Our Virtual World Love Affair Chapter 7

Hayes...

Hayes! ?

Murphy stared at the line of words, his fingers began to tremble unconsciously. Suddenly, the word "congratulations" appeared in front of him, flashing blue light.

"Congratulations, you have received an extra 500 points!"

Extra points?

Murphy stared at the prompt message in a daze until he heard Grace's shout on the other end of the receiver. Then he reacted, hurriedly collected the points, and hurriedly raised the phone to his ear again.

"Hello! Hello!"

"Hey, I'm listening, Sister Yun. The signal was bad just now..."

Grace's tone slowed down, "I wonder why you haven't said anything for so long."

"Sister Yun, did you just say that Caleb was rejected?"

"Well, I'm still asking for the specific reasons. It seems to be a problem between several investors. After all, there has to be a leader and a runner-up among the investors. Whoever pays more has the highest say."

"None of this matters. You have to come with me for dinner. Let me make it clear to you first. Director Chen and Editor Qu are here. This is not entirely a setup by the investors. Hurry up and change your clothes. I'm on my way. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

This happened too suddenly. He had already thought and determined that he would not be able to join the group, but there was an unexpected turn of events.

If the director and screenwriter are both there, there shouldn't be any big problems.

Murphy found a suit from the closet and put it on. Looking at the person in the mirror, he couldn't help but sigh. What a handsome face. No wonder so many girls are fascinated by him.

Grace asked the makeup artist Xiao Zhang to do a simple hairstyle for him in the car. After all, it was a dinner party, so it had to look neat.

"Did they invite only us to this show or are there other actors they like?"

Grace replied to the WeChat message: "I'm not sure. The person who called was Director Chen's assistant. I couldn't ask since he hadn't said that. It might be someone else. No matter what, you have to behave better." Although she said that, her own artist Grace knew it best. She was born to be a taciturn person.

The only thing that is gifted by God is the face.

"The core of this situation is Director Chen and Mr. Sheng Huafeng of Shanda Guanghua. I guess Shanda Guanghua has the largest investment."

Grand glory?

In other words, Dingming Century wanted to promote Carter, but rejected Caleb and then Shanda’s CEO attended the dinner, so it was Xin Yao who was promoting Caleb.

After figuring out the different camps among investors, Murphy recalled what happened on Weibo: "Since it was rejected, why is his team still promoting it on Weibo?"

Grace snorted coldly, "He's just trying to get some attention. The ancient idol drama he finished filming in the first half of the year is now in the promotion period, and it's the time when he needs attention. Even if he can't act in "Nan Ke", as long as his name is inseparable from this film, he has achieved his goal."

"However, if I were a capitalist, I would not choose Caleb unless it was the bedside."

Murphy: "How do you say that?"

"It's very simple. This kind of art film is a typical loss-making one. The director is aiming for awards, but the investors are not. Capitalists certainly hope to make a lot of money. Although Hayes's box office appeal is the best among young actors, it is not enough for them. Businessmen are always greedy."

"For a dual-male lead drama like this, they certainly hope that the other one will have considerable box office appeal, but Caleb has been in the industry for four or five years. Although his acting skills are not bad, to put it bluntly, he is not destined to be popular and cannot attract fans. No fans means no money."

Grace looked into Murphy's eyes, "This is why you are at this dinner."

Murphy smiled, not knowing whether to feel lucky or sad.

This environment has become completely commercialized and has formed a set of rules that are completely different from the past.

"Of course, I also asked someone about it. Qu Qing is very satisfied with you. She thinks your overall image best fits the role she wrote."

Murphy just remembered something he wanted to ask Grace, but was suddenly made to forget it by her comforting addition, and he couldn't remember it no matter how hard he tried.

What did you want to ask just now?

The car soon arrived at the agreed location, which was a private club far away from the city center. It looked like a private villa from the outside, surrounded by trees, and only a red roof could be seen from a distance.

It is in line with Director Chen’s usual low-key style.

But if Carter really joined, there would be no way to keep a low profile.

Murphy walked into the club with a wry smile and followed the staff into a private room. Although it was a private room, the space inside was actually about the same size as half of the lobby of an ordinary hotel.

As soon as she opened the door of the room, Grace switched to socializing mode. She was wearing a pair of expensive high heels and had a bright smile on her face. Even her voice was a little softer. She was completely different from the old mother she acted like when she was facing Murphy.

As soon as Murphy entered the door, he saw Director Chen and Editor Qu. The two of them were sitting together just like they did during the audition, but Editor Qu smiled at him the first time, and Murphy quickly greeted them.

Sitting on Director Chen's right was a middle-aged man with decent clothes and handsome features. He always had a smile on his face and had the demeanor of a leader who was in control of everything. I guess he was Sheng Huafeng.

