Ruan Chang Ge couldn't help but laugh once she finally understood what he meant.

"Hey, the director's laughing! This is the first time I've seen her laugh since I joined the crew."

"It's my first time seeing it, too."

"This guy is seriously amazing, huh?"

...

The resting cast and crew were stunned to see Ruan Chang Ge laugh, and their gazes toward Xia Liang filled with even greater respect.

Once Ruan Chang Ge had left, everyone crowded around him.

"Hello, Mister Xia, you're really incredible!"

"Yeah, really! Is this truly your first time acting?"

"It is? Your performance was so good, you left us all speechless."

...

"Of course this is Uncle Xia's first time acting," Little Tangtang said, looking incredibly proud as everyone praised Xia Liang.

"Wow, Teacher Xia, you're just too amazing!"

"You're a genius!"

"Genius isn't enough to describe Teacher Xia! Who could possibly have this level of skill on their first try?"

...

Listening to everyone's praise, Xia Liang didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Thank you, thank you."

Little Tangtang, however, was thrilled to hear it. After all, flattery will get you anywhere, and how many ordinary people could get into Ruan Chang Ge's film crew? While their other skills might be debatable, they were experts at reading a room—Yue Qing being the obvious exception. After seeing Ruan Chang Ge's attitude toward Xia Liang, they all knew where he stood.

For a long time to come, Xia Liang would be the most favored person at Ruan Chang Ge's side. It was precisely for this reason that they all rushed to flatter him. One moment someone was offering food, the next someone was offering a drink. They didn't even spare Little Tangtang and Wen Qiong, treating Xia Liang with all the deference due to a major star.

Off to the side, Wen Qiong looked at Xia Liang and said with a smile, "Xia Liang, you're truly impressive. I never expected you'd be good at acting, too. When did you learn all this?"

"What if I told you I was born with it? Would you believe me?"

Hearing that, Wen Qiong gave Xia Liang a thumbs-up. "Your performance really got to them, especially Yue Qing. His face was so grim while you were acting; he's probably off crying somewhere right now. You're really something else."

Xia Liang just smiled, not taking it to heart. Just then, Ruan Chang Ge approached with a contract in her hand.

Xia Liang was puzzled. "Is there something you need?"

"Can I add you on WeChat? It'll be easier for me to transfer you the money."

Xia Liang looked directly at Ruan Chang Ge. A bank account number is all you need to transfer money. Why would she need my WeChat?

"Or a bank account number?" Ruan Chang Ge asked, feeling as though he had seen right through her.

In the end, Xia Liang added her on WeChat. He was puzzled, however, when he saw the transfer was for a mere one-tenth of a currency unit.

"That tenth is what you've earned," Ruan Chang Ge explained. "I know how much I was prepared to spend on this scene. Because of you, my costs were cut significantly."

Hearing this, Xia Liang accepted the money with a clear conscience. He knew this was just a tiny fraction of the costs she had saved.

"By the way, Xia Liang, are you interested in joining the entertainment industry? If you are, I'm prepared to use every resource at my disposal to make you famous. You have incredible talent." Ruan Chang Ge clenched her fists, her heart pounding with nervousness.

To her, Xia Liang was now a precious treasure. She had to find a way to make him stay. That was why she had left earlier—to have someone draw up a contract, which she now held in her hands.

"Don't worry, many sections here are blank," she said, fearing he might refuse and quickly presenting the contract. "If you agree, you can fill them in however you wish. If you're willing, we can go to the lounge to discuss the details."

"Sorry, I'm not interested in the entertainment industry right now." Xia Liang remained unmoved. I won't join the entertainment industry until a system mission requires it. And even if one does, I'll have my own company by then. Why would I sign with someone else?

"Xia Liang, won't you reconsider—"

"I'm sorry, Director. I'm truly not interested," Xia Liang interrupted, already turning to leave. "I'm going to get changed now."

He left before she could finish, leaving Ruan Chang Ge feeling deflated as she returned to the lounge.

"Xia Liang didn't agree, did he?" the assistant director muttered to himself upon seeing her return alone. "I suppose that makes sense. After all, he's different."

