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

Chapter 369 What cat doesn't steal fish!
Beside the champagne tower, Fan Luyuan was slightly bowing, listening intently to Jiang Qing's words.

He made simple gestures in the air with his fingers, speaking at a measured pace.

The conversation has moved from the initial promotion of the series to the effectiveness of the "AI script screening system" and the next steps for its upgrade.

Fan Luyuan nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Just then, a light, cheerful voice suddenly broke the seriousness of the business conversation.

"Dr. Jiang! It's been a long time!"

Jiang Qing was interrupted. She turned her head slightly and saw Yang Zi holding a glass of champagne. Her bright yellow short skirt looked like a dancing flame as she stood smiling to the side.

Jiang Qing then noticed that she was also there, and nodded with a smile.

"Teacher Yang Zi is here too. It has indeed been a long time."

Yang Zi stepped forward without any hesitation, her face beaming with enthusiasm.

"That's right! I haven't seen her since we bumped into each other at the Bazaar Charity Night. By the way, how's Sister Meng doing lately? When can we get together again? I miss her."

She blinked as she spoke, acting as if they were old friends chatting casually.

"no problem."

Jiang Qing nodded readily.

"She's been busy recording variety shows lately, I'll take care of things when she's free."

"Alright! Then I'll wait for President Jiang's summons!"

Yang Zi smiled and agreed, then her gaze drifted to Jing Boran, who was standing half a step behind her, looking somewhat reserved.

She immediately reached out and pulled the person forward.

"Well then, Mr. Jiang, let me formally introduce you to a colleague from our He Dun production team. Jing Bao, Jing Boran."

She raised her chin at Jing Boran with the air of a big sister.

"This is the legendary CEO Jiang Qing! We've finally caught her in person! Haven't you always wanted to meet her? Don't be a coward!"

Jing Boran was pushed forward and quickly reached out his hand to Jiang Qing, his body subconsciously bowing slightly.

"Hello, Mr. Jiang! I've heard so much about you! I'm Jing Boran."

His voice was dry and strained, and his tension was palpable.

Jiang Qing looked at the actor in front of her, who was dressed in a well-fitting suit but appeared reserved, smiled gently, and took the initiative to extend her right hand to shake his hand firmly, with just the right amount of force. With her other hand, she also gently supported Jing Boran's elbow to ease the awkwardness caused by his bow.

"Hello, Mr. Jing, nice to meet you. I've seen the trailer for He Dun, and it looks great. I'm looking forward to the full movie."

He raised an eyebrow at Yang Zi, as if to say: Look how scared you've made him.

Yang Zi received the signal and chuckled. Just as she was about to say something more, Zhang Jingyi also approached the small circle with a wine glass in her hand.

She witnessed what had just happened, a natural smile spreading across her face as her gaze fell upon Yang Zi.

"Teacher Yang Zi."

The clear voice interrupted Yang Zi's teasing of Jing Boran.

Yang Zi immediately turned her head, her eyes lighting up.

"Jingyi! Wow, the color of this dress makes you look absolutely radiant!"

She stepped forward and naturally took Zhang Jingyi's arm, suggesting they had known each other for a long time.

The entertainment industry is a small circle, and many actors know each other in private.

Zhang Jingyi smiled and accepted the compliment, then voiced her curiosity.

"Does Teacher Yang Zi know our Teacher Jiang?"

Her eyes darted back and forth between Jiang Qing and Yang Zi, a hint of curiosity in them.

Before today's banquet, she truly had no idea that Yang Zi and Jiang Qing looked like old friends.

In her understanding, Jiang Qing's first foray into acting was "The Beginning," followed by "Lighter and Princess Dress."

"Cooperation? No way!"

Yang Zi waved his hand and explained with a frank smile.

"It was when we were filming 'Agarwood Like Crumbs' that Dr. Jiang came to visit Mengmeng on set! We bumped into each other and ended up having a meal together."

As she spoke, she gave Jiang Qingfei a quick wink.

"Right, Dr. Jiang? Remember that spicy crab place? Sister Meng kept drinking water but still wanted to eat it because it was so spicy!"

His tone was full of recollection of the scene at that time.

Zhang Jingyi understood instantly.

It turns out they met when she visited Meng Ziyi on set.

She knew that Meng Ziyi was also someone with an ambiguous relationship with Jiang Qing.

Seeing that Jiang Qing was exchanging pleasantries with a close acquaintance, Fan Luyuan, being very tactful, immediately interjected with a polite smile.

"President Jiang, teachers, you all continue your conversation. I'll go over there and check on Director Liu and the others."

He nodded slightly to Jiang Qing and the others, then turned and gracefully blended into the guests further away.

Yang Zi had just finished greeting Zhang Jingyi and was about to continue the conversation about the dinner, mentioning that her new drama was scheduled to premiere at the end of November, perfectly avoiding the clash with "Lighter and Princess Dress" when she cleared her throat and was about to speak.

