Chu Meibo almost burst out laughing. She had already vaguely guessed Hua Rong's intentions and was quite curious. So she coughed lightly and said to Cheng Mengjiao, "You guys don't need to go."
Just as Cheng Mengjiao was about to say something, Chu Meibo stopped her with a single sentence: "I'll pack it up for you later—Ms. Hua, you don't mind, do you?"
Hua Rong forced a smile and said, "I don't mind."
Chu Meibo gracefully bowed and said, "Then, please."
Chapter 73
The restaurant upstairs is a high-end Western restaurant, which is also the place that Hua Rong specifically chose.
The elegant and luxurious environment was not only intimidating but also tempting to these young girls who had never experienced the real world. Having truly witnessed the wonderful life that money could bring, would anyone refuse it?
With this thought in mind, Hua Rong's expression gradually returned to normal.
The waiter opened the door for the two of them. Hua Rong glanced at Chu Meibo out of the corner of her eye and found that she was calm and composed, as if to her, this restaurant was no different from the chain coffee shop downstairs.
Hua Rong's heart sank, and she suddenly felt that today might not go as smoothly as she had imagined.
After the two sat down, neither of them spoke for a moment.
Hua Rong did this partly to adjust her mood and partly to put pressure on Chu Meibo. She attributed her previous failure to Chu Meibo's lack of appreciation for talent, so she adjusted her strategy.
Hua Rong comforted herself, thinking that the next step was a test of composure. Could a seasoned and capable woman like herself be inferior to a young girl who hadn't even graduated from school? As long as Chu Meibo lost her composure, she could seize the initiative in the entire negotiation.
However, as the atmosphere between the two became increasingly tense, Chu Meibo seemed completely oblivious, remaining calm and composed throughout. She even took out a test paper from her bag and began writing. In contrast, Hua Rong, who had been leisurely at the beginning, gradually became restless.
Just then, the sound of a waiter bringing food broke the silence.
Hua Rong breathed a sigh of relief, then realized that she had lost this contest of composure.
Just as Hua Rong was about to say something, Chu Meibo asked the waiter, "Can we get takeout here?"
Waiter: "Ah...ah?"
Hua Rong was surprised that she actually wanted to pack up the leftovers, and felt extremely embarrassed. Unfortunately, it was her own promise, so she could only put on a stern face and say to the waiter with the strange expression, "Go and get the menu."
The waiter snapped out of his daze and said, "Okay, please wait a moment."
The menu was entirely in English, and Chu Meibo's English wasn't good enough for her to fully understand it. Instead of asking about each item, she simply pointed to the menu and said, "Pack this page and this page for me."
waiter:"……"
Hua Rong's heart was bleeding. This restaurant was not cheap, and her visit to Chu Meibo this time was entirely a private matter. She would have to pay for the meal with her own bank card.
The waiter glanced at Hua Rong cautiously: "Madam, what do you think..."
Chu Meibo also looked at Hua Rong as the waiter spoke. She rested her chin on her hand and said with a smile, "Ms. Hua, if you don't have enough money, I can pay for it myself."
Hua Rong forced a smile: "Since I'm treating you to dinner, how can I let you pay?" She looked at the waiter, gritting her teeth, "Put it all on my tab."
Waiter: "...Okay, okay."
Only after the waiter left did Hua Rong's pain gradually subside.
Hua Rong thought to herself, "Since becoming an agent, I've always been successful. This is the first time I've encountered such a setback. I'm both angry and annoyed. This Chu Meibo is just as naive as Cheng Mengjiao. Otherwise, how could they be hanging out together?"
However, being a hothead has its advantages; at least you're not as cunning.
Hua Rong felt a little better after thinking this, and turned her gaze back to Chu Meibo, carefully examining her.
Judging solely by her facial features, Chu Meibo, though beautiful, is somewhat thin, with delicate eyebrows that give her a pitiful appearance—a look that aligns with popular aesthetics. However, if it were just a face like that, there would be countless others in the entertainment industry, and it wouldn't be worth Hua Rong's special trip to find her.
What truly makes her stand out is the sharp edge that shines through her delicate beauty; this is her core competitive advantage.
Hua Rong watched Chu Meibo across from her, who had already started eating her Western food. Although Chu Meibo's movements were a little clumsy, her dining etiquette was correct. Despite wearing inexpensive clothes, she didn't seem awkward at all among the group of elite people dressed in designer brands around her.
This composure alone surpasses that of many others.
This kind of aura is exactly what a star needs most.
Hua Rong became more and more satisfied with what she saw. Her previous slight resentment towards Chu Meibo gradually disappeared. As long as Chu Meibo was signed by her, with her skills, she would definitely be able to make her famous. At that time, she would naturally make a fortune, so why bother about this little bit of food money now?
After thinking about it, Hua Rong finally returned to her usual self, and her shrewdness and assertiveness returned to her mind.
She put down her knife and fork, gently wiped her mouth with a napkin, and said with a smile, "Miss Chu, please forgive me for approaching you today."
Chu Meibo raised an eyebrow. It seemed the main course had finally been served. She put down her knife and fork, looked up, and said, "It's alright."
Hua Rong: "Don't be too nervous. Just treat today as having a meal with friends. I'm a few years older than you, so you can call me Sister Hua. Can I call you Mei Bo?"
Chu Meibo smiled and said, "Okay."
Hua Rong added, "Actually, ever since I first saw your acting clip, I've admired you a lot and have always wanted to find an opportunity to get to know you. Last time at the awards ceremony, it was a bit inconvenient, and I didn't get to say more to you. Today, I'm finally fulfilling my wish."
Her opening remarks subtly flattered Chu Meibo, yet without seeming forced.
“Meibo, you are very talented. I have seen so many actresses, not to mention the new generation of actresses, but even the established actresses, you are not inferior to them. In particular, your temperament is a rare resource in the industry today. The fact that Kui Ji’s clip became an instant hit is proof of that.”
Chu Meibo raised an eyebrow: "So?"
Seeing that she remained indifferent and unmoved, Hua Rong had to press her harder: "You're new to this industry, so you may not understand the reality. This industry is all about stepping on the powerful and flattering the weak. If you don't have popularity, no matter how good your acting is, you'll still just be a newcomer and can only passively wait for opportunities. Even if you're lucky, you'll only get the second or third female lead role in a web series, which is such a waste."
"But for actresses, youth is an asset. How many talented actresses have wasted their youth and missed their best opportunities while waiting? There are only so many spots at the top of the pyramid, and everyone wants to stand there. The more assets you have, the more possibilities you have, don't you agree?"
Chu Meibo rested her chin on her hand: "So, what does Sister Hua mean?"
Seeing that she had taken the bait, Hua Rong smiled slightly and quickly said, "I said before that I admire you and really don't want to see your talent go to waste, so I want to cooperate with you to achieve a win-win situation."