Let's Get Married on the First Day of Rebirth - Chapter 32

When stepping out of the elevator, Qu Ange secretly dialed Xu Mi’s number. Seeing that Xu Mi had answered, she quietly slipped her phone into her bag.

Xu Mi, resting her chin in her hand while watching her own video, could hear faint, indistinct sounds from Qu Ange’s side—

“…How could Sister Wang pay for this meal? It should definitely be me.”

“How much money do you even have? Aren’t you still in a lot of debt? Don’t be polite with me. If you feel bad, treat me when you’re rich later.”

“Sis, you’re really too good to me.”

“I see potential in you to make it big. Think of it as an early investment. Don’t make me sound so noble. Anyway, we’re almost there—just ahead.”

Xu Mi switched the hand propping her chin, feeling a bit disgusted inside.

She never liked these kinds of social niceties, always feeling that such words sounded… somewhat fake.

But listening to Qu Ange and this woman named Wang Jia talk, it somehow seemed genuine.

Unable to figure it out, she switched to browsing the comments on her computer. They had uploaded the video “The Taste of Instant Noodles” online at noon, and whether it was expected or not. It was a huge hit.

Views and comments were skyrocketing, and the number of followers was growing astonishingly fast. However, Tan Zhenzhen said it wasn’t enough and suggested getting a few influencers to repost it. At that point, she asked, “Would Qu Ange be willing to share it? Right now, her reach is probably among the top online.”

Qu Ange had already left by then, so Xu Mi replied, “Better not. Her account probably belongs to her company.”

Tan Zhenzhen grumbled, “That lousy company! Fine, this is good enough for now—steady growth.”

Thinking of this, Xu Mi checked Qu Ange’s Weibo. The top comment was:

[Some people can’t even plagiarize a song properly, while others write original pieces but refuse to own up to them. What’s wrong with the world?]

The second comment read: [Guangju released a statement. Are you Qu Ange? With a name like that, you must be a talented songwriter.]

Clearly, most people didn’t believe her statement.

Xu Mi, however, found the statement quite believable. Even if it was a stretch, she knew Qu Ange. Qu Ange couldn’t even read sheet music, despite having “song” and “melody” in her name.

Scrolling further, Xu Mi suddenly came across a comment: [I was her high school classmate. Seriously? She was tone-deaf in high school, and now she’s a talented songwriter all of a sudden?]

Instantly annoyed, Xu Mi clicked on the commenter’s profile. It was empty except for a few reposts either a throwaway account or someone who rarely used Weibo and had signed up just to comment on Qu Ange’s post.

No matter how you looked at it, this person was despicable.

Xu Mi took a screenshot, thinking, Sooner or later, I’ll find out who you are. She then returned to her own Weibo. Just then, besides the intermittent chatter between Qu Ange and Wang Jia, another voice came through the phone.

The voice wasn’t loud, but it sounded bright and straightforward, cutting straight to the point: “Pretty, really pretty.”

Xu Mi frowned and stopped what she was doing.

Qu Ange was also startled by Qiu Shuiyi’s appearance. Not for any other reason, but because the woman looked completely different from how she would a decade later. Ten years wasn’t exactly long, but it wasn’t short either. For instance, Wang Jia looked almost the same as she would ten years later. Zuo Qingyan would become more polished and mature in the future, whereas now she was still somewhat green. A change that was to be expected. But Qiu Shuiyi was different.

It was as if she had gotten a whole new face.

Qu Ange still remembered the first time she met Qiu Shuiyi ten years later—the other woman had stepped gracefully out of her car, with shoulder-length wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, dressed in an apricot-colored blazer and skirt set, pointed red-soled high heels, delicate eyebrows, and crimson lips. Her figure was full and curvaceous, truly the epitome of femininity. Qu Ange felt that her refined aura was perfectly complemented by her appearance. With such a face paired with an aloof and distant expression, she looked like an untouchable, opulent flower of the mortal world. But now? The other woman had messy, medium-length hair tied into a little bun at the back, wearing jeans and a studded leather jacket. She was extremely thin, and with her sharply defined facial features, she looked like a young boy.

What was this? A butch lesbian turned straight girl?

Qu Ange was dumbfounded and only managed to stammer after a long pause, “Qiu… Qiu Zong?”

Qiu Shuiyi stepped forward and extended her hand, saying, “Pleasure to meet you. What should I call you?”

Qu Ange barely snapped out of her daze. “I’m Qu Ange. Just call me Xiao Qu.”

