Mr. Lu, stop being such a jerk. Your wife is your nemesis's white moonlight.

Cheng Yu is a high-end private club in Bincheng.

It offers excellent privacy and is the most frequent destination for film crew dinners.

After a few rounds of drinks, Xu An'an gradually sensed that something was wrong.

This is no welcome party, it's clearly a trap!

The executive director, producer, and screenwriter kept toasting her, their words laced with barbs, making it difficult for her to refuse.

Just as I put down my glass, the casting director walked over with another drink in hand.

"Actress Xu, I've been waiting for you for so long, I'd love to toast you."

Xu An'an was already slightly tipsy.

Teacher Shao wasn't there, and she wasn't very familiar with anyone present. Knowing she shouldn't get drunk in front of strangers, she smiled and declined.

"Director Cheng, you flatter me. I should be the one toasting you, but I really can't hold my liquor. How about I drink tea instead..."

Before Xu An'an could finish speaking, the teapot she was about to pick up was slammed onto the table.

"Miss Xu," Assistant Director Li Li joked like a seasoned veteran, "You might not drink other people's drinks, but you can't refuse Director Cheng's!"

Xu An'an raised an eyebrow in confusion.

These people were clearly trying to get her drunk, but she was new here and had never had any contact with these people before. Where did they get such hostility?

Seeing that Xu An'an remained silent, the people around her began to chime in:

"Yes, Ms. Xu, the one facing the most difficulties here is Director Cheng!"

"Absolutely! In the years since Actress Xu was unavailable, the list of child actors has changed countless times!"

"Six years! Kids grow up so fast! Chen Nian's younger siblings need a new batch of actors every year, so Director Cheng has to find them one by one. Where are there so many child actors with the right looks and temperament?"

each year?

Xu An'an frowned slightly, somewhat incredulous: "All these years... you've been preparing to start filming every year?"

"Yeah, right!" the director of photography chimed in, venting his frustration with the alcohol. "We're like bricks, all lined up every year during test shoot season, waiting to see if Actress Xu is available!"

"With just one casual remark from Actress Xu, all our six months of hard work and preparation have been for nothing!"

"Calling us bricks is giving us too much credit. I think we're nothing but cannon fodder compared to Actress Xu! Hahaha..."

They joked around, using both subtle and profound language, putting on a show for Xu An'an.

Xu An'an now understood everything.

It turns out they were blaming her for all the years the movies had been shelved!

But this is such a blatant injustice!

Over the years, Teacher Shao did ask her from time to time if she had any plans to make a comeback, but she really didn't know that her decision would have such a big impact!

We need to prepare for the group every year...

How much does this cost?

I don't know what Yan Heng was thinking... Is he just burning money for fun?

"Actress Xu, tell me, should you drink this wine or not?"

Xu An'an snapped out of her reverie, looked at the wine glass handed to her, considered it briefly, and then generously accepted it:

"Director Li is right, I have to drink this, but drinking it like this isn't very sincere. Dongdong," she turned to her assistant.

"Take my card and open three bottles of 53-degree Moutai."

Dongdong's eyes widened upon hearing this: "Sister An'an, you can't drink anymore!"

"It's okay, I know what I'm doing."

She turned her head and whispered in Dongdong's ear, "Go get me another room, and then take me upstairs directly."

In recent years, Xu An'an has attended countless social events in her capacity as CEO of Lu's Group.

She knew all too well that in this situation, simply explaining wouldn't be of any use.

They have already acknowledged that it was their fault, and if this matter is not properly resolved today, there will inevitably be various obstacles during the subsequent filming.

Xu An'an wasn't afraid, she just thought it would be too troublesome.

Therefore, she chose the most cost-effective method.

Amidst the bewildered gazes of the crowd, Xu An'an opened a bottle of Moutai, lowered her eyes, and steadily poured the liquor into the three empty glasses in front of her.

The transparent liquid hits the cup wall, producing a gradually rising tone until it overflows.

"Dear teachers," she said, raising her head.

"It wasn't my intention to waste everyone's time by making the movie so long."

She paused slightly, her gaze calm and honest:

"But no matter what, I should take some responsibility for this. I apologize to everyone for putting in so much effort."

At this point, she bowed solemnly.

After standing up, Xu An'an picked up the wine glass on the table: "But just talking is meaningless. These three glasses are a penalty drink, and also my attitude."

