Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 36

Ran Lin’s last participation in a dinner gathering was at the end of last year, with the company’s CEO. At that time, several key artists from the company were present, all flattering the CEO to the utmost. Ran Lin also said a few words, but with so many people at the table, the CEO probably didn’t pay much attention to him.

Ran Lin didn’t particularly like these obligatory dinner gatherings, but he didn’t detest them either. Not every investor is looking to take advantage of actors, and among the few who do, most are interested in female actresses. So, in Ran Lin’s limited experience with such gatherings, his main task had been to flatter and please, making further conversations easier.

The investor of <Sword of Fallen Flowers> was the CEO of a well-known listed cultural and entertainment company, Lei Baishi. He was a straightforward person who never imposed on actors and only sought praise and cultural person with a pursuit of art.

The dinner was initiated by the CEO of another company, Mr. Ma, who had cooperated with Lei Baishi before and had a good relationship with him. Hence, he easily agreed to the meeting.

The dinner was scheduled for the evening of May 23^rd, at a famous high-end club in Beijing—all arranged according to Lei Baishi’s preferences.

That morning, Wang Xi brought Ran Lin to the company for a brief training session. She briefed him on Lei Baishi’s background, personality, and preferences. Afterward, a stylist made sure Ran Lin looked his best.

“How do you feel?” Wang Xi looked at Ran Lin, who was polished and handsome, and was very satisfied.

Ran Lin, looking at himself in the mirror, also felt emotional. “I should come with a gift box and ribbon.”

Wang Xi laughed without humor. “Do you think anyone can be packaged and sent off like that? If that were possible, my job would be much easier. It would be a one-time deal, neat and straightforward.”

Ran Lin jokingly asked, “Are there still such one-time deals?”

Wang Xi, having not expected such a joke, seriously pondered for a moment and regretfully shook her head. “Not anymore. Even the most straightforward deals require a few months of packaging and depend on whether the investor is interested. Times have changed. In the past, actors were forced to accept unspoken rules, but now, if you’re not willing, step aside. There are plenty of others eager to take your place.”

“Alright, let’s stop this banter.” Wang Xi quickly got back to the point. “Did you memorize everything I told you?”

Ran Lin nodded vigorously. “Flattery first, drinks second. Once the mood is set by drinking, everything is easier to discuss.”

Wang Xi was exasperated. “Where did you get all this nonsense?” But then she thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case.

They arrived at the club five minutes before seven in the evening. The club was private, and they were led to a secluded room after navigating several corridors.

Wang Xi had chosen a moderately-sized room with a ten-person round table, even though there would be no more than six or seven guests. A smaller room was chosen to facilitate close communication, as speaking across a larger space would be cumbersome.

The menu had been pre-arranged by Wang Xi. Now, all that was left to do was to wait.

Ran Lin saw how seriously his agent was taking this and didn’t dare to take it lightly either.

An hour passed in silence, feeling like a year.

Finally, Wang Xi’s phone rang, and the lead person on the other end informed them they were about to arrive. Ran Lin breathed a sigh of relief, took a deep breath, and stood up with Wang Xi, preparing for the crucial moment.

“Mr. Ma—”

As soon as a figure appeared at the door, Wang Xi enthusiastically greeted him.

Ran Lin quickly followed, also smiling brightly.

The first to enter was Mr. Ma, the initiator of the dinner, in his forties, of medium build, wearing a crisp suit and gold-rimmed glasses, with a gentle and elegant smile. He entered the room, shaking hands with an overly enthusiastic Wang Xi. “Ms. Wang, you arrived quite early.”

“You can’t call me that, or how can we have a pleasant dinner and conversation tonight?” Wang Xi’s tone wasn’t complaining but rather coquettishly reproachful.

Ran Lin was stunned. He had never seen Wang Xi like this before—she seemed like a thawed iceberg, now a gentle and charming stream.

Mr. Ma seemed quite pleased with Wang Xi’s warmth. Just as he entered, he introduced Lei Baishi. “This is Mr. Lei. You know, he rarely dines with people. His presence today really honors you.”