The shock was so overwhelming that she didn’t realize Qiu Shuiyi’s gesture was meant for a handshake, so she didn’t extend her hand.

Qiu Shuiyi didn’t seem to mind. She clapped her hands, raised her index finger, and pointed at Qu Ange, saying, “How could that be? You’re the future big star of our company. I’ll call you Ange.”

Qu Ange: “…”

She licked her slightly dry lips and glanced at Wang Jia, who was looking down, not daring to meet her gaze. Qu Ange cleared her throat awkwardly.

At this point, she could only rely on herself. Qu Ange forced a smile and said, “Has Qiu Zong already decided to sign me? The contract with my previous company is still a complete mess.”

Qiu Shuiyi replied, “No problem at all. Whatever the penalty is, I’ll pay it for you. As long as you sign an agreement with the company to earn back the penalty within three years, once it’s paid off, it’ll be as if it never happened!”

She might seem unreliable, but she certainly wasn’t one to take a loss.

Qu Ange’s mind, filled with absurdity, finally regained a bit of rationality. “And what if I don’t earn it back?”

Qiu Shuiyi looked surprised. “That can’t be, right? You’re so beautiful.”

Qu Ange: “…There’s always a possibility.”

Qiu Shuiyi said, “Well, um…”

She turned to Wang Jia. “What should we do then? How about paying me double the penalty?”

Wang Jia interjected, “Let’s eat first. We can talk slowly. There’s plenty of time.”

The three of them sat down around the table. Qu Ange felt a bit uneasy. She thought the future Qiu Shuiyi was quite reliable, but the current Qiu Shuiyi seemed off in every way. For instance, right now, the other woman was staring unabashedly at her face with an admiring expression.

Feeling a bit self-conscious, Qu Ange looked up and asked, “What is it, Qiu Zong?”

Qiu Shuiyi said, “I’ve seen a lot of the young artists they introduced to me, and you’re the prettiest by far. You have the aura of a big star. I have high hopes for you. How much is your penalty? I’ll pay it for you.”

Qu Ange replied, “…Two million.”

Qiu Shuiyi looked astonished. “That’s not much.”

Qu Ange: “…”

The conversation felt incredibly difficult.

Wang Jia quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Let’s eat, let’s eat. The sweet and sour mandarin fish at Yuming Lou is especially famous. It won’t taste as good once it’s cold.”

On the other end of the phone, Xu Mi bit her pen cap irritably.

She had no idea what was happening on the other side, but just listening to the conversation made her feel uncomfortable.

First of all, that boss is way too sleazy. Secondly, if I really sign with another company, wouldn’t I be heading further down the point of no return in the entertainment industry?

Xu Mi thought it over and sent a message to Qu Ange: “This boss sounds so unreliable. Could she be a scammer?”

After some awkward small talk, Qu Ange saw the message and felt speechless. She now understood why Brilliant Pictures, despite having plenty of money early on, never managed to succeed. It was definitely tied to Qiu Shuiyi’s irresponsible attitude.

But the problem was, Qu Ange knew this company was actually reliable. Since Qiu Shuiyi didn’t seem to know what she was doing, did that mean Qu Ange could use Brilliant Pictures’ resources to achieve success faster?

But would Qiu Shuiyi be willing to listen to her?

Even though the other party seemed young and unreliable, since the company had managed to survive later on, she couldn’t be a fool, right? It was unlikely she’d trust Qu Ange easily.

She thought, this matter couldn’t be rushed. It needed to be delayed a bit longer.

The food was almost finished, so Qu Ange spoke up: “Regarding the penalty for breach of contract, I’ve actually been thinking of a way myself, and I’ve almost saved up enough. The main issue now is whether Guangju Media will obstruct the termination of the contract. After all, as an individual, it’s hard to stand up to a big company. I don’t want to pass my troubles on to the next company either, so my plan is to terminate the contract first before signing with a new one.”

Qiu Shuiyi looked up at her, deep in thought.

Qu Ange smiled and said, “Thank you, President Qiu, for extending an olive branch to me. Once I’ve terminated my contract, I’ll definitely contact you or your assistant right away.”

Qiu Shuiyi spread her hands: “So I’m being rejected?”

Qu Ange put on a serious face: “Absolutely not. In my heart, your company will always be my first choice.”

She said this earnestly, but Qiu Shuiyi was clearly not happy anymore and said, “Maybe I said something wrong earlier. Sorry, I just got back from abroad and really don’t understand all these twists and turns. Wang Jia said you were in trouble, and I was willing to help, but you’re not willing. What exactly do you mean?”

