After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 31

In late December, the film for which Wen Jingzhi had previously submitted an award was nominated, and the awards ceremony was scheduled for the 20th. If she won Best Actress, it would be her third Best Actress trophy.

Two days before the ceremony, on the 18th, which happened to be a Friday, Lin Li, accompanied by Wen Xihe, flew to S City, where Wen Jingzhi was filming, the awards ceremony would also take place in S City.

This time, it was the child who had taken the initiative, expressing a desire to see her sister on set.

From the time of her hospitalization until now, Lin Li seemed to have gained a little weight, but the pain in her body had grown increasingly severe. Walking had become difficult for her, she could only manage a few meters before needing to rest, otherwise she would struggle to breathe and risk falling.

As vitality clearly faded from her body, Lin Li suddenly conceived a third wish to understand her sister’s work.

She wanted to see what her strong, snow-like sister was like while working.

Once again, they did not inform Wen Jingzhi in advance. The older and younger pair, along with Xiao Xi, took a taxi directly from the airport to the filming location.

Wen Xihe had already contacted the assistant, who found an excuse to come out and meet them, leading them into the studio.

At that moment, Wen Jingzhi’s scene was being filmed inside.

Lin Li, holding Xiao Xi’s hand, quietly entered and glanced toward the set, immediately spotting her sister surrounded by several cameras. Dressed in a red-and-white ancient-style robe with a red cloak, she looked both sharp and dashing.

Wen Jingzhi’s hair was tied into a ponytail, with stray strands brushing past her eyes. In a single breath, the wire harness on her back lifted her, the cloak sweeping across the camera lens as her red-clad figure rose steadily into the air. She held a long spear, thrusting it forward.

The actor facing her raised a blade to meet the attack.

On set, red and black collided, the spear and long blade clashing with the distinctive, crisp sound of cold steel.

The spear rolled once around her slender wrist, circled her taut waist, and blocked the long blade attacking from the side. With a lift and a twist, she thrust it out again.

Mid-air, her cloak billowed, her tall figure moving without the slightest hint of awkwardness, as if the wire harness didn’t exist as if she were truly riding the wind.

The long spear seemed like an extension of her body. No matter how she twirled it around her wrist, her body, thrusting and retracting, it remained firmly in her grasp.

The actor playing the black-clad adversary was defeated and fell to the ground. The camera pushed forward, capturing the victorious “general” as she landed gracefully, spear in hand. A breeze brushed across her face, lifting the stray hairs on her forehead and revealing a pair of proud eyes.

The snow-like chill in her light-colored pupils had completely vanished, replaced only by the sharpness and resolve forged on battlefields littered with corpses and blood. There was no trace of “Wen Jingzhi” left in that gaze.

“Cut that’s a wrap!”

The actor lying on the ground immediately stood up, cupping his hands toward Wen Jingzhi. “You’re amazing, Teacher Wen. There were a few moments where I almost lost my grip on the blade.”

Wen Jingzhi smiled faintly and nodded. “I got a bit carried away. My apologies.”

“Oh, it’s nothing! I should be thanking you for going easy on me, haha!”

Compliments and laughter filled the set.

Outside the crowd, the small figure had not moved for a long time. The moment Wen Jingzhi was lifted into the air by the wire harness, she had frozen in stunned silence.

She stared at her sister, who looked completely different from usual, watching her cool and impressive movements, and her graceful, fairy-like landing. She was utterly stunned, unable to control her expression as her mouth fell open and her puppy-like eyes widened, revealing a childlike innocence.

Sister is so amazing!

Just like the heroes on TV!

How can she be this incredible?

It’s like she’s become a completely different person!

Is an “actor’s” job to “become” someone else?

Wen Xihe glanced at the child’s astonished expression with a smile, raising her eyebrows as if sharing in the pride.

This is nothing, our youngest has filmed even more challenging action scenes.

Though she often teased her younger sister, Wen Xihe had always been proud of Wen Jingzhi.

But being proud didn’t stop her from being a little mischievous.

Wen Xihe gently patted the child’s shoulder and whispered, “Go ‘sneak attack’ your Jingzhi sister. She’s surrounded and hasn’t noticed you yet.”

Lin Li snapped back to reality, thought for a moment, and silently handed Xiao Xi’s leash to Sister Xihe.

After removing the harness, Wen Jingzhi planned to check the footage of the scene with Director Han. As she walked through the crowd, she felt a sudden gust of wind behind her. Instinctively turning and raising her hand to block, she found nothing there. The next moment, her waist was tightly hugged.

Frowning, she looked down and saw the round, bundled-up little figure. The crease between her brows instantly smoothed as she picked the child up, a smile tugging at her lips. “When did you get here?”

Lin Li naturally wrapped her arms around her sister’s neck and beamed. “Just now!”

“I saw you working earlier! Super amazing! Super awesome!”

Exaggerated.

Wen Jingzhi ruffled the back of her head, then looked up and spotted Wen Xihe holding Xiao Xi’s leash in the distance. After nodding to Director Han, she carried Lin Li over.

Those who had been with Director Han’s crew for a long time immediately recalled the incident earlier in the year and Wen Jingzhi’s statement, “She’s my sister.” Yet, they couldn’t hide their surprise.

Is this child really Film Queen Wen’s “sister”?

They don’t look alike. But Film Queen Wen clearly adores this “sister,” her gentleness overflowing.

Burning with curiosity but too afraid to ask, the crowd quietly dispersed, pulling out their phones to gossip in private group chats.

“Finished with work?” Wen Jingzhi asked as she approached Wen Xihe. “When are you heading back?”

