Chapter 40: I Don't Attend Dinner Parties Without Pretty Girls

Zhou Le was forced to listen to Nazha complain for half the day. In the end, they didn't even get to play their game, as Nazha had to head off to her next filming location.

"Alright, put the phone away. Don't let them edit you into the show looking like that."

"Doesn't matter. They've already typecast me as the 'straight-talker' anyway. It's just a shame I can't go home for the New Year this year."

"Well then, let me wish you a happy New Year in advance."

Nazha replied with a 'hehe' sticker. "Men..."

After ending the chat, Zhou Le saw a few new text messages on his phone.

"[Railway Customer Service], Order E1865... Mr. Zhou, you have successfully purchased a ticket for Train G5 on January 5th, departing at 9:00."

"[Railway Customer Service], Order E3321... Mr. Zhou, you have successfully purchased a ticket for Train G18 on January 7th, departing at 10:08."

He stepped out of the bedroom. Su Yingxia was outside, charging her phone while playing a game on it.

"That was quick. You've already bought the tickets?"

"Yes, I followed your instructions and booked both the outbound and return trips. Also, I was just looking at hotels. Where were you planning to stay? I'll get that booked as well."

"Doesn't matter, anywhere is fine. Just nothing too expensive."

"Got it."

Su Yingxia did a quick search and found that hotels were quite pricey lately, and the ones with good value were already fully booked. "Brother Le, would a homestay be okay?"

"A homestay? Sure, that's fine. I don't really care as long as I have a place to sleep." Zhou Le was indifferent; he had stayed in portable cabins in Africa, so a homestay was paradise by comparison.

Soon, Su Yingxia had selected one. Zhou Le took a look. "Not bad, this place looks good... wait, why are there two bedrooms?"

Su Yingxia explained, "Because I'm going too. This counts as a business trip, and the company covers accommodation. So, if we book a two-bedroom homestay and put it under my name, I can claim the reimbursement."

Zhou Le’s eyes lit up. "You’re a genius!"

But then Su Yingxia remembered something. "Oh, by the way, Brother Le... about the train... I bought business class seats."

Zhou Le’s smile froze instantly. "How much were the business class seats?"

Su Yingxia suddenly worried she had done a disservice. She was the only one who knew that Brother Le only had five thousand yuan to his name. She had even told the company about his situation. Would this make him feel uncomfortable? Men were usually so concerned about their pride. What if he thought she was looking down on him?

"One thousand eight hundred... but Brother Le, I'm sorry, I made the call on my own after asking the company if they would cover it. Manager Lu told me to book business class. I shouldn't have..."

But Zhou Le’s expression shifted from worry back to joy. "That’s brilliant, Little Su! No wonder they said you were highly capable. I thought they were lying to me back then because you seemed so timid, but I didn't expect you to understand me so well. You’ve truly thought of everything I needed!"

"If it can be reimbursed, then that’s even better!"

Seeing Zhou Le’s genuine delight, Su Yingxia couldn't help but feel happy too. "I'm glad you're not angry, Brother."

"Why would I be angry? Isn't saving money a good thing?"

"Because celebrities usually don't..."

"What about celebrities? I'm a celebrity, but I'm not an idiot."

"Heh, true."

Zhou Le was genuinely pleased. This way, he only had to worry about food for the trip; everything else was already covered.

...

Zhou Le could only stay for two days this time, as he had an audition with Xu Zheng on the morning of the 8th. Since it was a collaboration between three famous directors, he had to go through the motions, even if the role was already internally decided.

On the morning of the 5th, the two arrived at the train station early. Although he had trended on social media once, Zhou Le’s fame was still low, so no one recognized him. However, since it was their first time in business class, they spent some time sneaking around before finally entering the VIP lounge. They felt a bit guilty helping themselves to the free snacks and coffee, but no one stopped them.

It made Zhou Le marvel at how the wicked rich could enjoy privileges everywhere they went. He kept in mind that he and his assistant, Su Yingxia, had less than six thousand yuan between them.

After arriving in Suzhou, Zhou Le went to find Tan Siyun. Su Yingxia had messaged him saying she was going to stay with friends, so that night, Tan Siyun told her parents she was meeting a college classmate and spent the night out with Zhou Le.

Tan Siyun didn't ask why they were staying in a homestay. There was showering, sleeping, drinking, showering, sleeping, sleeping, sleeping...

They didn't leave until 10:30 the next morning.

When Su Yingxia returned, Zhou Le smelled cigarette smoke on her. After some prying, he learned she had no friends in Suzhou at all; she had just spent the whole night in an internet cafe with her luggage, playing casual web games.

...

Just as Zhou Le was about to go to sleep, his phone rang. It was a vice president from the company in charge of artist management.

"Hello, Manager Lu."

"Zhou Le, where are you? Are you finished with your business?"

Zhou Le was confused. "I'm in Suzhou, just finished." He thought to himself that he was indeed busy—he had only managed three hours of sleep in total.

"Suzhou? Perfect, I'm in Suzhou too. Come over for dinner tonight. I'm here on a business trip and happened to run into the *Legend of the Condor Heroes* production crew during their promotional tour, so I set up a meeting. Since you're already in town, just come over. I'll introduce you to Director Guo."

"Sure." Zhou Le agreed immediately.

He was just glad it was dinner. He would definitely have to drink, and in his current state, he felt like he might just drop dead at the table.

Afterward, Zhou Le went back to his room and slept until 6:00 PM.

"Brother Le, I was just about to wake you. Time to get up and wash up so you can go to dinner with Manager Lu. I’ve laid your clothes out on the sofa for you."

"Aren't you coming?" Zhou Le asked as he grabbed a pair of fresh underwear from the sofa.

"I won't. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to join you. Besides, I've already ordered takeout; it should be here soon."

Zhou Le nodded. "Alright. I'll order you some bubble tea on my way. I really can't take you with me this time."

With that, he headed into the bathroom.

...

Zhou Le had heard of this version of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*. It was a remake directed by Guo Jingyu, starring Yang Xuwen and Li Yitong.

Zhou Le felt that no matter how they remade it, it would never surpass the classics. Although Li Yapeng’s acting was a bit wooden, Zhou Le was young back then and enjoyed it regardless—sentimental value, after all.

Still, it wasn't his place to critique it after he arrived. The director got traffic from the remake, the investors made money, and the actors got paid. Everyone was just doing their job.

Soon, he reached the restaurant. Guided by a waiter, Zhou Le entered the private room. As soon as he walked in, his eyes lit up.

There were quite a few beauties. No wonder everyone wanted to be a director.