16 Liu Qiao Qiao joins Baiyu studios 1

After many hours of filming, Liu Qiao Qiao and Shi Xiaotong joined the cast and crew for a team dinner. The dinner had been arranged by Director Zhu, to treat everyone for a job well done.

The Dinner was held in the private room of a restaurant close to the set. Everyone was seated in groups, Director Zhu and the main casts, were seated at a table at the center of the room.

While everyone else sat around them. Liu Qiao Qiao and Shi Xiaotong were both seated at the main table. Next to Liu Qiao Qiao were Chang Qiu and her assistant.

At the start of the dinner, Liu Qiao Qiao was introduced by Director Zhu to everyone. She had been warmly received by everyone. The cast and crew were a pretty receptive bunch, they weren't at all prejudiced to her at all.

She was enjoying working with everyone. Director Zhu was nothing like the rumors would have one belief. He was surprisingly nice and pretty tolerant. He was very patient with everyone.

Some minutes into the dinner Liu Qiao Qiao took an excuse and went off to the ladies' room. When she was done with her business, she got out of the stall to wash up.

As soon as she walked out of the store, she mistakenly made eye contact with Chang Qiu through the mirror. Who was bent over a sink washing her hands?

Liu Qiao Qiao quickly nodded with a smile in greeting, which Chang Qiu replied with a nod of her own and continued with her watching hands.

They had films a few scenes together, during which Chang Qiu had been Polite but distant. This wasn't surprising to Liu Qiao Qiao, since that was their first time working together.

After washing up Liu Qiao Qiao Walked over to the hand dryer when Chang Qiu called out her name.

"Qiao Qiao," Chang Qiu said a few steps close to the door.

"Yes, Senor Chang Qiu" Liu Qiao Qiao replied turning around to face Chang Qiu.

"You did well today, keep it up," Chang Qiu said with a smile.

"Thanks, senior Chang Qiu"

"Don't call me senior Chang Qiu, you're making me seem old. Call me Sister Chang Qiu"

"alright"

"I'll be leaving now, see you tomorrow Qiao Qiao"

"Yes Se_ Sister Chang Qiu"

"mm," she said and left the room.

After drying up Liu Qiao Qiao returned to the private room. The dinner went on for close to an hour before coming to an end.

*********

At a high rise apartment

Lai Zhiqiang got out of the elevator with his suitcase and walked over to his apartment door. He punched in the passcode, unlock the door, and walked right in.

A faint sound of pots and pans was heard when he walked in. Surprised he set down his suitcase and followed the noise to the well-furnished kitchen.

The kitchen was the one-room apart from his bedroom, studio, and living room that was properly arranged in his new apartment.

A slender build woman in a smart Corporate attire was standing at the stove head bend, gently steering the content of the pot. Her hair was packed up in a tight knot.

"Linying how come your here?" Lai Zhiqiang asked shocked.

He was expecting this at all. The last time they had spoken over the phone, He had been given the impression that Lin Lanying had been at the company.

"Oh, your back didn't hear you come in. Luckily am almost done, we can have Dinner soon" she said dishing out the food.

"So you're making me dinner"

"Yep"

"Why?"

"it's been a while since we last had dinner together. I thought we could remedy that with a home-cooked meal. Just like old times."

"Just like old times?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with you Zhiqian, why are you repeating my words?"

"oh, it's nothing. I was just a little taken aback by this. It's been a while since you've done this"

"Yeah, help me take this to the table," she said handing him a bow of food.

A few minutes later the table was set and they sat down and had dinner.

Halfway through the dinner

"How was your trip," she asked, picking a few dishes from the serving bowls and putting the dishes on his plate.

"It was successful, I've already fixed the date for the recording session of Nsk girls. It will take place a month from now at the studio"

"I'll make the necessary arrangements"

"Oh and one more thing Lanying, you need to change my usual hotel room at S city."

"Did you get harassed by the press?"

"worse, I got harassed by a bimbo"

"Bimbo?"

"Xiao Mei somehow got found out my hotel room number"

*Clank"

She quickly placed her chopsticks on the table with great force. Hands balled up into fists and her face flushed in displeasure.

"What? she got up to your room. What the hell was the front desk staff up to. You're a public figure, how can they let something like that slip.

"It could be a stalker. well now that I think about that, She wasn't exactly invited so that might as well be the case.

"Since they can't ensure the safety and privacy of their guest, then we might as well take our business elsewhere," she said

"mm"

"Speaking of business, I brought over the detailed list of potential replacements for Mandy Lee. You should through them before meeting with Tan Jing and his team."

"Thanks, I'll do that this night"

"alright and now to something a little more personal. I received a call from Li Cheng's younger sister_"

"What does that snake want?"

"His critically ill Zhiqiang and asking to speak with you."

"Critically ill? Is that the angle he going with this time."

"He isn't lying Zhiqiang. I asked around, he's been in and out of the hospital for two years now. He was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer. This time it's final, there's no going back. He's been admitted to First citizen hospital for months.

"He has just a few weeks to live. I know you're angry with him Zhiqiang but you have to see him. This maybe your last chance, his too"

"what's his room number"

"He's staying at room 305 of the oncology ward"

"I'll pay him a visit"

"Thanks," she said placing her hands on his and giving it a gentle squeeze.