Huayu: You were supposed to be a top star, but you've become capital?

In early October, the evenings in Huairou were already a bit chilly, but the hotel's banquet hall was still bustling with activity.

The first big meal after the Tomb Raider series started filming was a lively affair, with several tables packed full of people, making a lot of noise.

The main table was placed at the far end, covered with a dark red tablecloth.

Sitting in the center was the chief director, Luo Yongchang, who was listening intently to the producer sent by Kiwi Fruit.

To his left were, in order, the production manager of Huanrui, as well as the production supervisor, art director, and director of photography of the crew; and to his right, in the first seat, sat Lin Shen.

Following Lin Shen was Tang Yan.

Tang Yan was dressed in a well-tailored champagne-colored suit, her long hair was slightly curled, and her makeup was perfect. She was smiling and talking to the action director opposite her about wire work precautions. Her eyes would quickly sweep over Lin Shen's direction.

She seemed completely unconcerned about the unpleasant ending at the private bar last time. From the moment she sat down, her body leaned slightly towards Lin Shen. When listening to the director speak, she would also glance at Lin Shen's face, as if seeking resonance.

Ma Dong was also at the main table, sitting diagonally opposite Lin Shen as the representative of kiwifruit.

As Tang Yan turned her head to whisper to Lin Shen again, Ma Dong picked up her teacup, took a sip, and her eyes inadvertently met Luo Yongchang's on the main seat before they quickly looked away.

At the last dinner party, these two left one after the other, leaving everyone wondering where they went, but no one said it out loud.

Lin Shen did not dodge Tang Yan's seemingly casual approach, but his response was limited to brief greetings, which made Tang Yan's smile even deeper and more intriguing.

Yang Yang, sitting on the other side of Lin Shen, took in all of this subtle interaction.

Yang Yang had mixed feelings. After all, having worked on a film crew like "Dream of the Red Chamber" where interpersonal relationships were delicate, he was no stranger to the messy things that happened on set.

However, he had not yet developed the habit of being a couple on set. The previous Dream of the Red Chamber set was quite special. Not to mention having an ambiguous relationship with the female lead, he didn't dare to get close to any female character.

Seeing Tang Yan's almost undisguised initiative, and Lin Shen's ability to handle it with such ease, he was amazed.

While secretly marveling at him, Yang Yang felt even more admiration.

Before filming even started, he was already flirting with the female lead. Yang Yang secretly resolved to learn more from Brother Shen in the future.

At another round table a few steps away from the main table, the atmosphere was much more relaxed.

This is the second table for the actors, or rather, the supporting actors' table. Bai Mengyan, Liu Tianzuo, Zhang Zhiyao, and several other actors who played roles such as Pan Zi and Hei Xiazi were sitting around here.

A chair was squeezed in next to Bai Mengyan, and Yang Chaoyue sat there.

Logically, the assistant shouldn't be sitting here; they should be in the staff area at the back.

But she is Lin Shen's assistant.

When the production manager in charge of arranging seating saw her coming with Bai Mengyan, he smiled and asked someone to add a seat for her without hesitation.

In a film crew, whoever represents capital has special privileges, even if they are just an assistant.

"Sister Mengyan..." Yang Chaoyue gently touched Bai Mengyan's arm, his voice very low, gesturing for her to look towards the main table.

"Vixen! Old woman!" Bai Mengyan had already seen it and was gritting her teeth in her heart.

Her eyes were fixed on the main table, and when she saw Tang Yan smiling as she served food to Lin Shen again, and Lin Shen nodded his thanks, she felt like flipping the table over.

"Smack."

In her excitement, Bai Mengyan accidentally bumped her chopsticks against the edge of the bowl. She quickly lowered her head, forcefully picked up a piece of rib, and shoved it into her mouth as if she had a grudge against that bone.

His cheeks puffed up slightly from anger and a vague sense of unease.

