"Sister Nan, how long have you known Sister Lin?"
Nan Moxi raised her chin slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "It's been about seven or eight years. Time flies."
Jiang Lai leaned closer curiously: "How did you meet?"
Recalling the past, Nan Moxi smiled and said, "On set, she played a cannon fodder character who was slapped five times. After the director yelled 'cut,' she thanked him."
"Pfft." Jiang Lai couldn't help but laugh, then asked, "Sister Lin is also an actress, right? Why did you suddenly switch careers?"
At this point, Nan Moxi's smile faded: "Some things happened. Although she changed careers, she's doing quite well now. The senior shareholders in the company are basically old-timers from Kevin's father's company. They don't care about this small company at all. Only Lin Zhi, Kevin, and Zhang Zhen have been working here since the beginning. The company's success is all thanks to Lin Zhi's hard work. How many women these days treat themselves like men?"
Anna leaned closer: "I saw Vice President Lin by the roadside earlier, leaning against a tree and vomiting."
Jiang Lai felt a sudden pang of pain. Someone who could endure five slaps without a single complaint must also love this industry. Therefore, Jiang Lai guessed that the incident Nan Moxi mentioned must have made Lin Zhi disheartened and cause her to change careers, and then accompany a company as it slowly grew from obscurity.
Jiang Lai gradually began to admire this pitiful woman.
Two hours later, the plane arrived at H City Airport. As soon as Jiang Lai got off the plane, she felt the sea breeze. The air here was humid. Although it was not as prosperous as A City, it was a very livable place.
Anna looked at the schedule on the tablet, then led the two to the parking lot, where they rented a van and parked it.
After putting the luggage in the trunk, Anna got into the driver's seat: "Lai Lai, Sister Nan, as per Director Yu's request, we need to go to the photography studio to take costume photos first. The location is in the suburbs, and it's quite troublesome to travel back and forth to the city. Director Yu requires that we resolve all of this today so we can go directly to the set tomorrow."
Jiang Lai hummed in agreement, her eyes fixed on her phone screen.
Why hasn't Sister Lin accepted my friend request yet? Did I not send it correctly? Should I send it again? Would it be inappropriate to send it again if it went through last time? Is Sister Lin busy?
Nan Moxi had no objection to the itinerary, only saying, "The actors in Director Yu's group are all working quite hard. After I leave, you should take good care of Lai Lai's health and not overwork yourself. It's not good to get sick."
Anna: "Yeah, don't worry, sis."
Yu Wei was by her side when the makeup was being chosen; she didn't trust her subordinates and wouldn't feel at ease unless she checked it herself.
Qi Chuan arrived a little earlier. When Jiang Lai arrived, he was already preparing to shoot a solo video. Jiang Lai knew that he was a senior artist and an artist personally trained by Lin Zhi, so she politely went up to greet him.
Jiang Lai bowed slightly: "Hello, Teacher Qi. It's a pleasure to work with you."
Qi Chuan was friendly and always had a smile on his face: "You must be Jiang Lai? No need to call me teacher, just call me Qi Chuan."
Qi Chuan changed into his school uniform. To fit Wu Xuezhi's character, he wore the uniform in a very proper manner and also wore glasses. He looked very sunny when he smiled.
"I'm going to choose my makeup now, see you later."
"Okay, go ahead."
After Jiang Lai left, Qi Chuan's assistant approached and said thoughtfully, "Actually, she's not bad either, right?"
Qi Chuan nodded subconsciously: "Yes, it's not bad."
An hour later, Jiang Lai came out of the dressing room, immediately attracting the attention of many people.
She tied her long hair up, revealing her defined jawline and snow-white neck. She wore minimal makeup to ensure the actress looked natural. The resilience in her eyes and her dissatisfaction with the unjust world made Yu Wei feel as if he were standing in front of Yu Xin.
She was wearing a plain blue and white school uniform, the zipper was undone, and the white T-shirt underneath was also a bit dirty, just like her school uniform.
"Jiang Lai, come take a solo photo!"
“Okay!” Jiang Lai replied and walked over.
The photoshoot went very smoothly, and the photographer kept praising Jiang Lai as a promising model. Jiang Lai suddenly felt that these words sounded familiar, as if someone had said them to her before.
When Jiang Lai was resting, it was Xia Fanrou's turn. Her face was painted with wounds and her eyes were filled with tears. She looked pitiful, so much so that Jiang Lai didn't dare to touch her when taking pictures with her later. The wounds were painted so realistically that Jiang Lai was really afraid of hurting her.
After taking the photos, Jiang Lai went back to the hotel to rest. They were still in the city center, enjoying the last bit of quality life.
Jiang Lai ordered hotel delivery for dinner and only ordered a salad. Anna and Nan Moxi, who were sitting next to her, had steak sets, which made Jiang Lai's mouth water.
Jiang Lai also wanted to eat steak, but unfortunately, the role of Yu Xin required her to be slim and strong, so Jiang Lai could only eat grass while exercising.
Jiang Lai's phone vibrated, and she subconsciously unlocked it. Upon seeing the dolphin icon, she excitedly jumped up from her chair, holding the phone in one hand, a fork in the other, and a piece of uneaten purple cabbage in her mouth.
Jiang Lai herself didn't know why she was so agitated.
Anna was startled and stood there stunned for a long time: "Lai Lai... what's wrong?"
Jiang Lai couldn't hide her joy as she pulled out a tissue to wipe her mouth and said, "You guys eat slowly, I'm going back to rest."
Back in her room, Jiang Lai immediately clicked on the little dolphin's profile picture and changed the nickname to Sister Lin.
