Chapter 24: The First Friendly and Harmonious Call

Upon returning home, Zhang Qianjun was surprised to find Kan Qingzi there.

"Have you finished filming 'Sky of Watching'?"

"Not yet, just the scenes here. I’m moving to the Xiangshan set next, so I came back to pack. My flight is early tomorrow morning."

"I see. In that case, I’ll drive you."

"No need, it's way too early. I'll just take a taxi."

"Don't give me that. What kind of man lets his woman carry a heavy suitcase and take a taxi to the airport while he’s asleep at home?"

Kan Qingzi curled her lips and tilted her head back, asking for a kiss.

*Mua～ mua～ mua～*

Zhang Qianjun couldn't help but laugh. "Are you a seal? How can you hold that pose? It’s quite interesting; let's try that later."

Kan Qingzi waved her hands frantically. "No, no way, my back will break."

Zhang Qianjun checked the time. "Should we go out for dinner? Hot pot, barbecue, or Western food?"

"I want you to cook for me."

"That works. I'll go buy groceries."

"Don't bother, just stir-fry some greens and make a soup. No meat; I have to watch my weight for filming."

"I told you before, meat won't make you fat. It's the sweets and excess carbs you need to cut out."

Zhang Qianjun left her to pack while he started prepping dinner. Forty minutes later, the meal was ready, and they began to eat.

Holding her bowl, Kan Qingzi mumbled between bites, "Your cooking is still the best. You have no idea how terrible the food is on our set."

"Isn't it your company’s in-house production? Why is it like that? You're the second female lead, and even you think it's bad? What are the others eating—pig slop?"

"It’s not much better than pig slop."

Kan Qingzi finished half a bowl of rice with the garlic oil-lettuce. "Honey, give me another scoop of the braised tofu. I want to mix it with my rice."

Zhang Qianjun laughed. "You said you weren't eating meat, yet here you are, devouring bowl after bowl of ham-braised tofu?"

"I'm just borrowing the flavor! Stop nagging and just scoop it for me." She glared at him, signaling him to stop talking nonsense.

Soon, dinner was over. Kan Qingzi collapsed onto the sofa like a lazy caterpillar. "Sigh, one good meal, and now I have to starve for a month."

While washing the dishes, Zhang Qianjun asked, "Since it’s your company's production, isn't the boss's son on set? Didn't anyone talk to the producer about the food?"

Kan Qingzi scoffed. "The producer is too busy sleeping with starlets to care about that. Besides, it's not a big deal; filming goes on regardless."

Zhang Qianjun sighed at the lack of professional ethics and moral standards in the industry. "Alas, people’s hearts are not what they used to be, and society is in decline. Where is that nun’s robe we bought in Shancheng? Go change into it."

Kan Qingzi rolled her eyes. "Again? Your hair has grown out; you don't even look like a monk anymore."

"This poor monk has returned to secular life!"

***

In the mountains, time held no meaning, and only after exhaustion did they seek rest. As the storm settled, the two lay close together, whispering.

"I’m going to Xiangshan to film, and in a while, 'Brotherhood of Blades' starts, so you’ll head to Huairou. After Huairou, you’ll go to Ulan Butong. By the time you get back, I’ll probably be starting a new project. At this rate, when will we ever get to see the sea on Nan'ao Island?"

" 'Brotherhood of Blades' won't take long. I expect we'll be done in about two months after the official start. Is your next project set?"

"It’s another in-house production, playing the supporting role to Li Qin again. The role is even worse than this one. At least this time I’m the lead’s best friend, a 'good' person. The next one is your standard wicked second female lead—the kind that’s both ridiculous and pathetic. I’m so frustrated. I’m starting to wonder if, because I played Wei Lai, every script I get is a villain."

Zhang Qianjun comforted her. "This project isn't a good fit for us to work together again. Let's wait for the next one, or I’ll look for resources to see if there’s a film that suits you. I’m not familiar with TV dramas, and I don't plan on entering that field anytime soon."

Kan Qingzi turned to wrap her arms around his waist. "I know, you already told me that, and the director agrees. It’s true, it’s not really appropriate to pair up again so soon."

Anyone with experience knows that when two people hold each other and lock eyes for more than five seconds, the urge to kiss becomes inevitable.

The two bodies pressed together again. Being in their early twenties, their recovery was naturally swift. Just as Kan Qingzi assumed a defensive position and Zhang Qianjun was about to press his advantage, his blasted phone rang. He grabbed it impatiently.

"Who is it?"

"Zhang Qianjun, hello. This is Liu Yifei. Sorry to call you so late."

"If you know it's late, speak quickly. Are you in or not?"

On the other end, the "Celestial Fairy" frowned. *What is with this impatient tone? Didn't you beg me to play the lead?*

"I wanted to confirm the schedule."