“All done.” Wen Xihe smiled and pinched Lin Li’s cheek. “We’ll return after the awards ceremony.”

Lately, Wen Xihe had been busy dealing with the Chen family matters.

After what Chen Qing had done, given the Wen family’s protective and vindictive nature, Wen Xihe had no intention of letting the Chen family off.

The Chen family had already shown signs of decline, but strangely, they managed to hold on despite being at their limit. Even with Wen Xihe and Lin Ye joining forces, they couldn’t completely swallow them up, always falling short by a few percentage points and failing to gain full control of the company.

What was even stranger was that after holding out for so long, the Chen family suddenly collapsed at the end of September this year.

Seizing the opportunity, Wen Xihe and Lin Ye stepped in directly, acquiring all the shares. Upon further investigation, they discovered that the Chen family had been secretly transferring assets to the United States. The head of the Chen family and Chen Qing had also vanished without a trace, leaving behind a mess.

For the past two months, Wen Xihe had been tirelessly working to clean up the aftermath.

The mere thought of this matter made her fume. “Who knows which faction is behind it? They’re not only covering up the hollowed-out Chen family but also locking horns with us. Even though I haven’t resorted to the family’s full resources, being dragged into such a stalemate is no small feat.”

Her words might have sounded a bit boastful, but they were undeniably true.

Wen Jingzhi idly twisted the soft ends of the child’s hair between her fingers, lost in thought. “Which country’s influence is it?” she asked.

“M Country,” Wen Xihe replied with a pout. Having just finished her work, she had no desire to discuss business matters and quickly changed the subject. “How many more scenes do you have this afternoon?”

“Two action sequences,” Wen Jingzhi answered, grasping the child’s wrist adorned with an indigo-blue watch. She pressed her thumb against the screen to check the time. “Should wrap up around seven.”

“Then I’ll take Xiao You around the area for a bit,” Wen Xihe said, handing over Xiao Xi’s leash. “She’s never been here before, and waiting for you would just bore her.”

“Taking Xiao Xi along might be inconvenient. Let your assistant keep an eye on her.”

“Mm.” Wen Jingzhi took the leash, cradled Lin Li with one arm, and passed her over to Wen Xihe. After releasing her, she curled her lips into a smile and ruffled the child’s hair. “Don’t run off.”

Hearing their cryptic conversation, the drowsy child suddenly snapped awake, remembering her earlier promise to her sister. She nodded emphatically. “I’ll be good, Sister.”

That remained to be seen.

Wen Jingzhi raised an eyebrow, gave the child’s head another gentle pat, and led Xiao Xi toward the rest area.

“Let’s go! Sister will take you to have some fun!”

Wen Xihe carried Lin Li away from the set, commandeered the bodyguard’s car, and personally drove the child around the film studio.

Although many of the snacks were off-limits for the child, toys were fair game. Wen Xihe bought anything that caught her eye, and soon the bodyguard’s arms were overflowing with the child’s new possessions. Lin Li wasn’t particularly interested in any of it, but she couldn’t rein in Wen Xihe’s enthusiasm. Eventually, she fell silent.

They returned to the set a little after six, just as Wen Jingzhi’s scenes were wrapping up. The trio plus the dog got back into the car and headed into the city.

After dinner, they took the child to explore the night market. But within half an hour, Wen Jingzhi was recognized. The two tall women, one carrying the child, the other holding Xiao Xi made a quick escape with the bodyguards’ help, narrowly avoiding a crowd before leaving the snack street behind.

The next day, Lin Li didn’t go out with Wen Xihe. She was in too much pain. Wen Xihe didn’t press the issue. Seeing that the child didn’t want to venture out, she brought her to the set for Wen Jingzhi to look after while she went shopping with her friends in S City.

Lin Li spent the entire day sitting on Wen Jingzhi’s usual stool, chin in hand, watching her sister film.

When she wasn’t feeling too uncomfortable, she observed intently, her eyes widening in awe and admiration. When the pain flared up, she’d stroke Xiao Xi or close her eyes to rest.

After each take, Wen Jingzhi would come over to spend a moment with Lin Li. She rarely spoke, often just ruffling the child’s hair, handing her a cup of warm water, or offering a piece of candy from her assistant’s bag.

The day passed quietly, yet Lin Li felt unusually at ease.

It seemed that as long as she was by her sister’s side, she felt completely secure.

Time flew by, and soon it was the 20th, the day of the awards ceremony.

The ceremony was set to begin at 8 p.m. Wen Jingzhi wrapped up filming a little after four and returned to the hotel, where her styling team was already waiting.

Wen Xihe was nowhere to be found, she hadn’t returned since the previous night. Wen Jingzhi glanced at the child playing with Xiao Xi, pulled out her phone, and sent a message asking her assistant to come in and keep the child company for a while.

Getting her hair and makeup done would take some time, and she was worried the kid might get bored waiting.

The assistant who received the message slowly made her way to the room not that she was unwilling to keep Lin Li company, but mainly because the kid didn’t really need it anyway.

Yesterday, she waited for you all day on set, Teacher Wen!

How could someone like that possibly get bored over just two or three hours of styling?

Just look at how happily she’s playing with the puppy now.

Two and a half hours later, the styling was complete. Wen Jingzhi returned to her room to change into her gown, and when she stepped out, she successfully made Lin Li’s eyes widen in awe.

Noticing the kid’s slightly dazed gaze, Wen Jingzhi’s long, thick eyelashes fluttered lightly, and a trace of amusement flickered in her eyes.

This kid really is a bit of a “face-lover,” isn’t she?

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