“You really are…” Seeing Rong Guang’s solemn nod, Chu Feiliang felt as if a small kitten had moved into her heart, scratching her incessantly, making her whole being itch.
Rong Guang’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled with a hint of slyness.
Seeing the two of them whispering to each other, Chu Siyue cleared her throat and said, “This is a meeting for the main creative team. We’re all acquaintances, so we can just go through the process and get on the same page. Where’s Tang Yuan?”
Wang Lujie glanced at her phone and said, “On her way.”
Both the main star and her manager were completely bewildered.
Tang Yuan had just been transferred over and still had a pile of things to handle, so for the time being, she wouldn’t be touching any work directly related to Rong Guang herself.
Moreover, Tang Yuan was currently assigned to work under her, and she would also be managing Rong Guang for now. After a year or two, once Tang Yuan had enough experience and her professional skills had improved, she could take full responsibility.
Wang Lujie glanced at Rong Guang, who still looked utterly lost, and couldn’t help but sigh.
—With her like this, what was Chu Feiliang even worried about?
Even if she really ate her clean, Rong Guang would probably just feel embarrassed and think she had tired Chu Feiliang out.
Before long, Tang Yuan finally rushed over, panting as she voluntarily took a seat to the side.
The content of this creative team meeting wasn’t extensive; it was just a rough plan for what was to come.
Only then did Rong Guang realize that the script in her hands was actually for 《The Lover》.
But not only the content, but the entire production team was vastly different from the one in her previous life.
Did some kind of accident happen…? Rong Guang was a little puzzled, but she held back from saying anything.
Besides, the time she and Chu Feiliang filmed 《The Lover》 in her past life wasn’t now.
It was two years later…
Suppressing her doubts, Rong Guang listened as the others discussed things separately, while Chu Feiliang was constantly looking at some message on her phone.
In this kind of setting, there wasn’t much for the actors to do. It was more about scheduling and related planning for the future.
So Rong Guang naturally let her mind wander and whispered, “Sister, what are you looking at?”
Chu Feiliang waved her phone and said with a smile, “The trending topics.”
After all, it was their final performance. The four members of NO.1 had weathered storms together for three years and had amassed a considerable number of fans, spanning a very wide age range.
From little girls of eight or nine to old ladies in their eighties or nineties, they had watched these four young women for three years. At the peak of their popularity, a few of their songs were even adapted into viral hits and incorporated into plaza dancing routines.
The decision-maker at Star Cluster back then was quite wise, immediately having a dance tailor-made for the four of them. The moves were simple and easy to remember, but they were also active without being too strenuous—a casual style of dance.
It was a perfect fit for the plaza dancing style.
It was also after that that the NO.1 group became a massive hit.
Now, with NO.1’s farewell imminent and the stage performance happening tomorrow, fans from out of town were already sightseeing and checking in, just waiting for tomorrow’s show to begin.
【Nicholas Cookie Crumb: I heard Chu Feiliang will be watching too, is that true? Is she a special guest invited by the show?】
【Which Little Crumb Are You: It’s true, Chu Feiliang already posted her ticket on Weibo, saying see you tomorrow!】
Rong Guang was stunned. She looked at her own phone and said, “Sister, you posted on Weibo?”
“Mhm.” Chu Feiliang nodded. Seeing Rong Guang open her Weibo, she smiled and said, “I was specially invited, after all. How could I not post on Weibo to celebrate?”
【Chu Feiliang: Honestly. [Image]】
Rong Guang froze.
The attached picture was just a ticket, a very simple ticket with only a seat number on it, revealing nothing else.
But Rong Guang was still stunned.
Because she saw the comment section.
【Whose Little Vixen: Why do I hear a doting tone in these two words? Is it just me?】
【Chu Family’s Imperial Noble Consort: Come, let me interpret this correctly: Honestly, if you’re going, you’re going. Why give me a special ticket too.】
【Beating an Orange with a Stick: Did Nongnong invite our Sister Chu? I’ve always heard their families are close, friends who grew up together.】
【Honest and Fair: It must be. Wow, the nurturing storyline is the best! Inviting the older sister who watched you grow up to personally attend your graduation farewell stage. I ship it!】
Chu Feiliang and Rong Guang, who saw all of this: “…”
The two exchanged a look, speechless.
Then Rong Guang watched as Chu Feiliang tapped on a netizen’s comment. Her finger paused over it for a moment before she slowly moved it away.
