Part 69：Stop spouting nonsense.
"Stop spouting nonsense. If you're blind, that doesn't mean I'm blind too." Song directly denied it.
Luo Yuhu observed Song's expression carefully and saw that he was resolute and didn't seem to be lying, which made him feel reassured.
"You're not in a relationship right now." He reminded Song.
"How's the contact with Director Jiang going?" Song ignored Luo Yuhu's reminder and asked in return.
"Director Jiang read the script for Ask the Heart, but he's been away from directing TV dramas for a long time and seems hesitant." Luo Yuhu said.
"Set up a dinner with Director Jiang. I'll talk to him personally." Song replied.
"But why does it have to be Director Jiang? Liang Hengjun has had hits in the past few years, why not ask him to direct?" Luo Yuhu said.
"This drama isn't suitable for Liang Hengjun," Song explained, "He has never directed a serious drama. He lacks experience."
Actually, it had nothing to do with the seriousness of the drama or experience.
Song knew why Luo Yuhu suggested Liang Hengjun. And that was exactly why Song wasn't willing to choose him.
"By the way, the president said she booked a place for dinner with you tonight," Luo Yuhu added.
"Alright." Song smiled faintly.
He relaxed his brow, not letting Luo Yuhu notice the subtle disgust in his eyes.
Luo Zhiqiu, the boss of Zuojing, in other words, also Song's boss. When Song was spotted by Luo Zhiqiu, he helped him break his contract and sign with Zuojing. In the following years, Song's career flourished, his popularity skyrocketing, and this was also thanks to Luo Zhiqiu's support.
Song guessed that Luo Zhiqiu had asked him to dinner tonight to discuss the renewal of his contract. His contract with Zuojing would expire in a year. Given his current position and commercial value, once news of his contract's expiration leaked, major agencies would come after him. Of course, he could start his own company and collaborate with other platforms, which many celebrities were doing now.
Whichever path he chose, Luo Zhiqiu wouldn't want to let him go. Song was currently Zuojing's most profitable artist, and for the next five to even ten years, he would continue to be the company's top earner, with nearly two-thirds of Zuojing's revenue coming from him. Naturally, Luo Zhiqiu wasn't willing to let go of this money-making machine.
Cheng Tian and Zuojing jointly released a statement, claiming that Song and Zoe were just friends and that the photos circulating were from a group gathering, asking the public not to misinterpret the situation.
Once the statement was released, it was met with mockery and ridicule online. The mainstream reaction was: "With those gazes in the photos, you're telling me they're just friends?"
Pfft, who would believe that!
Although Zoe hadn't responded online, she was following the gossip closely.
Eating her own melon.
She was very curious about how people online were discussing her.
When she saw most people saying the same thing, Zoe couldn't help but wonder, what kind of gaze in the photos had given people the wrong impression that she and Song were a couple?
Zoe dug up the photos Lin Xiaomiao had taken, opened them, zoomed in, and looked carefully. Her expression was perfectly normal, wasn't it? She was a bit nervous when almost falling, confused when suddenly grabbed by the wrist. How could that be mistaken as affectionate?
After checking her own expression, Zoe scoffed.
But then, she suddenly realized which gaze the netizens were talking about.
It was Song's gaze.
In the photos, his gaze toward her actually carried a hint of concern and protectiveness.
Like the second lead in a romance drama.
"Song, what the hell? Why are you looking at me so deeply?" Zoe picked up the phone and called him. "I just figured it out, it's your gaze that caused all this misunderstanding!"
Song calmly replied, "I'll call you back later," and hung up.
Zoe stared in disbelief.
"He hung up on me? He's guilty! It's you who didn't manage your expression properly!" Zoe scolded as she looked at Song's phone number.
On the other end of the call, Song put the phone down, face down on the table.
He then looked back at the woman sitting across from him.
She was in her forties but well-maintained, with delicate makeup. Under the soft lighting, her face remained smooth, with not a single wrinkle visible. Only her eyes showed the passage of time, carrying the wisdom of years.
"Who called you?" Luo Zhiqiu asked with a smile, still beautiful and captivating. "It wasn't that rumored girlfriend of yours, was it?"
"What rumored girlfriend?" Song laughed lightly. "The media these days, they can make fireworks out of a firecracker. Their exaggerated rhetoric would probably make their literature teachers proud."
Luo Zhiqiu didn't seem convinced. She said, "I think you treat that Zoe girl differently than other girls."
Song nodded and replied, "That's true."
"Are you interested in her?"
"Not really." Song shook his head. "I just have a little liking for her."
"Oh?" Luo Zhiqiu chuckled, her eyes glinting. "Should I sign that girl to our company?"
"No need, I've lost interest." Song casually dismissed it. "I interacted with her a bit and realized she's no different from anyone else."
"Really? But from the photos Lin Xiaomiao took, your gaze didn't seem as simple as you say."
"Are you jealous, Autumn?" Song smiled.
Luo Zhiqiu shot him a playful glare, "You've got some nerve, making jokes about me."
Song, unperturbed, raised his wine glass and took a sip. "I can joke like that with you. But with Luo Yuhu, that guy has no real skills and is quick to escalate things. Say anything to him, and he'll make a lecture out of it. He even lectured me today about not dating. It's ridiculous. Does he think I don't know I'm not supposed to date? Does he need to remind me?"
A touch of impatience appeared on Song's face.
Luo Zhiqiu laughed and comforted him, "Don't bother with him. You had him as your agent, not because of his great personality. But honestly, I'm relieved he's around. With your looks, you're always attracting young girls. Who knows when you'll lose control?"
"I'm not interested in young girls. All my focus is on Ask the Heart right now." Song sighed. "Luo Yuhu said Director Jiang is still hesitating. Things aren't going well."
"Are you really that set on Director Jiang?" Luo Zhiqiu asked.
"Autumn, that's Director Jiang, you know? He's the director I admire the most." Song said.
Upon hearing this, Luo Zhiqiu raised an eyebrow.