My Moonlight Overlord

Episode 3

The allure of crabs is indeed hard to resist.

The meat was succulent and delicious, especially when dipped in the vinegar sauce provided, tempting anyone's taste buds.

YunHe quickly polished off one crab and turned to see Xiaotang struggling with the pincer, trying to extract the meat. Taking over, YunHe skillfully helped her out.

Xiaotang, served by her boss, ate with a face full of bliss.

After helping Xiaotang, YunHe indulged herself with a garlic scallop and three baby lobsters before setting down her chopsticks.

Xiaotang expressed surprise, "Sis, you're done eating?"

"Not really," YunHe said with a hint of regret, "I'm just scared of gaining weight."

The dietary control among actors is nearly draconian. On screen, one might appear ten pounds heavier, so maintaining a slim figure is crucial, even off-camera.

YunHe had a sweet tooth and had been scolded by her agent in her early career over her eating habits. Now, her self-control was perfected to the point where she could abstain entirely if she decided to.

Seeing this, Xiaotang didn't press further, internally grateful she wasn't in a profession demanding such dietary restrictions.

With her mouth idle, YunHe's suppressed thoughts began to stir again. Sitting up straight, she felt as uneasy as if on pins and needles. After a while, she couldn't help but sneak a glance towards the main table—

Song Sisi was toasting Meng Jun, likely offering thanks.

She greeted him with a cheerful smile, "Thank you for gracing us with your presence, President Meng. I'm Song Sisi, the lead actress in this drama. I'd like to offer a toast to President Meng, if you would honor me."

As soon as she finished speaking, Meng Jun's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The sudden move stunned the director and assistant director beside him.

Regaining his composure, the director almost ascended to nirvana in his anger.

What the hell? His assistant already mentioned he doesn't drink, and yet she's toasting? Really?!

The director tried frantically to signal Song Sisi with his eyes, but the actress was completely focused on Meng Jun, not sparing a glance anywhere else.

Director: "......"

Idiot!

The whole table paused, holding their breath, waiting to see how Meng Jun would react.

Unfortunately, Meng Jun had little reaction.

He merely glanced at Song Sisi, then withdrew his gaze, sitting silently throughout the episode.

His actions spoke louder than words, clearly signaling, "Sorry, I can't honor your request."

Chen Yi, understanding his boss's preference, reluctantly raised his tea cup as a substitute, "Miss Song Sisi, President Meng prefers not to drink alcohol. I'll drink on his behalf."

After a sip, he set the cup down with a forced smile at Song Sisi.

Song Sisi's friendly smile nearly cracked on the spot.

Not only was her toast ignored, but it was blocked by an assistant who dared to use tea instead of alcohol, and only took a sip!

The table shared awkward glances, none daring to comment or betray their thoughts, maintaining a forced calm.

But Song Sisi knew they were probably laughing inside.

Embarrassed and angry, her eyes reddened, yet she couldn't vent her frustration and had to swallow her pride. Her arm tired from holding the wine glass, she finally snapped back to reality, downed the drink, and extinguished the last of her schemes, leaving no trace behind.

As the lead actress settled down, the previously stiff atmosphere gradually loosened up through casual chatter.

Except for Meng Jun.

He remained motionless, not touching his utensils or his cup, solid as a rock.

The director, observing his demeanor, was tempted to pull him aside and ask, "If you aren't eating or drinking, why come to the dinner at all?"

Though he thought it, he dared not speak up and instead quietly enjoyed his free meal.

Meanwhile, YunHe, having witnessed the entire scene, discreetly looked away.

From a distance, she couldn't hear every detail but understood enough.

Having always sailed smoothly in her career, Song Sisi probably hadn't been snubbed like this before and might not recover quickly.

YunHe felt like lighting a candle for her.

Not that she sympathized or pitied Song Sisi, but because she deeply empathized with her current feelings!

Reflecting on her own past missteps as a high school student dazzled by Meng Jun's striking appearance and charisma, she had made many "mistakes," ultimately gaining nothing and losing face.

Oh, the regrets of youth!

YunHe sighed internally, picked up a delightful little lobster, and stared at it, telling herself—

This bite is for my youth!

Then she opened her mouth and devoured it without mercy.

Moments later, her phone buzzed. It was her agent, Zhu Yao.

"Hello, Sister Zhu."

Zhu Yao said something, but it was too noisy for YunHe to hear clearly.

"Wait a moment, Sister Zhu, I'll find a quieter place."

With that, YunHe stepped out quickly with her phone. The entire second floor was booked by Meng Jun, and the booths were off-limits, so the restroom was the only quiet spot.

She walked in and continued the conversation with Zhu Yao.

It was nothing urgent, just a routine check on her filming progress since they hadn't spoken in over half a month. YunHe answered dryly, and eventually, Zhu Yao ran out of things to say after expressing some concern and hung up.

From the day YunHe debuted, Zhu Yao had been managing her. Zhu Yao once had ambitions to make YunHe a star, which meant occasionally doing degrading things.

