Chapter 27

Gao Zhuo gave the opening remark: "Recently, a particularly delicious green tea drink was released. This green tea drink is not only delicious, the advertisement was also done well. Let's all take a look at the big screen."

When Gao Zhuo finished talking, the green tea advertisement played on the big screen, but this advertisement was an edited version and focused on Li Zixi, with only few shots of the male lead.

After the advertisement was showed, Xu Huahua suddenly said: "Teacher ah, doesn't this green tea sponsor the show next to us? He so blatantly came to us to advertise here, isn't it... Hei hei..." Then, he laughed maliciously.

"What's the matter? You, make it clear." Gao Zhuo said with a smile.

Peng Da took over the conversation and said, "Teacher, he just wanted to ask, did they give money?"

After that, Xu Huahua excitedly approached Peng Da to high-five.

Gao Zhuo pretended to look angry at the two of them and said: "Can the advertiser be as petty as you? Can they not pay? Even if it's not given now, it'll be given after they watch this show."

After that, he looked into the camera and added: "However, advertiser *Daren, the sponsorship for our show is already enough. You don't have to call the program group; just call me directly, my bank card number is below."

[*daren – literally translates to big man or adult. In ancient times, it is used to address government officials and also, as an honorific title. You could say, it's used to address a superior or someone you admire.]

When Xu Huahua and Peng Da heard this, they all showed a look of disbelief, shouting: "Teacher, you..."

Gao Zhuo said with a restrained expression: "I was just kidding. Now, let's welcome our advertisement female lead, Li Zixi. "

When Li Zixi heard this on the backstage, she went out with an *appropriate smile.

[*appropriate – neither humble nor arrogant]

After coming out, Li Zixi said: "Hello hosts; Let's Chat audiences and friends, hello."

Then the host had let Li Zixi introduce herself. After the introduction, the host began to interview Li Zixi.

Gao Zhuo: "Hello Li Zixi, this is my first-time meeting Xixi—is it okay to call you that?"

Li Zixi smiled, nodded and said: "Yes, all of my family and friends call me that way."

Peng Da interrupted and said, "Teacher, it's a big deal. You mean to say, the commercials by our sponsors broadcasted on our channel, you haven't watched."

Xu Huahua: "Teacher, he's causing trouble. Teacher obviously meant that it was the first time he saw Xixi himself."

Gao Zhuo pretended to be angry and said to Peng Da, "I see, you don't want to be on the next episode."

Peng Da quickly pretended to kneel down to beg for mercy. Li Zixi smiled in response to the scene.

Gao Zhuo reverted to the topic again and said: "Xixi, is this your debut? Have you ever filmed other advertisements before?"

"No, this is the first time filming a commercial and also the first time on the big screen." Li Zi Xi answered with a smile.

"Wow, the first time in an advertisement, it was shot so well. Very good acting skills. Haven't you considered developing in the film and television industry?" Gao Zhuo asked.

"*Teacher Gao is joking. Although this is my first-time filming a commercial, it is not my first-time acting. I was previously on Director Shen Guoxing's crew, acting as a small role. The reason for such acting is also because of Director Shen's guidance. And I am also a film academy student."

[*Teacher – compared to Peng Da and Xu Huahua, Li Zixi used 'lǎoshī'. The former used 'shīfù' because in a sense, they're the apprentice and Gao Zhuo is their master]

Gao Zhuo, Peng Da and Xu Huahua looked at Li Zixi with wide eyes.

Peng Da said with a slight embarrassment on his face: "Amazing ah, you've filmed in Director Shen's crew, impressive."

Li Zixi pretended to not know his reason for this, with some doubt on her face.

Xu Huahua gloatingly said: "Xixi, ignore him. Last time he planned to film Director Shen's drama, he was rejected by Director Shen! Absolutely!"

Li Zixi's eyes opened wide in surprise and asked. "Why?"

"Because the acting was so bad!! Director Shen chased him out in anger!" Xu Huahua said resolutely.

"I'll kill you, you're corrupting Director Shen's reputation here!" Gao Zhuo pretended to beat Xu Huahua.

"No ah, I'm just kidding. It's because the director wanted to film a Qing palace drama and wanted him to shave his head, but he also wanted to host the show, so he didn't go anymore." Xu Huahua explained.

"Oh, is it 《The Biography of Nian Guifei》? I just played a little dragon set in it." Li Zixi took the opportunity to promote Director Shen's new drama in order to thank Director Shen for his kindness.

After Peng Da heard it, he high-fived with Li Zixi.

"Is Director Shen very fierce? I heard that he often scolds and make actresses cry." Gao Zhuo dug a pit for Li Zixi.

"How could it be possible that Director Shen is very strict with the film? He has a very serious attitude towards filming. If the actress is crying, she must be crying and begging the director to give them advice." Li Zixi said solemnly.

"Very well spoken, I am optimistic about you." Peng Da took the opportunity to join.

After chatting for a few words, several people turned to Zhang Ruoyang, the actor partnered in the advertisement.

"What's the feeling of working with the popular little fresh meat?"

"Of course, it is very good. I can see something beautiful every day, and I'm in a very good mood too."

As he talked, he turned to Li Zixi: " I see you are so skinny now. As an actress, isn't it particularly hard; can't eat delicious food and have to exercise every day."

"No ah, I eat delicious food every day and doesn't exercise."

"Wow, enviable ah. Then you must be a foodie."

