Chapter 77: Conflict

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5821232
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com

After the last discussion with the director and screenwriter about the script details, there were basically no problems, and Lin Qingyi decided to sign for this film.

At the second meeting, compared to the last time, Zhang Zexun was full of energy, but this time his expression was somewhat dark, seemingly unhappy.

This film, up to now, had not been publicly announced. Only the investors, screenwriter, and the two female leads knew. The investors said Qin Shilan approached them herself, and the screenwriter wouldn't want her good script ruined by a traffic star. The other female lead was a victim who had her role taken away, so they could not reveal it. The only one who could leak it was Lin Qingyi. Qin Shiyue was Lin Qingyi’s girlfriend, so it seemed like a done deal.

Zhang Zexun had always thought Lin Qingyi was extremely clever, but he didn't expect her to be so unclear when it came to love. He could understand her willing to sacrifice her reputation to lift Qin Shiyue, but if Qin Shiyue’s acting was only slightly worse, it could be lifted, so he wouldn't be this unhappy.

These past two days, he had watched the dramas Qin Shiyue had acted in, and the more he watched, the angrier he got. Qin Shiyue’s work, like the just-finished ‘Princess Girlfriend’, was barely watchable. The reason it was barely watchable was only because of natural self-performance, not acting skills. The previous works were worse and worse, completely hopeless mud.

Qin Shiyue was incapable of being the female lead of the new film. Zhang Zexun thought Lin Qingyi must be aware. His anger wasn't only because the good script was being ruined, or because this film, which could have won awards, might become one of the few flops in his career, but also because of disappointment in someone he had always admired, Lin Qingyi. Naturally, he could not show a good face.

“Director Zhang, are you facing some difficulties?” Lin Qingyi asked concernedly, clearly not expecting Zhang Zexun’s dissatisfaction to be aimed at her.

As the saying goes, when a wife cheats, the husband is the last to know. Lin Qingyi’s state now was probably not far from that situation.

Qin Shiyue successfully got the other female lead role. She actually knew Lin Qingyi wouldn't be happy, so she had not dared to tell her. Like an ostrich*, she thought if the crew told Lin Qingyi, then it would be the crew’s decision, trying to minimize her own presence in this matter. Qin Shiyue’s thought was, naturally, self-deception. She knew it herself, but in order to act with Lin Qingyi, she still went all out.

*鸵鸟的觉得 (Tuóniǎo de juédé) - play dumb, avoidance mentality, like how ostrich bury their heads in the sand when they encounter danger. 

According to Qin Shiyue’s past life experience, if she made a mistake, as long as she sincerely admitted it, her family would forgive her. So she instinctively thought Lin Qingyi would forgive her too, since this wasn't a very serious or principled mistake.

Zhang Zexun thought Lin Qingyi’s acting was really good, so natural, with no trace of performance. Such a good actor, yet didn't cherish her reputation, it was infuriating. But the two were a couple. Lin Qingyi would give up the chance to be an international best actress for Qin Shiyue, probably for marriage, otherwise such a sacrifice wouldn't happen.

With Lin Qingyi’s current status in the film world, and Qin Shiyue’s background, even if Zhang Zexun was unhappy, he could not easily act out. Well, it was done, he could only accept it. Now he could only hope for Lin Qingyi. If she made this decision, she probably had some confidence. He hoped she could guide Qin Shiyue well, and he would try to give more screen time to Lin Qingyi, to prevent this film, which he had high hopes for, from becoming a flop.

“Earlier I hadn't congratulated Qingyi, you got a beautiful girlfriend, the most beautiful girl in the entertainment circle.” Zhang Zexun said a polite and fake compliment.

Zhang Zexun suddenly mentioned Qin Shiyue. Lin Qingyi felt a bit strange. Her relationship with Qin Shiyue should not have reached a level that made the big director so concerned. Even a sincere blessing should have been at the last meeting. Zhang Zexun’s reflex seemed unusually delayed, moreover his expression and tone seemed off.

This big director was indeed acting strangely.

“I didn’t expect Director Zhang to also follow entertainment gossip.” Lin Qingyi showed a “flattered” attitude and tone. Could it be Director Zhang was unhappy with her recent hype and exposure? As a professional actor, there was no need to overexpose in public view, but this wouldn't affect her professionalism. She thought Zhang Zexun should trust her. If he was unhappy, he should have shown it last time, which he didn't, so it shouldn't be that reason.

Unable to guess why Zhang Zexun was acting weird today, Lin Qingyi felt annoyed. It would be best to find out why he was strange. If not, later she would have Bai Wenxi ask people close to Zhang Zexun. She never liked such inexplicable states.

“Even if I don’t follow, I can’t ignore it. You two young couples are so close, even acting together, it makes me, an old man, jealous.” Zhang Zexun said, clearly not sincere. Were these two using the set as a dating spot?

“Director Zhang jokes. Currently I have no plans to act with Shiyue, and I never overlap roles, you know that.” Lin Qingyi thought, could some marketing account be spreading rumors about her acting with Qin Shiyue? But the director should not believe such baseless gossip.

Hearing this, Zhang Zexun was puzzled. He had said so much, Lin Qingyi had no need to act, right? Could it be Lin Qingyi really didn’t know? But the possibility seemed very small.

“Isn’t this film you and Qin Shiyue acting together as a couple?” Zhang Zexun’s tone still didn't fully hide his dissatisfaction. He was unhappy that Lin Qingyi was pretending, and also unhappy about this matter itself.

Lin Qingyi’s face changed slightly.

