Top Dupe CH 042 Change The Tea Part 2

"If you don't invite Boss Bo, it won't look good. If word gets back to the company that you only invited me and not the others, you might get targeted!" Luo Yu wanted to see what other excuses Hu Wei would come up with.

As expected, Hu Wei became anxious: "I want to avoid people from Zhuque Media tonight! Here's the deal, I mentioned you to a big company's boss, and they're very interested in you. They want to have dinner with you! You've left Zhuque Media and haven't signed with a new agency yet, right? You need to network more!"

Luo Yu laughed to himself, thinking: If I want to network, I can play tennis with an acquaintance, play poker online with Brother Long, or have a few rounds of gaming with Fang Qin. Otherwise, I can discuss acting with Gu Xiaowei or have a late-night snack with Cheng Fei. As for some shady dinner gathering... attending once is just adding to life experience.

"Oh, thank you very much," Luo Yu replied with a smile.

Hu Wei thought mentioning the agency would hook Luo Yu's interest, not knowing that Luo Yu wasn't worried about not finding a place to sign.

Hu Wei, believing Luo Yu had agreed, sounded excited: "Great! See you at 6:30 tonight! Remember to dress up, look sharp, don't be like at the company, always keeping your head down—like you're hiding from everyone!"

Luo Yu raised an eyebrow and, holding back a laugh, replied, "Got it."

Since it was a feast where he would be dancing with swords, not a beauty pageant, there was no need to dress up too much.

Luo Yu touched his chin and sighed; he had just shaved that morning, and now he was missing out on a bit of rugged charm. He chose a dark sweater, put on a coat, wrapped a scarf around his neck, and headed out.

He glanced at the address Hu Wei sent—same as last time—indicating their plans were likely unchanged.

The dinner gathering aimed to harm, but this time, Luo Yu would show them who was the real player.

The venue was a club, open only to members and their invited guests.

At the entrance, he gave his name, and the attendant led him inside.

A few people were already in the private room.

Jiang Yunxie, from Honghe Film and Television, sat on the east side, the main seat.

In everyone's eyes, he was the real young master of Honghe Film and Television. His decisions on whom to promote were absolute. Those he disliked were immediately sidelined. As for his brother Jiang Yinchuan, he was just a tool working for Jiang Yunxie.

Beside Jiang Yunxie sat a new favorite, Wen Zhilan, currently being promoted by Honghe Film and Television.

Wen Zhilan, while clinging to Jiang Yunxie, complained about being criticized by a director on set.

Jiang Yunxie patted her shoulder lovingly, "Being criticized means you have room for improvement. You're just too delicate."

Turning to his secretary, Jiang Yunxie said, "Tell that director not to act all high and mighty. Actors are there to act, not to be scolded by some school principal wannabe."

"Yes, Mr. Jiang," the secretary replied, unfazed by the scene.

"That Luo Yu sure has a big ego, we're all here, and he's still not here?" Jiang Yunxie said impatiently.

Hu Wei felt helpless—wasn't it supposed to start at seven?

I even told Luo Yu 6:30, who knew you would show up at six!

"Mr. Jiang, if Luo Yu had been sensible, he wouldn't be in this position now," Hu Wei said with a smile.

"I want to see what makes him so special, making Xie Chang always talk about him!" Jiang Yunxie sneered.

Xie Chang was Honghe Film and Television' most reputable actress, whom Jiang Yunxie had pursued relentlessly, only to be ignored.

He once sent a carload of roses to Xie Chang's home, only to cause her to trend online, with rumors about her cozying up to a rich man, attracting criticism for not focusing on acting.

Xie Chang complained to Jiang Yunxie's father, Jiang Hui, the current chairman of Honghe Film and Television.

Jiang Hui reprimanded Jiang Yunxie harshly, saying they finally had a reputable actress and told him not to mess things up. Jiang Yunxie could only give up.

But he hadn't expected that the same Xie Chang, who never gave him a glance, recommended an unknown Luo Yu to his father, who then instructed him to evaluate whether to sign him or not.

When he sent someone to contact Luo Yu's agent, they were told to wait, which was surprising.

His brother Jiang Yinchuan also suggested to their father to sign Luo Yu quickly, or he might be taken by Xinghan Pictures.

Their father, hearing this, scolded Jiang Yunxie again, asking if he wanted to repeat his mistakes.

It was laughable—how special was this Luo Yu? Could mere supporting roles in only two major directors' TV dramas really boost his fame that much?

Five years ago, Jiang Hui had given him the chance to sign Gu Xiaowei, who had just starred as a younger version of the male lead in a Lin Yue TV drama, with limited appearances. Gu Xiaowei wasn't a big name yet. Jiang Yunxie had his secretary draft a contract, but Gu Xiaowei wasn't interested, following Lin Yue to Xinghan Pictures instead.

That day, Jiang Hui had also thrown the contract in Jiang Yunxie's face.

Gu Xiaowei has been flourishing ever since he joined Xinghan Pictures, leaving Jiang Hui filled with regret and wishing he could crack open Jiang Yunxie's head to see just how much water it contains.

But how many people like Gu Xiaowei exist in the world? There were so many who had played supporting roles in Director Lin Yue's dramas; did they all become famous?

Whenever Jiang Yunxie hears Luo Yu's name now, he would recall Jiang Hui's fury at missing out on Gu Xiaowei, filling him with loathing. Moreover, Jiang Yinchuan had been tattling, and his high school junior brother, He Mu, had often spoken of the grievances he suffered because of Luo Yu.

Since Jiang Yinchuan appreciated Luo Yu so much, Jiang Yunxie might as well push the boat along and fulfill his brother's wish—let them get along... no, lie down together!