Her gaze was sincere as she looked at everyone present:

"I hope our collaboration goes smoothly from here on out!"

After saying that, she tilted her head back and started drinking.

The empty glass fell back onto the table with a crisp "thud," which sounded particularly jarring in the deathly silence.

Before anyone could react, the three wine glasses that were just full were now upside down on the table.

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

Three whole cups...

That's 53% ABV liquor...

Even seasoned veterans of the crew were stunned by Xu An'an's actions.

This is hardly the way an actress should drink to apologize.

This is clearly a desperate stance at the negotiating table!

Xu An'an glanced around, suppressing the burning sensation in her stomach, and calmly spoke:

"The remaining two bottles of wine are a small token of my appreciation. Please enjoy them."

Those present then realized what was happening, and looked at Xu An'an with a mixture of shock and fear:

"Teacher Xu, you're too kind. Don't mention apologizing..."

"Yes, that's how it is in our industry. The filming stoppage can't be entirely blamed on you..."

"Yes, that's what we earn money from..."

Seeing their attitude change 180 degrees, Xu An'an secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"You flatter me, esteemed teachers. It is a great honor for me to have the opportunity to collaborate with you all."

She bowed slightly, subtly showing vulnerability:

"However, I'm really not a good drinker, so I won't stay and embarrass myself. The meal will be on my tab; please enjoy it to the fullest."

Everyone agreed, stood up to see her off, and told her to go back and get some rest.

After saying a polite goodbye, Xu An'an turned and left the table.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her, and a sinister, contemptuous voice rang out at the same time: "Teacher Xu, I haven't agreed to let you leave yet!"

Xu An'an paused, forcing herself to stay calm as she turned to look.

Why is it Ye Ruyan again!

Xu An'an found it somewhat amusing: "Miss Ye, when did I need your permission to leave or stay? Please let go of my hand."

"Of course I'm nothing," Ye Ruyan scoffed. "I just can't stand that all the hard work and dedication everyone has put in over the years has been so easily dismissed with just three drinks. Teacher Xu, isn't it a bit inappropriate to settle scores like this?"

"So, Miss Ye, what do you think is appropriate?"

Ye Ruyan smiled and said, "Teacher Xu, everyone here is a highly respected senior in the industry. Their time is worth at least one bottle a year, isn't it?"

She gestured to the waiter, "Five more bottles of that Moutai, please!"

After saying that, she raised her eyes, her gaze filled with fierce jealousy as she stared intently at Xu An'an. "Teacher Xu, those three cups just now are considered a year's worth. You've wasted six years of everyone's time."

"These five bottles are on you!"

These words instantly shattered the atmosphere that had just eased.

Xu An'an felt as if the three glasses of strong liquor she had just drunk were now turning into a ball of fire, rushing straight to the top of her head.

Six bottles?

Was she trying to kill herself? Several directors present couldn't stand it anymore and quickly tried to smooth things over:

"Xiao Ye, have you had too much to drink?"

"Yeah, An'an, Ruyan is probably drunk and confused, don't worry about it."

"Yes, don't worry about her, you should go back and rest."

Overwhelmed by the effects of the alcohol, Xu An'an didn't want to linger any longer. She gave Ye Ruyan a cold glare and then tried to leave.

But Ye Ruyan grabbed her again.

This time it escalated further; he almost poked the bottle in her face.

"Drink! Xu An'an, what are you pretending for! Weren't you just showing off how much you could drink?"

"You're not leaving today until you finish your drink!"

To avoid the bottle, Xu An'an instinctively stepped back.

Unexpectedly, his legs gave way and his body fell backward uncontrollably, eliciting gasps from those around him.

It’s over.

This is truly embarrassing!

In despair, Xu An'an struggled to regain her balance, trying to make her fall look pathetic.

The expected pain did not come; Xu An'an only felt a tightening around her waist.

The next second, I was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace.

In a dizzying moment, the familiar scent of pine needles enveloped her forcefully, tightly binding her.

Immediately afterwards, a loud bang!

The man in front of him slammed the wine bottle to the ground.

The strong, pungent smell of alcohol exploded instantly, spreading everywhere.

In the deathly silence, a furious and ruthless voice came chillingly from above:

"Ye Ruyan, what are you doing?"