The old Zhang that Jiang Nuo mentioned is actually the renowned director in the film industry, Zhang Guolong, known as "Director Zhang." To say the least, Jiang Nuo has quite the old friendship with him.
Back in the day, when Jiang Nuo had just started his career, he wasn't famous at all. Luckily, he met Director Zhang and played the second male lead in a film, which made him famous instantly.
"What movie was it?"
"Spy Kill."
"A spy film?"
...
Jiang Nuo always knew that Director Zhang wanted to make a spy film, but for various reasons, it never happened. He never expected that after just attending a variety show, Director Zhang was already going to shoot a new film?
Jiang Nuo called Director Zhang: "Old Zhang, what have you been busy with lately?"
"Ah, Little Jiang, did Xiao Lu tell you?"
"Yes, he said you're shooting a new film recently. Old Zhang, why didn't you think of me for your new film?" Since they were old friends, Jiang Nuo didn't hold back.
Director Zhang laughed, "Didn't think of you, how about letting you cameo in a role?"
Jiang Nuo protested, "Am I only ever going to play supporting roles with you?"
"If you want to play the lead, sure, go to Thailand for surgery and come back."
"You're shooting a female-centric film this time?" Jiang Nuo realized.
"Yes, otherwise, how could I miss you out? What's up with you, last time I called, your phone was off the whole time."
"I don't believe Brother Lu didn't tell you, I've been filming a variety show and have been out of touch with the outside world for a week."
"Is it that 'Honey, let's get married'?"
"You know? Then why are you asking?"
"My wife is watching it, but I didn't know you were in it. Your wife is impressive, keeps things neat and has excellent cooking skills. Kid, you're lucky, keeping it well hidden. What, afraid we'll eat your wife?"
"Hehehehe... no way, mainly my wife is a bit shy. Next time Director Zhang comes to my house for a meal, let my wife show her skills, remember to bring your wife too..."
"Sure! I've sent the information about 'Spy Kill' to your email, take a look. Make sure to film your scenes during the break in your variety show's schedule."
"Old Zhang, seriously, you're timing this just right."
"Who's the one who's always busy!"
...
After hanging up with Director Zhang, Jiang Nuo downloaded the information from his email and started looking at it on his laptop.
Sunlight poured in from the windowsill, casting a warm glow through the thin voile curtain.
The orchids on the plant stand were growing beautifully, with lush branches and leaves. A red dragonfly flew in from somewhere and landed on the leaves.
Mu Qiuniang, who was painting, glanced up at it.
The red dragonfly tilted its head: [Huh?]
Mu Qiuniang: "..."
[I feel like I've seen you somewhere.]
Mu Qiuniang: "..."
[Ah, I remember, you're that person?!] The red dragonfly's already large eyes widened twice their size, [Oh my gosh?! Weren't you missing, how are you here?!]
[Keep quiet!] Mu Qiuniang coldly spat out two words.
The red dragonfly was startled, and said with hurt feelings: [I'm not just too shocked, am I?]
[Hmph!]
The red dragonfly hesitated for a moment, then flew onto the album in Mu Qiuniang's hand: [Fairy, I've heard from friends in the Demon World that Fairy Qiu from the Cultivation World is the kindest, treating all beings equally. Can I ask you a question?]
[What question?] Despite the praise, Mu Qiuniang's attitude remained unchanged, cold as ever.
[It's about some cultivation questions. I've heard from friends in the Demon World that thousands of years ago, spiritual energy filled the heavens and the earth, and both cultivators and demons were flying everywhere. But unfortunately, something happened later, and the earth's spiritual energy became scarce, cultivators disappeared, and demons found it very hard to cultivate.] The red dragonfly said shyly, [I've been cultivating for hundreds of years, but I'm still just a little demon and can't even transform. Fairy, could you take a look at whether there's something wrong with my cultivation?]
[Sure.] Mu Qiuniang opened her palm to it.
The red dragonfly joyfully flew into her palm: [Thank you, Fairy!]
[What cultivation technique are you practicing?] Mu Qiuniang inquired while using spiritual energy to probe the red dragonfly's body.
The red dragonfly replied: [I'm practicing our family's inherited 'Dragonfly Water Dipping'.]
It wasn't worried at all about its cultivation technique being probed by Mu Qiuniang. It was just a little demon, and their family's cultivation technique wasn't anything special, merely a way to better avoid predators and stay out of danger.
Such things were far beneath someone like Mu Qiuniang, an advanced immortal.
As expected, Mu Qiuniang remarked: [Too poor!]
The red dragonfly wasn't discouraged at all and said: [Because of the chaos thousands of years ago, many demon clan inheritances were broken. Our red dragonfly family is already quite fortunate to have a complete inheritance.]
Their family wasn't without powerful cultivation techniques; according to ancestral tales, the ancestors of the red dragonflies were once mighty, dominating the Demon World with a certain Demon King as their followers.
Unfortunately, those were not passed down.
Nevertheless, compared to those demon clans without any inheritance, the red dragonfly was quite content.
[What's your name?] Mu Qiuniang asked.
[I'm called Xiao Qing, Qing as in sunny.] The red dragonfly shyly replied.
Its parents, liking to go out on sunny days, named it thusly for convenience.
Mu Qiuniang slightly furrowed her brows: [From now on, you shall be called Mu Wanqing, taking my surname with the name Wanqing.]
[Thank you, immortal, for the name.] The red dragonfly was overjoyed. Is the immortal planning to "adopt" it?!
Wow?! That's fantastic!
You should know, not many demons nowadays have any inheritance, nor do they understand cultivation. Being "adopted" or even "fostered" by a powerful immortal is a hugely honorable thing.
Humans find it easier than demons to become immortals and easier to comprehend the secrets of immortality.
Whether being "adopted" or "fostered" by powerful immortals, they can learn from humans and find shortcuts to cultivation. Especially if they're lucky enough to receive "experience talk" from the immortals on the path of cultivation, even grasping a little would save them decades of effort.
Of course, Mu Qiuniang suddenly showed such kindness to this little red dragonfly, even contemplating "adoption," not because she was genuinely "kind", but because when she probed its meridians, she discovered this red dragonfly's ancestors seemed to have some connection with her.
Mu Qiuniang always liked small animals, so naturally, as she embarked on her cultivation journey, she also dealt with various spiritual beasts. During one outing, she encountered a particularly special spiritual beast—a red dragonfly.
That red dragonfly was much more formidable than the one in front of her now; it transformed directly into a red-dressed maiden, stunningly beautiful and graceful as a cloud, bewitching countless men upon her appearance.