Rong Guang gazed at her.
Chu Feiliang withdrew her hand and said leisurely, “If I replied directly, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise. I’m waiting for them to discover on their own that I’m attending your farewell stage. A surprise that’s held back for a while is a true surprise.”
Just then, a voice came from the front, “Alright, let’s end it here.”
Chu Siyue tidied up the things on the table, pushed a copy of the meeting minutes to Chu Feiliang as usual, and glanced at her and Rong Guang, saying with a click of her tongue, “Take a look for yourselves, this is the upcoming schedule.”
Chu Feiliang and Rong Guang watched them leave, then opened the folder together to look.
The filming for 《The Lover》 was set to start in April when spring began. The weather would be neither too cold nor too hot, which was quite suitable for this drama.
“This schedule is great.” Rong Guang’s eyes lit up. She looked at Chu Feiliang and said, “《The Eldest Princess》 wraps up at the end of January, so you can rest for a few months before joining the new production.”
“You only looked at mine?” Chu Feiliang looked at Rong Guang with amusement and said, “You should look at your own schedule too.”
Big Dipper had always cultivated good actors, never engaging in useless, malicious marketing. Acting skills, works, and strength were their foundation.
Because of this, Big Dipper wouldn’t book their actors for miscellaneous variety shows and interviews, which not only wasted time but also overexposed them.
Chu Feiliang herself had always believed in one thing—actors needed a sense of mystery and shouldn’t be too active in the public eye.
Otherwise, once the audience formed a stereotype, it would affect their future roles to a certain extent, making the audience feel that they were out of character.
As a result, Rong Guang had almost no work scheduled from the end of this year until April of next year.
Rong Guang scratched her head in embarrassment, thought for a moment, and said, “I’ve discussed this with Sister Lulu. We both think I should try to balance school and filming, juggling both as much as possible. Otherwise, if I fail my studies, it’ll be easy for rivals to find a weak point and sling mud at me.”
Her words made Chu Feiliang pause.
She dazedly patted her forehead, closed her eyes for a moment, and then murmured, “I completely forgot about that… you’re still a student…”
In that case, the schedule wasn’t very reasonable.
She frowned and said, “In that case, won’t you have to join the production just over a month after school starts?”
“Mhm, that’s normal.” Rong Guang thought for a moment and said, “I skipped a grade to my sophomore year, so I don’t have the freshman military training. I just need to meet the attendance requirement and pass my exams… it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Having been reborn, her greatest advantage was probably knowing how to exploit loopholes.
Rong Guang was a bit embarrassed, but making reasonable use of the rules was something permitted within the rules, and it didn’t hinder anyone.
Chu Feiliang thought for a moment and nodded. “That could work, but it’ll be a bit tough on you.”
“It’s not tough.” Rong Guang stretched, feeling a bit sleepy. She propped herself up and said, “It’s a good thing the filming location for 《The Lover》 is right here in B City. Not only that, but they’ll also be using our school’s library a lot… If you put it that way…”
Rong Guang’s eyes twinkled as she said, “Sister, doesn’t that mean you’ll be having a campus romance with me?”
In her past life, she had graduated before returning to school, which gave her a feeling of returning to her homeland. But after all, she had been away from school for a year, so it felt both strange and familiar, lacking the feeling of a true campus romance.
But in this life…
Rong Guang’s eyes curved as she smiled and said, “I’ll go back to school for a while first, get a feel for the classroom.”
And then she would carefully experience what it was like to be a university student, falling in love in a way that was both shy and daringly exciting.
Chu Feiliang raised an eyebrow, tapped the script, and said, “Have you read the script?”
“I’ve read it roughly.” In fact, she knew it by heart.
But she didn’t say that second part.
She also knew what Chu Feiliang was about to ask next.
—There are at least two passionate scenes waiting to be added at the top, have you read those too?
Rong Guang looked at Chu Feiliang shyly, finally unable to hold her gaze and lowering her head. “I… I’ve read it all. I know what we’ll be filming.”
Chu Feiliang cleared her throat, stood up with the script in hand, and said, “Take the script back and read it carefully again. You have a few months to prepare and familiarize yourself with it. If there’s anything you don’t understand…”
She looked at Rong Guang’s flushed face and said, “You can come and ask me anytime.”
A modern drama.