The entrance of important figures always requires a buildup, just like the classic announcement at a school sports meet, “Approaching us now is the representative team of Class X of Year X.” At this moment, Mr. Ma was the announcer, and Mr. Lei was the leading contingent.

Lei Baishi certainly had the presence to dominate the scene.

In his early fifties but looking more like in his forties, he was tall and broad, with a square face and wide shoulders. As he entered, the room suddenly seemed less spacious.

He, like Mr. Ma, was dressed in a suit, his hair meticulously combed, his shoes shining, with deep-set features and a resolute expression. More than a CEO, he had the aura of a tough guy.

“Mr. Lei, I’m truly grateful for your presence today. Please, take the main seat—” Wang Xi had seen Lei Baishi from a distance at a wine party, but this was her first face-to-face meeting. She was quite surprised internally, but her face showed nothing but sweetness.

Lei Baishi accepted the gesture without hesitation and sat in the designated seat with a slight smile—polite yet distant.

Following Lei Baishi was his assistant, a bespectacled young man. After Lei Baishi settled, he whispered a few words, to which the assistant nodded and said, “Okay, Mr. Lei. I’ll wait for you in the car outside.”

Having an assistant is normal, but “waiting in the car” indicates that the person being waited for won’t stay long.

Ran Lin caught the nuance, and so did Wang Xi. But before they could react, another person entered the room.

Director Chen Qizheng!

Compared to the CEOs’ formal attire, Chen Qizheng was much more modest and understated.

Wang Xi already knew from the lead person that Director Chen would be coming, but as he hadn’t shown up earlier, she thought there might have been a change of plans. It turned out he was making a grand entrance.

“Director Chen—” Wang Xi got up again to warmly welcome the guest.

Ran Lin quickly stood up as well, respectfully greeting, “Director Chen.”

Director Chen Qizheng, unlike Lei Baishi, who deliberately puts on airs, was always aloof and rarely showed a smile to anyone other than investors. So, this time, he simply nodded at Wang Xi and glanced at Ran Lin without saying a word, then took his seat directly.

Finally, everyone had arrived.

Lei Baishi sat in the main seat, with Director Chen, Mr. Ma, and others around him. Wang Xi was next to Lei Baishi, and next to her was Ran Lin.

Ran Lin suddenly wanted to take back what he jokingly said about “gift boxes and ribbons” before leaving.

Compared to him, the two CEOs were genuinely prepped from head to toe, in crisp suits, and with shirts so wrinkle-free they could go to an awards ceremony.

The server, very observant, began to serve dishes, and soon, the table was almost full.

Wang Xi courteously spoke to the investor. “Mr. Lei, I wasn’t sure what you liked to eat, so I just ordered a few dishes. If there’s anything unsatisfactory, please forgive us.”

“It’s okay. I can’t eat much anyway, as I have something else later,” Lei Baishi responded with a cold smile and then turned to the host, Mr. Ma, with a much warmer tone. “Ma Laodi*, please take care of everything tonight.”

*This is a combination of Lao + Di (younger brother). It’s often used as an address to refer to a close male friend or colleague who’s younger or similar age. You can think of it as him calling him (Younger) Brother Ma.

“What are you talking about, Mr. Lei? Your presence alone is an honor for me,” Mr. Ma said as he stood up, taking the bottle of Wuliangye that the waiter had just opened and poured a substantial amount into his cup, ready to drink it all in one go. “Come on, let’s fill up our cups. I’ll make the first toast.”

As a lead organizer, Mr. Ma was indeed very efficient.

Wang Xi gratefully passed a glance to Mr. Ma.

Mr. Ma, catching her glance out of the corner of his eye, didn’t make much of a fuss. After filling his own glass, he dutifully started to pour for Mr. Lei.

Mr. Lei subtly moved his cup away, smiling and shaking his head at his friend. “Ma Laodi, I really have something later on. I can’t do white liquor tonight. Let’s just stick with beer.”

