You Xiaoxia was already thrilled when she heard the words “wrap-up banquet.”
【This is going to be good, I love it! No matter what, I have to get Song Linlang to take me along tomorrow!】
As soon as they caught wind of potential gossip, Wu Tao and Qingqing exchanged glances. Wu Tao immediately smiled and said, “Teacher Huang Yuehua’s wrap-up banquet? I’m definitely attending!”
Qingqing nodded in agreement. “I’m going too. Xiaoya Jie mentioned that Linlang Jie could bring more people to liven things up.”
Wu Tao leaned in closer. “Even though Huang Yuehua isn’t much of a person, his assistant is quite decent! She even personally saw you out earlier!”
Qingqing shot him a glance. “What do you know?”
Gossip?!
Wu Tao’s interest was instantly piqued. “Do tell!”
You Xiaoxia knew there was gossip, but to preserve the fun of experiencing it live tomorrow, she resisted looking into it. However, she didn’t mind a little appetizer to whet her appetite now!
Seeing You Xiaoxia’s interest, Qingqing finally explained.
“Zhang Xiaoya used to be an extra at the Film City. Huang Yuehua, as you all know, is handsy and annoying. Even though he’s a veteran actor, nobody wants to interact with him much. But Zhang Xiaoya actively sought out Huang Yuehua to climb the ladder and has been by his side ever since. She’s called an assistant, but it’s practically like they’re married. Nowadays, Xiaoya Jie handles a lot of Huang Yuehua’s affairs!”
Everyone makes their own choices. If that were all, You Xiaoxia didn’t think Qingqing would dislike Zhang Xiaoya that much.
Sure enough, Qingqing continued, “But besides being Huang Yuehua’s unofficial wife and nominal assistant, the most important thing is that she also helps him with pimping!”
“What?!” Wu Tao shrieked like a startled chicken.
You Xiaoxia glared at him disdainfully. “What’s with the screeching? Do you want to draw everyone’s attention?”
Wu Tao quickly covered his mouth.
Qingqing nodded. “It’s true. I’ve heard from several extras and assistants at the Film City that whenever Huang Yuehua takes a liking to someone, he sends Zhang Xiaoya out to persuade them. If that doesn’t work, he resorts to force—threats, bribes, you name it. Afterward, he had Zhang Xiaoya calm the other party to prevent them from reporting it or going public!”
“A accomplice of evil!” You Xiaoxia spat out two words.
“Exactly! Calling her an accomplice of evil isn’t wrong!” Qingqing nodded vigorously. “Anyway, she’s not a good person. Xiaoxia, you have to be careful at the wrap-up banquet tomorrow. Don’t get tricked!”
“Don’t worry!” You Xiaoxia was full of confidence. The person who could trick her hadn’t been born yet!
The three of them chatted as they walked and soon returned to the set. Song Linlang had already finished filming a scene and was resting in her chair.
Qingqing hurried over and told her about Huang Yuehua’s plan to host a wrap-up banquet.
Song Linlang knew what kind of person Huang Yuehua was and was about to say “I’m not going” when she saw Qingqing winking at her.
Song Linlang instantly understood—there was gossip!
“Alright, then Xiaoxia, Qingqing, and I will all go together tomorrow!”
“Great!” These sisters are so on the same page!
…
The next evening, since everyone was attending the veteran actor’s wrap-up banquet, the set wrapped up early.
You Xiaoxia went back to the hotel with Song Linlang to freshen up and rest briefly before boarding the RV headed to the banquet venue.
This was You Xiaoxia’s first time attending a wrap-up banquet. She had assumed it would be at a restaurant or hotel, but when she got out of the car, she found herself at a bar.
Qingqing linked arms with You Xiaoxia and whispered gossip to her: “This is the biggest bar near the Film City. Lots of artists like to come here to relax after filming.”
Knowing Huang Yuehua’s tendencies, Song Linlang turned and cautioned both of them, especially You Xiaoxia: “Be careful once we’re inside. Qingqing, keep an eye on Xiaoxia.”
“Don’t worry!”
You Xiaoxia wasn’t here to drink—she was a professional gossip enthusiast!
