Chapter 69: Nothing Better Than This
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
2023 Ver.______
After dinner, Gu Xizhi first went to take a bath. After returning to the bedroom, Liang Ying happened to come out from Qu Xizhi's room. Through the crack of the door, Gu Xizhi saw a faint yellow light in the bedroom, but it quickly disappeared when Liang Ying closed the door casually.
"I'm going to take a bath now. Make sure to watch Xuxu, okay." She tiptoed and patted Gu Xizhi's shoulder, then put down the puppy and went to the bathroom. Gu Xizhi looked at the puppy, then opened the bedroom door to let it in.
The room was quiet at night and there was no sound. Gu Xizhi turned on the TV and randomly adjusted a channel before putting away the luggage she had just packed today.
There was a knock on the door, and Gu Xizhi thought it was Liang Ying who came back to look for clothes, and said casually, "The door is unlocked, come in. " There was a click and there was no sound after the door lock was opened. Gu Xizhi, who was looking for snacks, was curious about why Liang Ying was so quiet, so she looked back.
She didn't see Liang Ying when she looked, but she was shocked.
Qu Xizhi was leaning against the door with her arms folded, looking at her as if she had been standing there for a while.
Seeing her gaze in her direction, Qu Xizhi asked calmly, "Did anyone from the crew tell you that the car I was in today got into an accident?"
Her tone sounded like an interrogation, and Gu Xizhi was momentarily stunned.
"Yes." Somewhat puzzled, "Why do you ask?"
"You know about it," Qu Xizhi raised an eyebrow. "So why didn't you come to see me?"
Gu Xizhi looked perplexed. "Me, come to see you?"
The morning's argument between them flashed in her mind, and Gu Xizhi had no idea what state of mind Qu Xizhi was in when saying these words.
Should she visit her?
"Ordinary people." Qu Xizhi leaned against the wall and called her out from a distance, looking nonchalant. "When your ordinary colleague encounters a car accident, wouldn't you show some concern?"
Gu Xizhi's expression grew more complicated.
She called her "ordinary people", does she mean to treat each other as such?
Gu Xizhi was silent for a moment, "Are you hurt?"
"No." Qu Xizhi replied.
Gu Xizhi's expression was hard to describe.
Qu Xizhi glanced at her and suddenly said: "My ankle hurts a little from the rain today. Can you call Ling Xian to get some ointment for me?"
Gu Xizhi glanced at her ankles immediately.
Her words sounded true, especially when Qu Xizhi mentioned it, Gu Xizhi noticed that her steps seemed a bit strained. So, when Qu Xizhi brought up this matter, Gu Xizhi was initially inclined to agree. However, her tone throughout the conversation had not a hint of negotiation, and the mockery from earlier in the day was still fresh in her mind, making Gu Xizhi feel uncomfortable.
"You..." she couldn't help but ask, "Where's Miss Zhong?"
"She had something and went back just now."
"...and where is your phone?"
"It's out of service."
"...Qu Xizhi, are you short on money?"
"Mm?"
"Why did you cut your phone then?"
"Why can't I have my phone off?" Qu Xizhi said indifferently. "I'm shooting a movie, all I need to do is focus on that, no need to answer calls."
Gu Xizhi: "..."
She had a faint feeling that after not seeing each other for more than two years, Qu Xizhi might have evolved into a difficult person to deal with, but she couldn't bring herself to blame her.
Although the two of them were not exactly on peaceful terms right now, the atmosphere was already much better than before, and she didn't want it to be easily ruined.
"Okay." Gu Xizhi directly took out a medicine kit from the cabinet. "I always carry a lot of medicine with me. Take a look to see if there's something you can use."
After she finished speaking, she put the medicine box in front of Qu Xizhi. Qu Xizhi looked at the medicine box she placed in front of her, rummaged through it, and actually took out a tube of medicine."I've used this one before, so let's go with this."
"Mm." Gu Xizhi checked the name of the ointment and, once she was sure it was correct, closed the medicine kit. "If it doesn't work, let me know anytime, and I'll call Ling Xian."
Qu Xizhi looked at her. "Aren't you going to help apply the ointment?"
