When I Woke Up, I Had Three Romantic Partners - Chapter 31

Si Jiamo looked down at her, saying, “This is the second time you’ve used this sort of thing to threaten me.”

Su Yunhui smiled, maliciously responding, “But don’t you fall for it every time?”

“Since you’re so concerned about this handle, I’ll keep exploiting it. Let’s see who breaks first, shall we?”

“Do you think it will be you who breaks first, or Chi Jinqing who collapses?”

Seeing Si Jiamo’s gaze darken, her fists clenched and her jaw tight—clearly on the verge of taking action—He Ming quickly placed a cup of coffee in front of Su Yunhui and cautiously called out, “Sister Su…”

Su Yunhui looked at her with a half-smile. “He Ming, you’ve grown bold. Do you think that just because you’re following Si Jiamo, I can’t do anything to you anymore?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

He Ming trembled, her hand that released the coffee cup shaking. She didn’t dare look Su Yunhui directly in the eye.

She knew she shouldn’t interfere in this, but the CEO had instructed that Si Jiamo must not have any accidents and that she should try to prevent Si Jiamo and Su Yunhui from arguing. These two were the cash cows of Siyi Media; losing either one would cost the company a huge amount of value.

However, only those who had truly worked under Su Yunhui knew that this person was utterly ruthless, both to herself and to her subordinates. Having her salary docked for a small mistake was the least of it. But once you were involved in her work and in the industry, there were many things you couldn’t choose for yourself.

She had been terribly tormented by Su Yunhui when she was young and foolish.

Yet, she couldn’t say anything, as she still wanted to keep this high-paying job. She had a younger sister who was currently in school.

Su Yunhui’s voice was slightly husky. “Get out.”

He Ming glanced at Si Jiamo, who gestured toward the door with her chin. He Ming quickly said, “Alright, I’ll head out then.”

As she reached the door, Su Yunhui added, “Don’t think about doing anything extra.”

He Ming paused, then closed the door. “I won’t.”

Once she left, the intensity between the two in the office rose sharply. Neither was willing to yield, and both clearly disliked the other.

“I haven’t liked the sight of you for a long time.”

“Me neither.”

Su Yunhui rubbed her knuckles. “Want to have a round?”

“Let’s go.”

Si Jiamo grabbed her jacket and headed out.

Since neither of them could resolve the tension, they might as well settle it in a fair way.

Su Yunhui followed behind with a sneer. The two arrived at the boxing gym on the twelfth floor, took off their shoes, changed into comfortable clothes, and each put on two boxing gloves.

Once in the ring, Su Yunhui shook her high ponytail. “I still haven’t returned the punch you landed on me last time. You’re free these days anyway, so now’s a good time to settle the score.”

Si Jiamo scoffed disdainfully. “You can try.”

She had been boxing for over ten years. After entering the entertainment industry, whenever she felt stressed or troubled, she would come here to vent, until she met Su Yunhui, another boxing enthusiast.

The main reason they were initially close was their shared interest, but unfortunately, Su Yunhui’s duplicity later irritated her, and their relationship became one of surface cordiality but deep discord. Now, they couldn’t even bother with the pretense anymore.

🎬 Chi Jinqing’s Filming Begins

While those two were fighting fiercely, Chi Jinqing’s career was progressing smoothly. Without Si Jiamo’s suppression, she was almost entirely focused on preparing to join the film crew.

Because of the character, she lost another six and a half kilograms (thirteen pounds), weighing only 45 kilograms (ninety pounds) now. Since she was already tall, ninety pounds made her look like a mere bamboo pole. But that was precisely the effect the director wanted.

By the day she joined the crew, Chi Jinqing looked almost emaciated.

The director praised her excellent understanding of the role. “Yes, this effect is great. The early stage should be like this, looking vulnerable and pitiful. Later on, you’ll need to gain a little weight. How much do you weigh now?”

Due to the weight loss, Chi Jinqing spoke with less power than usual. “Ninety.”

Director: “You’ll probably need to reach about one hundred pounds later.”

“But we can take it slow. Don’t rush, and don’t hurt your body.”

She had lost thirteen pounds in two months, and would need to gain ten pounds in three months, but thankfully, gaining weight was much easier than losing it.

“Understood.”

After the shoot officially began, everyone took promotional photos.

Chi Jinqing’s promotional photo featured her as Duan Rong, the introverted and sensitive high school student, looking timid and quiet.

The female lead, Jian Huan, was a former idol making the transition, looking youthful and lively, though her acting skills were uncertain. She took three hours just to shoot her promotional photo.

Director Yu Zhi frowned, clapping the script loudly. “What are you doing? What are you doing? Your eyes shouldn’t look so dull. Your usual flat lay photos are good, aren’t they?”

Jian Huan stood awkwardly, enduring the scolding, listening to Yu Zhi patiently explain what she should pay attention to and what kind of emotion she needed to convey.

“Your eyes shouldn’t be so empty. They need to be lively. You are only twenty, why do your eyes look more worn out than someone who is twenty-six?”

Jian Huan could only offer a silly smile, not daring to say anything more.

Finally, the promotional photo session, which had dragged on for three hours, was finished. Jian Huan breathed a sigh of relief, though it was clear the director was dissatisfied with her.