Mr. Ma and Lei Baishi exchanged looks for two seconds. Understanding the situation. Mr. Ma quickly went along with it, saying, “Alright, let’s stick to beer today.”

Having said that, he put down the white liquor and picked up the beer, first filling Mr. Lei’s glass to the brim, then pouring one for Director Chen next to him, and finally taking a new empty glass for himself. He didn’t forget to beckon his friends across the table. “Ms. Wang, Star Ran, don’t just sit there. Do I really need to come over and pour for you?”

Mr. Ma’s words were spoken with a mix of humor and playfulness, livening up the atmosphere instantly.

Wang Xi hurriedly took the beer and poured herself a glass, turning to pour for Ran Lin, only to find that he had already prepared a full glass for himself.

Wang Xi was pleased.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ma had already picked up his glass, and although the dinner was funded by Wang Xi, he, as the organizer, seemed more like the host. Naturally, he had to open the dinner and set the tone. “Tonight’s dinner is a great honor, with Mr. Lei and Mr. Chen attending. Ms. Wang has been a friend of mine for many years. Since we are all here, it’s fate. Let’s not talk shop today and just enjoy each other’s company. Whoever breaks the rule will have to drink as a penalty. Come on—”

Following Mr. Ma’s lead, everyone graciously stood up and clinked their glasses together, marking the start of the evening.

Wang Xi drank her beer in one gulp, wanting to remind Ran Lin not to leave any, but when she turned back, she saw that he was already ahead of her.

At the other end, Chen Qizheng also downed his drink in one go. Lei Baishi was the slowest to drink, but he eventually emptied his glass, fully honoring Mr. Ma’s request.

“Mr. Lei, please try this dish…” Wang Xi kindly helped to rotate the dish, trying to make Lei Baishi feel at home while giving Ran Lin a meaningful look.

Ran Lin had just picked up a shrimp ball, but reluctantly put it down, swiftly filled his glass again, and then stood up with it, saying aloud, “Mr. Lei, I toast to you.”

Lei Baishi was waiting for this moment. Hearing this, he put down his chopsticks and looked up with interest. “A toast needs a reason. I don’t drink without one.”

Ran Lin’s heart skipped a beat, immediately realizing the question was a trap.

But he couldn’t help but answer it.

He could only sincerely say, “Of course, there is a reason. This first glass, I must thank you and Director Chen for valuing me. Without your support, with my experience, I wouldn’t have the chance to be part of <Sword of Fallen Flowers>.”

Lei Baishi was pleased with his answer, smiling and patting his forehead. “Who just said we’re not talking about work today?”

There was the trap.

In his heart, Ran Lin wanted to lash out at Lei Baishi, beating him until he cried for mother and father, but he quickly responded, “My mistake. I’ll penalize myself with a drink!”

Saying so, he raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Lei Baishi was somewhat surprised by his straightforwardness, actually becoming a bit interested.

After finishing his drink, Ran Lin immediately refilled his glass and, without another word, raised it again. “Mr. Lei, this glass is for you. Even if I’m penalized, I accept it. Even if you don’t like to hear it, I must say, I’m truly grateful.”

After finishing his speech, he downed the drink again.

Lei Baishi was a bit dumbfounded.

So was Wang Xi.

Mr. Ma, however, was happily watching this unconventional approach, finding the dinner worthwhile.

At this point, Lei Baishi couldn’t be pretentious anymore. He really didn’t want to use Ran Lin and even didn’t want to attend this dinner any longer, but being toasted so sincerely, it would look bad for him to keep up his facade, and it wouldn’t match his principles.

“Alright, I’ll take this drink.” Saying so, he downed it in one go, spirited and assertive.

Matching Ran Lin’s drinking, this Mr. Lei directly poured it down his throat, clearly a veteran of many battles.

After toasting the investor, Ran Lin didn’t even sit down but immediately refilled his glass and toasted the director. “Director Chen, this glass is for you.”

Director Chen slightly narrowed his eyes, as if assessing.

Ran Lin felt like he was being scanned by an X-ray.

