The environment instantly turned awkward. However, how could a man like Xia Jin decline the words of the man who ruled this city? In the end, he only nodded and gave a wry smile to his soon to be wife.
"Ah… thank you." Mo Li sat to Li Yue's left. This action made the couple Xia Jin and Li Weiwei move to their proper respective seats. Xia Jin was sitting across Li Yue while Li Weiwei was sitting to Li Yue's right. "I was honestly surprised to see everyone tonight. I hope I am not disturbing anything?"
"Oh. Of course not." Li Weiwei answered. "Li Yue just got back abroad and we wanted her to create a painting for us. For mine and Jin's wedding."
"Hmmm." Mo Li eyed Li Yue. "You haven't aged." He uttered. Li Yue immediately smirked inwardly when she heard his comments.
"You seem to have gotten more mature since the last time that we saw each other, Mr. Mo."
"Is that so?" He raised an eyebrow and rested his elbows on the table, his eyes were glued to the woman in red. "Are you married?"
The question obviously surprised everyone at the table.
"No."
"Do you have a boyfriend?" he raised an eyebrow.
"No."
"Good." Mo Li leaned back and smiled at the couple. "Don't mind me. Please continue talking about your business tonight. Just act as if I'm not here."
But how could they act as if a man who was taller than six foot, dressed in a dark blue suit, whose intimidating presence seemed to make the whole restaurant a lot quieter, doesn't exist? Even Li Yue was confused about this man's actions. However, she decided not to think about any of this and started talking about the painting.
"This image." Li Weiwei handed her a tablet. "This is when we went to Jia Country and enjoyed a week at the beach. I want a really nice oil painting about four feet big. I wanted to put this in our living room. Do you think that is possible?"
"Hmmm." Li Yue stared at the perfect picture. Inside the photo, Li Weiwei was leaning on Xia Jin's arms as the two looked at the sunset by the beach. The two actually didn't show their faces as it only showed their back as they looked at the sunset. It was a very good image. Worthy of an image for the male and female lead. "Two million. That's already discounted."
"…" Silence descended the room.
"Is there something wrong?" she frowned.
"Oh nothing. Nothing." Li Weiwei said awkwardly.
"Then.. Good. Please email this photo to me. As soon as I receive it, I will send you my bank details. Send half now and half once it's done."
"Yue… you said it's discounted. Then… what was your usual price?"
"Five Million." She answered Xia Jin. "That's more than fifty percent discount for your wedding."
"Oh! Then… thank you! Sister Yue." A sweet smile bloomed on Li Weiwei's face. To be honest, she was not expecting Li Yue to directly talk about money like this. As an actress, Li Weiwei was already used to people offering to do something for her for free in exchange for a little exposure in her social media posts and videos. Some of them would even give her the money for her to feature the product that they had made for her.
Of course, Li Yue's actions didn't anger her in any way. She completely understood that Li Yue had been struggling since going abroad. She was only using her talent so she could continue living. In fact, Li Weiwei actually pitied this woman. Without the Li Family's assistance she struggled and lived a pitiable life for years now.
Sometimes, Li Weiwei would even wonder how she could help Li Yue. However, Xia Jin would always tell her that she was too kind. He always told her how she, Li Weiwei did not owe anything to Li Yue.
"Sister Yue…" In the end, Li Weiwei couldn't stop herself from asking. Seeing Li Yue talk about money only meant that she really needed some cash. "If you like… I can promote your painting to the actresses in my agency. They love a really good piece of art. It would be nice to have new clients."
Li Yue smiled in response. "No worries Li Weiwei, I am not planning to stay in this country for too long. I was only planning to stay for a few months before I will settle abroad." Her flipping business was based outside of the country. It was unreasonable for her to stay here. What for? To meet the female lead all the time? No way!
"Yue… I believe Weiwei's offer is very good. Why don't you stay for a few more years? Perhaps, new clients will make you earn extra income. It would be really good for you." On the outside, Xia Jin's voice was gentle and kind. However, on the inside, he couldn't help but be irritated at Li Yue's prideful self. It seems that Li Yue was still the same old Li Yue from all those years ago.
Li Yue only smiled and took a sip at her wine. How could she not understand these people's purpose. All those years ago, people had looked up to Li Weiwei's kind actions towards Li Yue because of that accident. How could she not understand that Li Weiwei was trying to do the same thing now?
She immediately wondered if Li Weiwei had a film coming and needed some boosts in popularity. "I have no interests in living within this country. My original plan was to travel and continue painting as I visited places. I feel like staying in one country would affect my creativity."
"But how could you travel without money?" Xia Jin asked. "Yue… some talented artists do not succeed because of their pride. In this world it is better to have a few connections here and there. In my opinion, you are already very lucky that Li Weiwei offered to expose your talents to her co artists."
Li Yue stared at him in response. Why does this man not sound like the male lead at all? Was there something wrong with the current script?
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