She cleared her throat and pressed the voice call button: "Sister Lin, you're still up so late?"
Jiang Lai thought for a moment, then canceled the voice message and said again, "Sister Lin, I asked Sister Nan for your WeChat."
No, you can't say that.
She shook her head and pressed cancel, repeating this several times, but still couldn't send it.
On the other side, Lin Zhi stared at "typing" for a long time, puzzled. What could she have typed that would take so long?
Could it be that he's angry because he hasn't accepted her friend request in a long time and is writing a long essay criticizing her?
Lin Zhi didn't do it on purpose. She had spent most of the day in meetings and reviewing documents, and hadn't had a chance to check WeChat.
Ten minutes later, with a buzz, Lin Zhi received a WeChat message from "Heart as Still Water". She clicked on the lotus flower profile picture but only saw an emoji.
A panda head.
"puff."
Lin Zhi laughed out loud, tapped her fingers on the keyboard, and replied with three words: [So cute]
Zhang Zhen and Kevin, who were standing nearby, both leaned over and their faces fell when they saw the lotus flower avatar and username.
Kevin: "Which celebrity's mom did you add on WeChat?"
Zhang Zhen pouted and took a bite of watermelon: "I thought Lin Zhi's spring was coming, but it turns out to be Auntie."
Lin Zhi raised her eyes and glared at the two of them: "Meeting!"
The person being called "Auntie" was completely unaware of what was going on, and was grinning from ear to ear because of a comment from her idol.
Yes, ever since she chatted with Nan Moxi on the plane, she has regarded Lin Zhi as her idol, and she wants to work hard like Lin Zhi!
Jiang Lai: [Sister Lin, aren't you asleep yet?]
Half an hour later, Lin Zhi finally replied to her.
Lin Zhi probably didn't know that during the half hour she was in a meeting and didn't reply to messages, someone named "Heart as Still as Water" almost withered away.
Lin Zhi: [Just came from the company; I was in a meeting just now.]
Jiang Lai replied instantly: [It must have been so tiring.]
That must have been so tough, and I admire you even more now.
On the other side of the screen, Lin Zhi smiled.
Lin Zhi: [Let's work hard together!]
--------------------
Author's Note:
Jiang Lai: Yay! I got my wife's WeChat!
——
Because I need to keep the word count down, there will only be this one chapter this week. Don't go, everyone! Once I'm on the charts, I'll resume three chapters a day! I have a stockpile of chapters, I'm not kidding! qwq
Chapter 11
The groundbreaking ceremony was simple, and no media reporters were invited, as Yu Wei did not want to reveal any information in advance.
The filming location is by the sea, and if you calm down, you can hear the sound of waves crashing against the rocks. Because of the sea breeze, it is not hot here.
Jiang Lai changed her clothes and sat under the shed to read the script. The first scene was irrelevant to her; she was there to observe and learn.
Xia Fanrou, who plays Jian Ning, wanders through the alleys. The camera follows her through the alleys. Her home is a dilapidated and dangerous house that looks like it might collapse with a gust of sea breeze.
Jiang Lai plays Yu Xin, who gets into a fight at school and is discovered by Jian Ning. Jiang Lai is a little nervous because it is her first time fighting, and she is worried that her performance will not be realistic and that she may accidentally hurt the extras.
She closed the script, walked behind Yu Wei, and saw Jian Ning in her small room on the monitor. Outside, her parents were arguing. Jian Ning's shoulders were shaking, and tears were welling up in her eyes.
"Click!"
Yu Wei called for a stop, then got up somewhat displeased and walked over to Xia Fanrou to explain the scene to her.
In Jiang Lai's eyes, Xia Fanrou's performance was already excellent, but Yu Wei was still not satisfied, making Jiang Lai a little nervous.
Anna ran over and handed her her phone: "Lai Lai, someone called you on WeChat."
Jiang Lai took the phone, glanced at the contact name, thanked Anna, and found a quiet place to make a WeChat call.
It was You Yi calling.
"Are you busy? Why did it take you so long to answer the phone?"
"I'm filming, and my phone is with my assistant. If it's nothing important, just send me a WeChat message, and I'll reply to you later."
You Yi realized that Jiang Lai meant to hang up, so he quickly explained the purpose of the call: "I saw Lin Xi today."
The hand that was about to press the hang-up button stopped abruptly in mid-air, the heart skipped a beat, and the woman's image lingered in the mind.
She lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling: "What does this have to do with me?"
You Yi knew she was upset, but Jiang Lai and Lin Xi had a five-year relationship, and Jiang Lai couldn't just let it go. You Yi couldn't bear to hurt her, but he also couldn't hurt her. She was stubborn but soft-hearted. You Yi was afraid that one day Lin Xi would go back to Jiang Lai if she wasn't doing well.
"Five days later, she got engaged to Yu Yaoyong's son. In my dad's office, Lin Xi and he personally delivered the invitation. It was very sweet and happy."
Jiang Lai leaned against the mottled cement wall, her lower lip bleeding from being bitten, and she didn't even realize that her hands were trembling.
"Oh, then I wish her happiness. The director is calling me, I have to go."
"River......"
Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Lai heard a "ding" sound and hung up the phone.
You Yi sighed, irritably tossed his phone aside, picked up the invitation on the table, and threw it into the shredder.
When Jiang Lai returned to the film set, she was completely out of sorts, looking like a wilted eggplant. Nan Moxi noticed this and came over to ask her what was wrong.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Jiang Lai waved her hand: "I'm fine, thank you, Sister Nan."