Song Anning, Deeply Respected

Song Anning's trip out this time could be called a complete success. President Wu of Lehong Entertainment had been exceptionally warm and attentive about his arrival, while also respecting his wishes by arranging a relatively formal interview.

Even the interviewers carried considerable weight. Besides the relevant Lehong executives, they had actually invited Sun Heyou, Lehong's current hottest top star and Best Actor. What had not made him nervous at first instantly put him on edge.

Fortunately, his foundations were solid. He had also received systematic professional training overseas these past few years and improved tremendously. Coupled with his careful preparation during this period, his performance not only won unanimous praise but also earned a highly favorable assessment from Best Actor Sun: he had potential and a bright future.

With those words from Best Actor Sun, Song Anning felt as though he had swallowed a reassurance pill. With a senior's recognition and recommendation, he was qualified to receive Lehong's full support. All that remained between him and officially entering the entertainment industry was a stellar debut.

Though it was supposed to be an interview, it gradually turned into a meeting where both sides acknowledged one another. Wu Tianyong spoke at length about Lehong's development trends and future investment priorities, using Sun Heyou as a successful example to demonstrate the company's star-making capabilities.

With a ready-made Best Actor sitting right before him, who could resist that kind of temptation?

Sun Heyou also unusually set aside his Best Actor airs and spoke candidly with Song Anning. First, he marveled at Lehong's formidable strength, then expressed relief that he had seized the wonderful opportunity President Wu had offered him. Otherwise, how could he have achieved what he had today?

Sun Heyou even quietly hinted that if Song Anning truly had not had potential, someone like Wu Tianyong would never have treated him so well. Just think about it—even a newly crowned Best Actor like him had come along to keep him company. What newcomer could possibly command that much respect?

Song Anning was delighted by their coaxing, yet he did not lose his head so easily. The more they acted that way, the more certain he became that they had already figured out his relationship with Cen Muxiao.

It was not that a newcomer who had yet to enter the industry had such great status. It was that Cen Muxiao's influence behind him was simply too powerful.

Especially after he casually mentioned that he lived at the Cen family residence, Wu Tianyong revealed a meaningful expression. Clearly, he had already guessed most of the truth and was merely having it confirmed by Song Anning himself.

In front of Cen Muxiao, Song Anning had repeatedly claimed that he wanted to rely on his own abilities to obtain a development opportunity he liked. Yet in reality, he had benefited quite a bit from the domineering CEO's influence.

Still, he considered those matters secondary. What mattered most was his own performance. He had looks, temperament, and an advanced degree rarely seen in the entertainment industry.

Just as Best Actor Sun had said, he was naturally suited for the craft. Now that all the groundwork had been laid, he only needed a suitable platform to launch him straight to the top.

By giving him an opportunity now, Lehong would also be cultivating a lucky star capable of bringing in riches. It was a mutually beneficial deal.

Song Anning, who fancied himself well versed in the entertainment industry, maintained his calm elegance while secretly analyzing the other side's true intentions. Seeing Wu Tianyong's eyes grow brighter and brighter as he looked at him, he could not keep putting on airs and stubbornly refusing forever. In the end, he agreed and set a date for signing the contract.

The atmosphere had been built up nicely. Seeing that the matter had been finalized, Wu Tianyong and Sun Heyou exchanged a glance and came up with a suggestion. Since everyone had gathered so rarely, why not have a meal together?

Song Anning had originally intended to decline, but he could not bring himself to reject Best Actor Sun's invitation. After all, not everyone had the honor of drinking at the same table as a Best Actor. The mere fact that he could mention it was already impressive.

Besides, once he joined Lehong, he would be a genuine newcomer. Befriending a popular Best Actor would make others think more highly of him.

After all, if he were merely a nameless nobody with nothing to offer, why would a Best Actor spare him a second glance?

And after the meal, Song Anning found that it had been a thoroughly proper and grand gathering. There was the occasional joking and banter, but nothing inappropriate.

Wu Tianyong in particular, as the company president, remained humble and polite from beginning to end, without the slightest air of superiority. The entire meal was remarkably harmonious and pleasant.

Song Anning truly felt deeply respected. He had never experienced such a feeling before; it was as though he were being held in someone's palm, lightheaded with delight.

He could not help sighing inwardly. Perhaps that was one of the reasons Lehong had become a paradise where stars gathered.

If Cen Muxiao knew what Song Anning was thinking at that moment, who knew how he would feel? In the past, he had often cared for Song Anning as though holding him in his palm, yet Song Anning had never felt anything particularly special about it. Cen Muxiao had been willing to give, and Song Anning had calmly accepted. No one had forced him to act that way.

Moreover, back then, while accepting Cen Muxiao's care, Song Anning had also been somewhat annoyed by his relentless pursuit. He had feared that Cen Muxiao would force himself to accept his confession, putting Song Anning in a passive position.

So, that kind of care had indeed felt different to Song Anning. Unlike now, surrounded by like-minded people speaking freely for a shared dream, even with the constraints of a contract, he felt relaxed in both body and mind, without the slightest pressure.

Now, he hoped Cen Muxiao could cherish him in his palm as before. Unfortunately, ever since this meeting, ever since Guo Lantai had come between them, no matter how considerate Cen Muxiao acted, Song Anning no longer had that unique sense of superiority. Instead, he had gained a deep sense of crisis.

He clearly realized that if he did not become more proactive, more dazzling, and more outstanding, then forget being carefully protected in Cen Muxiao's palm—he feared he would not even catch his eye anymore.

After all, Cen Muxiao had been acting more and more unreasonably lately, especially toward Guo Lantai. He had become increasingly devoid of principles.

Song Anning himself had been too restrained instead, allowing Guo Lantai to steal quite a bit of the spotlight!

As the dinner neared its end, he declined the invitation to continue on to a karaoke lounge. He tactfully said that someone was waiting for him at home and that it would not be convenient for him to stay out too long, then successfully excused himself.

He believed there was no need to explicitly state who the family member he mentioned was. Everyone present understood, and no one dared force him to stay.

After seeing Song Anning into the car and watching it drive away, the heavily bundled-up Sun Heyou pretended to be displeased as he poked Wu Tianyong in the lower back. "President Wu, to cooperate with you, I turned down an important engagement this afternoon. How do you plan to compensate me?"

Wu Tianyong grabbed his hand and gave it a rather suggestive pat. "What's one engagement? When have I ever treated you poorly? I have a big-budget xianxia drama here that has specifically named you as the male lead. See how much I spoil you?"

"That's more like it!"

Sun Heyou withdrew his hand in satisfaction, then raised his brows in puzzlement. "President Wu, you are not really going all out to win over Song Anning just to please the head of the Cen family, are you? I observed him. His looks are decent enough, but he is still lacking something. Perhaps he is not worth all this effort from you."

At that, Wu Tianyong immediately revealed an unfathomable expression, his voice low and lingering as he said, "You would not understand even if I told you. Whether he is worth it or not is for me to decide. Just wait and see!"

Sun Heyou truly did not understand, because even if he were beaten to death, he would never imagine that Wu Tianyong would dare set his sights on Cen Muxiao's person. He had only thought Wu Tianyong was doing Cen Muxiao a favor in order to curry favor with him!