Spring Night of Misty Rain - Chapter 9

Who exactly was Jin Ze?

Even across different social circles, Tang Qingyue had heard the name. She was currently considered the most suitable screenwriter-director for actresses in the industry. Under her pen, even the most inconspicuous female role would shine brilliantly. Consequently, as long as it was a Jin Ze production, countless actresses were eager to collaborate with her.

However, Jin Ze was known to be extremely socially anxious; she preferred working with the same team and casting the same leads.

Tang Qingyue had caught a glimpse of her once on a film set from a distance. The slender woman wore gold-rimmed glasses and sat behind the camera, propping her chin on one hand with a slight frown. Her aura hovered somewhere between a young boy and a young girl—exceptionally pure. She didn’t seem so much socially anxious as she did “too clean” for this world, as if her soul were out of step with reality.

The image of that youthful figure surfaced in Tang Qingyue’s mind as she flipped to the first page of the script.

“Night Curtain” Screenwriter: Jin Ze Scene: Night / Exterior / Jinwu Bridge

“A night of the full moon. The bright moon hangs in the center of the sky, glowing with an eerie, blood-red hue. Amidst the heavy traffic, a woman climbs the iron frame of the Jinwu Bridge. A gale blows open her collar, revealing mottled bruises. She gazes up at the moonlight, tears shimmering in her eyes, her face a mask of despair.”

“Shen Qingchen is driving while on the phone, preparing to cross the Jinwu Bridge. It is then that she spots the woman attempting to take her own life…”

Night Curtain told the story of Shen Qingchen, a talent manager at an entertainment agency who spent her days rushing about solving her artists’ problems. One night, while attempting to save a victim of domestic violence from suicide, she fell into the Jinwu River.

Within the Jinwu River, a flood-dragon capable of overturning seas had been sealed away. The dragon’s name was Ye Lan, and the person who had sealed her was none other than Shen Qingchen’s ancestor.

Coinciding with the full moon, the seal loosened. Shen Qingchen struck the sealing pillar in the water and lost consciousness, inadvertently breaking Ye Lan’s seal. Ye Lan’s first instinct upon waking was to kill Shen Qingchen, but this drew the intervention of the City God, who sealed the dragon inside Shen Qingchen’s shadow.

From that moment on, Shen Qingchen became a “Living Judge” serving under the City God.

Clearly, this was an urban fantasy, but by weaving in Shen Qingchen’s identity in show business, it felt more like an “Entertainment Industry Ghost Story.”

Segments like “The rising top star haunted by the vengeful spirit of a miner,” “The former starlet who raised a ‘Kuman Thong’ (child spirit),” and “The respected veteran actor surrounded by dead infants”…

Was this script not a blatant commentary on the scandals within their own industry? If Jin Ze wrote like this, wasn’t she afraid of being blacklisted by those who might take offense?

Ah, come to think of it, I heard she has already been through a round of blacklisting, Tang Qingyue realized.

She finished the script quickly, her heart pounding against her ribs. This script could be a massive hit! Based on her grasp of the current market, this kind of urban legend—presented like industry gossip—possessed a natural magnetism that would undoubtedly spark massive discussion.

But the risks were equally high. Even with the backing of a powerhouse like Giant Whale, she would become a target for many. To be honest, given her current fame and status, she didn’t strictly need a script like this to boost her popularity.

And yet… it was such good gossip! She desperately wanted to play the part!

Tang Qingyue evaluated the risks in her head, then looked up at Xu Luosu, her expression one of deep internal conflict. “The script is excellent… but…”

Xu Luosu spoke up immediately. “Sister Qingyue, please rest assured. When the time comes for our company’s promotion, we will claim that we gave you a completely different script to sign.”

They would never let the actor bear the brunt of the fallout. If it were anyone else’s guarantee, Tang Qingyue wouldn’t have believed it. But this was Xu Luosu.

After a moment of thought, Tang Qingyue dialed her manager’s number right in front of her. “I don’t want to sign the Jintian contract anymore. I have a better project here. Give the May schedule to this one.”

Sitting across from her, Xu Luosu let out a long sigh of relief. She took out her phone and sent a message to Shen Zeyu: “Relax, I’ve signed the contract with her.”

Over the next half-month, Xu Luosu followed the same pattern. Using the names of Tang Qingyue and Shen Zeyu as leverage, she managed to reel back Qin Zhiyue and Meng Fei, who had been vacationing abroad.

Not long after, Xu Luosu led a large group, marching grandly toward the entrance of Shen Zeyu’s home.

Shen Zeyu remembered it clearly—it was the Spring Equinox.

As usual, upon hearing the doorbell, she threw on a tracksuit and hurried from the second floor to the first, her curly hair a mess. When she swung the door open, she was greeted by a flying pounce.

