Chapter 2, Launch Conference (2)

Jia He whispered, "I found it, it's right beside me."

This play is a historical drama about Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, depicting that women in the world are merely part of these theatrical plots

She vividly recalled their first meeting at Lipo Square, when the black car door opened, revealing two long legs wrapped in snake-skin pants, followed by a wrinkled face and unkempt long hair. Throughout the dinner, the nutritionist repeatedly emphasized the importance of a nutritious meal, and then cautiously ordered a portion of fried rice, a serving of rice noodles, and a bowl of congee, to be shared among three people.

Yi Wenze has once again been surrounded by reporters downstairs. Unlike the routine interview about the new drama earlier, those individuals are now increasingly agitated, their voices rising one after another, continuously repeating the statements made by Tian Chu in the talk show ten minutes ago, pressing for confirmation on whether it was Yi Wenze who first proposed the divorce and whether he has long been living apart from Tian Chu

Without entering a password, the screen went black for half a second before gradually displaying the desktop

Jiahe looked at her in surprise, and whenever the topic of Qiao Qiao's Taiwanese man came up, she felt a headache. Qiao Qiao had met a gentleman nearing forty, who claimed to be a leading bassist from Taiwan, but she was already quite frightened upon their first meeting.

Generally, when actors receive a script, they at most glance at it to understand their characters, but Yi Wenze is so dedicated that she went to read that segment of history. She rarely feels a strong urge to debate, but this time she couldn't hold back. "Actually," she thought seriously, "his emotional breaking point is at the end"

In the scene of the coup, I felt that the emotions were not fully conveyed, " Yi Wenze suddenly spoke up, using Mandarin, " Li Chengqi had plotted for many years, yet at the critical moment, he was outmaneuvered by his own brother Li Longji, who conspired to seize military power first, and the coup that resulted in the death of Empress Wei came later. He only took away Li Longji's woman and did not fight for anything further. It felt as if this climax came to an abrupt halt. " He held the cup, sitting quietly in the chair, articulating each word, and when he reached 'came to an abrupt halt,' he pondered whether it was an accurate expression. " Li Chengqi had plotted for many years, yet at the critical moment, he was outmaneuvered by his own brother Li Longji, who conspired to seize military power first, and the coup that resulted in the death of Empress Wei came later. He only took away Li Longji's woman and did not fight for anything further. It felt as if this climax came to an abrupt halt. " He held the cup, sitting quietly in the chair, articulating each word, and when he reached 'came to an abrupt halt,' he pondered whether it was an accurate expression. " However, I read this part of history a few days ago, and this script has a heavy emphasis on dramatization, so I can only turn back to read the accounts of Li Chengqi..."

Jiahe still had something to say, but Qiao Qiao had already lowered her voice and said: "I am telling you, that person from Taiwan is coming, do not disturb me"

A white hairdryer is haphazardly entangled with a black power cord

Jiahe suddenly recalled that during university, Qiao Qiao followed a television reporter to the airport late at night just to catch a glimpse of Wang Lihong. Upon returning, she sighed and lamented that even after seeing him in person, she didn't dare to express her admiration, which had lasted for many years. At that time, she had laughed and mocked her, yet now she found herself in the same situation. It seems that idols are indeed more suitable to be appreciated from the television and online.

She had two boxes of pastries packed and then entered the elevator with a couple of staff members

In a hurry after taking a shower, she noticed a note stuck to the hairdryer: Out of order, do not use.

Jia He listened attentively until he finished speaking before putting down the cup

It was not until she saw the mountains in the nightfall that Qiao Qiao mumbled that she was hungry. She immediately relieved herself by handing the snack box to her: "Here, eat it, I specially brought it for you." Qiao Qiao looked at her in surprise: "When did you become so considerate?"

