CH 23

He had seen through people who wanted to rise to the top, but the harsh reality was that even if you climbed the high branch, you couldn’t automatically become a phoenix.

A lot of people had been saying that Lu Lincheng would definitely divorce Liang Yan, so she needed to wake up from her big dream.

Half his life, Zhou Zhibo had refined himself, so he dealt with her with superficial politeness. He was aware that the woman opposite of him had the identity of Lu Lincheng’s wife but still had to audition under him for a role; there was no background at all.

To put it bluntly, there was no one to back up Liang Yan, and she would be easily bullied.

Liang Yan bit her lip. “Producer Zhou… can we start the audition?”

Zhou Zhibo still acted polite but a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes. “No hurry, what is our relationship? Liang Yan, ah, I have a party tonight, let’s go together.”

“We’ll discuss the drama together, then,” he spoke first, blocking Liang Yan’s refusal. 　　*******

Crimson was the biggest and most expensive bar in Gudong City. It was common to see celebrities in the bar since the biggest film and television base was in the city. The bartender could casually determine which alcohol the stars prefered. Usually, he could even witness a popular male star holding a few girls in sexy clothes without even blinking.

Liang Yan sat on the sofa beside Zhou Zhibo. His “friends”, a few young girls who went for the audition, were also here, as well as several assistant directors of the crew.

Liang Yan stared at the coffee table full of opened bottles of alcohol.

She regretted coming, thinking that it was better if she didn’t come, but if she didn’t, Zhou Zhibo could say no regarding the audition. Liang Yan couldn’t offend him, riding on a tiger was really difficult.

The consumption cost in Crimson bar was even more expensive than the bars in B City. Five figures a night was easy; when she was still an 18th-tier actress three years ago, she couldn’t afford to come to this kind of place. Tonight was a first for her.

Liang Yan gazed at the alcohol and bit her lips, feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles.

Zhou Zhibo stuffed a bottle into Liang Yan’s hands. She wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not, he touched her fingers. “Come on, Xiaoyan, let’s toast.”

Liang Yan moved back, held the bottle without drinking and hesitantly spoke, “That… producer Zhou, aren’t we here to talk about the play?”

Zhou Zhibo laughed. “What’s the hurry? Let’s drink first before we talk. Come on, cheers!”

Several girls who sat next to Liang Yan grabbed a bottle of beer from the table and drank it. They were rowdy, chattering and almost rolling into a ball on the sofa with their clothes dishevelled.

Liang Yan was left with no choice. She tilted her head and straight up drank from the bottle. Fortunately, in order to stimulate customer consumption, each bottle of beer contained a small capacity. She estimated the small bottle would make her drunk.

Zhou Zhibo stared at Liang Yan’s snow-white neck while she tilted her head to drink.

Perhaps because she had an additional identity of being “Lu Lincheng’s woman,” she had become even more desirable compared to two years ago.

And more exciting.

****

On the other hand, in the VIP room of the Crimson bar.

“Lincheng, are you going to leave now? Sit down a little longer.” Lu Dan stood up from his seat. There was still more than half of the birthday cake on the table.

Lu Lincheng glanced at Lu Dan and shook his head. “I’m going to shoot tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay then.” Lu Dan squeezed a smile on his lips. “Be careful on your way. Don’t get on camera.”

“Hmmmm…” Lu Lincheng nodded and left the VIP room.

Someone next to Lu Dan approached her. “Sister Dan, go ahead and cut the cake.”

“Happy birthday to Sister Dan! May you win the crown for your drama this year!”

Lu Lincheng walked out of the room and put on his hoodie.

Lu Dan was an old friend of Lu Lincheng. She was two years older than him, and when Lu Lincheng just debuted, they worked in a drama together. Lu Dan’s career took off in the last few years, and had been maintaining a smart persona and style. She didn’t have many fans, but her career road was very good and her endorsements weren’t lacking.

Today was Lu Dan’s birthday. She spent her day at the filming site and set the venue of the birthday party to Crimson bar in the evening. Lu Lincheng attended her birthday celebration after finishing his work in the afternoon.

Lu Lincheng looked down, burying his head as he passed by the bar lounge. He avoided several drunken men and women, then he glanced at a booth as he turned in the corner.

Liang Yan became dizzy when suddenly, she felt the heaven and earth whirled around her, and then, someone picked her up by the collar.

Lu Lincheng glared at the drunk Liang Yan, his face flushed red in anger. “Do you want to do the same stupid thing again?”