A Washed-up Movie Queen's Divorce Strategy [Rebirth] - Chapter 10

By the time Ji Chenli reached the set, the staff were all in position. Ming Yan was sitting in the temporary lounge memorizing her lines, and Xie Qinglan was adjusting camera angles with the photographer. She was still wearing the same baseball cap from the summer; in this freezing weather, she had only added a quilted cotton jacket over her T-shirt. She looked utterly impatient, making Ji Chenli feel cold just looking at her.

“My dear Sister Chenli, you’ve finally arrived! If you hadn’t shown up, the director would have eaten me alive!” Feng Cai had circled the set several times looking for Ji Chenli and was nearly in tears when she finally appeared. Feng Cai quickly grabbed Ji Chenli’s arm and led her toward Xie Qinglan, saying as if claiming credit, “Director! Sister Chenli is here!”

Xie Qinglan turned away from the camera lens, wearing a sour expression that suggested Ji Chenli owed her millions. “You’re late again.”

This time it was indeed Ji Chenli’s fault, so she apologized readily. “Director, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Unfortunately, Xie Qinglan didn’t appreciate the gesture. She let out a huff, her tone dripping with cold sarcasm. “It is my honor that the President’s Wife deigns to participate in my film. Coming at all is giving me immense face; how could I dare trouble the President’s Wife to apologize?”

Ji Chenli herself wasn’t very famous, and few people recognized her. Even the cameramen didn’t know who she was. However, Ming Lang’s name had been legendary for a long time—she was the big boss funding the project, and her recent marriage to a woman had caused a massive stir. For the past few months, Ming Lang’s topicality had outstripped that of any A-list star. Consequently, the cameramen immediately looked up, ignoring their equipment, wanting to see exactly what kind of woman could make President Ming risk falling out with numerous business partners just to marry her.

After looking, their eyes filled with disappointment. Two eyes, one nose—she was just an ordinary person. While she was prettier than the average woman, how many people in the entertainment industry lacked beauty? With Ji Chenli’s looks, she was at best mid-tier in a circle overflowing with beauties—just a common, second-rate starlet. They truly couldn’t see what President Ming found in this woman.

Under everyone’s scrutiny, Ji Chenli could practically feel the contempt in their eyes. It felt as uncomfortable as being stripped naked and gawked at in public. Her face flushed red and then turned pale. After a long silence, she managed to squeeze out: “I’m afraid some people couldn’t become the President’s Wife even if they wanted to!”

This was a jab at Han Xinyuan, but to the ears of the onlookers, it took on a different flavor. Those who didn’t know better thought this “genius Director Xie” also harbored ambitions to become the mistress of the Ming family, and they all turned their heads to look at Xie Qinglan.

Seeing the atmosphere turn south, Feng Cai quickly stepped in to mediate. “Director Xie! Sister Chenli being late was my fault for not notifying her in time. Please be magnanimous and forgive me just this once! I promise it won’t happen again!”

Xie Qinglan glanced at Feng Cai and was quite satisfied with the pitiful look in her eyes. Having won a round in the war of words with Ji Chenli, the irritation that had been stuck in her throat for months finally smoothed out. She even found the little manager much more pleasing to the eye. With a grand wave of her hand, she magnanimously let them go. Feng Cai quickly dragged Ji Chenli away, though Ji Chenli stood her ground with a stiff face, requiring several tugs before she finally moved.

After Ji Chenli and Feng Cai left, Ming Yan slowly sauntered over to Xie Qinglan, clutching the script she was memorizing.

“Are the cameras set up?” Ming Yan asked the cameraman.

“They’re ready, Miss Ming. We can start anytime.” The cameraman didn’t know Ji Chenli, but Ming Yan was a heavy hitter in the industry; of course he recognized her. His face immediately turned pleasant the moment she arrived.

“Thank you for your hard work, everyone. I’d like to speak with the director alone for a moment.”