"What do you mean? Xia Liang? You know him?" Ruan Chang Ge asked, her suspicion piqued.

Seeing her expression, the assistant director smiled. "Yes, he's quite the celebrity. He used to be a Didi driver and has also worked as a food deliveryman."

"Huh?" Now Ruan Chang Ge was even more confused.

The assistant director chuckled at her expression and handed her his phone. "You'll understand when you see this."

Ruan Chang Ge took the phone skeptically and started reading. "Oh my god, he practices medicine? And his skills are that good? He knows martial arts, too! What? He drives a Lamborghini Poison? If that's the case, why would he work as a Didi driver?" She couldn't wrap her head around it.

"How should I know? You'd have to ask him yourself! Besides, he's not a simple man." Seeing that Ruan Chang Ge still didn't get it, the assistant director took his phone back, searched for "Xia Liang" on Baidu, and showed her the string of results that appeared.

Yue Liang, from Shangluo City, owner of the Qingyun City Hotel, the Splendor Entertainment City, a shareholder in Qinhang...

Reading the profile, Ruan Chang Ge's eyes went wide.

This is beyond ridiculous! she thought, her interest in Xia Liang instantly piqued.

「Elsewhere.」

"Alright, let's go." Having changed his clothes, Xia Liang picked up the toy he had set down earlier and started to head out.

"Xia Liang, wait a moment!" The speaker was Ruan Chang Ge, who had just dashed out of the conference room. "You've helped me out so much. Let me treat you all to a meal, especially since it's already noon. I know a great place nearby. How about it? Will you do me the honor?"

"You already paid me." Xia Liang was a bit puzzled. The woman in front of him was ostensibly offering to treat them to a meal, but she kept sizing him and Wen Qiong up. Her glances were subtle, but they didn't escape his eyes.

"Oh, come on, that little bit of money can't possibly express my gratitude! Our meeting must be fate. We've added each other on WeChat, so that makes us friends, right?" She directed the last sentence to Little Tangtang with a smile.

"Right!"

Seeing Ruan Chang Ge's warm, generous smile, Little Tangtang felt very happy too. She remembered that this big sister had comforted her earlier, so she answered with an especially loud voice.

Seeing that Little Tangtang had sold him out so completely, Xia Liang felt a bit helpless. However, seeing how much Little Tangtang liked her, he relented to Ruan Chang Ge's invitation and didn't say anything more.

Since Xia Liang didn't object, Ruan Chang Ge took his silence as agreement.

Finally, one step closer to what I'm interested in! The thought thrilled Ruan Chang Ge.

"Here, let me. Little Tangtang, you're the best!" Ruan Chang Ge hurriedly took the toy from Little Tangtang's hand. Then, she and Wen Qiong each took one of Little Tangtang's hands, following Xia Liang out.

"This is the place."

After they set their things down, they followed Ruan Chang Ge to a quaint, traditional private restaurant. As she spoke, she knocked on the red-lacquered wooden door.

"Coming!"

In response to a voice from within, the wooden door creaked open, revealing the scene inside. It was a small courtyard where flowers of all colors bloomed vibrantly. A ring of bamboo encircled the yard, with a single cobblestone path running through the center.

"Oh! It's Miss Ruan. It's been a while since your last visit." A woman with a dignified air, dressed in a light green floral cheongsam, stepped out. She smiled slightly upon seeing Ruan Chang Ge.

"Sister Xu, I've brought some friends for a meal. I'll have to trouble you to take good care of us," Ruan Chang Ge said, affectionately linking arms with the woman.

"This is the first time you've brought friends here. Of course I'll take good care of you all," Sister Xu replied, patting Ruan Chang Ge's hand while giving Xia Liang's group a quick look.

"I knew you were the best, Sister Xu. We'll head inside then. Oh, and Sister Xu, please remember to make some dishes that kids would like. You can choose the rest." Chang Ge added this last part for Little Tangtang's sake.

Sister Xu nodded. "Alright, I understand. You all go on in. I'll head to the kitchen and let them know."

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