Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 57 Arrival in Shanghai

After a flight of more than two hours, the plane landed smoothly at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Outside the porthole was the typical gloomy sky of winter in East China, but inside the airport, it was still brightly lit and bustling with people.

After collecting his luggage and walking out of the arrival gate, Qi Yue immediately saw Xu Wei waiting there.

She was wearing a sleek off-white cashmere coat, her makeup was exquisite, and there was someone standing next to her.

It was Naza.

Naza was clearly dressed up today, wearing a well-tailored deep V-neck knit dress and a slightly thin camel cashmere short coat, which accentuated her beautiful figure.

With her long, slightly wavy hair and impeccable makeup, she stood out in the crowd.

When she saw Qi Yue come out, her eyes lit up for a moment, but then she lowered her eyes slightly because of other emotions.

"Director Qi, thank you for your hard work. Welcome to Shanghai."

Xu Wei stepped forward, shook hands with Qi Yue, and smiled professionally and warmly.

Two black minivans followed behind her.

"Mr. Xu, thank you for your trouble, sister." Qi Yue nodded.

"It's nothing, no need to thank me," Xu Wei said, turning to the side.

"Nazha happened to have an event in Shanghai, and when she heard you were coming, she came with me to pick you up at the airport."

She spoke casually, as if it were just a casual remark.

"Hello, Senior Brother Qi." Naza greeted him quickly, her voice soft.

"Um."

Qi Yue nodded to her in response, then turned his gaze to Xu Wei.

"What's the next step?"

Xu Wei pointed to the two cars behind her:

"Here's the thing, I'll take Xiaobai to the hotel to check in first, and we can go over some preliminary documents and procedures with her while I'm at it. Nazha is familiar with Shanghai, so I'll have her show you around and let you get acquainted with the environment. There's a small charity auction gala tonight on the Bund, and many industry veterans and socialites will be there. I thought it was a good opportunity for public appearances, so I took the liberty of getting you an invitation. What do you think?"

She looked at Qi Yue, seeking his opinion, while simultaneously gesturing to Bai Mengyan beside her.

Bai Mengyan, clutching Qi Yue's briefcase, looked at her boss with a somewhat helpless expression.

It was her first time on a business trip, and she was a little nervous about being alone in the unfamiliar city of Shanghai.

"Okay." Qi Yue nodded and said to Bai Mengyan, "Xiao Bai, you and President Xu go to the hotel first to complete the formalities and organize the documents. I can handle it by myself."

Bai Mengyan had no choice but to nod obediently: "Okay, boss. Please be careful."

So, Xu Wei led Bai Mengyan, who kept turning back to look at her, into the car in front.

Qi Yue and Nazha then got into a spacious Mercedes-Benz van in the back.

The car drove out of the airport and merged into the traffic heading into the city.

The car interior was spacious and warm, yet a faint, slightly awkward silence permeated the air.

Naza sat next to Qi Yue and could smell his clean and refreshing scent, mixed with a hint of the smell of the airplane cabin.

Her heart was racing, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her coat.

This is a great opportunity to be alone together! Cai Yinong's instructions flashed through her mind, as did her own inexplicable thoughts.

"Senior Brother Qi, the weather in Shanghai... hasn't been very good lately, it's been a bit cold."

She mustered her courage and tried to find a topic to talk about, her voice softer than usual because of nervousness.

"Hmm." Qi Yue looked at the city view outside the window and responded lightly.

"Senior brother...is this your first time attending a television festival in Shanghai?" Naza tried again.

"I guess so."

Both attempts felt like hitting a soft wall, leaving Naza somewhat discouraged but unwilling to give up.

She subtly adjusted her posture, moving closer to Qi Yue, and the sweet yet alluring scent of her perfume wafted over more clearly.

This is what she specially chose today; it's said to be very popular with men.

"Senior, what are your expectations for tonight's charity gala? Sister Cai is going too, and I heard there will be a lot of..."

She spoke for the third time, her voice even softer.

"What perfume are you wearing today?"

Qi Yue suddenly interrupted her, turned his head, and looked at her face without any emotion.

"what?"

Naza was completely taken aback by his question, and paused for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"It's...it's Coco Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle, I really like this scent..."

She felt a surge of excitement. Had he noticed? Did he like it?

However, Qi Yue's next words made her freeze instantly.

"The top notes of orange blossom and mandarin orange in this perfume are too vibrant, while the middle notes of rose and jasmine are too sweet. Overall, the fragrance has a mature and sophisticated feel, and even a bit of a worldly air."

Qi Yue's tone was as calm as if he were analyzing a shot composition: "It's not suitable for you."

Naza's face turned bright red instantly.

Was she... was she rejected?

Qi Yue's gaze swept over her clothes:

"And your outfit. A deep V-neck, a bodycon skirt—it's too overtly sexy for this weather and occasion. You're an actress and a student now; a pure, spirited, and promising image is more valuable than mere visual appeal. Besides,"

He glanced at the cold wind whistling past the car window. "It's very cold today. Wearing too little will make you catch a cold and affect your performance. You should wear more."

The air inside the car seemed to freeze. Naza stood there, her face drained of color, leaving only paleness.

Her carefully chosen perfume and meticulously coordinated outfits were all seen as "inappropriate" and "wrong" in his eyes?

The driver in the front seat had been listening intently to the sounds from behind, and at that moment, he secretly glanced at the back seat through the rearview mirror.

The young man gazed calmly out the window, while the woman beside him, more beautiful than a celebrity, lowered her head, looking embarrassed.

The driver secretly clicked his tongue in amazement and couldn't help but give Qi Yue a silent thumbs-up:

"Dude, that's awesome! A role model for us all!"

The car drove silently along the Bund and finally stopped in front of a five-star hotel overlooking the river.

The dazzling lights reflected on the Huangpu River, complementing the skyscrapers of Lujiazui on the opposite bank, creating Shanghai's most iconic and bustling night view.

Cai Yinong's assistant was already waiting in the hotel lobby. She quickly greeted him with a perfectly appropriate warm smile.

"Director Qi, Nazha, hello. I'm Mr. Cai's assistant, my surname is Lin. Mr. Cai has an urgent meeting and asked me to greet you both first. The banquet will start in a little while, please come with me to the lounge area and I'll introduce you to some friends."

He led the two through the magnificent lobby to a relatively quiet rest area on one side.

There were already six or seven guests sitting here, chatting in hushed tones. They were all well-dressed and had an air of refinement.

Assistant Lin introduced them to Qi Yue: "That bespectacled, refined gentleman is Professor Li, a renowned surgeon in Shanghai and also a collector. The short-haired lady next to him is Ms. Wang, a bestselling author with a sharp pen. That one is Attorney Zhang, a partner at a top law firm. And there are two artists, one a painter and the other a sculptor... They are all prominent figures in various industries in Shanghai, and also the initiators or key supporters of this charity gala."

He lowered his voice.

"Many of them have served as external judges for television festivals. Mr. Cai wants you, Director Qi, to get to know them first."