The atmosphere froze. No one touched their chopsticks anymore. The air felt like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

Qu Ange decided to be direct: “I just signed an exploitive contract. That’s been giving me a headache. I need to be cautious with my next contract—I hope you can understand.”

Another stretch of silence.

Suddenly, Qiu Shuiyi clapped her hands and laughed, saying, “So that’s how it is. I was overthinking it. That’s completely understandable. In that case, let’s just consider today as getting to know each other? Here’s my business card. Feel free to contact me anytime if anything comes up.”

Qu Ange accepted the card and expressed her thanks.

The meal ended on a rather lukewarm note. As soon as Qiu Shuiyi left, Qu Ange apologized to Wang Jia, saying she had wasted her goodwill. Wang Jia, however, waved it off: “Don’t worry about it. It’s my fault. I didn’t expect President Qiu to seem young and simple but actually be quite cunning.”

Qu Ange nodded in agreement: “She was doing it on purpose, right? Pretending to be easygoing and clueless, but really just hoping I’d sign the contract without making too many demands.”

Wang Jia said, “She’s running a new company, so it’s not particularly attractive anyway. If you really want to sign, it’s not unreasonable to ask for more. But do you really have the money for the penalty?”

Qu Ange thought back to the data she’d seen at Zuo Qingyan’s place and said, “I think it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Wang Jia felt a bit awkward: “Then it seems I was meddling unnecessarily.”

Qu Ange quickly said, “But terminating the contract with Guangju isn’t just about the money; there are too many complications involved.”

Wang Jia reassured, “Don’t worry, if you need anything, I’ll definitely help.”

As night fell, Wang Jia accompanied Qu Ange all the way to the entrance of her residential complex. Qu Ange got out of the car and took out her phone, only to realize the call was still connected. She put the receiver to her ear and said, “Hello?”

Xu Mi’s voice came through promptly: “Are you back? Did you eat enough? Do you want anything else?”

A warm surge flowed through Qu Ange’s heart, and she suddenly realized once again how important Xu Mi was. In the ten years that followed, what she would miss most was this feeling—the feeling that someone was always there to light a lamp for you at home. Perhaps, a decade later, after she had achieved success, many people would be willing to flatter and take care of her, but that kind of warmth could only come from Xu Mi.

She spoke up: “I want a bowl of plain noodles.”

The call that had lasted several hours finally ended. Xu Mi hummed a tune as she headed to the kitchen. Tan Zhenzhen, watching TV in the living room, looked up in surprise and said, “You’re so happy, Mimi. Did something good happen?”

Xu Mi thought for a moment and said, “The video views are high, and an advertiser reached out through the backend.”

If it weren’t for the cast on her leg, Tan Zhenzhen would have jumped up from the sofa. She clenched her fists and laughed, “Really? Really? I’ll reply later. We have to choose this advertiser carefully; it’s crucial for our future development.”

Xu Mi nodded with an “Mm-hmm.”

She put on her apron and looked out the window. The streetlights dotted the night like a trail of starlight.

She suddenly reflected—

Was it too much to be this happy about Qu Ange’s contract troubles?

The thought quickly faded. She figured that since they could make money through self-media now, she would surely be able to support Qu Ange. The entertainment industry was so chaotic; it was better not to go there.

Besides…

The door opened, and Qu Ange said weakly, “I’m back. It’s so hot outside.”

Xu Mi smiled. Now, Qu Ange could come home every day. How wonderful that was.

…

Qu Ange had no idea what Xu Mi was thinking.

She only noticed that over the next few days, Xu Mi was in an exceptionally good mood. Tan Zhenzhen said it was because their follower count was growing rapidly, and the advertisers were offering generous compensation.

Seeing Xu Mi and Tan Zhenzhen’s self-media thriving day by day, Qu Ange felt both happy and anxious about her own progress. Although she knew she couldn’t rush things, the feeling of making no headway and being stuck at home every day was truly unbearable.

Especially since Zhou Yue kept irritating her. First, the promotional and commercial activities for the entire crew of The Chivalrous Thief’s Three Hundred Taels were organized without notifying her at all. She only found out when other actors in the crew told her. When she called Zhou Yue, he claimed they couldn’t borrow a gown for her and had no extra car. Then he added that Guangju was considering giving the role of Consort Rong in Ming Palace Blossoms to Bei Tian because Qu Ange had no reputation and was uncooperative. He said sarcastically, “If Bei Tian goes, the crew will probably be overjoyed. Bei Tian’s age is more suitable than yours; you’re a bit too old.”

