Bab 34: Unlimited Access in the Entertainment Industry
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
What civic obligations? It was all a cover for some people's dirty underground dealings.
On the one hand, there were clients who were willing to spend money to be entertained. On the other, there were those who were willing to sell their bodies for fame and glory.
From her past experience in the entertainment industry, she had witnessed plenty of these immoral dealings.
"Well, it looks like I will not be able to get home before dinner."
An Ziqi frowned. In the past few days, they had been eating take-out food. She had originally planned to cook them a decent meal that evening, but now, it appeared that she would not get home in time to do so.
Xia Tianxing looked at An Ziqi and sighed. An Ziqi was still naive, oblivious to the dark side of the real world.
Right now, An Ziqi was unblemished, like a clean sheet of white paper, and Xia Tianxing sincerely hoped that she would never be tainted by the corrupt and dirty entertainment industry.
She believed that An Ziqi was unlike the other girls who would, for fame and money, demean themselves and engage in all those immoral dealings.
She was worried, though, that other people might use dirty tricks to entrap her.
Squeezing An Ziqi's hand, she instructed in a low voice, "When we get there, stick close to me at all times and don't wander off by yourself."
An Ziqi smiled and replied, "Hey, I'm not a kid. Do you think I would wander off and get into trouble?"
Helplessly, Xia Tianxing laughed and responded, "I'm just afraid that you would end up in a sticky situation that you cannot handle."
At Xia Tianxing's words, An Ziqi guessed that the dinner would involve drinking and could not help frowning.
Patting her elbow reassuringly, Xia Tianxing said, "Don't worry. I will be there."
An Ziqi nodded.
The car stopped at the entrance to the Santa Fe Blues Club.
After alighting, An Ziqi noticed that not all of the contestants were there.
There were only about a little more than 10 people present.
When she saw Lin Kelan in the group, An Ziqi felt a headache coming on. Why did she have to bump into her wherever she went?
When Xia Tianxing saw the signage for the Santa Fe Blues Club, she held on even tighter to An Ziqi's hand.
She had not expected that they would be sent to such a place.
"What's up?" An Ziqi asked quietly.
Looking pale, Xia Tianxing simply shook her head.
"Remember, do not wander off on your own. If you need to go to the washroom, tell me and I will go with you."
Although An Ziqi did not understand why, she knew that Xia Tianxing meant well. She nodded.
Very quickly, they were led to a lavish private room.
Upon entering, they noticed a huge round table around which sat more than 10 pudgy, middle-aged men with greasy faces.
The person who had led them there laughed merrily and began introducing each of them.
The majority of them were very wealthy businessmen while the others included a few internet tycoons and big bosses from the media and entertainment world.
Lin Kelan had already locked in her target. Moving at top speed, she rushed ahead and homed in on one of the big media bosses, sitting herself down beside him.
They had all entered the beauty contest with the sole objective of joining the entertainment industry. Latching on to a bigwig like that and in turn getting the relevant support would be equivalent to getting a pass with unlimited access within the entertainment industry.
With the pass, they would have their pick of any movie or TV drama that they wished to star in.
The other girls, filled with envy and resentment at not being quick footed enough, simply smiled and proceeded to sit with the other guests.
Dragging An Ziqi with her, Xia Tianxing found two seats for themselves.
When seated, An Ziqi felt a tad nervous, so she picked up the glass in front of her and drank a mouthful. Then she realized that it was rice wine and not water.
Choking on the rice wine, she coughed and spluttered. A hand reached out from beside her and began to rub her back gently.
A big, greasy face inched close to her and smiled.
"This young lady must be drinking for the first time. Take your time. No rush."
Shocked by the suggestive rubbing on her back, An Ziqi could feel her hair standing on end.
And now, that man had inched even closer to her, his breath reeking of alcohol, making her feel nauseated.
At lightning speed, she moved away from the man and his wandering hand on her back.
In an instant, the man's expression turned ugly.
"What? I'm not good enough for you?"
-- Hadiah diterima