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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Nine
Cao Feng created several opportunities for me to communicate with her, but I just couldn't figure it out and stubbornly held onto my temper. I spent all my time in the film crew, shooting day and night, reading scripts...
"Your smoking habit is getting worse," Cao Feng interrupted my thoughts. I extinguished my cigarette and said, "There's nothing I can do; sometimes this helps relieve stress."
Cao Feng sighed, "I have two pieces of news for you: one bad news and one worse news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
I turned around, "Can't you say something good?"
Cao Feng looked serious, "I'm not joking. First, director Zhang is leaving, and Deputy Director Sun will take over."
I was astonished. "What’s the reason?"
Cao Feng shook her head. "The details are unclear, but to put it simply, it's a power struggle between different factions within the company. director Zhang is one of the victims."
I scoffed.
Cao Feng said, "You need to be careful during this time."
I was puzzled. "Careful about what?"
Cao Feng replied, "Do you know that Deputy Director Sun has a nephew in our crew? There were a few projects that were originally his, but director Zhang thought you were more suitable."
I was confused. "He wouldn't seek revenge on me for that, would he?"
Cao Feng shrugged. "Hard to say; Deputy Director Sun isn't exactly known for being magnanimous."
Thinking back to the first audition when Deputy Director Sun had that sarcastic expression, I had grown accustomed to it by now. I pursed my lips and asked, "What’s the other bad news?"
Cao Feng said, "Liang Hao and Cui Jie are engaged."
My hand froze as I was about to light a cigarette...
After Cao Feng left, I went out and bought an entertainment magazine. The headline news was all about Liang Hao and Cui Jie’s engagement; I forced a bitter smile. After finishing a pack of cigarettes, I sent Cui Jie a message: "Congratulations..."
That night, director Zhang treated everyone to dinner, and everyone got drunk. A week later, Deputy Director Sun officially took over director Zhang's position and became Director Sun. Two weeks later, at the company's new film press conference, Deputy Director Sun's nephew became the lead actor while I was replaced.
In the days that followed, all the actors that director Zhang had promoted saw their roles adjusted or cut entirely or failed to pass auditions. Human nature is unpredictable; interests outweigh everything else. With a cold smile, I decided to leave Hua Xing Company and got myself fired from Hua Xing.
“ Hua, what are your plans next?” Cao Feng asked.
I smiled and replied, “I’m just going to take a break. After all these years, I feel like I’ve become a machine.”
Cao Feng laughed heartily, “Haha, you really are a machine! Go out and relax. I’ll head to Yeshi Film Company first to scout around, then I’ll wait for your return.”
When a person is feeling troubled or lost, the best way to release those feelings is through travel.
Every journey is filled with scenery and poetry, each song tells a story. In the picturesque mountains and rivers, one can ponder the vastness of the world and the insignificance of life.
The mirror-like blue waters reflect the sky, all living beings, and oneself.
In an ancient town, I walk along the cobblestone streets that bear the marks of history.
Before the weathered walls, I watch time flow by.
The aroma wafting from a small shop is the essence of life.
In a quiet alley, sunlight weaves through like golden threads, stitching together fragments of memories...
Traveling is a dialogue with the world and an encounter with oneself...
Along the way, I walk and see different landscapes, listening to various stories.
The world is so beautiful; how could one take it for granted?
Just as I was lost in thought, Cao Feng called: “ Hua, hurry back! I’m getting married!”
This guy always brings surprises and joy whenever he shows up.
Cao Feng's bride is Li Ting, who happens to be Cui Jie’s close friend.
So it was no surprise that I ran into Cui Jie at the wedding banquet; she was one of the bridesmaids.
When we met, there were a thousand words in our hearts, yet we exchanged no words.
Throughout the wedding, my mind wandered elsewhere; Cao Feng and Li Ting noticed it too.
As soon as the ceremony ended, they quickly created an opportunity for us to be alone together...
In the café, listening to familiar music, I stirred my coffee with a spoon while my thoughts raced for an opening line.
“I...”
“I...”
Cui Jie and I spoke simultaneously.
“I heard you went traveling?” Cui Jie asked.
“Yeah, just to clear my mind and relieve some stress.”
Cui Jie nodded slightly: “I heard about Hua Xing; I really didn’t expect…”
I looked at Cui Jie; her hair was cut short, making her appear more capable and feminine. But... she was about to become someone else's bride...
With that thought, a wave of inexplicable annoyance and disappointment surged within me.
Cui Jie touched her face and asked, "Is there something wrong with me? Or is there something on my face?"
I snapped back to reality and replied, "No, by the way, I heard you got engaged. Congratulations..."
Cui Jie paused for a moment, setting down her coffee cup. "So how are you going to congratulate me?"
I was at a loss for words, wishing I could take back what I just said.
Seeing my discomfort, Cui Jie seemed to enjoy it and teased, "Why don't you be my witness at the wedding?"
I was speechless again, suddenly realizing I couldn't find the words in front of her.
Pouting, Cui Jie remarked, "You're still the same as before, such a blockhead. Who told you I was getting married?"
I was taken aback. "Didn't you just admit it?"
She sighed, "You fool, I was just playing along with what you said."
I quickly asked, "So you're not planning to get married?"
Cui Jie countered, "Well, who would I marry?"
I was surprised. "Wasn't it reported that Liang Hao proposed to you and you got engaged? You didn't issue any statement about it..."
"Does that mean I've admitted it too?" Cui Jie asked.
I weakly replied with an "uh-huh."
Cui Jie looked at me in disbelief. "What am I supposed to say about you?"
I mumbled, "Just say it nicely."
Cui Jie laughed in frustration. "After all this time apart, why do you seem even more like a child?"
I took a deep breath and said, "I'm just trying to confirm things."
Cui Jie continued, "From start to finish, I've never had any relationship with Liang Hao. We could call ourselves friends before, but now we're not even that."
A mix of surprise and happiness washed over me. I hurriedly asked, "What happened? What went wrong?"
Cui Jie replied calmly, "Because he... plotted against us."
I was stunned. "What? How did he plot against you?"
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