The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Minors Anti-Addiction Policy?

The filming location for $Qīng Chéng was a resort village in the mountains of Shancheng.

While it was called a resort village, it was actually nestled deep within layers of mountains. After getting off the plane, they transferred to a high-speed train, then a bus, and finally stopped after an unknown amount of time spent bumping and shaking.

Song Xiangwan was so jostled that her internal organs felt displaced. Her whole stomach was churning, and she felt like she was going to throw up until she passed out. But she hadn’t eaten breakfast, so she couldn’t actually vomit, only dry-heave until her stomach cramped.

Cheng Cheng affectionately patted her back and handed her an uncapped bottle of mineral water: “Sister Wan, have a drink.”

The bus driver poked his head out to give them directions: “Follow this mountain path for half an hour, and you’ll see the resort village.”

Song Xiangwan looked down the road and had a million swear words bubbling up inside her. The tall grass was desolate. That wasn’t a road; it was barely wide enough for one person. It had just rained, and it was full of mud.

The production crew was something else, to find such a ghost of a place as a filming location.

Song Xiangwan took a sip of mineral water, caught her breath, and grumbled, “I really don’t want to film this stupid drama anymore.”

“Sis, don’t think like that. I can carry the luggage…” Cheng Cheng immediately panicked. Given Song Xiangwan’s usual personality, she was entirely capable of terminating the contract on the spot and walking away.

“I’m just saying,” Song Xiangwan walked over and picked up the largest suitcase. “You take the rest and follow me.”

Song Xiangwan had completely lost interest in this drama—the so-called award-winning masterpiece, the work of a renowned director… She must have been impulsive to agree to it. After seeing Ming Jin that day, she thought about retiring from the industry, feeling this project was even less necessary.

Just consider this the last drama, Song Xiangwan thought. Since she was here, she might as well see it through.

The muddy path was difficult to walk on. The suitcase couldn’t be pushed at all. She had to carry it for five minutes and then stop to switch hands. Both of her forearms were numb.

Finally, she saw the resort buildings. Her white sneakers were now gray.

The assistant director of the crew at least showed some respect and personally came out to greet her: “Teacher Song, thank you for your hard work. Did you… only bring one person?”

Su Chenxing came with a team of over ten people. As he said this, the assistant director’s eyes clearly held a trace of condescension and looking down on her.

Song Xiangwan raised an eyebrow slightly: “I’m down-to-earth. Is it a problem that I don’t engage in excessive spending?”

Since this was going to be her last project before retiring, and she had always had a strange temper, she certainly wasn’t going to be nice to someone who was judging her.

“Of course not,” the assistant director forced a smile, reaching out to take the suitcase from Song Xiangwan’s hand. “Let me show you to your accommodation first.”

This was an ancient architectural complex, hidden among the mountains. The upturned eaves of the buildings were spread like the wings of a bird. The bronze bells hanging from the eaves chimed softly in the mountain breeze.

The central structure was a three-story pavilion, surrounded by dozens of courtyard houses with dark tiles and flying eaves built against the mountain. Stone paths wound between the courtyards.

The actors’ accommodation was scattered among these courtyards. They were old, and the rooms were slightly damp. The faded wooden carvings on the lintels vaguely depicted auspicious dragons and phoenixes. Green vines hung on the window lattices, and thick moss grew on the steps.

However, the room was reasonably clean. The bed linens and four-piece set were newly changed, and the faint smell of rotting wood was acceptable.

Just as Song Xiangwan put her backpack on the bed, she heard a clamor outside. It seemed like someone was walking towards her. Then came Su Chenxing’s voice: “Has Sister Song arrived?”

The assistant director quickly replied, “Yes, yes, just arrived.”

Su Chenxing walked in, flanked by her entourage. Without asking, they placed her luggage in Song Xiangwan’s room.

Su Chenxing curved her lips and said to Song Xiangwan, “Sister Song, I’m sorry, can we swap rooms?”

“Swap rooms?” Song Xiangwan didn’t know what trick she was pulling, but her first answer was, “No.”

“Let’s negotiate, Sister Song,” Su Chenxing’s tone was sickly sweet. “I have more early scenes on the call sheet and need to sleep early. My room is near the road, and the construction crew is rushing work these days. Don’t worry, though; I asked, and they knock off at nine, so you can just sleep a little later. You have fewer scenes anyway.”

“No swap.” Song Xiangwan plopped down on the bed, not even raising her eyelids. “Go back. Bullying people with influence is a trick I’m tired of playing.”

“Sister Song, I’m talking to you nicely. How is this bullying?” Su Chenxing said, the smile disappearing from her lips.

“Young lady, don’t think you can’t tell the difference between the kings and aces just because you’ve been popular for two years.”

“When I was winning awards a couple of years ago, you were still drinking milk.”

“Just be secretly pleased that I’m here to support you this time. If you want to show off to me, go back and level up your game first.”

“Oh, right, I’m not swapping rooms. You can’t control me. If you’re truly capable, ask the director to replace me with someone you can control.”

Song Xiangwan looked up, giving her a defiant smile: “I’m not going to see you out. Go on, walk yourself out.”

Su Chenxing’s face turned very ugly. Having arrived so ostentatiously, walking away sheepishly now would be humiliating.

Song Xiangwan was watching her with raised eyebrows and a smile. Her gorgeous features, bright smile, and the mole at the corner of her eye were stunningly beautiful, making her look like a fairy stepped out of a painting.

“Alright, alright, Teacher Song, Teacher Su, please stop arguing.” Someone stepped in from outside.

