Jin Shaoyan's voice was hoarse: "Brother Qiang, what should I do now?"
I said in a harsh tone, "The key issue now isn't what you should do, but what you actually want to do?"
Jin Shaoyan smiled bitterly and said, "I know you have always disagreed with me being with Shishi, and I also know that she doesn't have much time left, but I really love her."
I sighed, "What is love in this world that makes life worse than death?"
Jin Shaoyan said cautiously, "...The last line is 'to pledge our lives to each other'."
I glared at him and said, "What are you going to do when she's gone? Slit your throat? Shishi is only thinking about her autobiography right now. If you really care about her, then help her fulfill this wish."
"I'd like to, but this isn't..."
"You deserve it! This is all your fault! Don't think that you're done for just because you turned back into Jin 2. You're not like Bao Jin and Li Tianrun. I still want to punch you when I think about what you did!"
To everyone's surprise, Jin Shaoyan shrugged nonchalantly: "Who told you to ignore me? You've seen what kind of person I was before!"
I:"……"
I kind of miss Kim Il-suk now; at least Kim Il-suk wouldn't talk like that.
Jin Shaoyan fiddled with the cup and said, "Brother Qiang, hurry up and think of a way. Let Shishi join the film crew first. She may not love me for the time being, but at least I don't want her to hate me."
I said helplessly, "I'll call her over, let's sign the contract first. If we delay any longer, she really doesn't have much time left."
"What will you say then?"
"What else can I say but the truth!"
Jin Shaoyan shook his head vigorously: "Absolutely not, I don't want her to think that I changed because of a pill."
I chuckled and said, "You can't do without your medicine anyway!"
Jin Shaoyan said aggrievedly, "You know perfectly well that I actually..."
I shook my head vigorously: "I don't know, I absolutely don't know!"
Jin Shaoyan slapped his forehead: "Hey, even if I hadn't taken my medicine, I should still understand your way of thinking. Can't I talk to you seriously?"
I said seriously, "If you don't want her to notice, you can't be too humble when she comes. You have to bring out your pretentious side again."
"I understand." Jin Shaoyan straightened up, adopting his usual aloof demeanor. I then called the waiter to remove all the wine glasses and hid the half-empty bottle of red wine. Jin Shaoyan didn't understand. I said, "Given our relationship, would you buy me a drink?"
"You're so thoughtful!" Jin Shaoyan ordered two cups of tea, and carefully poured out half a cup to show that we had been drinking this all along.
Once everything was ready, I said to him, "I'm going to make the call now."
Jin Shaoyan nervously straightened his clothes and asked me, "Do you think I have any other questions?"
I scolded him: "Relax! Watch your eyes in a bit—oh right, don't use that as an excuse to keep staring at people's chests."
I called Li Shishi and asked her to come over. She asked me what was wrong, and I just said, "I've been kidnapped," and hung up. To be honest, I was a little afraid that I had given myself away.
Not long after, Li Shishi walked over with light, quick steps. She wore a light purple, one-shoulder dress and a pair of very ordinary beaded earrings, yet she was still so radiant and captivating. As she floated over, the men's eyes secretly followed her. Jin Shaoyan was also dumbfounded; I coughed loudly, and he hurriedly composed himself.
As soon as Li Shishi entered, she frowned and asked, "Have you been drinking?"
Jin Shaoyan and I said in unison, "Tch, how could that be?"
Li Shishi sat down, puzzled. Jin Shaoyan finally regained his composure and, like a wolf in sheep's clothing, politely extended his hand: "Miss Wang, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Li Shishi placed three fingers on his hand, nodded slightly, and then asked me, "Cousin, what brings you here?" Jin Shaoyan immediately lowered his head upon seeing Li Shishi's indifferent expression, but he quickly rallied and placed the contract in front of her. Li Shishi glanced at it, then stole a look at me, and I gave her a reassuring look.
Li Shishi finally turned to Jin Shaoyan and said directly, "Mr. Jin, things depend on human effort. My personal experience tells me that contracts aren't very reliable. Now you just need to tell me one thing to dispel my concerns: why did you turn it on again?"
Jin Shaoyan stared blankly for a while, and finally grasped at the very first straw: "Because... the literary and artistic style has been revived."
Li Shishi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with her slender fingers and looked at me with inquiring eyes, seeking my help.
I said, "This artistic style..." I saw Jin Shaoyan winking at me, so I had to cough seriously and say with the certainty of an old professor, "Yes, it's going to be revived!"
Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Peerless Bow
After receiving my safety hint, Li Shishi picked up the contract again and started reading it word by word. Jin Shaoyan took the opportunity to stare at her intently. I slipped under the table and kicked him twice.
Li Shishi suddenly looked up and asked Jin Shaoyan, "A guaranteed investment of 50 million? How do you plan to film it?"
Jin Shaoyan said, "Yes, that's a conservative estimate. We might have to add more later. Since we're making an art film, we need to put a lot of effort into the costumes and props. We're planning to invite the internationally renowned Master Ye to design your costumes. His aesthetic sense is very advanced, and he's good at using copper coins and chicken feathers to create a gorgeous yet eerie atmosphere."
Li Shishi said, "No need, I can design the clothes myself."
Jin Shaoyan slapped his head and said, "Oh right, I forgot you are..." Li Shishi looked at him in surprise. Jin Shaoyan immediately realized his mistake and quickly said, "You are... an art student. We even hired a well-known domestic director and a top-notch production team for you."
Li Shishi interjected, "I think the original director was very good."
Jin Shaoyan waved his hand and said, "Excuse me, Miss Wang, to be honest, that director used to make documentaries. The largest investment he ever participated in was only a few million. He just finished making a film called 'The Rangers of the Qin Dynasty'..."
I couldn't help but exclaim, "A full pocket?"
Jin Shaoyan continued, "Besides the director, does Miss Wang have any other requests?"
Li Shishi stubbornly said, "No. I only want the original director, and it would be even better if I could have the original cast."
Jin Shaoyan thought Li Shishi was just being stubborn and looked at me for help.
I said cautiously, "Cousin, even if you had a good time working with the people you worked with before, have you thought about the box office and the impact in the future? You don't want your hard-earned movie to be unwatched, do you?"
Li Shishi said, "I haven't thought about any of that. I just want to make the film well first."