Chapter 23
Wei Jun was sitting inside a luxurious steakhouse. The same one where he met all the actors. He was reading a newspaper which was very unconventional given that everything was digital these days. Still, in the middle of very rich people, he sat there unfazed by the strange gazes he was getting and kept reading the newspaper.
As for his mood, it was a little upset. He was upset because the time of the appointment had been seven pm yet even after ten minutes, there was no sign of Xia Lu. He was upset because to him this wasn't work but instead he was wasting time.
"I didn't know people still read newspapers these days." A melodious voice entered his ears when he was just about to close the newspaper and leave. Wei Jun turned to see a woman of incredible features, competing with Lin Ruan in terms of beauty. He didn't need someone to tell him that she was a heroine not only in dramas or movies but in real life too.
'No wonder she's a female lead.' Wei Jun internally commented, unfazed by the beauty before him. To him, only one fact mattered. Was she a headache, or not?
"You're late." Wei Jun didn't care for the beauty in front of him and mercilessly made sure to remind her of her unpunctuality.
Xia Lu was thrown off her composure because of Wei Jun's obvious complaint. She had expected him to flatter her the moment she arrived as he had been doing for a long time.
Still, since she had to save face, she chose to reply to that while taking a seat opposite Wei Jun. "I'm sorry for that. Traffic was something else."
Wei Jun wasn't really interested in her excuse so he moved on from the topic, "Thanks for meeting me here."
Xia Lu didn't reply instantly but scrutinized Wei Jun for a moment before commenting under her breath loud enough for Wei Jun to hear, "Like I had a choice when you forced everything on me."
Wei Jun didn't reply. He remained quiet in his spot. But inwardly, he was cursing everything he could, 'Fu*k, these two have history. It should have been obvious but I was too focused on the movie.'
Since the butler said that Xia Lu had agreed to a meeting, it must have meant that Wei Jun was the one to initiate it. And given the previous Wei Jun's nature and Xia Lu's obvious extreme beauty, it should have been obvious that Wei Jun had some distasteful history with her.
Still, Wei Jun managed to control the situation by backing down, "If I have somehow caused you some trouble, then I would like to apologize for that."
Xia Lu was taken aback but after a few seconds, it made sense to her. 'He must be using the guilt tactic.' Xia Lu thought inwardly but only if she knew Wei Jun's inner thoughts, she wouldn't even think anything like this.
'She's my money-making ticket. Can't let her get out of my grasp.' To make money, Wei Jun would even eat a pineapple pizza. A simple apology was nothing to him.
"I see." Xia Lu decided to play along to figure out Wei Jun's impure intentions. "Then, shall we discuss how it didn't work out between us? We need an excuse for our families, right?"
Wei Jun, however, wasn't interested in that. "It seems Miss Xia has misunderstood my reason for our meeting. I simply wish to hire you for the movie I will be making." Wei Jun chose to direct without creating any misunderstandings.
As expected, Xia Lu was taken aback. 'Must be another way.' She inwardly thought as she refused Wei Jun's offer, "Unfortunately, I don't wish to work with you."
"Why not?" Wei Jun simply asked, getting straight to the point.
"Do I really have to say it?" Xia Lu asked skeptically but seeing Wei Jun's inquisitive expression she scoffed and said, "That's because you harass your celebrities, se*ually. And it isn't one or two incidents, there are many more disgusting things you have done."
There was disgust on Xia Lu's face. Wei Jun properly analyzed that expression. She wasn't lying. However, once again, he simply didn't care. He never did care from the beginning for the reputation he had. Reputations can fall with a paragraph of gibberish without even proper evidence and they can be built through lies.
"Then you can assume whatever you want. You can simply choose to do it or not. It is entirely up to you. If you need reassurance, the contract can be made according to your desires. Also, if there is something you need, I'm sure I can get it for you." Although Wei Jun was strictly sticking to business, to Xia Lu, all it sounded like were excuses.
When Wei Jun saw the expression on Xia Lu's face, he decided to give up. It wasn't going to work given how persistent Xia Lu was and the hate seen in her eyes was pure.
"Very well." Wei Jun simply stood up and left without another word. He was wasting time ringing a bell in front of a cow. It would have been more efficient to hire someone else or train Quan Kui to the fullest for this role.
Xia Lu on the other hand was left stunned. Wei Jun didn't say anything, he simply left. That move puzzled her but she convinced herself that that was another one of Wei Jun's tactics.
Still, 'Getting stood up like this. My first time.' She thought inwardly as a seed of annoyance planted itself in her heart.
On the other side, Wei Jun was anything but happy, "What fu***** bul****. If she was going to waste my time, she should have just refused over the phone." With genuine annoyance, Wei Jun drove away in his McLaren. He headed straight to the office as he wanted to get things done before retiring for the night.
As he was driving, on the way, he saw a street vendor. A guy selling roasted skewers. Wei Jun pushed the brakes and the car came to a complete halt.
There was a smile on Wei Jun's face as he muttered, "Found him. The hero."
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Just a little more.