Starting Production

Because the investor had changed, the film’s start date was pushed back a week, and Li Lan and Zhu Qing packed up early to join the crew.

Before they left, Li Lan invited Qian Cancan, Qian Chu, and Xiao Bao to have a meal together.

Qian Chu barely reacted the entire time. Aside from exchanging a few words with Qian Cancan now and then, she seemed listless, as if she were sick.

After the meal, Qian Cancan quietly tugged at Zhu Qing. “Um... what’s wrong with Qian Chu?”

Zhu Qing had noticed how distracted Qian Chu was too, and guessed, “Maybe she’s worried about the money. Li Lan’s investing in the film she’s making herself; Qian Chu probably thinks it’s risky.”

“Ah,” Qian Cancan said. After a pause, she asked, “How much is she investing?”

“I didn’t ask specifically,” Zhu Qing said.

Qian Cancan folded her arms. “You really didn’t ask? Investments always come with risks. You’re spouses; you should at least have a rough idea of what’s going on.”

Zhu Qing smiled and shook her head. “I don’t get involved in work like that.”

“You’re following her to the set and you still don’t get involved?” Qian Cancan knew Zhu Qing’s personality, so she didn’t press. Instead, she asked, “Are you busy this afternoon? My mom wants to see you. It’s been a long time since she last saw you.”

Madam Qian had always been good to Zhu Qing. When Zhu Qing was in college, she was invited to the Qian family home every winter and summer break. It had been nearly two months since Zhu Qing lost her memory; it was time to visit.

Zhu Qing brought along some souvenirs she had bought in Africa, along with other nourishing and health-preserving things, arriving with bags in both hands.

Qian Cancan only told Madam Qian once they were already on the way, and Madam Qian immediately scolded her. “I didn’t prepare a thing. Are you crazy, telling me now?”

Qian Cancan looked innocent. “Didn’t you say last night that you wanted to see her?”

“I said I wanted to see her, not that you should bring Xiao Qing over too!”

Qian Cancan was speechless. “Anyway, we’ll be there in an hour. You still have time to get ready.”

After hanging up, Qian Cancan still didn’t understand. “At her age, what does she have to prepare? It’s not like she’s meeting my wife.”

Zhu Qing followed up, “Then when will Auntie get to see your wife?”

“...”

Zhu Qing had hit the nail on the head. “Auntie gets angry every time she sees you; isn’t it because you’re always fooling around with no sense of propriety?”

Qian Cancan pursed her lips. “Anyway, no one else gets a say in this. I decide for myself.”

When they got home, the first thing Madam Qian said after seeing Qian Cancan was exactly what Zhu Qing had expected. “Look at those dark circles under your eyes. Were you out all night clubbing again? How old are you? When are you going to let me have some peace?”

Qian Cancan rubbed her eyes and said helplessly, “Someone caused trouble at the bar I opened yesterday. I went to handle it...”

“I told you not to open a bar in the first place. Aren’t your chain stores already enough for you to mess around with?” Madam Qian chided.

Qian Cancan sighed and said nothing else.

Then Madam Qian changed expression and warmly looked past her to Zhu Qing, her voice affectionate. “Xiao Qing, it’s been so long since you last came over. I had someone prepare your favorite dishes; come in quickly.”

Zhu Qing handed her the gifts. Madam Qian laughed. “You don’t need to bring anything when you come. You’re still so considerate; such a good girl. Hurry up and come talk to Auntie.”

In Madam Qian’s eyes, Zhu Qing was a well-behaved child; she studied hard, was sensible and self-reliant, and knew her limits better than Qian Cancan did.

Qian Cancan pointed at Zhu Qing. “She only settled down after she got married. Before that, she was clubbing with me all the time. Why are you only scolding me and not her?”

“Tell me, how many points did she score on each exam compared to you? What university did she go to, and what university did you go to? At the very least, she’s married. And you? You’re two years older than Zhu Qing; when have I ever seen you bring someone home?”

“Ah, stop nagging me. That isn’t something I can decide by myself,” Qian Cancan said irritably. “I’m not planning to get married in this lifetime.”

Madam Qian was so angry she almost started scolding her again, but then she glanced at Zhu Qing and only shot Qian Cancan a glare. “We’ll talk about your matters later.”

She took Zhu Qing’s hand and said with a bright smile, “I heard you’re going to the crew with Li Lan. The filming base is far from the city center, so take good care of yourself. If anyone in the crew bullies you, don’t put up with it; you must tell us.”

Zhu Qing answered obediently, “Auntie, you sound a little congested. Do you have a cold? You need to take care of yourself too.”

Madam Qian beamed. “Oh, it’s just a minor cold. You even noticed?”

Qian Cancan looked blank. “Mom, when did you catch a cold?”

Madam Qian rolled her eyes.

