CHAPTER 1145: CHAPTER 1145: PRETENTIOUS DONG

"Haha, speak of the devil and he shall appear! Look who’s here, everyone!"

This man was none other than Zhuang Dongxing, known affectionately by the group as "Pretentious Dong"

"So it’s Pret... I mean, our great screenwriter!"

"Welcome, great screenwriter!"

...

Immediately, many people approached him, exchanging polite and enthusiastic words, all eager to fawn over him.

Although Zhuang Dongxing used to be the worst in the class, the present doesn’t define the past. He’s now turned from a pheasant into a phoenix.

Everyone had to acknowledge his success! After all, he’s now at the very top.

A number of internet celebrities even slyly slipped business cards and notes into his pocket, hoping to snag a role in one of his scripts, which would be a huge opportunity to them. They all wanted to break into the entertainment industry.

Zhuang Dongxing thoroughly enjoyed this kind of treatment, his whole being almost floating with delight.

"Great screenwriter, it’s already after one o’clock, you’re late. Tell us, how should we punish you?" everyone said with a laugh.

"Hello, classmates! I’m late today, so let me treat you all today!" Zhuang Dongxing replied with a hearty laugh.

"The great screenwriter is so generous!"

Instantly, the crowd was abuzz with excitement.

After scanning the crowd, Zhuang Dongxing said, "But just to clarify with everyone, I wasn’t late on purpose. I was just delayed negotiating a script deal."

Someone smirked and asked, "The great screenwriter must have made a lot this time?"

Zhuang Dongxing chuckled, "Not that much money, just a small script."

"Haha, the great screenwriter is being modest," the crowd chimed in.

But then, Zhuang Dongxing added, "But a single script could cover ten days to half a month’s worth of meals for everyone here."

The prices at the Fortune Grand Hotel were known to be high; even a slightly decent table could cost seven or eight thousand, even up to ten thousand. This crowd could need two tables, totaling twenty thousand. For ten days to half a month, that would be two or three hundred thousand.

"Whoa!"

"Impressive!"

Hearing that a single script could earn him two or three hundred thousand, everyone was astonished. Even the internet celebrities, who at their best might make a hundred thousand a month, were taken aback, realizing they couldn’t compare to Zhuang Dongxing.

"..."

Hearing what Zhuang Dongxing said, everyone looked a bit speechless.

Pretentious Dong truly hasn’t changed. Back when he was a nobody, he loved putting up a front, and now that he’s successful, there’s no reason he wouldn’t?

Ye Chenfeng felt an urge to laugh; Pretentious Dong unexpectedly put on airs again.

Chu Qingfei’s beautiful brows furrowed slightly, a hint of aversion flashing in her pretty eyes.

In truth, she wasn’t fond of such occasions; she mainly came to catch up with old classmates.

"Come, come, sit down, you’re the last one we’re waiting for." Surrounded by everyone, Zhuang Dongxing approached the table.

Upon hearing this, he asked in surprise, "Just me? Could it be even Chu Qingfei, the campus beauty, is here?"

"Isn’t that so? Miss Campus Beauty is sitting right over there," someone said.

Immediately, Zhuang Dongxing’s eyes scanned over to see Chu Qingfei across the room, and his eyes instantly lit up.

He smiled so brightly it couldn’t be more radiant, utterly thrilled.

"What a lucky day, I didn’t expect Qingfei would come too." His voice even trembled with excitement.

Chu Qingfei merely offered a faint smile, as a form of greeting.

As for Pretentious Dong, she almost had no impression of him; back then, they barely interacted.

"Come, great screenwriter, sit next to Qingfei, she happens to run a film company, so maybe you’ll become their go-to screenwriter," others encouraged.

This was perfectly aligned with Zhuang Dongxing’s intention, so he excitedly sat beside Chu Qingfei.

Back then, nearly all the boys in class had a crush on Chu Qingfei, Zhuang Dongxing included. But he was counted among the class’s acknowledged nerds, so even if he liked her, he didn’t dare express it.

But times have changed; now Zhuang Dongxing is among the elite.

He fancied himself capable of pursuing Chu Qingfei, possibly even having her chase after him.

Suppressing his excitement, Zhuang Dongxing curiously asked, "Oh? Qingfei runs a film company? Which one?"

Chu Qingfei told him the company’s name; upon hearing it, he casually said, "Established this year, right? I hadn’t heard of it before."

Chu Qingfei nodded, "Yes, it was founded this year."

Zhuang Dongxing generously offered, "So, my old classmate, if you ever need help, just ask. I know renowned directors, screenwriters, and actors in the industry. If you have any requests, I’ll absolutely help you."

"The great screenwriter is awesome; do you need someone to carry your bags?" someone eagerly asked.

Zhuang Dongxing, setting a serious tone, replied, "Not good enough yet. With my current ability, second-tier stars would definitely do me a favor, but someone like Shi Yichen’s caliber isn’t quite possible. Unless my mentor steps in!"

"Wow, that’s still not good enough? Second-tier stars are at what level, earning millions per episode. The great screenwriter is really modest now!"

Zhuang Dongxing slightly raised his eyebrows, a smirk forming as he said, "My old classmate, as long as you say the word, I’d bankrupt myself to get even a first-tier star."

"Tsk tsk..."

Those around shared knowing smiles; Zhuang Dongxing’s intentions were too obvious.

But Chu Qingfei’s expression barely changed, her response neither warm nor cold.

Zhuang Dongxing glanced at Chu Qingfei, silently thinking.

Still playing coy with me?

Oh no—it must be that I haven’t shown my true strengths yet.

"Let’s start with the dishes then!" Zhuang Dongxing had already started seeing himself as the leader.

"Okay, let’s follow the great screenwriter’s orders, hurry and serve the dishes."

At the dinner table, people took turns toasting Zhuang Dongxing, praising and flattering him.

From time to time, they would drop hints about their strengths, and Zhuang Dongxing was practically on cloud nine.

"By the way, great writer, you must be making over a hundred thousand a year from scripts, right?" someone suddenly asked.

Zhuang Dongxing cursed the fool in his heart but also secretly appreciated him; after all, this was the very thing Zhuang Dongxing most wanted to tell everyone.

But asking about income directly was too blunt; normally, people wouldn’t ask that, which was why Zhuang Dongxing thought the person was foolish.

"Hmm?"

When the fool asked the question Zhuang Dongxing was most eager to answer, almost everyone turned their gaze towards him, since most were somewhat interested in such matters.

"Whew..."

Seeing over twenty pairs of eyes all intently fixed on him, Zhuang Dongxing called out in delight, his heart bubbling with joy.

"This question, huh? It’s not really appropriate to say," Zhuang Dongxing said, pretending to be deep in thought.

The others urged him, "What can’t the great screenwriter share? We’re all old classmates, not out to rob or kill."