When I Woke Up, I Had Three Romantic Partners - Chapter 28.1

Chi Jinqing’s filming here got into the main rhythm, and everything went smoothly. Time passed quickly.

During this period, Chi Jinqing’s relationship with the lead actress and lead actor progressed rapidly, especially with the lead actress. The actress herself was an admirer of Chi Jinqing’s beauty and, being able to act with her, wanted to stick to her every moment.

Every day on set, she would call out “Sister Chi, Sister Chi,” and she exchanged WeChat and followed Chi Jinqing on Weibo.

“Sister Chi, come and eat with us.”

Seeing Chi Jinqing pass by, the lead actress, Lian Xue, quickly waved her hand.

The lead actor, Xiang Jingyao, was initially reading the script nearby, trying to understand it better. When he saw Chi Jinqing approaching, he also brought his bento box over: “Sister Chi, let’s eat together. I have some parts of the script I don’t quite understand. I keep getting stuck on some emotional transitions.”

Chi Jinqing had been rigorously coached by the teacher Qin Song hired a few days ago and absorbed a lot of knowledge. Although she was somewhat naive in many aspects, she might have a talent for acting, as she was progressing very quickly.

She could basically understand the teacher’s lesson after just one explanation.

Xiang Jingyao wanted to know how Xiao Chengbei should adjust his mindset after Qi Xinyao’s death, how he should handle the relationship after meeting Yu Wennan, and how to naturally, yet subtly, prevent Yu Wennan from realizing she was just a substitute.

“About this…”

Chi Jinqing thought of herself and Su Yunhui. She had previously seen a photo in Su Yunhui’s room. The person in the photo was very youthful and bore a seven-tenths resemblance to her at eighteen.

The resemblance was especially noticeable in their expressions and some small habits.

Su Yunhui didn’t know Chi Jinqing had seen the photo and always thought Chi Jinqing knew nothing, believing she would assume Su Yunhui genuinely liked her.

Yu Wennan had some resemblance to the past, unknowing Chi Jinqing.

She shared her understanding of the relationship between Xiao Chengbei and Yu Wennan, and then offered a few analogies.

Although she was substituting herself for Yu Wennan, she had also observed Su Yunhui’s attitude, so by viewing Su Yunhui as Xiao Chengbei, she could generally understand Xiao Chengbei’s psychology.

Xiang Jingyao listened, nodding repeatedly, and suddenly realized: “I see, so that’s the feeling?”

Chi Jinqing: “Mhm.”

Xiang Jingyao smiled happily: “Thank you so much, Sister Chi. I will make sure to follow this thinking to better understand the character.”

Chi Jinqing was very humble: “You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help. The deeper interpretation still depends on the individual’s performance.”

Lian Xue pouted: “Sister Chi, look at me too.”

Chi Jinqing couldn’t help but chuckle at Lian Xue’s jealous look. She gave her the chicken drumstick from her bento box, saying helplessly: “Alright, alright, eat up. Stop pouting. Here’s a drumstick for you.”

Lian Xue enjoyed the pampering from her idol, giggled, picked up the drumstick, and took a bite, saying vaguely: “What a happy burden.”

“My idol is truly too good. I’ll cheer for my idol for a lifetime!”

Chi Jinqing couldn’t help but laugh and cry, feeling that Lian Xue and Luo Wanshuang would have a lot to talk about; both were direct, adorable little ones.

In a blink of an eye, it was time for Chi Jinqing’s final scene.

Chi Jinqing, dressed in white, ascended the city wall. The usual gentle smile was gone from her face. She had completely merged with the character; right now, she was Qi Xinyao, and Qi Xinyao was her.

She looked at the severed arm and the blood-stained robe sent by the enemy. A hint of determination appeared on her pale face. Hearing the arrogant shouts of the enemy, she drew out the token of love given to her by Xiao Chengbei—an exquisite dagger.

Xiao Chengbei was a man without much romance. Unlike other young gentlemen, he wouldn’t send jewelry or trinkets to win a girl’s affection.

He would only foolishly send her freshly cooked sugar cakes in spring, a dagger in summer that he personally oversaw and had people modify bit by bit, fly kites with her outside the manor in autumn, and shamelessly climb the wall in winter to hand her hot meat buns.

He was always afraid she wouldn’t eat enough and also worried she might get sick.

Thinking of all the past moments, Qi Xinyao’s heart grew firmer.

“Chengbei, I told you, if you die in battle, I will never live alone.”

She was the eldest daughter of the Minister’s Residence and Xiao Chengbei’s fiancée. Her father had fulfilled her deep love, and now she must uphold Xiao Chengbei’s lifelong reputation.

Qi Xinyao smiled faintly, and the dagger plunged into her chest. Blood soaked her clothes. The crimson blood stained her white dress, making it as bright as a wedding gown, the color as intense as her love.

“Xiao Chengbei, wait for me.”

She wanted to die on the city wall, together with her little general, forever guarding this city.

The pain and numbness from the bleeding caused her to curl up, but her hand tightly grasped the dagger’s sheath.

As Qi Xinyao closed her eyes forever, and the enemy broke through the city gate, hanging her body on the city wall to warn Xiao Chengbei, this scene finally concluded.

The director, with tears in his eyes, shouted: “Cut!”

“That’s it, that take is done.”

Chi Jinqing opened her eyes, momentarily unable to snap out of the previous scene.

“Sister Chi, we’re done filming.”

The assistant quickly walked over to help her up, but Chi Jinqing raised her hand to stop her, her voice hoarse: “Let me lie down for a moment.”

