Huayu98: Starting with mentoring pop divas

Chapter 52: A Little Interlude at the Victory Celebration Banquet!

Kowloon, Fong Wing Kee.

This long-established hot pot restaurant is famous in Hong Kong for its signature satay broth and top-quality fatty beef, with a rich aroma permeating the bustling interior.

I don't know what's wrong with director Wong Jing today, he insists on having a late-night snack together.

Li Shuo thought that everyone had worked hard for two days, so today's dinner was just a simple boxed meal.

So, after discussing it with my grandfather and Director Zhou, we decided to combine the orchestra's celebration banquet with the event.

So, the musicians of "Tiangong Music Workshop", Director Zhou, Li Shuo and his grandson, along with Wang Jing and his group, filled several large tables with lively chatter.

The copper pot was bubbling and steaming, filled with hand-cut fatty beef, beef tripe, fried fish skin, and fresh shrimp wontons...

As various ingredients were added to the pot, the aroma filled the air, instantly transforming the post-performance excitement and fatigue into a real appetite.

Was Shu Qi among them?

She had changed her clothes, put on exquisite makeup, and wore a well-tailored short skirt, revealing a charming and capable demeanor.

Wong Jing chuckled and explained, "I'd been meaning to meet up with you, my little brother, for a chat these past couple of days, and it just so happens I finished work early today. Shu Qi suddenly said he wanted to treat you to dinner to thank you for your help before, so I thought we could all go together, it'll be more fun!"

Zhu Zhu sat diagonally opposite Li Shuo, looking at the radiant Shu Qi, and felt a strange sense of familiarity.

On stage, she noticed a woman in the audience wearing a mask and a fisherman's hat whose gaze seemed to keep lingering on Li Shuo.

At this moment, how come that woman's figure looks so much like the glamorous female celebrity in front of me?

A vague sense of "hostility" made Zhu Zhu simply nod slightly in that direction, seemingly focusing on the food in her bowl, but she was already on guard.

Li Shuo was busy introducing Wang Jing to his grandfather and didn't pay much attention to the subtle atmosphere here.

However, the most lively young people in "Tian Gong Music Hall" recognized Wang Jing and Shu Qi, who were currently very popular actresses. They excitedly but also a little reservedly came over to ask for photos, making the atmosphere even more lively.

Grandpa Li Yisheng was in a great mood tonight. Despite Grandma Song's urging, he drank two glasses of wine, and his face was flushed.

Commander Zhou was all smiles and frequently raised his glass.

"Mr. Li, Xiao Shuo has really enlightened our folk music ensemble this time! Once he opens up his mind, the path opens up. As soon as the event ended, several music companies came to leave their contact information to discuss cooperation with me."

Li Shuo swallowed a mouthful of beef that someone had put in his bowl... Hmm? It was cooked perfectly.

"Commander Zhou, let's not rush. This direction is definitely viable, but we still need to go back and clarify the concepts. The more prepared we are, the more confident we'll be when we negotiate in the future."

"That makes sense!" Commander Zhou nodded after hearing Li Shuo's words.

"Then could you help me sort this out when you have some free time, and give me a strategy?"

Li Shuo glanced at his grandfather, who was in a very good mood.

"Okay, I'll think about it later. But let me make it clear, I'm working really hard on my 'studies,' so I can only offer some ideas!"

The topic then shifted to Li Shuo's studies.

Li Shuo frankly told his grandfather that he had talked to his father about wanting to systematically study performing arts.

Now I'm a little too young, and because my original study abroad plans were suddenly changed.

But now I've switched to a better school on Hong Kong Island. Next year I'll take the Joint Entrance Examination and aim to go back to Beijing to study at Beijing Film Academy, Shanghai Theatre Academy, or the more difficult Central Academy of Drama.

In truth, Li Shuo felt that according to the system's upgrade and the path he needed to take for growth... he wanted to just choose one of these "entertainment ponds" in China, so that it would be easier to build good relationships later!

Grandpa Li Yisheng sipped his wine. His original intention was for Li Shuo to apply to the China Conservatory of Music. He was a little unhappy when Li Shuo mentioned the Beijing Film Academy and the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Upon hearing the words "Central Academy of Drama," his eyes lit up slightly.

Setting down his glass, slightly tipsy and somewhat pleased, he said, "The Central Academy of Drama is great! What's so difficult about it? Just apply to the Central Academy of Drama!"

Before Li Shuo could even bring it up, Grandpa Li said, "When Grandpa gets back, I'll ask your old friends over there."

Li Shuo was somewhat surprised. Knowing his grandfather's previous expectations for him, he thought he would have to put in a lot of effort to persuade him.

Unexpectedly, his grandfather offered to use his connections to help him get into the Central Academy of Drama, which was undoubtedly a good thing.

He immediately replied obediently, "Grandpa! Don't worry, I will definitely prepare well and will never embarrass you."

After watching the grandfather and grandson finish their conversation, Wang Jing got down to business.

