Chapter 66: Miss Gu, You Don't Mind Having Breakfast Together, Right?
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
2023 Ver.______
>>>Deleted Scene<<<
The time that flows slowly through your fingertips is often just a fleeting moment in the long river of life. It lasts for more than a month. In the season of April, the weather is getting warmer, flowers are blooming, and even the air is filled with a sweet smell.
Her ears were filled with the sound of the crew checking the operation of the props. Gu Xizhi sits in a chair, reviewing the lines one last time.
The filming of Scarlett Li's movie "Black and White Feather" has started for a few days, and the main actors of the crew have all arrived. Although the filming location is at a university in this city, due to the special requirements of the director, all actors who joined the crew have strictly refrained from accepting any advertising activities while filming.
What was about to be filmed now was a scene between the two heroines. Gu Xizhi carefully read through the storyboard, with lines of small words flashing through her eyes.
When Gu Xizhi first received the script for 'Black and White Feather,' she liked it a lot. Nowadays, many same-sex coming-of-age movie scripts are filled with either strong or heavy sadness in the emotional elements. It's not that she doesn't like those movies, but when she received this script, she suddenly realized that sometimes stories filled with freshness and hope can also be very touching.
The two heroines of "Black and White Feather" have known each other since childhood. The heroine Qin Shiyu has been smart and sharp since she was a child. The other heroine Yun Xiaoxiao is rational and wise without revealing her edges. They share common interests and dreams of entering an art school. The major part of the story takes place during their time at the art school. The script is devoid of tragic elements, and the growth of the two female leads is natural and positive throughout. It's a rare story that remains sunny and full of energy from beginning to end.
Gu Xizhi finally played the role of Qin Shiyu, while the other character Yun Xiaoxiao was played by newcomer Sun Xi. Today was the sixth time Gu Xizhi and Sun Xi had played together, and the girl was still extremely nervous.
"Sun Xi, come over and take your seat."
The assistant director called out and ordered Sun Xi, who was still talking to her manager, to take a sip of water and return to the camera. Gu Xizhi looked at the young girl and flipped through the script.
Because it was her first time acting, she looked very nervous. These days, before going to bed at night, she would rehearse her lines with her in her room and keep asking what preparations she needed to make before filming. Gu Xizhi found it amusing and patiently explained what kind of preparations were needed before shooting, but she seemed to get even more nervous, asking all sorts of questions as if she was afraid of being laughed at for not knowing anything.
The fragrance of flowers drifted in through a window. Gu Xizhi raised her hand to block the sunlight, but in the blink of an eye, she saw She Jia standing by the window, smoking.
Today was her first day on set, so she was particularly busy. Gu Xizhi had wanted to have a private conversation with her several times but hadn't found the opportunity. Now she finally saw her with some free time, so she put down the script and went over to She Jia.
"Miss She." She borrowed a cigarette from Lili and handed her one.
She Jia turned back to look at her, took her cigarette, and smiled politely, "Miss Gu, aren't you about to film later?"
"I still have some time, so I just came over to talk to Miss She."
"Miss Gu probably wants to ask me about the lead role." She Jia smiled wisely.
"I've been wanting to talk to you privately for a month, but you were too busy at the time." Gu Xizhi tilted her head slightly and looked at her. "Miss She, why did you choose to play a supporting role instead of the female lead?"
She Jia put out her cigarette, looked up at the scenery outside the window, then turned to look at Gu Xizhi with a smile, "I wonder if Miss Gu still remembers when director Jiang Tu was selecting supporting actresses for "Wangchuan River".
Gu Xizhi tried to recall, but there was no trace of this event in her mind.
"That was my first time acting. Because I added a few extra lines, Director Jiang Tu scolded me and I didn't know what to do. It was you who came over to tell me how to make Director Jiang Tu happy and spoke up for me in front of him." She Jia lit another cigarette, took a deep drag, and continued, "Later, he gave me that role. Even though it was a small role, it made the directors who later cast me in palace dramas recognize me. In short, without you, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to compete with you for the female lead today. How could I compete with you?"
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Gu Xizhi recalled it for a long time and finally remembered that in a certain year and month, to avoid acting with Qu Xizhi, she did go to find Jiang Tu, and it seemed that she had encountered such a thing.
"Miss She, you are really..."
"Miss Gu Xizhi, the filming of the next scene is about to begin."
