Chapter 68: World Two [38] Part 1

With the plan to join the crew along with Director Li and the others in February, Shao Qing only made a phone call to Sister Ke after the New Year. She then continued her vacation, not intending to return to Sea City to meet with the higher-ups at Zongheng Entertainment for the time being.

As a wealthy boss, Jing Ke was even more free. After work started, she only needed to arrange the New Year’s red packets; returning to the office or not was entirely up to her.

The Vice President in charge of daily operations was very reliable. Even with the boss absent, he managed the company impeccably, simultaneously compiling important news into concise daily and weekly reports.

What if the Vice President tried to usurp power? That was a non-issue.

Jing Ke held ninety percent of the company’s shares. No Vice President with any brains would choose to go against a boss as loaded as Jing Ke.

By the sixth or seventh day of the Lunar New Year, the Urban-Rural Fringe Area, which had bustled briefly during the Spring Festival, gradually quieted down.

The activity center parking lot, once packed with cars, was left sparsely dotted with only a couple of locally plated sedans. Cars with out-of-town plates had long since departed, their trunks stuffed full of local specialties.

As the festive atmosphere of the New Year slowly dissipated in the Urban-Rural Fringe Area, Shao Qing arranged daily script run-throughs. She would head over to Jiang Qingyi’s place every day, coordinating with Director Li on final script revisions and polishing.

“Director Li, doesn’t the Female Swordswoman’s Master in the script have a Senior Martial Sister who’s always in closed-door cultivation? How about we have Teacher Jiang make a cameo?” Jing Ke proactively suggested during a break.

Jing Ke was practically following Shao Qing everywhere, present at every script session. But apart from the plot immersed actors, Jing Ke had also noticed subtle changes in Jiang Qingyi’s demeanor these past few days.

Whenever Shao Qing and Yu Hongjun were rehearsing, Jiang Qingyi’s gaze would fall upon them, her expression far more animated than usual.

“Let Qingyi appear on screen too?” Yu Hongjun looked towards Jiang Qingyi upon hearing this. Though surprised, she still looked at her expectantly. “Qingyi, what do you think?”

Jiang Qingyi was momentarily stunned, seemingly caught off guard by Jing Ke’s sudden proposal. She wanted her to play one of the roles?

“No, I haven’t acted in a long time. I won’t.” Jiang Qingyi gently shook her head. Although the cage trapping her had been shattered, she seemed to have grown accustomed to staying in a safe place.

“Has Teacher Jiang read the script?” Jing Ke asked.

Jiang Qingyi nodded. “I have. It’s a very good story, and the casting is excellent. Once filmed, it will definitely be a very popular drama.”

“If it’s such a good story, why not participate in it, Teacher Jiang? The Female Swordswoman’s Martial Aunt doesn’t have many scenes, and when she appears, it’s mostly alongside the Female Swordswoman’s Master. I think this role suits you quite well.”

Jing Ke continued, “Of course, I also have some selfish motives as an investor and profit-sharer in this production. If Teacher Jiang is willing to show her face, many fans who still haven’t forgotten you to this day will surely support this drama wholeheartedly.”

Getting Jiang Qingyi back in front of the camera and the public eye wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment idea for Jing Ke, but the result of meticulous consideration and analysis.

What prompted Jing Ke to think about this was mainly Shao Qing’s recent display of unresolved feelings. Perhaps because Shao Qing had recently been searching for news related to Jiang Qingyi, the big data algorithms were madly pushing compilations of “White Moonlights” and the film industry’s lingering regrets to her.

While sleeping beside Shao Qing, Jing Ke had also watched several of these videos, which sparked the idea.

Most importantly, among the group, Jing Ke was the most suitable person to propose this without making Jiang Qingyi overthink.

“My fans? Do I even still have fans?” Jiang Qingyi seemed a little dazed, a hint of self-doubt in her eyes.

She had no public accounts on the currently popular social platforms. The film and television works she’d once acted in were already old pieces from over twenty years ago. Did anyone still watch them now?

“Of course they do. Let me show you a video, Teacher Jiang.” Even though Shao Qing didn’t know why Jing Ke had suddenly made this suggestion, she quickly pulled out the phone from her pocket and opened her short-video collection.

Due to the severe padding and plot homogenization in current dramas, those who had watched classic TV series were nostalgic for the glory days of the past.

So what if the TV dramas were over twenty years old? As long as a work was classic enough, even one from fifty years ago would be praised. Good works are never truly forgotten.

Seeing so many people in the video comments lamenting her retirement from the industry, Jiang Qingyi’s expression showed a slight change of heart.

“Director Li, the role of Number Two’s Martial Aunt, how many shots does the script arrange in total?” Jing Ke asked.

Director Li understood instantly, knowing this was deliberately said for Jiang Qingyi’s ears. “Not many. Just two sets of costumes and five scenes. It can be filmed in five days at most. If it weren’t for the different locations, half a day would be enough.”