Fortunately, Chen Qizheng soon raised his glass. Though not as verbose as Mr. Lei, he simply said, “I’m not much of a drinker. Let’s do half a glass each.”

Ran Lin said nothing and just nodded.

Chen Qizheng slowly drank half a glass, while Ran Lin quickly emptied his.

After Chen Qizheng finished his drink, he realized that Ran Lin had already finished his and felt a bit amused and apologetic. He wasn’t much of a drinker and didn’t enjoy drinking, nor did he have Mr. Lei’s pleasure in getting people drunk. Ran Lin’s straightforwardness made him feel a bit guilty.

Unexpectedly, Ran Lin said, “You taking even a sip is an honor for me, but as I toast to you, I must finish my drink. It’s a matter of courtesy.”

His words were pleasing, and his drinking was hearty. He not only smoothed things over but also showed his sincerity. Chen Qizheng suddenly felt that his previous understanding of Ran Lin might have been biased, at least not comprehensive.

The young man before him presented a completely different demeanor from the day of the audition, which both surprised and intrigued him.

Wang Xi, who was also impressed, doubted whether she had brought a fake Ran Lin today. She thought she would have to carry the dinner party herself to avoid awkwardness, but as soon as Ran Lin picked up his glass, he transformed magnificently and unexaggeratedly, becoming bold in a second.

While Wang Xi was still trying to figure things out, Ran Lin had already toasted to Mr. Ma, still speaking politely and always hitting the right note, which Mr. Ma appreciated by drinking his glass in one gulp.

Fortunately, there were few people, and toasting three was like making a round.

Wang Xi thought Ran Lin would sit down, but the young man refilled his glass and headed towards her. “Xi Jie, I also want to thank you. Without your guidance, I would still be in the third-rate category, and no one would know who Ran Lin is. Xi Jie, I’ll finish this glass, and you can do as you please.”

Touched by his words, Wang Xi instinctively picked up her glass.

Ran Lin smiled and clinked glasses with her, producing a clear sound, and then decisively finished his drink.

One drink to start, one as a penalty, four in toasts—equivalent to chugging six drinks in one go, which wasn’t easy even for beer. But Ran Lin seemed unfazed and became even more bold as he drank, resembling Lei Baishi and pouring straight into his throat.

When he finally put the empty glass back on the table, Lei Baishi clapped twice, his distant politeness fading, replaced by a hint of sentiment. “So many people, once they become famous and successful, forget their roots and how they struggled to get there.” Lei Baishi emphasized, “Ran Lin, your gratitude is rare.”

Ran Lin bowed opportunistically, refilling Lei Baishi’s glass across Wang Xi.

Lei Baishi showed his first smile since entering the room, albeit a bit helpless. “Is this how you repay my compliment?”

Ran Lin laughed, relaxed and natural, with a hint of brotherly affection. “In this case, Mr. Lei, no matter how many times I toast to you, I’ll drink two glasses for your one, so you can’t say I’m forcing you.”

“You’re not forcing me, you’re insulting me.”

Lei Baishi couldn’t stand being looked down upon!

He slammed the table. “If you drink two, I’ll drink two; if you drink eight, I’ll join you for sixteen!”

Lei Baishi’s passion ignited, and Mr. Ma, watching, almost choked with laughter.

Who was accompanying whom?

That’s why people shouldn’t have weaknesses. Someone like Lei Baishi, who loves drinking and boasting, enjoys being flattered and can’t tolerate provocation. Ran Lin had precisely targeted his Achilles’ heel.

He surreptitiously gave Wang Xi a look of admiration.

Wang Xi shook her head with a dry laugh at Mr. Ma.

She also wanted to know what had transformed her artist so radically before they set out.

All beginnings are hard.

The same goes for drinking.

There’s really no difficulty; whoever dares to compete and let go can dominate the scene with the first shot.

Ran Lin had learned this from his father, who had been drinking all his life.

Thanks to his father, he had attended many dinner parties organized by various uncles and elders.

What were called dinner parties were actually drinking parties.

Now, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that no matter what status, as long as you get into the spirit at a drinking party, it’s all the same.