Liu Tianzuo, who sat next to Bai Mengyan, caught a glimpse of her and burst out laughing:

"Lulu, what's wrong? Are you upset about the food? Doesn't it suit your taste?"

Bai Mengyan quickly forced a smile: "No, no, no, it's delicious! Teacher Tianzuo, I'm turning this appetite into energy so I can learn opera properly from you and Teacher Zhiyao!"

Zhang Zhiyao smiled gently: "It's good that you're motivated, but Lulu, some things off-screen are best left unsaid. Don't take them to heart, or they might affect your performance."

Bai Mengyan's face flushed, and she mumbled an "Mmm," but her mind was in even more turmoil.

Liu Tianzuo had already started drinking with Zhang Zhiyao and was loudly discussing which late-night barbecue place was the most authentic, which made the atmosphere much more lively.

The other actors also exchanged polite greetings, saying things like "please take care of me in the future."

Bai Mengyan and Yang Chaoyue had no choice but to raise their glasses and join in the superficial liveliness. However, a small portion of their attention was always drawn to the figure at the main table, as if by an invisible thread.

At the main table, Luo Yongchang was explaining the emotional layers of the scene at the entrance to the underground palace to Lin Shen tomorrow. Lin Shen listened attentively and suggested that he added a small gesture of twisting the edge of a silk book to reflect his professional habits. Director Luo nodded repeatedly in approval.

Just then, Tang Yan picked up her glass of wine and gently nudged Lin Shen, the sound neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for half the table to hear:

"Mr. Lin, you were so busy talking to the director that you forgot to have a drink with me! We have so many scenes together, shouldn't we have built up some rapport beforehand?"

The table fell silent for a moment as everyone looked over, their expressions varied.

Luo Yongchang picked up his teacup, Ma Dong stroked his chin, and Yang Yang stared at the plate in front of him as if there was a flower on it.

Lin Shen turned his head to look at Tang Yan, who was so close to him, her eyes brimming with tears. He raised his wine glass and gently clinked it against hers.

"Sister Tangtang, you're joking. The chemistry between us, both on and off screen, will naturally develop. This toast is to you. I look forward to working with you again."

Tang Yan looked at him, downed the wine in her glass in one gulp, and smiled even more sweetly: "Teacher Lin is always so... clear about separating public and private matters."

Lin Shen seemed oblivious to the implied meaning, and smiled faintly: "It's only right."

Yang Chaoyue glanced at the increasingly "harmonious" scene at the main table, then at Bai Mengyan beside her, who was practically turning into a pufferfish with anger. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she leaned closer:

"Sister Mengyan, come with me to the restroom."

Bai Mengyan, who was feeling quite stifled, immediately nodded upon hearing this: "Okay!"

The two greeted Liu Tianzuo and the others, then hurriedly left their seats and walked out of the banquet hall.

Once in the relatively quiet restroom, Bai Mengyan finally let out a long breath, her eyes slightly red as she looked in the mirror.

"I'm so angry! Chaoyue, did you see that?! That old woman is deliberately seducing Brother Shen, and in front of everyone! Doesn't she have any shame?!"

Bai Mengyan's chest heaved, her eyes red with anger. "Shen-ge, how could he... how could he just let her get so close!"

Yang Chaoyue leaned against the sink, looking at Bai Mengyan who was puffing up in anger. He also recalled Tang Yan's almost domineering and intimate posture at the main table, and felt a sense of frustration.

Despite her young age, her admiration and protectiveness towards Lin Shen were in no way inferior.

Seeing her beloved Shen Ge being openly harassed by an older woman with ulterior motives, she felt disgusted.

An idea suddenly popped into Yang Chaoyue's head, and he spoke:

"Sister Mengyan, what's the use of just getting angry here? They took the initiative and had a whole set of methods up their sleeves."

Bai Mengyan was taken aback and turned to look at her: "Then what should we do? Can I just rush over and pull her away?"