Then, let's see if Xie Chang would still praise Luo Yu to Jiang Hui every day!

And by removing this thorn from He Mu's side, He Mu would surely be grateful, worshipful, and obedient to him.

Jiang Yunxie took the tea handed to him by Hu Wei, took a sip, and his gaze grew deep and dark.

At this moment, the door opened, and someone walked in.

"Hu Wei, I'm here."

A clear voice sounded, like the first sip of tea after eating too many sweets.

Jiang Yunxie looked up and was stunned.

The man before him was simply dressed, but every gesture and movement exuded grace. His features were bright and handsome, and without makeup, he appeared clear and natural.

"Luo Yu, you're finally here. Sit, sit! Let me introduce you!" Hu Wei pulled out the chair beside him for Luo Yu.

Jiang Yunxie's throat bobbed. In this circle, how many people had thrown themselves at him? What kind of handsome men and beautiful women had he not seen?

But Luo Yu... was truly special.

"Alright, is this... a boss or a colleague?" Luo Yu asked without any shyness or apprehension, looking over.

Jiang Yunxie patted the person beside him, Wen Zhilian, who understood that Jiang Yunxie was likely interested in Luo Yu and tactfully returned to her seat.

"This is a privileged son of heaven—Jiang Yunxie of Honghe Film and Television. He is the ultimate authority there! When he stamps his foot, the entire entertainment industry trembles!"

Hu Wei's skills of flattery were top-notch, and Luo Yu felt he could never match it, no matter how many lifetimes he practiced.

At this moment, the door opened again, and someone walked in, leisurely carrying a motorcycle helmet under one arm.

"Ultimate authority? Our father, Jiang Hui, isn't dead yet, is he?"

Hu Wei immediately felt awkward, and Jiang Yunxie's expression also changed.

"When he stamps his foot, it's hard to say if Honghe Film and Television will tremble, let alone the entire entertainment industry."

The person placed the motorcycle helmet on a nearby chair and sat down beside Luo Yu.

Hu Wei quickly plastered a smile on his face, "Vice President Jiang is here! We've been waiting for you! If you hadn't come, the food would have gotten cold!"

Jiang Yinchuan leaned back in his chair, his smile carrying a hint of unruliness, "Don't mind me, Yun Xie. Father always told us to keep a low profile in the industry. After all, saying that stamping a foot makes the entertainment industry tremble is too arrogant. If real big shots hear it, they'll blame Father for not raising his sons properly."

"You..." Jiang Yunxie choked on his words.

However, thinking that after tonight, Jiang Yinchuan would be ruined, Jiang Yunxie felt there was nothing he couldn't tolerate.

Luo Yu looked at Jiang Yinchuan, his friend from a past life, who indeed made a grand entrance to embarrass his useless brother.

Jiang Yinchuan turned and extended his hand to Luo Yu, "Hello, Luo Yu. I'm Jiang Yinchuan from Honghe Film and Television. Although this is our first meeting, I've heard of your name."

Luo Yu shook his hand and smiled, "Online?"

"No," Jiang Yinchuan shook his head with a smile.

"Then... where?"

"At a dinner gathering, someone tried to slander you but got a taste of their own medicine."

"Who defended me?"

Luo Yu was genuinely surprised; he hadn't expected anyone to stand up for him at social gatherings.

"Your junior brother," Jiang Yinchuan said, reaching for the teapot to pour himself some tea.

At this moment, under the table, Luo Yu nudged Jiang Yinchuan's knee. Jiang Yinchuan frowned. Given the distance, how did Luo Yu manage to touch his knee by accident?

Jiang Yinchuan was familiar with the gold digging tactics in the circle. Could Luo Yu be such a person?

Subconsciously, Jiang Yinchuan preferred to trust Gu Xiaowei and Lin Yue's impressions and judgments about a person. He glanced at Luo Yu and noticed that his phone screen was lit up with a line of text: [This tea is unsafe to drink].

His heart tightened, and Jiang Yinchuan immediately became alert. He was the only one in the room likely to drink tea because he rode a motorcycle and couldn't call a driver. He also disliked drinking alcohol and usually used the motorcycle as an excuse to avoid alcohol at dinners.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't touch anything at Jiang Yunxie's dinner gathering. If it weren't for his secretary saying this dinner was related to Luo Yu's signing, he wouldn't have come.

"Gu... Gu Xiaowei?" Luo Yu looked at Jiang Yinchuan and said the name.

Jiang Yinchuan, grateful for Luo Yu's warning and sensing something amiss with the dinner, casually set the teapot aside and propped his chin up, continuing the conversation with Luo Yu, "Is Gu Xiaowei the only junior brother you have?"

Luo Yu sighed, "Times are tough. I see them as schoolmates, but they see me as trouble. Up to now, the only one who acknowledges me publicly as a senior brother is Gu Xiaowei."

Hu Wei, about to eat something, choked slightly. Why did he feel like he was being alluded to?

Jiang Yinchuan called a waiter, "Change the tea."

Jiang Yunxie's expression turned unnatural, and his secretary said, "Vice President Jiang, don't you always drink Longjing? The tea here is of the highest quality."

Jiang Yinchuan smiled, "I've had a poor appetite lately. Let's switch to Pu'er tea. It's better for digestion."

The waiter immediately left.

Jiang Yunxie added, "At least taste it. We specifically ordered it for you."

Hearing this, Jiang Yinchuan was even more certain there was something wrong with the tea. Otherwise, why would Jiang Yunxie, who usually had such enmity for him, kindly urge him to drink it?