Chapter 9
As the most prosperous commercial center, most brokerage companies in the country were located in this area. It was not surprising that Zhong Ruanxing and Duan Mangyun from the same brokerage company would meet here.
Facing Duan Mangyun's enthusiasm, Song JinXing was very cold: "No need."
Duan Mangyun had been uneasy all morning after that phone call. Probably guilty of doing something bad, at this moment being swept by that pair of cold eyes, although Song JinXing hadn't said anything, Duan Mangyun had already confessed unprompted and asked aggrievedly: "Ruanxing, are you suspecting me? I really had nothing to do with what happened last night."
Song JinXing had never encountered such a stupid opponent. He was at a loss for words for a while.
Duan Mangyun blinked her eyes and her eyes were already red, looking all the more pitiful: "Ruanxing, can our five years of friendship not withstand such a test?"
Song JinXing: "..."
How did Zhong Ruanxing become friends with such a stupid person for five years?
Under Duan Mangyun's aggrieved gaze, he finally spoke indifferently: "Last night when you took my clothes off with your own hands, you probably didn't consider this friendship."
The eyes under the brim were still beautiful and profound, but inexplicably, they were now sharp and piercing. Duan Mangyun's pitiful face could no longer be maintained under this sharpness, and cracked like a mask.
Song JinXing had no interest in watching her change her face. He turned and left.
Duan Mangyun trembled with her pale lips, looking like a victim, gritted her teeth and called out her name angrily: "Zhong Ruanxing!" Song JinXing didn't stop walking. Hearing her viciously say: "Don't be too smug too early!"
That figure, casual as it was wrapped in leisure clothes, still could not conceal its grace. It did not give her any response. Duan Mangyun could only see Song JinXing's indifference from his back, and could only be impotent with rage. Her phone rang and she saw it was her agent Miao Gaojun. She took a deep breath and answered the call.
On the phone, Miao Gaojun's voice was impatient: "Why aren't you here yet?"
Duan Mangyun quickly said, "Almost there, five minutes." She hesitated and still couldn't help it: "I ran into Zhong Ruanxing."
Miao Gaojun was instantly vigilant: "You didn't say anything to her, did you?"
He knew his stupid artist too well. Hearing her mumbling, Duan Mangyun immediately repeated the conversation honestly to her agent.
After listening, Miao Gaojun was so angry with this fool that he almost exploded: "Get to the company now!"
As Zhong Ruanxing's "good friend" with a similar fame and status, Duan Mangyun was non-existent in the entertainment industry, with even less fame. After all, Zhong Ruanxing still had the label of a sexy goddess, while she didn't make a splash after entering the circle.
Human nature is like this. When everyone is unknown and has no prospects, they can treat each other sincerely as friends without any grievances.
But when she learned that director Zeng Mingsong had noticed Zhong Ruanxing and wanted her to play the second female lead in his new movie, the seed called dissatisfaction in Duan Mangyun's heart began to sprout, and the roots of jealousy grew longer and thicker, shattering the foundation of their friendship.
They had agreed to be obscure friends for life, so why could you overtake me on a curve?
Zhong Ruanxing's agent Weng Hanzhi had two minor artists under him. Zhong Ruanxing was in a state of neglect. He didn't even know how director Zeng Mingsong knew about Zhong Ruanxing. It was simply a stroke of good luck.
Miao Gaojun was ambitious. Although Duan Mangyun was stupid, her image was very suitable for the current aesthetic in the circle. She lacked an opportunity. Miao Gaojun also aimed at Zeng Mingzhou's new film. He had to help Duan Mangyun fight for this opportunity, so he had to suppress Zhong Ruanxing, whom Director Zeng appreciated.
It was widely known that Zeng Mingsong was a righteous, discerning, straightforward and irritable person.
In his crew, he would never allow any unspoken rules or scandals.
There were already rumors of Zhong Ruanxing sleeping her way to the top. So he and Duan Mangyun conspired to strip Zhong Ruanxing naked and send her to Zeng Mingzhou's bed. They just needed to give Zeng Mingzhou a slight push when he returned to the room and saw a naked body like this, and it would confirm the rumor that Zhong Ruanxing slept with people before each audition.
At that time, Zeng Mingsong would never use her again.
But they never expected that Zhong Ruanxing would wake up halfway and run away!
The prearranged paparazzi didn't even get a single photo. On her way downstairs, she even ran right into Zeng Mingzhou who was returning to his room. The insightful Zeng Mingzhou had directed eight or nine out of ten movies in his forty years in the industry. He could tell what was going on with one look. He called some security guards to interrogate the paparazzi.
Now the plan had backfired. Although he didn't know who was behind it, Zeng Mingzhou knew for sure someone tried to frame Zhong Ruanxing.
In the future, they wouldn't be able to fool Zeng Mingzhou again with this trick. He might even sympathize with Zhong Ruanxing because of this incident, which would increase her chances of passing the audition in three days.
They tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice!
Things had reached this point. They could only honestly audition. Even if she didn't get the second female lead, getting another supporting role in Director Zeng's movie would still be good.
Zhong Ruanxing was a very loyal person. If she succeeded in getting the role, with her relationship with Duan Mangyun, she would definitely try to get a role for Duan Mangyun as well.
Miao Gaojun had planned well. Only he, Duan Mangyun and his assistant knew about last night. Even if Zhong Ruanxing woke up halfway, she wouldn't know who did it. Duan Mangyun could still pretend to be friends with her and slowly look for opportunities.
He never expected that fool Duan Mangyun would confess so readily!!!
If not for her face still having some worth, Miao Gaojun really wanted to kick her out.
"Forget it, now that she knows, she still doesn't have evidence and can't do anything to us." Miao Gaojun gloomily stared at the docile Duan Mangyun: "Do your best at the audition in three days. It would be best if you can get the role, but it doesn't matter if you don't. I got you a variety show."
...
When Song JinXing arrived at the restaurant, Zhong Ruanxing had already been there for a while. He had a private room here. The waiter recognized Zhong Ruanxing and led her in. She was currently inside studying the tea set.
Seeing him come in, she happily waved at him.
Song JinXing was still not used to seeing his own face make such lively expressions. He paused for a bit before walking over and sitting down, taking off his hat and mask and tidying his disheveled hair. Long hair was so troublesome that he had to repeatedly restrain himself from cutting it short.
Zhong Ruanxing said, "You don't actually need to cover up so tightly. No one will take photos of me. On the other hand, many people took photos of you when I came over! Some even asked for my WeChat."
Song JinXing: ...?
Why hadn't he encountered this when he went out?
Of course, he himself did not know how unapproachable his usual demeanor was. Others only dared to peek at him from afar, not to approach him. But the person in this body now was Zhong Ruanxing. Her gentle temperament made the whole person much more accessible.
Zhong Ruanxing handed the organized documents and voice recorder to him. While he worked, she continued to study the tea set.
Soon, the waiter came in and respectfully asked, "Mr. Song, should I serve the usual dishes?"
Zhong Ruanxing nodded casually: "Mm-hmm."
Song JinXing, who had been engrossed in work, suddenly spoke up: "Bring the menu."
The waiter was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but look at Zhong Ruanxing across from him. Zhong Ruanxing was still fiddling with her tea set. Hearing this, she nodded again: "Bring the menu."
Even with professional training, the waiter couldn't help but gasp at the sight.
The aloof Mr. Song actually had such a doting side. This really opened his eyes!