Drama Queen Reborn as a Top Student!-Chapter 845 - 394: The Battle for the Role

Rong Xianning received a call from Ding Meng on the way to Zirui Pavilion.

"Seven o’clock tonight at Zirui Pavilion, I’ve booked a private room to celebrate your successful middle school exams."

Zirui Pavilion again.

Rong Xianning pursed his lips, "President Ding, I..."

Before he could refuse, Ding Meng quickly interrupted, "I have something important to discuss with you, it’s about your future. I know you have high ambitions, and the opportunity I’m fighting for you, you’ll definitely not want to refuse. You’ll know when you get here."

Ding Meng hung up the phone and returned to the private room, smiling apologetically to the middle-aged man sitting inside, "Xiao Rong just finished his exams, he’ll be here soon. When you meet this kid, you’ll see he won’t disappoint you."

The man was a typical successful middle-aged man’s stereotype, bald with a big belly, unimpressive in appearance, paired with shrewd little eyes that made people dislike him.

But since he was the Hua Country representative for Interstellar Entertainment, calling him a representative wasn’t accurate. Interstellar Entertainment didn’t have business in Hua Country, but now they needed someone familiar here for casting selection, to handle communication and coordination.

Wu Hao from QX Entertainment had personal ties with a senior figure at Interstellar Entertainment, and thus he smoothly obtained this opportunity.

Wu Hao’s QX Entertainment was once a big company in the industry, having promoted many stars. Unfortunately, in this fiercely competitive circle, it only shone for a couple of years before being overshadowed by newcomers.

This time, climbing the ladder of Interstellar Entertainment meant a turnaround and revenge for past failures.

To secure this audition opportunity, Ding Meng had to humor this distasteful man.

Wu Hao squinted his small eyes, revealing some lust under the influence of alcohol, and reached out to touch Ding Meng’s hand.

"Do you know how many people invited me to dinner today? I turned them all down just to come to your appointment, and what does that tell you?"

Ding Meng felt that greasy big hand rubbing against hers, so nauseous she almost vomited, but she had to endure, forcing out a smile as her face flushed green.

"It shows President Wu trusts me, it’s my honor," she said.

"Wrong, I like you," he countered.

As he spoke, his hand moved upwards, "Ding Meng, back then you were indifferent to me, and now you’re obediently submitting to me."

He didn’t see Ding Meng’s face twisted with suppressed emotion, he was doing it on purpose, feeling very smug inside.

They were college classmates; he pursued Ding Meng when he was young. Back then, Ding Meng had high ambitions, not only did she dismiss him, but she also publicly humiliated him, and he had held onto that grudge ever since. Fortunately, fate gave him a chance to get his revenge.

Ding Meng hesitated for a moment, "What did you say, President Wu?"

Seizing this chance, she subtly retreated a little, escaping Wu Hao’s greasy hand.

Wu Hao wouldn’t let her have this opportunity, catching her hand in a firm grip.

Wu Hao scrutinized Ding Meng’s face, questioning, "You don’t remember me?"

Ding Meng was at a loss, "President Wu, we haven’t met before, have we?"

Wu Hao’s face instantly became livid, his chubby face twisted at once, gripping Ding Meng’s hand so tightly that she cried out in pain.

"You actually forgot me? You actually forgot me? You despicable woman..."

Ding Meng’s face immediately darkened.

She endured the smile not to offer the other party more leverage. Did he really think he was of great importance?

"President Wu, mind your manners."

She tried to shake off Wu Hao’s greasy hand, but found she couldn’t.

"If you continue, I’ll call the police."

Wu Hao sneered, "Go ahead. But that pretty boy you’re keeping will never get the chance."

Ding Meng laughed in outrage, "You’re threatening me?"

It’s just one role; if it’s a dead end, there are other paths. She couldn’t stand this humiliation.

Wu Hao triumphantly stated, "Interstellar Entertainment has put me in charge of this casting. If I spread the word to blacklist that pretty boy, who do you think they’ll listen to, me or you?"

Ding Meng’s face suddenly turned white.

There’s a saying about a ship sinking with its nails; no one expected this outdated Wu Hao to have the chance to climb up Interstellar Entertainment, a world-class star-making factory, where even a sliver of opportunity could support many people.

If he spreads the word, considering the reputation of Interstellar Entertainment, people might indeed heed Wu Hao.

In this industry, it’s always about connections and resources.

Without connections and resources, talents like Rong Xianning could only be buried.

Ding Meng took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, "What exactly do you want?"

Wu Hao’s hand caressed her back, enjoying the moment, "I want you..."

