Chapter 311 Conversation with Lu ZhanAfter hanging up the call with Duan Lixin, Gu Ning told Leng Shaoting that she was going to the Jinlin Hotel to discuss business with Duan Lixin, and that he didn’t need to keep her company if he was busy. Hearing that, Leng Shaoting was displeased, as if he had been abandoned by Gu Ning. “I’m not busy today,” he said. In other words, he could go with her if she wanted him to.
“Didn’t you say that you would help me get Lu Zhan’s phone number and find a good store as well as an office building with a great location?” Gu Ning asked. She had no intention to get rid of Leng Shaoting, but she was afraid that he would forget the important things.
Right at this moment, Leng Shaoting’s phone rang and a new message came in. He looked at it and then gave his phone to Gu Ning. “I’ve already gotten his phone number.”
Lu Zhan’s phone number was there along with lines of words which explained why Lu Zhan had been thrown out of the entertainment industry. Tang Bingsen was the man who had thrown Lu Zhan out. Reading the name, Tang Bingsen, Gu Ning got nervous and a touch of animosity flashed through her eyes, because Tang Bingsen was precisely Tang Aining’s father in her previous incarnation.
“What’s wrong?” Leng Shaoting asked noticing Gu Ning’s sudden emotional change. “Nothing,” Gu Ning said, but didn’t explain further. Leng Shaoting didn’t ask further, but felt worried about Gu Ning because he saw the obvious animosity in Gu Ning’s eyes although he had no idea who it was aimed at.
Two years ago, Lu Zhan had planned to shoot a TV series of which the Tang Family had been the investor. However, the Tang Family had made an abrupt decision to replace the leading actress with a newcomer without any acting skills. Lu Zhan who had always had a high standard for his works’ quality had refused to do so, and he had been forced out of the industry afterwards.
Before long, Gu Ning adjusted her emotions and calmed down. She looked to Leng Shaoting and complimented plainly, “Thank you so much for your fast and detailed information!”
Leng Shaoting was happy at being complimented by Gu Ning and said, “I’ve already sent people to find a store and an office building with a great location, but it takes time.” No matter what Gu Ning needed, he would help her do it right away. It was easy to get someone’s phone number, but it took time to find a good store and an office building. Moreover, Leng Shaoting wanted to give Gu Ning a few choices.
Gu Ning smiled resignedly, “Fine, then let’s go to the hotel together!” Leng Shaoting wanted to spend every second with Gu Ning, which was slightly annoying sometimes. Getting Gu Ning’s permission, Leng Shaoting beamed with happiness.
After breakfast, Gu Ning and Leng Shaoting left together.
The minute that Gu Ning arrived at the Jinlin Hotel, she read an extract from Duan Lixin’s imperial-harem drama. Gu Ning wasn’t a professional, but she was able to distinguish the good ones from the bad ones. She had to admit that this was an excellent novel.
After reading its extract, Gu Ning went on to read the first chapter of the novel. It was full of novelty and Gu Ning thought that it could be popular. “I think that this is really good. It will certainly be popular,” Gu Ning complimented.
Duan Lixin was excited that Gu Ning approved her novel.
“However, I think that it’ll be better if the director also likes it. The director will only be absorbed in shooting if he is interested in the story.” Although Gu Ning was the investor, she wasn’t a dictator. Hearing what Gu Ning had just said, Duan Lixin felt nervous again, but she couldn’t agree more with Gu Ning, because normally the director was the decision-maker when it came to the script.
“The New Year festival is around the corner. You can go back home and spend the festival with your family first, and we’ll discuss more after the festival. I’ll inform you. You don’t need to be worried,” Gu Ning said.
“Of course I trust you, Miss Gu.” Although Duan Lixin was anxious, she chose to believe Gu Ning.
Gu Ning and Leng Shaoting then left the hotel, and Gu Ning called Lu Zhan at once.
Lu Zhan was in a café, leaning against a sofa, sighing with sadness. He just finished a conversation with another director, but he didn’t get the result that he wanted. The director wanted Lu Zhan to be his co-director, but Lu Zhan’s name wouldn’t be shown on the screen, because he didn’t want to annoy the powerful person who had shut Lu Zhan out of the entertainment industry. Besides, Lu Zhan would only get the basic salary without a bonus, which was complete exploitation! However, if Lu Zhan disagreed, he wouldn’t find another suitable job.
All of a sudden, his phone rang, and it was a strange number.
“Hi.”
“Mr. Lu, this is Gu Ning. We met on the plane. I must apologize that I got your phone number without your permission, but I wanted to talk to you about our potential cooperation concerning TV shows and movies. Is it convenient for you to meet me?” Gu Ning asked politely.
Lu Zhan didn’t know Gu Ning’s name, but he recognized her voice. He was greatly surprised that she would call him. Gu Ning had apologized in the beginning because she had secretly gotten his phone number and Lu Zhan forgave her. And apparently she knew that he was a director, because she wanted to talk to him about TV shows and movies. As for Gu Ning’s invitation, Lu Zhan had no idea that Gu Ning was going to hire him. He thought that Gu Ning was probably a student who was majoring in film and wanted to learn something about that from him.
“Sure. I’m free now.” Lu Zhan welcomed her. Gu Ning had saved his life after all.
“Great! Where are you right now? I’ll come to you,” Gu Ning asked.
“I’m in California Café at table No. 8,” Lu Zhan replied.
Half an hour later, Gu Ning and Leng Shaoting found him in the café. Seeing Gu Ning and Leng Shaoting, Lu Zhan immediately stood up to greet them. “Nice to meet you! Please have a seat.”
“What do you want to drink?” Lu Zhan asked.
“Two cups of Mocha please,” Gu Ning said directly without reading the menu.
“Sure, please wait a second,” the waiter said and left.
“May I ask? Why do you want to talk about TV shows and movies?” Lu Zhan asked. Speaking about the topic, Lu Zhan instantly wore a serious expression, which showed that he was indeed a professional.
“I read the news about Director Lu, and heard that you’ve been shut out of the entertainment industry by a powerful figure till now,” Gu Ning put it plainly and wasn’t worried that Lu Zhan might be unhappy.
Lu Zhan, instead, was already used to it. “That’s true.”
Gu Ning smiled and asked, “Then do you want to come back? Do you want to be famous again or even more famous than two years ago?”