After We Broke Up, She Started Pursuing Me [Entertainment Industry] 40

Chapter 40

Zhou Jinsi was stunned for a moment, a thousand emotions flashing through her heart.

Shock, surprise, confusion, panic.

Does she know something?

No, how could she know?

The thought flashed through Zhou Jinsi’s mind. Her expression changed slightly, but she quickly composed herself and replied in a deep voice, “Miss Qin, what are you talking about?”

“I’m saying, you, and Shi Qin, what is your relationship?”

“I saw you go to her dressing room today. You know each other, right?”

Hearing this, Zhou Jinsi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Her tone also softened. “Mhm, we know each other. She’s my former classmate.”

A faint curve appeared on Qin Zhen’s lips. She looked at Zhou Jinsi with great interest and repeated her words, “Classmate?”

Zhou Jinsi looked at her, a hint of confusion in her eyes, waiting for her to continue.

But before Qin Zhen could speak, Qin Wen, on the side, took the lead, stood up, and raised his glass, about to toast with the others. And so, Zhou Jinsi could only follow everyone and silently drink the champagne in her glass.

Before coming, Zhou Lin had also told her that such occasions were unavoidable for drinking. Fortunately, her own alcohol tolerance wasn’t bad, and a few small drinks were not a problem.

After some conversation and laughter, Qin Zhen didn’t press any further. She even stood up and took the initiative to toast with everyone, quickly mingling.

And Zhou Jinsi, beside her, had been silently eating her food, occasionally looking up, as if she were in another space entirely.

Zhou Lin also saw that his daughter was not adapting well. He thought to himself that his daughter was good in every way, except for this social aspect, where she was a bit too wooden.

Seeing that Qin Zhen had just gone to the restroom, looking a little tipsy, Zhou Lin asked Zhou Jinsi to go and check on her. One reason was to ease her awkwardness, and the other was to let her have more opportunities to get to know Qin Zhen.

A while ago, he had heard the news of Qin Zhen terminating her contract with Tianyu. Although this didn’t affect his good relationship with Qin Wen, when it came to human relationships and connections, one always had to be thorough.

Actually, there was usually a restroom in the private room, but Qin Zhen said she needed some fresh air and insisted on going for a walk. But Zhou Jinsi understood Zhou Lin’s intention and didn’t say anything. After saying goodbye to everyone, she quietly left.

Zhou Jinsi followed a waiter to the restroom. Before she even went in, she saw Qin Zhen coming out after washing her hands.

Seeing her waiting in the hallway outside, Qin Zhen was a little surprised. “What are you doing here?”

Zhou Jinsi felt helpless but could only reply, “Going back with you.”

“So you were waiting for me?” Qin Zhen raised an eyebrow and retorted with a drunken smile.

Zhou Jinsi remained silent.

Qin Zhen walked a few steps closer to her. Because of her height, Qin Zhen had to look up at her, and her usually flamboyant aura weakened a little.

She squinted, her tone a little teasing. “Shouldn’t you hate me?”

“After all—”

“You saw it today, didn’t you? How many times did I hit her?”

With that, Qin Zhen leaned against the wall, putting on a thoughtful expression.

Zhou Jinsi’s gaze had already dimmed, but she still maintained a polite tone. “Miss Qin, you’re drunk. Let’s go back.”

Qin Zhen ignored her, instead staring at Zhou Jinsi with a half-smile and saying to herself, “Actually, I did it on purpose.”

“Because she deserved it.”

That was a role she had already negotiated for. Why should it be snatched away by someone else?

The air instantly froze. Zhou Jinsi’s brow furrowed, a sense of disgust rising in her heart. But Qin Zhen was relentless, moving a fraction closer to her. “As her friend, seeing me treat her like that, aren’t you angry?”

Her playful tone clearly meant, Even if you hate it, what can you do? You still have to swallow your anger.

Qin Zhen had a very wicked sense of humor. She had always enjoyed watching these people hold in their anger, unable to speak.

The two of them stared at each other in silence. After a long moment, Zhou Jinsi raised her hand and lightly pushed her body away. Her originally wooden expression was now even colder.

“There’s no need to waste emotions on someone insignificant.”

Qin Zhen was used to teasing people, but she had forgotten that the person in front of her was her equal in status and didn’t need to tolerate her at all.

Watching Zhou Jinsi’s already departing figure, Qin Zhen’s lips curved into a smile, but her eyes were just as cold. She took a breath and silently followed her.

.

After the first episode of “Best Partner” aired, it received a great deal of attention and love. Its popularity soared. On the second day of its broadcast, several related topics were already trending on Weibo. Although there was a push from investors later on, its popularity had genuinely risen.

Originally, the director had been worried that Zhou Jinsi and Shi Qin, as the only same-sex pair, would be subject to criticism. But their “couple” effect was surprisingly good, and they were even the most prominent pair.

Especially the segment at the beginning where the two of them set off in the car. Besides exclamations about how exquisite Shi Qin still was without makeup, most netizens found Zhou Jinsi’s initial awkwardness on the show to be cute.

And later, the image of Shi Qin leaning into Zhou Jinsi’s embrace to sleep was screenshotted by numerous netizens and spread like wildfire in the newly created couple’s chaohua (a Super Topic, a fan community on Weibo).

Netizen 1: omg family, doesn’t it look like big sis is snuggling in a big dog’s arms [crying]

Netizen 2: I don’t know if I should say this, but I feel like they have more couple chemistry than any of the male actors Sister Shi has worked with before…

Netizen 3: Did you guys see the way Xiao Zhou-laoshi held Sister Shi? Aaaahhh, I’m really not looking through rose-colored glasses, I hold my girlfriend like that too!!!