Although the cameramen wanted to stay and overhear some celebrity gossip, given Ming Yan’s status and the power behind her, they simply said it was no trouble and scurried away.

Once the staff were gone, Ming Yan closed her script, rested her right arm on Xie Qinglan’s shoulder, and said with a cheeky grin, “Alright, she was just a few minutes late. Is it worth getting that angry, Sister Qinglan?”

Xie Qinglan rolled her eyes at Ming Yan and said irritably, “I really don’t understand what Ming Lang sees in that second-rate little actress.”

Ming Yan mimicked an old scholar from a period drama, stroking her non-existent goatee, and said solemnly, “Love is a matter of ‘only the one who drinks the water knows if it is cold or warm.’ You and I are just bystanders. As the saying goes, even an honest official finds it hard to settle family matters. Besides, you know my sister’s temperament; how could we possibly interfere in their business?”

Xie Qinglan pulled the brim of her baseball cap lower in frustration. “Whether we can interfere or not, how will we know if we don’t try?”

Hearing the intent in her words, Ming Yan chuckled. “Take it easy. From what I see, my sister cares a lot about that little actress. Don’t end up making me the scapegoat later.”

Xie Qinglan looked at Ming Yan with disdain. “Then get lost, so you don’t end up being my scapegoat.”

…

Ji Chenli remained sullen and silent after returning to the lounge. Feng Cai knew she was angry and sighed as she tried to comfort her. “Sister Chenli, when under someone else’s roof, one must bow one’s head. She’s the director; why bother fighting with her for a moment’s pride?”

Ji Chenli sneered. “Isn’t the whole point of living to fight for one’s dignity?” She had lived two lives and yet never learned the art of survival in this industry. She had a stubborn streak in her bones; she couldn’t learn the smooth-talking ways of Han Xinyuan, Ming Yan, or Feng Cai. When she believed in something, she had to argue it out to the end. After all these years, she hadn’t managed to make a single friend.

“That depends on the timing, doesn’t it?” Seeing that Ji Chenli’s makeup was fading, Feng Cai took a powder puff and lipstick from the vanity to touch it up. “Sister Chenli, it’s not that I’m lecturing you…”

Just as Feng Cai was about to continue her lecture, there was a knock on the lounge door. “Excuse me, is Miss Ji in?”

“Yes,” Feng Cai called out. “Come in.”

A young man entered and smiled at Ji Chenli. “Miss Ji, the director says we’re putting the first scene on hold for today and filming the second scene first.”

Feng Cai found it strange. “Wasn’t the first scene already set? The makeup is done; is it too late for a temporary change?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine!” the young man nodded quickly. “The director said the weather today isn’t suitable for the first scene. Besides, both are school scenes at the same location. The equipment over there is already set up. I’m here to take Miss Ji over.”

Feng Cai had been with several crews and followed a few productions. Temporary scene changes were rare but did happen. Xie Qinglan and Ji Chenli had some personal grievances, but professional matters should take priority on set; surely she wouldn’t deliberately make things difficult. Thus, she smiled politely at the young man. “Understood. Sorry to trouble you to lead the way.”

“Think nothing of it, Miss Feng. It’s my job.”

The second scene was near an artificial lake. The main plot involved the female lead (played by Ji Chenli) accidentally falling into the water and being rescued by the second lead (played by Ming Yan). Usually, these falling-into-water scenes were done by stunt doubles; the leads only needed to do some close-up shots in the water for a few short lines. But when Ji Chenli arrived, she was told there would be no stunt double—she had to do it all herself.

“How can that be! If something happens to our actor, can you take responsibility!” Feng Cai grew anxious and argued with the assistant director. “Besides, it’s so cold now. If the actor gets sick and delays the filming, who takes the blame? Can you afford it?”

“Miss Feng, please calm down,” the assistant director said with a bitter smile. “You know the director’s temper—she means what she says. You also know that people like us are called ‘assistant directors’ only for show; aren’t we just here to serve tea and take the heat for her? Please be magnanimous and have some consideration for us.”

