Siren

As the dinner went on, people from the industry went around offering toasts, and some celebrities and entertainers joined in. Few, however, were qualified to approach the main table.

"Brother Wei Jin, let me propose a toast to you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. So many people online say I acted well."

It was Liu Yifei. The time since the film's release had made her overjoyed. People online called her "the nation's first love" and praised her for bringing the girl in their memories to life.

Liu Xiaoli was all smiles beside her. Going to that audition had really been the right choice.

"Mm, don't get conceited. Spend more time practicing your acting when you can. You're still young. Sometimes you can slow down a little and take steadier steps."

Wei Jin thought of what Liu Yifei had gone through in his previous life and felt a little rueful. Half of what he said was meant for Liu Yifei, and the other half for Liu Xiaoli.

As for whether they would take it to heart, that was beyond Wei Jin's control.

As time passed, celebrities and entertainers came one after another to toast Wei Jin. After all, he was the star of the evening.

"Director Wei, congratulations! More than a hundred million at the box office. That's really impressive."

The voice was soft and alluring. It was none other than Fan Bingbing. She wore a long red dress with a high waist and plunging V-neck, highlighting both her peaks and the curves of her waist and hips. She was dazzling.

"Thank you. You look radiant and lovely today, Miss Fan. Look, so many men are looking over here."

Wei Jin looked at the beauty before him and teased her.

"Director Wei, you certainly know how to flatter a girl, but you were rather heartless to me at the audition."

Her plaintive tone, paired with her expression, made her look heartbreakingly lovely.

Sure enough, she's a born siren, Wei Jin cursed inwardly. Damn it, I'm really burning up right now.

"If I'd had you play the part, she wouldn't have been a first love tinged with regret. She would've been an object of sexual fantasy."

"Director Wei, can I take that as a compliment on my charm?"

Fan Bingbing was secretly pleased. It seemed her beauty could still have an effect on this man.

"Of course. I imagine few men could resist your charms, Miss Fan."

Wei Jin admitted it honestly. He had to say, Fan Bingbing was the most alluring female star he had ever met. Her figure was perfect, her features exquisite, and her every frown and smile set men's nerves tingling.

"Director Wei, do you have time tonight? I'd like to ask your advice on what path I should take. To tell you the truth, I'm a little lost right now."

Fan Bingbing seemed genuinely to want Wei Jin's guidance, if not for the room key card she had slipped him.

"Sure, we'll be in touch later. Sorry, please excuse me for a moment."

Wei Jin apologized and went to greet the others.

After so long in the entertainment industry, Wei Jin had gradually adapted to his position. You're so pure, you're so great—what was wrong with a female star striving to get ahead?

The newcomer was Manager Liu, the boss of H&R. H&R was a well-known film and television company in Beijing and had produced many classic television dramas, including Never Close Your Eyes, Jade Goddess of Mercy, What Can I Use to Save You, My Love, and Critical Case Squad. It had a fine reputation in television dramas.

Manager Liu had brought Sun Li, an artist under his company, over to greet Wei Jin. He also spoke briefly about the start of filming on Drawing Sword.

Drawing Sword had officially begun filming in mid-December. As an investor, Wei Jin naturally had to be informed.

Thanks to the flag he had planted over the past year, more and more industry projects were coming to him of their own accord. That was how Drawing Sword had come to Wei Jin's attention.

"Manager Wei, this is Sun Li, an artist from our company. Please look after her if you have the chance."

Standing beside him, Sun Li immediately bowed slightly.

"Hello, Manager Wei. Congratulations on the box-office success. I went to see the film, and it was really well made. It's the youth of our generation."

"Hello, Miss Sun. Thank you for supporting the film. But Manager Liu, surely you jest. With your company's production capabilities, would Miss Sun really have to worry about finding roles?"

Wei Jin understood that H&R, as a traditional film and television production company, was strong in television dramas but could barely get a hand in films. Manager Liu had brought Sun Li over to establish goodwill and see if there might be a chance to work together.

But Wei Jin could only say that he was thinking too simply. If you didn't have the corresponding resources, why should anyone work with you? Just as when Wei Jin had been unknown, he'd had to pay a premium even to invest.

Now that Wei Jin had made a name for himself as a major commercial director, countless companies were begging to work with him. When choosing a partner, he still had to consider whether their strengths complemented his: either they had the publicity and distribution capabilities Wei Jin currently lacked, or they had the influence over theater chains he lacked. Otherwise, why should Wei Jin bring them along to make money?

"That's different, Director Wei. I hope I'll have the chance to work with you."

Sun Li spoke with great respect.

"Definitely, if there's a chance."

Listening to Consort Sun speak without the benefit of dubbing, Wei Jin thought her presence wasn't all that powerful.

All evening, Wei Jin moved back and forth between the various circles. There was no helping it; he was the host today.

It wasn't that Wei Jin couldn't drink. He just disliked these exercises in keeping up appearances, exchanging pleasantries with a group of people he barely knew.

Everyone appeared perfectly cordial, but they were all snobs at heart. Today, they treated you with the utmost respect because you were riding high; tomorrow, if you fell on hard times, they could barely be bothered to acknowledge you. What was the point?

But there was no helping it. That was how society worked. Even though Wei Jin had made a name for himself, he still couldn't escape it.

After the dinner, Wei Jin left the venue in a car driven by his assistant, Li Na. They arrived at a residential complex, and after Wei Jin got out, his assistant drove away.

This was a new home Wei Jin had bought. A cunning rabbit had three burrows, after all. Ever since Hu Jing had broken through his moral restraints, Wei Jin had gradually adapted to the entertainment industry's rules.

He didn't want to run into trouble while spending time with female stars. Hotels and the like were still not very safe. A boy had to protect himself when he was out and about.

After sending a text, Wei Jin went to shower first. Reeking of alcohol was a bit of a dampener on the mood.

He had just come out with a bath towel around him when he heard a knock. He opened the door, and sure enough, it was Fan Bingbing.

Fan Bingbing was wrapped in a down coat, but it still couldn't conceal her lovely figure.

Once inside, Fan Bingbing felt the warmth and took off her down coat. She lounged lazily on the sofa, her beautiful legs in black stockings extending from beneath her long dress, crossed and tracing a stunning curve.

Fan Bingbing was also sizing up Wei Jin. He was tall and handsome, his bare upper body full of masculine strength. The muscles on his lower abdomen in particular sent her imagination wandering, and she couldn't help thinking, Maybe I'm the one getting the better deal tonight.

The two openly admired each other like that. In the end, Wei Jin's self-control fell short, and he was the first to speak.

"Miss Fan, how about some red wine?"

"Haven't you had enough to drink tonight, Director Wei? Or are you looking for some liquid courage?"

Fan Bingbing looked at Wei Jin with the faintest hint of a smile and teased him.

What man could endure such humiliation? Without another word, Wei Jin scooped Fan Bingbing up from the sofa and strode toward the bedroom.

Before long, enchanting singing came from the room.

When he woke in the morning, the space beside him was empty. Thinking back on the previous night's battle, they had truly met their match, two evenly matched opponents. Wei Jin had practically used everything he had learned in his life, going all out before he subdued the enchantress.

She was a clever woman. From beginning to end, she had never asked for resources. She had simply joined Wei Jin in letting loose to their hearts' content, then afterward given him boundless understanding and warmth like a wife. He had to admit, that was the most skillful approach.

This is a woman born to thrive in the entertainment industry.

Having reached that judgment of her, Wei Jin shook his head, gathered his spirits, and began a new day.