"Come on, my ancestor! I've told you so many times. This role was arranged for you by the company. You can't act like this. It won't do you any good to go against the company!" Wang Wei was practically ready to bare his heart to Lu Zhihang.
"That's no excuse for you to turn off my computer."
Lu Zhihang's face looked extremely grim. The sharpness already on his face was now tinged with an aura of "keep your distance."
The dressing room was just ahead. Seeing Lu Zhihang's expression, Wang Wei quickly stepped in front of him.
"Lu Zhihang, you've told me many times that you won't slack off on work!" Wang Wei was a bit angry as he glared at him.
Lu Zhihang was a head taller than Wang Wei. It was okay when they were far apart, but when they were close, Lu Zhihang's imposing presence was even more overwhelming. Wang Wei swallowed hard and forced himself not to take a step back.
"When did I ever slack off on work?" Lu Zhihang glanced at him sideways. His expression was still far from pleasant, but it had softened a bit compared to before.
Wang Wei looked at him suspiciously and finally stepped aside. "Then don't give people the cold shoulder!"
"If I don't give the cold shoulder, how can I play a domineering CEO?" Lu Zhihang said without looking back as he walked into the dressing room.
Wang Wei stood there stunned for a moment. His heart tightened again. Just as he was about to follow in, he heard Lu Zhihang's smiling voice from inside.
"Sister Wang, it's such an honor to work with you again this time."
This Sister Wang was Lu Zhihang's makeup artist. Hearing his words, a smile spread across her face. "What are you saying, Xiaolu? We makeup artists just love working with someone like you. We don't have to put in much effort, and we can still get paid while slacking off a bit at work."
Lu Zhihang smiled and put a finger to his lips. "Shh, keep your voice down. Don't let Director Liu hear this. He'll cut our pay."
"Haha..." Sister Wang laughed and motioned for Lu Zhihang to sit down.
Hearing this from outside, Wang Wei heaved a sigh of relief. Apparently, although Lu Zhihang was not in a good mood, he still behaved as usual.
The first scene started soon.
This was a modern drama about a domineering CEO. The company had specifically chosen this role for Lu Zhihang to increase his public exposure and attract more fans so that the company could profit from him.
Originally, Lu Zhihang didn't really want to take on this role, but since he still had a one - year contract with the company, he couldn't refuse.
This scene was about Lu Zhihang, as the CEO of a company, having his first encounter with the female lead. It was a cliché plot. Although Lu Zhihang was not very enthusiastic, he still cooperated fully and passed the scene on the first take.
As soon as the director said "Cut," he immediately politely let go of the blushing female lead, gave her a gentle smile, and then turned around and went back to the dressing room to touch up his makeup.
On the other side of the set, a man with an air bang slightly squinted his eyes as he watched Lu Zhihang's back.
"Is everything ready?"
"Ready, Brother Yang."
"The next scene is mine with him. You guys go into his dressing room and set it up when it's empty."
"Okay."
...
Lu Zhihang didn't rest in the dressing room for long before the stagehand came to inform him that the next scene was about to start. He had no choice but to leave the dressing room and walk towards the set.
"You'd better stay away from her." The man stepped forward and grabbed Lu Zhihang's collar.
Lu Zhihang frowned slightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone running by. A flash of irritation crossed his mind. He raised his hand and made a gesture. "Director Liu, I'm sorry. I'm not in the right state. Give me a few minutes."
Everyone on the set was stunned. Director Liu quickly waved his hand. "It's okay, it's okay. Xiaolu, if you're tired, we can shoot the next scene first. You go back and rest for a while."
"No need." Lu Zhihang waved his hand and wiped his face. His eyes scanned the people around him and he frowned slightly. He felt a sense of unease in his heart. After a few minutes, he said with a bit of apology, "I'm okay. Let's start."
This scene also passed quickly. Maybe because he was in a bad mood, after the director said "Cut," Lu Zhihang, contrary to his usual self, walked straight into his dressing room without saying hello to anyone.
Sister Wang stood outside, looking worried.
"Xiaolu, are you okay? What happened just now..."
Lu Zhihang waved his hand. "It's okay, Sister Wang. I'm just a bit tired. I'll be fine after a rest. Don't tell Wang Wei. He'll worry."
Sister Wang opened her mouth but finally said nothing. She nodded and didn't follow into the dressing room.
When the door was opened again, Lu Zhihang was startled. He suddenly opened his eyes and looked towards the door.
Standing at the door was an unfamiliar man. Lu Zhihang knew him. His name was Zuo Yang, the second male lead in this drama.
Lu Zhihang remembered that Wang Wei had mentioned Zuo Yang to him. He was a bit older than Lu Zhihang. He should have been a senior in the movie circle, but due to lack of resources, he was still struggling in the TV drama field at this age. Originally, he was supposed to be the first male lead in this drama, but for some reason the company had made him the second male lead and given Lu Zhihang the first male lead role.
Lu Zhihang sat up straight and looked at Zuo Yang at the door. "Brother Yang, do you need something?"
Zuo Yang looked at Lu Zhihang and showed a kind smile. "Ah, I felt that your mood was not very good during the scene just now. I came to ask." Then he handed the bottle of water in his hand to Lu Zhihang.
Lu Zhihang looked at the bottle of water and was silent for a moment. He reached out to take it, said thank you, and then turned around and put it on the dressing table beside him.
"Brother Yang, do you have anything else?" Seeing that Zuo Yang didn't leave, Lu Zhihang raised his eyebrows and asked.
Zuo Yang forced a laugh. "Xiaolu, you debuted a few years later than me, but you've already gained so many fans and popularity. It's really enviable..."
Lu Zhihang twitched the corner of his mouth. There was clearly something else hidden in Zuo Yang's words.
"You've had such good resources all the way. Logically, you should have entered the movie circle long ago. Why are you still..."
"Brother Yang, I really don't know what good resources I've had. I got all those roles through auditions with my own ability. Even if there were one or two exceptions, it wasn't my intention. If you think it's unfair, why don't you talk to your company?"
Zuo Yang's face turned red and then pale.
Lu Zhihang smiled and patted Zuo Yang's shoulder. "Brother Yang, don't talk in such a sarcastic way. I, Lu Zhihang, never let myself get the short end of the stick. If you want resources, don't come to me."
"I didn't!" Zuo Yang was stunned for a moment and quickly said, his voice rising an octave in anxiety.
"Since you didn't, then please leave. I'm not feeling well." Lu Zhihang frowned and his face turned cold.
... Zuo Yang's expression changed constantly. Finally, it all turned into an expression of grievance. He said timidly, "Xiaolu, if I've done anything to make you angry, I apologize - I'm sorry for disturbing you."
Lu Zhihang raised his eyebrows. A strange feeling flashed through his mind.