The suicide scene moments ago had deeply affected her.

The assistant was a bit worried: “Sister Chi, are you okay?”

She hoped Chi Jinqing hadn’t gotten too deeply into the role and couldn’t come out.

“I’m fine.”

Chi Jinqing closed her eyes briefly, then sat up. The director walked over, praising her continuously for how moving her performance had been.

Chi Jinqing shyly pursed her lips and smiled: “It’s because the director filmed it well.”

Lian Xue pouted, pulling on Chi Jinqing’s sleeve, her eyes slightly red: “Sister Chi, you’re leaving now. I’m going to miss you so much.”

After the photos were taken, Chi Jinqing was in the mood to joke: “Do you miss me, or do you miss the big chicken drumstick?”

Lian Xue complained: “Sister Chi! You always tease me. A child has to choose; an adult wants both!”

“Haha.”

Chi Jinqing was afraid of staining Lian Xue’s clothes, so she didn’t embrace her but smiled sweetly: “Alright, we’ll see each other again. If you’re free, you can chat with me on WeChat.”

Lian Xue looked at her eagerly: “Will I be disturbing you?”

Chi Jinqing: “I always have time to reply to a message.”

Next, Chi Jinqing filmed a few retakes and was finally completely done with the production.

After leaving the set, she started filming the advertisement for the affordable snack brand.

She didn’t pay much attention to anything on her side, but Si Jiamo, who received the news that Chi Jinqing was extremely close and quite intimate with the co-star actress, turned green. She felt she shouldn’t have black hair; she should have green hair.

He Ming looked at the gloomy Si Jiamo and tried to explain: “Maybe it’s just because they’re in the same drama; it’s normal to make friends.”

“Besides, that Lian Xue is already Teacher Chi’s fan, and Teacher Chi is the type to pamper her fans…”

Si Jiamo gave her a cold look, and He Ming immediately covered her mouth, daring not to continue.

“What are Chi Jinqing’s next arrangements?”

He Ming quickly replied: “Teacher Chi has a snack commercial next, and then the female second role in a TV drama. The drama won’t start filming for another two months.”

“The female second is a high school student, a very poor character. I estimate Teacher Chi will go to experience the role first.”

Si Jiamo: “Who is the female lead of the drama?”

He Ming: “It’s a recently rising female idol named Jian Huan.”

“Mhm.”

Si Jiamo interlaced her fingers under her chin and squinted, asking He Ming: “Do I look like a high school student?”

He Ming was bewildered by the question: “Huh?”

It took a while before she understood Si Jiamo’s intention from her displeased expression. She tentatively asked: “You’re not thinking of taking the female lead role, are you?”

“What do you mean ‘take’? That sounds awful.”

Si Jiamo: “Do I not look like a high school student?”

He Ming carefully observed Si Jiamo. Si Jiamo nervously swallowed, feeling anxious for a role for the first time.

“This…”

He Ming didn’t know how to answer.

Si Jiamo’s appearance was cold and glamorous, a kind of beauty that looked naturally aggressive. She could pass for a university student, but for a high school student, her aura didn’t quite fit.

It wasn’t that she was old, but the charm came from a mature woman, which didn’t suit the slightly rebellious and naive temperament of a high school student.

Seeing He Ming stammer for a long time without answering, Si Jiamo waved her hand dejectedly: “Go away.”

If she didn’t fit the role, forcing herself to act would only waste Chi Jinqing’s opportunity.

He Ming sighed in relief. As long as she didn’t ask that question, it was fine.

She quickly informed her of another matter: “Sister, Qin Song, whom you requested to transfer, wants to see you.”

Si Jiamo said listlessly: “Let her come in.”

“Okay.”

When Qin Song entered, Si Jiamo was still looking at Chi Jinqing’s upcoming schedule.

“Sister Si.”

Si Jiamo casually sat in the boss chair, lazily tilting her chin towards the chair next to her: “Sit. You don’t need to call me ‘Sister,’ after all, you’re not much younger than me.”

“What do you want to ask me?”

Qin Song was direct: “I want to know why you transferred me to be your assistant manager. I shouldn’t be worth your attention, should I?”

She knew her own ability; she wasn’t worthy of Si Jiamo’s status, and she had no background. She only had the company backing her, unlike Su Yunhui, who had already accumulated a lot of connections and could be considered capital herself.

So, she didn’t understand why Si Jiamo would choose her, a dispensable person, instead of Su Yunhui.

Si Jiamo put down her tablet: “You were Chi Jinqing’s manager before. You’ve been with her for so long. You shouldn’t want someone else to take the fruits of your labor, should you?”

Qin Song’s eyes shifted slightly. What did she mean?

Did this person want to help her get Chi Jinqing back?

But this person seemed to have a close relationship with Chi Jinqing during the variety show live stream. Didn’t she realize Qin Song’s feelings for Chi Jinqing?

“I don’t quite understand what you mean. What does transferring me have to do with Chi Jinqing?”

She had helped Si Jiamo before, but later, for Chi Jinqing’s sake, she concealed the matter with Su Yunhui and covered for her, which led to Si Jiamo abandoning her.

Later, when Su Yunhui targeted her, Si Jiamo didn’t say a word. Now, Qin Song felt that Si Jiamo couldn’t be this generous.

Qin Song really couldn’t compliment the expression on Si Jiamo’s face that implied she was doing this for her own good.

It was better to be direct; after all, she didn’t want to pretend to be naive anymore.

“Isn’t my meaning clear? You helped Chi Jinqing conceal the fact that Su Yunhui was with her. I can overlook that and let bygones be bygones.”