Chapter 563: Chapter 431: Aftermath of the Awards Banquet (Part 2)
After finishing the shoot in the afternoon, everyone wrapped up and I went back to the hotel to change. I simply slipped into a T-shirt and shorts before heading out.
Before leaving, I remembered to tell Li Yuning that there was a crew dinner tonight, so they shouldn’t follow along.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, I saw that none of the other actresses from the crew dressed as casually as I did. Standing next to them, I looked like an assistant.
"Xiao Yun, you’re dressed like this?" Yu Yhan covered her mouth in surprise.
Zhou Yun took off her cap and asked, "What’s wrong with how I’m dressed?"
"Tonight, President Huang also invited the heads from the TV station and the bosses of the advertisers," Yu Yhan said.
Zhou Yun frowned, "Ah?"
"You didn’t know?" asked Yu Yhan in astonishment.
Zhou Yun shook her head, "I didn’t know."
In the private dining room, only Gu Huaichun and Yin Zhou from the male actors showed up, while there were four or five actresses.
Seeing the setup, Zhou Yun had her suspicions, was extremely repelled, and yet had no choice but to sit down.
What else could she do?
Get up and leave?
That could work, but it would offend people.
After a while, Huang Zhong and Lu Yuan showed up accompanying two individuals.
One was a potbellied fatty with slick, greasy hair, looking like he’d rolled in a vat of oil, his eyes roving over the actresses as he entered.
The other was a lean woman, probably just over forty, very capable, but her speech was full of worldly wisdom.
The actors at the dining table stood up one by one, and Zhou Yun did the same.
"Let me introduce, this is Director Liu," Huang Zhong said, pulling the chubby man forward.
"Nice to meet you, Director Liu," Yu Yhan was the first to coo.
The others followed suit with their greetings.
However, Director Liu’s eyes stopped abruptly on Zhou Yun’s face.
"Is this Miss Zhou?!"
Zhou Yun had intended to slip by without notice, but she was called out.
"Hello, Director Liu, I am Zhou Yun," she politely introduced herself.
"Indeed, a scholar beauty, you speak with such a cultured air," Director Liu’s eyes narrowed into slits, offering his praise.
Huang Zhong laughed heartily, adding, "That’s because she’s a talented student from B University, where else can you find someone like her in the entertainment industry?"
In just a couple of sentences, Zhou Yun felt like she was meat on display at a market, objectified by all.
Zhou Yun’s smile became slightly stiff, as she cursed inwardly.
"This is Director Cheng from Songlin TV’s program acquisition center," Huang Zhong continued, introducing the capable woman.
He looked at Gu Huaichun and Yin Zhou, saying, "Xiao Gu, Xiao Yin, you must take good care of Director Cheng tonight. If Director Cheng is pleased and our show goes prime time, your fame will skyrocket."
Gu Huaichun smiled faintly.
Yin Zhou nodded amiably and said, "Good to meet you, Director Cheng."
This dinner had not yet begun, but already it had the air of a Hongmen banquet— no, it was more like a den of iniquity.
Huang Zhong arranged for Gu Huaichun and Yin Zhou to sit on either side of Director Cheng, and he wanted Zhou Yun to accompany Director Liu.
Zhou Yun smiled and said, "President Huang, I can’t drink alcohol, it’s best if I don’t sit next to Director Liu to avoid dampening the spirits."
Director Liu’s eyes widened, "Can’t drink alcohol? How can Miss Zhou not drink?"
Zhou Yun just smiled, keeping silent.
Seeing Zhou Yun’s response, Huang Zhong took Director Liu’s hand in his own, saying with a laugh, "Director Liu, Xiao Yun here never drinks alcohol. The company boss has specially instructed me about this. Xiao Yhan can drink well, so let her accompany you."
Yu Yhan then took her place next to him.
At this dinner, Zhou Yun felt that she wasn’t at a crew’s dining table but more like in a bar or a club.
They were not there as actors, but as drinking companions.
When the meal was nearly over and countless rounds of alcohol had been consumed, Huang Zhong suggested going to sing karaoke.
Zhou Yun planned her escape.
That’s when a timid girl next to her named Li Yu whispered, "Sister Xiao Yun, can we not go?"
Li Yu was a college sophomore, looking bashful and out of place.
Earlier, during the toast, Li Yu had been egged on to drink two cups of alcohol. She probably didn’t drink much usually, and her face was beet red.
"Shall we head back together then?" Zhou Yun asked.
Li Yu nodded.
"Let’s get ready to leave," said Huang Zhong. "I’ve already called the car."
Director Liu, holding Yu Yhan’s little hand, walked ahead, while her infectious laughter could be heard from time to time.
Huang Zhong looked back at Director Cheng, who was chatting with Yin Zhou, and decided not to intervene for the moment.