Qu Ange rolled her eyes, hung up the phone, and never answered Zhou Yue’s calls again.

Fortunately, by the third Monday, Zuo Qingyan gave her some good news.

“It’s already quadrupled. It’ll definitely be even more next week. Should we keep it in or withdraw it all?”

Qu Ange said, “Withdraw two million first. You can handle the rest.”

Her heart finally settled back into place. At the very least, she could terminate her contract at any time now. She had planned to bring it up with the company by the following week at the latest. But that very evening, she received an email informing her that she had been cast as Consort Rong in Ming Palace Flowers and was asked to sign and return the contract as soon as possible. The email also included an attachment of the contract.

Stunned, she called Wang Jia to ask what was going on. Wang Jia, however, said she wasn’t sure either. The producer had previously decided on Bei Tian, but for some reason, they suddenly changed their mind that morning and felt Qu Ange was the better choice.

After hanging up, Qu Ange fell into thought. After a moment, she dialed Lin Zhenyi’s number.

She had actually been wanting to contact Lin Zhenyi again but hadn’t found a suitable excuse. The call connected quickly, and Lin Zhenyi spoke first, “Is this Qu Ange?”

Qu Ange replied shyly, “You still remember me.”

Lin Zhenyi chuckled, “Hard to forget once seen.”

Qu Ange didn’t know how to continue. Because it was someone she deeply respected, she found it difficult to speak.

Xu Mi and Tan Zhenzhen were in the living room, leaving Qu Ange alone in her room. She lay on the cool mat facing the fan, the sound of whirring air filling the receiver. She reached out and turned off the fan, then heard Lin Zhenyi ask, “Calling out of the blue—is there something on your mind?”

Qu Ange took a deep breath, “Was it you who helped me secure the role in Ming Palace Flowers?”

A brief silence, filled with the chirping of cicadas, was broken by Lin Zhenyi’s soft laugh, “How did you guess?”

Qu Ange said, “I felt like it could only be you.”

Lin Zhenyi hummed in acknowledgment and admitted it outright. Qu Ange said, “Thank you.”

Lin Zhenyi replied, “You’re being too polite. I don’t like hearing that.”

Over the past few days, Lin Zhenyi had looked into Qu Ange and found that she didn’t seem like the type to deliberately approach her. Further investigation revealed the messy situation between Qu Ange, Guangju Entertainment, and her agent. When she learned about the casting changes for Ming Palace Flowers, she casually mentioned it. The investors, out of respect for her, decided to stick with Qu Ange.

It wasn’t something that required much effort.

She actually wanted to ask about the contract situation but felt it might be too forward, given they had only met once. So she changed the subject, “I’m having a gathering in a couple of days. It’s actually my niece’s birthday. If you want to thank me, come and thank me in person.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the other end of the line suddenly choked up. Startled, Lin Zhenyi heard Qu Ange say, “Thank you, really, thank you. I don’t know exactly who you are, but you must be someone truly remarkable. Once I successfully terminate my contract, I will definitely come to thank you properly.”

“You’re terminating your contract?” Lin Zhenyi asked.

“Yes,” Qu Ange replied, her voice carrying a sense of desperate resolve even through the phone. “I’ve saved up enough for the penalty fee. I’ll bring it up with the company next week. If they don’t agree, I’ll probably have to file a lawsuit.”

Lin Zhenyi suddenly understood why the other person was choking up. She was just a young girl, having to face a behemoth—like an egg trying to smash against a rock. Claiming not to be afraid was impossible.

At most, she could only feign composure.

Thinking back, on the day they met, the other person must have already been preparing. Yet even so, she had appeared completely untroubled, revealing nothing.

At this moment, any words felt inadequate. Lin Zhenyi simply said, “You’re doing well.”

Qu Ange guiltily wiped her tears. Half of her reaction was an act, but she knew Lin Zhenyi would buy it. Trembling, she added, “I’m sorry, I lost my composure. I just couldn’t help it… Is the banquet large? Do we need to wear formal dresses or something?”

Lin Zhenyi smiled. “It’s best to wear formal attire. I’ll send you the invitation for you and your wife. I can also recommend a very capable lawyer if you need to file a lawsuit.”

Just as Qu Ange, cupping her face, exclaimed delightedly, “Really? That’s wonderful!” Xu Mi pushed open the door, frowning as she stared at her.

