Chapter 41
Ten minutes later, Director Chen arrived as scheduled. It had been nearly four or five years since they last saw each other, and as soon as they sat down, they couldn't help but catch up for a long time.
Afterward, they began discussing the roles for the new drama. Ji Fengxue helped serve dishes while drinking water, her conversation showing no signs of any issues. Her views and understanding of the characters perfectly aligned with Director Chen's.
The new drama was a historical piece, and notably, a dual-female lead drama. The male lead had a significant amount of screen time, but his maturity was not as high as the female second lead.
By the end of the meal, she felt a bit more confident.
“You haven’t acted much in the past few years, why is that?” Director Chen Lianjie asked curiously.
“There haven’t been any good scripts, and as you know, the competition is fierce now. Producers value actors who can bring in fans and box office revenue more,” she sighed.
“Yes, but your personality of being selective is quite rare,” Director Chen Lianjie admired her attitude. Moreover, they had collaborated before, and their previous drama could be said to be a mutual achievement. Therefore, a second collaboration would save a lot of trouble. “For this drama, you can take it. I trust you.”
“Thank you, Director Chen,” Ji Fengxue smiled sweetly. “But I want to play the female second lead.”
Director Chen Lianjie looked at her in surprise. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I came to you specifically for this role.”
“What if I only want to offer you the female lead?”
Ji Fengxue considered her words. “The female lead is a good role; you can give the opportunity to someone else. If I can’t have the female second lead, then tonight’s dinner is just a reunion meal.”
Director Chen Lianjie laughed heartily, then seriously examined her face and stroked his chin. “Although there’s a big difference between you and the character, perhaps it’s worth a try?”
Ji Fengxue smiled confidently. “Don’t worry.”
“You seem to be in a hurry?” Director Chen also smiled. “I see you keep looking at the time.”
Ji Fengxue nodded. “Yes, to be honest, my girlfriend is about to perform, and I want to go cheer her on.”
“Xia Linxia, right?” Director Chen thought for a moment before recalling. “Then I won’t disturb you lovebirds. I should be going home too; if I go back any later, my wife might scold me.”
They exchanged smiles and ended the dinner after discussing important matters.
Ji Fengxue got into the car and checked the time. It was 9:30. If the car drove faster, she could make it.
“Why is it so slow?” she asked, looking at the scenery outside the window. Her expression was calm, but her tone carried an unspeakable urgency.
“It’s fast. There’s traffic ahead, I can’t help it.” Chen Nian looked at the road conditions ahead and then at the red lines on the navigation. “Oh no, there’s a major traffic jam ahead.”
“Can we turn around and take a different route?”
“Not right now.”
Ji Fengxue looked ahead and saw that they had already merged into the traffic jam. Cars were bumper-to-bumper. She anxiously checked her phone.
Xia Linxia’s previous message hadn’t been replied to yet.
[Xia Xia]: Have you arrived? I asked Huaimeng to pick you up.
[Xia Xia]: Why aren’t you replying? Are you going to stand me up? Knife-edge survival.jpg
“Pull over,” Ji Fengxue said.
“What are you doing?” Chen Nian asked curiously, but obediently squeezed towards the side of the road.
As soon as the car stopped, Ji Fengxue got out.
“Hey! Ji Fengxue!”
Ji Fengxue ran for dozens of meters. Seeing the traffic jam getting longer behind her, she had to change direction. Ten minutes later, she reached a fork in the road but still couldn’t catch a taxi.
At this moment, a bicycle stopped in front of her. An uncle smiled at her. “Miss, you can’t catch a taxi here. How about I give you a ride? There’s an intersection ahead where you can get a taxi.”
Ji Fengxue looked at the bicycle and, gritting her teeth, sat on the back seat. “Then I’ll trouble you.”
“No trouble. You look very familiar, miss,” the uncle said with a chuckle. “Where are you going?”
“The TV station.”
“Wow, you’re not a big star, are you?”
“I’m not, I’m going to chase a star.”
