I was rebellious by nature, but I ended up becoming a top influencer.

"Only sing songs you wrote yourself?"

"Only film scripts you wrote yourself?"

"Are all young people these days so arrogant?"

Wang Jingjing and Director Ding exchanged a glance, both seeing the worry in each other's eyes.

Young people with talent are prone to becoming complacent and arrogant.

Qi Tian only sings his own songs and acts in his own scripts; it's hard for him to maintain that persona.

However, Qi Tian was confident, so he told Wang Jingjing with certainty: "Therefore, I want to cooperate with the group company through a studio partnership."

"A studio? How would you like to split the profits?"

Qi Tian's bold idea surprised Wang Jingjing once again.

I originally valued his talent and was prepared to offer him a high-commission artist contract, but the other party's audacity and confidence were even greater than I had imagined.

Qi Tian didn't rush to make an offer. Instead, he said, "Why don't we wait for my song to run for a while, or for this short drama to be released, and see the market reaction before discussing the contract?"

We'll use big data analytics to gauge audience perception and approval of me. If the acceptance is positive, we can continue our discussions. This will also help the company mitigate risks.

As for the current compensation for this drama, just give me the market rate for my acting fee and the screenwriter's commission.

At the negotiating table, whoever makes the first offer loses.

Wang Jingjing understood Qi Tian's meaning, and her gaze towards Qi Tian became even more appreciative.

She's an intellectual type, and she's most attracted to men with high IQs. If the man is also good-looking, then he's even more perfect.

Aside from the occasional rebellious behavior typical of Gen Z that made her a little uneasy, she was quite satisfied with Qi Tian.

Director Ding's gaze towards Qi Tian grew increasingly eager: "Little brother, add me on WeChat, I'll treat you to drinks tonight."

Qi Tian glanced at the other person warily. He didn't refuse to add them on WeChat, because once he was confirmed to be the male lead, he would have to deal with Director Ding. However, he still politely declined the other person's invitation to drink: "I need to protect my voice, I can't drink."

"Let's have hot pot together! I have a membership at Hailaolao, and I spend tens of thousands of yuan a month there."

"Tens of thousands of yuan?"

Qi Tian was stunned. He loves hot pot so much? Isn't he afraid of getting esophageal cancer?

Besides the excessive service, the food at their restaurant wasn't particularly delicious either.

"I need to go back to the company with Director Wang."

Qi Tian refused again. This Director Ding, who loves hot pot, was being unusually enthusiastic.

Wang Jingjing stood up excitedly: "Let's go, let's go eat hot pot. Since we're out with me, why go back to the company?"

Qi Tian raised an eyebrow. It seemed that this beautiful director had been wearing a mask all along.

In reality, she's probably just an ordinary girl next door.

This involuntarily reminded him of the whispers Wang Jingjing had made in his ear a few days ago during his checkup.

She has a stunning figure, a simple personality, strong likes and dislikes, and outstanding looks.

Such a good girl is rare.

……

Three people in two cars rushed to the sea to retrieve the fish.

Around four or five o'clock in the afternoon, Hai Li Lao already had four or five tables of customers eating hot pot.

Before he even stepped out of the elevator, a waiter from Haili Lao bowed to greet him. When he saw that it was Director Ding, the waiter's smile became even brighter, as this was one of their most important clients.

"Whatever you want to eat today!"

Director Ding pinched his fingers and was about to go and make his own seasoning first.

Qi Tian suddenly reached out and stopped Director Ding: "Director Ding, thank you for your hospitality. How about I show you what I can do today?"

"Want to show off your skills?"

Director Ding looked at Qi Tian with suspicious eyes: "We're here for hot pot, what else can you show off your skills with?"

Qi Tian smiled shyly: "Director Ding, I've made you happy with your meal today. How about you film me looking a bit more handsome in this short drama?"

Director Ding's interest was immediately piqued. He absolutely loves hot pot, but he's gotten a bit tired of the same old dishes. He's been considering switching to another hot pot restaurant famous for its tripe, but the service there isn't as comfortable as Hai Li Lao's, which is why he hasn't changed yet.

Wang Jingjing stared at Qi Tian with her beautiful eyes. She wasn't sure if Qi Tian simply had a special skill or if he wanted to show off in front of the director.

To succeed in the entertainment industry, you need this kind of shamelessness; otherwise, where will you get roles? Where will you get camera shots?

So she sat there quietly, watching Qi Tian's performance.

Qi Tian first asked the group if they could handle spicy food. After learning that two of them could, he picked up his tablet and ordered the corresponding hot pot base and several ingredients.

Then, Qi Tian went to the condiment station, picked up a plate of free watermelon and three cups, and came back.

At this moment, the waiter also brought over the free ice that Qi Tian had requested.

"Could you please film a short video for me, Director Wang? I'll post it on my Kuaishou account later."

Wang Jingjing readily agreed; she also wanted to see what Qi Tian was going to do.

Qi Tian took a spoon and scooped out all the watermelon flesh, placing it in three glasses. Then, as if by magic, he pulled a bottle of soda from his pocket, divided it into the three glasses, and then placed the free ice cubes brought by the waiter on top of the watermelon flesh and inserted a straw.

"Iced watermelon sparkling water to cut through the grease, a free hot pot companion, please enjoy."

Amidst their surprised gazes, Qi Tian handed them two glasses of sparkling water brimming with fruit pulp.

"Wow? There's such a thing? Should we put this in our short drama? If we put this shot in front of the female lead, who wouldn't be confused?"

Director Ding is not short of money, but even rich people would find it hard to resist the feeling of getting something for free. Moreover, he keenly realized that this scene was perfect for a sweet romance drama.

Wang Jingjing occasionally exclaimed in amazement, pointed her phone camera at the freshly made chilled watermelon sparkling water, and then took a gentle sip, the wonderful sensation exploding in her mouth.

"That felt so good!"

Director Ding was only being polite at first, but now he is even more excited about what Qi Tian is about to do.

"Next, let's have an appetizer!"

Qi Tian put the squid, shrimp paste, shrimp, and fish slices that the waiter had just brought over into the spicy broth to cook. While they were cooking, he went to the condiment station and started mixing the seasonings.

Wang Jingjing followed him with great interest as he filmed. Qi Tian prepared the ingredients and read out the seasonings: "One spoonful of oyster sauce, one spoonful of minced garlic, one spoonful of chopped chili peppers, one spoonful of light soy sauce, one spoonful of sesame seeds, one spoonful of chopped green onions and cilantro, one spoonful of sesame oil, one spoonful of vinegar, and half a spoonful of sugar."

By this time, the squid, shrimp paste, shrimp, and fish slices were almost cooked. Qi Tian scooped out the ingredients and poured the sauce over them.

"Please enjoy our appetizer of seafood in a light broth!"

Qi Tian looked at Director Ding and Wang Jingjing, who were staring wide-eyed again, with a broad smile. Even the waiter at Hai Li Lao was stunned.

What kind of amazing move is this?

Didn't you come here for hot pot?

How did a plate of seafood in gravy suddenly appear?

The company's training manual doesn't include how to make this dish.

At this moment, a few young ladies at the next table noticed the commotion. Seeing the chilled watermelon sparkling water and seafood in broth in front of them, one of the ladies, wearing a tank top, called out to her waiter, "Um, give us one of those watermelon sparkling water and seafood they're drinking too."

His waiter gave an awkward laugh: "Um, that was made by the customer himself!"

"Did they make it themselves?"

The young women exclaimed in surprise, "You can even do this kind of fishing in the sea?"