Waking Up to a Contract Marriage with the Film Queen - Chapter 7

After being discharged from the hospital, Le Yiqiu spent her days recuperating at home. Luo Luo, being a busy actress, had already done more than enough by taking time off to accompany her.

Once, Le Yiqiu had tried to go out with a mask and hat to explore the neighborhood, but Luo Luo was recognized almost instantly. They were swarmed within minutes. Thanks to Le Yiqiu’s quick reflexes, she had pretended not to know Luo Luo and called the community security for a rescue.

Being the owner of several properties in the complex had its perks; the property management was more than happy to help their high-value client. After that, she decided it was safer to explore on her own rather than trouble her famous friend.

After days of rest, Le Yiqiu felt her body becoming stiff. The doctor had cleared her for moderate exercise, but the twenty-eight-year-old version of her was out of shape. Regaining her eighteen-year-old stamina was going to take time.

Between digging through old belongings in the storage room and reading in the study, she dedicated two hours a day to stretching and light training. I can’t have a weak body, she thought. At this rate, I won’t even be able to carry my wife bridal-style.

*****

On August 21st, Le Yiqiu was at home, rolling out her yoga mat. The TV was tuned to the broadcast of a press conference for Lin Xianing’s new film. She planned to stretch while watching the interview.

On screen…

Reporter: “Ms. Lin, how do you feel about starring in the film Humanity’s Inner Evil?”

Lin Xianing flashed a radiant smile for the cameras. From every angle, she was breathtakingly beautiful. However, Le Yiqiu noticed that the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“It’s an honor to work with Director Zheng Zhi on this project,” Lin Xianing said. “The film is an adaptation of the novel Natural Born Evil by the author Yi Yi. Everyone knows her name; I’m a big fan of her work.”

Reporter: “We heard the production team wants to invite Yi Yi to join the crew as an on-set screenwriter?”

Director Zheng Zhi: “That’s right. Yi Yi led the initial script adaptation team online. If we can get her on set, I believe this film will reach a whole new level.”

A Tabloid Reporter: “There are rumors that you are getting a divorce, Ms. Lin. Is it true that you can no longer stand your partner’s ‘deadbeat’ lifestyle?”

The room exploded with the sound of rapid-fire shutters. The production crew looked uncomfortable, while others looked on with gleeful curiosity, waiting for a scandal to break.

Director Zheng Zhi was the most furious. His previous films had been mediocre; he was betting everything on this one. He had spent ten million on the rights to Yi Yi’s book and secured a Grand Slam Film Queen. As long as he didn’t mess up, the movie was a guaranteed hit.

Normally, the media at these events were paid to ask pre-approved questions. This “divorce” question was a landmine. If Lin Xianing thought the crew had leaked it for publicity, she might walk away from the project entirely.

Zheng Zhi shot his assistant a look. The assistant quickly checked the guest list—this reporter hadn’t even been invited.

Before the director could intervene, Lin Xianing spoke. Her voice was calm, bordering on icy.

“First, this is a film set. Please keep your questions related to the movie.”

“As for that question… I don’t think I need to answer it again. Since the day my marriage was made public, the internet has been predicting my divorce every single day. Furthermore, my wife is a very talented person. She doesn’t have a ‘celebrity halo,’ so she isn’t in the public eye, but she is highly gifted.”

“And if you want to talk about money… I recall her name was on the 2019 public charity list for a massive donation. That was the profit from just one of her projects. I don’t think the term ‘deadbeat’ applies to her at all.”

The director’s assistant took the cue. “Alright everyone, please follow me to get some B-roll. The actors need to prepare for the first scene!”

Once the media cleared out, Zheng Zhi apologized profusely. “I’m so sorry, Xianing, that reporter…”

“It’s fine, Director,” Lin Xianing said with a polite nod. She didn’t dwell on it and went to touch up her makeup.

*****

Back in the living room, Le Yiqiu felt a warm glow in her chest. She hadn’t expected the cold, aloof Lin Xianing to defend her so fiercely, especially since they were actually in the middle of a divorce.

She couldn’t wait to contact her.

Lately, Le Yiqiu had been messaging Lin Xianing frequently. It was nothing deep—just simple updates on her day. Lin Xianing was busy, so her replies were often delayed.

That morning, Le Yiqiu had sent a photo of her breakfast: A luxury bowl of instant noodles with extra meat.

Lin Xianing had replied with a photo of her own breakfast: a balanced, gourmet nutritional spread. Looking at her noodles, Le Yiqiu had instantly lost her appetite.

Talking to Lin Xianing was interesting. The woman was cool and brief, yet every sentence she sent left an opening for a reply. It was a rhythmic, low-frequency conversation that never quite stopped.

It was 3 PM now. Lin Xianing must have finished a scene because she finally replied to an earlier message.

[Lin Xianing: Her writing is witty and she’s very talented. I truly hope to work with her.]

Le Yiqiu had asked if she was excited about “Yi Yi” joining the crew.

Le Yiqiu smirked and typed back: She won’t join the crew. But I will.

[Lin Xianing: ?]

Le Yiqiu had recently found her agent’s contact info. Zhao Yu, her agent, ran a small talent studio. She had signed a few minor actors but struggled to get them good roles. Eventually, she had started hunting for authors so she could buy their rights and produce her own shows to promote her actors. Le Yiqiu was the big fish she had managed to catch.

Le Yiqiu sent a message to Zhao Yu.

[Le Yiqiu: Regarding ‘Natural Born Evil,’ I want you to arrange an on-set screenwriter position for me.]

[Zhao Yu: As ‘Yi Yi’? (An agent’s intuition was sharp.)]

[Le Yiqiu: No. As ‘Le Yiqiu’.]

[Zhao Yu: I’ll see what I can do.]

Le Yiqiu didn’t remember writing those novels. Even though she’d read them all recently, she didn’t feel qualified to be the “Head Screenwriter” (which is what “Yi Yi” would be). But an on-set screenwriter? That was manageable.

Lately, she had been discovering that while her memories were gone, her skills were etched into her bones. In the study, she had found her old notes and scripts. As she read them, the knowledge flooded back—directing techniques, screenplay structures, narrative beats. It was as if the data was still in the hard drive, she just needed to find the right file path.

Using this opportunity to work on her own story was the best way to regain her professional edge. Plus, she’d get to work with Lin Xianing.

Just the thought of it made Le Yiqiu’s smile impossible to hide.

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