What could she possibly not understand!
Rong Guang’s face turned bright red. She felt that Chu Feiliang’s use of the word ‘understand’ seemed to have a hidden meaning.
Unfortunately, she had no proof!
Finally, the day of the performance arrived.
Although Chu Feiliang’s lighthearted teasing yesterday had made Rong Guang incredibly shy, it had to be said that, on the other hand, Chu Feiliang’s words had also put her in an excellent state of mind for the entire day.
The farewell stage was over three hours long and could be extended due to unforeseen events, all of which were unpredictable.
Rong Guang hid backstage, her makeup and costume already exquisitely done, as she secretly peeked at the second-floor stands.
No one was there yet.
Her palms were a little damp as she watched the audience file in one after another, feeling extremely nervous.
“Are you nervous, Captain?” Tang Shi came over and squeezed her hand, handing her a piece of tissue.
Rong Guang shook her head, glanced at her grandma and Chacha backstage, and walked over. “Chacha, take Grandma up.”
Chacha nodded. After taking two steps, her eyes lit up, and she turned back around. “Sister Guangguang, look—”
Shortly after Chacha’s voice faded, Rong Guang heard a surge from the crowd outside like a tidal wave. Then, the crowd erupted into countless, overlapping screams.
“Ahhh, I’m dead—it’s really Chu Feiliang—!”
“This is insane, insane! What kind of sisterly bond is this that moves heaven and earth!”
“Grandma Chu is here too, oh my god! Grandma, I’m your granddaughter-in-law, ahhh—!”
“Sister Chu is here.” Chacha’s face was flushed with excitement as she grabbed Xu Mingli’s hand.
Xu Mingli had excellent eyesight. She spotted the silver-haired Grandma Chu at a glance, and her eyes instantly lit up. She tugged on Rong Guang and said, “Is that your sweetheart’s grandmother?”
Rong Guang looked around. There were no staff members nearby, and with the surrounding noise, no one could hear what the grandmother and granddaughter were saying.
Then Rong Guang boldly nodded and said, “Yes, that’s her.”
Xu Mingli’s eyes brightened. Without another word, she grabbed Chacha and left.
Her steps were powerful, as if she had her own battle anthem.
Chacha clenched her fists, pursed her lips, and gave Rong Guang a thumbs-up gesture.
Rong Guang’s heart pounded like a drum.
She could see the familiar faces in the VIP stands, and even more so, she could see Chu Feiliang, who was seated right in the center.
Sitting beside her were many people whose names Rong Guang had heard, industry bigwigs she had also seen in her past life. All these people… had all come to their farewell stage. Were they thinking of…?
At that moment, the host on stage began the opening remarks.
“Next, let us give a grand introduction to our esteemed guests who have traveled from afar to watch—” The host’s voice was powerful… and trembling.
Rong Guang and Duan Nong, who was beside her, exchanged a look, both seeing the hidden amusement in each other’s eyes.
“I can’t take it. Where did they find this third-rate host? Has she never seen the world or something? It’s just a few executives. Is it necessary to scare her like this?” Duan Nong was one step away from rolling up her sleeves and snatching the microphone.
Rong Guang held her back. “Don’t cause trouble.”
After all, the host’s future career was at stake. What was a trembling voice?
Rong Guang remembered that in her past life, there weren’t so many big shots present, yet this host still trembled nonstop. In the end, it was even made into a video and trended on the hot search along with NO.1 for several days.
It was truly a disgrace in her hosting career.
“First, sitting in our front row is the CEO of Big Dipper Pictures, Chu Siyue. She has cultivated many A-list artists under her wing. The one we are most familiar with, Chu Feiliang, is sitting right beside her…” At least it was something from the script, so the host finally managed to read it a bit more smoothly.
Rong Guang felt as if her heartbeat was about to merge with the audience in the stands. She just wanted to stare at Chu Feiliang, dressed in her evening gown, and scream like a crazed fan.
Today, Chu Feiliang was wearing a long, black-and-white gradient dress. Her figure swayed gracefully, and from a distance, she looked like a fairy who had stepped out of an ancient painting.
It was a very authentic Chinese-style formal dress.
She wasn’t surprised at all. This dress would probably dominate the trending topics tonight along with NO.1.
Rong Guang’s gaze remained fixed on the stands, never turning away.