Netizen N: ……………………

For a time, the popularity of their “couple” skyrocketed, also attracting many “lesbian” fans. The increase in discussion around Shi Qin was naturally a good thing, but it also made Zhou Jinsi the center of attention at school.

On the day the show aired, Zhou Jinsi had also made a point to watch it. She habitually turned off the “bullet comments” (scrolling on-screen comments). More than the somewhat intimate scenes between her and Shi Qin, she was more worried about whether she had said something she shouldn’t have in front of the camera, or done something wrong.

Fortunately, the first episode only aired up to the point where they were just about to finish setting up their tent. After watching it once, she didn’t seem to have any particularly strange behavior.

Of course, Zhou Jinsi also didn’t see how crazy the netizens’ bullet comments were.

Until the second day, after she went to school. At first, some students would secretly ask her after class if she had filmed a variety show. Then, in the office, two or three young teachers, including Shen Nan, came over and surrounded her, asking for details about the show.

On the third day, the fourth day, as the popularity soared, more and more people came to ask. Zhou Jinsi also saw the related trending topics. But she was usually a person who liked peace and quiet. Now, with all this “liveliness” around her, she felt extremely uncomfortable.

Especially now. Just by walking to Shi Qin’s set, she could feel the curious gazes of many staff members on her along the way.

Zhou Jinsi could only lower her head slightly, her steps quickening a little, as she followed Mo Li to an empty space in a corner of the set.

Shi Qin was sitting on a plastic chair, reading her script. Seeing Zhou Jinsi arrive, she very naturally pulled over the chair next to her, signaling for her to sit down.

“Why are you a little late?” Seeing that she was sweating from her walk, Shi Qin took a tissue from her pocket and gave it to her.

Zhou Jinsi unfolded the tissue and wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead. “I’m sorry, there was some traffic on the way.”

“Why are you still saying sorry to me? Being so polite.”

It was a normal, everyday conversation. Zhou Jinsi didn’t reply, silently wiping her sweat.

She looked up and happened to see a staff member not far away, with a ponytail, looking like a young girl, staring at them, the corners of her mouth unable to stay down. It was only when she felt Zhou Jinsi’s gaze that she silently turned her head away.

Seeing this, Zhou Jinsi suddenly felt that her presence here might be a little awkward…

The weather was hot and dry, which also tended to make one’s mind wander. While Zhou Jinsi was lost in her chaotic thoughts, on the other side, Ji Chen walked over to Shi Qin.

After two weeks of getting along, Shi Qin’s guard against Ji Chen had also lowered a little. After all, she really couldn’t find any flaws in the facade of this person who wore a gentle smile every day.

Moreover, as a senior, Ji Chen would also guide her in acting. When the two of them were rehearsing scenes, Shi Qin could clearly feel that she was being led by Ji Chen. With a good actor to work with, her own performance would also be better.

At this moment, Ji Chen came over and discussed the previous scene with her, even praising her for having improved a little. Everyone loves to hear good things, and Shi Qin was no exception.

“How could I have improved so quickly? Sister Chen, don’t keep teasing me. One day I’ll really believe it.”

Ji Chen smiled warmly. Today, she wore a white dress, which made her look even more gentle and elegant when she smiled. “I’m serious. Sometimes you don’t realize it yourself, but the people around you will.”

“I just bought K-Tea’s new product, Green Grape Lemon Tea. Do you want to try it?”

Ji Chen picked up the fruit tea in her hand and shook it at Shi Qin.

Shi Qin was naturally delighted. She had loved green grapes since she was a child. She smiled and said, “Okay, as long as you don’t mind.”

“How could I?” Ji Chen smiled and handed over the fruit tea.

Silently sitting on the side, Zhou Jinsi pretended not to care. While they were talking, she was looking at her phone, but in reality, all her attention was on them.

At this moment, she really couldn’t help it. She glanced over there and happened to see the scene of Shi Qin biting the straw of the fruit tea in Ji Chen’s hand. Her heart tightened, and she immediately turned her head away.

This level of intimacy between friends is also very normal…

When did I start being so petty…

Shi Qin took a sip, and her eyes lit up. She nodded at Ji Chen. “It’s really good. I’ll buy a cup next time too.”

“No need for next time. I can order it for you now.” With that, Ji Chen took out her phone.

Seeing this, Shi Qin quickly refused, “No, no. I’ll just buy it myself when I want to drink it.”

After saying that, Shi Qin was afraid her words were a bit too blunt, so she softened her tone. “Sister Chen, I feel like you really treat me like a younger sister.”

Hearing this, Ji Chen also smiled faintly, her eyes full of spring-like elegance, and said with a hint of deeper meaning, “It’s not impossible for you to see me as an older sister.”

After all, in the past…

Just as Ji Chen’s thoughts began to drift, she was pulled back to reality by a voice.

“Zhou Jinsi.”

A familiar voice. The three of them looked over in unison and saw Qin Zhen walking toward Zhou Jinsi with a smile on her face. She then looked up at the two people beside her, that same half-smile on her face.

“What a coincidence. We just had dinner last time, and now we meet again here.”

Before Zhou Jinsi could answer, she felt a fiery gaze fixed on her.

She subconsciously turned her head and saw Shi Qin’s gaze was heavy.

It was as if she were saying, You two? Know each other?