Chapter 35: Gu Xizhi Tried Hard To Control But Couldn't Stop Her Heartbeat Which Was Beyond Normal
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The next day.
Gu Xizhi took the elevator directly from the garage to the 23rd floor of Huayu International Company. She walked all the way to Zhao Ling's office. Sunlight shone straight in from the window. The office, which was big enough to ride a bicycle in, had only Zhao Ling busy at her desk.
Gu Xizhi knocked on the wide-open door to get her attention. After receiving a response, she walked in, stepping on the clean carpet with her high-heeled shoes.
"Director Zhao, did you call me here for something?"
Zhao Ling found a document from a pile on her desk. "Even though you've just finished filming and it was tough, now is not the time to relax. I need your work for next year's film festival. Of course, not just any actor at Huayu International can go and make a movie. I think you should know this is your last opportunity. It's still up to the company's decision. We've tentatively selected a few scripts. I hope you will go back, take a serious look, and then we can discuss when you come back."
Gu Xizhi didn't look at the material, but said sincerely to Zhao Ling, "I am very grateful for what you have done for me."
Zhao Ling smiled immediately, her dark red lips and her smile looked very glamorous, "If you're going to thank me, then I think what I'm going to say next will make you want to take it back immediately."
Gu Xizhi frowned, "What's the matter?"
"You can act in movies and release records, but these things must be settled after having dinner with President Sun."
"Sun Tingyou?"
He's on a business trip now and won't be back until a few days later. Zhao Ling picked up the cigarette on the table, and passed one to Gu Xizhi casually, "I'll accompany you. I hope you can make him happier. You know, he has many hobbies. If he can't have one thing, he always needs something else to compensate."
Gu Xizhi's facial expression became heavy, and after politely rejecting the cigarette, she said, "I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll go out."
"Wait." Zhao Ling handed her an invitation card. "Tomorrow is my birthday. You're welcome to come."
"Happy birthday." Despite her bad mood, Gu Xizhi still said these words in a very cheerful tone.
Zhao Ling smiled. "Thank you."
With Zhao Ling's contacts in the entertainment circle, it was expected that her birthday party would be as grand as a movie awards ceremony.
It's already the end of September. After a rain at night, the weather is obviously much colder. Like many female stars, Gu Xizhi chose a long dress for the evening banquet, not afraid of the cold. As she arrived at Zhao Ling's luxurious mansion, she saw Liang Youyou wearing an even cooler outfit than hers.
"I heard that you are choosing a script, do you like any?"
Gu Xizhi was very wary of her sudden enthusiasm, "I haven't started reading them yet, what's the problem?"
"I don't have any problem, but our colleague Ivy from the company seems to want to discuss something with you."
After Liang Youyou finished speaking, she led Gu Xizhi to the fruit area. Ivy, who was engaged in conversation with a group of actresses, noticed Gu Xizhi and immediately approached with great enthusiasm.
"Sister Xiao Jing, Director Zhao said that if you choose the script 'White Era,' I can play the supporting actress No. 3. I've prepared a lot to act in a movie. I really want to act in a film. Can you please consider this script a bit more?"
"I will consider it," Gu Xizhi replied in an official yet non-offensive manner. "But I'm just casually looking at scripts. The final decision still rests with Director Zhao."
"If you could give it a little more thought, that would be great," Ivy said happily.
Gu Xizhi forced a smile. "Sure, it's fine. I'll go over and see an old friend first."
"Sister Xiao Jing, let me go with you." Ivy didn't realize that Gu Xizhi just wanted to avoid her.
Gu Xizhi looked at her, then at Liang Youyou, then turned and left.
Liang Youyou had already realized that the person she had just introduced to Gu Xizhi was a strange flower. She didn't bother to follow her to scold her. On the other side, Ivy stuck closely to Gu Xizhi, walking and asking, "Sister Xiao Jing, I heard that Xie Lanfeng is your senior, right?"
Gu Xizhi didn't understand why she mentioned Xie Lanfeng, so she said honestly, "Yes."
"She's targeted me multiple times. Can you please speak some good words for me in front of her?"
Gu Xizhi walked on the red carpet towards Le Cheng's position on the other side, asking as she walked, "Did you offend her?"
"No, it's just that last time Miss Qu Xizhi came to my place on my birthday, and didn't accompany her on the show, so she's been unhappy whenever she sees me. I've apologized to her, but it hasn't worked."