Jiahe remained silent, continuing to gaze out the window

Jiahe sniffed and did not dare to speak. Qiao Qiao picked up her phone and sent her a text message: "Miss, is it really that difficult to find someone for you? You even said you would give me the opportunity to get close to my idol, but all you do is add to my troubles"

Sometimes, just a single photograph is enough to fabricate a news story that is both laughable and tragic. Especially in the case of Yi Wenze's ex-wife, Tian Chu, who has appeared on various programs crying her heart out every few days since their divorce half a month ago, while he has consistently refused to accept any direct interviews. If he were to be photographed with any woman during this time, it would be akin to walking into a trap.

Jia He looked at him in confusion, paused for three to four seconds, and then understood: "Alright, since everyone hasn't eaten much tonight, I'll go pack some food. What do you want to eat?" Outside, countless cameras were already waiting, so it was better to part ways at this moment to avoid any trouble

He smiled and said, "Anything is fine."

She even began to admire Liao Jing, a newly popular mainland star, for being able to learn Cantonese so fluently

Ah, your hair is still wet," Liao Jing seemed to have just noticed that she had just finished showering, and immediately smiled at Yi Wenze, "Let's go first and let the screenwriter dry her hair.

The person knocking on the door was none other than Liao Jing, the leading lady whom Qiao Qiao often mentioned as someone she liked for being "valued." Two steps behind her stood Yi Wenze, dressed in casual attire. Upon seeing Jia He come out, he gave a slight nod, which served as a greeting.

In the next second, she was completely frozen.

Yi Wenze then took the opportunity to sit beside Jia He

Liao Jing leaned against the doorframe, smiling at her: "Aze and I are going to discuss the play with Director Jiang, do you want to join us?"

Yiwenze remained silent, and she could only stand by the door.

As the door was opened, the air, approaching zero degrees, made her shiver. She sniffed and was about to turn around to grab her clothes when a waiter appeared behind Yi Wenze, holding a hairdryer: "Who needs a hairdryer?"

Only after getting into the car did Qiao Qiao heavily slide the door shut, isolating the flashing lights from the outside and leaving only the silence within the vehicle

The buildings on both sides squeezed the sky into a mere line, while the viewing lights changed with various city slogans, obscuring the moon and stars. Qiao Qiao began making phone calls one by one, quietly discussing work, while Jia He could only awkwardly gaze out the window. On the streets of Shanghai on Valentine's Day, it seemed that everyone ought to be hand in hand, ought to be like birds nestled together, ought to be surrounded by endless roses.

He casually took it from the waiter, said thank you, and placed it in front of himself. ... Jia He instinctively accepted it, only remembering that she hadn't even said thank you when they left ...

She quickly took care of everything, and when she arrived at Director Jiang's room, Liao Jing was smiling and saying that her experience was limited, and ever since she learned that she would be acting with Teacher Yi, she had been unable to sleep well every day. Director Jiang took the opportunity to tease Yi Wenze a few times, but he just shook his head and smiled, saying nothing.

Yi Wenze sat right beside, not moving at all, remaining in the same position until the car left Shanghai

He took the phone, and because the car was too quiet, the woman's voice on the other end was very distinct, rapidly reciting what Tian Chu had said in the interview program. Jia He was sitting close by and awkwardly listened in clearly. Yi Wenze only responded with two "hmms" throughout, showing little reaction. It wasn't until ten minutes later that he switched the phone from his left ear to his right ear and said softly, "The battery is dead, let's talk again when we get to Hengdian"

Yet all of this should have been piled up right beneath our eyelids, but it only made the atmosphere more awkward

For a full four-hour journey, she did not dare to doze off for even half a minute, remaining tense until she arrived at the Hengdian Hotel

As I descended the stairs, the screams of fans and the inquiries of reporters filled the brightly lit hotel lobby

The temperature in Hengdian is frighteningly low, and a hairdryer is practically a necessity. She quickly wiped herself down with a towel and returned to her room to call the customer service hotline. Just as the front desk on the other end said hello, there was a knock on her door. She could only hastily provide her room number over the phone before rushing to open the door

It was not until she got off the car that she sidled up to Qiao Qiao and asked, "Do I share a room with you?"

