Chapter 76: Sharing a Meal

Liu Yun was momentarily taken aback by Chu Luoxi’s question, but then he smiled and replied, “To be honest, I’m not surprised at all.” When had that man ever failed at something he set his mind to? Though he had no idea why Xiao Jingxuan had taken an interest in Chu Luoxi, introducing a script was nothing more than a trivial task for him if he wanted to do it.

“Uh…” Chu Luoxi hesitated, a bit tangled. This person’s reaction was truly not endearing in the least.

Perhaps sensing Chu Luoxi’s frustration, Liu Yun stifled a laugh, appearing thoughtful. Maybe he had actually guessed Xiao Jingxuan’s intentions. Wasn’t it lonely at the top? Heh, it seemed that man’s vision was as keen as ever.

Soon after, the dishes they’d ordered arrived, and everyone gathered around a large table, making the atmosphere lively and festive. The spread was abundant, almost extravagant.

It was quite a sight—some at the table wore dragon robes, others palace gowns, and still others modern casual wear, skirts, or suits. It was truly a microcosm of life, with a touch of comedy.

“Huang Zixue, although your mistake has made you so conscientious that we’re all enjoying this feast, don’t make the same mistake next time!” Qiu Xian chided as he ate, really just teasing someone. The trouble this guy caused was simply too amusing.

Huang Zixue grimaced, glancing at everyone as laughter erupted around the table. “Director Qiu, let’s not dredge up old stories. No matter how delicious this is, it can’t stop your mouth, huh?” Today had certainly been embarrassing—just how long would these people keep laughing about it?

Chu Luoxi kept her head down, focusing on her food and pretending she didn’t exist, occasionally flashing a shy, embarrassed smile. As the other half of the joke, she felt she should vanish a bit more thoroughly.

After another round of laughter, no one pressed further. After all, everyone got along well enough, and if it went on, the teasing might take a different turn.

Then the conversation drifted to other amusing topics—such as the recent uproar surrounding Zhou Yuying, which had affected so many celebrities, or who had appeared on which entertainment programs, and what scandals or funny stories had emerged. All in all, it was a compendium of gossip, and sharing it kept everyone up to date.

It’s well known that on set, the more important the role, the less time one has to pay attention to outside news—just as the great Bai Yun had once joked, it was like being in seclusion. So these private conversations were important; whenever there was time, people caught up on the latest information, and during dinner parties like this, they’d chat, exchange impressions, and find a bit of pleasure in it.

“Empress Dowager, have some of this.” Chu Luoxi picked up some light vegetables with the public chopsticks and placed them on the plate of the senior actress beside her, choosing soft options suitable for the elderly.

Chu Luoxi certainly recognized the actress playing the Empress Dowager—Xia Qing. In her youth, she had been a celebrated performer with legions of fans; even now, her name remained widely known among audiences. The many classic roles Xia Qing had created over the years were difficult for anyone to surpass, marking her as a symbol of an era.

Now, Xia Qing was still active on television, but as age caught up with her, she mostly played empresses and elderly ladies—her presence could be seen in countless productions.

In fact, Chu Luoxi was quite familiar with her, having crossed paths with Xia Qing many times in her past life. She knew that Xia Qing was not in need of money but truly loved acting. So, not knowing what else to do as she grew older, and with the television industry always in need of seasoned performers, she continued to take roles.

Moreover, Xia Qing had acted for nearly a lifetime, her network in the industry far beyond the reach of most, and her reputation and audience affinity made her a popular choice for casting—she was never short of roles.

Looking at the vegetables in her bowl, Xia Qing smiled gently. After glancing at Chu Luoxi to confirm there were no ulterior motives, she relaxed her guard.

Given her seniority, Xia Qing was rarely absent from these cast gatherings, but there was seldom much suitable for an older person to eat. She joined mainly for the lively company and to maintain relationships. Each generation overtakes the last—the river’s waves push ever forward—and she couldn’t just rest on her laurels.

Still, a veteran actress always has something of value, and for no particular reason, she easily attracted others’ scrutiny. The entertainment world was growing more complicated, so Xia Qing remained cautious with anyone who approached her.

Chu Luoxi was well aware of this. In her previous life, she had befriended Xia Qing by sincerely respecting her as a senior, and this had brought her many benefits. The help she received from Xia Qing was pivotal in reaching where she had. She had had no ulterior motives in her past life, and even less so now, despite knowing how influential Xia Qing was.

Chu Luoxi had already resolved that this time she would follow her heart. Toward Xia Qing, she felt only respect and deep gratitude. She understood that in such gatherings, the elderly rarely ate their fill—not just because of the dishes, but also because of where they sat. If the food was too far, they were too tired to reach for it. For them, these events were about socializing, not eating.

When taking her seat, Chu Luoxi had deliberately chosen to sit by Xia Qing, though it appeared accidental. Knowing Xia Qing’s preferences, she could at least help her get several more bites of suitable food, sparing her the need for a later snack, which would only cause indigestion.

She understood that Xia Qing might be suspicious at first, but Chu Luoxi had a clear conscience. Besides, after a lifetime in the business, Xia Qing’s eyes were sharper than most; she could immediately sense who was genuine and who harbored hidden agendas.

Xia Qing was a little surprised by this. She’d originally thought Chu Luoxi was calculating, but the more she observed, the more she realized that even if Chu Luoxi had an agenda, she was still sincere in her care. From the start, Chu Luoxi had looked after her, barely eating herself. The dishes Chu Luoxi chose were not only suitable for her but also just happened to be her favorites—was it all coincidence?

Despite these musings, Xia Qing accepted it all with a smile, enjoying her meal. It was rare for her to eat so comfortably at such a gathering—usually, after a few bites, she wouldn’t want any more, even if she was still hungry. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

“This glutinous rice is very good, but it’s sweet. Just have a couple of bites, Empress Dowager, too much won’t digest easily,” Chu Luoxi said softly as she scooped a spoonful onto a clean plate for Xia Qing.

“Mmm!” Xia Qing tasted it happily; it was soft and sweet to the heart.

Chu Luoxi’s actions had long attracted attention. Over time, more and more people were watching her—some admiring her thoughtfulness, others waiting to see what she was up to, each with their own ideas.

Suddenly realizing everyone’s eyes were on her, Chu Luoxi smiled sheepishly and scratched her head, playing the fool. “Um, the table’s so big, and I saw the Empress Dowager having trouble eating, so I just wanted to help…”