Xu Mi was deeply puzzled. Qu Ange’s face was streaked with tears, yet her eyes were bright and shining. She didn’t look the least bit sad. In fact, she seemed overjoyed. When she saw Xu Mi enter, she even put a finger to her lips, signaling for quiet.

A vague sense of foreboding crept into Xu Mi’s heart. She went to take a shower, and when she came out, she saw Qu Ange sitting at the desk with a laptop open. On the screen, the word document displayed the words “Termination Letter.”

She froze, her hand pausing mid-motion as she dried her hair. Qu Ange turned to her with a beaming smile and said, “Mimi, I’ve earned two million!”

That can’t be, right?

That was the first thought that popped into her head.

But Qu Ange looked so ecstatic that Xu Mi didn’t know what to say. She should be happy too, shouldn’t she? After all, it was two million.

Yet for some reason, she couldn’t feel any joy. Instead, her head spun a little.

“I’m sending the termination letter to Zhou Yue today. Also, that impressive senior I had a meal with the other day invited you and me to her niece’s birthday banquet. Tomorrow, let’s go buy… well, maybe rent—rent two formal dresses. I absolutely have to introduce that senior to you.”

Xu Mi stared at Qu Ange’s face. She looked like a completely different person from the dejected figure of the past few days. This was probably the difference between things going smoothly and not. Now, even without makeup, Qu Ange seemed radiant. And what about herself? How did her own complexion look?

For some reason, she suddenly calmed down.

Perhaps it was because a brief comedy was finally reaching its conclusion. Xu Mi felt there was nothing left to fear. She nodded and said, “Okay.”

“We can also start looking for a new place. The soundproofing here is terrible. It’s better to move out sooner. You and Tan Zhenzhen can also rent a separate studio or something.”

Xu Mi nodded again. “Okay.”

Since there weren’t many days left, she thought, at the very least, she should face the end with dignity. In these final moments, she wanted to see what this world that captivated Qu Ange was really like.

The next day, Qu Ange contacted an industry acquaintance and arranged to visit a studio to select a gown. She drove there with Xu Mi, who surprisingly suggested taking a taxi this time. Upon arrival, Xu Mi cooperated fully in trying on the dresses. Qu Ange picked out a sapphire-blue silk gown for her, believing it complemented her complexion. Someone from the studio brought out a crimson gown and said to Qu Ange, “This is one of our hidden treasures. Meeting you today feels like a perfect match—a stunning gown for a stunning beauty.”

Xu Mi stepped into the fitting room to change. When she caught her reflection in the mirror, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity—her overly plain face couldn’t carry such an extravagant dress. It looked as if a child had sneaked into an adult’s clothes. She took it off, changed back into her own outfit, and pulled the curtain aside to step out. There, she saw Qu Ange holding up the hem of her dress, standing gracefully like a blooming rose in front of the mirror. With one hand, Qu Ange gathered her loose hair at the back, revealing a slender, swan-like neck as she lifted her chin. Unlike Xu Mi’s reflection, Qu Ange in that dress showed no hint of incongruity. It seemed as though she was born to wear such luxurious, impeccably tailored gowns.

Noticing Xu Mi in the mirror, Qu Ange turned and asked, “Mimi, why didn’t you try it on for me?”

Xu Mi replied, “As long as it fits.”

The studio staff stared intently at Qu Ange, exclaiming, “It suits you so perfectly! You’re absolutely stunning—sure to outshine everyone.”

Qu Ange let go of her hair, letting it tumble messily around her shoulders, adding a touch of careless languor. “Forget it. What’s the point of outshining everyone at someone else’s birthday party?” She turned to Xu Mi with a hint of regret. “I really wanted to see how you looked in it.”

After trying on a champagne-colored gown, Qu Ange ultimately chose that one. But when it came time to pay, Xu Mi suddenly asked, “Is that red dress for sale?”

The staff member replied, “It’s a bit expensive.”

“How much?”

They quoted a five-figure price. Xu Mi said, “I’ll take it.”

Qu Ange stared at Xu Mi in shock. “Have you lost your mind?” She quickly stopped Xu Mi from pulling out her card, grabbed the packaged dress, and tugged Xu Mi outside. Today, Xu Mi seemed unusually resistant, making it difficult to pull her along. Only when they reached the ground floor did Qu Ange finally relax, saying, “What’s gotten into you today? You’re suddenly so extravagant.”

Xu Mi lowered her head without a word. Qu Ange took her hand, gently stroking it, and asked, “Are you unhappy?”

Xu Mi looked up, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “You only remember going to a birthday party tomorrow, but have you forgotten that today is your own birthday?”