The backstage area wasn’t far from the second-floor stands. Rong Guang could even see on the large screen at the front of the stage that Chu Feiliang was also scanning the area for something.
After a moment, the screen suddenly froze.
Rong Guang watched as Chu Feiliang’s gaze landed on a fixed point. She seemed to have found something.
Immediately, another wave of deafening screams erupted from the audience.
“I’m dead! I’m dead!”
“She smiled—ahhh, what is she looking at that made her smile!”
“The camera! Where’s the camera—pan over there, for heaven’s sake! What did she see!”
Rong Guang saw that smile too.
In that instant, the winter ice and snow seemed to melt away by a spring breeze, sending ripples across her heart.
Rong Guang clutched the backstage curtain, her eyes sparkling with fascination as she gazed at Chu Feiliang from afar. She felt as if time had frozen in that moment, and her eyes could hold no one else but Chu Feiliang.
In the end, Rong Guang was pulled back into the backstage area.
Duan Nong grabbed her wrist and looked at the entranced expression still on Rong Guang’s face. She asked suspiciously, “That look on your face… are you in heat? What are you thinking about?”
Rong Guang said in a daze, “I saw spring…”
Duan Nong: “???”
Rong Guang came back to her senses, patted her face, and clutched her wildly beating chest. She took a deep breath, finally calming the frantic deer in her heart, and said, “Let’s get ready. We’re about to go on stage.”
“…We’re all ready.” Duan Nong looked speechless. “What’s wrong with you?”
The three of them were all backstage making their final preparations. Only Rong Guang was restless, running to the front to peek through the curtain, and she stayed there for a long time, who knows what she was looking at.
Just now, the director up front had suddenly said that Rong Guang had been caught on camera early. Not wanting to reveal their makeup too soon, she had overheard and gone to pull her back.
However, the screaming outside had already started.
Duan Nong thought indifferently, if she was caught on camera, so be it. They were going to see it sooner or later anyway.
Thinking of this, Duan Nong couldn’t help but glance again at the makeup on Rong Guang’s face and her slender yet graceful body.
When Rong Guang turned around, she happened to see Duan Nong’s appraising look. She paused, finding her own reaction a bit amusing, and repeated her earlier words, “I’m fine.”
She was just momentarily stunned.
Under the impact of that big screen, Chu Feiliang’s smile… was truly soul-stirring.
Why did she smile just now?
Rong Guang licked her lips. Was it because she saw her just now?
“You should rein it in a bit.” Chu Siyue nudged Chu Feiliang’s calf with her foot. The smile on her face didn’t fade, but she turned her head slightly and said, “Look at this reaction. Isn’t it a bit much?”
Chu Feiliang gracefully retracted her smile, but a faint curve remained on her lips, never completely disappearing.
Her gaze still drifted towards the backstage area from time to time, as if trying to see through the curtain and steel frame to Rong Guang, who was preparing inside.
“You don’t understand this feeling.” Chu Feiliang sighed leisurely, scanned Chu Siyue’s pink and white suit from top to bottom, and smiled with a curl of her lips. “I say, sister, with this outfit of yours today, if people didn’t know we were sisters, do you believe the trending topics tomorrow morning would be unwatchable?”
“They’re unwatchable even if they know we’re sisters.” Chu Siyue gave Chu Feiliang a cold look and said expressionlessly, “Over the years, have there been few of those little fans who went from your page to mine, insisting on shipping some sibling CP?”
Her words made Chu Feiliang chuckle twice.
Then she propped her chin on her hand, resting her elbow on the railing in front of her, and said with a grin, “Then you can rest easy. They won’t be able to ship us anymore. They’ll have a new CP soon enough.”
Chu Siyue glanced at her sideways.
After a moment, Chu Siyue pulled her back, making Chu Feiliang sit down in her chair. “I haven’t even asked you yet. Before you came, you dragged all these people along with you and made me contact the production team at the last minute to change the host’s script. What’s the meaning of that?”
Chu Feiliang looked innocent and grinned at Chu Siyue. “You can’t tell?”
Chu Siyue’s face was blank.
Chu Feiliang shrugged and said, “The two of us personally invited these people, and even Grandma came. We’re all sitting here in the VIP section for Rong Guang. What do you think I mean?”
Chu Feiliang smiled freely. As she listened to the deafening screams and watched her princess walk out from the lights, her eyes brightened, and she said softly, “Of course, it’s to escort my princess.”
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