"Sister-in-law, are you off work yet?" Bai Xiao's voice came from the other end of the phone.
"I just got off work. Mr. Bai, Zhou Jinbai and I are already divorced, so please don't call me sister-in-law anymore. It sounds awkward." Lin Xingwan felt that the title 'sister-in-law' was a mockery to her now.
Moreover, Lin Xingwan was certain that Bai Xiao absolutely knew that Zhou Jinbai had been deceiving her all along, yet this man chose to remain silent. They were birds of a feather.
Bai Xiao was stunned for a few seconds, but he thought to himself: This sister-in-law's temper is indeed not as gentle and lovely as she appears on the surface. He felt sorry for his brother for three seconds.
"I'm calling you today because of Cheng Yanzhe. He escaped from prison today, and we don't know where he is. Be careful lately. I'm afraid this man might bring you danger after escaping."
"What? Cheng Yanzhe escaped from prison?" Lin Xingwan's brows furrowed deeply. Cheng Yanzhe's actions were always so extreme!
"Mm."
After Lin Xingwan hung up the phone, she still couldn't believe what Bai Xiao had said.
She increasingly felt as if she had never known Cheng Yanzhe at all.
In the following days, Lin Xingwan was busy with the preparations for the filming of "Miracle." After the groundbreaking ceremony was successfully held, Lin Xingwan finally felt a sense of relief.
Of course, many people online were comparing "Miracle" with "Imperial Reign," saying that "Miracle" was a knock-off version of "Imperial Reign." They claimed that Peak Entertainment dared to challenge "Imperial Reign" was simply overestimating itself.
There was also a group of loyal fans of "Miracle" who tirelessly explained to the casual observers, so a one-sided situation had not formed.
During these days, Zhou Jinbai came to the company every day to accompany Lin Xingwan. No matter how much Lin Xingwan tried to drive him away, it was useless.
In the end, Lin Xingwan completely ignored Zhou Jinbai.
Time quickly flew by to the day of Lawrence's banquet.
Lin Xingwan had been looking forward to this day for a long time.
So she specifically finished all her work in advance, put on a pinkish-purple silk evening gown, and led her company's staff to the venue of the banquet... Eat and drink as usual.
As for Zhou Jinbai, he happened not to come to the company to find Lin Xingwan today.
"Xingwan, we've brought so many people. Isn't it a bit too ostentatious?" Liu Mengqin, standing beside Lin Xingwan, looked at the rows of luxury cars in front of them. She felt that with so many of them getting off a bus, the class of the banquet had been lowered.
"What's ostentatious about it? I'm just bringing my employees to broaden their horizons. Many directors will be attending this banquet tonight. If any director takes a liking to my actors, wouldn't that be making money for our company?"
After speaking, Lin Xingwan patted Jiang Wenyuan's shoulder. "Am I right?"
Jiang Wenyuan's face was full of helplessness. "If I had known you would exploit me like this, I should have been more cautious when I signed the contract."
"Cough, cough." Lin Xingwan coughed awkwardly, then patted Ge Xinsi's shoulder. However, she suddenly realized that this young man, dressed in a black suit and a delicate bow tie, seemed to have grown quite a bit. She used to think he was thin and small, but now he made Lin Xingwan feel a sense of being suppressed. "Am I right?"
Ge Xinsi lowered his eyes and looked at the woman who barely reached his chest. "You're right."
Yan Yuxi couldn't help but rub her temples. "Little Si is simply a fanatical fan of the boss. No matter what the boss says, he thinks it's right!"
Ye Zong was wearing a very casual Taoist robe, with his hair tied up and fixed with a simple men's hairpin, giving him the appearance of a celestial Taoist priest.
He held Ye Ranran's hand. Ye Ranran had her hair styled into two buns and wore an exquisite qipao, looking like the young lady of an ancient martial arts family.
The father and daughter said in unison, "We are all fanatical fans of the boss. Anyway, as long as we follow the boss, there will be meat, wine, and money."
"Fanatical fan, add one!" Guo Gaoming said, then took a photo of Lin Xingwan with the camera hanging around his neck.
