Chapter 272: Treating Dong Xiaoming to a Feast

On a night in Dali, Yunnan, a gentle breeze swept through the ancient city.

In a hidden little lounge bar, dim amber light reflected off Liu Yifei's reddened eyes. She held a wine glass, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"Brother Xiaoming, thank you for keeping me company," she said softly, her voice tinged with drunkenness. "I... I really don't know what to do anymore."

Huang Xiaoming sighed and poured her a glass of warm water: "Drink less, you're not even an adult yet."

Liu Yifei gave a bitter smile: "Not an adult? But my acting career might already be over."

Huang Xiaoming was silent for a moment, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Qianqian, tomorrow I'll take a day off and take you to meet someone."

Liu Yifei raised her head, a flicker of confusion in her eyes: "Meet who?"

"Someone who might be able to help you." Huang Xiaoming didn't say more, just raised his glass. "Trust me this once."

Liu Yifei stared at him for a few seconds, then finally nodded: "Okay."

Back at the hotel, Huang Xiaoming dialed a number.

"Hello, Brother Dong? It's me, Xiaoming."

Dong Xiaoming's voice came from the other end: "Yo, big star Huang, I'm here having a good time with Director Zhang and Director Zhao. Want to join?"

Huang Xiaoming laughed: "Brother Dong, don't tease me. I'm not going to crash your big shots' gathering. By the way, Brother Dong, are you free tomorrow? I'd like to treat you to a meal."

Dong Xiaoming paused: "Treat me to a meal? What scheme are you cooking up this time, kid?"

"I just want to catch up with you, Brother Dong." Huang Xiaoming's tone was sincere. "And... introduce a friend to you."

The other end went silent for a few seconds, then Dong Xiaoming chuckled lightly: "Alright then, tomorrow noon, Spring City Banquet."

After hanging up, Huang Xiaoming let out a long breath.

Early the next morning, Huang Xiaoming found Zhang Jizhong to ask for leave.

"Director Zhang, I have some personal business today. I'd like to take one day off."

Zhang Jizhong frowned: "We're filming a crucial scene today, you..."

"Just one day." Huang Xiaoming pressed his palms together. "It's really important."

Zhang Jizhong looked at him, then glanced at Liu Yifei waiting not far away, seeming to understand something, and finally waved his hand: "Go, but don't delay tomorrow's shoot."

"Thank you, Director Zhang!"

Leaving the set, Liu Yifei nervously followed behind Huang Xiaoming: "Brother Xiaoming, exactly who are we going to meet?"

Huang Xiaoming smiled mysteriously: "You'll know when we get there."

At noon, in a private room at Spring City Banquet, Liu Yifei sat stiffly in her chair, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes: "Brother Xiaoming, can you tell me now?"

Huang Xiaoming was about to speak when the private room door was pushed open.

"Oh, Xiaoming!" Dong Xiaoming strode in, dressed in a suit, his hair combed immaculately.

Huang Xiaoming immediately stood up to greet him: "Brother Dong!"

He turned and introduced to Liu Yifei: "Qianqian, this is Dong Xiaoming, Brother Dong, the Head of the Artists Department at Feimin Entertainment." Then to Dong Xiaoming: "Brother Dong, this is Liu Yifei."

Liu Yifei instantly understood Huang Xiaoming's intention and hurriedly stood up: "Hello, Director Dong."

Dong Xiaoming looked Liu Yifei up and down, a flash of amazement in his eyes: "Oh? Liu Yifei? I've heard of you—Ah Zhu in the drama, right?"

After the three sat down, the waiter began serving dishes. Dong Xiaoming skillfully ordered a few bottles of high-end baijiu and laughed: "We're not leaving until we're drunk today!"

After three rounds of drinks, Dong Xiaoming's face was already flushed red.

Huang Xiaoming secretly gave Liu Yifei a look.

Liu Yifei took the hint, picked up her orange juice and stood: "Director Dong, let me toast you."

Dong Xiaoming glanced at her glass, and his expression suddenly darkened: "Toasting with a soft drink? No sincerity there."

Liu Yifei froze on the spot, at a loss.

Huang Xiaoming quickly smoothed things over: "Brother Dong, Qianqian isn't an adult yet, she can't drink." Saying so, he poured a glass of baijiu and swapped it for the orange juice in Liu Yifei's hand. "Like this—I'll toast you together with her!"

Only then did Dong Xiaoming's expression ease slightly, and he raised his glass: "That's more like it."

The three clinked glasses. Liu Yifei frowned and downed the baijiu in one gulp, the burn almost bringing tears to her eyes.

As the drinking session went on, Dong Xiaoming grew increasingly tipsy, and his words began to run wild without restraint.

"Qianqian," he said, patting Liu Yifei's shoulder, "do you know how many people want to get into Feimin?"

Liu Yifei endured her discomfort and forced a smile: "I know Feimin has high standards."

"High?" Dong Xiaoming laughed heartily. "That's for others! For me, it's just a matter of one word!"

Huang Xiaoming seized the moment: "Brother Dong is a veteran at Feimin, the person Director Xiang trusts most."

Dong Xiaoming swayed his glass smugly: "You bet! What's the relationship between me and Director Xiang?" He suddenly grabbed Liu Yifei's hand. "Qianqian, if you want to get into Feimin, once filming on Tianlong wraps and you're back in Jingcheng, I'll put in the paperwork!"

Liu Yifei felt deeply uncomfortable being touched by him, but still forced a smile: "Th... then thank you for your trouble, Director Dong."

"What 'Director'!" Dong Xiaoming waved his hand grandly. "Call me Brother Dong!"

"Brother Dong..."

"Good!" Dong Xiaoming poured another full glass. "Come, a toast to our future cooperation!"

When the drinking session ended, Dong Xiaoming was already staggering drunk.

Huang Xiaoming called a driver to take him back, then turned to look at Liu Yifei with concern: "Are you okay?"

Liu Yifei shook her head, her face pale: "I... I'm fine."

Back at the hotel, Liu Xiaoli was waiting anxiously. The moment she saw her daughter return reeking of alcohol, she flew into a rage:

"Liu Qianqian! Are you crazy? Drinking when you're not even an adult?"

Liu Yifei glanced coldly at her mother, said nothing, and walked straight to her room.

"Stop right there!" Liu Xiaoli roared. "Do you know how worried I've been?"

Liu Yifei paused but didn't turn around: "Worried? Have you ever worried about my future?"

With that, she slammed the door shut, leaving Liu Xiaoli standing alone in the living room, tears streaming down her face.

In the room, Liu Yifei lay on the bed and sent a text message to Huang Xiaoming:

"Brother Xiaoming, thank you for today."

Soon, a reply came: "Don't be polite, just wait for Brother Dong's news. However..."

"However what?"

"He went a bit too far today; you... don't take it to heart."

Liu Yifei let out a bitter smile and did not reply. She gazed at the ceiling, thinking: Is this the rule of the entertainment industry?