Translator: CTCTRANS Editor: CTCTRANS
âI wasnât sneaking. Sheâs my talent. Iâm publicly checking in on her!â
After the retort, Chang Xun enthusiastically said to Jin Si, âJin Si, I didnât expect
Qi Wu to have such acting talent. Although she still looks young and inexperienced, her ability to evoke empathy is much stronger than yours back in the day!â
He could not help but feel a sense of pride. âI really have a good eye for talent. I actually managed to discover two hidden gems.â
âIâm hanging up.â
Before Chang Xun could bask in his pride, Jin Si abruptly ended the call.
Doot. Doot. Doot.
Chang Xun stared at the phone and grumbled, âCrazy!â
He then patted Hu Mofeiâs shoulder in a brotherly manner. Looking at Qi Wu on the screen, he commented, âHu, our daughter has done exceptionally well!â
âOf course, of course!â
Hu Mofei was quick to agree.
Thus, Qu Man watched as the two men formed an alliance as fans of Qi Wu, addressing each other as brothers in arms.
She massaged her temple as she felt a headache coming on. She had witnessed this scenario so often that it was driving her crazy.
The moment Qi Wu finished her performance, all of Song Qiâs preconceived notions about her vanished.
It was only by witnessing her performance firsthand did he truly understand why Qu Man had insisted he actually talk to Qi Wu.
It was as if she possessed a magical power that could effortlessly sway those around her and their emotions.
Song Qi shot to his feet. âIf you havenât had any acting experience before, with your talent, itâs only a matter of time before you become an award-winning actress. â
Everyone else would have known that this was the highest praise Song Qi had ever bestowed upon anyone. Given his exacting standards, very few actors earned his approval.
Praise was even more unlikely.
However, Qi Wu remained calm and merely regarded him with a placid expression devoid of any other reaction.
âHow did you immerse yourself so deeply in Xiyuâs emotions?â Song Qi asked.
Even accomplished actors would marvel at her ability to get into character so quickly and effortlessly.
Although there were still many areas where her inexperience showed, her natural talent more than compensated for those shortcomings.
âIâve been through a lot, so I know how to amplify those emotions,â Qi Wu replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
Song Qi only assumed she had a tumultuous life which gave her the inherent ability to empathize.
Unbeknownst to him, Qi Wu was a high priestess who had to listen as the believers confessed their hopes and desires.
She felt every one of their thoughts, emotions, and wishes.
When Qi Wu returned to the villa, Jiang Xuxu and Ke Lu went to practice in the rehearsal studio. Hence, Tong Luo was the only one around as she studied her script in her room.
Upon Qi Wuâs return, Tong Luo approached her, concerned. âHow did it go? Did
Mr. Song give you a hard time?â
Tong Luo knew that Song Qi was infamous for berating nearly every actor he worked with, with the exception of Jin Si.
Qi Wu thought for a moment and shook her head. âNo, heâs just a bit long-winded.â
His constant chatter was like a bee buzzing by her ears.
Tong Luo stared in silence.
She was dumbfounded. Song Qi was known for being one of the most challenging directors to work with due to his reluctance to offer guidance. It was said that actors who sought his advice often were more likely to receive sarcastic comments than any useful comments.
Song Qi and Jin Si were known as the two most acerbic figures in the entertainment industry.
However, Tong Luo suddenly remembered Qi Wuâs performance from earlier and stopped worrying.
Even Song Qi would be enthralled by Qi Wu.
When Song Qi returned to the control room, he found Qu Man, Hu Mofei, and Chang Xun simultaneously turned to stare at him from where they were sitting.
Surprised, Song Qi looked at them quizzically. âWhat are you doing? Also, Chang Xun, why are you here again?â
Chang Xun chuckled. âI was afraid youâd mistreat my daughter.â
Song Qi stared in confusion.
Was Chang Xun also under Qi Wuâs spell?
With twitching lips, Song Qi waved off their concern. âThereâs no point in talking to fanatics like you.â
Just then, Hu Mofei chimed in with a passive-aggressive voice, âI wonder who that old man nagging at my darling was. He was so annoying.â
It was then that Song Qi realized they had been watching his interaction with Qi Wu. Suddenly, there was an awkward tension in the air.
He cleared his throat and tried to change the topic. âYou know nothing. I was justâ¦â
Before he could finish speaking, Qu Man stood up and walked past him. He could see the smile was trying to hide as she said, âYou get it now right, Song?â
Song Qi was at a loss for words.
Were these three people waiting to see him embarrass himself?
Did they have no regard for his dignity?
However, when he recalled his initial prejudice against Qi Wu, Song Qi belatedly realized that he had indeed misjudged her.
Qi Wu was practicing her falls in the carpeted area of the villa.
Song Qi had been alarmed by her earlier fall. He was worried that her legs would end up covered in bruises, so he taught her various ways to fall without injuring herself.
She was happily practicing, enjoying the sensation of being in the zone until her phone beeped. Qi Wu glanced at the phone. It was Jin Si. She picked up her phone and headed to the bathroom.
âJin Si.â
As soon as Qi Wu uttered his name, Jin Si said, âIâm outside the stadium.â After a brief pause, Jin Si slowly added, âI brought you some lemon drops.â
â10 minutes,â Qi Wu softly replied.
âWhat?â
âIâll be there in ten minutes.â
Jin Si seemed to find her response amusing. âAlright, Iâll wait.â
Ten minutes later, Qi Wu appeared before Jin Si as promised.
Jin Si noticed that there was a sticky residue on her forehead. As he stared at it, he asked, âWhat were you up to?â
Qi Wu obediently answered, âI was practicing my falls.â
Her response reminded Jin Si of what Chang Xun told him earlier in the day. He could not help but click his tongue. He took out the jar of lemon drops from his pocket. âCandy.â
However, Qi Wu did not take it.
She tilted her head and looked at Jin Si with a faint hint of confusion in her eyes. âI havenât finished the lemon drops you gave me yet.â âWasnât that half a month ago? Why havenât you finished it yet?â
Jin Siâs tone was icy cold with disbelief.
After all, when she was at home, Qi Wu would eat a few pieces of lemon drops every day. Even so, she would look at him with pleading eyes hoping to get approval for more.
Why was her self-control present now that he was not around?
âHuh?â
Qi Wu shook her head and stuck out her tongue, embarrassed. âKe Lu gives me lots of candyâ¦Xuxu and the others do too.â
Jin Siâs eyelids twitched violently as his hand tightened around the jar of candy until he nearly shattered it..