the brief conversation outside the restroom, filled with a secret request, had never happened.

She turned her head slightly, gave Jiang Qing a smile that others would perceive as merely a social farewell, and then gracefully walked towards her seat.

Jiang Qing returned to the main table and sat down amidst the gossipy gazes of Andy Lau, Huang Xiaoming, and the others.

Sha Xiaoli immediately tried to strike up a conversation, while Yang Mi's beautiful fox-like eyes, filled with undisguised inquiry, swept back and forth between his back and Jing Tian's silhouette in the distance.

Jiang Qing picked up the lemon water the waiter had just refilled and took a sip. The cool liquid slid down her throat, washing away the ripples caused by the earlier accident.

He was rather curious as to what this woman of wealth and beauty needed his help with.

Zhang Ruonan, who was not far away, glanced between Jiang Qing and Jing Tian, ​​and her courage, which she had just mustered, immediately dissipated.

She suddenly realized that the Jiang Qing instance seemed a bit too difficult...

(End of this chapter)