Yan Yuxi looked at the group's demeanor and said with even more helplessness, "Forget it, I can't be a maverick. Then I'll become a fanatical fan of the boss too. I hope the boss will promote me more."
The group walked into the banquet, chatting and laughing.
The entire banquet hall, while not exactly a sea of people, was still very lively.
"That's the director of 'The Cipher.' He's quite a talented director. I really like his horror films. Even without bloody or violent scenes, he combines the setting and music to create an immersive experience."
"Oh, and that foreigner in the dark red suit, his movies are also good."
Guo Gaoming was like Liu姥姥 visiting the Grand View Garden, taking photos with his camera clicking away as he spoke.
For him, it was a habit.
So much inspiration actually came from the little details of life.
Yan Yuxi and Jiang Wenyuan were the darlings of the entertainment industry.
As soon as they appeared, a large group of directors and editors surrounded them.
Next was Ge Xinsi. Although his popularity was not as high as Yan Yuxi and Jiang Wenyuan's, people gradually gathered around him.
Even Ye Zong and Ye Ranran were enthusiastically invited to act by directors.
The originally lively group was now left with only Liu Mengqin, Guo Gaoming, and Lin Xingwan.
"At first, I thought we were being too ostentatious by bringing so many people. But looking at it now, I think we should have brought a few more people." Liu Mengqin looked at the several people who were completely surrounded. This was a scene she had never dared to imagine.
"Peak Entertainment will only get stronger and stronger."
Lin Xingwan's tone was full of certainty. Now, she was leading her company's people to attend banquets and discuss cooperation. But one day, these people would come to Peak Entertainment, begging them to sign contracts.
However, just as Lin Xingwan finished speaking, several mocking voices came from behind.
"What kind of shoddy company is this? Do you really think you're the main character? If Lawrence hadn't invited me to this banquet, I wouldn't want to be at the same banquet as such a woman. It's too embarrassing."
"If I were her, I wouldn't have the face to attend such a banquet. What else can you do besides ride on someone else's coattails?"
"I don't know how many men she's slept with to get to where she is today. Who knows how many diseases she has."
Lin Xingwan turned around and saw several women dressed in colorful clothes, like parrots, chatting together.
As they spoke, they looked at them with the eyes of market aunties picking out cabbage to feed pigs after midnight, which was very uncomfortable.
Liu Mengqin, being impatient, couldn't stand it any longer. "I say, you women don't look old, but why do your mouths chatter more than old ladies'?"
"We didn't name names. Are you admitting it yourself? Are you blaming us?" One of the women in a black evening gown crossed her arms, her posture extremely arrogant, completely disregarding Liu Mengqin. But after speaking, she continued, "You guys are really something. The boss of Peak Entertainment is a woman who is famous throughout half the entertainment industry. How did she become a prostitute who climbed her way up through her bed skills in your mouths?"
The woman's words were contradictory.
Lin Xingwan's expression darkened when she heard herself being described as a 'prostitute.'
But the 'parrots' surrounding the woman in the black evening gown chatted even more joyfully.
"She's just doing dirty work, seducing people with her looks. Calling her a prostitute is even too light."
"What's so great about the boss of a broken company? Famous throughout half the entertainment industry? That's hilarious."
"Speak softly, she's right in front of you."
"What are you afraid of? I'm not afraid of her. My father can bring down the entire Peak Entertainment with a single finger."
After these women finished speaking, there was another burst of laughter.
Just as Lin Xingwan was about to teach these women a lesson, she felt a force pulling her backward, and then a clear voice, like the clinking of jade, came from her ear, "Chirping and squawking, are you a flock of birds?"
Everyone's gaze fell on the woman who spoke, and Lin Xingwan couldn't help but widen her eyes.
Because the person standing beside her was Xue Manting!
This woman was wearing a water-blue evening gown. Due to the material, it shimmered with light, giving her a very ethereal and dewy appearance. She looked as noble as a mermaid princess.
"Xue Manting, why are you here?" The woman in the black evening gown showed unconcealable disgust and anger upon seeing Xue Manting!
"Who are you? Why are you wearing a black dress to a banquet? Anyone who didn't know would think you were a young widow who just lost her husband."
