A real killer playing a villain; the guy surnamed Zhen in Detective, run!

The two entered the room.

The waiter recognized Su Qinghan and immediately led the way. They passed through a narrow courtyard, where stone lanterns, bamboo shadows, and low wooden doors were arranged with great care.

The door to the VIP box was pushed open, and quite a few people were already seated inside.

On either side of the long table sat Liang Bo, the platform's vice president; Zhou Yue, the chief filmmaker; Mr. Wang, the investor; several representatives from the investors; and the screenwriting team.

Lin Wanwan was sitting on the inner side.

She sat upright, her hands clasped together on her lap, the backs of her hands pressing against the backs of her hands.

Her agent, Sister Hong, was sitting next to her, talking to President Wang.

As soon as the door opened, the conversation inside the private room stopped.

Lu Yuan followed Su Qinghan in.

He wore a dark suit, had a cold and aloof appearance, and didn't bother to lift his eyelids too high, yet his aura dominated the entire room.

The man who was trending on social media last night for dismantling a locked room with his bare hands is now dressed in haute couture, giving off a dangerous vibe at the end of the negotiating table.

Liang Bo was the first to stand up.

"Director Su, Teacher Lu, you've finally arrived."

Zhou Yue also stood up, smiling and extending his hand.

"Teacher Lu, it's an honor to meet you. Last night, our whole office watched the episode of 'Escape Room.' Frankly speaking, the production team should give you a fee for equipment acceptance."

Lu Yuan shook hands with him, "The invoice can be issued to Lao Liu Culture Media."

Zhou Yue was taken aback, thinking it was a joke, and laughed along.

Su Qinghan had already taken the blame for him: "Lu Yuan isn't very good at small talk at dinner parties, Producer Zhou, please bear with him."

"Oh, not at all. Artists are artists, it's normal for them to have personalities."

Mr. Wang sat in the main seat, not in a hurry to get up. His gaze swept over Lu Yuan and finally landed on Su Qinghan's face.

"Director Su has a good eye. With the release of 'Black Gold,' Teacher Lu is now a real star."

Su Qinghan: "He relies on his work, not on connections."

That's not a soft statement.

Mr. Wang paused for half a second while holding his glass, then laughed: "Yes, yes, the work itself is the most important."

Su Qinghan led Lu Yuan to sit down at the edge of the long table.

Lin Wanwan sat diagonally opposite her, and she glanced at her out of the corner of her eye.

This is Lu Yuan.

The "General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine" trending on social media, Shen Yibai in "Black Gold" who sends chills down your spine, and the weirdo in "Escape Room" who makes NPCs serve him ginger tea.

The real person is quieter than on camera, and also harder to approach.

The waiter began serving the dishes.

Thinly sliced ​​premium Wagyu beef, bluefin tuna sashimi, king crab legs, caviar, and abalone steamed in sake—one dish after another filled the long table.

The dinner party, costing 8,000 yuan per person, has finally revealed its true nature.

It's not about eating.

It's about putting resources, desires, and trials all into a beautiful dish.

Liang Bo raised his glass and said that the platform will increase its investment in the suspense genre next year.

Zhou Yue chimed in, saying that "The Faceless Man" is a key project of the year, and the actors must be recognizable, generate buzz, and be highly cooperative.

Sister Hong is very good at finding loopholes.

"We've always had a great working relationship with Wanwan. After the historical drama became a hit, she didn't get carried away; she didn't miss any of her script lessons, dialogue lessons, or physical training."

"If the female lead can give it to her, she will definitely do her best."

Mr. Wang leaned back in his chair, swirling his cup around.

"Wanwan has a good image and is popular with the audience. She's just a bit too well-behaved. But actors sometimes have to let loose."

Sister Hong immediately replied with a smile, "Mr. Wang is right, I will definitely guide her more when I get back."

Lin Wanwan lowered her eyes and didn't reply.

Lu Yuan had no interest in these things.

His attention was already fixed on the plate of bluefin tuna in the center of the table.

The belly meat had evenly distributed fat, the incision was clean, and the temperature was well controlled. The king crab next to it had thick legs and a beautiful shell color; it was clear that it hadn't been skimped on.

He picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks.

After taking a bite, my brow relaxed a little.

Whether it's worth eight thousand is another matter, but at least the fish didn't lie.

Zhou Yue walked over with a wine glass in his hand.

"Professor Lu, let me toast you. The villain in 'The Faceless Man' is very complex. We've discussed it, and among young actors in China, you are the most suitable."

Lu Yuan was looking at the king crab legs.

Zhou Yue continued, "This character isn't your average villain; he has a dual nature—a social personality and a genuine one. We wanted to create something like this—"

"Producer Zhou"

Lu Yuan picked up the small knife next to the crab claw.

Zhou Yue paused, then said, "Please go ahead."

Lu Yuan lowered his head to process the crab shells: "We'll talk about it later. Seafood gets tough when it gets cold."

Zhou Yue's wine glass stopped in mid-air.

The screenwriter next to him looked up at him, then looked down and drank his soup.

Liang Bo, holding a cup, almost lost control of his facial expression.

Hongjie's laughter was dry.

Mr. Wang chuckled: "Teacher Lu is truly genuine."

Zhou Yueqian chuckled twice and put the wine glass back on the table.

"Yes, yes, let's eat first. Food is important too."

When he returned to his seat, his sleeve almost touched the sauce dish.

The people at this table were used to the etiquette of dining parties.

If someone offers you a toast, you should accept it!

When others are discussing projects, you need to be enthusiastic!

If someone hands you a ladder, you should climb it!

Lu Yuan is alright.

He dismantled the ladder and used it as firewood!

Su Qinghan sat beside him without saying anything.

She knew better than anyone that Lu Yuan wasn't targeting Zhou Yue.

He was just hungry.

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation in the private room became even more informal.

Mr. Wang began to tell stories about his early investment projects, how a film turned a niche project into a hit, and which actor missed an opportunity because of his naivety back then.

There was a hook in his words, a hook aimed at Lin Wanwan.

Sister Hong understood and cooperated quickly.

"Wanwan, toast Mr. Wang. Listen to how many projects he has supported over the years; it will benefit you in the future."

Lin Wanwan picked up her water glass. "Mr. Wang, I'll have tea instead of wine."

Mr. Wang smiled but did not raise his glass.

"Wanwan, isn't it inappropriate to serve tea instead of alcohol at a gathering like tonight?"

Lin Wanwan stopped.

Sister Hong touched her knee under the table.

Just then, Su Qinghan's phone, which was on the table, vibrated.

She glanced at the caller ID and frowned.

Director of Public Relations at the Studio.

Three consecutive passes.

Su Qinghan hung up the call, but the other party called again.

When Liang Bo saw this, he said, "Director Su had already taken care of it beforehand, so it's alright."

Su Qinghan stood up: "Excuse me, I need to go outside to take this call."

She paused half a step as she passed by Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan is peeling a crab.

Su Qinghan lowered her voice: "Eat your food properly. Don't cause trouble."

The door to the private room closed behind her.

That semblance of dignity was also shut out.

Mr. Wang pushed his chair back and stood up.

He picked up a bottle of foreign liquor from the table; its alcohol content was alarmingly high.

"Wanwan, come on, let's have a drink."

The wine was poured into the stemmed glass in front of Lin Wanwan, the amber liquid rising all the way to the rim.