Wu Xuehan sensed the abnormal atmosphere in the dormitory, pursed her lips, and changed the subject: "However, if the script is good enough, Ah Li would still consider it. After all, Ah Li isn’t the kind of actress who takes on bad projects just for high paychecks; we value professional ethics."
After saying that, she turned and ran to the kitchen, soon returning with a hot water kettle.
In her other hand were two clean glass cups.
"Director, would you like some plain boiled water or Da Hong Pao tea?" Wu Xuehan placed the glass cups on the table, turned her head towards Feng Qi standing behind the door, and asked: "And for Mr. Feng, I remember you don’t like tea, do you?"
Qi Liang glanced at Wu Xuehan, who has a likable round face, and those round and foolishly charming eyes, snorted with a spark of amusement in his gaze towards Tang Li: "Your assistant can change faces so fast, she’s top-notch even in today’s circles."
Before Tang Li could speak, Wu Xuehan continued: "Director, you are mistaken, I am not Tang Li’s assistant, so the words I just said only represent my own opinion."
Wu Xuehan put down the hot water kettle: "You two talk, I’ll go next door for a bit."
After a few seconds, her head reappeared in the open door, beckoning Tang Li: "Ah Li, come out for a sec, I suddenly remembered there’s something very important I didn’t tell you."
Tang Li stepped out of the dormitory and Wu Xuehan pulled her aside, whispering earnestly: "Ah Li, I’m telling you, you can lose anything but never lose your momentum!"
"The director is coming to you now because he needs you. I saw in an interview show before, in situations , you can’t be too easy-going. You’ll be looked down upon and when the project starts, even the staff might bully you."
Watching Wu Xuehan’s serious and worried face, Tang Li couldn’t help but feel both amused and touched: "What show did you watch again?"
"A talk show," Wu Xuehan pouted, "But it got canceled last month, probably because it offended too many celebs."
Continuing, as if afraid Tang Li wouldn’t take it seriously, she added earnestly: "But what the guests said made sense, especially in the showbiz where ’Good people are bullied’ is a maxim fully exemplified. You’re still relatively new and I’m afraid you’ll be at a disadvantage."
"Okay, I’ve taken your words to heart."
Tang Li smiled and nodded: "I’ll have a serious talk with the director, I definitely won’t let myself be disadvantaged."
Returning to the dorm, she found Qi Liang standing at her desk, holding the script notes she had made for the drama version of "Original Sin."
As for Feng Qi, he was sitting on the side, legs crossed, drinking water.
Qi Liang saw her coming back and asked: "Did you make these notes?"
"Yes." Tang Li hadn’t studied any professional courses and was aware of her shortcomings, including note-taking, which certainly wasn’t as professional as that of other experienced actors.
"They’re passable," Qi Liang closed the notebook, paused, and then added: "But for your age, it’s already quite good."
Unexpectedly receiving approval from the caustic director, Tang Li was a bit surprised.
After all, she had been turned away at the courtyard house before.
Feng Qi put down his water cup: "Since Director Qi thinks it’s passable, let’s get down to business now."
Qi Liang nodded and looked back at Tang Li: "Mr. Feng mentioned that you’ve lived near the Mihesha River for a few years. It wouldn’t be too difficult for you to say a few phrases in Mien-language from around that Myanmar and Vietnam area, would it?"