"Not really, I'm not a foodie. It's might be a matter of personal physique. I can eat anything without getting fat."

After a few conversations with Li Zixi led by Xu Huahua and Peng Da, the two teams of advertisement models started to play some mini games. After going through all of the procedures from today's rehearsal, Li Zixi didn't see the more famous female celebrity come out. She thought that the female celebrity was no longer joining them. Even the recording that she belonged to is completed.

They were just about to go down when the program group informed them that they would also be on the sidelines.

It can also be considered more chance of exposure, so everyone is happy to stay although everyone knew they are just a background board.

When the more famous model came out, Li Zixi raised her eyebrows. It turned out to be an acquaintance.

While the host conversed with the last celebrity, some of them also said a few words in between, so as not to look unsightly.

When the host mentioned her friend's name, she said a few words.

Then suddenly, the conversation took a turn. Looking at the host Gao Zhuo, she said: "Speaking of this topic, I just want to say a few words to a certain someone here. You came to participate in the show without even telling me. Obviously, we were still sending messages yesterday on WeChat. You lied to me about filming in Hengzhou."

Gao Zhuo raised his eyebrows. This was not mentioned during the rehearsal, but this topic is also very interesting.

He swept a glanced at the people around and asked, "Which one is the friend without eyes that actually lied to us."

"Li Zixi, what do you say?" Xia Ningke, standing on the stage, looked at Li Zixi who was sitting on the side of the stage, and asked.

Li Zixi really didn't know that Xia Ningke was going to record this show. It's not good to show off with others just after receiving the notice. From the time of graduation, she's been in touch with Xia Ningke. The two have added each other on WeChat. They also contact each other in private, occasionally complaining about the weather in Hengzhou, complaining about the difficulty of filming.

Li Zixi feels very fortunate to meet a friend like Xia Ningke. People needs to have a friend at any time, best if it's a friend who does the same thing with you. In this way, when talking, she can understand your grievances and your difficulties.

People also need to be in touch with the society. It doesn't matter if you stay at home every day, but basic interpersonal interaction is still needed.

Even better, she and Xia Ningke immediately hit it off. Many of their views and ideas are in harmony. Usually, the two people will rant to each other about trivial matters or cheer each other up. However, she has never thought of relying on Xia Ningke's popularity.

The moment she saw Xia Ningke, she knew that the relationship between the two must be exposed. Even if Xia Ningke is not exposed, she will also be exposed. She was thinking of mentioning her later, she'll directly say, 'Long time no see, Ning Ke', then pass by as an ordinary classmate.

If the two people pretended to not know each other, it would be embarrassing to wait for the media to discover their classmate relationship.

Li Zixi took the microphone handed over by the nearby staff and said, "isn't it because I'm afraid that others will say that I'm rubbing off on your popularity. After all, you are so red, I am still a little transparent."

Gao Zhuo looked at Li Zixi and listened to her talk again. He decisively invited Li Zixi back to the stage.

Li Zixi and Xia Ningke stood together, the two hugged each other.

"You two are friends?"

"Yes ah, we were college classmates. So, to speak, besides blaming Li Zixi, I also blame your show crew. Tell me, do you plan for the headline tomorrow to be 'Xia Ningke and classmate doesn't get along, the two on the same stage looked like passers-by.""

Peng Da said with wide eyes: "You found all of this!"

Gao Zhuo took over and said, "No, just joking. To be honest, the show crew really doesn't know that you two are friends. But you just reminded us."

After speaking, he pretended to be looking for the director and said: "Where's the director, remember to cut this part off, don't let the audience see them recognizing each other. Be sure to write on the title that an actress doesn't know her classmates. This episode will definitely be a hit!"

The audience below were bursting with laughter.

Xu Huahua hurriedly stepped forward to stop him and said, "Teacher, don't be like this, don't be like this. What if Li Zixi also became red someday? What if the two of them sue us, what are we going to do? *Stay on the line and meet each other well in the future."

[*Stay on the line and meet each other well in the future – don't be too callous, leave some way out for yourself; be smart with your decisions]

Gao Zhuo pretended to listen to Xu Huahua's words and said, "What you said is right ah, Director, you just treat it as if I didn't say anything."

After the jokes, the host chatted a few more words with everyone, and the whole show ended.

After it was over, at the backstage, Xia Ningke said to Li Zixi: "You are amazing ah, it's been a while since the last time I saw you. Even this notice can be received. Sure enough, it's a person that Muzi Pictures fancy."

Li Zixi looked at her with a smile and said, "You are amazing too, gave me a bit of heat on the stage, thank you."

Xia Ningke said, "You are too polite. What are you going to eat tonight? I heard the spicy crayfish here is super delicious."

"It's really super delicious. I already tried it yesterday. "

"What a shame, the flight delay delayed me. Do you want to eat tonight, my treat."

"I won't be polite, let's go. "

"I ate outside yesterday, so many delicious snacks..."

"Where ah, let's go again today!" Xia Ningke drooled as she listened.

"Forget it. With your popularity, you will be recognized by the fans in minutes."

"Ai, so, say, becoming famous also has lots of trouble. It's not free ah."

Peng Da walked over at this time and said: "How nice is it to be famous, to be famous and earn money~ I just heard you guys say you want to eat crayfish? I can recommend you one. Many artists like to go there. It's quieter there and the taste is also good."

After hearing Peng Da's recommendation, Li Zixi and Xia Ningke decided to go there.