Traffic Star Development Program

Chapter 11 Unspoken Rules

Zhang Tianai hesitated for a moment, but finally got into the car.

The car drove through the night, and the carriage was very quiet.

Zhang Tianai sat in the passenger seat and secretly glanced at Zeng Hao a few times.

Although the producer was cold to her, he would still show concern when necessary.

A complex mix of emotions suddenly welled up inside her.

"Mr. Zeng, thank you for giving me this opportunity," she said softly.

Zeng Hao nodded without saying a word.

The car arrived at the apartment building quickly.

Zhang Tianai opened the car door, about to get out, when she suddenly mustered her courage, turned back, and said, "President Zeng, if... if you need anything, I... I can do it..."

Her words were vague, but the meaning was clear.

Zeng Hao looked at her, his eyes showing no emotion.

"All you need to do right now is act well," he said. "I don't need anything else."

Zhang Tianai's face flushed red instantly, and she lowered her head in shame. "I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean it that way..."

"I know," Zeng Hao interrupted her. "Go back and rest. We have filming tomorrow."

Zhang Tianai hurriedly got out of the car and ran into the apartment building almost as if he were fleeing.

Standing downstairs, she covered her face, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

How could she have said something like that?

How embarrassing!

But at the same time, she felt an indescribable sense of loss.

The producer seemed to have only a professional relationship with her and no other feelings for her.

This feeling left her somewhat at a loss.

Back in her small room, she sat on the bed, her mind replaying the scene in the car.

Zhang Tianai suddenly realized that she might have really met a different person.

A person who doesn't play by the rules at all.

She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

The next morning, Zhang Tianai appeared on set with dark circles under her eyes.

She didn't sleep well all night, and what tormented her even more was that she didn't know what Zeng Hao would think of her.

Will people think she's frivolous? Will this create prejudice against her? Will it affect her standing on set?

These thoughts crawled around in her mind like worms, making it impossible for her to concentrate.

"Zhang Tianai! What are you thinking about? This take is ruined again!" Director Peng Bing's voice boomed across the set.

Zhang Tianai suddenly snapped out of her reverie and realized that she had been daydreaming again.

"I'm sorry, Director Peng, I'll do it again." She lowered her head and spoke very softly.

Peng Bing waved his hand impatiently, "Ten-minute break, get yourself together."

Zhang Tianai walked to a corner and squatted down, hugging her knees.

She secretly glanced at Zeng Hao behind the monitor; he was looking down at some document, his face expressionless.

Over the next few days, filming progressed unusually slowly.

Zhang Tianai was not in good condition and frequently made mistakes, which slowed down the progress of the entire crew.

Peng Bing tried to lose his temper several times, but Zeng Hao stopped him each time.

"Give her some time, that's how newcomers are," Zeng Hao said calmly.

On the fifth night, after the crew finished work, Zhang Tianai walked alone on the streets of Hengdian.

Hengdian is bustling at night, filled with actors and crew members who have finished filming and come out to find food.

She walked into a small supermarket, stood in front of the wine cabinet for a long time, and finally bought a bottle of red wine.

Back at the hotel arranged by the film crew, she sat in her room for a long time.

In the few days since filming officially started, in order to save costs, all the main creators have stayed in a budget hotel in Hengdian, and Zeng Hao's room has been specially moved to the room next to hers.

Zhang Tianai looked at the red wine in his hand, his heart pounding.

Is this...?

She knew what she was thinking.

She had been observing Zeng Hao for the past few days.

This young producer was cold to everyone, including her.

There was no special treatment, no extra care; it was all handled in a completely businesslike manner.

But it was precisely this indifference that made Zhang Tianai feel increasingly uneasy.

She spent five years in Hengdian and saw too many producers, directors, and assistant directors. The way those people looked at actresses always carried either obvious or subtle desire.

As long as the actress is willing to "cooperate," roles, resources, opportunities—everything is negotiable.

