I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

Chapter 92 Zeng Li: An Old Cow Eating Young Grass!
Since getting a car, Cheng Sheng's travel has become much more convenient.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, seeing that Zeng Li had not yet arrived, Cheng Sheng ordered a few dishes in advance and went to Baojianli to wait for Zeng Li's arrival.

A dozen minutes later, Cheng Sheng's phone rang. After answering, he heard Zeng Li say that she had arrived outside the restaurant.

As soon as Cheng Sheng stepped outside, he saw Zeng Li standing at the front door.

Zeng Li was already a big star, and her fame soared after starring in "The Great Tang Dynasty". When she appeared at the restaurant entrance, she immediately attracted the attention of passersby.

Fortunately, idol worship wasn't as crazy back then.

Cheng Sheng quickly led Zeng Li into the private room he had booked.

Today, Zeng Li wore a pearl gray coat with a classic lapel design, exuding a sophisticated and elegant aura.

Wearing a fitted knit cardigan underneath and high-waisted flared wide-leg pants creates a simple and neat combination.

The black and gray color scheme is classic and sophisticated, exuding a powerful and domineering beauty.

The ruthlessness in Zeng Li's eyes was more pronounced than ever before.

She exudes an aura of a king returning home, and with her red lips, she looks like someone not to be trifled with.

Zeng Li has a standard oval face shape that is particularly attractive and suits any hairstyle.

She had shoulder-length, slightly wavy hair, but she lacked any gentleness or tranquility. Her cold and aloof demeanor was simply intimidating. This must be what they call having an aura that's 1.8 meters tall!
Cheng Sheng's eyes lit up at the sight, and Zeng Li, sensing his gaze, smiled smugly to herself.

It's no wonder I spent so much time getting ready at home; I was even late for our appointment.

Ever since receiving Cheng Sheng's call, she had been restless, so she began to dress up carefully.

I just didn't expect that I would go overtime while getting ready.

On the way here, I felt a little uneasy, not knowing that Cheng Sheng couldn't wait to leave.

Upon seeing Cheng Sheng, Zeng Li finally felt relieved.

Especially seeing Cheng Sheng's amazed expression upon seeing her made her secretly proud.

Cheng Sheng handed the menu to Zeng Li, asking her to order a few more dishes she liked.

Not long after I ordered.

The waiter brought the dishes up one after another, and the two sides ate and chatted.

Cheng Sheng and Zeng Li were very familiar with each other, and they often chatted on QQ when they had nothing to do.

Zeng Li asked Cheng Sheng some questions about his work.

Cheng Sheng didn't hide anything and told her about how he had been busy with the new movie these past few days.

Zeng Li also told Cheng Sheng about what happened after the New Year, complaining bitterly about how hard she worked and how the company exploited her too much, not giving her any time to rest.

Cheng Sheng felt quite sympathetic towards Zeng Li in this regard.

That's how realistic the entertainment industry is. Once someone becomes famous, they're a top star adored by millions, but once they're scorned, they become pawns of capital.

People always say the entertainment industry is glamorous, but selectively ignore the dirty secrets behind it.

How many of those investors and producers who hold the power of life and death truly care about the physical and mental health of their artists?
When you're popular, they'll praise you to the skies, but if you're not careful, they'll kick you aside.

Things like Zeng Li's are common in the entertainment industry.

Now that she's famous, the company, for its own benefit, will naturally want to squeeze Zeng Li's value to generate profits for the company. Otherwise, why would the company sign a star?
However, Zeng Li's company seems to be quite ruthless, accepting advertisements, endorsements, and acting contracts, leaving her with absolutely no private space.

"Sister Li, how much longer do you have left on your contract with the agency?" Cheng Sheng asked with a hint of concern.

"There's still a little over a year left! The company is currently discussing contract renewal with me!" Zeng Li said.

Do you want to renew your contract?

Upon hearing this, Zeng Li shook her head and said with a wry smile, "I just didn't plan to renew my contract, so the company wants to squeeze every last drop of value out of me."

That's it!

No wonder Zeng Li was exploited so ruthlessly.

"Sister Li, since you don't want to renew your contract, you can decline the jobs the company offers! Anyway, even if the company wants to sideline you, it's only been a little over a year, so it won't have much of an impact on you," Cheng Sheng said, somewhat puzzled.

"Do you think I don't want to? But I've been spending money recklessly lately, exceeding my budget, and I even took out a large loan from the bank. If I don't have a job, I'll starve," Zeng Li said with a bitter face.

Ah!
Cheng Sheng was completely bewildered. Zeng Li was short of money?
"That shouldn't be! Sister Li, you don't gamble or use drugs. The money you've earned over the years is enough for you to live on even if you didn't work for ten years," Cheng Sheng said in surprise.

Zeng Li didn't explain because this matter was somewhat related to Cheng Sheng.

To buy the house across from Cheng Sheng's, she paid double the market price, and the house still needs renovation, so she doesn't know how much more money it will cost!
"We women don't have to pay for dressing up, buying clothes and bags, or going on trips with others!"

Zeng Li didn't plan to tell Cheng Sheng about buying the house across the street from him right now.

Cheng Sheng's lips twitched slightly. He hadn't expected Zeng Li to have this side to her in the early days. She was so extravagant with money.

“If you don’t have money, you can come to me. I’ll lend you whatever you need,” Cheng Sheng said generously.

"No need, we have nothing to do with each other, why should I use your money?" Zeng Li was secretly delighted, but refused aloud.

“Ah Sheng, if you really want to help me, why not leave the role of Empress He to me?” Zeng Li said, her big eyes sparkling.

Cheng Sheng did not immediately agree, but instead looked Zeng Li up and down.

Having played Empress Xiao, she would have no problem playing Empress He. Moreover, Zeng Li is very beautiful and has a mature and sophisticated aura, which fits the role of Empress He perfectly.

"Empress He is fine with you, but you still need to go through the audition process. It will test your historical knowledge, so just don't be too bad."

"Okay, no problem, Ah Sheng, let me toast you, thank you."

Upon hearing Cheng Sheng's words, Zeng Li happily raised her glass.

The two drank a glass together, and then talked about their own situations.

When introducing himself, Cheng Sheng didn't realize anything was wrong, but Zeng Li was shocked.

Since she met Cheng Sheng, she hadn't felt that he was younger than her. Cheng Sheng had a mature aura that made her overlook the age difference between them.

Chatting with Cheng Sheng felt like talking to someone of the same age. But when Cheng Sheng said he was born in 1983, it immediately reminded her of herself. She was born in 1976, making them seven years apart.

They say that marrying a woman three years older is like finding a gold brick, but what about marrying a woman seven years older?
Is it possible for an older man to date a younger woman?
Zeng Li has a clear understanding of herself. Ever since the Venice Film Festival, she has been fond of this talented junior.

But now that I think about it, that age difference seems like a chasm.

If others knew, they would probably laugh at me!
After all, the age difference is too great.

Seeing that Zeng Li seemed lost in thought and her expression kept changing, Cheng Sheng waved his hand in front of her and said, "Sister Li, is there something wrong with the wine?"

Zeng Li shook her head slightly upon hearing Cheng Sheng's words.

Cheng Sheng had some doubts. Zeng Li was happy when they first met, so why did she become depressed as they talked?
(End of this chapter)