A grand feast for the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 63 Chance Encounter
She flew to the capital specifically to travel there.

However, her nephew's wedding is in three days, so there's no rush.

Lin Jianlu immediately made a phone call, asking Lao Xue to buy a sleeper train ticket to Zhengzhou for two days later. Then she called her sister to tell her the train's arrival time, and her sister said she would come to pick her up.

With everything settled, the two chatted over tea for quite a while before Lin Jianlu took her out to eat.

Since she's in the capital and considered a Taiwanese compatriot, even though she has Hong Kong residency, I still want to take her to try Peking duck. Instead of Quanjude, which she said she had eaten there before when she came to the mainland, I'll take her to Bianyifang.

Coincidentally, the two were eating and chatting, and they had already finished a bottle of baijiu. Just as they were about to open a second bottle, she stubbornly stopped them, whining and pleading. Suddenly, someone walked over, "Jianlu..."

Lin Jianlu turned around and exclaimed, "Oh, hello!"

He didn't get up, but spoke very politely, "Qingxia, this is a famous actress from mainland China, named Xu Jinglei! Ms. Xu, this is my girlfriend, named Lin Qingxia."

Lin Qingxia laughed heartily and took the initiative to stand up and shake hands with Xu Jinglei. Xu Jinglei's expression was quite interesting—she had thought it looked like her as soon as she entered the store, and then she even confirmed that the woman who had been having dinner alone with Lin Jianlu was actually Lin Qingxia, which greatly surprised her.

Mainland gossip newspapers and magazines have reported on numerous rumors about Lin Jianlu's relationships with Brigitte Lin and Rosamund Kwan, but those in the know are unlikely to believe them. Brigitte Lin is one of Hong Kong's four most famous actresses, with an incredibly high status. Rosamund Kwan is practically universally recognized as Hong Kong's number one beauty. In terms of fame and influence, this stunningly beautiful woman is in no way inferior to Brigitte Lin, Brigitte Lin, Rosamund Kwan, or Rosamund Kwan. Most importantly, both of them are actresses, seasoned veterans with many years of experience and high achievements. How could they possibly be dating a young upstart like Lin Jianlu who has just become famous?
When they saw it with their own eyes, they were shocked. Lin Qingxia had somehow arrived in the capital, and the two were clearly having a secret rendezvous, eating and drinking together. Lin would occasionally make the beautiful woman laugh, and the beautiful Lin Qingxia would also occasionally act coquettishly towards him.

Director Zhang Yibo, who was traveling with her, tried to stop her from coming over and disturbing her, but she was surprised and insisted on coming over to interrupt on the spot to test the truth. Unexpectedly, Lin Jianlu immediately addressed her as "Teacher Xu" and introduced himself as a "famous actor from mainland China," which made her feel choked up and very uncomfortable. Then, he even introduced Lin Qingxia as his girlfriend!

And surprisingly, Brigitte Lin didn't refute it!
"Hello, Ms. Qingxia! I'm not a famous actress, just a small-time actress."

Faced with Brigitte Lin, even the most self-important and arrogant Hsu Ching-lei instantly transformed into a docile schoolgirl. Simply put, she grew up watching Lin's films and admiring her beauty. As for achievements and influence, she believed she could never catch up in her lifetime—who could have imagined that just a decade or two later, the mainland entertainment industry would completely integrate Hong Kong and Taiwanese entertainment, becoming the sole legitimate force in the Chinese entertainment world?
Lin Qingxia, a seasoned veteran, handled the situation with ease and confidence, saying, "No way, Lu said you're a famous actress. Even if you're not now, you definitely will be in the future."

Just as Lin Jianlu was about to change the subject, he suddenly turned his head and said, "Hey, Lao Zhang? What are you doing here?"

He caught a glimpse of Zhang Yibai approaching and stood up to shake hands. Zhang Yibai explained that they had come together for roast duck and to discuss business—Zhang Yibai was closer to Zhang Yang and also quite familiar with Gu Changwei, having dined together several times. He had also directed several of Lin Jianlu's music videos.

