After We Broke Up, She Started Pursuing Me [Entertainment Industry] 52

Chapter 52

That dazzling smile was truly eye-catching, glamorous without being gaudy, charming without being vulgar.

But if one looked closely, that smile seemed to have been meticulously designed. The upward curve was perfectly controlled, but the mirth was only on the surface. Deep in her eyes, there was even a faint sense of distance.

Lu Xing admitted that for a moment, the face of an old acquaintance had flashed in his mind.

But it was only for a moment. In the next second, he had sorted out his excess emotions and also gave Shi Qin a faint smile.

Shi Qin’s smile widened. She lowered her head slightly in a gesture of respect, then turned to make way for him.

After the three of them were seated, Shi Qin noticed from the corner of her eye that Lu Xing had glanced her way a couple more times.

Although Lu Xing had concealed it extremely well just now, Shi Qin was good at reading people. In that instant of eye contact, she had still caught the daze in Lu Xing’s eyes.

He had been lost in thought for a moment.

That meant that she had been successful just now.

She had seen photos of that person. She knew that when she smiled, she resembled that person the most.

“Director Lu,” Shi Qin took the initiative to speak to him.

“Is your new movie scheduled for release early next year?”

Lu Xing was taken aback at first, then reacted and replied, “Mhm, it’s currently scheduled for early next year.”

“Are you following it too?”

Hearing this, Shi Qin’s eyes curved into crescents, a look of great interest on her face.

“Of course. The plot of the new movie, I found it very interesting just from reading the synopsis.”

The movie Lu Xing was releasing early next year was called “The Chase.” It was a story primarily of suspense, with family affection as a secondary theme.

The main character of the story was a boy.

The little boy was separated from his parents by accident and was adopted by a police officer. As he grew up, he followed in his father’s footsteps, serving as an anti-drug police officer in his adoptive father’s police station.

Recently, the police had discovered a huge drug trafficking group. But these drug traffickers were very cunning, with strong anti-police awareness, and had escaped police capture many times.

During one escape, a member of the team was accidentally caught.

After interrogation, the police learned from him that it was a local drug trafficking group from ten years ago that had resurfaced. The police immediately decided to set up an anti-drug task force to investigate.

And the boy was the captain of the anti-drug task force.

However, coincidentally, as the investigation deepened, the boy accidentally discovered that the drug lord might have an indelible blood relationship with him.

The drug lord was very likely his long-lost father.

The boy was very shocked, but this only strengthened his determination to track down the drug lord and uncover the truth of his separation all those years ago…

“The Chase,” whether in terms of casting or production team, was impeccable.

And the storyline had also attracted widespread attention and discussion from netizens. The moment it was scheduled for release, its popularity soared.

Lu Xing was also well aware of this. Hearing others mention it, he smiled warmly. “There are some designs in the plot, but we’ll have to wait until it’s released to know the results.”

Shi Qin: “I’ll definitely go and support it then.”

With Lu Xing’s status, many people took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him. After all, everyone wanted to make a good impression and seek an opportunity for collaboration.

But most young actors were polite and courteous in their words and actions. Few could chat with him from the very beginning.

And Shi Qin was one of those few.

Lu Xing was still secretly sizing her up, but Shi Qin didn’t let the conversation drop and asked again:

“Director Lu, can you give me a little spoiler in advance?”

This question was, in essence, a bit against the rules.

After all, the two of them had just met, not to mention that a movie’s plot couldn’t be casually spoiled.

But seeing her playful expression, her face full of curious anticipation, Lu Xing couldn’t help but laugh and asked, “What do you want to know?”

Shi Qin smiled and said slowly, “I want to know…”

“What kind of scene it will be when the male lead meets his father.”

Lu Xing recalled, “Mhm… that… they meet during his solo investigation. But for the specifics, you’ll have to wait until it’s released to see.”

Lu Xing smiled at her.

Shi Qin’s brow furrowed slightly, as if in complaint. She pouted, “Director Lu, why are you keeping me in suspense?”

“But,” the smile in her eyes faded bit by bit.

“He must have hatred in his heart, right? For his father. To think that when they meet again, they would be on opposing sides.”

Lu Xing didn’t catch the deep meaning in her words and agreed, “Yes. After all, he never expected that his father would be a drug trafficker.”

“That’s right. He must be disappointed that his biological father is such a person.”

“After being separated for so many years, to think that the truth would be so embarrassing.”

Shi Qin’s voice was low and shallow, but her words made Lu Xing’s heart tremble.

He turned to look, but saw that Shi Qin was just staring at a corner of the stage, her expression normal.

Was he overthinking it?

Lu Xing was silent for a moment. Shi Qin also looked at him, and seeing him paused, she was a little confused.

“Director Lu, what’s wrong?”

“Oh… nothing, nothing.” Lu Xing came back to his senses and gave an awkward laugh.

The moment the words fell, the spotlight on the stage suddenly lit up, and Shi Qin happened to return his smile.

The light fell on the side of her face, illuminating the contours of her exquisite features, so beautiful it was soul-stirring.

But it couldn’t help but make Lu Xing freeze again.

Have I been thinking of that person more often recently?

Why am I having this illusion again?

“Friends in the audience, and friends watching our live broadcast, the annual Baiyu Arts Festival and Awards Ceremony is about to begin.”

Chen Jian on the stage was hosting, announcing the official opening of the awards ceremony.

After a round of applause from the audience, Ji Chen turned her head to ask Shi Qin.

