When I Woke Up, I Had Three Romantic Partners - Chapter 54

Chi Jinqing glanced at her, inexplicably thinking of the perverse Zhu Qi from just now. Although she hadn’t experienced what Duan Rong went through, and the key parts weren’t filmed, she could empathize with the feeling. Thinking that Zhu Qi had Si Jiamo’s face made her inexplicably sick. She said coldly, “I’m fine.”

Si Jiamo, sensing something was wrong, “Huh?”

Thinking of a possibility, Si Jiamo’s whole body stiffened. She hadn’t really snapped out of the role, had she?

Not being able to snap out of the role was truly terrifying.

“Are you really okay?”

She cautiously watched Chi Jinqing’s expression. Chi Jinqing’s expression was cold, hiding a hint of disgust. “No.”

Si Jiamo: “!”

Oh no, Ah Jin really hadn’t snapped out of the role!

She was horrified. Chi Jinqing was treating her like Zhu Qi.

For the first time, she regretted playing this character so much.

If she hadn’t played Zhu Qi, would Chi Jinqing not dislike her even more?

But no matter what she thought, this matter couldn’t be changed. She could only bite the bullet and accept it.

However, from another perspective, this also proved that her character was quite successful.

Filming Conclusion

The subsequent filming involved taking a posthumous photo of Duan Rong, played by Chi Jinqing, and filming Zhu Qi, played by Si Jiamo, going to prison.

When filming Zhu Qi’s unrepentant look even facing death, the madness in her eyes sent a chill down everyone’s spines. Everyone knew Zhu Qi wouldn’t give up, but there was nothing that could be done. Despite multiple offenses, the law only sentenced her to five years.

Everyone’s hearts were heavy, and no one spoke a word.

Qing Chen and Bai Qi, who rushed back upon hearing the news, cried their eyes out, especially Qing Chen, who directly fainted from crying. She never thought such a thing would happen.

“Rongrong… Rongrong!”

“Why… why…”

Qing Chen knelt by Duan Rong’s small grave. Bai Qi had paid for the plot, otherwise Duan Rong wouldn’t even have a place to bury her ashes. Bai Qi held Qing Chen, her voice hoarse. “This is fate, Qing Chen. All we can do is come here every year to sweep her grave and remember her.”

“No one else will remember her except for us.”

Duan Rong shared a grave with Grandma Duan, so when they came to visit Duan Rong, they could also visit Grandma Duan.

Qing Chen’s eyes were red, and her slightly warm face pressed against the cold tombstone. Hot tears soaked the inscription.

“Good, cut!”

“Excellent, Chi Jinqing and Si Jiamo have finished filming.”

As Yu Zhi’s words fell, Chi Jinqing and Si Jiamo on the side breathed a sigh of relief. They had many scenes to shoot today, and the filming time was quite long. They finally finished around six or seven in the evening.

Yu Zhi took out two red envelopes and handed them to Chi Jinqing and Si Jiamo, sincerely thanking them: “Thank you both.”

“It’s because of your passionate performances that this drama looks so exciting. When the editing is finished and it’s released, you two must come.”

Chi Jinqing: “Mhm, I will.”

Si Jiamo: “Hmm, I’ll see, after all, I have other projects coming up.”

Yu Zhi glared at Si Jiamo: “With that mouth of yours, if it weren’t for your powerful background, you would have been beaten to death a long time ago.”

Si Jiamo shrugged, quite pleased: “I can’t help it. I’m not someone just anyone can beat.”

“A background is also a kind of capital, isn’t it?”

Yu Zhi scoffed, raising her chin proudly: “Give me a break.”

Detachment and New Opportunities

Finally finished with the filming, Si Jiamo looked at Chi Jinqing with concern and asked, “Do you want to wander around here a bit before leaving?”

Chi Jinqing hadn’t completely separated from Duan Rong’s emotions yet, so she was quite resistant to Si Jiamo’s proximity. Although she was already resistant before, it was now even more severe.

Si Jiamo sighed: “Alright then.”

It seemed Chi Jinqing wouldn’t be able to detach from the emotions anytime soon. She could only wait for her to slowly process it herself.

Si Jiamo: “Then if you want to go out, call me. My phone number hasn’t changed, and neither has my WeChat.”

Chi Jinqing: “Mhm.”

After they separated, Xiao He leaned in, watching Si Jiamo’s retreating back, and muttered, “Although it’s acting and all fake, Sister Si’s portrayal really makes you want to hit her. I was watching on the side and was furious. How could such a person exist!”

Chi Jinqing smiled bitterly: “Yes, how could such a person exist.”

The key reason she couldn’t detach from Duan Rong’s emotions was that Si Jiamo was actually very similar to Zhu Qi in some aspects, especially when she became obsessive—they were practically identical.

Both of these people were somewhat pathological.

Chi Jinqing sighed softly and rubbed her temples: “About the song collaboration we agreed on before, I’ll try to practice when I have time.”

Xiao He was confused: “But Sis, didn’t you say you wouldn’t take on projects like that?”

Chi Jinqing sighed deeply: “Xiao He, sometimes, being human, you really can’t help yourself.”