He also graduated from the Central Academy of Drama in 86. He and Zhang Yang were classmates and close friends. However, Zhang Yang later joined Xi'an Film Studio, while he was assigned to the south. He stayed in the south for a year but was not satisfied, so he returned to Beijing and started working as a "Beijing drifter". Before that, he mainly took jobs such as shooting music videos for mainland singers and shooting commercials for people.

Gao Yuanyuan was able to star in "Spicy Love Soup" because Zhang Yibo recommended her to Zhang Yang.

Xu Jinglei rushed over, and after everyone greeted each other, Zhang Yibo relaxed and enthusiastically invited, "Shall we sit together? We're working on a drama together, let's chat!"

However, Lin Jianlu waved her hand dismissively, "Come on! Can't you see we're having a romantic date here? Go away, everyone eat your own food!"

Lin Qingxia laughed heartily, and Zhang Yibo also smiled helplessly.

Only Xu Jinglei looked on in surprise, glancing at Lin Jianlu and then at Lin Qingxia.

After finally getting rid of them, and opening the second bottle, Lin Qingxia pouted and said, "If you get me drunk, you'll have to take responsibility! I'll act crazy when I'm drunk!"

"You're acting like a drunkard, would you even take your clothes off willingly?"

She laughed loudly, "Yes!"

Lin Jianlu replied to her, "That's perfect!"

The two then looked at each other and burst into laughter.

However, it seemed that tonight's drinking session was destined to be anything but peaceful. Zhang Yibo and his group had apparently booked a private room, and soon, Lin Jianlu was greeted by several familiar faces. "Hey, it's Jianlu again!"

Lin Jianlu turned his head and saw Feng Xiaogang and Xu Fan, a married couple.

It was Xu Fan who spoke.

He pulled back his chair, stood up, and opened his arms wide. "Come here, Sister-in-law Feng, give me a hug!"

Xu Fan laughed heartily, while Feng Xiaogang grinned, revealing a mouthful of rotten teeth, and pretended to push him away with his arm, saying, "Go to hell!"

I had no choice but to give another introduction.

Surprisingly, this couple must have been hosting a dinner party; the guests were named Han Shanping and Zhang Heping.

So they shook hands and got to know each other.

This time, since there were strangers present, the atmosphere felt a bit more formal, and it wasn't appropriate to say anything inappropriate. I simply introduced Brigitte Lin as a good friend. Of course, I didn't need him to introduce her in any further. Even those in China who aren't involved in film recognize Brigitte Lin's face, let alone the fact that both of them are likely in the film and television industry.

The other party was very polite; both Han Shanping and Zhang Heping offered two business cards.

It turns out that one of them was the director of the Beijing Film Studio, and the other was the deputy director of the Capital Culture Bureau.

Be nice!

They were all officials.

After a few polite exchanges, Han Shanping said, "I wonder how many film contracts Ms. Lin has had in the past two years. If there is an opportunity, I would really like to work with you. Of course, Jianlu, I know you are from the capital, so we should visit each other more often in the future! You are the most popular actress in our country, and I hope we will have the opportunity to work together in the future!"

Zhang Heping then said, "Isn't Jian Lu currently working on a project with Xi'an Film Studio, the one about Zhang Yang? I heard you even had a cameo role? If you have the chance... Lao Han, you arrange it, let's get together and chat!"

One acted as a bridge, the other was quite informal, and Han Shanping immediately chimed in, "Sure! Miss Jianlu, Miss Qingxia, would you do me the honor of sitting down and chatting? How about tomorrow? I won't bother you two today."

"sure!"

Lin Qingxia didn't speak, and Lin Jianlu didn't even look at her, directly agreeing on her own initiative.

No matter how aloof he was in private, he always appeared to be very willing to make friends—although he was actually wary of people in official positions.

But then again, no matter the era, how can someone who has reached a certain level completely avoid dealing with officials? Since they will inevitably have to deal with them, they might as well be more proactive.

So everyone decided to meet for tea and a chat the next morning, and then have drinks at noon.

After they left, Lin Jianlu sighed, "Sigh, I should have booked a small private room. Now, even flirting can't go smoothly!"

Lin Qingxia chuckled again.

(End of this chapter)