“Right, a few days ago while I was tidying up, I found a few photos of you from when you were little that had been left at home,” Madam Qian said, suddenly remembering something. She took out a small box. “See if there’s anything useful in here.”

Zhu Qing picked up the box. She often stayed at the Qian family home, so many of her things had been left here. Inside were some photos from when she was a child. Zhu Qing picked one up.

It looked like a family portrait, but the left and right sides had both been torn away, leaving only Zhu Qing in the center.

Zhu Qing frowned in confusion. “What’s this?”

Madam Qian studied her expression and said slowly, “Your heartless parents. This was about a year after they completely cut off contact. You tore it up yourself.”

Zhu Qing nodded and casually tossed it back into the box. “Thanks for keeping it for me, Auntie.”

Seeing that Zhu Qing’s expression hadn’t changed at all, Madam Qian chatted with her for quite a while longer before reluctantly letting her leave.

On the way back, Li Lan happened to be nearby and gave Zhu Qing a ride. Zhu Qing pushed Qian Cancan back inside the house. “Cancan, keep Auntie company properly. I’m leaving first.”

Qian Cancan still hadn’t fully come back to herself before she was shoved into the house.

Turning around, she saw Madam Qian standing there sternly, waiting with a cold face.

“Mom...” Qian Cancan flopped onto the sofa like she had no bones at all.

Madam Qian said, “I heard something. What exactly is going on between you and that Qian Chu?”

Qian Cancan buried her face in the sofa and said muffledly, “Oh, don’t ask. I’ll handle my own business.”

“Hmph, as if I’d bother to fuss over you,” Madam Qian snapped, smacking her leg. “Get up. I want to ask you, has Xiaoqing seemed off lately?” “Sit up. I’m asking you; has Xiao Qing been acting strangely lately?”

Qian Cancan lifted her head. “Strangely how?”

“Has she mentioned her parents to you?” Madam Qian asked.

Qian Cancan shook her head, puzzled. “No.”

Madam Qian frowned. “Really none at all?”

Qian Cancan sat up. “Mom, why are you asking that?”

Madam Qian thought in silence for a moment, then shook her head. “Don’t tell Xiao Qing about this. Actually, years ago I had someone look into where her parents were. They settled in Nanshi and started a small company; they even have a son.”

Qian Cancan nearly exploded. “What the hell? I thought they were dead!”

Madam Qian shot her a glare. After a moment, she said bitterly, “They’re living quite comfortably, and they completely forgot they even have a daughter.”

Qian Cancan panicked. “Then what about Zhu Qing? Does she know her parents are still alive?”

Madam Qian sighed. “I don’t want her to know. If they wanted to acknowledge her, they would have done it long ago. Luckily, Xiao Qing grew up safely; whether they’re around or not doesn’t matter anymore. Later, I had someone keep an eye on them. A while ago, I got word that their company went bankrupt. And now that Xiao Qing has recorded a variety show with Li Lan and become a public figure, there’s no telling whether those two will come looking for her.”

Qian Cancan’s brows knitted. She slapped the table and stood up. “I never heard Zhu Qing mention this. Those two bastards still have the nerve to show up? If they dare come, I’ll get someone to take care of them!”

Madam Qian barked, “Sit down! You’re full of hooligan swagger. Can’t you be a little more civilized?”

Qian Cancan said irritably, “Then what should we do?”

Madam Qian thought deeply. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a backup plan. If they behave, fine; if they start causing trouble, they won’t get a single advantage out of it.”

Qian Cancan’s eyes lit up at once. She rushed over and started massaging Madam Qian’s legs. “My mom really is amazing; everything’s under control.”

Madam Qian looked down at her twice and worried, “How did I end up raising such a silly daughter?”

Qian Cancan: ...

-

In the car, Zhu Qing asked Li Lan why she happened to be passing by here.

“I went to the hospital and bought some Chinese medicine to boost my energy,” Li Lan said casually. “After all, we’ll be working nonstop for several months.”

Zhu Qing knew Li Lan’s health wasn’t great, and comforted her. “I brought a nourishing menu. Later I’ll also hire a nutritionist; I’ll take good care of you.”

Li Lan smiled. “Okay. Are you busy later?”

Zhu Qing shook her head. “No, I’ve already packed my luggage.”

“Then come with me to meet someone.”

Only when they reached the meeting place did Zhu Qing realize who Li Lan was meeting.

After not seeing her for a few days, Yu Ling actually looked better than before.

Yu Ling first saw Li Lan; her eyes brightened. Then she saw Zhu Qing following her in, and the corners of her mouth dropped.

“Didn’t we agree to talk just the two of us?”

Li Lan sat down with a decisive air and spoke succinctly. “You have three minutes. Say it or don’t.”

“If I don’t say it, won’t you know? Someone as smart as you should’ve already guessed, shouldn’t you?” Yu Ling sat down as well.