Even Bai Wenxi, beside Lin Qingyi, was very surprised, thinking Baby Qin’er was really capable. Not only did she force the investors to change the female lead, but she didn’t even inform the White Peacock. Knowing her master, she must be angry. Would the young couple quarrel? Bai Wenxi thought carefully, something was off. Baby Qin’er wanted to act in this film. Sister Fang knew, but she didn’t tell her in advance. Wasn’t this letting the young couple quarrel?

Seeing Lin Qingyi and Bai Wenxi’s surprised faces, Zhang Zexun wondered if Lin Qingyi really didn’t know.

“You didn’t know about this?” Zhang Zexun asked carefully, thinking it was still possible Lin Qingyi didn’t know. Normally, if Lin Qingyi wanted Qin Shiyue to act in this film, she would personally come forward, inform him in advance, try to convince him, or have Qin Shilan pressure him. It didn’t seem like Lin Qingyi’s style.

“Director Zhang, I’m sorry, I won’t sign today. I have some personal matters to handle first.” From her perspective, it seemed awkward to explain. What she needed to do now was confirm Qin Shiyue’s plan before making a decision.

After apologizing to Zhang Zexun, Lin Qingyi left first.

“Qingyi really doesn’t know?” Zhang Zexun asked Bai Wenxi, seeing Lin Qingyi leave without signing, leaving only the manager.

“Our Teacher Lin usually cherishes her reputation, you know. We also just learned of this. Our Teacher Lin is probably going back to confirm with her girlfriend. This young couple might quarrel.” Bai Wenxi immediately explained for Lin Qingyi.

“If the couple quarrels, it would be my big fault.” Zhang Zexun said, but secretly hoped Lin Qingyi could handle Qin Shiyue. Then everything between the couple would have room to negotiate.

“This has nothing to do with you. Couples need communication, they need to adjust to each other.” Bai Wenxi said tactfully.

Zhang Zexun thought, even if Lin Qingyi didn’t know before, now that she knew, it was up to her to handle it. There might still be a way.

Fang Xinhua didn’t tell Bai Wenxi. She thought Qin Shiyue should personally tell Lin Qingyi.

“Did you tell Movie Queen Lin?” Fang Xinhua asked on video call. She heard they would sign today. They hadn’t signed yet. She felt no rush. Once Lin Qingyi signed, then they could.

“Not yet.” Qin Shiyue felt guilty.

Fang Xinhua sighed as she rubs her forehead. She had repeatedly warned that Qin Shiyue must personally tell Queen Lin. Otherwise, it would be like pouring oil on fire. If Queen Lin found out during signing that the other female lead was Qin Shiyue, thinking about that scene made Fang Xinhua break into a cold sweat.

“You must personally tell Movie Queen Lin.” Fang Xinhua checked the time. It was too late to remedy now. She wished she had informed Bai Wenxi first.

“I’m afraid she’ll be angry.” Several times she wanted to say, but could not. She worried Lin Qingyi would persuade her, so she wanted to act first and report later.

“But if you don’t tell her, she’ll be angrier.” Fang Xinhua thought Baby Qin'er was still a child, not yet knowing how to handle things.

“I know.” She thought letting someone else tell her would be simpler than doing it herself.

“Then let nature take its course.” Fang Xinhua only hoped Movie Queen Lin could be more tolerant to Baby Qin'er. She predicted it was unlikely for Baby Qin'er to act with Lin Qingyi. Baby Qin'er was timid, Lin Qingyi was clearly the more assertive one, and if she disagreed, Baby would have no choice but to give in.

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5821232
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com

On the way back, Lin Qingyi grew angrier. She was angry that Qin Shiyue was reckless and lacked self-awareness, and angry that such a big matter was done without consulting her, keeping her the last to know. Even if she guessed Qin Shiyue didn’t tell her out of fear, she still felt disrespected.

Qin Shiyue had just hung up from Fang Xinhua’s video call when there was a sound at the door.

Has Lin Qingyi returned? Qin Shiyue felt as nervous and uneasy as if she was about to be beheaded.

She unconsciously stood up, like a child who made a mistake, feeling helpless but forcing herself to face it.

The door opened. Lin Qingyi came in, her expression cold, like a layer of frost. Her change in expression made her seem especially distant and hard to approach.

This was the second time Qin Shiyue faced Lin Qingyi with such an expression. Last time she didn't know the reason. This time she knew, and it was no better than last time.

“You’re back…” Qin Shiyue spoke cautiously, with a few tones of flattery, like a child who knew they had done something wrong.

Clearly, Qin Shiyue knew she was in the wrong, yet still did this, which angered Lin Qingyi even more.

“Qin Shiyue, you are really capable, grabbing someone else’s resources. Having an older sister like President Qin is different.” Lin Qingyi, in a fit of anger, sarcastically said.

Although Qin Shiyue had prepared to face Lin Qingyi’s anger, the sarcastic words were like ice arrows piercing her chest, making her heart ache.

“I… I just don’t want to be apart from you… I want to act with you…” Qin Shiyue explained herself.

Her words softened Lin Qingyi slightly, but she felt she shouldn’t indulge her. After all, she was no longer a child. She could not act on emotion, things must be done within one’s capability.

“Qin Shiyue, you are no longer a child. The world does not work according to what you want. Do you have no self-awareness? With your acting skills, do you think you can perform this film well?” Lin Qingyi questioned.

Author's Note:

Lin Qingyi: Was I too harsh?

Qin Shiyue: Wuwu, crying my eyes out.

Small red envelopes will be randomly dropped!