I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping
Chapter 235 - 232 Fox Spirit (Thanks for the tip!)

Chapter 235: 232 Fox Spirit (Thanks for the tip!)

"Yun Xi, I want to congratulate you in advance, as the Golden Rooster for Best Actress this session is undoubtedly going to be yours."

In the northeast corner of the banquet hall.

By a column.

A man in his thirties raised his clear high-stemmed glass to Pei Yunxi.

"If it’s not me, then you’ll have to make it up to me."

Pei Yunxi took a sip of champagne.

From the tone of her voice, it was evident they were well-acquainted.

Gao Yaqiang, a domestic leading male star known for his powerful acting, had already won the Huabiao and East Sea International Film Festival’s Best Actor awards. With masculine features, he generally played tough guy roles on screen.

Since they were colleagues and had cooperated once, their relationship was naturally quite good,

"The last time you missed out was just because of seniority issues. There was a lot of sympathy for you. This time, ’The Grand Era’ is a mainstream film, and looking at the current situation, no other films being released at the same time can compete with it. As long as ’The Grand Era’ wins Best Film, how can the Best Actress award elude you?"

Gao Yaqiang drank his wine, seemingly more confident than the other party.

"I’ll take your auspicious words then,"

Pei Yunxi chuckled lightly.

Just as Gao Yaqiang was about to say something, he suddenly changed his expression, and his whole demeanor became restrained.

"Director Shi."

He called out to someone behind Pei Yunxi.

"What are you discussing?"

Shi Zhenhua approached with a calm smile, alone, without any entourage, but still managed to exert tremendous pressure.

This must be what they mean by ’aura.’

"Yun Xi and I were talking about ’The Grand Era.’ I was thinking if the crew still needed extras, she could introduce me to some,"

Gao Yaqiang, who was normally unflinching against formidable opponents on the screen, said with a forced smile.

Pei Yunxi remained silent as she felt someone stand beside her.

"I heard Director Zhang already approached you, but you declined because you had no available dates, didn’t you?"

Shi Zhenhua asked with a laugh.

Gao Yaqiang’s heart tightened, not expecting the other man to know such a minor detail.

He was keenly aware that this helmsman of Jinhai Industrial was the main investor in ’The Grand Era.’

"For a great film like ’The Grand Era,’ I would of course be willing to participate, even if it was just as an extra. It’s true that I was filming another movie when Director Zhang approached me, but now I’m about to wrap up,"

Gao Yaqiang explained quickly, appearing outwardly dignified, but his underlying concern of possibly upsetting the other person was evident.

No matter what their public image, those who made a name for themselves in the entertainment industry were hardly ever the so-called true ’straight, steel men.’

After exchanging pleasantries, Gao Yaqiang tactfully found an excuse to leave.

The acting profession is one prone to friction, as a single production could take a year or more to film, and often actors play lovers, which can easily lead to genuine affection over time.

And that’s to say nothing of a beauty like Pei Yunxi.

While the entertainment industry never lacks so-called beauties, few can reach her level.

A few years ago, when they collaborated, Pei Yunxi hadn’t been as popular as she was now, but Gao Yaqiang was already successful and was the lead male in the production.

No one knew that at that time, Gao Yaqiang, who had firmly entered the ranks of top male stars, was struck with a sudden infatuation upon laying eyes on this ’junior,’ and subsequently started a low-key pursuit.

Gao Yaqiang was well aware of the industry’s rules and had initially thought that Pei Yunxi, who wasn’t even considered for the role of the second female lead, wouldn’t reject him, as it was a good opportunity to rise in rank. However, she ignored his tentative advances and declined in a tactful manner.

Of course, he didn’t give up, but she was different from other female artists in this circle.

It’s no exaggeration to say that with his status in the industry, if he extended an invitation, second and third-tier actresses would hardly refuse, regardless of whether they were married or in a relationship. Yet, she never responded to him at all.

Latter on.

He heard a rumor.

Those who make it in the entertainment industry rely on more than just acting skills.

Gao Yaqiang decisively squashed that bit of fondness he felt.

While he was a leading actor, vying with a giant like Jinhai Industrial for a woman was beyond him.

At any moment, they could ruin his career and reputation.

Everyone desires beautiful things.

But importantly, you must have the strength to protect them, otherwise, a beauty could turn into a disaster.

"Miss Pei, it truly is difficult to get a chance to see you,"

After Gao Yaqiang left, Shi Zhenhua turned his attention to the woman beside him.

Even though most of the women at the banquet hall that evening were well-preserved ladies of leisure, it was hard to find anyone who could outshine this actress.

"Director Shi, you’re joking,"

The scenario Pei Yunxi feared most had still occurred.

Yet, she was prepared for it and displayed a formulaic smile with her picturesque face.

"Director Shi is busy with important matters, and I simply didn’t wish to waste your time."

Her words had a double meaning.

One may avoid for a while, but not forever.

She felt it was necessary to express her intentions to him.

"Haha, even with my busy schedule, I still find time to eat. It seems, though, that Miss Pei is even busier than I am,"

Shi Zhenhua acted as if he didn’t catch the hidden message in Pei Yunxi’s words. Just by appearance, it was difficult to believe that this man was over fifty.

Of course.