Having finished speaking, he decisively hung up the phone

Some habits can unexpectedly lead to catastrophic consequences

He extinguished his cigarette and approached Jiahe: "It will take about four hours on the road, do we need to bring some snacks?"

Jia He brewed herself a cup of coffee, listening to Liao Jing casually mentioning which performance she felt lacked emotion. When the play was insufficient, she tried hard to listen attentively, but could only understand bits and pieces due to the Cantonese. However, since Director Jiang and Yi Wenze were both from Hong Kong, she felt it would be impolite to interrupt, so she could only struggle to comprehend. When she truly did not understand, she would raise her hand to ask a few questions.

Before the words were finished, Yi Wenze had already interrupted, saying: "Go in and dry off first, no need to rush"

... ...

I just charged it." A Qing took the phone and murmured softly.

The phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated, and she hurriedly pressed it down with her hand. After a while, Yi Wenze seemed to have heard the sound as well; he turned his head to take a glance, his gaze carrying a hint of polite inquiry.

Jiahe had no intention of listening to her being deceived, nor did she care for the sweet life she was enjoying, as she dragged her suitcase into the hotel

Qiao Qiao was right beside him, reaching out to push away those who were too close, the smile on her face had clearly frozen. Even the hotel security was both protecting the few of them and gossiping, stealing a few glances at Yi Wenze. However, he maintained a cultured smile throughout, constantly reminding those around him to watch their step, and aside from that, he remained appropriately silent to any questions.

The tone was one of inquiry, yet he opened the door for her first

She closed the door, feeling extremely frustrated, and pressed her forehead against the wall, silently cursing herself for half a minute

Director Jiang listened to the argument between the two with a smile, never interjecting.

As the car traveled from the city to the highway, Jiahe remained restless, clutching two boxes of snacks.

The outstanding bassist from Taiwan only dares to order staple food when treating others to a meal, do you believe it? ... Qiao Qiao believes it ...

It is evident that Qiao Qiao can no longer withstand it: "Forget it, let's take the elevator down, the car is right at the hotel entrance"

Sister Mai is Yi Wenze's agent, and it is obvious what the purpose is without needing to guess

Qiao Qiao laughed mockingly at her: "Dream on, you live next to Director Jiang, and since the editor hasn't come, just wait to be tormented by Director Jiang."

She did not dare to say more and stepped out of the stairwell first

The discussion lasted until after 11 o'clock before it finally concluded. The actors had to get their makeup done the next day, so she could only jot down the changes she needed to make tonight and revise them one by one tomorrow. As she was leaving the room, Director Jiang suddenly remembered the few scenes he had asked her to revise earlier. Jia He hurried back to the room to retrieve her notebook, and under the watchful eyes of the three, she pressed the power button.

Jia He made a sound of acknowledgment and looked at him: "The car is already downstairs"

Unlike the warm yellow lighting of the banquet hall, it is brighter here, yet the clarity of the light accentuates a sense of coldness

Qiao Qiao turned around, calmly organizing her bag, and quietly gave her a disdainful glance

Give it to me, please. She awkwardly reached out her hand

Jiahe felt even more embarrassed: "It's alright---"

"Sister Mai's phone." Assistant A Qing suddenly answered a call and immediately handed her phone to him

In fact, what is referred to as discussing the play is merely a few individuals engaging in casual conversation, with the script being only casually mentioned.

She hurriedly took out her phone, and on the other end was Qiao Qiao's voice, clearly tinged with a hint of anxiety: "Have you found the person?"

On a light blue background, there are all the cover collages of Yi Wenze over the past three years, featuring moments of lowering his head in silence, glancing sideways with a faint smile, and leaving only his back. In short... it is all him alone

Jia He was at fault first, and replied: he wants to smoke and be quiet, and I do not dare to forcibly pull him away.

Having seen many celebrities, they appear to be more composed than the average person, yet still speak in a rough and boisterous manner

In fact, she really wanted to say, "I'll come over after I dry my hair," but the words that came out were: "Sure, let me put on a coat."