Lin Qinghe felt relieved after seeing Zhang Shanghua's reply.
The car stopped in front of the restaurant where Zhang Shanghua had booked a private room. The group got out and walked in, led by a waiter to the room.
The program team director pushed the door open and walked in. Zhang Shanghua was already waiting inside.
The program team director greeted with a smile, "Director Zhang, you're too kind. Just visiting is enough, you still had to treat us..."
The program team director extended his hand towards Zhang Shanghua, but Zhang Shanghua didn't shake it. Instead, he walked past him towards Lin Qinghe.
Zhang Shanghua approached Lin Qinghe and anxiously examined her from head to toe. "Qinghe, I heard you injured your foot during the recording a few days ago? Where did you hurt yourself? Is it serious? Have you seen a doctor? If it's too severe, don't push yourself. It's okay if the program recording is delayed. Your health is the most important thing!"
The program team director awkwardly retracted his hand, and the others looked at Lin Qinghe and Zhang Shanghua in shock.
Lin Qinghe's mouth twitched.
Hadn't she messaged Zhang Shanghua to be careful and not let people discover their father-daughter relationship? He came in and started asking so many questions, making it obvious to everyone that their relationship was not simple!
Lin Qinghe coughed twice. "Cough, cough... Well, thank you for your concern, Director Zhang. I'm fine. It's just a minor sprain, nothing serious."
After Lin Qinghe's reminder through coughing, Zhang Shanghua seemed to restrain himself a bit. He said, "Oh, that's good, as long as you're okay! You're young, and it's right to work hard, but remember that health is the most important thing."
Lin Qinghe replied with a dry laugh, "Okay, thank you, Director Zhang. I'll remember that."
Only then did Zhang Shanghua notice the others and began to greet them, "Come, come... Don't be polite, sit down, everyone sit! We're just having a meal together, no need to be so formal."
As Zhang Shanghua spoke, he pulled out a chair beside him and smiled at Lin Qinghe, "Come... Qinghe, sit here."
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Qinghe could only grit her teeth and sit next to Zhang Shanghua.
After everyone was seated, Zhang Shanghua called a waiter to order food.
The program team director's gaze flickered subtly between Lin Qinghe and Zhang Shanghua. He smiled and said, "I didn't hear about Director Zhang collaborating with Qinghe before. I didn't expect you two to be so familiar."
Zhang Shanghua was about to say something, but Lin Qinghe, fearing him, quickly interjected, "I know Director Lin Wenqing. Director Lin Wenqing once brought me to say hello to Director Zhang, so we've met once."
The program team director's expression was one of sudden realization. "Oh, I see..."
However, anyone with discerning eyes could tell from Zhang Shanghua's behavior that he and Lin Qinghe had a deep connection, not just a casual acquaintance.
Everyone present was from the entertainment industry and understood the unspoken rule of not prying further. Therefore, no one pressed for details.
As the table fell into casual conversation, You Rong noticed Zhang Shanghua's constant solicitous inquiries towards Lin Qinghe and subtly frowned.
A moment later, the dishes were served. Zhang Shanghua, with a look of paternal affection, put a piece of stewed chicken on Lin Qinghe's plate. "Here, Qinghe... Try this stewed chicken. It's very tasty. You've been staying up late filming and got injured, you've lost weight. You need to nourish yourself properly."
Looking at the chicken in her bowl, and the subtle, probing gazes from the others, Lin Qinghe was furious but could only force a smile. "Okay, thank you, Director Zhang."
She thought Zhang Shanghua had probably had enough and would moderate his behavior from now on, but Lin Qinghe had underestimated Zhang Shanghua's fatherly love. Not only did he not restrain himself, but he intensified his efforts, continuously serving her food and asking what else she wanted.
Lin Qinghe couldn't take it anymore. She stomped hard on Zhang Shanghua's foot under the table and shot him a warning look.
Zhang Shanghua let out a muffled groan of pain and looked at Lin Qinghe with an expression of great grievance.
Just then, You Rong suddenly spoke, "Qinghe, I remember you said last night that you felt a bit cold. I'm sitting closer to the heater here. Would you like to switch seats with me? It's warmer here."
Lin Qinghe was stunned for a moment but quickly reacted. Perhaps You Rong was acting out of kindness, fearing she might be harassed by Zhang Shanghua or something.
Since Zhang Shanghua's constant serving of food was already raising suspicion, she also wanted to change seats. Before Zhang Shanghua could speak, she said, "Okay! I'll switch seats with you. I was feeling a bit cold sitting here just now. Thank you."
You Rong nodded. "You're welcome. Just bring your bowl and chopsticks over."
You Rong and Lin Qinghe switched seats, and You Rong sat down beside Zhang Shanghua. Only then did Zhang Shanghua properly size up You Rong.
His precious daughter's first request for his help was for this brat?
He was handsome, indeed... but his perpetually stern and unsmiling face suggested he wasn't an easy person to get along with!
The atmosphere in the private room became somewhat awkward again.
Zheng Yi and the program team director secretly marveled at You Rong's courage for daring to offend the renowned director Zhang Shanghua. Didn't he see how Zhang Shanghua's expression changed after he switched seats with Lin Qinghe?
Sitting in You Rong's seat, Lin Qinghe thought she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, Zhang Shanghua still acted as if he wanted to stick to her, finding any excuse to talk to her.
Lin Qinghe had no choice but to continue to force herself to answer, trying her best to create the impression that she and Zhang Shanghua were not close and that he was just overly friendly.
When Zhang Shanghua specifically ordered a bird's nest tonic to be delivered to Lin Qinghe, You Rong's frown deepened further. He developed an inexplicable dislike for Zhang Shanghua.
Perhaps Zhang Shanghua was acting too much like a director trying to take advantage of a female artist.
As two or three hours passed and the meal neared its end, Lin Qinghe said, "Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom."
As soon as Lin Qinghe left the private room, Zhang Shanghua also stood up and said, "Well... you guys continue eating. Order anything else you'd like. I need to go to the restroom for a bit, I'll be right back, right back!"
"Director Zhang, you're too kind. We're all full, no need to order anything else. Please go ahead, don't worry about us."
Zhang Shanghua also left. You Rong stared at the closed private room door, his brows knitted even tighter.
You Rong seemed to have thought of something. He put down his chopsticks and stood up as well, saying in a deep voice, "I'm going out for a moment."
After You Rong spoke, he also left. In the private room, Zheng Yi and others exchanged glances with the program team director, unsure of what to say for a moment.
You Rong walked out of the private room, his thin lips pressed together, and quickened his pace towards the restroom.
Just as he reached the outside of the restroom, the voices coming from inside made him stop abruptly.
"Qinghe, my darling宝贝儿, let me hug you... Why have you lost so much weight? It breaks my heart! Was the program recording too tough? Did your team not find you a nutritionist? You should take better care of yourself!"
Lin Qinghe's slightly impatient voice followed, "Alright, have you had enough hugging? Let go quickly, I have something important to tell you..."
You Rong didn't listen to the rest of the conversation. He turned and left.
Regarding artists being with sugar daddies, he had long been accustomed to such things in the entertainment industry.