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Chapter 59: Drunk

The director invited Duan Qingyu to dinner, and of course, it was at the most luxurious restaurant in Hengdian. Only the top people were invited, like the producers, directors, assistant directors, and the main cast.

As soon as Duan Qingyu entered, he was arranged to sit at the head of the table. Chengdu and Ji Xueli naturally sat beside him.

“Not sure if these dishes are to your liking, Prince Duan. Should we order something else?” the director asked Duan Qingyu.

Duan Qingyu glanced at the food and then looked toward Ji Xueli.

Ji Xueli shook her head slightly, indicating it was fine.

“That’s fine, let’s eat,” Duan Qingyu said to everyone.

Their actions didn’t escape anyone’s attention. Fu Yunfan pursed his lips. He never had high hopes to begin with.

Before, Ji Xueli had been with Ji Yanzhou, but although Duan Qingyu had a higher social status, his behavior was questionable.

He indulged in fun, attended wild parties at sea, and his reputation had spread far and wide. But even so, his popularity among the socialites remained high.

No, he couldn’t let his senior fall into this fire pit.

“How much longer until the wrap-up for this drama?” Duan Qingyu asked as he took a sip of wine.

“Prince Duan, there are still two months left. After all, the backup is S+ level,” the director replied.

Two more months… Ji Xueli silently sighed. She still had to be stuck in Hengdian for two more months.

Chengdu blinked. “So, is Lili the female lead?”

“Well… technically, Guan Ru is the female lead, but according to the ranking, both Fu Yunfan and Miss Ji are first-tier,” the director hesitated, replying.

“Ah, Lili, you’re not the female lead? Then why are you doing this?” Chengdu looked at Ji Xueli with disappointment.

“Didn’t the director say? I’m first-tier,” Ji Xueli replied helplessly.

In this novel, the female lead was more of a tool, while the comparison between her and the antagonist was much better. The antagonist’s transformation was well-paced.

“Alright. But Guan Ru, is that you?” Chengdu turned to the woman sitting next to Fu Yunfan.

He hadn’t forgotten his earlier promise to help Ji Xueli deal with Guan Ru—maybe even take her away from Ji Yanzhou’s side…

Guan Ru met Chengdu’s gaze. He wasn’t worse looking than Duan Qingyu, just a different type—more mischievous and unruly.

“…Yes,” Guan Ru said nervously.

“I’ve seen your drama, you acted quite well,” Chengdu smiled at her.

Guan Ru finally smiled and relaxed. “I didn’t expect Cheng Shao to have watched my drama, it’s an honor.”

“Why not have Guan Ru sit next to Cheng Shao? Let Cheng Shao get closer to his idol,” someone suggested, knowing Chengdu’s fondness for delicate and innocent women.

Guan Ru feigned modesty and, after some urging, reluctantly sat next to him, making it seem as though it was out of her control.

“Another female star about to be ‘handled’ by him,” Ji Xueli whispered to Duan Qingyu.

Duan Qingyu glanced at her. “Isn’t she someone you dislike?”

“Yeah, Chengdu said he would help me deal with Guan Ru,” Ji Xueli nodded.

“You asked Chengdu to help you?” Duan Qingyu asked.

Ji Xueli waved her hand. “No, Chengdu said it himself. He must have his own motives.”

Duan Qingyu glanced at the two beside them but didn’t speak.

The dinner continued, with things becoming much more relaxed. Chengdu and Guan Ru were chatting and laughing while drinking.

Meanwhile, the directors lined up to toast Duan Qingyu, flattering him with all sorts of sycophantic words. Ji Xueli listened in surprise, amazed at how many different ways they could praise someone…

Tsk, tsk, if this were ancient times, Duan Qingyu would definitely be the emperor, and these people… just his servants.

Ji Xueli stifled a yawn, watching as they drank glass after glass. She thought about advising Duan Qingyu to drink less, but then remembered he was a leader. His tolerance for alcohol shouldn’t be bad, so she just watched quietly.

By the end of the dinner, Duan Qingyu’s face remained pale, but his ears had turned red. He was now lazily slumped in his chair.

“Are you alright?” Ji Xueli leaned in and asked.

Duan Qingyu nodded, then shook his head, lightly pulling at her sleeve. “Take me back to the hotel…”

It seemed like he was really drunk. She helped him stand up, saying to the others, “You all continue, I’ll take Duan Qingyu back.”

Duan Qingyu put his arm around her shoulder, resting his head on hers, already looking like a drunken mess.

“I think the Prince is a little drunk. Should I have someone go with you?” the producer asked, eyeing Duan Qingyu.

“It’s fine, I called the driver at the door,” Ji Xueli said, holding onto his waist.

“Alright, Miss Ji, please be careful on the way back with the Prince.”

As Ji Xueli walked out, she briefly glanced at Chengdu. He was still chatting with Guan Ru and gave her a reassuring look as if telling her to go ahead.

Once outside, the cold wind helped clear Duan Qingyu’s head a little.

“Those old men…” Duan Qingyu pinched the space between his brows and muttered under his breath.

“You’re the Crown Prince. Rejecting their wine isn’t a big deal,” Ji Xueli chuckled lightly at his words.

“After all, Lili still has to shoot,” Duan Qingyu replied.

Ji Xueli raised an eyebrow at him. His face didn’t show much sign of being drunk, but his eyes, glistening with a soft shine, held a hint of emotion, more alluring than the flowers beside them.

“The Crown Prince drank all that for me? I’m so touched,” she teased, pretending to clutch her chest.

Duan Qingyu pinched her cheek. His voice was rough from the alcohol. “Superficial.”

Ji Xueli couldn’t help but laugh.

Soon, the driver’s car arrived, and Ji Xueli helped Duan Qingyu inside.

Worried that he might lose control of himself due to the drunkenness, she carefully helped him adjust. She gently laid his head on her lap, bent her legs slightly, and adjusted his position to make sure he was comfortable.

Duan Qingyu found a comfortable spot in her arms and closed his eyes.

A faint flush from the alcohol spread across his pale face, with his eyes becoming slightly red at the corners.

Ji Xueli gazed at him and couldn’t resist gently poking his cheek—it was a little hot…

In that moment, before she could react, a hand suddenly shot out like lightning, gripping hers with precision. The hand was long, pale, and had distinct knuckles, and it felt warm.

The car window was rolled down, and the night outside was dark like ink. The wind blew in, and the hanging charms inside the car swayed, just like her heart…

It was just a fleeting moment.

Ji Xueli didn’t try to pull away, treating it as a drunken person’s unconscious movement.

But… Duan Qingyu was quite fun when he was drunk.

She smiled, her lips curving upward.

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