YunHe had naively gone along to a drinking party once.

Surrounded by middle-aged men, all so-called successful figures hinting at various indecent proposals.

YunHe couldn't stand such environments or actions and had escaped under the guise of going to the restroom.

Later, Zhu Yao told her that without money or connections, climbing the ranks in this industry was tough.

YunHe had replied, "Then I won't climb."

Since then, Zhu Yao had somewhat neglected her, shifting her focus to more lucrative clients. They were both just making a living—since YunHe wasn't making big money for Zhu Yao, it was natural for her to shift her priorities.

Fortunately, she still picked up suitable scripts for YunHe, for which YunHe was grateful.

Over the years, YunHe and her agent had maintained a relationship that wasn't close but wasn't distant either.

YunHe felt this arrangement was just fine.

After ending the call and washing her hands, she prepared to return.

But as she stepped out of the restroom, her heart skipped a beat.

At the end of the long hallway, a figure approached against the light, each step seemingly pressing directly on YunHe's heart.

It was Meng Jun.

YunHe involuntarily stopped, her breathing lightened, and she stood there dumbfounded, her mind blank.

After a moment, as he drew closer, YunHe wished she could turn and flee back to the restroom.

That impulse emerged and was swiftly suppressed.

So silly!

And why should she run? There was no old grudge, well, maybe a little friction from long ago, but that was eight years past!

Eight years—Meng Jun probably had forgotten who she was by now.

YunHe thought.

She steeled her heart, lowered her head, and started walking. When she was just two steps away from him, her throat suddenly itched intensely, and YunHe couldn't help but cough violently. She naturally covered her mouth—and half her face—to avoid letting Meng Jun see her clearly.

While coughing, she managed to greet him, "Pres... President Meng, hello!"

She didn't dare to look up throughout the greeting.

After speaking, regardless of his reaction, she walked past, her departure almost resembling a flight.

Meng Jun: "......"

He stood still, a vein throbbing on his forehead, and after a long while, he actually smiled.

Irritated.

—

When YunHe returned to her seat, she was sweating profusely.

She slumped down, her legs weak, her heart pounding as if harboring a rabbit.

"Sis, what happened to you?" Xiaotang asked, puzzled.

"Nothing," YunHe managed after a sip of juice, "You almost didn't see me just now."

"Ah?"

"Just kidding, keep eating, don't mind me."

"Oh."

Seeing her like this, Xiaotang knew better than to pry and returned to her meal.

YunHe took out her phone to play a game, hoping to distract herself.

But it failed.

Her mind wasn't on it, and her eyes kept darting to the main table, monitoring the activity there.

About ten minutes later, she saw the man who had come with Meng Jun stand up, followed by the director and assistant director, and they all headed out.

A while later, the director and assistant director returned, but the man was gone.

Presumably, he had left.

And Meng Jun... probably had as well.

YunHe guessed, dropping her half-finished game and slumping back in her chair.

Since seeing Meng Jun earlier, her emotions had been a rollercoaster—ups and downs, highs and lows.

Now, with his departure, she finally calmed down.

Along with that came a slight, poignant sadness.

Although she had been too timid to look Meng Jun in the eye, deep down, she had hoped he would notice her.

What can you say? Seeing an old flame after so many years, contradictions are normal.

When she had encountered Meng Jun in the hallway, she even thought he had recognized her.

But seconds later, YunHe dismissed that

thought.

Meng Jun's expression was too indifferent. When he had looked her way, his gaze was as calm as if he were looking at a stranger.

Probably, Meng Jun had long forgotten about her...

Thinking this, YunHe's discomfort grew. She looked up at the bright lights on the ceiling, raised her hand to shield her eyes, and by extension, hid all the emotions about to burst forth.

Meanwhile, downstairs, in the car.

Meng Jun leaned back in the rear seat with his eyes closed.

Since passing by YunHe, his mood had soured, eventually leading him to skip returning to the dinner table altogether, instead calling Chen Yi to come down.

From the passenger seat, Chen Yi glanced in the rearview mirror and said, "President Meng, you seemed a bit off today."

"How so?" Meng Jun's voice was slightly hoarse.

"According to our original schedule, we were just supposed to scout the film city. But when you passed by this crew, you suddenly decided to host a dinner, even canceling your evening engagements for it," Chen Yi paused, then added, "And we only invested a small amount in this drama; it doesn't seem poised to be a hit."

Meng Jun opened his eyes and looked at him, asking, "So, what do you think is the reason?"

Chen Yi deliberated for a long moment before dismissing his various suspicions, feigning ignorance, "I'm not sure."

Hearing this, Meng Jun smiled.

He offered no explanation.

After a pause, he asked, "Who is the company's point person for this drama?"

Chen Yi quickly recalled, "It should be Manager Xu Chun."

"Good, tell Xu Chun to come to my office at ten tomorrow morning."