[Right, just in case, I should use the Gossip-blocking talisman. After all, that pighead is definitely not my good friend! He doesn’t even deserve to be my Guazi!]
Thinking this, You Xiaoxia opened ‘We Are Not Good Friends’ and bought a talisman, then had the System apply it to Huang Yuehua.
After using it, You Xiaoxia didn’t feel any reaction—maybe the effect was on Huang Yuehua?!
She scratched her head and decided not to worry about it. The System’s products were definitely reliable!
Meanwhile, Song Linlang, walking ahead, brightened up. This was good—with this, Huang Yuehua probably couldn’t hear You Xiaoxia’s inner thoughts anymore, so there was no fear of him learning any important information in advance!
Entering the bar, the space inside was quite large. The private room reserved by the crew was on the second floor. By the time they arrived, almost everyone from the crew was already there!
You Xiaoxia finally met the legendary Huang Yuehua.
How to describe him? He had a very upright appearance, sitting upright in the center seat with a boss-like demeanor. Because of his higher status, he didn’t stand up when Song Linlang came over to greet him, though his gaze did linger on You Xiaoxia for a few moments.
“Haven’t seen this young lady before!”
Song Linlang’s smile faded slightly as she directly took You Xiaoxia’s hand: “This is my sister, surnamed Song!” She emphasized the last two words.
Huang Yuehua, having reached his current position, was quite perceptive. He knew exactly who he could and couldn’t mess with.
Hearing Song Linlang’s protective tone, he immediately abandoned any ideas—after all, the Song Family wasn’t to be trifled with.
After the greetings, Song Linlang led the two to a sofa far from Huang Yuehua. Coincidentally, this area was filled with people they’d met yesterday in the dressing room. Seeing You Xiaoxia arrive, everyone instantly perked up!
Their gazes were so intense that You Xiaoxia felt a bit startled: [Why is everyone staring at me? It’s kind of creepy!]
As soon as the inner voice sounded, everyone quickly turned away, some resuming conversations, others drinking.
A few who hadn’t been present yesterday heard the inner voice for the first time. After their initial surprise, seeing how calm everyone else was, they wondered if they’d imagined it.
Song Linlang deliberately observed Huang Yuehua in the distance. The people around him had clearly frozen for a moment earlier, but Huang Yuehua showed no reaction at all!
He really couldn’t hear! Song Linlang felt relieved!
The atmosphere in the private room was lively. Before long, Wu Tao entered.
As soon as he came in, he spotted You Xiaoxia already there and hurried over to sit beside her, giving Qingqing a meaningful look: I’m not too late, am I?!
Hope I didn’t miss any gossip!
Qingqing shook her head at him: No, it hasn’t started yet!
Wu Tao felt relieved.
You Xiaxia, noticing he was holding a wine bottle, asked curiously: “Where were you just now?”
Wu Tao sighed: “Paying respects in the next room. They’re also having a wrap-up banquet, but not from our crew. There were too many people—couldn’t all fit in one room.”
Song Linlang frowned upon hearing this: “For a wrap-up banquet? Is that really necessary!?”
Well-known actors always hold wrap-up banquets after finishing each production. For veteran actors like Huang Yuehua, who have participated in numerous projects, such banquets have become routine—so much so that many actors find them bothersome and would prefer just having a meal together.
It’s rare to see someone like Huang Yuehua making such a grand gesture today, inviting even unrelated crews from the Film City!
Just then: [Huh, so it turns out his assistant was the one who invited all these people! Oh my god, his assistant is actually…]
What is it? Tell us now!
In the seemingly lively private room, aside from Huang Yuehua who couldn’t hear the inner thoughts, everyone else was secretly anxious.
[Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! So today’s drama was actually orchestrated by his assistant! Everything today was arranged by his assistant. Oh my, I can’t wait any longer—when will the main character make an entrance?!]
Huang Yuehua didn’t just have one assistant. Zhang Xiaoya was hosting guests in another room on his behalf, but his own people were still present in the main room.
After the shock of hearing the inner thoughts, though unclear about the specifics, they immediately wanted to warn Huang Yuehua. Yet, they found themselves completely unable to speak!
The would-be informant broke out in a cold sweat. But right at that moment, the private room door swung open again, and Ba Zong made his entrance with his companions!