As soon as that voice sounded.
Right then, I wanted to reason with that kid, lay out the facts, make him understand your greatness, Master Liang—your strength, your status, your fearsome reputation.
But now, once Kevin Zhou was confirmed for the part, Yara Song could already foresee that, with Gavin Yu's boost, Kevin Zhou would become hugely popular after the film.
"After all, you, Leon Yuan, can just find some random youngster—oh, is he a youth or just a brat?—who's supposedly more impressive than me, Master Liang."
"Looks like all my years of living have gone to the dogs. How could I possibly deserve to be called 'master' by you, Leon Yuan, the big celebrity?"
Master Liang's voice was icy.
Master Liang raised his eyebrows and continued, "What exactly did he say?"
"Master Liang, you've misunderstood."
Kevin Zhou was just about to keep exaggerating.
Both stood with arrogant posture, their fists radiating fierce energy; especially around their temples, which bulged prominently.
Master Liang let out a mocking laugh and strode forward.
"Master Liang, there's something I'd like to trouble you with."
Kevin Zhou, who had basically gotten Gavin Yu's approval, spoke up.
Gavin Yu greeted Master Liang with joy and humility: "I've always hoped that, with your guidance, Master Liang, my films could reach new heights."
Master Liang looked at Kevin Zhou with curiosity: "What is it?"
Gavin Yu said with a smile.
Kevin Zhou saw that Gavin Yu and Master Liang were both looking his way.
Master Liang had been dormant for years; the works he guided in the past were all classics, earning him equal fame and status in the industry.
"Leon Yuan, that youngster who was with you in the elevator—do you remember what he said about Master Liang? Can you repeat his exact words?"
Master Liang nodded, then looked over at Kevin Zhou: "Kevin Zhou visited me three times to invite me."
Leon Yuan looked at the newcomer, opened his mouth, his throat dry, and finally spoke.
"If I get the chance to work with you, Gavin Yu, I'm sure we can create even better films together."
"Also, Gavin Yu, I believe Kevin Zhou really is a promising talent."
After Master Liang finished speaking, Kevin Zhou and Lily Tan were overjoyed.
In his view, Gavin Yu looked both curious and dissatisfied, Master Liang appeared cold, and his two disciples were downright hostile.
On the other side, Yara Song, who hadn't said much, saw Master Liang publicly praise Kevin Zhou and immediately chimed in with a smile.
The displeasure in his words was obvious.
Kevin Zhou chuckled and looked at Master Liang: "Master Liang, you have no idea."
Even though he knew Yara Song's praise was only for Master Liang's sake, to Kevin Zhou it felt like a genuine sign of goodwill.
"He even said, 'Whoever comes, I'll beat them.' Master Liang, to that kid, you're just yesterday's news—an old wave already washed up by the new!"
Liang Chengbo let out a mocking laugh and strode forward.
"Right then, I wanted to reason with that kid, lay out the facts, make him understand your greatness, Master Liang—your strength, your status, your fearsome reputation."
"Master Liang Chengbo, long time no see."
Yu Kaiyuan greeted Liang Chengbo with joy and humility: "I've always hoped that, with your guidance, Master Liang Chengbo, my films could reach new heights."
His exaggerated tale made Master Liang furious, while Mia Miao and Leon Yuan were left speechless, unable to defend themselves.
Yu Kaiyuan said with a smile.
Master Liang raised his eyebrows and continued, "What exactly did he say?"
Liang Chengbo had been dormant for years; the works he guided in the past were all classics, earning him equal fame and status in the industry.
"Director Yu, you're too polite."
Liang Chengbo nodded, then looked over at Zhou Kai: "This Zhou Kai visited me three times to invite me."
"You're weak. Not even worth mentioning."
"Honestly, with half a punch, I'd flatten this so-called master—leave him laid out, done and dusted."
"Also, Director Yu, I believe Zhou Kai really is a promising talent."
After Liang Chengbo finished speaking, Zhou Kai and Lily Tan were overjoyed.
"I've watched Zhou Kai's acting before—he really is pretty good."
On the other side, Yara Song, who hadn't said much, saw Liang Chengbo publicly praise Zhou Kai and immediately chimed in with a smile.
"Thank you for the recognition, Sister Yara!"
Zhou Kai was over the moon.
Even though he knew Yara Song's praise was only for Liang Chengbo's sake, to Zhou Kai it felt like a genuine sign of goodwill.
He could almost see himself reaching the peak of his career after starring in this movie.
That was exactly what Yara Song cared about.
Before the roles were finalized, Yara Song's attitude toward Zhou Kai was somewhat reserved and scrutinizing.
But now, once Zhou Kai was confirmed for the part, Yara Song could already foresee that, with Director Yu Kaiyuan's boost, Zhou Kai would become hugely popular after the film.
Naturally, Yara Song wanted a share of that.
As for Leon Yuan and Mia Miao, who stood off to the side, looking completely isolated...
Yara Song just saw them as two clowns.
Pitiful outsiders.
This might be Leon Yuan's last chance to get invited to the film festival.
After next year, the washed-up Leon Yuan would probably sink for good, never to rise again.
It's honestly pretty sad to think about.
Yara Song shook her head, while Victor Wu seemed to be waiting for something.
"Master Liang Chengbo, there's something I'd like to trouble you with."
Zhou Kai, who had basically gotten Director Yu Kaiyuan's approval, spoke up.
"Something?"
Liang Chengbo looked at Zhou Kai with curiosity: "What is it?"
"Here's the thing."
Zhou Kai saw that Director Yu Kaiyuan and Liang Chengbo were both looking his way.
He shifted his gaze, a slight smirk appearing, and looked at Leon Yuan, who was about to leave with Mia Miao.
"Leon Yuan, that youngster who was with you in the elevator—do you remember what he said about Master Liang Chengbo? Can you repeat his exact words?"
As soon as Zhou Kai finished speaking...
Leon Yuan, who had already turned away and resigned himself, his face gloomy and dejected, suddenly jolted.
Mia Miao was also shocked.
"He didn't say anything."
Leon Yuan opened his mouth, trying to explain.
In his view, Director Yu Kaiyuan looked both curious and dissatisfied, Liang Chengbo appeared cold, and his two disciples were downright hostile.
As for Yara Song, Victor Wu, and their group, they looked at Leon Yuan like he was a beaten dog.
"Didn't say anything?"
Zhou Kai chuckled and looked at Liang Chengbo: "Master Liang Chengbo, you have no idea."
"That youngster Leon Yuan mentioned in the elevator? He didn't respect you at all."
"He even said, 'Whoever comes, I'll beat them.' Master Liang Chengbo, to that kid, you're just the old wave in the Yangtze River, already pushed onto the beach by the new wave!"
"When I heard that, how could I possibly let it slide?"
"Right then, I wanted to reason with that kid, lay out the facts, make him understand your greatness, Master Liang Chengbo—your strength, your status, your fearsome reputation."
"But guess what that kid said?"
At this point, Zhou Kai deliberately left everyone hanging.
His exaggerated tale made Liang Chengbo furious, while Mia Miao and Leon Yuan were left speechless, unable to defend themselves.
"What a cocky brat. I didn't expect that guy to actually show up?"
Liang Chengbo raised his eyebrows and continued, "What exactly did he say?"
He had just finished speaking...
Zhou Kai was just about to keep exaggerating.
"He said..."
"You're weak. Totally lacking."
"With just half a punch, I could lay this so-called master flat on the ground—done and dusted."
Before Zhou Kai could say another word...
A clear, indifferent young voice drifted over, light as a feather.