Chapter 182: Our Xiao Fu Still Has Her First On Screen Kiss With Her, Do You Still Have Yours?
He said, “Miss Ning, do it think it’s enough now?”
Ning Qing suddenly lifted her gaze and she got lost in his deep, bright eyes. His eyes did not have a touch of warmth, and he was looking at her coldly. “Young Master Lu, you…”
Lu Shaoming turned to leave.
Ning Qing watched him leave in a daze. What did this man mean? She just wanted one sentence praising her. Was that too much? Did he need to insult her like this? She was furious! Oooh.
…
The doors to Guang Qing were jam-packed. There were seas of pa.s.sionate fans. With much difficulty, the security crew eventually made a small path.
Ning Qing appeared together alongside Xiao Zhou to stand before the door. The fans screamed and Ning Qing smiled like a bright flower, waving her hand. Being a celebrity, their fans looked up to them like G.o.ds.
Xiao Zhou was very happy. She stood behind Ning Qing and said, “Ning Qing, I have followed your instructions and released news that you have directed the stage play for Cabbage Plume. As you predicted, both you and Cabbage Plume have once again become the trending topics. Not only have the fans been expectant, but even the moguls of the advertis.e.m.e.nt industry and the business world have praised your design and have given a thumbs up. With your popularity now, you have come to a new level that hasn’t been achieved before.”
“Yes.” Ning Qing curled her lips into a smile. “Since I have gone back into the industry, I will definitely get on the charts. An actor has to always be dependent on young fans. Although I am only 21, I want to make use of this golden age and take advantage of my popularity. Not only do I want to live under everyone’s present attention; I want to live in their memories too.”
Living in others’ memories, only then can she be immortal.
Although she was far away from that step, she took one step at a time and slowly worked herself towards that end. Her mother-in-law, Song Yajing, despised her family background. She did not have any means to change that. The only thing she could change was her future. Lu Shaoming was a man who was above everyone. She also hoped that she had a day where she could grow to his height and accompany him to conquer the world by his side.
The day will come when she will have achieved enough in her life to step through the door of the Lu Family. She would be addressed with respect as “Madam Lu.” This was her dream.
“Yes!” Xiao Zhou continued with her excitement, “While you and Cabbage Plume have been topping the search results, I’ve been intermittently releasing the names of the cast of the stage play. When everyone found out that the two main leads would be Ou Luoxi and Xia Xiaofu, they all went mad! Everyone knew that both of them would come to Guang Qing today, so it as what you saw. Guang Qing is swarmed by fans now.”‘
She had predicted that this would occur. Ou Luoxi and Xia Xiaofu were at the peak of their popularity, if not for her and Lu Shaoming, these two people would not partic.i.p.ate in the same project. Speaking of it, she was using both of their popularity to stir up interest, hehe.
Thankfully the costs of directing the stage play was all paid for by Lu Shaoming. Otherwise, she would be bankrupt by now. Ning Qing was in a good mood, and she said to Xiao Zhou, “Xiao Zhou, we have to be at our best. The higher the nation antic.i.p.ates the project, the greater the expectations. If we ruin it, the insults will only pile up. The fans have already allowed us to stand on the peak. We need to stabilize our footing and get a good grip. Whether we can reach the moon with our hands will be entirely dependent on how we do now.”
Xiao Zhou somewhat understood. When she saw Ning Qing’s sparkling eyes, her heart became greedy. After being by Ning Qing’s side for long, she realized that Ning Qing always planned for the long term. Matters would be interlinked with another. Before it came to an end, she could never guess how Ning Qing would surprise her next.
“Ning Qing, what about reaching the moon?” Xiao Zhou asked immediately. Ning Qing mysteriously yet playfully winked and said, “Xiao Zhou, I can only say, today we have only taken our first step.” Xiao Zhou was interested after she heard the word, “Only.” When she was about to ask more, Lu Shaoming brought Zhu Rui over.
Ning Qing quickly directed her gaze at Lu Shaoming. the man was dressed in a blue s.h.i.+rt and grey trousers. The warm blue s.h.i.+rt made him seem so delicate and it highlighted his toned body even more, making him way more attractive than usual. There were a pair of brown shoes on his feet. The leather shoes stepped on the s.h.i.+ning marble flooring, and every step was steady and powerful, bringing an air of resounding strength. It was only yesterday when he insulted her without any emotion, when he said those things to her. Ning Qing immediately put on a gentle smile and took the initiative to greet him. “Young Master Lu.”
She did not expect that man to walk by her like she was a ghost. He didn’t even glance at her once. Ning Qing’s small face was like a flower. She was furious in her heart. She didn’t know what was wrong with him; she only wanted a compliment from him yesterday! Today he acted like she owed him fifty-million dollars and gave her the cold shoulder. Rascal!
Ning Qing scolded him silently in her heart. As the fans pa.s.sionately cheered, two luxurious limousines stopped beside one another. The pa.s.senger door of the car on the left was opened by an a.s.sistant, and Ou Luoxi stepped out. Ou Luoxi was dressed in a green wool sweater and brown casual pants. He folded the ends of the pants twice, and wore a pair of sports shoes. He was the epitome of fas.h.i.+on and style. The door of the car on the right was also opened by an a.s.sistant, and Xia Xiaofu stepped out.