Xue Manting's words made the woman in the black evening gown's expression contort with anger.
"Xue Manting, I advise you to watch your words. What do you think this place is? A nightclub for you to catch rich men? Speaking so rudely and without manners, aren't you afraid people will hear you and laugh at you?"
"Manners and upbringing depend on who you're talking to. I dislike this kind of gossipy behavior the most. What? Are you trying to form a clique to bully my Lin sister? My time is precious. Are we going to fight or spit? Please be direct. Beating around the bush, putting on airs, who taught you to act so pretentious?"
Xue Manting's combat effectiveness was off the charts. Although the other women looked indignant, they didn't dare to confront Xue Manting head-on.
Only the woman in the black dress trembled with anger and said, "Who are you calling pretentious?"
"Naturally, you. Can't you understand human language? Oh, right, I almost forgot. You are all ladies from prominent families with manners and upbringing. How could you argue with me in front of so many people? So, get lost! What are you looking at? If you make any more expressions, the inch-thick powder on your face won't be able to hide the wrinkles on your face and the veins on your neck."
"Xue Manting, you're simply a shrew!"
"Shrew? You really haven't seen much of the world!" Xue Manting said, already starting to roll up her sleeves.
Seeing this, these women quickly turned and fled.
It only took two minutes from Xue Manting's appearance to drive away these women.
"See? To deal with such little bitches, you should use my methods." Xue Manting turned to Lin Xingwan and said.
"Thank you, Miss Xue." Lin Xingwan's face was full of gratitude. She could have handled the situation herself.
However, her personality and temper were not like Xue Manting's. More often than not, she would end up hurting herself while trying to hurt the enemy.
"What's there to thank? We are good girlfriends. Should I just stand by and watch you get bullied?" Xue Manting took Lin Xingwan's hand and started chatting with her. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Liu Mengqin and Guo Gaoming couldn't join the conversation. After saying goodbye to Lin Xingwan, they went about their own business.
"I thought you wouldn't attend tonight's banquet. After all, you have a feud with Lawrence. You're quite bold. Aren't you afraid Lawrence will set a trap for you?" Xue Manting got straight to the point, skipping the pleasantries.
Ever since Lin Xingwan was released from the detention center, Xue Manting had investigated Lin Xingwan's background.
After understanding Lin Xingwan's life experiences, Xue Manting was even more certain: she had to be friends with this girlfriend.
"When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, dam it." Lin Xingwan's tone was calm, but her eyes quickly scanned the entire banquet.
When her gaze landed on a figure in white, her eyes turned several degrees colder.
Xue Manting couldn't help but follow Lin Xingwan's gaze and saw Lawrence standing in the distance, with Ye Qingning accompanying him.
They were behaving themselves, not like last time at the "Jile Shengyan" where they were embracing each other.
Xue Manting had a look of anticipation, as if her Lin sister was about to do something.
Soon, Lawrence walked onto the stage set up for the banquet and began to officially and politely welcome the guests.
He spouted eloquently, boasting to everyone that "Imperial Reign" would be a classic work in the future, a milestone unprecedented in his career.
After a flowery speech, Lawrence's gaze locked onto Lin Xingwan below the stage. He said with extreme disdain, "My life is destined to be extraordinary. Everything I produce will be a trend. However, even geniuses have their troubles. Some people see my success and want to take a piece of the pie. At first, I didn't care, but those people became more and more excessive, like maggots on a bone. Not only that, but they also hired internet trolls to smear me and insult my work. I cannot tolerate this. The reason for holding this banquet tonight is because I want original works to be protected and I want the boss of Peak Entertainment to apologize to me!"
As if planned, Lawrence dimmed the lights around him, and a spotlight shone down on Lin Xingwan from above. Instantly, all eyes were focused on her.
Lin Xingwan thought Lawrence would play some trick, but she had overestimated him.
Perhaps after being at the top of the pyramid for too long, Lawrence no longer needed to beat around the bush to deal with someone.
Throughout the banquet, there were various discussions about Lin Xingwan. Some people, in order to curry favor with Lawrence, harshly criticized Lin Xingwan.
Lin Xingwan, unfazed by these harsh words, walked directly towards Lawrence.