Chapter 99
The live, on-the-spot gossip session left everyone deeply satisfied.
Lin Zhiqiao slept wonderfully that night, and early the next morning, he received a notice from Director Xu.
He had passed the audition.
Although he had already had a vague feeling about it, when the news actually came, Lin Zhiqiao still felt a little dazed.
This was his first lead role! And not just any lead role, but one in collaboration with Director Xu!!!
Even a laid-back salted-fish type like Lin Zhiqiao could not help wanting to celebrate.
But Director Xu gave him no time to do so. Over the next half month, Lin Zhiqiao threw himself headfirst into Director Xu’s production crew. The intense shooting schedule was so demanding that he barely had a moment to breathe.
Besides Lin Zhiqiao passing the audition, Ji Ran and Pei Ning also secured two supporting roles in All Things Have Spirit through their own audition performances.
Netizens described them with one phrase: basically playing themselves.
Ji Ran’s character was just like him—loud, excitable, and quick-tempered—while Pei Ning’s role was likewise a cold, aloof goddess, just like herself.
Although the others had not passed their auditions, Director Xu still arranged suitable extra roles for them. In their spare time, they also took on the duty of “commentators,” providing live commentary for the audience in the livestream.
Busy days always passed quickly. Half a month later, the short drama All Things Have Spirit successfully wrapped filming.
At the wrap party, Lin Zhiqiao slumped in his seat, too tired to move a muscle.
“This is exactly me after working overtime till midnight and finally getting home. [salted-fish collapse.jpg]”
“Pat pat Xiao Qiao—our Xiao Qiao really made it!”
“Even though most of the filming process was livestreamed… I’m still so looking forward to the final cut!!!”
“Oh no, it feels like that one friend who always lies around with you suddenly became ridiculously amazing. [mixed emotions.jpg]”
Zhao Meng patted Lin Zhiqiao on the shoulder. “You did pretty well. If there’s a chance, want to work together again next time?”
Lin Zhiqiao shivered on the spot and stammered, “Th-thank you for your appreciation, Director Zhao…”
Please spare me, I’m begging you, wuwuwu!!!
For once, Zhao Meng was grinning so hard that his teeth showed. He was obviously in an excellent mood.
And when he saw the newcomer, his mood got even better.
“A rare guest, Xiaoshi.” Zhao Meng looked a little surprised. “I thought you wouldn’t have time to come.”
Song Fengshi gave a slight nod. “I happened to be free, so I came.”
His gaze then fell on Lin Zhiqiao sitting nearby.
Hearing a familiar voice that seemed very unlikely to appear here, Lin Zhiqiao looked up reflexively.
“President Song?” he blurted out. Then, seeing the slight frown of disapproval on the other man’s face, he immediately corrected himself. “Song Fengshi.”
Song Fengshi’s brows immediately relaxed.
Zhao Meng’s brows lifted. He instantly caught the unusual note in his grand-nephew’s reaction.
He gave Song Fengshi a familiar slap on the shoulder. “Thanks for sending me such a promising talent.” Then he lowered his voice and spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear. “You’ve got good taste.”
After saying that, Zhao Meng waved his hand at them. “You two chat, you two chat.” Then he strolled away.
Lin Zhiqiao watched him leave, then turned to Song Fengshi and asked curiously, “What did Director Zhao mean by that?”
“Nothing much,” Song Fengshi said calmly, naturally sitting down beside Lin Zhiqiao. “When we were chatting before, I mentioned you to him once.”
Lin Zhiqiao blinked, suddenly realizing that Director Fang had likely been able to persuade stubborn old Director Zhao so smoothly to participate in the program at least partly because of Song Fengshi.
So he said softly, “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” Song Fengshi said, taking down a small plate of pastries from the table and setting it in front of Lin Zhiqiao. “The reason you got this opportunity was your own ability, not me.”
“I still have to thank you.” Lin Zhiqiao curved his eyes into a smile. “You know Director Zhao? Why are you here at the wrap party?”
“Director Zhao is my great-uncle,” Song Fengshi said without hiding it. “I’m one of the investors in All Things Have Spirit.”
Lin Zhiqiao let out an “oh” and picked up one of the pastries Song Fengshi had set before him.
It was osmanthus cake, which he loved. Lightly sweet with a delicate osmanthus fragrance, it was rich without being cloying, and delicious enough to melt away much of the fatigue from his nonstop work lately.
“So Director Zhao and President Song really are relatives? The rumors were actually true. [frozen in shock.jpg]”
“No wonder Director Zhao dares to be so tough. If he dislikes an actor, he can replace them immediately. That backing is insane—someone with that kind of background could probably walk sideways in the entertainment circle.”