Gu Xizhi raised her head, meeting her gaze with a somewhat surprised expression, "I'm supposed to help you apply the ointment?"
"This injury was caused by you. Shouldn't you help apply the ointment?"
Gu Xizhi: "..."
Gu Xizhi looked at her with a complicated face.
What's going on with her tonight?
Gu Xizhi looked at her silently, wondering for a moment whether she should take the ointment. This reaction seemed to be interpreted by Qu Xizhi as having some special meaning. She suddenly looked bored. "Okay, if it's inconvenient for you, forget it."
"No." Gu Xizhi hurriedly grabbed her sleeve when she turned around.
She didn't know why, but she suddenly felt a bit afraid that Qu Xizhi might just leave like that. Even though they had come this far, she didn't know what she was still afraid of.
But she did grab her. "It's something I caused, so I'll help you.".
Qu Xizhi looked at her for a moment and nodded. "Okay."
Liang Ying was in the shower, and the only sounds were from the puppy running around in the bedroom. Qu Xizhi sat on the edge of the bed, one foot resting at the bed's end, while Gu Xizhi sat nearby. After opening the ointment, her gaze finally fell on Qu Xizhi's ankle.
Her ankle was slender and fair, with skin as smooth as silk. Gu Xizhi looked for a moment, suddenly feeling a bit unsure of where to start.
"Qu Xizhi."
"What?"
"...Put your leg on my lap."
Qu Xizhi looked at her quietly, with a thoughtful expression in her eyes.
Gu Xizhi avoided her eyes, "I'm not very comfortable this way."
Qu Xizhi observed her expression for a moment and then softly replied, "Mm," as she repositioned her leg.
Gu Xizhi's breathing was uneasy.
While having her leg on her lap was a more convenient posture, at this moment, Gu Xizhi suddenly realized that it wasn't all that comfortable either.
She looked up along her ankle to check her complexion and gently applied the ointment, spreading it evenly on her ankle. The ointment had a soothing, penetrating coolness. Gu Xizhi continued this application silently, showing no intention of speaking.
There was only the sound from the TV in the room, and there was no conversation between them for a long time.
After quite some time, just when Gu Xizhi felt like this silence might become suffocating, Qu Xizhi suddenly asked, "How did you get that injury on your hand?"
This injury had been there since Gu Xizhi's first return to the country, and it appeared to be quite old.
Gu Xizhi hesitated for a moment. "It's nothing, I accidentally cut it."
Qu Xizhi fell silent.
After a while, she asked again:
"What about your hair? When did you cut it?"
Gu Xizhi was stunned again, "Why are you asking this?"
"It doesn't look good," Qu Xizhi said. "I want to know when your mind became so unclear."
"No, my hair looks very nice." Gu Xizhi responded, starting to take it seriously. "And my hair isn't very short; it's growing longer now."
"Then don't cut it," Qu Xizhi said. "It's really ugly. "
Gu Xizhi looked at her, a bit displeased, but did not dare to show it.
So she quickly applied the ointment, stood up, and put the ointment away. "The ointment is applied. If you have any questions, let me know."
Qu Xizhi glanced at her ankle, not particularly concerned, and then looked up at Gu Xizhi. "Do you have time tomorrow night?"
Gu Xizhi was a little confused, "What's wrong?"
"I want to go shopping. "
Gu Xizhi:?
Qu Xizhi: "I bought a pair of flat shoes, but I came here in a hurry and didn’t bring them with me." After a pause, "Tomorrow night, after the shoot, go with me."
Gu Xizhi: "..."
"What about Miss Zhong?"
"She left," Qu Xizhi glanced at her. "How is it related to her if I want to buy shoes?"
"You two are good friends, you should have her accompany you for shopping."
"I just want you to accompany me," Qu Xizhi said, "This injury is your responsibility."
Gu Xizhi stopped talking.
Although Gu Xizhi didn't verbally express her willingness, it seemed that Qu Xizhi didn't intend to negotiate with her further.
After saying this, Qu Xizhi finally inspected her ankle, checked around it, and found nothing unusual, then slowly reached out her hand towards Gu Xizhi.