“I’ll tell you, <Sword of Fallen Flowers> is going to be a huge hit. There’s always talk that wuxia is dead, but I don’t believe that! I always say that there are no dead themes, only people who can’t manage projects. Ask Director Chen. Didn’t I say the same when I invited him out of retirement…”

As the drinks and dishes passed, any pretense of “having something else to do” was forgotten, and the assistant waiting in the car wisely didn’t come in to urge him. As for not talking about work, that rule was broken by Lei Baishi, who spoke of creating major IPs, saving domestic TV dramas, and reviving the martial arts craze.

Ran Lin could hear the investor’s dreams but also saw the resignation in the director’s eyes.

A layman leading experts is quite a powerless thing.

Fortunately, Lei Baishi, the layman, wasn’t too authoritarian and showed basic respect for the director. Though the script was changed, it wasn’t done stubbornly, and he listened to the director’s opinions—a compromise on both sides.

Even in casting, if there was no respect for the director and screenwriter, Ran Lin’s nomination as Fang Xian wouldn’t have been possible.

“Xiao Ran, have you seen the latest version of the script?” Lei Baishi, eating a fish, suddenly asked.

The change in address reflected the rapid advancement of relationships during the dinner.

Ran Lin quickly replied, “I have. Is it the version where the love story is particularly touching?”

Wang Xi raised her eyebrows slightly, giving Ran Lin a look of approval.

Ran Lin smiled, trying not to let his amusement show too much.

Lei Baishi’s eyes lit up, never having heard such a comment about the script before, was heartily pleased. “You also think this version is good?”

“Of course,” Ran Lin replied without hesitation, then prayed internally for forgiveness for his white lie. “As soon as I read the script, I felt it was completely different. Highlighting the romantic storyline adds a touch of gentleness to the tough intrigue of martial arts. While audiences love straightforward revenge, they also appreciate subtle and moving scenes. Hard and soft together make for perfection.”

“We should have brought Song Mang here today to hear you say this.” Lei Baishi, moved as if he found a kindred spirit, slapped the table. “Enough with beer, bring out the liquor!”

Ran Lin could imagine how vexed Lei Baishi must have been by screenwriter Song Mang’s stubbornness; hence, only Director Chen was present and not the screenwriter, with whom he was probably at odds.

Switching from beer to liquor, Lei Baishi was the most excited, while Chen Qizheng was the most reluctant, wishing not to drink at all.

Mr. Ma spent the entire evening enjoying the lively atmosphere, witnessing Lei Baishi’s transformation from disdain to almost brotherly camaraderie with Ran Lin. He genuinely felt that even if he had to pay for the meal himself, it would be worth it.

Driven by curiosity, he sent a few WeChat messages to Wang Xi under the table.

The so-called “long-time friends” was just a made-up excuse. In reality, Wang Xi had added him on WeChat through a mutual friend, and they had only known each other for a few days. But once added, they were friends, and it wasn’t awkward to chat a bit at the same table.

Ma Kuidou: [Your kid is really good at chatting, impressive.]

Wang Xi: [Just average, really.]

Ma Kuidou: [Lucky he’s a guy. If it were a girl, Lao Lei would probably make a mistake.]

Wang Xi: [Haha.]

Ma Kuidou: [And he can hold his liquor, never gets drunk even after a thousand cups.]

Wang Xi: [I’m a bit shocked too. He’s never drunk like this before.]

Ma Kuidou: [🤨]

Wang Xi: [Seriously, would I lie to you? It’s my first time seeing him drink like this.]

Ma Kuidou: [Then he’s a hidden talent, promising.]

Ma Kuidou: [Rest assured, the matter you’re concerned about, I think there’s a chance.]

Chen Qizheng watched everything with a cold eye. On one side, Lei Baishi and Ran Lin were drinking passionately, and on the other, Wang Xi and Ma Kuidou were happily chatting privately. He felt like the most redundant person in the room.

The only consolation was that, noticing his reluctance to drink, Ran Lin didn’t toast him after the initial round.