“Xiao Qin, have you met Director Lu before?”

Shi Qin leaned over and covered her mouth. “No, this was the first time just now.”

Ji Chen raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. “I thought you two were chatting for quite a while.”

“Maybe Director Lu seems very approachable.”

“Like we’re old friends at first sight.”

A smile curved on Shi Qin’s lips, but there was no joy in it, only coldness.

There were a few performances before the awards ceremony, mostly singers.

When some young male idol singers took the stage, their handsome faces appeared on the big screen, causing a sensation among the fans in the audience.

To this, Shi Qin was not interested, not even glancing at the big screen.

Lu Xing had just left, and Ji Chen had a performance later, so she was naturally waiting backstage. Now, she was alone, with empty seats on both sides.

Shi Qin thought back to her conversation with Lu Xing.

Though it was only for a short while, it had made her feel extremely disgusted.

She had been suppressing a physiological revulsion, trying hard to maintain a smile.

She didn’t know if he had noticed anything. Just now, Shi Qin had indeed tested him a little.

But this was only the first meeting. There would be many more opportunities for confrontation in the future…

She could, bit by bit, reveal everything to him.

·

Shi Qin was lost in thought for a long time. It wasn’t until Ji Chen and Lu Xing had both returned to their seats that she gradually came back to her senses.

Usually, the major awards were at the end. The first ones to be presented were related to newcomers.

For an award like this, chosen by the public and not considered particularly prestigious, the winning artists would usually be informed in advance and would have prepared their acceptance speeches beforehand.

So, Shi Qin winning the Most Popular Newcomer of the Year award was also something Jiang Nuo had informed her of in advance.

But this didn’t affect the excitement that welled up in her heart when she heard her own name.

After all, this was the first award she had won since her debut, and it held a special meaning for her.

Accompanied by the host’s introduction on stage, Shi Qin gracefully stood up and walked to the center of the stage.

It was just that she hadn’t expected the person presenting her with the award to also be Lu Xing.

Lu Xing held the trophy and handed it to her with a warm smile, saying softly, “Congratulations.”

Shi Qin took it with both hands and smiled politely. “Thank you, Director Lu.”

Lu Xing nodded, then stood behind her, listening to her acceptance speech while looking at her.

He had been in the industry for decades and was a sensitive and cautious person. It wasn’t hard for him to see that Shi Qin was intentionally trying to get close to him.

But he always felt that her motive for getting close might not be that simple.

Those few sentences seemed to be expressing her feelings to him, and also seemed to be hinting at something.

Was he being too suspicious, or did she really know something…

Lu Xing looked at Shi Qin’s back, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.

.

After the awards ceremony officially ended, Shi Qin and Ji Chen left together, arm in arm.

“First time attending the Baiyu awards. How does it feel?” Ji Chen asked with a smile.

“I’m very happy to have won an award. And… it was so, so long. My back is a little sore from sitting.”

Shi Qin was wearing heavy makeup, but her complaining expression was like that of a young girl, which made Ji Chen laugh.

She walked her to the car before stopping to remind her, “Since you’re tired, go back and rest early.”

Shi Qin sighed lightly. “I can’t rest. I still have to rush to my next schedule. There’s no such thing as ‘off work’ in this industry.”

Ji Chen smiled again. The more she looked at her, the more she found her cute. She suddenly wanted to raise her hand and pat her head, but with so many people around, so many eyes watching, it was really inappropriate.

After the two of them said goodbye, Shi Qin got into the car. The moment she was inside, she saw Jiang Nuo’s scrutinizing gaze.

Jiang Nuo had seen the entire interaction between the two of them just now.

“What’s wrong?” Shi Qin sat in the passenger seat and turned to look at her.

Jiang Nuo was driving. Now that it was just the two of them in the car, she no longer held back and asked, “You and Ji Chen have a good relationship.”

Shi Qin replied without thinking, “Of course. We just finished filming together.”

Jiang Nuo stepped on the gas and glanced at her again.

She didn’t know if this child had seen it, but from watching Ji Chen interact with her these few times, she could clearly feel that the way Ji Chen looked at Shi Qin was different from how she looked at others.

To this, she could only say cryptically, “Ji Chen has had same-sex rumors before.”

Shi Qin was taken aback, then said, “Rumors aren’t necessarily true.”

Jiang Nuo: “I know about this matter. It’s true.”

Shi Qin was at a loss for words.

Jiang Nuo sighed. Fearing that Shi Qin hadn’t kept her distance, she reminded her again, “I’m not saying this because I have a problem with her. I’m reminding you that you need to be mindful of your boundaries when you interact with her.”

“Don’t blame me for nagging. I can see it. The way she looks at you is different.”

Seeing the person beside her silent, Jiang Nuo’s brow furrowed slightly. “Do you understand, Qinqin?”

Shi Qin was still silent, as if she were contemplating something.

Worried, Jiang Nuo took advantage of the red light to look over again. “Qinqin, why aren’t you talking?”

“You wouldn’t…”

Seeing her seem to have something unspeakable, Jiang Nuo clearly misunderstood something.

“How could that be?” Shi Qin finally spoke.

“Auntie, don’t overthink it. She…”

Shi Qin was still a little hesitant, but seeing Jiang Nuo’s worried gaze, she couldn’t help but explain.

“Do you remember, in the welfare institute before, the older sister who often came to play with me?”

Hearing this, Jiang Nuo recalled for a moment, then said with some surprise, “Don’t tell me she’s…”

Shi Qin nodded.

“She is.”