Ning Qing could not help but smile. Xia Xiaofu was dressed more casually than usual today. Her pearl white s.h.i.+rt was layered with a green cardigan that was in the same shade as Ou Luoxi’s sweater. With the white pants to tie it all together, she looked refres.h.i.+ng and pretty.
“Wow…” The excited fans were cheering raucously. If not for the security team blocking them, they would have rushed the strs a long time ago. The last time the fans saw Ou Luoxi and Xia Xiaofu standing together was at the White Flowers Awards ceremony last year.
Lu Shaoming walked down the stairs to welcome Ou Luoxi, and Ning Qing walked to Xia Xiaofu’s side. “Xiaofu, I am thankful that you made your way here today.” Ning Qing gave Xia Xiaofu a big hug. Xia Xiaofu’s attractive little goose-egg-sized face bore a warm smile, and she said, “Ning Qing, why are you being so polite with me? I have long antic.i.p.ated collaborating with you to film a drama together!” As she spoke, her sparkling almond shaped eyes looked towards Ou Luoxi. Ning Qing lifted her brows and understood, Xiao Fu was also antic.i.p.ating filming a drama with Ou Luoxi.
Ning Qing held Xia Xiaofu’s small hand with her own and said cheekily, “Xiao Fu, let’s go. Let me introduce you to Lu Shaoming.” Lu Shaoming was chatting with Ou Luoxi in a low voice. She could not make out what they were chatting about clearly. Xia Xiaofu could only see Ou Luoxi’s naturally stone-like expression turn into a smile. This was the first time Xiaofu saw Ou Luoxi smile. It turns out that he actually could smile.
When he smiled, it was like a delicate painter had drawn two dimples on his handsome face. His skin was clear and white, and he actually had a cute and young style. When he smiled, he looked like an innocent youth, even purer and innocent that a newborn baby. Xia Xiaofu looked at him, in a daze.
The shouts of fans entered her ears. When Xia Xiaofu lifted her gaze to look, she noticed a small group of young fangirls staring at Ou Luoxi’s smiling face, and they could not control their excitement. Ning Qing walked to Lu Shaoming’s side, and introduced him to Xia Xiaofu for them to get to know each other.
Xia Xiaofu’s smile was as pretty as a lotus flower. “Young Master Lu, how are you?” After she spoke, she looked at Ou Luoxi and said to him, “Ou Luoxi, how are you?” Ou Luoxi did not react warmly. He withdrew his smile and looked directly into Xia Xiaofu’s eyes, nodding his head coldly in response.
She saw his nonchalant att.i.tude towards her. Xia Xiaofu was already used to it. Hesitant due to the number of people around, she could only give him a deathly stare. Who asked you to be this self-satisfied, hmph!
The four of them gathered together, and at this moment, the reporters and the rabid fans were extremely excited. Some reporters took the microphone to ask, “Xiaofu, why do you match Ou Luoxi today? Did you two discuss this in advance? Or was it due to telepathy?”
Ning Qing saw this situation and wanted to handle it for her, but Xia Xiaofu opened her mouth and said, “Oh, Ou Luoxi and I did not discuss it beforehand. Of course we are connected by telepathy. Luoxi, what do you say?”
Xia Xiaofu lifted her brows provocatively and was happily looking towards Ou Luoxi.
Hmph, let me see how you answer?
In response to her words, Ou Luoxi only spared a look at Xia Xiaofu with his beautiful dark eyes. His plain expression in his eyes were as saying – What you say is up to you; I will not respond.
Xia Xiaofu felt like she was trying to squeeze water from a stone, and she was gritting her teeth in anger.
Ning Qing could not help but laugh. Xia Xiaofu had kept a low in the entertainment industry for the past few years, but her popularity and reputation in public has always been good. There was a reason behind that. She was clear on how to survive in the entertainment industry, and she protected herself very well.
But after Xia Xiaofu met Ou Luoxi, she changed completely. Listening to her wilful reply, she wouldn’t have not known that this reply would create rumours between her and Ou Luoxi. Ning Qing saw the situation and stepped forward. She smiled at the reporter and said, “Xiao Fu is only joking with everyone. I’m behind the matching outfits. First, it is to satisfy the fan’s expectations for this stage play. Second, it looks good for the news cameras. After you return to the office, please stir up some rumours between my Xia Xiaofu and Ou Luoxi. If not, it will be a waste of my efforts.”
The journalists all nodded their heads. They weren’t only standing here with the fans to welcome Xia Xiaofu and Ou Luoxi. They were looking for a headline to report in the entertainment news. A sentence from Ning Qing highlighted their needs and wants. Both Xia Xiaofu and Ou Luoxi were boring; it was Ning Qing who was interesting. The entertainment industry was lacks entertainers like Ning Qing.
The journalists started to question Ning Qing. “Miss Ning, you have daringly created a stage play advertis.e.m.e.nt for Cabbage Plume. You have also released the names of leading actors, but can we ask what the content of the play is? You have not released this and we all want to know.” Ning Qing playfully fluttered her long lashes and said, “If I let everyone know now, how would there be any suspense? If you want to know what happens, then please wait another eight days. On March 21st, please focus your attention on Cabbage Plume. I will show you what it’s all about.”