Gu Xizhi slowed down, "Qu Xizhi attended your birthday?"
"That's right, Miss Qu is super nice, she responds to requests, and she seems to like me quite a bit. Last time I wanted to visit her place and she agreed right away."
Gu Xizhi slightly curved her lips, but her face showed no sign of a smile. "She really doesn't know how to refuse people."
Ivy clearly didn't catch the sarcastic tone in her words. "Exactly, that's why I don't believe it when Xie Lanfeng says she has a good relationship with Miss Qu. Miss Qu isn't kind to just one person."
Gu Xizhi's steps paused for a moment as she pondered Ivy's words. Upon closer reflection, Qu Xizhi indeed was someone who didn't know how to refuse anyone. In the past, Gu Xizhi had thought that her tolerance and endless concessions were targeted at certain individuals. But over time, she came to realize that this was just the kind of person Qu Xizhi was. It had nothing to do with being gentle or selective.
Although this person's private life is much healthier than other corrupt female stars in the circle, the peach blossoms* around her are as tough and tenacious as inexhaustible weeds. This is what she hates most about her, it felt as if any man or woman present could easily form a connection with her, and she was just one relationship among many.
*romantic prospects
Just as she was thinking about this person's shortcomings, that person appeared before her eyes. Gu Xizhi glanced at Qu Xizhi and the group of people walking in from outside, and she immediately turned around, and said, "I'm going to eat."
At this time, Ivy had already seen Qu Xizhi, so she had no time to pay attention to Gu Xizhi. She quickly said goodbye and headed toward Qu Xizhi's location.
The emcee hosting the birthday dinner for Zhao Ling was a very popular entertainment show host nowadays. Since this host was known for being lively on regular shows, the atmosphere of the banquet was energetic from the beginning.
During the emcee's introduction of the banquet's activities, Gu Xizhi encountered Tang Yu. He was dressed in a white suit today, and his tall stature put pressure even on Gu Xizhi, who was wearing 10-centimeter high heels. When Tang Yu saw Gu Xizhi, he immediately gave her an elegant smile and approached to greet her. "Could I invite you to dance later?"
"Certainly."
Tang Yu gestured to her with the red wine glass in his hand, "Do you want to drink?"
Gu Xizhi immediately shook her head.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The first game was a group-based "Truth or Dare." They randomly selected numbered cards from all the guests present. Groups of five would go on stage for rock-paper-scissors. The person who lost would have to pick a truth or dare card. It was an old game, and due to its risky nature, many celebrities refused to play it. However, everyone present was willing to do it for the sake of Zhao Ling's face.
In the first two rounds before the game started, Gu Xizhi was eating in the corner and didn't pay much attention. But some of the truths and dares that people were asked to do managed to elevate the atmosphere in the banquet hall.
In the third round, as the game began, the emcee drew Gu Xizhi's numbered card first. A girl nearby noticed that Gu Xizhi was still eating and reminded her, "You've been chosen."
Gu Xizhi turned her head to look at the emcee, and sure enough, she saw her holding a microphone to signal her to come on stage.
Gu Xizhi, who had never won a prize, felt that this was a great prize, so she came on stage with a good attitude.
Next, one by one, four other individuals, including older male bosses and both celebrities and behind-the-scenes players, were chosen to play through rock-paper-scissors. Fortunately, Gu Xizhi once again won the "prize."
After the emcee sent the other four people away, there was only Gu Xizhi left on stage. The elevated position allowed her to see every corner and person in the banquet hall. However, after a quick glance, she averted her gaze.
Once the other four people had left, the emcee turned to Gu Xizhi and asked, "So, Miss Gu Xizhi, after this long time, have you decided whether you want to choose 'Truth' or 'Dare'?"
Gu Xizhi smiled slightly and readily said, "Dare."
In such a mixed crowd, there were quite a few experienced journalists who might come up with sharp questions that could make her uncomfortable if she chose "Truth." Even if she didn't get into an uncomfortable situation, it could still be troublesome. But "Dare" was different. With so many people around, no dare would be excessively outrageous.
As soon as Gu Xizhi finished speaking, the emcee asked for opinions from the audience. The audience disagreed several times but finally agreed on a suggestion.
"So, do you all think it's a pity that we won't see any scenes between the two 'Xizhis' in 'Wangchuan River'? Then, can you tell me which scene you want to see between the two 'Xizhis'?"
The audience almost said in unison, "Kissing scene, kissing scene!"