Gu Xizhi was still lost in thought about what had just transpired. Suddenly, she saw Qu Xizhi extending her hand toward her like an emperor expecting assistance. She gazed at her with a puzzled expression.
Qu Xizhi gave her a determined look as if telling her: Yes, I want you to help me.
Gu Xizhi held back her many complaints as she extended her hand to help Qu Xizhi.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
After Qu Xizhi took her hand and regained her balance, Gu Xizhi immediately gave her the ointment. Qu Xizhi glanced at the ointment and did not take it, but said: "By the way, I remember what you said to me today."
Gu Xizhi was a little confused, "What?"
Qu Xizhi said: "You won't lose." She added, "Gu Xizhi, if you think you won't lose in this film, then please maintain your highest standards. I will give my all to act in this film and will not give you a chance."
Gu Xizhi suddenly understood that she was talking about their work.
For some reason, even though she had been enduring everything tonight when Qu Xizhi suddenly brought up the topic of their work and spoke with excessive confidence, Gu Xizhi couldn't help but get a bit frustrated. "Don't worry. Even if I can't maintain my peak performance forever, I'll easily kill you in seconds."
"Oh," Qu Xizhi didn't seem interested in engaging in a verbal battle with her, and simply said, "Then do your best."
With that, she limped her way towards the door. Seeing this, Gu Xizhi, held up the ointment and said, "You haven't taken your ointment yet. Applying it is your business."
The door made a faint sound as it opened and closed, and Qu Xizhi had already left. Gu Xizhi stared at the closed door, her expression complex.
There was some light rain last night, and the air was filled with a fresh scent. When Gu Xizhi got up, Liang Ying was already having breakfast with the puppy and Qu Xizhi on the balcony. The breakfast smelled delicious, and Liang Ying enthusiastically waved at her. "My dear Xiao Gu, we bought breakfast for you. Aren't you touched?"
Gu Xizhi didn't bother to look at her and went straight to the bathroom.
After washing up, Qu Xizhi went back to the bedroom to change clothes. Gu Xizhi came to the balcony and saw that Liang Ying was still eating, so she sat down in front of her. "Why are you up so early?"
"Xiao A'Qu said that you have to get up at five o'clock to buy the breakfast you like." Liang Ying said while eating. "She asked me to go with her."
Gu Xizhi paused in the act of picking up her breakfast and after a moment, looked at Liang Ying with an uncertain expression. "Are you telling the truth or lying?"
Liang Ying, after studying her expression for a while, giggled and said, "Of course, I'm lying."
Gu Xizhi glanced at Liang Ying and then at the food on the table. She stood up and said, "I'm in a hurry and don't have time to eat these. Go eat alone."
"Skipping breakfast will make you stupid!"
Gu Xizhi went back to the bedroom to change clothes.
The main filming content during the day was the scene where Qin Shiyu and Yun Xiaoxiao participated in the violin competition together. The weather was fine early in the morning, and Gu Xizhi followed the crew to the Xinghai Concert Hall in the city center.
The Xinghai Concert Hall located in the city is exquisite and grand in shape, with the exterior giving off a sparkling starry feeling. The gentle morning sunlight bathed the entire music hall as if adorning it with a magnificent cloak. Gu Xizhi, like the rest of the crew, arrived at the location and began a busy day of work.
Her first scene today was a quarrel scene with a middle-aged male actor. The cause of this scene was that Qin Shiyu, who wanted Yun Xiaoxiao to win the first prize and study abroad, found herself in competition with Yun Xiaoxiao. Before the competition, Qin Shiyu deliberately injured her own finger. After the performance, Yun Xiaoxiao indeed secured first place and the opportunity to study abroad. At this point, Qin Shiyu, whose finger injury had led to a disappointing performance, didn't receive any recognition. Frustrated with this outcome, Yun Xiaoxiao was determined to approach the judging panel to fight for Qin Shiyu's chance. However, they ended up in a heated argument outside the concert hall, stopped by their counselor.