The journalists were delighted and said, “Miss Ning, are you creating an advertis.e.m.e.nt for yourself yet again?”
“Yeah.” Ning Qing was alarmed. “You figured it out. You guys are way too clever!”
“Haha…” The journalists were in a good mood, they really felt that talking with Ning Qing was easy and relaxing, and it was also interesting. “Miss Ning, can we ask, since you are the director of this stage play, will you satisfy fans’ wishes and make a cameo? You performed in Wind and Dust and claimed the t.i.tle of Best Actress. You haven’t made an appearance in any other works. The fans are all hoping that you will make a cameo.”
Ning Qing pretended to contemplate for a while. She brought her little hand to her lips and blew a kiss to those pa.s.sionate fans. She laughed loudly and said, “Thank you to everyone who has not forgotten Ning Qing for all this time. Since everyone is so expectant, then I will consider making a cameo.”
“Wow…” The fans were riled up again and applauded loudly.
The journalist jostled among themselves to ask more questions, but Ning Qing gave Xiao Zhou an expression. Xiao Zhou quickly went forward to block everyone. “Okay, today’s interview will end here. Ning Qing will be debuting her first work as a director on March 21st. We’ll see you all then. Please give her all your support.”
Ning Qing and the 4 others entered Guang Qing’s lobby.
…
As they were entering the lobby, Lu Shaoming stood beside Ning Qing and suddenly asked, “What is the content of your stage play? Why is it so mysterious?”
The theme of the stage play was the search for love, but Ning Qing hadn’t revealed that. Ning Qing was about to enter the elevator, but upon hearing his words, Ning Qing bit down on her lips. She was elated. Wow! He wanted to talk to her now? He wanted to act cool and composed in front of her; there was no way!
Ning Qing tucked the locks of hair hanging on her cheeks behind her ears. Her soft, pet.i.te body stepped towards him, and she smiled lazily. “Why, does Young Master Lu want to know?”
Lu Shaoming looked at the delicate little face in front of him. He felt his mouth go dry and did not answer. He did not answer, and Ning Qing did not force him to. She walked into the elevator and stretched out her hand to press the b.u.t.ton. “If Young Master Lu really wants to know, then I will look forward Young Master Lu coming personally to the show on March 21st.”
The elevator doors closed, getting in the way of their mutual gaze.
Lu Shaoming did not leave immediately. He stared at the closed elevator door for a few seconds, then mysteriously curled his lips into a smile. He picked up one foot and was ready to leave.
…
In the rehearsal hall, Ou Luoxi and Xia Xiaofu sat opposite one another, and did not bother with each other. Ou Luoxi’s a.s.sistant, Xiao Dong told Ning Qing, “Miss Ning, we are coming to partic.i.p.ate out of respect for Young Master Lu. We must be upfront; our Luoxi will not do kissing scenes.”
Xia Xiaofu’s a.s.sistant, Xiao Li, heard his words. She quickly coughed and said, “h.e.l.lo, who is Young Master Lu? If our Xiaofu did want to disappoint Ning Qing, do you think we would be here? She is still rejecting kissing scenes. The last time our Xiaofu collaborated with that Heavenly King, the other party requested a kiss scene on the cheek but our Xiaofu was unwilling to do so. Our Xiaofu still has her first on screen kiss, do you still have yours?”
Ning Qing smiled and looked at the two a.s.sistants. This stage play had not started, but they were already on bad terms.
Ning Qing walked forward and gestured with her hand, “Everyone, don’t get worked up. This is a stage play. It is not possible to have any daring or obscene scenes…”
“That’s good.” The two a.s.sistants were relieved and retreated to the side.
Ning Qing stopped speaking and silently observed the changes of expression on both Ou Luoxi and Xia Xiaofu’s faces. Xia Xiaofu sat on the chair, using two fingers to pinch the edge of her clothes, and lifted her gaze to secretly look at Ou Luoxi. And Ou Luoxi was leaning against the handsomely. His expression didn’t seem to change, but Ning Qing noticed that he was clicking his lips together. Ning Qing was happy in her heart, haha.
“But…this is a show that merges both the catwalk and a stage play. We are asking for the image projected to be beautiful. And also, in film, they like to create topics using vague or pa.s.sionate expressions of love. We cannot leave that out, so I have decided to add a behind the scenes clip that consists of a kiss where one of you is shoved against the wall.”
She had to be joking, the current star of the entertainment industry and the nation’s G.o.ddess working together to film a show. If she wasted such good resources, then she wouldn’t be Ning Qing.
“What? What is this behind the scenes and against the wall kissing scene?” The two a.s.sistants jumped up to inquire about this.
Ning Qing was calm and collected, “Ah. When the audience are in the seats below, I will place a projector on stage. I will give a spotlight and you two will film a scene that consists of a kiss while being shoved against the wall. I don’t care if you really kiss or not, all I want is to feel my heart beat in my chest when I watch it!”