After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Am in a Relationship with My Scummy Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother - Chapter 22

Holding the script while sitting on the balcony, Huo Qingzhuo had a cup of hot tea by her side as she familiarized herself with the lines and the plot.

Old Jiu, wearing slippers, walked over to the spot opposite Huo Qingzhuo. He curled up in the lounge chair across from her, squinting lazily in the sun. “Let’s set the location for the script reading at my house. We’ll start filming the promotional posters next week, and the opening ceremony is scheduled for the end of this month. Once this drama is finished, I’ll sign you to the company under my name. Remember, before the show airs, you must keep a low profile. It’s very safe here; don’t go out casually except to join the crew.”

Huo Qingzhuo yawned and closed the script. “I have no objection. I just wanted to ask, why is there no cell phone signal here at all?”

“The terrain is unique, forming a natural signal jammer. If you want to look things up, there is an electronic library on the second floor, which is basically enough. If you feel bored, you can communicate with your tutors and take a few more classes every day. Also, a stunt coordinator and a private image consultant will be coming tomorrow. You’ll have to add a few more classes. Good luck.”

Old Jiu pulled a book from the side and glanced at his watch. “It’s time for you to go to class.”

Huo Qingzhuo: “…”

Since her life here got on track, Huo Qingzhuo had become a heartless “class-taking machine.” From 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, she also had to find time to memorize her script. She was so busy that she would fall asleep immediately after class, having no energy to think about anything else.

It wasn’t until the script reading began that Huo Qingzhuo finally relaxed from her intense state of study.

Everyone sat in the drawing room. Huo Qingzhuo sat with Jing Bai, while Director Song Jue, screenwriter Lao Yao, and Old Jiu sat in the lead positions. The other actors and staff members sat behind them in order.

After rounds of self-introductions, the group began to get into character, performing improvisations and scene trials. This was a way to both build chemistry and identify potential issues.

Old Jiu had spent a lot on this production. The selection of the lead actors was strict and their skills were up to par, and the supporting actors were no less impressive—most were veteran actors with excellent acting skills. Huo Qingzhuo began to wonder: was he sure this was just a low-budget web drama?

However, this was not a problem for Huo Qingzhuo to worry about. Regardless, a high-quality production setup was only beneficial for an actor.

Furthermore, as the time to join the set approached, Huo Qingzhuo’s schedule became even tighter. Not only did she have to attend classes, but she also had to ensure she stayed in good physical condition. Consequently, people in the crew often saw Huo Qingzhuo running around the garden every morning while memorizing vocabulary, formulas, and texts.

Jing Bai stood by Old Jiu’s side, drinking coffee and watching Huo Qingzhuo with lingering fear. “Fortunately, I graduated early. This is too hard.”

“Even if you hadn’t graduated, you wouldn’t work this hard. She is different from you; she is a person with a goal, so she doesn’t find these things difficult.” Old Jiu shifted his gaze back to his book. “For this impetuous and dejected society, her state is truly enviable.”

The following itinerary went exactly as Old Jiu had said. After the script reading ended, they began shooting promotional photos. Once that was finished, it was the end of the month—time for the opening ceremony.

Huo Qingzhuo finally left Old Jiu’s house, where she had stayed for more than half a month, stepping from the life of a primitive person cut off from the world back into modern civilization.

Although Huo Qingzhuo had not yet officially signed with Old Jiu’s company, her treatment was top-tier. Old Jiu had provided her with a nanny van and an assistant, and her clothes and outfits were all arranged.

Sitting in the car, she turned on the internet, wanting to check the recent news.

As soon as she connected, a message popped up first. It was from Shu Yueqing.

[Shu Yueqing: Are you feeling better?]

The date shown was more than half a month ago. There was only this one message.

Huo Qingzhuo was somewhat surprised. She hadn’t actually expected to receive any messages because, before going to Old Jiu’s house, she had already informed Wei Qingqing, and the elderly at home didn’t know how to use smartphones. Other than that, she didn’t have many people in her contacts who would reach out, but Shu Yueqing was an exception.

Huo Qingzhuo stared blankly at the message until the assistant beside her reminded her they were almost there. She snapped back to reality and looked at the black screen of her phone, ultimately deciding not to reply.

Handing her phone to the assistant, Huo Qingzhuo put on her sunglasses. Once the car stopped, she and her assistant got out.