"Li Shuo, the more I think about the idea for the horror film 'Ju-on,' the more I believe it has potential. Low budget, good plot, it's no worse than the recent Japanese hit 'The Ring'! Most importantly, your staged progression design is excellent!"

Li Shuo nodded, and was about to reply when he suddenly felt... something was wrong.

It turned out that, without anyone noticing, Shu Qi had naturally sat down to his left.

While remaining obediently silent, she skillfully used serving chopsticks to cook the beef, then naturally placed it on the plate in front of Li Shuo.

Li Shuo was preoccupied with the conversation and didn't think much of it, so he picked up the food and ate it without thinking.

But this scene was all seen by Zhu Zhu on the other side.

She pursed her lips, and without saying a word, picked up her own bowl and chopsticks and sat down nearby.

Without saying a word, she silently began to blanch the vegetables, scoop out the meatballs, dip them in sauce, and then steadily placed them on Li Shuo's plate.

Li Shuo watched as the food kept increasing, seemingly being prepared with both hands.

No... are you two just feeding them for fun?!

Shu Qi seemed to find the scene of Zhu Zhu catching her breath and Li Shuo being dumbfounded quite amusing, his eyes sparkling with a hint of drunkenness and amusement.

She even took out a tissue and pretended to wipe away non-existent sauce from the corner of Li Shuo's mouth.

Under the table, the toes of a woman in high heels lightly brushed against Li Shuo's calf.

Zhu Zhu seems to be on the verge of a breakdown... looks like she's about to cause trouble!

Li Shuo felt a chill run down his spine... Luckily, the experienced Wang Jing sensed something was wrong!

"Hey, what a waste!"

He casually took the tissue from Shu Qi's hand to wipe his sweat! Wang Jing laughed and smoothed things over, then used his chopsticks to scoop up the fattest pieces of meat from Li Shuo's plate.

"If you won't eat, I will! Ah Shuo, continue, about the 'Ju-on' script..."

Fortunately, it was almost time, and the night was getting deeper; it's not good for the elderly to stay up late.

Commander Zhou then decided to take the two elders home first, and Zhu Zhu was also going to leave with them.

Helpless, the pretty girl could only repeatedly tell Li Shuo to go home early and call her when he got home, saying she would wait for him no matter how late it was!

Then, after giving Shu Qi a defiant look, who seemed to be smiling, he reluctantly followed her back to the hotel.

This immediately eased the tension at the table considerably.

Li Shuo then continued Wang Jing's words.

"I have already written the scripts for the two parts of the videotape movie version of 'Ju-on.' As long as the actors and locations are in place, with Director Wang's abilities, the filming period can be completed in a very short time."

Li Shuo remembers that the original Japanese cast and crew finished filming in just nine days, let alone Wong Jing, who is known for his speed and efficiency!

"Okay, give me the script later, and we'll start filming!" Wong Jing said readily, then brought up another matter.

"Your trip to the United States to film an independent film has been arranged there. I have a senior colleague, director Wang Ying, who is producing the film 'My Bloody Wedding' there. He has already submitted the work invitation and guarantee documents on behalf of the film crew to the US consulate in Hong Kong. If all goes well, the visa should be issued in the next day or two."

This is good news, and Li Shuo also raised his glass.

"Uncle Jing, thank you!"

Wong Jing waved his hand dismissively, seemingly unconcerned.

"Don't thank me, I have high hopes for you. Director Wang Ying over there has arranged for an actor you've worked with before, who's about your age, to help you with the local filming. He's also considering your idea of ​​participating in the film festival; you can discuss the details when you meet him there."

Just then, a few more young people came in through the door.

One of the guys, a handsome young man with a somewhat rebellious and roguish look, was holding a basketball.

After finding a seat, he kept glancing over here, especially lingering on Shu Qi several times, before finally smiling and coming over to greet Wang Jing.

Wang Jing exchanged a few pleasantries with him, but the young man arrogantly ignored Li Shuo standing to the side.

So when he tried to chat with Shu Qi again, Shu Qi somehow ignored him and poured herself a beer...

Seeing the situation, the kid could only scratch his head... feeling awkward, he went back to his own table.

Wang Jing smiled, turned his head and saw Li Shuo looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze, then introduced him: "Shuo, this is Chen Xinghua. His father, Chen Zemin, is a wealthy businessman in Hong Kong, involved in finance, and is very familiar with his boss and Jackie Chan. This young man comes from a very privileged background and is not very sensible... I heard his father wants to promote him to stardom."

Li Shuo smiled and nodded, completely unconcerned...

Chen Xinghua? Isn't that Chen Guanxi, the teacher who loves taking photos? Oh, Guanxi is his stage name; he hasn't officially debuted yet.

After this little incident, everyone had almost finished eating.

When leaving the store, it was still Wang Jing's car that drove them.

This time, however, after Wang Jing got out of the car downstairs at his own apartment, Li Shuo suddenly felt a weight on his side as the car started to move again.

Slightly drunk and with flushed cheeks, Shu Qi didn't sit in the back this time, but instead plopped down in the seat next to him.

As she approached, the faint scent of perfume mixed with the aroma of alcohol quietly drifted into the car.