Huayu: The young actress is heavily dependent on me

March 2, 2015, Hengdian, on the set of "Wu Xin: The Monster Killer".

After Chen Li finished filming Zhang Xianzong's last shot, Lin Yufen yelled "Cut!" and led the applause.

The stagehands pushed out a small cart with a cake on it. The words on the frosting were crooked and messy—"Zhang Xianzong, goodbye forever."

Wang Yanlin put his arm around his shoulder, his voice so loud it made the whole studio buzz:

"Bro, your villainous performance is so bad, people are definitely going to criticize you when it airs—the harsher the criticism, the better your performance!"

Han Dongjun, standing to the side, added with a smile:

"After criticizing Zhang Xianzong, he immediately searched for Chen Li's songs. I could guess from the comments—'So he wrote them?'"

Chen Li smiled and cut the cake, giving a piece to each of the staff members present.

When Chen Yao took the cake, a little cream got on her fingertips. She lowered her head and wiped the cream on a tissue, hesitating for a while before speaking:

"Chen Li, let's have dinner together tonight. I've made a reservation, consider it a celebration for your wrap-up. Sister Jin Chen, Brother Yan Lin, and Brother Dong Jun, please come too."

After she finished speaking, she quickly added,

"Not just one person—it's everyone together."

Chen Li handed the military uniform jacket to the clothing team and nodded: "Okay, what time?"

"Seven o'clock."

At 7 p.m., Jin Chen was the first to arrive at the familiar private restaurant in Hengdian. He crossed his legs, flipped through the menu, and had an unlit chopstick in his mouth.

As soon as Wang Yanlin entered, he insisted that they must order the most expensive dishes today, since Chen Li was treating.

Chen Li: "Didn't you say I finished filming? How come I'm the one treating?"

Wang Yanlin said matter-of-factly, "You've got 700 million views, how can you not treat us?"

Han Dongjun sat in the corner, not participating in the argument, his eyes saying, "I'll just eat anyway."

Chen Yao sat by the window, not wearing her costume today, but a light blue knitted cardigan, her hair down over her shoulders.

The atmosphere was already quite lively even before the food was served.

Jin Chen put the menu on the table, then suddenly turned to look at Chen Li, his tone half-joking and half-serious:

"Chen Li, are you really not coming to Tangren? President Cai has been talking to me about it several times, saying that as long as you agree, you can name your terms."

She paused, then sighed.

"If you come, we can work together on a few more films."

Chen Li picked up her teacup, took a sip, and spoke calmly but without room for negotiation:

"Sister Jin Chen, thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Cai, but after my contract with Sister Fan expires, I'll be going solo. The studio is already in the works—everything is pretty much ready, how will I know if I don't try?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yanlin picked up his wine glass, stood up, and exaggeratedly raised it above his head:

"Boss Chen! If you ever need my help in the future, just say the word! We can discuss the pay—of course, I'm open to offering more if you want!"

Han Dongjun also picked up his glass and joined in the commotion:

"If you become rich and powerful, don't forget us. If your company ever needs a leading man in the future, remember to give priority to us old partners."

Several people clinked their glasses together, splashing wine into the boiling hot pot and creating a cloud of white steam.

Just as the group was laughing and joking, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

Gulnazar stood at the door, wearing a neatly tailored beige trench coat, carrying a small chain bag, and wearing delicate makeup.

Chen Yao's chopsticks froze in mid-air, and the slice of beef she was holding silently slid back into the pot.

Her face darkened visibly in an instant.

She clearly only invited Jin Chen, Wang Yanlin, and Han Dongjun. How did Na Zha know that?

She glanced at Jin Chen instinctively.

Jin Chen was looking down, intently picking at a loose thread on the edge of the tablecloth with her fingernails, trying her best to maintain an innocent expression of "I know nothing".

But the overly serious act of picking at the tablecloth was the biggest flaw in itself.

Actually, it was Jin Chen who called Na Zha over.

After all, her own sister Li Yitong also likes Chen Li, so she can't let Chen Yao get the upper hand first.

As for Naza, I'm quite at ease with her, since Sister K wouldn't allow her to date.

Naza had already walked in without any hesitation. She gestured with her chin towards Chen Li, her tone affectionate:

"Why don't you ever invite me to meals? I'm an artist under Tangren Media, and most of the people sitting at this table are from Tangren Media. Can't I come?"

As she spoke, she pulled an empty chair from the side and placed it next to Chen Li.

The chair wasn't originally in that spot; she had dragged it from the corner, and its legs scraped against the floor with a rather unpleasant screech.

After she sat down, she hung her bag on the back of Chen Li's chair, her movements as natural as if she were at home.

Chen Yao silently watched the chain bag dangling from the back of Chen Li's chair, her fingers unconsciously clenching the napkin.

But this time—it's different.

She took a deep breath, loosened her grip on the napkin, suddenly looked up, and gave Naza a standard smile, her voice soft but steady:

"Sister Zha, you've come at the perfect time! We haven't ordered yet. Chen Li just said he wanted to eat fish, what about you, Sister Zha?"

She spoke in a friendly tone and with a composed demeanor, as if Naza was not a sudden intruder but a guest she had long anticipated.

Then she naturally pushed the menu towards the table, her movements so fluid that she didn't even knock the chopsticks over.

Naza paused slightly as she took the menu, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She looked Chen Yao up and down.

This junior sister used to always lower her head, blush, and back down first when she saw me. When did she become so composed?

But who is Naza?

Having worked her way up in this industry for so many years, she's seen it all.

She paused for less than a second before smiling and flipping open the menu, her tone casual yet familiar:

"Fish is great! I love eating fish too. The hot pot restaurant Chen Li recommended to me in Beijing last time also had boiled fish, which was especially delicious."

After she finished speaking, she turned her head and glanced at Chen Li, the meaning in her eyes was very clear.

My memories of him predate yours.

Chen Yao picked up her teacup and took a sip. Through the rim of the cup, she saw that Chen Li's expression was calm and composed. He was putting a peanut into his mouth, showing no intention of getting involved in this undercurrent of competition.

She mentally encouraged herself.

What's there to be afraid of? President Cai said she's the chosen CP (couple pairing).

With President Cai backing her up, she no longer needs to be afraid of Sister Nazha.

The dinner continued in this delicate atmosphere.

Jin Chen pretended to have a strong academic interest in the braised beef on the table the whole time, without glancing at Chen Yao and Nazha once, but under the table, her toes were gently kicking the paddle.

That's a little gesture she only makes when she has something on her mind.

Wang Yanlin and Han Dongjun, the only two straight men present, were completely unaware of the two tensions taut in the air. One was focused on cooking tripe, while the other was discussing lines for the next scene with Jin Chen.

By the time the dinner ended, most of the dishes on the table had gone cold.

Jin Chen was the first to stand up and push Wang Yanlin and Han Dongjun out:

"Let's go, let's go, there's more to see tomorrow."

The corridor fell silent. Naza and Chen Yao spoke at the same time.

"Chen Li, let's take a walk—"

Their voices overlapped, then stopped simultaneously, and they both looked at each other.

Zha raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sweeping across Chen Yao's face with the surprise of a predator suddenly retaliating.

Chen Yao did not avoid her gaze. Her chin was slightly raised, and she secretly held the cuff of her knitted cardigan in her palm, but her face was calm as if she had rehearsed it countless times.

The two of them turned to look at Chen Li at the same time and said in unison:

Who do you choose?