"Hello, Mr. Sheng. I've heard a lot about you." Grace walked forward with a smile. Sheng Huafeng was very gentlemanly. When he saw the lady, he stood up and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you."

As a freelancer, Murphy had hardly ever encountered such business socializing, so he had no choice but to walk forward and bow 90 degrees to Sheng Huafeng, saying, "Hello, Mr. Sheng, I am Carter."

Perhaps because he was startled by this rather formal way of greeting, Murphy saw that everyone's expressions were a little subtle when he stood up, but soon Sheng Huafeng laughed twice, pointed at Carter and said to Grace: "Your child is really honest."

Grace also quickly laughed along and said, "Yes, don't be fooled by his handsome appearance, he is actually very real."

Murphy was not very satisfied with the word beautiful.

"Carter, right? You can sit here." President Sheng pointed to the second seat next to him. Murphy sat down as he said, and Grace also sat next to him.

"Let's not talk about work today. Let's just think of it as me treating everyone to a meal."

A game organized by Sheng Huafeng?

This surprised Murphy a little, and he didn't understand why Sheng Huafeng left a seat empty. Didn't he want to sit next to him?

"I often come to this club. The dishes there are very exquisite. Director Chen, I know you like to have a drink. I asked someone to bring me some top-quality white wine today. You have to give me some face later."

Director Chen's cold face finally showed a smile. Strangely, his smile seemed a bit honest.

"Hey, Xiaoji, can you drink?"

Grace was about to speak when Murphy unconsciously interrupted her, "Not bad."

Ava's voice soon appeared: "Mr. Xu, you may have forgotten that Carter is not allowed to drink."

"I haven't forgotten." Murphy answered in his mind, "He won't, but I will. Won't my physical characteristics affect the essence of this world? It doesn't matter."

Ava: "Are you ready for a drinking contest?"

Murphy: "That's better than other methods. Do you have any hangover medicine for sale?"

Ava: "Strong hangover remedy, 300 per bottle, fair to all."

Murphy: "...Give me a bottle first."

Just as he finished speaking, the right pocket of his suit felt heavier. Murphy reached in and touched a small bottle about the same size as San Zinc Oral Solution.

Really honest and trustworthy.

Suddenly he felt his leg kicked. Murphy turned around and saw Grace glaring at him. He could only smile.

"I can't believe that Carter looks so gentle but can drink! Okay, I like it. Those who can't drink are not real men!"

Others may not know, but Murphy knows it clearly. Although this Mr. Sheng is not a character who appears at this point in time in the original work, he was also created by him. When he was first written, he was a businessman who looked quite cultured, with a particularly chivalrous spirit in his bones. Therefore, drinking was considered a way to win favor, and you couldn't avoid him when you met him.

As they were talking, there were two knocks on the door. Mr. Sheng immediately smiled and said to Director Chen, "You're finally here."

With the sound of the door opening, Murphy turned around, and in an instant, he remembered what he wanted to ask Grace in the car just now.

Will Hayes come?

Obviously, he has arrived.

Hayes was also wearing a suit, but it was a light grey casual style, which made him look slender. He smiled at the people who had already sat down and unbuttoned his sleeves: "I'm late, and the driver almost couldn't find the place."

President Sheng laughed and called Hayes over. Hayes was also very generous and sat down in the empty seat between Sheng Huafeng and Murphy neatly.

For some reason, when Hayes sat down, he felt that the person next to him was like a kitten whose fur suddenly stood up. He looked at Murphy, and Murphy smiled at him.

Ava: "Mr. Xu, your smile is a little fake."

Murphy: "Don't tear down people when they are in trouble."

Hayes also responded with a warm smile, but because he knew Hayes's attitude towards Carter in the original plot, Murphy always felt uneasy. However, Hayes seemed quite natural, chatting with Sheng Huafeng and others in a familiar manner.

The dishes were served one by one. Mr. Sheng was generous and greeted the people at the table. Although Director Chen always showed a cold image, he also gave Mr. Sheng face. Qu Qing and Grace were quite chatty, probably because they were both women and had similar topics.

Only Murphy seemed to have no topic to talk about, except for drinking with Sheng Huafeng when he said cheers.

Suddenly, he felt his left foot being stepped on lightly. Murphy glanced at the person on his left, thinking that he had accidentally touched him, and quickly retracted his foot.

The food in this private club is really delicious. Murphy hasn't had a normal meal since he came to this world. He picked up a piece of pork ribs and was about to put it in his mouth when his foot was stepped on again.

The ribs fell into the bowl with a plop.

Murphy turned his head to look at Hayes beside him. He was holding a glass wine glass in his hand with a smile on his lips.

Just when Murphy felt puzzled, the other party slightly turned his body and approached him quietly during the dinner.

Hayes's voice was low.

"This is your punishment for not adding me on WeChat."