This was a young man that was much smarter than he had imagined.

And… he really could drink.

Lei Baishi was already a bit tipsy, starting to talk about the origin of his name—inspired by Qi Baishi*, chosen by his grandfather, carrying the family’s high hopes.

*A Chinese painter, noted for the whimsical, often playful style of his works. Born to a peasant family from Xiangtan, Hunan, Qi taught himself to paint, sparked by the Manual of the Mustard Seed Garden.

Unfortunately, he had no talent in painting, but at least he could excel in other artistic fields, like the film and television industry.

By contrast, Ran Lin’s cheeks were slightly flushed, but his eyes were clear, obviously still lucid.

Lei Baishi became more emotional as he talked, starting to reminisce about his struggles. Ran Lin finally took the opportunity to slip to the restroom when Lei Baishi’s attention shifted elsewhere—like to Mr. Ma.

Although there was a restroom in the private room, Ran Lin chose the one in the hallway.

Once in the restroom, he went straight into a stall, locked the door, opened the toilet, and vomited violently.

Ran Lin didn’t like drinking, but he did have a high tolerance, likely a family trait, mainly inherited from his mother.

Despite his father’s love for alcohol, his mother was the real expert. It was said that during their courtship, she pretended not to know how to drink, but when his father insisted on toasting, she ended up under the table.

But not getting drunk didn’t mean he couldn’t feel bloated, especially with beer. Drinking recklessly could lead to an uncomfortably swollen stomach.

After flushing the toilet, Ran Lin stood up, feeling much better.

He rinsed his mouth with cold water, splashed some on his face, and took a deep breath, feeling refreshed inside and out.

Lei Baishi was quite straightforward as a person. As a businessman, he focused on profit, but as an artist, he genuinely pursued his passions. And as a drinking buddy, he was the most sincere, not tolerating anyone outdrinking him.

This last point was independent of status; all drinkers are one family.

Not wanting to delay too long, Ran Lin left the restroom, only to run into Chen Qizheng in the hallway.

“Director Chen?” Ran Lin had intentionally gone to the outside restroom, not understanding why Chen Qizheng would be there.

Chen Qizheng didn’t speak but stared at Ran Lin for two seconds before suddenly asking, “Did you vomit?”

Ran Lin was taken aback and instinctively wanted to deny it, but realizing Chen Qizheng must have noticed, he hesitantly admitted, “Director Chen, you have sharp eyes.”

“Save the compliments for Mr. Lei,” Chen Qizheng said dryly.

Ran Lin awkwardly laughed.

“How do you feel about the character Fang Xian?” Chen Qizheng asked casually but directly.

Caught off guard, Ran Lin hesitated before cautiously answering, “The character’s conflict mainly revolves around him and Tang Jingyu, making it a challenging role.”

Chen Qizheng stared intently at Ran Lin; his eyes sharp. “Can you handle it?”

Ran Lin felt immense pressure. He hadn’t felt this way facing the disdainful Lei Baishi, but Chen Qizheng’s gaze made him feel exposed.

Wang Xi had arranged this gathering so he could compete for the second lead role, and he had gone along with it, as it wasn’t a decision he could make based on his preferences. It was both the company’s desire and an objective judgment; it wouldn’t make sense to settle for a lesser role with less screen time.

But Chen Qizheng’s question revealed his hesitation and doubt.

Faced with such penetrating eyes, Ran Lin could only be honest. “I don’t know. Fang Xian changes a lot from the early to later stages of the story. He goes from being arrogant and carefree to conflicted, suffering, and struggling. His relationship with Tang Jingyu shifts from brotherly to hostile, almost destroying and then rebirthing him. I feel it’s quite distant from my personality…”

Chen Qizheng interrupted him mercilessly. “If I had known you thought this way, I wouldn’t have let you play Xu Chongfei.”

Ran Lin was speechless, standing there somewhat helplessly.

Chen Qizheng stared at him unblinkingly, his voice low and firm. “Remember, a true actor doesn’t play characters that are like them; they make themselves like the characters.”

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