ALL NOVEL Chapter 259
They both opened WeChat and found that, except for the opening lines, the messages from each other were identical.
“Dear Mr. Xu Lin, I have a script I’d like you to look at, and a film that I’d like you to shoot.”
“Dear Ms. Liu Qinnuan, I have a script I’d like you to look at, and a film that I’d like you to shoot.”
“Director Sun, is this the beginning of preparations?”
Xu Lin smiled. He really liked Director Sun and had watched many of his films.
“So, are you thinking of acting?”
“Aren’t you going? Even if the pay is low with Director Sun’s invitation, the box office might not be. You could ask the company and sign a revenue-sharing agreement.”
“I don’t have that kind of influence, but Director Sun does like you a lot. Why not agree to it first?”
“But I never said I wanted to act. Or rather, I don’t think I can handle a movie. It’s not the same as a short film.”
“No actor starts out with perfect acting skills. It’s all about gradual improvement and adaptation.”Liu Qinnuan remembered how she had filmed her first TV series, taking seven takes for a single shot and feeling embarrassed.
But the director said she was great for a first-time actor, completing a long take within ten tries. She was shocked when they said she was excellent and everyone laughed.
So Xu Lin’s acting in short films, while brief, showed his potential, and there was no doubt he’d do fine.
“Forget your talent; just consider Director Sun’s ability to adjust actors. Even if your acting is a bit off, he’ll help you improve. Don’t worry.”
Hearing Liu Qinnuan say this, Xu Lin felt a lot more reassured but then looked at Liu Qinnuan.
“If you don’t go, it’s not as interesting for me.”
“Really? You want me to go that much?” Liu Qinnuan’s eyes lit up, and she flashed a sweet smile.
“Not that. If you go, at least there will be someone I know. I wouldn’t be so nervous. Don’t be fooled by how I seem; I actually have social anxiety, especially with strangers…”
“I didn’t notice that. Looks like your acting might be even better than mine.”
“No, not at all. I’ve seen you grow up in films.”
“Seen me grow up? My first film was six years ago. How old were you then?”
“Yeah, so it’s not wrong to say I’ve seen you from a young age. Anyway, I’ll get back to work; you continue.”
“Damn, you’ve ruined the mood and the vibe. How am I supposed to continue?”
“Haha, little fairy, don’t use bad language.”
“Damn!”
“Haha, you should head back. It’s almost 10.”
“Brother Xu, aren’t you going to see me off?”
“I’m working, you know.”
“It’s not safe at night.”
“I think it’s pretty safe in the neighborhood.”
“But you said it was unsafe when you arrived.”
“That was for Ji Yun. I’m not going to protect you.”
As Xu Lin finished speaking, Liu Qinnuan’s small hand reached out and tapped him. Xu Lin didn’t dodge.
“Why aren’t you dodging? Did I hurt you?”
“Hurt me? You didn’t even breach my outer shell.”
Xu Lin put down the keyboard and handed her the notebook and camera.
“What’s this for?”
“If you don’t want to leave, help me out. Import the files from the camera to the computer, and I’ll edit them tomorrow.”
“Are you treating me like a tool? Aren’t I a guest?”
“I just see you have nothing to do. I’ll treat you to breakfast tomorrow.”
“Now that’s more like it!”
The two of them fell into silence, with only the sound of typing filling the room. At one point, Li Yuan opened the door to glance inside and saw her son typing away, while the girl was busy on the computer, so she didn’t disturb them.
After an unknown amount of time, Xu Lin started to feel some soreness in his fingers and wrists but was relieved to have finished. He rubbed his eyes, took a sip of water, and suddenly realized it was almost midnight!
He turned around to find a young woman leaning against the wall, the notebook on her lap with the screen still glowing, casting light on her beautiful face.
“She actually fell asleep.”
Xu Lin got up and gently removed the notebook from her lap, noticing a folder open.
He looked inside and saw that Liu Qinnuan had not only imported his photos and videos but had also categorized them meticulously—by characters, scenery, and even marked the locations and times of the shots.
“You really went all out with this. Thanks a lot.”
But with her asleep here, he needed to let Ji Yun know. He picked up his phone and saw that Ji Yun had messaged him a few minutes earlier.
Xu Lin quickly opened his phone, took a short video of Liu Qinnuan asleep, and sent it to Ji Yun with a note: “She fell asleep in my room, dear Miss Ji Yun~ Hehe.”
“Oh, let her rest well. Just move her onto the bed.”
“Why aren’t you worried I might do something bad?”
“Not worried. You should get some rest too. Goodnight.”
“Okay, goodnight.”
Xu Lin put down his phone, gently moved Liu Qinnuan onto the bed, but she suddenly grasped his sleeve with one hand. He thought she was just pretending to be asleep, but then he heard her murmur:
“Dad… don’t go… we have… money now.”
“Shh… it’s okay.” Xu Lin softly patted her arm, and her grip gradually loosened.
Even though she had become a star and had paid off the debts, money couldn’t bring back her father, but life had to go on. He covered her with a thin blanket, as the heating made it warm enough.
Afterward, Xu Lin sent off the novel and then grabbed a blanket, heading out to the familiar sofa. Lying there, he switched to the night light and lay there for a while, still wide awake.
“Ugh, let’s watch some videos.”
He pulled out his phone and opened the video site, discovering that Jiang Zimeng had just posted a new video, and it wasn’t a scheduled release.
“Still up this late?”
Xu Lin decided to send her a message on QQ.
“Dear Miss Jiang Zimeng, are you asleep?”
“Nope, go away.”
“Why are you talking to your fan like that?”
“Sorry, please go away.”
“I saw your update and figured you must still be awake.”
“I’m live streaming. Wait until I’m done.”
“Oh, sorry. Where are you streaming?”
“Huwhale, from 8 PM to 1 AM every night.”
“Why such a late streaming time?”
“Because people watch more at night. I’ll send you the stream link. Come check it out.”
Xu Lin clicked the link she sent and found he needed to register to watch. After a quick registration, he saw that Jiang Zimeng’s game strategy videos and live streams were quite good. Although the live stream wasn’t as popular, her pleasant voice and smooth gameplay made up for it.
He also sent a comment in the chat: “Come and support my wife.”
Instantly, the chat exploded!
“Who the hell are you?!”
“Who are you calling wife? Call Big Sister Mi!”
“Don’t be angry, wife~ The new person doesn’t know any better.”
“Hey, remember, Mimi hates being called ‘wife.’ Pay attention, especially you new folks.”
At this moment, Chen Youmi suddenly said, “It’s fine, everyone, let’s keep it friendly, especially the newcomers.”
“Oh, wife.”
“Get lost~”
The chat exploded again.
“Mimi seems so feminine today. Even ‘get lost’ sounds gentle.”
“Is this person a familiar of Mimi?”
“Boyfriend?”
“Get lost, definitely a girlfriend.”
Seeing the discussion about him, Xu Lin quickly went into lurker mode and glanced at the donation leaderboard. When he saw the third place, he was momentarily stunned.
“This~”
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