When I Woke Up, I Had Three Romantic Partners - Chapter 32

Early the next morning, Chi Jinqing was woken up by a full-body ache and stiffness. As expected, continuous filming recently was starting to take its toll.

Chi Jinqing didn’t have many scenes today, but her character was essential in driving the plot forward.

Chi Jinqing arrived early because she wasn’t fond of people who put on airs about their star power, and she wasn’t the lead actress, so she didn’t need much fuss.

Jian Huan had trouble getting out of bed. She was still yawning when her assistant practically dragged her to the set, looking completely unawake.

Seeing that Chi Jinqing had already arrived, Jian Huan huddled next to her, looking tiredly at the remarkably energetic Chi Jinqing. Drowsily, she asked, “Sister Chi, you’re so early. Aren’t you sleepy?”

Chi Jinqing took a piece of mint-flavored gum, prepared by her assistant, from her pocket and handed it to her: “Chew this, and you won’t be sleepy anymore.”

Jian Huan took the gum, utterly moved. She hugged Chi Jinqing and rubbed against her wildly: “Wuwuwu, Sister Chi, you are my only sister, you’re so good, wuwuwu!”

Chi Jinqing patted her shoulder, chuckling wryly: “There, there, it’s time for makeup.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Jian Huan looked at Chi Jinqing like a little fangirl, completely captivated.

When Si Jiamo received the message, the picture was a candid shot of Jian Huan hugging and leaning on Chi Jinqing. Chi Jinqing was smiling indulgently, looking very doting, which had a somewhat ambiguous feel to it.

Little Fang Paparazzo: Sis, do you want this photo?

This paparazzi often collaborated with Si yi Si Jiamo’s former management/team. Sometimes he would call to notify them when and where a certain celebrity could be seen, asking him to follow and shoot some good photos. After all, paparazzi sometimes had a better sense of candid shots than professional photographers or those hired for street style.

Moreover, information leaked from paparazzi and reporters often seemed more trustworthy than what the celebrities themselves posted.

So Si Jiamo’s assistant had added this paparazzi’s WeChat. His photography skills were undeniably excellent; he just lacked the education and funds to make his way easily in the industry.

Seeing the picture, He Ming’s eyes widened. She quickly asked: Did you take this candidly? Do you have a video?

Little Fang Paparazzo: Of course. I found a spot the crew couldn’t see. I have a video too, but it will probably be released as a blooper reel after the show airs.

But based on my years of paparazzi intuition, these two feel unusual. They’re very touchy-feely.

He Ming pursed her lips: Don’t talk nonsense. They’re just friends.

Don’t post this one this time. I’ll pay you to buy it.

A transfer was quickly made. Little Fang Paparazzo was also a man of his word, a rare conscientious person in the industry: I’ll listen to you, Sis.

He Ming, holding the phone with the picture, cautiously pushed open Si Jiamo’s rest room door. Si Jiamo had just finished another round of fighting with Su Yunhui, and her body ached all over. However, this time, they were at least considerate enough not to hit each other’s faces, as it would be hard to explain outside.

After all, Si Jiamo was a celebrity, and Su Yunhui was her manager. Both needed to show their faces, which were vital for them—an important weapon to gain external admiration.

They tacitly avoided each other’s faces, but the rest of their bodies were a different story.

Si Jiamo rubbed her lower abdomen, which had taken two punches—they hadn’t held back, and it was genuinely painful.

“Sis…”

“What is it?”

The pain made Si Jiamo’s expression unsightly, but seeing He Ming’s timid look, she frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Is there a problem with Ah Jin’s side?”

“Sis, don’t get angry when you see this. I’ve already stopped it.”

He Ming handed over her phone. The screen showed the photo of Chi Jinqing and Jian Huan embracing—not a promotional photo or a scene, but a private record of the two while getting makeup done.

Si Jiamo’s face instantly darkened. Her gaze fell heavily on Jian Huan’s arm; she practically wanted to chop off the other woman’s hand.

He Ming trembled: “Sis, Sister Chi and she are definitely friends…”

Si Jiamo stated confidently: “Of course, they are friends.”

Chi Jinqing had never liked anyone else besides herself; she knew it from their previous conversation.

So, seeing these photos, she wasn’t as angry as she might have expected, because her mind was filled with the thought of how Chi Jinqing must have felt over the years watching her be coupled with one person after another.

Did Chi Jinqing feel the same way back then?

Angry, hurt, disappointed, and simultaneously helpless.

Because of their current relationship, she had no right to question Chi Jinqing about what it meant, nor could she ask her not to get so close to others.

Yes, everything she had made Chi Jinqing go through all these years was finally coming back to her.

“Ah Jin will only like me; she won’t like anyone else.”

She caressed Chi Jinqing’s gentle and doting profile in the photo, her eyes filled with longing. Once upon a time, the other woman had looked at her with the same gaze.

No, even more gentle, more doting, and filled with complete love.

Back then, when she had just learned the truth, she had been blinded by deception and stubbornly believed that all that tenderness and love were fake.