Before she could finish her words of thanks, Gu Xizhi was called by the staff. She looked back at the tensed set, turned to She Jia, and said, "Anyway, thank you for helping me so much."
She Jia smiled slightly and said, "You're welcome, you've helped me too."
It was already seven o'clock in the evening when the shooting of the day ended. After dinner, Gu Xizhi was preparing to take a shower. Several knocks on the door made her immediately put down her clothes and open the door. As expected, Sun Xi stood outside the door with the script and looked pitifully. Looking at her, "Sister Xi, what should we do about the intimate scene tomorrow?
Gu Xizhi couldn't help but laugh. "Once you get into the scene, you'll naturally enter that state of mind. What are you afraid of?"
"But, but I don't know if I can enter the scene." She looked frustrated.
Gu Xizhi looked at the time, opened the door, and said, "Come in first."
Gu Xizhi spent the whole night explaining the scenes to Sun Xi, and in the end, it was Gu Xizhi who couldn't stay awake and went to sleep. The next morning, when Gu Xizhi arrived on set, Director Scarlett Li asked, "I had Sun Xi talk to you about today's scenes yesterday. How was she?"
"She's very smart and caught on quickly, just a little nervous."
Scarlett Li nodded, "I didn't choose the wrong person." She looked at her watch and asked the staff around her, "Have you contacted Sun Xi? What time is it and she still hasn't come over."
The staff on the side said they didn't know, and Scarlett Li just nodded and returned to the camera to look at the lens. After about ten minutes, Gu Xizhi, who had already put on makeup, was already a little impatient while waiting for Sun Xi. Only then did Scarlett Li ask the staff at the scene again, "Call Sun Xi's manager and check why she hasn't come yet."
A staff member was on the phone. As soon as Scarlett Li finished speaking, he hurriedly hung up the phone and told her, Sister Jia, Sister Jia, Sun Xi’s manager just called to say that Sun Xi had been in a car accident on the way to the set and currently being taken to the hospital."
Scarlett Li was stunned and quickly said, "Go to the hospital."
The strong smell of disinfectant and the depressing atmosphere made everyone feel tight in the chest. Gu Xizhi, like many actors in the crew, stood outside the operating room and paced and waited. Finally, the lights in the operating room went out, and Sun Xi's manager immediately went up and asked, "Doctor, how is Sun Xi's injury?
The doctor removed his mask and spoke in a relatively relaxed tone, "No need to worry too much. She has a grade-three fracture in her right hand. With proper treatment, she'll recover in a few months."
The manager immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Gu Xizhi leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Her hands, which had been clasped nervously, also finally relaxed.
After a while, everyone seemed to relax at the good news among the bad news. Sun Xi's manager suddenly looked at Scarlett Li with mixed emotions, "Sister Jia..."
Scarlett Li waved her hand to indicate that she didn't have to say anything, "The accident was already unfortunate enough, let's not bring up those matters."
Gu Xizhi glanced at Scarlett Li, realizing how disastrous it was for the lead actress of the film to suddenly face such an accident.
From the planning and casting of a film to the filming and release and subsequent participation in various award competitions, there are many links in between, and the time allocation has always been very tight. From the investor's point of view, they naturally hope that the film will be completed as soon as possible to catch up with the appropriate schedule to recover the cost and make a fortune. From the director's point of view, no one who makes a film does not want to win awards, but the film festival time waits for no one. If you miss it, you can only wait until next year, which is too uncertain for a movie's future.
Scarlett Li will not wait for her, and investors will not wait for her either.
"The two characters, Yun Xiaoxiao and Qin Shiyu are proficient in more than ten kinds of musical instruments and dances. I spent a month just to make Sun Xi familiar with them and the script's storyline. Even if we bring in someone else now, I don't have that much time to make her familiar with these aspects." The assistant director stood aside, shaking his head and sighing. "This film is going to miss everything."
Scarlett Li just looked out the window quietly, lost in thought.
Two days later.
"Instrumentalist, take away the harp and zither and replace them with violin and pipa."
In the musical instrument room, the sounds of various musical instruments reverberated early in the morning, and the staff was busy, but the director seemed particularly quiet in the busy atmosphere.
Even though it was just an instrument test with not too many people present, everyone was amazed by the performer's solid skills on various instruments.
After the audition of the six musical instruments was completed, everyone followed the performer's movements and shifted their gaze, finally focusing on the black and white piano keys.