“I consider you, but who considers us?” Feng Cai had completely dropped her usual “nice girl” persona. She glared at the assistant director, arguing her point. “We absolutely cannot agree to this! Where is the director? I want to see her!”

“Xiao Cai!” Ji Chenli barked softly, silencing Feng Cai. She looked expressionlessly at the sweating assistant director. “Go tell the director: I’ll do it.”

“Sister Chenli!” Feng Cai stomped her foot in frustration. “That Xie Qinglan is clearly making things difficult for us! And here I thought that since she carries the title of a ‘genius director,’ she wouldn’t be so petty. Turns out she’s just a despicable person abusing her power for personal grudges! No, I’m calling President Ming about this!”

“Stop right there!” Ji Chenli scolded coldly again. “Do you want Xie Qinglan to point at my spine and mock me even more?”

It wasn’t about the task; it was about the dignity. Ji Chenli had lived a cowardly enough life in her previous time. Because of Ming Lang, she had been mocked openly and secretly countless times, losing both her inner and outer dignity. In this life, she had to earn her respect back. She wanted to be a person in her own right, not just “the little actress who married Ming Lang.” It felt as if without Ming Lang, she wasn’t even considered a human being.

…

The lighting and cameras were ready, and the set went quiet. Ji Chenli stood by the artificial lake, glancing at the camera behind her to the side for just a second before turning back to face the water.

Xie Qinglan sat at the monitor, and her eyes met Ji Chenli’s. She was clearly just a second-rate actress, not particularly beautiful, and had used despicable means to coerce Ming Lang into marriage. Yet, that one look from her carried a trace of innate pride and aloofness. She stood facing the lake holding a book. The cold wind of late autumn and early winter swept in, blowing Ji Chenli’s oversized uniform tight against her body, outlining her upright posture. Despite being just an actress in the industry, she somehow possessed the refined elegance of a scholar.

Still acting all high and mighty even now, truly a hypocrite, Xie Qinglan sneered. She picked up her megaphone and shouted, “All departments, get ready.”

The clapper loader held the slate: “Out of Reach, Scene 1, Take 1. Action!”

Ji Chenli walked by the lake clutching her book, the camera following her steps. She was fully focused on the book, seemingly unaware of a small gap at the edge of the lake. Suddenly, her foot slipped, and she fell into the water.

With a splash, a massive spray erupted from the slightly rippled surface. Ji Chenli thrashed in the water for a few moments before the director’s voice came over the megaphone: “Cut!”

“The actor’s fall was too stiff. Do it again!”

The lake wasn’t deep. Ji Chenli stood up from the water, soaked through, and gave the camera a smile that said I knew it. The water temperature was bone-chilling; she tried her best to stop herself from shivering, but her facial muscles still twitched physiologically.

…

Ming Lang had just finished a meeting regarding the company’s investment plans for next year. Those old foxes on the board each had their own little schemes, dragging the meeting from morning until afternoon. Finally, they had made some progress. Ming Lang rubbed her temples and adjourned the meeting. Soon, the room was empty, leaving her alone.

The air conditioning was high, yet Ming Lang suddenly felt a chill and shivered involuntarily.

The arrival of November meant the end of the year was approaching—the busiest time of the year. Ming Lang had been sleeping only two or three hours a day for several days straight. Finally finding a moment’s peace, she leaned her head on her hand to nap, but she suddenly thought of Ji Chenli.

Counting the days, the movie had probably started filming. She wondered how that woman had reacted after reading the script.

Ming Lang opened her eyes and asked the assistant standing behind her, “How is the progress on Ji Chenli’s movie?”

“Filming just started today.”

Ming Lang thought for a moment and asked, “Are there any plans for the afternoon?”

“President Ming, representatives from the branch office are coming this afternoon, and there are several clients from Country A…”

“Cancel them,” Ming Lang said. “We’re going to the set this afternoon.”