"Jingyi, our..."

Before the conversation could even begin, another figure, seemingly prepared, interrupted.

Hu Lianxin approached, holding a glass of champagne, a bright smile on her face, her body slightly turned to the side, showing off the slender curves outlined by her white lace dress.

Her gaze fell on Jiang Qing's face, and her voice was sweet and bright, with a hint of playful affection.

"President Jiang~ I was just chatting with Yezi!"

She pronounced the word "wild child" very clearly, making sure that everyone gathered around could hear her.

"She knew I ran into you, and specifically asked me to keep an eye on you, saying that you can't hold your liquor very well and that you should drink less! You can't let Yezi's good intentions go to waste!"

With a sudden "buzz," the relaxed atmosphere that had been surrounding the crew's new film was instantly filled with sticky glue.

The air suddenly froze.

Yang Zi's smile froze for a moment. Her gaze swept quickly back and forth between Hu Lianxin and Jiang Qing. Her slender eyebrows arched in interest, and her lips pursed, revealing a playful expression as if she were watching a "show".

Jing Boran stood to the side, completely at a loss for how to react. He felt the atmosphere suddenly become so awkward that he could barely stand. He simply pretended to lower his head and adjust his cuffs, not daring to look around.

Some gossip is better left unsaid.

Although Zhang Jingyi's smile didn't disappear immediately, the curve of it became noticeably stiff.

Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the wine glass, and for the first time, her gaze fell seriously on the actress who had abruptly interrupted the conversation.

A white, deep-V long dress, revealing a stunning back view, a deliberate smile, and heavy makeup.

She knew Hu Lianxin, but they weren't close.

His gaze lingered briefly on the other person's overly forceful forward lean for a moment before calmly shifting to Jiang Qing.

She wanted to see how Jiang Qing would react.

When Jiang heard the word "wild child" come out of Hu Lianxin's mouth, his eyes suddenly darkened.

He never expected that, after he had clearly refused her in the parking lot last time, this actress who intended to betray Ono would still dare to approach him and start a conversation today.

Even more unexpectedly, after being rejected by him again, she still dared to openly use Ono to strike up a conversation in this kind of setting, and deliberately obscured the fact that there was no familiarity between them.

With a quick glance, he instantly understood her intention.

Using this so-called supervisory rhetoric, she constructed a false image of intimacy between him and her, creating the impression that she and he had a good personal relationship, leaving those around her, including Fan Luyuan, with the impression that she had not gone far away.

Such scheming and the audacity to put it into practice is something few people can do.

A hint of coldness surfaced in the depths of Jiang Qing's eyes, but on the surface, he merely glanced at Hu Lianxin's face, as if she were just a blurry figure in the background who had suddenly spoken.

He uttered three words softly.

"understood."

Those three words effectively shut down any potential topics she might discuss further.

After saying that, without giving Hu Lianxin any chance to speak again, or even glancing at her, he naturally turned his head to look at Jing Boran again, the coldness that had flashed across his face just now replaced by gentleness.

"Teacher Jing, I watched your 'Monster Hunt' a few years ago. It was a very interesting movie." The tone was natural, as if the incident just now was just a minor noise in the banquet hall.

The perfect mask on Hu Lianxin's face suddenly collapsed after Jiang Qing coldly said "I know" and turned away completely.

Her carefully maintained smile trembled at the corners of her mouth, and a blush of shame and indignation uncontrollably crept up her meticulously made-up neck.

She stood there, holding the untouched champagne glass, like a clown who had suddenly lost his voice, an awkward and out-of-place presence in this bustling area.

All the pre-arranged "logical outcomes" were shattered by Jiang Qing's casual glance and three words.

Even if she were stupid, she would understand that staying even a second longer would only bring her humiliation.

Hu Lianxin gritted her teeth, barely managing to maintain her last shred of dignity, and stiffly turned around. Wearing those stilettos that made her ankles ache, she practically fled into the noisy edge of the venue.

Everything I'd carefully prepared for tonight seems like a huge joke.

The only thing that comforted her was that her actions of approaching Jiang Qing to talk to her had been seen by Fan Luyuan and other executives from the platform, who were not far away.

So, it can be considered a gain, and perhaps I can use it to my advantage in the future.

As the dazzling lights gradually dimmed and the guests left one after another, Hu Lianxin still couldn't muster the courage to approach the inner circle surrounded by the crowd.

She stood in a corner of the hotel's magnificent lobby, watching Jiang Qing nimbly pass through the revolving door, surrounded by Fan Luyuan and others.

The black Maybach had silently pulled up in front of the hotel. Filled with a sense of defeat, his meticulously drawn features appeared somewhat distorted in the unnoticed corner.

She stomped her foot angrily, about to hail a taxi and leave, when suddenly a figure appeared in her line of sight.

Upon closer inspection, my heart skipped a beat.

Chen Duo!

Jiang Qing's ever-present assistant!

