Chapter 246: Chapter 243: An Unexpected Acquaintance
"Mr. Walters, hello, I am Norman’s assistant, Cari."
Cari smiled as she reached out to John Walters.
This was her first time meeting this collaborator, having often heard Nathan mention him these days, she thought he would be a foreigner.
After they shook hands, John Walters warmly smiled and said, "Miss Cari is very beautiful, nice to meet you."
She smiled slightly, not responding to the comment, and simply said, "Mr. Walters, please."
...
―――Frontier City.
Frontier City Airport.
After getting off the plane, Elliana’s first action was to return a call to Norman Bennett.
Since Norman was in a meeting, they only chatted briefly before hanging up.
Just after leaving the airport, a dry breeze carrying a trace of fragrance blew in, the scent wafted over from a nearby barbecue shop.
Although she wasn’t feeling well, the aroma successfully piqued her appetite.
Perhaps noticing her gaze towards the barbecue shop, Yates Zander said, "Windy barbecue, it’s better not to eat."
This comment immediately broke her focus, "Honey? Honey-glazed wings are delicious."
She didn’t understand why Yates would say it’s better not to eat there.
Who knew, hearing her comment, Yates smiled faintly, rather helplessly, "It’s the wind, not honey, dense wind."
Frontier City is located on the edge of the desert, when the wind blows, it’s all dust, so the air is dry and even breathing can feel uncomfortable.
"Got it!" She nodded, and the craving in her stomach disappeared immediately.
There’s an old saying, nothing dirty makes you sick, but when it comes to what you eat, it’s better to be careful.
Director Gary Young took them to a hotel where the signature dish was roasted whole lamb.
Looking at the picture of roasted whole lamb hanging on the wall, the golden-brown lamb adorned with cumin and chili powder made her gulp.
After all, she hadn’t eaten since morning and was starving.
Since it was reserved in advance, there was no need to wait. Once in the private room, everyone sat around a large round table.
Only then did she notice an "unfamiliar" face in the crew.
This person was Lily Clarke, who had appeared at Zane Bennett’s birthday banquet.
This discovery took her by surprise.
Lily wore a light blue off-shoulder top and slightly tight distressed jeans.
She had seen this outfit on the plane, but Lily was wearing sunglasses and a mask then, so she didn’t recognize her.
Could Lily have joined the crew too?
At this point, Gary explained to everyone: "This is Lily Clarke, I’m sure everyone knows her, the originally scheduled special guest actor couldn’t come due to some issues, so our crew invited Lily..."
Even though the crew’s decision wasn’t too concerning, Lily’s gaze was strange when looking at her.
If you say she was smiling, her eyes revealed disgust and indifference, accurately a sense of surface and heart not matching.
Her interactions with Lily were few, this feeling of disgust came inexplicably, or perhaps she was mistaken.
Soon, the main dish appeared, the long-awaited roasted whole lamb was brought in, its skin still sizzling with oil.
The unique gamey flavor of lamb wafted straight to her brain, compelling her to crave a bite.
But in such a setting, caution is necessary.
After the server set it down, he shyly glanced at her, his eyes full of joy and admiration.
Evidently, he was her fan.
The hesitating appearance suggested some request, probably for pictures or autographs.
But ultimately, nothing was said.
Next came other "side dishes," including kebabs and some stir-fried dishes she couldn’t name.
After the meal, she felt full, as the youngest, everyone took care of her.
Especially Carina Windor, who kept serving her dishes, like lamb leg meat.
Having eaten and drunk enough, there was nothing to do today, the departure for the filming location was scheduled for tomorrow morning.
So they could rest in the hotel today or go out for a tour.
But she chose to rest in the hotel, after all, the feeling of eating a mouthful of sand outside wasn’t appealing.
Local people mentioned the recent frequent sandstorm weather, while the desert outskirts weren’t harmed, it did affect the air quality.
Laying idly on the bed, she swiped her phone, only her phone.
In the next room, Carina, Lily, and others were playing mahjong, they invited her earlier, but she declined because she didn’t know how to play.
She could manage some card games like Texas Hold’em, but she truly didn’t know mahjong.
Eventually bored, she decided to look at the script, and that’s how the day passed.
The next day.
They set out early, everyone appeared drowsy, she and Lily sat in the back row of the van, truthfully she got in first, then Lily snuggled up.
Seeing her yawn, Lily smiled and asked, "Miss Elliana, are you still sleepy?"
"Uh... a bit." After all, it was only five o’clock, staying sleepy was normal.
Lily covered her mouth and laughed, her diamond-studded nails shimmering under the car’s interior lights.
She’s heard of these diamond nails before, supposedly the diamonds on Lily’s nails are real, her hands worth millions.
Lily laughed like a nightingale and lamented, "Miss Elliana is indeed young, never getting enough sleep, as for me, I haven’t had a lazy morning sleep for many years."
"..." Her smile was a response, the comment felt a bit uncomfortable, yet not inappropriate.
Carina Windor chuckled, "Young people do tend to be sleepyheads, my eldest daughter is fourteen now, always sleeping late when on vacation."
Thinking the conversation concluded, unexpectedly Lily continued, "Miss Elliana, I heard you graduated from South City University, didn’t study performing arts?"
South City University isn’t the top in South City, the best is Southern Lights.
So South City University is just an ordinary university, given her average grades, she didn’t make it to the top schools.
But Lily’s words seemed loaded, who randomly asks someone that? Especially with Carina, Yates, and Mufeng in the car.
Noticing the anticipation in Lily’s eyes, she smiled lightly, replying, "I haven’t studied, relying on talent and subsequent hard work."
Though she hadn’t studied, she nonetheless became an actress.
Lily’s expression shifted, soon returning a smile, "Those who rely on talent are enviable, debuting as leads isn’t something ordinary people can envy, I had to endure quite a bit to get my first leading role."
Saying so, Lily looked at Carina in the front seat, "At that time, it was with you, Carina, without your guidance, there wouldn’t be today’s Lily."
At that point the conversation seemed to lead towards Carina.
Evidently, subsequent chats didn’t involve her, Carina and Lily engaged well, she listened quietly.
Just as she thought she could zone out, Lily suddenly turned towards her, "By the way, Miss Elliana, this is your first film shoot?"
"Hmm." She answered truthfully.
Lily looked puzzled, "That’s strange, isn’t Director Yang known not to hire actors without film experience? Has the policy changed?"
"..." She didn’t know about this rule, but from those words she heard intriguing and thought-provoking information.