In the square outside the concert hall, Gu Xizhi had just finished applying makeup and was brewing emotions. Director Scarlett Li enthusiastically explained the scene to a male actor opposite Gu Xizhi. The square around the concert hall was bustling with crew members focused on their respective tasks, creating a lively and busy atmosphere.
After finishing a scene, Scarlett Li patted the male actor on the shoulder and returned to the camera. People around them quickly went into work mode one after another.
In no time, the actors were ready, the script supervisor clapped the slate, and Gu Xizhi, playing the role of Yun Xiaoxiao, delivered her lines in front of the camera. "I've never felt like I have to do anything, but this is something I must do." Her hands hung by her sides, one hand gripping her clothes tightly, her expression determined and stubborn.
Regarding today's scene, Gu Xizhi didn't feel any pressure. It was precisely because she was very confident about this scene that she was able to perform with ease.
After saying this line, the middle-aged actor opposite her looked at her with an extremely iron face, waved his hand, and pointed in front of her, "Are you and your Qin Shiyu both mentally ill?" He was so angry that he couldn't help but pace back and forth in front of her. Perhaps it was because he had stood under the sun for a long time, there were beads of sweat on his forehead. He was agitated yet trying to maintain some restraint.
"Yun Xiaoxiao, today, I just want one thing from you. Tell me, can you still play the violin or not?"
After this line, the camera focused on Gu Xizhi's facial expression. She looked at the male actor across from her, and there was a slight quiver at the corner of her mouth, briefly displaying a sense of helplessness. Her hand gripping her clothes became tighter, and her large eyes were filled with determination, although a hint of mist started to appear in the depths of her eyes.
"Playing the violin is one thing, and Qin Shiyu is another. These are two separate matters."
After delivering this line, a single teardrop fell from Gu Xizhi's eyes. The assistant director noticed this and silently nodded in approval. Director Scarlett Li also looked at the footage with contemplation.
In front of the camera, the argument continued, and the conflict between Yun Xiaoxiao, played by Gu Xizhi, and the counselor escalated into a fierce confrontation. The actor portraying the counselor had a visibly heaving chest, and his entire demeanor showed signs of anger. "Alright, alright, Yun Xiaoxiao. If you don't want to play the violin, it's not a problem. There are plenty of people who love this violin more than you do!"
"Violin is my dream, I've never said I don't want to play it!"
"But you simply don't deserve it!"
Bang—
The sound of the violin case falling to the ground during their dispute filled the air. The camera switched between close-ups of the actors' expressions. Scarlett Li looked on quietly at the shooting scene and only uttered, "Cut!"
Once the scene was completed, there was a round of applause from the onlookers. Gu Xizhi, with her head tilted towards the sky, calmed her emotions for a moment and then reviewed the performance with the actor playing the counselor.
On the monitor, the two actors performed smoothly and with great subtlety, free from any notable flaws. Scarlett Li praised their work, mentioning no objections. Back under the sunshade, Gu Xizhi appeared quite relaxed, and Lili had been closely observing her performance, giving her high praise.
"You've improved a lot in your acting. You're not inferior to any of the seasoned actors on this set."
Gu Xizhi said, "Where is this going? There are still many challenging aspects to this film."
"What's there to fear? Challenges make it more interesting. Anyway, I think you're not worse than anyone here."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xizhi glanced at her and said, "When you praise me like this, aren't you afraid I might suddenly mess up and embarrass you?"
"It's impossible," Lili replied, "You're so good, it's hard to mess up."
When Gu Xizhi heard this, she looked at her speechless.
In fact, she didn't reject such praise or even could be considered as liking it, but when she thought about her opponent, Gu Xizhi still couldn't let her guard down.
Yun Xiaoxiao's character portrayal isn't actually her strong suit, so if she wants to outperform others, she must put in more effort.
Thinking about this, Gu Xizhi glanced at Qu Xizhi.
Today, Qu Xizhi seemed rather quiet.
It seemed like she wasn't influenced by the surroundings from start to finish, as she sat under the sunshade, focusing on her script, evidently preparing for her own role.
Gu Xizhi couldn't help but pick up the script again.
Every scene waiting for her is extremely important, and she can't relax at any moment.