This is an unspoken rule in Hengdian, and indeed in the entire entertainment industry.

What happens after this movie is finished filming?

Zhang Tianai wasn't unaware of this; she was simply waiting for a truly worthwhile opportunity.

Now, the opportunity has arrived.

The lead role in "Go Princess Go" was the best opportunity she had in five years, and it might be the only one in her life.

Zeng Hao, who gave her this opportunity, was aloof, but at least he was young, capable, and competent, much better than those greasy middle-aged men.

More importantly, Zeng Hao had no ulterior motives towards her, which made her feel uneasy.

In this industry, it's quite unusual for a producer to have absolutely no interest in the female lead.

Zhang Tianai thought about it for a long time and finally came to a conclusion—maybe Zeng Hao was still waiting for her to take the initiative, but the way he hinted was different. He should take direct action instead of asking stupidly.

After all, Zeng Hao had voluntarily moved next door to her.

Isn't that obvious enough?

She took a deep breath, went into the bathroom, and took a shower.

After coming out, she put on light makeup in front of the mirror and changed into a white nightgown.

Looking at herself in the mirror, her hands trembled slightly.

At twenty-three years old, she had never had a relationship with any man.

But she was willing to do it for this opportunity.

At 11 p.m., Zhang Tianai stood in front of Zeng Hao's door with a glass of red wine.

She took a few deep breaths, and finally mustered up her courage to knock on the door.

"Knock knock knock".

A few seconds later, the door opened.

Zeng Hao was wearing a black T-shirt and sweatpants, and his hair was a little messy, obviously he had just been working.

He saw Zhang Tianai, his brows furrowing slightly. "What's wrong?"

Zhang Tianai gripped the wine bottle tightly in his hand. "President Zeng, I...I'd like to have a talk with you."

Zeng Hao glanced at the red wine in her hand, then at her nightgown, and remained silent for two seconds.

"Come in." He stepped aside.

Zhang Tianai walked into the room, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest.

The room was simple: a bed, a table with a pile of documents and a laptop on it.

Zeng Hao closed the door, returned to the table and sat down. "Speak, what is it?"

Zhang Tianai stood there, clutching the wine bottle tightly in both hands. "President Zeng, I... I haven't been feeling well these past few days, and I've caused trouble for the crew. I want to apologize to you."

"Good to know. Get yourself in the right state tomorrow and avoid making too many mistakes." Zeng Hao's tone was calm. "Is there anything else?"

Zhang Tianai took a deep breath, put the wine bottle on the table, and said, "Then... let's have a drink to celebrate the smooth start of filming."

Zeng Hao looked at the wine bottle, then at her.

Zhang Tianai's face flushed slightly, and her eyes darted away.

She was wearing a nightgown, her hair was still a little damp, and she smelled of shower gel.

Zeng Hao leaned back in his chair, his tone still calm, "What are you doing here?"

Zhang Tian'ai paused for a moment, then bit her lip and whispered, "I...I want to thank you..."

"Thank me?" Zeng Hao looked at her. "So you plan to thank me this way?"

Zhang Tianai lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly, "President Zeng, I know that many things are like this in this industry... I just wanted to...want you to know that I am very grateful to you, and very willing..."

Zeng Hao didn't speak, he just looked at her quietly.

Zhang Tianai mustered her courage and slowly approached him. "President Zeng, I...I'm not that kind of person, but you've given me this opportunity, and I...I want to repay you..."

She stood in front of Zeng Hao, bent down, and slightly opened her collar.

Zeng Hao's gaze swept across her face and finally landed on the documents on the table.

"Are you sure?" His voice was calm.

Zhang Tianai bit her lip and nodded vigorously.

Zeng Hao stood up, walked to the door, hung up the "Do Not Disturb" sign, and locked the door behind him.

Zhang Tianai's heart started beating even faster.

"Come here," Zeng Hao said in a low voice.