Outside the window, there was the singing of birds, the fragrance of flowers, and the shade of trees. The morning on the university campus was peaceful and free of noise.
As the fingertips pressed down, the first note pierced through the thin sunlight and permeated the fresh air. With each note's leap, the people in the instrument room gradually became particularly surprised by the performer's skill.
When it comes to musical instruments, most people just choose the one they like and learn it thoroughly. Even a teacher in this field cannot grasp the flute and suona. But the person in front of them is not only an outstanding actor but also a master of musical instruments, especially so many kinds of instruments. The mastery of the instrument is no worse than that of a professional.
After listening to a melody, the assistant director finally couldn't help but look at Qu Xizhi's back and whispered, "Miss Qu is so versatile."
Scarlett Li lowered her gaze slightly and said quietly, "She's been through a lot."
The sunlight pours into the room, the willows and the breeze are jumping in the notes, and the blue sky is as pure as a child's smiling face.
The silhouette in front of the piano remained upright and graceful, like a queen from medieval Europe.
The shadow of the sun is getting heavier and heavier, changing the angles of light and shadow, and that beautiful back figure is gradually becoming somewhat unreal. Scarlett Li swayed in the bright sunshine, walked slowly to her side, watched her strike the final note, tilted her head, and smiled, "Xiao Qu, I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration."
An hour later, in a hotel room.
"This is just a series of unfortunate events. Sun Xi's role in this film could have contended for Best Newcomer, but Qu Xizhi is competing for Best Actress."
After answering the phone, the assistant kept yelling in the room, completely unable to accept the news of changing the female lead, while Gu Xizhi just sat on the balcony and quietly read the script, looking serious and focused.
Three days later, at the hotel of the film crew.
Today is the first day of filming. Gu Xizhi and Lili had breakfast together in the restaurant early in the morning. The sun shone into the restaurant through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. Every corner was full of vitality and brightness.
After returning to China, Gu Xizhi immediately approached Lili and asked her if she was willing to come back and continue to be responsible for her film and television work. Lili was very happy to receive her call and agreed without a word. It was just that she and Youyou were on vacation in Spain at that time. It was not until a few days ago that she returned to China and officially took over these affairs.
Having familiar people by her side gave her confidence. In the past two days, Gu Xizhi has focused on the script. She no longer had to think about things other than acting, and her mood became particularly relaxed.
There were not many customers in the restaurant in the early morning. Occasionally, there were gentlemen and ladies coming and going in twos and threes, and they seemed to be in a hurry. Gu Xizhi was sitting by the window, drinking coffee and reading messages on her phone. Sunlight shone in through the window, and her unique diamond earrings sparkled.
Seeing that she was in a good mood, Lili took the initiative to speak, "Actually, I think you won't mind who the other female lead is. As far as the script itself is concerned, the roles and characters of the two heroines are very good. There is no preference for one over the other, so you just need to focus on doing your part."
"Yes." After hearing her talk about this, Gu Xizhi closed her phone, looked up at her, and said seriously: "So don't worry, I've truly never worried about myself."
"That's good." Lili said, "No matter what, you have to believe in yourself. You and Qu Xizhi were on equal footing."
"Mm." Gu Xizhi nodded, "I'll do my best.
Lili gave her an encouraging look, and the two of them looked at each other and smiled. They lowered their heads and continued to eat. At this time, there was the sound of high-heeled shoes at the door of the restaurant. Lili saw several women hurrying into the restaurant on the reflective surface and quickly tapped the table to alert Gu Xizhi.
Gu Xizhi had just lowered her head to resume reading the newspaper and, noticing Lili's signal, she instinctively looked towards the restaurant's entrance. When she saw Qu Xizhi and a group of girls entering the restaurant, she slightly lowered her gaze, avoiding eye contact.
It was obvious that she didn't expect to encounter Qu Xizhi in the restaurant and didn't want to meet her either. At this moment, she kept her head down, seemingly trying to avoid a greeting with Qu Xizhi to make the situation appear smoother.
But Qu Xizhi seemed to have different ideas from hers.
Qu Xizhi, who was walking in the front, noticed Gu Xizhi's gaze, paused for a moment, and said to the girls beside her, "Feel free to go ahead. I'll have a few words with Miss Gu Xizhi."
Several girls nodded to express their understanding.