It was a young man in his twenties wearing a black T-shirt. He had handsome, refined features and a gentle, amiable demeanor.

He said, “My room is fairly quiet. Teacher Su, you can switch with me.” This was the male lead of the drama, Lu Yuhang, a popular young actor known for his historical dramas in the past two years.

Finally, a way out was offered. Su Chenxing smiled: “Thank you, Yuhang. No need to call me Teacher. Just call me by my name.”

“I’m not like some people, who have no real ability but are full of airs.” The last sentence was aimed at Song Xiangwan.

Normally, if Song Xiangwan ignored the barb, Su Chenxing would feel she had gained the upper hand, and the matter would be over.

But Song Xiangwan was anything but normal. She was someone who walked sideways like a crab, wherever she went.

“Having airs means I have the confidence to carry them. Bringing so many people means you’re an empty shell. Why so lacking in confidence?”

“You get angry after just a few words. Your acting skills are terrible if you can’t even cover up your emotions.”

“Maybe I should introduce you to a few acting coaches? They can teach you properly?”

“Oh, I almost forgot. Those teachers said they only teach students with natural facial features.”

Su Chenxing’s biggest and most sensitive criticism was that her face was not natural. She was heavily confirmed to be a manufactured beauty.

Cheng Cheng felt her head swelling from the argument and hid behind Song Xiangwan, playing the role of a terrified quail. She wasn’t good at handling these things. Sister Cao had warned her beforehand that if Song Xiangwan got into a fight, she should just hide behind her. Sister Wan can fly freely; she’ll take the consequences herself. After all, Sister Wan’s mouth was worth a thousand armies.

“Alright, alright, Teacher Song, please say less.”

“Chenxing, Teacher Song just arrived and must be tired from the journey. Don’t take it to heart.”

This Lu Yuhang, regardless of anything else, was skilled at mediation. He somehow managed to coax Su Chenxing away.

Cheng Cheng helped Song Xiangwan unpack her luggage, secretly glancing at Song Xiangwan: “Sister Wan, what if she really asks the director to replace you…”

“If they replace me, they replace me. I didn’t want to film it anyway. If the director replaces me, I don’t have to pay the breach of contract fee, and I’ll retire right here,” Song Xiangwan mumbled.

Cheng Cheng: “…” It seems this person has completely given up and embraced the worst outcome.

The filming ceremony was tomorrow, so there were no scenes scheduled for today. Song Xiangwan changed her shoes and decided to familiarize herself with the environment first.

The winding paths led to hidden tranquility. The complex was peaceful, and a babbling brook flowed through it. Some courtyards were rented by the crew, some converted into rural guesthouses, and a few were not open to the public. She asked around and found out they were privately owned.

Good heavens, this architecture looked like a historical artifact, and some of it was privately owned.

Song Xiangwan also figured out the environment. It wasn’t truly remote with no roads. It was just that the main road was blocked due to a landslide caused by the rain a couple of days ago, leaving only that small path.

The construction crew Su Chenxing mentioned were actually working on clearing the road. When Song Xiangwan walked to the side of the main road, she ran into Lu Yuhang again.

Lu Yuhang walked up to her, humble and approachable: “Teacher Song, I didn’t get a chance to speak with you earlier. I’m very happy to be collaborating with you this time.”

“Your room here must be uncomfortable, right?” Song Xiangwan frowned slightly. It was right next to the main road, with the constant rumbling of construction and dust everywhere, which looked quite irritating.

“It’s fine. I’m a man. It’s only right to yield to a woman.”

“Besides, this room is actually the best. Once the construction crew leaves in a couple of days, I’ll have gotten a great deal.” His tone was natural, not forced at all.

“Teacher Song, did a mosquito bite your hand? I have mosquito repellent in my room…”

“No need,” Song Xiangwan quickly waved her hand. “I have some too. I’m going back now.”

Who invites a female co-star to their room the moment they meet? There truly wasn’t a single normal person in this crew.

Although it was spring, there were already mosquitoes in the mountains. Song Xiangwan was extremely susceptible to mosquitoes. Her skin was delicate. One bite left a large welt, and if she scratched it, it would turn completely red.

Cheng Cheng saw this and quickly searched for mosquito repellent for her. Song Xiangwan herself didn’t pay much attention, scratching twice and then ignoring it.

The signal was poor in the mountains. She had many private messages and group chat notifications, and social media was lagging. After a while, a message finally popped up.

Song Xiangwan immediately saw that LessIceLightSugar had replied to her.

She had sent: Hello, sorry to bother you. I’ll return the 500,000 to you. I can’t let fans pay for this.

LessIceLightSugar replied: No need. Small change.

That tone… could this person be an underage fan spending their family’s emergency savings, which would then lead to her being featured in a social news story?

She reiterated: No, I still need to give it back to you.

LessIceLightSugar was surprisingly online and replied instantly: Not underage. No use of public funds. My own money. You can relax.

She added another line: Female. No intention of any kind of transactional relationship.

Wait, Song Xiangwan froze for a moment. How did she feel that this person was like a mind-reader, knowing her so well?

Song Xiangwan: How about… we exchange WeChat contacts?

LessIceLightSugar: No need. Signing off.

LessIceLightSugar: I have limited time to check my phone daily. If you have any difficulties, you can reach out to me. I’ll reply as soon as I see it.

Song Xiangwan: “…” Minors Anti-Addiction Policy? Isn’t this exactly what an underage person would say?

Song Xiangwan was notoriously ill-tempered, and not particularly nice to her fans. This was the first time she tried to butter up a fan, and she failed?