😰 The Bullying Scene

The next day, filming officially began. The first conflict scene involved Chi Jinqing’s character, the second female lead Duan Rong, being cornered and bullied in an alleyway. Duan Rong was an orphan, abandoned on the street and raised by her current grandmother.

Because her grandmother was poor, and she had always been meek, she was constantly the target of bullying at school. This time was no different. Although everyone knew she was poor, they simply wanted to bully her because no one would stand up for her, and no one would care about her. So, they bullied her with even more enthusiasm.

The lead girl maliciously shoved Duan Rong’s head, slamming her against the wall, and chuckled, “Where is the thing I asked you to steal yesterday? Did you steal it?”

Duan Rong, already malnourished and frail, was pushed into a stagger. Her head hit the wall, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. She struggled to open her eyes and whispered, “N-no.”

“Stealing… stealing is against the law…”

“If you don’t steal, then buy it.”

A girl nearby pinched her chin, her mouth curving into a sneer. “Can you afford it?”

“If you can’t afford it, and you won’t steal, what can you do?”

She blatantly looked Duan Rong up and down and laughed. “Duan Rong, you wouldn’t be thinking of using other methods to get that thing, would you?”

“But you’re so skinny, barely any meat on you. I wonder who would even like that?”

Duan Rong clutched her clothes tightly, her expression panicked. “N-no. You can’t.”

“Can’t?”

The lead girl burst into laughter. “Who says we can’t? I think that’s a great idea.”

“She’s actually got a decent figure.”

Duan Rong struggled desperately but was still viciously stripped of her outer jacket. Just as she was crying and begging for mercy with tears streaming down her face, a cold, clear female voice rang out from outside the alley. “What are you doing?”

Duan Rong and the others turned around to see a girl standing backlit, wearing the same school uniform, holding a phone, and looking upset. “If you don’t stop right now, I’m calling the police!”

Duan Rong was tearful, her clothes partially torn open, her face showing signs of having been struck. Through her tears, Duan Rong vaguely seemed to see a savior. She paused, as if unable to believe it.

“Good! Cut!”

Yu Zhi excitedly called ‘Cut!’ Chi Jinqing breathed a sigh of relief, pulled her clothes back on. The shirt was slightly ripped, making it hang loosely, but Chi Jinqing didn’t mind.

“That scene was very well acted; we can move on.” Yu Zhi was very satisfied with Chi Jinqing’s performance. Both in terms of acting and atmosphere, Chi Jinqing’s control was just right. There was no trace of acting; it felt like a natural reaction. Even the inexperienced Jian Huan was drawn into the scene, feeling a compelling sense of righteousness. Yu Zhi loved this kind of performance that could move others.

Jian Huan looked at Chi Jinqing, a mixture of complexity and admiration flashing in her eyes. The feeling just now, as if she had truly witnessed someone being bullied, was unbearable, and she had reacted instinctively. The director was pleased. Was this what they called being drawn into the role?

She hesitated, then walked over with her script and softly said to Chi Jinqing, “Teacher Chi, you are truly amazing.”

Chi Jinqing gave her a slight smile. “You were great too.”

“Teacher Chi’s emotional pull was excellent.”

The two exchanged compliments, and their rapport improved slightly. Since Chi Jinqing was self-taught, she was a valuable resource for those without acting experience. Jian Huan reviewed the script with her, breaking down and analyzing the emotional progression bit by bit.

Jian Huan nodded, pointing out the areas she didn’t understand, and then acted them out for Chi Jinqing when they weren’t filming, asking for feedback on whether her performance was correct.

Without the cameras rolling, Jian Huan became more relaxed, and many parts of her performance were surprisingly good. Chi Jinqing clapped her hands in encouragement.

Yu Zhi saw this, nodded, and had someone film the interaction, planning to use it as behind-the-scenes footage later.

Xiao He brought over a cup of warm water. Chi Jinqing took a sip and asked her to buy some milk tea for everyone.

Jian Huan said, “Then I’ll treat everyone to hamburgers.”

Another female lead, Shen Yirou, also came over and said, “Then I’ll treat everyone to fried chicken.”

“I was craving it anyway.”

Everyone agreed on what to get, and then asked their assistants to place the orders.

After the meal, the day’s filming continued until nightfall. Before dismissing everyone, Yu Zhi clapped his hands and picked up the megaphone. “Hard work, everyone. Tomorrow’s scene is at the school. We need to be here at five in the morning for hair and makeup, and start shooting before seven.”

Yu Zhi was a director who deeply appreciated natural light. When it came to lighting, he preferred to keep it as natural as possible, which is why he loved the hazy quality of the early morning. Also, students should start school on time, so he couldn’t deviate too much.

“Understood.”

After a full day of shooting, Chi Jinqing removed her makeup, took a shower, and only had time to ask Xiao He to wake her up the next morning before changing into her clothes and falling asleep on the bed.

When Xiao He came in, Chi Jinqing was already fast asleep. She covered Chi Jinqing with a blanket. Although the temperature here was higher than elsewhere, it was still easy to catch a cold at night without a blanket. She was in the middle of filming and couldn’t afford to get sick.

After covering her with the blanket, Xiao He finally went to sleep on her small bed, locking the doors and windows to prevent malicious intrusion or unauthorized photography.