“A-Zhe!”

Before she could see clearly, she was pulled into a hug and rubbed frantically. “Hee hee hee…”

Shen Zeyu looked up at the familiar laughter and immediately saw a beaming Meng Fei. Tall and voluptuous, Meng Fei held her tight and ruffled her curls as if she were petting a dog. “Hee hee… A-Zhe, A-Zhe, long time no see!”

Shen Zeyu froze, then heard a sigh. She turned her gaze toward the door and saw Qin Zhiyue, dressed in a black suit with her hair in a ponytail, clutching her forehead in exasperation.

“Can you stop hugging people the moment you see them? You’re so strong—what if you crush her tiny frame to pieces?” Qin Zhiyue said, sounding as though she were speaking through gritted teeth.

Shen Zeyu stared at her blankly, feeling as though she were in a dream. “Teacher Qin…” She then looked up at Meng Fei and blinked. “Teacher Meng…”

Meng Fei covered her face with one hand, acting bashful. “Why call me ‘Teacher Meng’? That’s so distant! Call me Little Feifei…”

Qin Zhiyue couldn’t stand it any longer and delivered a sharp smack to her arm. “Let go of A-Zhe and let us in.”

Only then did Meng Fei reluctantly release Shen Zeyu. While Shen Zeyu stood there in a daze, Qin Zhiyue led the large entourage directly into her home. Qin Zhiyue circled the living room, one hand on her hip and the other pinching her chin, nodding with satisfaction. “Hmm, not bad at all.”

She turned to Shen Zeyu. “A-Zhe, could you show us upstairs?”

Qin Zhiyue, Meng Fei, and Chen Ci were from the same graduating class; in a sense, they were Shen Zeyu’s seniors. Hearing this, Shen Zeyu replied without thinking, “Of course. Please, feel free, Teacher Qin.”

Qin Zhiyue then led the group upstairs in a grand procession.

Being invaded by such a crowd early in the morning left Shen Zeyu completely bewildered. Someone soon arrived to clear up the confusion.

“I’ve been scouting with Director Qin around Jinwu for a few days, but we couldn’t find a suitable office for the City God’s temple. So, I thought of your house and brought everyone over in a hurry.”

Shen Zeyu turned around to find Xu Luosu standing at the door. She had changed her style again—today she wore a green-toned suit paired with a yellow tie. Her long black hair was draped over her shoulders, making her look both highly capable and vibrantly youthful.

The bright colors lifted Shen Zeyu’s mood. She nodded understandingly. “So that’s how it is.” She frowned slightly and voiced her doubt: “Since this is a scouting visit, why didn’t you make an appointment with me beforehand?”

It was the same last time—showing up without a word. What if she hadn’t been home?

Xu Luosu paused, explaining her logic: “I assumed you’d be home, Senior Sister, so I didn’t book ahead. Besides, wouldn’t an appointment make things feel too formal?”

In Xu Luosu’s own family, there were far too many rules. Hearing this, Shen Zeyu felt a faint headache coming on. Please, be formal! Make an appointment!

However, since Xu Luosu was the major financier, she couldn’t be so blunt. She settled for a more subtle approach. “I’m not always at home, you know.”

Xu Luosu let out a soft “Eh?” of surprise. “Don’t you dislike going out, Senior Sister? Could you actually have other dates?”

Shen Zeyu replied expressionlessly with three words: “Of course I do.”

Xu Luosu blinked. “For example?”

Shen Zeyu muttered, “With my fitness coach.”

Xu Luosu’s eyes widened. It took her a moment to process this. “Senior Sister… do you like fitness coaches?”

Is it because young people these days are too hard to understand? Shen Zeyu wondered why every sentence she exchanged with this girl seemed to miss the mark. God, I’m tired.

Shen Zeyu sighed, her shoulders slumping as she explained, “It’s not what you think. By ‘date,’ I mean I’m going to the gym to work out. I don’t just go to the gym; I also go out to eat. So, I’m actually away quite often. Please remember to book in advance next time.”

It was exhausting. She had realized by now that Xu Luosu was a law unto herself—someone who simply didn’t listen to reason.

After that long explanation, Xu Luosu finally had an epiphany. “Oh, so that’s what you meant!”

The morning sun had already peeked through the thin mist, its warm light falling on Xu Luosu and making the green of her suit look full of life. She stood at the door and chuckled softly. “So you’ve started working out too, Senior Sister? We’re planning to set the filming location here in Jinwu. If there’s a chance, how about we go to the gym together?”

Shen Zeyu looked at her crescent-shaped eyes and bright smile. She remained silent for a moment before nodding. “Okay.”

Though she was a headstrong person who followed her own whims, it was exactly that quality that made her so distinct and full of vitality, wasn’t it?