Just like her, although she was considered a second-tier actress, it wasn’t a solid position; it was very shaky. Few of the characters she had played had become classics, and she wasn’t easily remembered for her roles.

Plus, she rarely had lead roles. Since her debut, she had only had two lead roles, and one of them got her a nomination for Best Actress, but she didn’t win the award, so she was more like a fifth-tier actress.

Now that her status had increased, it was only because her resources were better than before. Although the roles she played now were supporting roles, the character development and plot were much better than what she had received previously.

But without an actual lead role, she still couldn’t present concrete achievements; she still couldn’t compete well with other actresses.

So, she had to cherish every opportunity and time she got on camera, even if it was just for a music video.

“Since Zhuge Wei isn’t afraid of me ruining her MV, then I certainly can’t surrender.”

Her fighting spirit was ignited. She had gained some new insights into acting recently, and she felt her condition was much better.

“The easy days are over, Xiao He. Let’s give it our all!”

Xiao He was convinced: “Okay!”

Contract Traps and Overseas Expansion

By the time for the appointment with Zhuge Wei, Su Yunhui had already approved it, so the collaboration was settled.

Si Jiamo looked at the contract with a frown: “This is wrong.”

Ye Jin pushed up her glasses: “Where?”

“Here.”

Si Jiamo pointed to the amount: “Zhuge Wei has already given Chi Jinqing a two-million deposit, so that should be added here, but it’s not on the contract. It looks like a trap.”

If it wasn’t clearly stated, the company’s incoming funds would be incorrect. Inconsistent company accounts would be considered false accounts. If the tax authority investigated the mismatched revenue, the company would have to take the blame.

The company would definitely protect itself; after all, it had to support so many people, and it couldn’t possibly be compromised.

Zhuge Wei would surely expose the matter, and if Su Yunhui spoke on behalf of the company, Chi Jinqing’s reputation would be ruined.

She couldn’t let this happen.

“Negotiate with Zhuge Wei’s people, draft a new contract. Look carefully and see if there are any other traps inside.”

Si Jiamo’s tone was serious. If she hadn’t known Chi Jinqing had received the money, the contract would have been signed. Once the contract was signed and notarized, Chi Jinqing’s career would be over; she would be directly banned from the entertainment industry.

Who would want to collaborate with someone who secretly takes money, causes problems for the company, and compromises the company?

Si Jiamo took a deep breath. Sure enough, this Zhuge Wei came with malicious intent.

“How is the investigation overseas progressing?”

Ye Jin shook her head: “The situation overseas has always been complicated. We don’t have a company there, so we can’t figure out the foreign powers.”

“Unless we have the capability to confront them head-on, and interests that would tempt them, we simply don’t have the right to speak in front of them.”

Foreign countries inherently admire strength, believing that money and power are paramount.

Since they had neither, they naturally couldn’t interact with them.

Si Jiamo pondered for a moment, then said solemnly: “Expand our overseas influence. Open a company abroad.”

“No, separate it from the domestic company. Open a standalone company abroad.”

She had a premonition that the other party might have other intentions.

Ye Jin pushed up her glasses, hiding the yearning and complexity in her eyes: “That won’t be easy. And, are you asking me to go? I’m just an assistant; I can’t do so much.”

“No one is more suitable for this place than you, Ye Jin.”

Si Jiamo patted her shoulder: “I trust you, and you should trust yourself more. You can do it.”

Ye Jin raised an eyebrow, reminding her: “If I leave, no one will be here to keep an eye on things for you. Then everything will fall to you. You have filming, red carpets, variety shows, advertisements, and magazines every day. Where will you find the time?”

“Time is like water in a sponge; squeeze it, and you’ll find some.”

Si Jiamo: “Besides, I won’t just be doing things myself.”

She wasn’t omnipotent, so she would naturally find capable people to replace Ye Jin. But only Ye Jin could be competent in the overseas role.

Ye Jin was Si Jiamo’s childhood friend. Her family was all abroad, and she herself grew up overseas, but she yearned for the freedom of the domestic scene, which is why she returned.

She was also very interested in entertainment gossip. Since Si Jiamo needed someone, she kept her around.

Now that Si Jiamo needed overseas influence, and even more, someone who could open up the situation, Ye Jin made her feel the most at ease.

Ye Jin rolled her eyes: “My friend, are you treating me like a used garbage bag, throwing me away when you’re done?”

Si Jiamo smiled: “No, I treat you as an indispensable treasure. Besides you, it’s hard for me to trust anyone else.”

Ye Jin pushed Si Jiamo away, telling her to keep her distance: “Cut it out. Don’t spread your useless charm on me. I’m not falling for that. I’m only interested in men.”

“Also, that little darling of yours has a lot of problems. Both internationally and domestically, people are targeting her. Since her family went bankrupt, people have been kicking her while she’s down. You can protect her for a while, but you can’t protect her forever.”

Ye Jin sent back the modified contract, staring emotionlessly at the data modifications on the computer screen: “I advise you to tell her the truth as soon as possible, lest she be unprepared and get screwed over again by someone else.”