The production’s opening ceremony was low-key. There was basically no hype or “traffic” stars in the early stages, so there was very little attention. Only the crew’s cameramen were dutifully recording on the side, while some staff and extras took photos with their phones.

Jing Bai was also standing in the crowd, using his phone to help Huo Qingzhuo take photos. After Huo Qingzhuo greeted the people around her briefly, she walked straight toward Jing Bai. After all, they had known each other for many days and were quite familiar, so standing together wasn’t awkward.

“Teacher Jiu, Director Song, and the others have arrived and are preparing over there. We’ll start as soon as the auspicious time comes. This is my first time participating in something like this, and I’m a bit nervous. Are you nervous?”

Although Jing Bai minored in acting, this was indeed his first time personally participating in such an event. The people he knew around him were all busy, and he was feeling a bit lost. Seeing Huo Qingzhuo arrive felt like seeing a savior.

In her previous life, Huo Qingzhuo had spent most of her time on film sets. Whether as a lead or a supporting actor, she had participated in countless opening ceremonies and felt she could recite the process backward. She didn’t feel there was anything to be nervous about.

Looking at the tense Jing Bai beside her, Huo Qingzhuo nodded considerately. “I’m a bit nervous too. It’s okay; we’ll just do whatever Director Song says later. Just relax.”

“Okay,” Jing Bai felt more grounded with a companion, and only then did he remember that Huo Qingzhuo was several years younger than him. “Don’t be nervous either. Just stay behind me, and I’ll help you if anything happens.”

Seeing Jing Bai find the time to comfort her, Huo Qingzhuo didn’t want to reject his kindness and nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Jing Bai and Huo Qingzhuo became almost like “conjoined twins”—wherever Huo Qingzhuo went, Jing Bai followed. It wasn’t until Old Jiu arrived with something to discuss privately with Huo Qingzhuo that Jing Bai was sent away to touch up his makeup.

“There’s something I need to tell you. Someone wants to invest in our production, and I’m currently considering it.”

Old Jiu looked at Huo Qingzhuo with an ambiguous expression.

Huo Qingzhuo’s heart skipped a beat. Thinking of that message, a slight sense of anticipation rose in her heart. “What does this have to do with me?”

“I saw her in your hospital room. She said directly that she was investing for your sake. Do you want to accept it?” Old Jiu started playing with his phone again. “Let’s get this straight first: I won’t stop you from having a ‘gold master’ (patron), nor do I oppose it. This is also a path for you. But as long as you are in a relationship, our agreement is terminated at any time.”

Hearing Old Jiu’s words, Huo Qingzhuo couldn’t help but smile. “If our crew isn’t short of money, then I won’t accept it. If we are short of money, that’s something for you and the director to worry about.”

Old Jiu frowned and looked at Huo Qingzhuo in confusion. “So you’re saying you won’t accept it? But don’t you like her? Having the person you like invest in you and become your patron is like a gift from heaven. What’s wrong, are you stunned by the luck?”

“How did you tell?” Huo Qingzhuo was startled. She thought she had hidden it very well.

“Am I blind? How could I not see that?” Old Jiu spread his hands casually. “I’ve always felt that my eyes are more accurate than the God of Marriage. How could I not see such a small thing?”

Huo Qingzhuo was unable to refute him, and since she had admitted to having someone she liked before, she generously acknowledged it. “It’s because of this that I can’t accept it even more. Human eyes are accustomed to looking horizontally and upward. If two people are not on the same level, even if they are together, it won’t last. My current priority should be to improve myself where she can’t see, so that I will be qualified to stand by her side sooner.”

“How clear-headed! You haven’t been blinded by love. My judgment of people is indeed good. Fine, then I’ll go and decline it for you. By the way, is her name Shen Junfu? A teenage girl, quite wealthy.”

Old Jiu gave Huo Qingzhuo a very appreciative thumbs-up.

“Who did you say?!”

The complex emotions Huo Qingzhuo had been feeling were instantly wiped out by Old Jiu’s words. For the past while, she had assumed Old Jiu was talking about Shu Yueqing. How did it turn into Shen Junfu? Is there even a cent’s worth of a connection here?

“Shen Junfu! The little girl you helped block the corner of the table for. What’s wrong? Who did you think it was?” Old Jiu adjusted his glasses, looking slightly bewildered.

Huo Qingzhuo: “…” With that eyesight of yours, it’s time to increase your prescription.