“Is no one going to mention the meaningful look Director Zhao gave President Song and Xiao Qiao before he left? [marmot rubbing hands.jpg]”
“And President Song handing over the pastries was way too natural. It doesn’t look like it was his first time doing that. [secretly peeking.jpg]”
The osmanthus cake was small, and Lin Zhiqiao finished the last bite quickly. In the next instant, another pastry appeared before him—a crisp, fragrant walnut shortbread.
Lin Zhiqiao discreetly touched his stomach. It was still flat, and he could even feel a thin layer of muscle definition. There was not the slightest sign of weight gain.
So he gladly accepted every pastry placed before him.
His movements were subtle, but Song Fengshi, seated right beside him, saw everything clearly.
He pressed his lips together, but still could not hide the slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth.
“One indulgence won’t make you gain weight,” Song Fengshi said with a light cough. “Filming’s wrapped now—letting yourself eat a little more shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Lin Zhiqiao nodded. “It’s fine. I usually don’t gain weight easily.”
“What? Doesn’t gain weight?! [who’s jealous? me QAQ.jpg]”
“President Song, could you possibly be any more indulgent? [pointing fingers.jpg]”
The dishes at the wrap banquet were excellent. Lin Zhiqiao had not had a proper meal like this in over half a month, and he finally ate to his heart’s content.
After the meal, Song Fengshi brought it up as if casually: “Are you free this weekend?”
“This weekend?” Lin Zhiqiao thought for a moment. “I should be. My manager hasn’t scheduled anything for me so far.”
Song Fengshi then said, “There’s an auction this weekend. Want to go together?”
“I could, but…” Lin Zhiqiao was a little surprised by the sudden invitation. “Just the two of us?”
“And Xiao Qiu,” Song Fengshi said. “Xiao Qiu likes you very much. She’s been asking me these past days when she could play with you again.”
Lin Zhiqiao knew the “Xiao Qiu” he meant was his little niece, Song Xinqiu.
To receive affection from that mature-beyond-her-years little girl, Lin Zhiqiao felt oddly flattered. “Really?”
Song Fengshi nodded. “Mm. Xiao Qiu is usually very busy with school. It’s rare that she’s free this weekend. If you come too, she’ll be even happier.”
To be honest, Lin Zhiqiao quite liked the child as well.
As long as they were not unruly, human children were naturally lovable—let alone one like Song Xinqiu, who had inherited the Song family’s good looks and was both adorable and well-behaved.
“Alright then,” Lin Zhiqiao said. “Where’s the auction being held?”
Song Fengshi imperceptibly let out a small sigh of relief and immediately replied, “It’s fine, I’ll pick you up then.” He paused, then added, “After the auction, let’s have a meal together.”
Before Lin Zhiqiao could respond, he quickly added, “I still owe you a meal.”
Song Fengshi lightly tapped his own chest.
Lin Zhiqiao immediately realized he was referring to the “life-saving favor” from before.
“Sure,” he said. “Are we going to Nanjiang Restaurant again?”
Song Fengshi asked, “You want to go there?”
“I do.” Lin Zhiqiao nodded. “Their food is really good.”
Good, but expensive. Normally I could never bear to eat there, QAQ.
“Alright, then we’ll go to Nanjiang Restaurant,” Song Fengshi said. His lips pressed together again, but a trace of a smile still leaked into his eyes. “You really like it?”
Lin Zhiqiao answered with perfect honesty: “I like it a lot.”
So Song Fengshi took out a small card and handed it to him. “If you want to eat there in the future, just go. Give them my name and tell them to put it on my tab.”
Lin Zhiqiao was shamelessly tempted. “Th-this… is that really okay?”
“There’s nothing not okay about it.” Song Fengshi let out a soft laugh. “It’s just a few meals. You’re not going to eat me into poverty.”
Lin Zhiqiao blinked.
True enough. President Song has a huge business empire—just a few meals… hehe.
Delighted, Lin Zhiqiao accepted the little card, so happy that his brows almost flew up to his temples. “Thank you, President Song!”
This time, Song Fengshi did not correct how he addressed him.
His fingers unconsciously curled slightly. Just then, for a brief moment, he had nearly been unable to resist the urge to reach out and ruffle that soft chestnut-colored curly hair.
“Sudden sugar attack with no warning—someone get me my insulin. [clutching chest.jpg]”
“A lifetime free VVVVIP card to Nanjiang Restaurant—if this isn’t special treatment, then what is? Hehehe.”
“President Song, is it really your little niece who likes our Xiao Qiao? Really? Really? [I see through everything stare.jpg]”
“That look… there’s more than a little something suspicious there.”
“How is anyone supposed to resist shipping this? [fainted from sweetness.jpg]”
“President Song, please, can the weekend auction trip be livestreamed from start to finish? The children truly need it!!!”