However, what surprised the girls was that Qu Xizhi didn't go to get food but instead sat directly across from Gu Xizhi, holding her bag.
When Qu Xizhi came over, she brought with her a familiar fragrance, and the morning light seemed to merge with her at this moment. She sat down in front of Gu Xizhi wearing an exquisite skirt and beautiful high heels, looking elegant and leisurely. The breakfast on the plate has just been eaten less than half, and there is still a lot of food on Gu Xizhi's plate. If she didn't consider wasting food, she would have just walked away.
However, she couldn't waste the beauty of the morning or the food.
Seeing Qu Xizhi sitting down opposite her, Gu Xizhi raised her head and forced out a smile, apologetically saying: "I'm sorry, I think the light here is a bit dark." She began to stand up with her tray, clearly intending to move to another spot. But before she could lift the tray, Qu Xizhi gently pushed it back with her hand.
Under Gu Xizhi's watchful gaze, Qu Xizhi picked up her fork and casually speared a small piece of mushroom. "I think this spot is just fine."
There was a smile in her eyes, "Miss Gu, no need to change." She enjoyed the food on Gu Xizhi's plate appearing nonchalant. Even if passersby who knew nothing of their history witnessed this situation, they would find it quite peculiar. And Lili, who was well aware of the situation, felt it was highly unusual.
So she quickly cleared her throat and picked up her plate, "I'll go over there to eat. See you in the car later." She quickly changed into a different spot.
The two of them were left alone in the corner. Gu Xizhi watched Qu Xizhi eating, and her appetite seemingly diminished.
But Qu Xizhi seemed to be very interested in her breakfast.
She held her fork and ate breakfast from the plate, looking like no one else was watching.
Finally, she seemed satisfied after taking a few bites, put down her fork, picked up the coffee on her plate, and took a small sip.
Then she put down her coffee and looked up at Gu Xizhi.
"Starting today, we finally have another chance to compete for Best Actress together." Qu Xizhi picked up a tissue with a smile. She wiped her hands and asked casually, "Do you think your chances of winning are greater or mine?"
Gu Xizhi felt suffocated after waiting for a long time and hearing this question.
In fact, she showed aggression and violation as soon as she sat down. What she said seemed normal but was actually provocative. It was evident that she wanted to embarrass her.
Gu Xizhi took a deep breath before responding, "Qu Xizhi, I only know that I will give it my all, and I hope you do the same."
"Oh." Qu Xizhi smiled, "Then what will happen to you if I win? Will you continue going abroad?"
She was being sarcastic, and Gu Xizhi felt her scalp tingling. "Qu Xizhi, why are you so certain that the winner will be you?"
"Based on my past." Qu Xizhi smiled, "I have defeated you every time in the past."
These words were undoubtedly a heavy blow to Gu Xizhi. Gu Xizhi took a deep breath before saying: "But this time, it will be different."
"Why?"
"Because I believe I can do it." Gu Xizhi said, "Qu Xizhi, I haven't relaxed for a moment in the past two years. Yes, you had all the advantages back then, but this time we both start from the same point, and I will not lose.”
The two looked at each other, with a hidden conflict in their eyes. At this time, there was a sound of high heels stopping beside the two people. Zhong Linshan patted Qu Xizhi on the shoulder and said: "Xiao Qu."
Qu Xizhi glanced at her. It seemed that both the people at the table were surprised by her appearance. Qu Xizhi's surprise was fleeting, but she quickly stood up and welcomed Zhong Linshan to sit down, saying, “Ara, you've arrived just in time. I'm having breakfast with Miss Gu.”
After saying that, she looked at Gu Xizhi and smiled, “Miss Gu, you don't mind having breakfast together, right?
Gu Xizhi took several deep breaths.
"You guys eat slowly, I'm leaving first."
She picked up her bag and walked out of the restaurant.
Author's Note:
Sisters, starting from this chapter, I have revised the following content. The remaining over 60,000 words are entirely different from the 2013 version.
This version is completely different.
The main reason for the change was that it was a bit unfinished at first, and the tone was too sad.
Of course, I don’t think the revised content is necessarily good, but I think it should be more in line with contemporary socialist core values compared to the past.
It's been ten years since Gu Qu was written. It's hard to imagine that it will still get everyone's attention ten years later. Thank you for your likes. It's a little gift for everyone.
--Left on May 8, 2023
