Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 96 A Farce

If there's any difference between being a director and being an ordinary person,

That is, perhaps they can glimpse the unknown side of those so-called celebrities beneath their glamorous facade.

At this moment, in this auction gala ostensibly for charity but actually filled with favors and ostentation, Qi Yue coldly observed this scene.

In order to liven up the atmosphere and make the wealthy and famous people in the audience, who are used to being flattered, feel amused and open their wallets.

The host turned his attention to the guest who appeared to be the youngest and least experienced among the invited performers that evening.

Born in mainland China and debuting in Hong Kong, singer-songwriter Deng Jiaqi, who is working hard to expand her market, attended the event tonight as a representative of the new generation of musicians.

"Jiaqi! Welcome to Yanjing!" The host, microphone in hand, spoke enthusiastically. "I heard you not only sing well and play the piano wonderfully, but you're also incredibly flexible? Have you ever trained in dance?"

Wearing a tight-fitting leather jacket and with a slightly shy smile, Deng Jiaqi paused for a moment, then nodded with a polite smile.

"Yes, I learned a little bit about it when I was a kid."

"Very good!"

The host immediately chimed in, raising his voice and making it clearly performative.

"Would you all like to see our talented young lady demonstrate her 'flexible skills'?"

A tacit chuckle and a few scattered cheers rose from the audience.

Before she could respond, a staff member had already pushed a hard-shell suitcase onto the table.

"Come on, let's play a game and add fuel to the fire for charity!" The host pointed to the suitcase.

"Let's see if our Jiaqi can successfully climb into this box! If he can, I believe that all the gentlemen and ladies here will bid even more enthusiastically for this 'surprise' and out of love, right?"

"This latest painting by the master of traditional Chinese painting, Yue Guan, has a starting bid of... 100 million! For youth and vitality!"

More pronounced laughter and applause erupted from the audience.

Deng Jiaqi's smile froze. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but the host had already walked to her side and half-encouraged, half-forced her to go to the suitcase. Countless eyes from the audience focused on her like searchlights.

In such situations, refusing could mean offending the organizers and potential resources.

Urged on by the host and pressured by the gazes of the audience, Deng Jiaqi bit her lip, but managed to maintain a smile and took off her high heels.

Under the worried gaze of her assistant, she awkwardly tried to curl up in the space that was too small for an adult.

However, this is not the end.

Seeing that she had actually managed to squeeze inside with great difficulty, in order to further stimulate the bidding, several staff members, at the host's prompting, went forward and closed the suitcase lid! They even pretended to fasten the clasp!

The interior of the box was already extremely cramped, and once the lid was closed, air circulation immediately became difficult.

Through the box, you could vaguely see the figures inside moving slightly and uncomfortably.

"Great! Challenge successful!" The host shouted excitedly to the audience, as if he had already secured a box office hit.

"Everyone has seen it! How sincere our young musician Jiaqi is for charity! Now, the bidding begins! 100 million, anyone bidding?"

As expected, the audience members raised their bidding paddles with smiles. 100 million, 105 million, 110 million... the price slowly climbed in a slightly frivolous atmosphere.

Each price increase was accompanied by discussion and laughter, but no one seemed to really care about the feelings of the person inside the box.

But the host seemed to feel the atmosphere wasn't lively enough. He rolled his eyes, picked up the microphone, and brought it closer to the suitcase.

"Jiaqi! Just going in there isn't enough! Everyone wants to hear your voice from inside! You're a singer, so how about you sing a few lines of your song a cappella? How about... how about your recent song 'Bubble'? Let everyone hear if your voice still has that penetrating power in a bubble-like environment!"

The figure inside the suitcase seemed to tremble slightly.

Then, after a few seconds, a faint, muffled, and intermittent singing voice actually came from inside, which was a fragment of her song "Bubble".

Her voice was very soft, her breath was unsteady, and she was even a little off-key, which was far from her usual standard. But she sang, with a cooperative attitude.

Below the stage, the price slowly climbed to 155 million in an absurd atmosphere…

Qi Yue sat at the back of the banquet hall, toying with his wine glass, his face expressionless.

While the host was still enthusiastically encouraging the price, which remained stuck at 160 million...

200.

A calm yet penetrating voice came from behind.

The entire banquet hall fell silent instantly.

Everyone, including the beaming host, turned around in surprise to look at the source of the sound.

Qi Yue had already put down his wine glass and raised his bidding paddle.

He had no expression on his face, he was just holding up the sign in his hand.

A low murmur and whispers arose from the audience.

"Two million? Who is that?"

"It seems to be... that director who made really popular web dramas? His surname is Qi?"

"Qi Yue? Why is he taking the lead?"

Various speculations arose, but just then,

250.

Another voice rang out, not loud, but carrying a certain confident ease.

The entire room fell silent instantly! Even the host was completely dumbfounded and looked at the new bidder.

It was a middle-aged man in casual clothes sitting in the front row VIP seats. He didn't raise his bidding paddle; he just casually gestured, as if 200 million was an insignificant number.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he even calmly raised the champagne glass beside him and gestured across the crowd towards Qi Yue's direction.

Qi Yue met his gaze and nodded slightly in response.

His purpose in bidding wasn't to compete for anything, but simply to stop this farce; it didn't matter whether it was him or someone else who made the move.

The host seemed to wake from a dream, his voice even changing slightly:

"Two, two and a half million! Thank you... sir! Congratulations!"

He hurriedly had someone open the box.

As fresh air rushed in, Deng Jiaqi emerged disheveled, her face flushed, but still wearing a smile.

After bowing to the entire city, he hurriedly left the scene with the help of his assistant.

The farce has finally come to an end.

He then photographed a few more unimportant works of art or luxury goods, but Qi Yue found them all rather boring.

Soon after, the man who had offered 250 million yuan took a glass of wine and naturally sat down in the empty seat next to Qi Yue.

"Young man, you look unfamiliar. You probably don't participate in these kinds of activities often."

Qi Yue turned his head and sized up the other man. The man had a unique temperament, with a special sharpness hidden within, as well as a relaxed air after experiencing ups and downs; his eyes were very bright.

"I just don't like watching monkey shows," Qi Yue said calmly, "especially in front of so many people, treating living people like monkeys."

Upon hearing this, the man smiled and extended his hand:

"Haha, I kind of like your personality. Let's get to know each other. I'm Zhang Chaoyang from Sohu."

Qi Yue paused slightly, somewhat surprised.

"Tong Fan, Qi Yue."

"Director Qi Yue?" Zhang Chaoyang raised an eyebrow, revealing even greater interest.

"I know you. 'Day and Night' was very well made. I watched it, and the pacing and texture were right up my alley."

"You flatter me, Mr. Zhang," Qi Yue replied, then added,

"I also... greatly admire your singing."

This refers to Zhang Chaoyang's early career as a CEO, when he ventured into singing and sparked considerable discussion.