Never having imagined this situation before, Gu Xizhi, standing on the stage, underwent a subtle change in her expression. The emcee turned back to Gu Xizhi and said, "So, Miss Gu Xizhi, can you come down from here and give a kiss to Miss Qu Xizhi? You definitely won't refuse, right?"
As the emcee finished speaking, the commotion had already begun in the audience. However, Gu Xizhi carefully responded, "I'm sorry, can I still change it to 'Truth' now?"
This sentence created an odd atmosphere on both the stage and in the audience. Even the quick-witted emcee hesitated for a moment due to the implications in the words. But at this moment, Zhao Ling, the absolute protagonist of the day, looked at Gu Xizhi from her position in the audience and smiled, saying, "Xiao Jing, it's just a game. Everyone's having fun, so let's not change it."
With Zhao Ling's words, Gu Xizhi wanted to refuse, but she didn't know how to start. Just as she was trying to gather her thoughts, the emcee, who had regained her composure, spoke again to the audience, "Miss Qu Xizhi, could you please cooperate?"
The crowd's attention shifted to Qu Xizhi, who had been chatting and laughing with a jewelry client just moments ago. She offered a polite smile to the crowd and nodded in an affable manner as if she wasn't too concerned about what was happening over there.
Gu Xizhi looked at her from a distance, but couldn't take a step away.
There is an urge to leave immediately, regardless of what she promised just now, let alone where she is, in short, she doesn't want to do this.
Someone in the audience urged, "Hurry up!"
"Quick, quick."
Feeling utterly powerless, but compelled to do so, she had to walk towards her.
The eyes of many people present followed her movement, and the emotions in Gu Xizhi's eyes as she approached Qu Xizhi were tinged with a bit of negativity.
After she walked over, more and more people turned their attention to their side, even the emcee poked her head to watch the show, but Gu Xizhi hoped that they would not exist at this moment.
Standing in front of Qu Xizhi, Gu Xizhi worked hard to make people around her not doubt her emotions by relying on her acting skills.
"Qu Xizhi, I..."
Qu Xizhi interrupted her, smiling calmly, "It's just a game, Miss Gu doesn't have to be so serious, let's start."
Gu Xizhi's expression didn't become any more pleasant due to her words; in fact, it worsened. After a moment of silence, she took a step closer to Qu Xizhi. Under the gaze of everyone, she tried to convince herself and finally, with her head slightly tilted, she leaned towards her.
The moment she was about to kiss her.
Zzzt—
A sound resembling a short circuit suddenly echoed, and the entire villa plunged into darkness at that very moment. Chaos ensued in the banquet hall.
"Hey, who stepped on my foot?"
"Seriously? Who got cake on me?"
"Don't move back! A plate got knocked over here."
The messy sound and the darkness in front of her made Gu Xizhi feel like the sky was hanging down, the breath in front of her was so close, and the smell of perfume on Qu Xizhi's body had already filled her nostrils, but at this moment, no one would pay attention to what she was doing.
Almost immediately took a few steps back, Gu Xizhi was about to leave the scene and never come back, but at this moment an unquestionable force grabbed her wrist and brought her back to where she was, before she could react to what happened, Qu Xizhi had put her arms around her shoulders and kissed her lips.
This kiss was too hot and aggressive, Gu Xizhi struggled immediately, but this person's strength seemed to be always greater than her own, and there were people around her, so she couldn't make any noise or make any bigger movements. She could only silently resist the intrusion.
Lips, teeth, tongue, everything fell under her gradual aggression, the sound of footsteps and voices around made Gu Xizhi's nervous back sweat, but Qu Xizhi still didn't let her go.
Qu Xizhi's tongue lightly swept over her, a delicate sensation that felt like gently plucking at her nerve endings. Stirred by memories that had been dormant, Gu Xizhi could barely tolerate it and forcefully bit Qu Xizhi's lip.
The resistance finally paid off. In the dark, Qu Xizhi stopped kissing her, but whispered in her ear, "I was wrong before, let's be friends again. Don't run away from me, okay?"
When she whispered in her ear, her hot breath hit her ears, and her nose was filled with the smell of her perfume. Gu Xizhi tried hard to control but couldn't stop her heartbeat which was beyond normal.
What is she talking about? Be friends again? Is this how Qu Xizhi makes friends with people?
It's just that there is no way to reason at the moment, she was so annoyed that she almost burned inside, unable to say a word, she quickly pushed her away, turned, and left as if to escape.
