Chapter 131: Today I made noodles for you to eat

Jiang Cheng took the already grilled lamb skewer from Su Manyao's hand; this was the skewer Xiao Jingyuan had handed to Su Manyao.

He took a bite, staring at Xiao Jingyuan like he was looking at an idiot, and said, "My girlfriend gave this to me; what's it to you?"

"Your girlfriend?" Xiao Jingyuan widened his eyes, looking at Jiang Cheng in disbelief; he wanted to show a mocking expression, mocking Jiang Cheng's self-important bragging.

But he saw Jiang Cheng's expression was serious, and Su Manyao beside him also lowered her head slightly, looking at the barbecue on the grill; it didn't look fake.

Consequently, that sneer he had just squeezed out froze instantly, his face as ugly as it could be.

Unconsciously he asked again, "Is this your girlfriend?"

Jiang Cheng said nothing, took another bite of the lamb skewer, and just stared at him hopefully while chewing.

Xiao Jingyuan's mind was in turmoil.

Su Manyao is Jiang Cheng's girlfriend?

He turned his gaze to Su Manyao; under the night lights she resembled a fairy who partook not of mortal fire, a wisp of bangs lightly trembling at her nose tip, those large eyes never once lifting to glance at him.

Yet she made no move to refute Jiang Cheng.

This amounted to tacit acceptance—she really was Jiang Cheng's girlfriend!

"You"—Xiao Jingyuan wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat, no matter how he tried he couldn't get them out.

The woman before him was not only beautiful, she also held the identity of his boss; although he appeared bright and glamorous on screen, his life and death were merely a word in Su Manyao's presence.

But usually aloof and icy, the kind of female boss no one dared approach, she now sat before him—yet she was the girlfriend of that youngster beside him.

As if he had lost his soul, he stood up, turned his head, and hurried away from here.

He felt he needed to splash cold water on his face to calm down properly!

Either I'm crazy, or this world has gone mad!

Jiang Cheng watched Xiao Jingyuan's retreating figure and said, "This guy definitely has some serious issue."

After saying that, Jiang Cheng handed the half-skewer of lamb to Su Manyao, adding, "Though the grilling was thoughtful, it's tasty—have a bite."

Su Manyao frowned, leaned back a little, but the skewer Jiang Cheng offered pursued her relentlessly.

Su Manyao glanced around; a few people were secretly looking at her, embarrassed she slightly opened her mouth, her snow-white teeth gently biting the barbecue.

Jiang Cheng pulled his hand back, the bamboo skewer was drawn out, and the grilled meat fell into Su Manyao's mouth.

Su Manyao gave Jiang Cheng an annoyed glance, yet she still got the meat into her mouth and chewed it gently.

…

Xiao Jingyuan came out of the washroom; this was a temporary pit set up by the crew, with lighting, mirrors, and a sink.

He washed his face with cold water; his face was still damp, but his mind remained somewhat dazed, unable to regain composure for a moment.

No matter how he thought, he couldn't reconcile the idea that Su Manyao had a boyfriend, especially since the boyfriend was so young, appearing even younger than himself.

Just as he stepped out, his spirit shuddered slightly.

Because he saw an acquaintance, he recognized him as a well-known producer in the film industry!

A smile immediately crept onto his face: "President Chen, what wind blew you here today?"

For actors, the producer's connections are an important network resource; often investors recommend actors to directors, and as a film investor, his words still carry some weight.

President Chen said: "Today Wang Qiangwei called me over to discuss something regarding his next film."

"Next film?" Xiao Jingyuan's eyes flickered, and he hurriedly asked, "What are you planning to shoot?"

President Chen and he had a decent personal relationship; mainly, in their several interactions, his flattery had been well done, making President Chen quite pleased.

When he asked that, President Chen naturally understood his intent; glancing at him, Xiao Jingyuan quickly moved closer.

President Chen looked left and right, seeing no one, and lowered his voice: "The script definitely can't be told to you, but the two people who now have decision-making authority are both present."

"One is Director Wang Qiangwei, the other is Jiang Cheng, that young man over there grilling barbecue with a very pretty girlfriend."

"You get it, right?"

President Chen threw Xiao Jingyuan a meaningful glance.

The meaning was already clear: wanting a role in this play, going to Wang Qiangwei now would surely be unsuitable, but there is another person on site who can speak up; if you strike up a connection now, you might just latch onto this line.

One could say this is a crucial clue, namely the opportunity that often truly allows a person to overturn fate and change their destiny.

But after hearing this, Xiao Jingyuan was dumbfounded…

He was certain he hadn't misheard; President Chen actually said that one of the people with decision-making power was Jiang Cheng!!

Shouldn't it be Su Manyao?

But he quickly realized that the company had previously issued a notice: everyone in this crew is forbidden from recognizing Su Manyao's identity!

!

Could it be because Jiang Cheng is Su Manyao's boyfriend?

Xiao Jingyuan pressed further: "What background does this Jiang Cheng have?"

President Chen, being questioned, his expression shifted; evidently displeased with Xiao Jingyuan's words, he still said: "The script for the next film is exactly what he brought over."

After saying that, President Chen left.

Xiao Jingyuan stared, eyes wide, standing there dazedly; he recalled that day at Jiang Cheng's studio, when his assistant had deleted Jiang Cheng's script and quarreled with Jiang Cheng, claiming Jiang Cheng's script was trash.

Later, Director Wang Qiangwei looked at the script and became interested in Jiang Cheng's script.

But he hadn't expected

that the director would really film his script?

At first an inconspicuous youth, in the blink of an eye he has become someone he now needs to curry favor with.

Xiao Jingyuan, in a daze, walked back toward the barbecue stall.

Although he came hoping to use this opportunity to connect with Su Manyao, the goal failed, yet it doesn't affect his plans for future endeavors.

But when he walked back to the barbecue stall, he discovered Jiang Cheng and Su Manyao walking hand in hand outside the unfinished building site.

The light spilled onto their backs.

He saw Jiang Cheng holding Su Manyao's hand.

Xiao Jingyuan stood frozen on the spot; his assistant walked over and asked, "Just now where did you run off to? I was dying of worry, I called you but you didn't answer—look, Boss has already left."

Smack!

Xiao Jingyuan backhanded a slap across the assistant's face, his eyes wild as he roared, "Shut your mouth!"

"From now on, stop causing trouble by throwing your weight around, and put away that so-called experience of yours!"

The assistant covered his face, opened his mouth, and stared at Xiao Jingyuan, "You hit me? You hit me?"

"Just you wait, tomorrow I'll get you on the front page!"

The assistant turned and walked away.

And Jiang Cheng had no idea what happened after he left, nor did he know that Su Manyao was the biggest boss behind this production.

Back at home, Su Manyao said:

"You didn't eat any barbecue, you must be hungry, right?"

"I made noodles today and cooked them for you to eat."

(End of chapter)