When the business tycoon stood beside the prime-aged Pei Yunxi, the age difference was obvious.

However, age gaps are rarely a problem in high society, where examples of older men married to younger women are commonplace.

After divorcing his original wife, he remarried a young wife who was even younger than his own child; such individuals were definitely not few and far between at the event.

Seeing that the other person was not holding back at all, and even continuing to be aggressive, Pei Yunxi’s smile slightly stiffened.

Ever since her student days, she had no idea how many people she had turned down. Initially, she would explain things clearly, but later, she grew tired of it and chose to handle it coldly, using non-reply as a solution to everything, but for someone like Shi Zhenhua, the previous methods were undoubtedly no longer applicable.

Perhaps many people would think this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to achieve class mobility by marrying into a wealthy family, to accomplish the ultimate achievement of a female star, to the extent that even her boss and good friend as well as Yang Ni had brought it up to her in a subtle manner.

But if the goal of her life was just to marry into a wealthy family, what was the point of her perseverance all along?

"Director Shi, you are the investor of ’Magnificent Era’, and I am the leading actress of ’Magnificent Era’. If the media were to capture us meeting privately, who knows what kind of rumors it would stir up. I hope Director Shi can understand,"

Pei Yunxi dodged the important issue and advanced by retreating.

Her agile response left Shi Zhenhua momentarily speechless,

After a moment of silence, Shi Zhenhua let out a deep chuckle.

"Miss Pei indeed thinks everything through."

Pei Yunxi remained noncommittal, raising her wine glass, "Thank you, Director Shi, for your constant care."

Shi Zhenhua smiled without saying a word and took a sip of wine with her.

"Dad!"

A petulant cry rang out, mixed with a hint of coldness.

Shi Zhenhua turned his head.

"You girl, where have you run off to? Didn’t I tell you to come over earlier?"

Miss Shi, making her dazzling entrance, quickly walked to her father’s side. Ignoring her father’s complaint, her eyes firmly fixated on Pei Yunxi.

Pei Yunxi’s expression remained unchanged, maintaining an elegantly appealing polite smile.

"Let me introduce you, Miss Pei. This is my daughter, Qian Qian, that must be a name you recognize."

"Miss Shi."

Pei Yunxi took the initiative to greet her.

But the other party was nothing like her in terms of courtesy.

"You’re indeed quite pretty; no wonder you’re so good at seducing men!"

Even though Pei Yunxi was a professional actress with extraordinary ability to manage her expressions, being insulted to her face inevitably caused her smile to stiffen.

"Qian Qian!"

Shi Zhenhua’s face instantly darkened, not expecting his daughter to start off with such a hurtful remark, and he immediately reprimanded her: "Apologize to Miss Pei."

"I will not!"

Miss Shi was not the kind of person to admit fault easily, especially since she didn’t think she was wrong to begin with.

Although her mother always said it was because the love had faded, and the divorce was a mutual decision, she always felt that her mother was merely comforting her.

If it weren’t for these seductresses outside, her parents wouldn’t have split up at all!

"Why should I apologize to her? Was what I said wrong? Isn’t it true that people like her are just living off their faces?"

"Director Shi, I’m going to the restroom; please excuse me for a moment,"

As if she hadn’t heard anything, Pei Yunxi said to Shi Zhenhua, and before leaving, she even politely smiled at Shi Qianxi.

Her composure was astonishing.

But this was also the only choice.

This was a charity banquet, and her adversary was the treasured daughter of Gao Yaqiang, the head of East Sea Industries. Making a scene would not be of any benefit to her at all but would only result in an even more embarrassing situation.

Leaving decisively was the most dignity she could secure for herself.

"Heh, worthy of being an actress; you really know how to act."

Shi Qianxi sneered, clearly seeing her as a sly vixen with ulterior motives.

She had heard about such women countless times in her social circles!

On the surface, they appear pitiful and yielding, but in reality, their minds are immeasurably deep. All the pretense is just to become a phoenix and soar to the treetop.

"Qian Qian, how can you not even understand basic manners? Has Miss Pei offended you? What gives you the right to insult her like that?!"

Even though he doted on his only beloved daughter, Shi Zhenhua still couldn’t help feeling angry at this moment.

"She hasn’t offended me, but who asked her to be a vixen!"

Miss Shi declared confidently.

"You..."

Shi Zhenhua glared furiously, his aura fierce.

Most people certainly wouldn’t be able to withstand it, but unfortunately, this was no ordinary person.

Shi Qianxi, with her bright and lustrous melon-seed face, held her ground against her father’s gaze, a picture of stubbornness without regret.

"Dad, can you say that there’s nothing more than pure between you and her?"

She even questioned him.

Shi Zhenhua’s face went through a series of changes and he remained silent for a long while.

Father and daughter stared each other down.

In the end, the capital tycoon who could command the winds and summon the rain in East Sea ultimately had no recourse with his daughter, letting out a sigh and changing the subject.

"Let’s go, I’ll introduce you to some uncles and elders."

"Wait, Dad, there’s someone I want you to meet."

"Who?"

Shi Zhenhua raised his eyebrows.

Shi Qianxi reached out to grab someone next to her, but her hand grasped nothing; puzzled, she turned her head, only to see the area around her empty.

"Huh, where is he?"