Si Jiamo withdrew her nostalgic gaze and returned the phone to He Ming: “I want to go see Ah Jin. Arrange it, and also ask the director if I can make a cameo appearance.”

He Ming: “Okay.”

As He Ming went to make arrangements, Si Jiamo looked out the window, feeling that the pain in her body wasn’t so bad anymore.

Her Ah Jin couldn’t possibly fall for someone else. She had to win back her attention and make her focus return to herself.

“Ah Jin, I will win you back.”

Si Jiamo’s gaze was determined. She firmly believed that Chi Jinqing would fall for her again.

Having been in the entertainment industry for so many years, the love from her fans had restored her confidence. She could do it. The control she experienced in the past would not happen again. This time, she would stand confidently beside Ah Jin and firmly believe in her.

When filming wrapped up and Chi Jinqing was about to grab some water and rest before eating, she heard that someone had come to visit the set and had even catered all the food for the day. She was puzzled.

Who would be so generous to visit whose set?

And there had been no news beforehand; it was quite mysterious.

She had just taken a sip of water when she saw the person entering the set entrance. She instantly fell silent and nearly choked on her water.

Chi Jinqing: “…”

Si Jiamo, what is she doing here? Whose set is she visiting?

She had an uneasy feeling that the other person’s arrival was ominous. A sense of apprehension rose in her back. She quickly turned her back, pretending not to notice.

Yu Zhi, however, was delighted. A double Best Actress coming to guest star for him? Even if there wasn’t a suitable role in the script, he would write one for her.

“I didn’t expect you to come. I didn’t offer the script to you before because it didn’t generally suit your style. I really didn’t expect it to end up in your hands anyway.”

Yu Zhi had worked with Si Jiamo more than once. They had collaborated on several dramas before. Si Jiamo’s first TV drama was directed by Yu Zhi. He had become fond of this spirited girl back then.

Later, he invited her to star in his second drama, which was Si Jiamo’s first lead role and the one that immediately won her an award.

It was truly rare for one movie to elevate an actress to Best Actress.

Si Jiamo’s attitude toward him was respectful. After all, he was the director who helped her reach the Best Actress title, and they were also good friends. Since that time, if he needed her and she was free, she would come for a guest appearance.

Every time she made a guest appearance, she would bring in some box office revenue.

The two laughed and talked. This time, she had come to guest star on her own accord. There was no suitable role for her here, but seeing her eyes constantly darting towards Chi Jinqing, Yu Zhi roughly understood.

She wasn’t genuinely here for a guest role; she was here to use the opportunity to pursue someone.

He patted Si Jiamo’s arm, his eyes full of mischief: “I do have a role that suits you, but I hadn’t decided whether to include it before. Since you’re here, I’ll bring out this storyline.”

Seeing that he had figured out her intentions, Si Jiamo didn’t hide it and asked directly, “What role?”

The director said meaningfully: “It’s a role that can have a lot of interaction with Duan Rong Chi Jinqing’s character.”

An instinct told Si Jiamo that this role might be a little off, but to be on the same set as Chi Jinqing, she was willing to take the chance: “Let me see the script.”

“There is no script. I’ll write it tonight. Don’t worry.”

Yu Zhi didn’t elaborate on the role description, only saying that she should be prepared when she came tomorrow.

Si Jiamo: “Prepared for what?”

Yu Zhi: “Be prepared that this role of yours might require a bit of flair.”

Si Jiamo: “…”

Flair…

It wouldn’t be some kind of vulgar role, would it?

Although she wasn’t a “good person” and hadn’t come specifically for a guest role, Yu Zhi shouldn’t try to mess with her like that, right?

During lunchtime, seeing Si Jiamo sitting next to her, looking clearly like she had come to visit her, Chi Jinqing: “…”

“Go sit over there.”

Chi Jinqing pointed to the chair furthest away from her. Si Jiamo refused. Since they were filming on a campus, the dining area was a cleared-out space with tables.

Si Jiamo wouldn’t move, looking pitifully at Chi Jinqing, her voice soft and gentle: “Ah Jin, I…”

“Sister Chi, the food today is so lavish!”

Jian Huan and Shen Yirou walked over with their premium boxed lunches, and Jian Huan also brought one for Chi Jinqing: “Here you go, Sister Chi, this is yours. I told your assistant to go eat, and I brought this for you.”

Chi Jinqing nodded: “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Sister Chi helps us more.”

Then, as if just noticing Si Jiamo, she exclaimed in surprise: “Si Jiamo!”

If there was a legendary figure in the industry, Si Jiamo definitely counted.

She was someone who seemed to have been born with talent; she could handle any role effortlessly. Her style was versatile, and she was the kind of beautiful person who stood out from the crowd at first glance.

Even in the entertainment industry, where beauties were countless, her beauty was unique, and her powerful aura put immense pressure on anyone acting opposite her.

She was also the highly sought-after ceiling for many aspiring actresses and a “gay icon” for fans. Even with her many rumors, people still flocked to her like moths to a flame.

Jian Huan was also a fan of Si Jiamo, a staunch follower since her debut. Over the years, she had attended many of her concerts, and she had a stack of albums and signed posters at home.