Lu Yifeng's appearance instantly shattered the tragic atmosphere that hadn't completely dissipated from the set.
He was like a perfect scene-saver, always able to pull everyone's attention back to where he wanted it.
"Yifeng? Why are you back again?" Director Li asked, somewhat surprised.
"Thinking it's almost mealtime, I came to pick everyone up." Lu Yifeng's smile was flawless, his gaze falling on Jiang Ci with clear appreciation, "I didn't expect to catch Teacher Jiang's final scene—it was absolutely brilliant."
As he spoke, he walked up to Jiang Ci and proactively extended his hand once more.
"Teacher Jiang, let me reintroduce myself. I'd only heard your name before, but seeing you today, I understand the reputation is well-deserved. Your performance makes me feel ashamed of my own."
These words practically elevated Jiang Ci to the heavens.
A top star telling a newcomer he "feels ashamed of his own performance"—what kind of "humility" was this?
The staff around them were already looking at Lu Yifeng with somewhat mesmerized expressions.
Damn, here we go again!
This guy's performance desire was downright outrageous!
In Jiang Ci's mind, the system screen automatically popped up.
[Target 'Lu Yifeng' current internal emotion analysis: Jealousy (40%), Contempt (30%), Murderous Intent (10%), Probing (10%), Disguise (10%)]
Murderous intent... it actually increased from 5% to 10%!
And there was even "jealousy" now?
Jiang Ci instantly understood.
Lu Yifeng must have been watching from some corner earlier, observing his entire performance.
He had been shocked by Jiang Ci's acting skills.
For a "perfect idol" accustomed to controlling everything and enjoying being the center of attention, this kind of shock represented a threat.
A newcomer was subtly stealing the spotlight from him, a top star.
This made him feel displeased and... jealous.
And the increased murderous intent was probably because Jiang Ci's performance had drawn excessive attention from targets like Su Qingying and Qin Feng, whom he wanted to "conquer."
Unintentionally, Jiang Ci had become a variable in his "hunting ground."
This guy's heart was way too narrow!
I just acted in a scene, and you want to kill me?
While internally ranting furiously, Jiang Ci wore a panicked expression and shook Lu Yifeng's hand.
"Teacher Lu, please don't say that, I... I don't deserve such praise! Compared to you, I'm just a student."
He deliberately lowered his own status.
There was no other way—facing an S-class psycho, playing it safe wasn't shameful.
"Teacher Jiang is being too modest." Lu Yifeng's smile became even more "sincere," "You must come to tonight's dinner. I have many questions about acting I'd like to consult you about."
Listen to that phrasing.
"Consult you."
He was trying to put Jiang Ci on the spot!
If Jiang Ci actually dared to "lecture" him at the dinner, he'd be socially crucified by Lu Yifeng's fans by tomorrow.
"No, no, it's me who should be learning from Teacher Lu!"
The two engaged in this back-and-forth performance battle, leaving bystanders stunned.
To others, this looked like a harmonious scene of a senior nurturing a junior, and a junior respecting a senior.
Only Jiang Ci knew that one wrong step could lead to utter ruin.
When Zhao Xueling finally couldn't take it anymore and stepped in with a smile to mediate, and the director announced wrap, Lu Yifeng reluctantly ended his "friendly exchange" with Jiang Ci.
At 7 PM, the most exclusive private club in Hengdian.
A massive redwood round table was surrounded by the core members of the "Palace Conspiracy" production team.
Director Li Xiang, Producer Wang Buqun, Film Emperor Qin Feng, Television Queen Zhao Xueling, along with several assistant directors and department heads.
Lu Yifeng and Su Qingying naturally sat on either side of the host position.
And Jiang Ci was "honorably" seated next to Su Qingying.
This seating arrangement was "kindly" arranged by Lu Yifeng.
Under the pretext: "Let the newcomer learn more from the seniors."
Jiang Ci saw through this completely—this bastard wanted him as a mobile background prop while observing him up close to assess his threat level.
Fine, observe then.
From the start of the dinner, Lu Yifeng perfectly controlled the atmosphere.
He seemed to have researched everyone present, always finding topics that interested each person most.
Discussing box office with the director, markets with the producer, classic films from the 80s with Qin Feng, and the latest luxury bags with Zhao Xueling.
He played the host, catering to everyone's emotions, making each feel like they were the center of this dinner.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes.
Under Lu Yifeng's deliberate guidance, the atmosphere in the private room grew increasingly lively.
Producer Wang Buqun was already red-faced from drinking, slinging his arm around Director Li Xiang's neck while boasting about his visionary investments in hit dramas years ago.
Film Emperor Qin Feng was the most sober, but even he had been plied with fine wine by Lu Yifeng, unusually opening up about his glorious past.
Only three people at the table drank almost nothing.
Lu Yifeng, Su Qingying, and Jiang Ci, who was busy stuffing his face.
Lu Yifeng couldn't drink—he needed to stay alert to control the situation.
Su Qingying didn't drink alcohol, and at her status, she didn't need to drink to please anyone.
Holding a glass of water, she politely but distantly declined all toasts.
As for Jiang Ci, he simply didn't have time to drink.
Dishes like Australian lobster and Kobe beef—things he wouldn't have dared look at before—were on the table today.
Since someone else was paying, he'd be a fool not to eat!
While wolfing down food, he kept his ears perked, monitoring the main battlefield in real-time.
He noticed that although Lu Yifeng was chatting with others, most of his attention remained on Su Qingying.
He would "casually" rotate the lazy Susan to bring Su Qingying's favorite dishes before her.
He would be the first to notice when Su Qingying's water glass was empty and "personally" refill it.
During conversations, he would seemingly unintentionally mention movies and books that Su Qingying had mentioned liking in past interviews.
These details were executed with extreme naturalness and subtlety.
To others, this appeared as thoughtful behavior from a man pursuing the woman he liked.
But through Jiang Ci's "system perspective," everything was flagged as suspicious.
[Tactical Analysis: Detail infiltration. Through meticulous care, create a "fated" atmosphere to break down target's psychological defenses.]
[Conversation Analysis: "Accidentally" mentioning target's preferences. Create illusion of "shared interests" to quickly close psychological distance.]
So professional!
But Su Qingying completely ignored all of Lu Yifeng's "gentle attacks."
She simply sat there quietly.
This made Lu Yifeng's "performance" appear somewhat awkward.
Jiang Ci noticed that after Su Qingying ignored his "thoughtfulness" for the Nth time, Lu Yifeng picked up his wine glass and took a sip of red wine.
This action concealed the brief, extremely subtle stiffness that flashed across his lips.
[Microexpression Analysis: Lower lip muscles momentarily tightened—strong displeasure and frustration.]
[Internal Emotion Analysis: Desire for Control (35%), Impatience (30%), Murderous Intent (15%), Disguise (10%), Anger (10%)]
Murderous intent increased again!
And there was "anger" now too!
Jiang Ci's hand, holding a piece of abalone, paused mid-air.
He sensed that this legendary hunter was losing patience.
Sure enough.
Lu Yifeng set down his glass. Without looking at Su Qingying again, he suddenly turned his gaze toward Jiang Ci.
"Jiang Ci." His voice remained gentle, but Jiang Ci detected a different quality in it.
"Ah? Teacher Lu, you called me?" Jiang Ci finally put down his chopsticks.