Qi Qin's face was naturally dark.
When he was unhappy, it appeared even darker and more lustrous.
Even Piao Shu, who was not well-versed in social graces, noticed something was wrong.
But Sister Fei, being the carefree person she was, didn't care about any of that.
Not only did she pester Luo Zheng for a song while tipsy, she even ran over to Zuxian's side, egging her on to join forces.
She completely ignored Qi Qin's dark expression.
Finally, Karen Mok couldn't bear to watch any longer and forcibly pushed her back into her seat, which finally quieted things down for a bit.
At this point, the atmosphere at the dinner table was somewhat stiff.
As the man at the center of this storm, Luo Zheng spoke up to break the awkwardness: "Sister Fei, Sister Zuxian, writing a song is no problem, but you have to agree to one condition."
As soon as he finished speaking, Sister Fei looked delighted, Zuxian showed anticipation, and a hint of disappointment flashed through Karen Mok's eyes.
How did I get left out?
Is it because I'm not showing enough leg?
Opposite them, Qi Qin drained a full 500ml glass of beer.
"Tell me the condition, and I'll agree to everything!"
Sister Fei slapped the table, making a loud thumping sound.
That heroic aura made it seem as if she'd even sell herself if necessary.
She didn't look at all like her usual aloof, laconic self.
One could only say that the tipsy Diva was fully expressing her true self.
"The five songs I brought out this afternoon—how about as an exchange, Sister Fei and Sister Zuxian each help me record one?"
"That's it?"
Sister Fei asked back; to her, this condition was far too simple.
It was practically giving it away for free.
It was just recording a song!
"Yes, but I want to specify which songs are recorded."
Luo Zheng nodded, a mischievous smirk curling the corner of his mouth at the same time.
Qi Qin, who had been watching him closely, captured this instantly, and his impatience turned into disgust.
"Fine, no problem. Those five songs of yours are all masterpieces; I'm not losing out."
Sister Fei didn't hesitate and agreed immediately.
Zuxian was about to speak when she was pulled slightly by Qi Qin next to her. Being naturally more laid-back, she didn't say anything further.
"President Luo, what about me!"
Karen Mok couldn't help herself and asked in a slightly playful tone.
It was as if her previous disappointment hadn't affected her mood at all.
Luo Zheng smiled and said, "Sister Karen is the same, of course. Just help me record a song and we're good."
"Alright, then I'll take advantage of this bargain."
Karen Mok stood up to clink glasses with Luo Zheng and downed a full glass of beer.
Her bold manner was not at all inferior to Sister Fei's.
As she sat down, she gave Zuxian a subtle glance.
The other woman was sitting there drinking Water, not competing or fighting for anything, her calm face still carrying a hint of melancholy.
What a perfectly mature woman.
Qi Qin couldn't stand the strange looks everyone kept casting his way.
He put down his glass and looked at Luo Zheng with a disdainful gaze: "President Luo, those five songs you wrote aren't suitable for Zuxian's voice. Why don't you name a price, and I'll buy a new song!"
Liu Huan immediately furrowed his brows upon hearing this; he felt Qi Qin was losing his mind.
He was blinded by jealousy.
He's a grown man, so why is he still acting like a child?
Clearly, although Zuxian cared about the songs Luo Zheng wrote, she cared even more about Qi Qin's opinion.
But now, with him acting like this, no one could save face.
He had also offended Luo Zheng for no reason.
Even though the other party wasn't in the music circle, he was developing toward becoming a major behind-the-scenes figure in the industry.
Even if you retire and live in seclusion later, won't your relatives and friends still be in the entertainment industry?
Liu Huan wanted to advise him but didn't know how to start.
At that moment, Luo Zheng tossed aside the skewer stick in his hand and said coldly without even looking up, "Teacher Qi Qin, you overstate the matter. Since Sister Zuxian has her difficulties, how could I force her?"
He paused, leaned back against his chair, and looked at Qi Qin with a gaze as sharp as a knife: "As for buying a song, I'm sorry, but my songs are priceless!"
As soon as these words came out, the dinner table was suddenly filled with a chilling tension.
Huang Bo stopped his movements and even quietly grabbed a beer bottle from the floor.
Everyone was looking at Luo Zheng with shock in their eyes; no one noticed his small action.