“Qingyi, why not give it a try? I’m really looking forward to you playing my Senior Martial Sister.” Yu Hongjun also perceived the impulse hidden behind the reservation in Jiang Qingyi’s eyes, and began to persuade her.

Those who had committed harm back then were now all in prison. Although their specific sentences hadn’t been handed down yet, people caught up in that kind of thing faced only the strictest, harshest punishments. Already in their fifties or sixties, they would likely spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

Qingyi should step out and embrace a more brilliant life.

“Has Teacher Jiang considered it?” Jing Ke asked.

“Can I really do it?” Hearing everyone around her supporting and believing in her, the extinguished flame in Jiang Qingyi’s heart seemed to flicker with a faint spark of light again.

“Yes, of course. Teacher Jiang, you are far more popular than you imagine.” Shao Qing gave an affirmative answer, shaking her phone slightly.

“Then, shall I… give it a try?” In the end, Jiang Qingyi couldn’t refuse the opportunity to return to the stage.

It was something she had once truly loved. The chance was right in front of her. If she didn’t try, it would surely leave a regret in her life, wouldn’t it?

After Jiang Qingyi nodded in agreement to a cameo appearance, Yu Hongjun and the other two were filled with manic energy. One began to further delve into the character’s backstory, while another made subtle adjustments to the script again, striving to make the Female Swordswoman’s Martial Aunt’s entrance and exit both stunning enough.

Producer Boss Hao wasn’t involved in script creation, but she quickly made a phone call, demanding a re-make of the Female Swordswoman’s Martial Aunt’s costumes, striving for the best in costume, makeup, and props.

–

“Jing Ke, what made you think of asking Teacher Jiang to cameo as that role?” After showering and snuggling under the covers, Shao Qing asked the question that had been on her mind since daytime.

“Didn’t you regret Teacher Jiang leaving the entertainment industry like that? You wished for Teacher Jiang to reappear on the stage she once loved, so I’m helping you make that happen.” Jing Ke gave the answer without a moment’s hesitation.

“You did this… for me?” The motion of Shao Qing’s hand pausing as she went to turn off the lights slowed, and she couldn’t help but look at Jing Ke.

“Yes. I told you, I wish for you to have a better and better year, that everything goes smoothly for you.” Jing Ke smiled. “I wasn’t joking when I made that wish. I was serious.”

Shao Qing said nothing, only gazing at Jing Ke. Her gaze seemed to materialize, tracing inch by inch over Jing Ke’s skin exposed to the air.

After staring at Jing Ke for a while, Shao Qing’s gaze finally rested on her amber-colored eyes, a smile blooming on her face.

“Well done. Keep it up.” Shao Qing was very happy, a fact revealed by both the expression on her face and the look deep in her eyes.

As if to demonstrate her approval of Jing Ke’s actions, Shao Qing leaned over and kissed Jing Ke on the mouth before finally turning off the room’s light.

“Goodnight,” Shao Qing said, swiftly withdrawing her arm, exposed to the cold air, back into the warm covers.

Jing Ke touched her lips, where she had been kissed, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly. “Mm, goodnight.”

Could a kiss before saying goodnight be equated with a goodnight kiss?

–

After comfortably spending the Lantern Festival at home, the time finally came for the filming of “Jianghu Road” to begin.

Following the necessary procedures based on the schedule chosen by an industry master, it was then time for the promotional photo shoot.

The newly replaced Male Lead and many of the supporting roles were selected from New Life Entertainment. Seeing their own boss also appear at the shooting location, these individuals became extraordinarily polite one by one. Many tasks normally handled by their assistants, they now did personally, trying to leave a good impression on their boss.

Unfortunately, their efforts went unnoticed by the big boss Jing Ke. Jing Ke, who had accompanied Shao Qing here, only had eyes for her girlfriend.

Not only did she keep Shao Qing company while she was in make-up and styling, but even during the photo shoot, she sat quietly watching from the side, looking more like Shao Qing’s assistant than Shao Qing’s actual Little Assistant.

“President Jing, we’re ordering afternoon tea. What would you like to drink?” The actress playing the Female Lead, Ji Yumeng, approached from behind and greeted Jing Ke with a smile.

Ji Yumeng had debuted three years earlier than Shao Qing, making her somewhat of a senior. She had collaborated with Director Li many times before and also had a good reputation in the industry.

Jing Ke retrieved Ji Yumeng’s relevant information from her memory. Recalling that she had worked with Shao Qing before, she offered a polite smile.

“A fruit tea would be fine. For Shao Qing, I’ll trouble you to order a hot mocha. Thank you,” Jing Ke replied.

“Alright. There are also some pastries and cakes. Would President Jing like to choose something for Teacher Shao?” Ji Yumeng asked, a flicker of curiosity about Jing Ke in her eyes.