“Ah, I see. My daughter also runs to the TV station entrance to wait around.” The uncle suddenly sped up. “I know a shortcut through here. How about I take you directly? It’s hard to get a taxi at this hour.”
“Are you sure you can?” Ji Fengxue asked, not entirely at ease. She took out her phone and sent her location to Chen Nian to ensure her safety.
“No problem, don’t worry. I often take my daughter there.” The uncle weaved through various paths and entered a narrow, winding alley. Just as she was starting to suspect she’d been tricked, the view suddenly opened up.
“Here, the TV station is just ahead. You can go there yourself,” the uncle said, pointing to the tall building not far away.
“Thank you!” Ji Fengxue got off the bike and quickly fumbled for change in her bag, but he stopped her immediately.
“No need, no need. It’s on my way. Chasing stars is already expensive for a young lady, so save your money for something good to eat. Goodbye, miss, and good luck with your star-chasing!” The uncle turned and rode away.
Ji Fengxue smiled, glanced at the time – it was already 10:06 – and ran towards the TV station’s backstage.
Xiang Huaimeng stood at the entrance, anxiously looking at her phone. She really didn’t feel at ease leaving Xia Linxia alone inside, but the other party insisted she pick her up. She didn’t know what to say.
Footsteps sounded from a distance. She looked up and saw Ji Fengxue running towards her quickly. Before she could even catch her breath, she asked, “Has it started?”
“Soon. Oh, this sign was prepared for you by her,” Xiang Huaimeng awkwardly handed her a light stick.
The seven large characters read: Xia Linxia, the Strongest in the Universe.
It would be difficult for anyone else to hold this sign without attracting negative attention.
“Okay.” As soon as she reached out to take it, Xiang Huaimeng noticed the shoes Ji Fengxue was carrying and looked at her in surprise.
Ji Fengxue finally remembered and quickly put on the high heels, explaining, “It’s not good for running in these.”
After Ji Fengxue, panting, walked into the TV station carrying the sign, Xiang Huaimeng was still in a daze. Looking at her sweaty back, she couldn’t help but think, is this movie queen really that dedicated to her work?
Ji Fengxue walked along, sniffing herself, worried about body odor. She took out a bottle of perfume from her bag and sprayed it on her wrists.
The staff had been briefed by Xiang Huaimeng in advance. As soon as they saw her, they led her towards the audience seats.
Just as they reached the side of the stage, they heard the host announce that the band’s performance was about to begin. The lights in the entire venue dimmed, and then everyone saw a moving light stick emerge from backstage.
The words “Xia Linxia, the Strongest in the Universe” shone brightly.
Xia Linxia naturally saw it too. She grinned in a hidden corner and then focused on preparing to go on stage.
Due to the need to prepare stage effects and props, the production team played a VCR on the big screen, which was a compilation of Xia Linxia and the band’s interactions over the past few days.
It started with their first meeting, the awkwardness almost overflowing the screen. The audience and the live stream comments were filled with laughter. Then, Xia Linxia suggested performing at a bar, and the scene shifted to five people rocking out on stage.
[Holy crap, this must be explosive if heard live!]
[Ahhh, isn’t this the day Xia Linxia and Ji Fengxue were caught drinking at a bar a few days ago! Their clothes are the same, definitely them!]
[Haters, come out and get beaten! What do you mean they’re not doing their jobs and are just drinking and partying? They were actually performing! I’ll beat up the haters!]
[The live performance at the bar was so explosive! Even without stage effects, the audience’s energy was so high! Of course, the fleeting glimpse of Fairy Ji was also beautiful, truly the most stunning girl in the crowd!]
[Oh my god, Fairy Ji blending into the crowd is so easy to spot!]
[Ji Fengxue’s eyes are so beautiful. To use a cliché, her eyes seem to contain stars and the sea, the stars being Xia Linxia, and the sea also being Xia Linxia!]
[Xia Linxia has perfectly integrated into the band, not stealing the spotlight at all. That’s well done, thumbs up!]
[Ahhh! Ji Fengxue attends every performance of Xia Linxia. The sweetest couple in the entire entertainment industry! Does anyone have any objections?]