Ding Meng: ...

She suddenly took Wu Hao’s arm, smiling coyly, "President Wu, if you say it like that, I’ll be frank. Let’s agree I’ll keep you company, and you give the role to Xiao Rong. No going back, if you break the promise, you’ll be struck by lightning."

Wu Hao: ...

Looking at her aging face, plastered with an ingratiating and sycophantic smile, he suddenly felt a lack of interest.

"Do you know how many people have their eyes on this role? If I blatantly give it to him, won’t others suspect there’s something shady going on? At most, I’ll give him an audition opportunity, whether he gets selected depends on his own ability."

Ding Meng sneered inwardly, pretending to be ignorant while knowing full well.

Wu Hao withdrew his hand, saying he would stand up: "President He’s of Platinum Entertainment invited me, so I won’t stay."

He Qian?

Ding Meng narrowed her eyes.

He Qian has Xu Si and Chen Shucheng under him.

Chen Shucheng has already become hugely popular, although he’s in his mid-twenties, his baby face maintains a youthful look, making him a perfect fit to play a high school student.

Chen Shucheng also has fame and work achievements, from any perspective, his chances are great.

Not to mention he has a competent agent, and He Qian, that old fox, is an expert at snatching roles.

Seeing Wu Hao about to leave, Ding Meng gritted her teeth and took a deep breath: "President Wu, wait a moment...."

——

Rong Xianning arrived at Zirui Pavilion, and Ding Meng’s assistant Ye Zi was waiting for him at the entrance.

"You’ve finally arrived, I’ll take you to the private room."

Rong Xianning said indifferently, "I’m not here to meet President Ding."

Ye Zi was taken aback.

Rong Xianning looked towards the nearby waiter: "Red Plum Garden."

The waiter received instructions through the earpiece and immediately stepped forward, guiding Rong Xianning towards the elevator respectfully, followed closely by his bodyguard Xiao Hu.

Ye Zi quickly caught up once she realized.

Rong Xianning wasn’t there to see President Ding, then who was he meeting?

The private rooms at Zirui Pavilion also have different levels: Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum; Red Plum, Quiet Orchid, Green Bamboo, and Snow Chrysanthemum. Red Plum is the highest level suite, President Ding was hosting at Snow Chrysanthemum tonight.

Which big shot did Rong Xianning know to host at Red Plum Garden?

Red Plum Garden is on the third floor, Ye Zi stayed by Rong Xianning’s side, and the waiter assumed they were together, otherwise, guests without a reservation couldn’t enter the third floor.

Ye Zi cautiously stayed by Rong Xianning, barely breathing, secretly pulling out her phone to message Ding Meng.

The third-floor decor was vastly different from elsewhere, with pavilions, towers, rock gardens and streams, it had an ancient charm, with faint sounds of pipa music.

The waiter escorted Rong Xianning to a door and knocked gently.

Soon, a clear and cold female voice came from inside: "Come in."

Rong Xianning took a deep breath, and as the waiter opened the door, he stepped inside.

Ye Zi instinctively tried to follow but was stopped by Xiao Hu.

Ye Zi glared at him: "Do you know who’s inside?"

"Xiao Rong’s friend."

"Aren’t you afraid he’ll be deceived?" Ye Zi stamped her foot in worry, trying to peer inside, but the waiter closed the door, blocking her view.

Xiao Hu crossed his arms and sat on a chair by the door with a detached and nonchalant manner.

Ye Zi had no choice but to call Ding Meng.

When Ding Meng made up her mind, she received Ye Zi’s call.

Upon hearing that Rong Xianning went to Red Plum Garden for a meeting, she was quite surprised.

As far as she knew, Red Plum Garden wasn’t a place that just any wealthy person could book.

This kid Rong Xianning wasn’t possibly being tricked.

She immediately called Rong Xianning, but he didn’t pick up.

Ding Meng couldn’t feel at ease, swiftly got up and left.

Wu Hao was livid: "Ding Meng, I already gave you a chance, don’t make me lose my patience."

Ding Meng didn’t want to fall out with Wu Hao, "President Wu, I have something urgent to attend to, I’ll be back soon, you go ahead and order while waiting."

With that, she hurried out.

Wu Hao felt Ding Meng was just making excuses to run away, clearly planning a face-off.

Thinking of old shames from decades ago, with new and old grudges combining, he had the urge to strangle Ding Meng.

He took out his phone and made a call.

"Mr. He, Zirui Pavilion, if you bring Shu Cheng to have a drink with me tonight, the role goes to your Shu Cheng, you know I have that power."