"Filming starts May 15th at the Huairou base. Your scenes will take about 15 days; it’ll be wrapped up between June 1st and June 15th."

"I’m quite curious about what you told my mother. Could you explain a bit more about how you intend to do it?"

"Sign the contract and come to the set; I’ll teach you there. This isn't something that can be explained in a few words."

"So, if I don't act in your film, I have no way to consult with you?"

"Big sister, you're twenty-four this year, right? Why are you still so naive?"

Liu Yifei felt her irritation rising. "What do you mean?"

"Come, sign the contract tomorrow, and you can learn as we go. If you don't come, hang up. I’ll use Liu Shishi instead; she can play the role just as well."

Liu Yifei took a deep breath. *Such a low-level provocation? How could I possibly care? And what does 'Big Liu Shishi' mean?*

Just as she was about to speak, she heard a sharp intake of breath on the other end, followed by someone saying, "Stop it, I'm talking business."

"Is someone there with you?"

"Big sister, have you never been in love? Look at the time; normal people are in bed by now, okay?"

Since filming 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' in 2005, no one had spoken to her like this in a long time. She was about to lash out, but her mother gripped her hand. Seeing the pleading look in her mother's eyes, she exhaled a long breath and took another deep inhale.

"Send me the contract tomorrow. See you in Huairou next month."

"My agent will contact your mother. Bye."

The line went dead immediately.

"He actually hung up on me?" Liu Yifei looked at her mother, disbelief in her eyes.

***

"Who was that? So annoying, calling at this hour. You ruined the mood," Kan Qingzi pouted, turning away.

"Just an overprotected child." Zhang Qianjun checked the "consistency" of the situation—it seemed the mood was just fine. He executed a back-mount transition, turning Kan Qingzi back into position, and proceeded with his "naval invasion."

Early the next morning, after seeing Kan Qingzi off, Zhang Qianjun turned to head back to the parking lot. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a young man with a telephoto lens snapping pictures of him. He walked straight up to the man.

"Are you taking pictures of me?"

The gaunt young man was clearly nervous at the sight of the tall, imposing Zhang Qianjun, but the pressures of life gave him courage. "The law states that film and sports stars cannot object to being photographed in public. Don't think about getting physical; I'm legally protected!"

Zhang Qianjun found it amusing. "This is an airport, and I have a reputation to maintain. Do you even know who I am?" He then realized how silly that sounded, so he asked, "Am I so famous now that paparazzi are specifically tracking me?"

The skinny paparazzo, seeing that Zhang was calm and rational, relaxed slightly.

"I recognize you—Liu Xiaobei, right? I wasn't specifically following you. I was at the airport staking out someone else. I saw you holding hands with Wei Lai at security, so I snapped a few shots. I wasn't even sure it was you at first, but seeing you two together reminded me."

"What’s the process after you take photos of me? This is my first time, and I’m curious." Zhang Qianjun found the situation interesting and struck up a conversation.

"Usually, I go back, and our boss contacts your agency to negotiate a settlement."

"So, it’s just extorting money from celebrities."

"You can't put it that way. We call it a negotiated settlement—it’s legal and compliant."

"What’s the going rate for someone like me?"

The paparazzo hesitated. "Hard to say. You were only out for a short time, and you aren't exactly a household name. Maybe... maybe 200,000 to 300,000?"

"That expensive? What about someone like the 'Celestial Fairy'?"

The paparazzo’s eyes lit up. "If it's a solid scoop on her? Five million to start! They’d probably dare to ask for eight figures. If I captured her, I’d be set for life!"

Seeing the man starting to daydream, Zhang Qianjun cut him off. "What’s your name? Leave me your number."

"What do you want?" The paparazzo looked at him with fear.

"You never know, I might have a use for you in the future."

The paparazzo thought about it. He was already at the bottom of the social ladder. He hadn't landed a single scoop in two months; he was on the verge of being fired anyway. What more could he lose?

"I’m Zhang Xiaohan. My number is 139xxxxxxxx."

Zhang Qianjun dialed it. "I’m Zhang Qianjun, not Liu Xiaobei. You have my number now, just keep it to yourself."

Zhang Xiaohan nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, I understand."

"Also, taking pictures of me is a waste of time. I don't care about that. Go back to staking out others."

Zhang Qianjun turned and headed for the parking lot. Zhang Xiaohan didn't quite agree—you might not care, but the female stars you’re with certainly will. But thinking about his impending termination, he returned to his post with a heavy heart.

Back at the office, Li Yanjing approached him. "Qianjun, Liu Yifei signed. Here is the faxed contract."

Zhang Qianjun took it and scanned it quickly. "Notify Lu Yang. Get ready to start filming."