Everyone present was an industry big shot with status; if it ended with beer bottles being swung, it would become the biggest joke in the circle.
Only Huang Bo, who came from a rough background and held Luo Zheng in extremely high regard, would have such a train of thought.
Qi Qin had lost face and wanted to argue back, but Zuxian kicked his shin, and he shut his mouth, his face flushing red with frustration.
He looked just like Bao Zheng from the operas.
Seeing the explosive atmosphere subside, Zhang Yadong hurried to smooth things over, leading the topic in another direction.
Huang Bo looked at Luo Zheng, who was already chatting and laughing with Liu Huan, and finally put down the beer bottle under the table.
This scene was witnessed by Jane Zhang next to him, her large eyes full of astonishment.
She hadn't expected this colleague to be so reckless.
After Qi Qin's outburst, everyone's enthusiasm was halved.
The gathering ended hastily. As Luo Zheng came out of the restroom, he turned and bumped into Zuxian, who had also just come out.
Their eyes met, and Zuxian gave an apologetic smile.
Luo Zheng smiled back and was about to walk away when a gentle voice sounded: "President Luo, I'm very sorry, Qi Qin, he..."
"Sister Zuxian, there's no need to apologize. He is him, and you are you."
Luo Zheng interrupted her and, meeting her surprised gaze, continued: "If Sister Zuxian wants to bid farewell to the entertainment industry with a music album that leaves no regrets, you can come to Blue Whale Entertainment to find me."
Leaving behind a hook and a promise, Luo Zheng turned and left elegantly.
Zuxian froze on the spot, watching his back, a flicker of emotion passing through her calm eyes.
"What are you thinking about? Did he promise to write a song for you?"
Karen Mok's teasing voice sounded from behind; she was supporting Sister Fei, whose eyes were almost glazed over.
"It's nothing. I've already decided to retire, so let's forget about the song writing!"
Zuxian explained, as if trying to cover something up.
The gathering ended, and Luo Zheng left in a car with Huang Bo and Jane Zhang amidst everyone's farewells.
In the blink of an eye, two more days passed.
The day after tomorrow was the press conference for a world without thieves.
But Luo Zheng couldn't have a day off tomorrow; on the contrary, he had to report to school.
Although the Beijing Film Academy had already been in session for nearly a month, a seat had always been reserved for him in the classroom of the Class of '02 Director Department undergraduate program.
Originally, Luo Zheng wanted to try for the Performance Department, since he didn't plan on attending classes anyway.
Moreover, going to the Performance Department would allow him to be classmates with his cousin.
But he was ruthlessly rejected by the Director Department head, Tian Zhuangzhuang.
He had managed with great difficulty to bring a golden lion director into the Director Department; how could he let the Performance Department benefit for nothing?
Although the glory belonged to the Beijing Film Academy as a whole, it was better to keep things clear between the departments.
Seeing Tian Zhuangzhuang's persistence, he didn't mention it again.
Anyway, there weren't many beauties in the Class of '02 Performance Department; aside from Liu Yifei, only Jiang Yiyan was worth looking at.
The day before the a world without thieves press conference.
Luo Zheng climbed out of Xu Jinglei's bed early in the morning and headed to the Beijing Film Academy.
When ordinary students miss the start of the semester, they first go to the teacher's office to report and cancel their leave.
But for a golden lion director's first day of school, the department head would lead all faculty and students to welcome him at the university gate.
Moreover, a banner had been hung at the school gate three days ago.
[Warmly welcome Luo Zheng, the golden lion award-winning director of the 59th Venice International Film Festival, to enroll in the Beijing Film Academy for further studies]
Putting a golden lion director and the Beijing Film Academy together instantly raised the academy's prestige.
Passersby who didn't know better would think the Beijing Film Academy was incredibly impressive at first glance!
Even a golden lion director had to continue his studies there.
With such a major news story, how could the various media reporters be missing?
Thus, on the morning of September 30th, at the gate of the Beijing Film Academy...
It should have been the day before the National Day holiday, when students leave school early.
Now, however, it was packed to the brim.
Media reporters, school leaders, teachers, curious students from the Beijing Film Academy and the Shanghai Theatre Academy, as well as the general public...
All were waiting expectantly for one person's arrival.