"President Huang, Xiaoyu and I will head back first," Zhou Yun found an opportunity to say to Huang Zhong.
"Head back?" Huang Zhong frowned, "Leaving now would really lack consideration for others."
Zhou Yun was already displeased and said, "We aren’t here to sell smiles."
"Miss, you may not be selling smiles, but we’re here to sell films," Huang Zhong whispered, "If you don’t want to drink, I’ll take care of that for you, but can’t you do me a favor and stay a little longer? People came here for you, and if you don’t show up, what does that say?"
Zhou Yun retorted, "Look at that guy over there, he’s got lust written all over his face."
Huang Zhong chuckled, "Is that all it takes to stump you?"
Zhou Yun glanced sideways at Huang Zhong and said, "Disgusting."
"Miss, whether you find me disgusting or not, I am asking you for this favor. Those two are worth millions combined," pleaded Huang Zhong.
With Huang Zhong putting it that way, Zhou Yun had no choice but to compromise.
"Find someone to send her home first," said Zhou Yun.
Huang Zhong glanced at Li Yu, didn’t waste any words, nodded, and said, "Leave it to me."
Once they arrived at the KTV, Director Liu, holding Yu Yhan’s hand and a microphone in the other, approached Zhou Yun, saying, "Miss Zhou, you can’t drink, but you can at least sing a song for us all to hear, can’t you?"
Zhou Yun wasn’t about to throw a fit upon arriving, and smilingly said, "Sure, what would you like to hear, Director Liu?"
"Anything you sing, I’d love to hear."
So, Zhou Yun chose to sing "Qinghai-Tibet Plateau."
She belted out the song with a force that could split bamboo and a voice powerful enough to swallow mountains, breaking every note further as she climbed higher, effectively silencing the room filled with laughter and conversation.
After the song ended, Director Liu’s face was a picture of confusion.
He probably couldn’t fathom how such a celestial beauty like Zhou Yun could sing so forcefully and heart-wrenchingly.
Holding the microphone, Zhou Yun faced Director Liu and asked, "Director Liu, did you enjoy my rendition of ’Qinghai-Tibet Plateau’?"
Director Liu was lost for words for a moment and then said, "...I liked it."
Zhou Yun giggled, set down the microphone, and settled by the song-selection machine, "Let me know whatever songs you want to sing, I’ll queue them up for you."
She took a seat in the corner, steering clear of troubles.
As everyone began to sing, Zhou Yun used the excuse of going to the restroom to slip out of the private room and escaped to the end of the corridor by a window to get some fresh air.
The stars always twinkle on and off.
Lost in the stars, Zhou Yun didn’t even notice someone approaching from behind.
"First time in a situation ?"
Zhou Yun jumped, whirled around, and seeing it was Yin Zhou, relaxed.
"Why the shock?" he asked.
"You suddenly appearing behind me, you’re like a ghost. Of course, I was scared!" Zhou Yun said.
"Did you drink a lot?" Zhou Yun asked.
Yin Zhou nodded, "It’s okay, I’m not drunk. Sneaking off by yourself, not very loyal, are we?"
"Ugh, don’t get me started. If I had known it was this kind of dinner, I would’ve walked out straight away."
"That wouldn’t exactly be polite either."
"Yeah, that’s why I’m still torturing myself here," Zhou Yun said with a pout, looking aggrieved.
Yin Zhou commented, "Your company does a good job protecting you. In our place, learning to drink is a necessary skill."
Zhou Yun frowned, "Is that so?"
"Because we need to compete with many others, if you want to stand out, you have to find a way," Yin Zhou said with a sigh, "You’re lucky."
Zhou Yun thought to herself, she really was luckier compared to others. With Zhou Lan’s protection, she hadn’t attended such banquets in her debut year, and her rise to fame was unexpected.
"Aren’t you going back?" asked Yin Zhou.
"If I go back, I’ll have to endure their caterwauling again," Zhou Yun replied.
Shrugging his shoulders, Yin Zhou said, "Then I’m heading back first."
"Ah, then I’ll go back with you," Zhou Yun decided.
"You can’t just leave Xiao Gu all alone there," Yin Zhou said with a smile.
"You’re quite loyal."
By midnight, it was finally over.
Yin Zhou saw Director Cheng off to the car, smiling warmly as he bade farewell.
Turning around, he saw Yu Yhan arm in arm, staggering with that Mr. Liu towards the car.
"Be careful not to hurt your head, Mr. Liu," Yu Yhan said as she ushered him into the car.
The driver stood aside.
Clinging to Yu Yhan’s hand, Mr. Liu said, "Let’s continue drinking, Xiao Yhan."
Laughing, Yu Yhan replied, "Sure, Mr. Liu, we’ll continue drinking, but first you need to let go of my hand. How can I drink if you hold onto me?"
Mr. Liu beamed and let go of her hand.
Yu Yhan then nudged Mr. Liu further into the car.