40: Smiling but with a knife hidden in his heart, his sharp edge is revealed again

Wang Hong swayed her lithe body as she approached, exuding a fragrant aura. Her face was adorned with a charming smile, but in her shrewd eyes, undisguised calculation and… a trace of imperceptible hostility flickered.

Zhang Yang still maintained his arrogant demeanor, his chin slightly raised, glancing at Lin Da with the corner of his eye, as if looking at him for too long would be an insult to himself. Sun Hao, like a loyal lapdog, followed behind the two, acting important by association, his eyes filled with provocation.

"Director Wang, Teacher Lin, you two are chatting so amiably, may this humble woman join you and bask in your brilliance?" Wang Hong's voice was cloyingly sweet as she proactively raised her wine glass to Wang Defa and Lin Da.

The fatty flesh on Wang Defa’s face jiggled, and he quickly stood up, greeting enthusiastically, "Oh, Director Wang, what an honor! Please, have a seat, have a seat!"

Although he didn't have a good impression of a woman like Wang Hong, who hid a knife in her smile, she was, after all, a powerful figure at Xinghui Entertainment, so he had to put on a good show.

Lin Da also politely stood up, nodded slightly, and said nothing. He knew that the arrival of these "uninvited guests" meant that tonight's "Hongmen Banquet," the real show, had just begun.

"Teacher Lin is truly young and promising." Wang Hong, feigning familiarity, sat down in the empty seat next to Lin Da, and a strong scent of perfume instantly enveloped Lin Da. "I've heard that you are highly regarded by Director Zheng and Teacher Chen Daoming on the set of 'the chronicles of the great ming dynasty,' and your future is limitless!"

Her words were superficially complimentary but were actually a veiled insinuation that Lin Da had climbed the ranks by currying favor with seniors, and at the same time, she was testing Lin Da's reaction.

The corner of Lin Da's mouth curved into a faint arc: "Director Wang is too kind. It is my honor to receive guidance from Director Zheng and Teacher Chen. I am just a newcomer, and there is still much to learn."

He cleverly transformed "highly regarded" into "guidance," which both defused the trap in her words and showed his humility.

The "Aura Control- Affinity" skill was still quietly operating on him, making him appear gentle, harmless, and trustworthy.

"Oh, Teacher Lin is too modest." Wang Hong covered her mouth with a laugh, but her eyes, like a venomous snake, swept across Lin Da's face. "I've heard that Teacher Lin not only acts well, but his methods of dealing with people are also quite clever. Otherwise, how could he, in such a short time, go from an unknown extra to such an important role as Wei Zhongxian in 'the chronicles of the great ming dynasty'?"

Her words already carried a blatant hint of provocation.

Zhang Yang, beside them, also snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "Yes, some people are just lucky. Unlike us actors who work hard, step by step, and struggle for so many years to get a good opportunity."

Sun Hao quickly echoed, "Exactly! The industry is too murky now! Without some 'special means,' it's hard to make a name for yourself!"

The three of them, in unison, attacked Lin Da overtly and covertly, trying to provoke him and make him lose his composure.

Wang Defa watched from the side, his eyelids twitching, secretly lamenting. He had originally only intended to use this reception to probe Lin Da's background and see if he could gain some benefits from him. He hadn't expected Wang Hong and her group to bring the fight directly to his territory.

He was about to mediate, but Lin Da's calm gaze stopped him.

Lin Da looked at the three clowns before him and sneered inwardly.

He knew that the other party was forcing him to take a stance, forcing him to lose his composure.

But he wouldn't let them have their way.

He slowly put down his wine glass, his gaze calmly sweeping over Wang Hong, Zhang Yang, and Sun Hao, his tone calm but with an undeniable power:

"Director Wang, Teacher Zhang, Teacher Sun, all three of you have a point."

He paused, his eyes sharpening, and the "Words of Power (Elementary)" skill quietly activated at that moment:

"Luck, of course, is important. But I think, for a true actor, what's more important is reverence for the role, a passion for acting, and... day after day, year after year of persistence and refinement."

"I admit, I am a newcomer, and my qualifications and experience cannot compare to any of the seniors present. But I also believe that a hero is not judged by his origin. As long as one acts with heart, every role can radiate its own brilliance."

"As for the so-called 'special means'…" Lin Da chuckled lightly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, "If treating every shot seriously and meticulously studying every role also counts as 'special means,' then I admit, I did use them."

"Moreover, I believe that Director Zheng Guofeng and the leaders of Hua Guang Film and Television chose me to play Wei Zhongxian precisely because of my sincerity and dedication to acting, and nothing else."

His words were resonant and powerful. Every word was like a sharp knife, plunging deeply into the hearts of Wang Hong and the others.

He did not fiercely refute the slanders and attacks but instead used a more sophisticated method to dissolve all doubts into nothingness, while subtly demonstrating his professional integrity and devotion to art.

Wang Hong's face instantly turned somewhat unpleasant. She hadn't expected that this Lin Da, not only had excellent acting skills, but his verbal dexterity was also so formidable!

Zhang Yang and Sun Hao were even more speechless by Lin Da's words, their faces alternating between green and white, extremely embarrassed.

Wang Defa watched from the side, secretly astonished. It was the first time he realized that this seemingly gentle and humble young man actually hid such a sharp edge within him!

Just as the atmosphere fell into an eerie silence, a hearty laugh suddenly came from not far away:

"Well said! Brother Lin Da, that was excellently said!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a burly, distinguished middle-aged man, holding a wine glass, striding towards them.

Behind him were several high-ranking executives from film and television companies who seemed quite influential.

"Chairman Li… Chairman Li!" Wang Defa's expression changed slightly when he saw the newcomer, and he quickly stood up and greeted him respectfully.

Wang Hong, Zhang Yang, and the others also looked somewhat unnatural when they saw the middle-aged man.

Lin Da's gaze flickered slightly.

He recognized this person.

This Chairman Li was the chairman of another powerful film and television giant in China—Shengshi Film and Television, Li Shengshi. In his previous life, Chairman Li was known for his unique vision and decisive actions, having invested in and produced many critically acclaimed and commercially successful film and television works.

He just didn't know if his sudden appearance today was as a friend or foe.