The atmosphere was a bit strange. Everyone had hidden agendas, except for the second female lead, who was singled out by Song Lecheng's gaze. She was leisurely drinking tea, completely unruffled.
Seeing her nonchalance, everyone present admired her courage.
The producer spoke up lively: "Mr. Song, this is Director Zeng Mingsong. I'm sure you don't need me to introduce Director Zeng, right? Haha."
Only then did Song Lecheng slowly withdraw his gaze and turn to the short and stout director beside him, "Of course I've heard of Director Zeng's great name. I came today precisely because I want to collaborate with Director Zeng."
The producer was elated: "Mr. Song has come in person, showing utmost sincerity. With Mr. Song's backing, Spy will surely reach new heights. I'll take the initiative and propose a toast to Mr. Song!"
As he spoke, he was the first to stand up holding a wine glass. Naturally, the other actors hurried to follow suit.
Money talks, and even a director of Zeng Mingsong's calibre had to lower himself before the Song family. Holding up his wine glass, he said, "Just an empty reputation, not worth mentioning. Mr. Song, if you see potential in Zeng's work, it's certainly a warm welcome."
His words were very tactful.
You'd better be investing because you see potential in my work, not for any other reasons. Otherwise, I won't welcome you!
Zeng Mingsong was notoriously intolerant of compromise. His crew never engaged in any shady activities or backdoor dealings. But sometimes, capital insisted on meddling, and he as a second-rate director didn't have full control. Whenever this happened, he was infuriated.
Why hadn't he made it as a first-rate director after so many years?
It was because in his early years, his stubbornness had offended many people. It was only in recent years, as he grew older and his temperament mellowed somewhat, that he learned to maneuver and compromise.
Other than Song Lecheng, everyone else stood up to toast, making the sole seated person especially conspicuous.
Kou An'an glanced over disapprovingly and shook her head. There was no need to put on airs in this situation. It was obviously targeting her, and now this stance would surely further provoke Mr. Song.
Sure enough, Song Lecheng gave a cold laugh, "What, Miss Zhong feels qualified to remain seated with me?"
Song JinXing sized him up over her teacup, not even lifting her eyelids as she coolly said, "Then you can stand."
This line nearly made the atmosphere explode.
The minor actors were all thinking to themselves: This second female lead is so gutsy?
The producer also hadn't expected this minor actor to be so stubborn. He couldn't help but glance at Zeng Mingsong beside him. Wasn't this exactly like Director Zeng in his youth?
But in this situation, her stance wouldn't win her respect. Instead, it would ruin her career!
Seeing Song Lecheng enraged beyond measure, the producer quickly interjected, "Zhong Ruanxing! Apologize to Mr. Song immediately! Mr. Song, I'm so sorry. The minor actor is ignorant. Don't take it to heart with her. I'll have her come over right away to toast and apologize to you!"
Some of Song Lecheng's anger abated and he leaned back and said gloomily, "You all sit down. Tonight, I want to see if Miss Zhong will really come toast and apologize to me."
The producer slammed the table: "Zhong Ruanxing! Come apologize right now!"
Director Zeng's tightly knitted brows were about to squash a mosquito. He was just about to speak when the executive assistant beside him forcefully pressed down on his hand, desperately signaling him not to get involved.
Offending Song Lecheng only implicated Zhong Ruanxing alone.
But if Zeng Mingsong spoke up, it would represent the entire crew.
He was no longer the hot-blooded youth of the past, and understood how to weigh the pros and cons. Under the assistant's silent dissuasion, he slowly sat back down.
Let it go for now. Let's see what this girl is up to, since she's so bold.
With the young master of the Song family angry, no one else dared to even breathe loudly. Song JinXing's laughter sounded especially clear in the silent room. "What difference does it make whether I apologize or not?"
The producer was unnerved by this sudden laughter. He felt as though the person sitting across from him was not some minor actor, but the big BOSS from a horror film, exerting tremendous pressure. Steeling himself, he said, "Apologize first! Mr. Song is magnanimous. As long as you apologize, he surely won't make things difficult for you!"
After speaking, he turned to Song Lecheng with a fawning smile, "Right, Mr. Song?"
Screw you.
Song Lecheng didn't speak, his expression only growing more sinister.
Song JinXing gave a mocking laugh. "I think no matter whether I apologize or not, tonight's outcome has already been decided. Isn't that right, this esteemed...young master of the Song family?"
When she reached the address, her tone carried some mockery.
For some reason, Song Lecheng's heart jolted.
Over the years, when others addressed him as the young master of the Song family, he never corrected them, even delighting in it. The less one has, the more one cherishes. He cared about these empty titles because this status didn't actually belong to him.
In seniority, there was still the Song family's eldest son, Song Jiaci, ahead of him.
In position, Song JinXing, who had returned to the country, was now the Song family's person in power.
The address of young master shouldn't have fallen to him at all.
But in recent years he had grown accustomed to the flattery, and didn't want to correct it. If the foolish netizens wanted to sing his praises, then let them. He only needed to casually toss out some petty cash now and then to receive their worship and compete to be his slaves.
But hearing it from her mouth today, Song Lecheng somehow felt uneasy.
That pair of eyes, cold as frost, seemed to see through everything. Song Lecheng's mind suddenly conjured up Song JinXing's visage.
He had the same expression! The same gaze! Without doing or saying anything, just one look from him made Song Lecheng hunch his shoulders and not dare to lift his head!
Song Lecheng was shocked. By the time he regained his senses, his back was drenched in cold sweat!
What was going on? How could he associate Zhong Ruanxing with the great devil at home?
Song Lecheng was infuriated by his own reaction. He was itching to tear the woman before him apart with his bare hands. He had originally intended to torment her a while longer, but now couldn't bear it and revealed his trump card, wanting to trample her underfoot immediately.
"That's right, it makes no difference whether you apologize or not." His smile was sinister. "I'm willing to invest 30 million in the Spy crew, but Zhong Ruanxing must be kicked off."
30 million!!!
Their spy film didn't need that much investment!
But with another 30 million, the film's quality would surely reach new heights, making awards that much more attainable!
At this moment, maximizing benefits overrode any sympathy for Zhong Ruanxing.
It was her own fault for offending capital! She may have backbone and kept her dignity, but so what? She had sacrificed her career. It just wasn't worth it.
Everyone silently shook their heads, thinking this second female lead really could keep a cool head, still appearing completely unconcerned until now. Did she really not care?
Song JinXing certainly didn't care.
From the moment Song Lecheng had stepped into this room, she had guessed what he intended to do.
His subsequent actions had also been within her expectations. What a...clownish act.
Was this how he handled Zhong Ruanxing in the past?
After returning home, he had been busy with company affairs. Even knowing Song Lecheng was making petty maneuvers in private, he was unwilling to waste time on this clownish creature.
Now, it was time to deflate this clown's bluster.