He didn't get in the car, but walked straight towards the corner where she was standing.

Hu Lianxin's heart, which had been at the bottom of despair, suddenly began to beat rapidly like a drum!

In an instant, all resentment and unwillingness were temporarily replaced by a strong sense of anticipation.

A turn of events?

All the suffering comes with joy?

Was her carefully planned approach ultimately seen?
Or perhaps... that arrogant man has finally fallen for her?
She subconsciously straightened her back, slightly raised her chin, and quickly adjusted her facial expression, trying to make herself look both surprised and just the right amount of reserved.

Chen Duo quickly walked up to her, without saying a word or giving her a chance to speak, and swiftly handed her a room key.

The card is made of hard, cold material, and features the hotel's elegant gold-stamped logo.

"Miss Hu."

Chen Duo flashed his standard smile.

"President Jiang asked me to give this to you."

There was no explanation, no extra expression; it was as if he were simply delivering a document.

Hu Lianxin felt an indescribable excitement surge through her, making her fingertips tingle slightly. She almost snatched the cold card as if she were grabbing it.

The hard texture coming from my palm was like a shot of adrenaline, instantly dispelling all the gloom.

She suppressed the urge to smile wildly and tried her best to keep her voice from sounding too excited.

"Thank you, Assistant Chen! Thank you for your help!"

His eyes scanned the information on the room key eagerly.

Bulgari Hotel, Executive Suite!

Heaven rewards those who persevere; she got what she had been waiting for!

Chen Duo ignored her thanks, as if his task was complete. He simply nodded in a businesslike manner, his gaze lingering on her face for a brief second before quickly looking away.

Before Hu Lianxin could discern what emotion it was, Chen Duo had already turned around decisively and strode towards the Maybach that had not yet left.

Hu Lianxin stood alone, clutching the cold room key that symbolized infinite possibilities.

Bulgari's Executive Suite!

His personal assistant handed it to him privately, avoiding everyone else!

These thoughts kept flashing through her mind, like fireworks.

All the cold looks, embarrassment, and anger I had just endured at the banquet now transformed into a twisted sense of pleasure, an excitement akin to impending triumph.

She knew it!

She knew it!

No man can truly resist the advances of such a beautiful woman!

Jiang Qing was no exception!
All that aloofness and indifference is just pretense!

What cat doesn't steal fish?
She lowered her head, her eyes greedily checking the information on the room key again, then took a deep breath and walked towards the hotel entrance with her head held high.

Who cares about tomorrow, let's make the most of tonight!

Vehicles enter the nighttime traffic of Beijing.

In the back seat of the car, Jiang Qing relaxed against the soft leather backrest, closing his eyes to rest.

Chen Duo, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at his boss in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

"President Jiang, as you instructed, it has been given to her."

After thinking for a moment, he added.

"Their attitude was very urgent."

Chen Duo had followed Jiang Qing for a long time and could not agree with Hu Lianxin's clumsy and persistent performance at the banquet tonight. He also did not understand why the boss had given her a room key.

Jiang Qing kept her eyes closed, only nodding very slightly and letting out a short response from her throat.

"Ah."

There was no emotional fluctuation on his face.

He needs Hu Lianxin, this ticking time bomb, to stay quiet for now.

This woman has extremely clear goals and is very ambitious; she will stop at nothing to climb the social ladder.

But it was precisely because of her strong sense of purpose that he felt a certain degree of security.

Because what she wanted was precisely what he could easily give and take back at any time.

Unlike the pure and sincere affection in Zhang Jingyi's eyes, unlike Zhou Ye's unreserved and wholehearted dependence, and unlike Chen Duling's rational and clear-headedness...

Those emotions carried weight, and he instinctively wanted to cherish them, to protect them, and even to avoid letting the dust of his own disappointment taint them.

Hu Lianxin is different.

Since she is so eager to get close and gain benefits, then give her a rope and keep her firmly within your sight and control.

Only by making her believe that she has succeeded can we completely eliminate the hidden danger of her acting recklessly outside, or even using Zhou Ye to create trouble.

Especially as Dudu's figure gradually faded into the distance, the suppressed, restless unease needed an outlet.

His mood improved somewhat after his last visit to Xiaotian.

But after all, that's Xiaotian; he'll feel pity for him and won't be able to act recklessly.

Now that Hu Lianxin has come knocking on our door, her undisguised ambition has become a vessel that allows her to escape any burden of conscience.

At that moment, he needed her.

Anxiety should be cut off and directed in the most suitable direction.

Seeing this, Chen Duo stopped asking questions, but he had a vague guess about what was going on.

After Chen Duling left, Jiang Qing's emotions were noticeably off.

The car windows shut out the city's hustle and bustle, and the black sedan silently blended into the depths of the night.

The cold car window reflected Jiang Qing's expressionless profile, like a mask as deep as a still pool.

The light and dark sides of a person will eventually reverse.

Tonight is destined to be extraordinary.

(End of this chapter)