Zhu Qing stared at her for several seconds, then suddenly said softly, “Did you get cosmetic work done?”

Yu Ling’s eyelid twitched slightly; she said nothing.

Li Lan followed Zhu Qing’s gaze and nodded. “Probably. Her face looks swollen.”

Yu Ling said irritably, “You two stop talking to yourselves. I want another shot at the second female lead role.”

Li Lan said, “You’re emotionally unstable, basically a lunatic; your face has also been altered, and your expressions are stiff. You’re not suitable for the big screen.”

Her words were blunt. Yu Ling took a moment to react before she said angrily, “Do you think it’s that easy to push me aside? The person backing me is He Guang Tong Chen; Director Yang won’t keep supporting you forever! You’re already a discarded pawn; working with me is your best choice!”

Li Lan was just as blunt. “Stop testing me. Do I really need Yang Huayi’s support that badly? Do you think everyone is like you and has to lean on someone before they can stand on their own? Forget the female lead; I won’t even give you the second lead. Xiao Qing, let’s go.”

Li Lan showed no mercy. Three minutes later, the two of them turned and left exactly as promised; Zhu Qing even heard the sound of Yu Ling smashing something behind them.

“What exactly is going on?”

Li Lan gave a contemptuous smile. “She’s still trying to fight for it. I only came to see her for Yang Huayi’s twenty million.”

Zhu Qing said angrily, “She hurt you and still dares to come ask for reconciliation? What thick skin. But if you refuse her, could she get desperate and bite back?”

The look in Li Lan’s eyes deepened. “That would be great. I was just missing an opening. Whether it’s Yu Ling or Qi Yao, once I make an enemy of that kind of scum, I won’t feel at ease until I crush them.”

She only said half of what she meant; Zhu Qing didn’t fully understand, but very soon, Yu Ling’s counterattack arrived.

Many crew members were poached away, leaving nearly half the positions vacant. For a while, filming simply couldn’t begin.

The director looked haggard. “These people have long-term cooperation with He Guang Tong Chen, so they’re all saving face for the company. I’m guessing someone from the company gave the word, and they all ran.”

Li Lan and Zhu Qing had only just joined the crew and already run into this. It was clearly Yu Ling’s doing; but how could Yu Ling possibly have such power?

The director sighed. “It seems she’s attached herself to another big boss now. Director Yang can’t afford to make too much of a scene openly.”

Li Lan and Zhu Qing exchanged a look. Yu Ling had been personally cultivated by Yang Huayi, yet she had secretly found someone else behind Yang Huayi’s back. With Yang Huayi’s temper, she definitely wouldn’t swallow that insult; and yet there had been no sign of any disturbance.

Li Lan thought for a moment. “Don’t rush. Sort through the remaining staff first; I’ll contact people and fill the gaps as quickly as I can. Filming can move a little slower; we can keep shooting while we hire.”

The director had no choice but to nod. “There’s one more thing: the other actress still hasn’t arrived.”

That second female lead was also connected to Yang Huayi, though no one knew it publicly. She was a fairly well-known second-tier actress, a little older, five years older than Li Lan. Playing an eighteen-year-old qingyi role wasn’t especially suitable, but she was well-maintained and a good actress, so overall, she was more than capable.

Li Lan said, “I’ll contact her. You keep busy for now.”

Zhu Qing followed nervously behind, all the while sending messages to Qian Chu to report the situation.

The other party didn’t leave her hanging. The call went through on the second try.

“Xiao Lan,” the person on the other end said, “I forgot to tell you; I may not be able to join this drama for a while.”

Li Lan’s heart sank. “Did something come up?”

“The subject matter is too sensitive. You’re a lesbian, but I’m not; and you already have a wife,” the other party said quite bluntly. “I thought about it, and I’d better not take it.”

Li Lan was quiet for a while. “Did someone say something to you?”

The person sighed. “Not really. President Liu from He Guang Tong Chen and Director Yang have never gotten along. I did owe Director Yang a favor years ago, but I have another drama that’s about to air, and that project is under President Liu. I’ll just repay Director Yang’s favor next time.”

President Liu was the new sugar daddy Yu Ling had latched onto.

Most likely it was President Liu who had given the order; that was why all those people had run.

Once a crew starts operating, the daily rent, the staff expenses, the set dressing... every second is money burning away.

There were only three days left until filming was supposed to start, yet everything was being blocked from every direction and leaking from every side.

Yu Ling’s revenge was even faster than Li Lan had expected.

After hanging up, Li Lan’s expression darkened so much it looked like the sky had been sealed over for an entire rainy season.

————————!!————————

Sorry I’m late [doge holding a rose]

TL Note:

I left “qingyi” in pinyin because it’s a specific Chinese opera female role type, not just a generic part.