[Oh my god, I’m starting to look forward to the next performance! I’m going to turn off the comments and watch intently. Rubbing my hands together.]
After Ji Fengxue sat down, she realized the light stick was lit. As she looked around at other people’s light sticks, she heard the sound of a dizi from the stage, distant and melodious, its echo lingering.
Everyone’s attention was drawn, and they held their breath, staring intently at the stage.
A spotlight fell on the spot where the dizi music originated. The audience’s eyes were suddenly brightened. Xia Linxia, dressed in a red long-sleeved outfit with rainbow-colored tips in her hair, was quietly playing the dizi.
The spotlight quickly shifted to the drummer next to her, who was rhythmically hitting the bass drum. The two instruments merged, and suddenly, with a heavy drumbeat, the dizi sounded long and clear. Guitar and keyboard melodies poured in, and the tempo suddenly quickened, bringing the atmosphere to its peak.
Many audience members screamed, wishing they could stand up and dance.
The lead singer, playing the guitar, opened his mouth with a husky voice that transported people to the depths of rock and roll. The lyrics were ordinary but powerful, striking directly at the heart, his voice soaring as he shouted about the extraordinary in ordinary people.
After the chorus, each musician had a powerful solo performance. The keyboardist’s incredible speed and the drummer’s precise timing made the audience cheer. Then, a violin solo followed.
Xia Linxia, in sync with the passionate music, drew her bow rapidly, her hair flying with her movements. She walked forward to stand next to the lead singer. They stood back to back, one tilting her head back to play the violin, the other lowering his head to strum the guitar. They looked like a single unit, cooperating with remarkable tacit understanding, as if they were a band.
During the second chorus, Xia Linxia began to sing. Her slightly hoarse voice was invigorating. Who knew Xia Linxia had such a vocal tone!
The last section featured Xia Linxia and the lead singer singing lines alternately, as if they were conversing, raising questions about the value of life. Every drumbeat ignited the excitement of everyone present, and the audience spontaneously stood up.
Even after the performance ended, many people were still in a trance, shouting the names of the band and Xia Linxia with lingering enthusiasm.
After a long while, the host came on stage to deliver the official connecting remarks and asked the band, “Why did you choose Xia Linxia as your guest?”
The lead singer remained silent, determined to stubbornly maintain his silence. The drummer had to take the microphone, pull out thick glasses from his pocket, and instantly transform from a rock youth into a programmer. He scratched his head shyly and said, “Because she’s very good, pretty, beautiful, excellent…”
“It seems you’re searching for all the complimentary words,” the host teased.
The drummer turned his face away and smiled, ashamed of his poor vocabulary. But to the audience, it looked like a shy expression upon seeing a beautiful woman.
Audience: “Yuuuuuuuuuuuu~~~~~~”
“What’s with the ‘yoo’? This is a cult, no random shipping!” Xia Linxia suddenly interjected. Hearing her voice, it was clear that this group shipped anyone they saw.
If it were someone else’s joke, it would be fine, but the drummer’s wife was in confinement. They couldn’t anger her. Moreover… Ji Fengxue was present, so they had to continue promoting the Summer CP.
Summer CP is the real deal!
Everyone burst into laughter. The host said with a smile, “Yes, yes, we all know you and Ji Fengxue have the best relationship, and other CPs are cults. I heard Ji Fengxue might be here today, do you know?”
“I know,” Xia Linxia said, lifting her chin proudly.
The host paused for a moment and immediately asked, “Oh? Did you discuss it beforehand?”
“Yes, I was afraid the entire audience would be fans of Stubborn Silence, so I called a fan to support me,” Xia Linxia said.
The camera panned to Ji Fengxue in the audience, but she didn’t notice, her gaze fixed on the person on stage.
Xia Linxia’s gaze swept across the crowd, paused, and she smiled. She suddenly waved towards Ji Fengxue and then blew a kiss.
Ji Fengxue curved her lips and waved back.
Audience: “Yuuuuuuuuuuuu~~~~~~”
A certain spectator nearby shed tears: Today is also a lemon whale T^T
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