"You wish you had been born into a normal family, but if you had been, do you really think it would be any easier?" Qi Jianyi asked, trying to make Ling Xi reconsider her perspective.
"We're actually quite privileged. We don't have to worry about money, clothes, or food. That's why your main concern now is pursuing your dreams. But we have our own difficulties, like you being unable to enter the industry because of your background."
"However, Ling Xi, if you look into it, you'll find that many top actors and actresses come from poor families. Some of them of course came from wealthy families but rarely. The majority of them have had to work their way up from the very bottom, unlike those from rich families who often have an easier path," Qi Jianyi said, gently patting her friend's shoulder.
"When we gain something, unfortunately we have to sacrifice something else. That's just how life works. You were born into wealth, and the cost is giving up your dreams." A small smile touched her lips.
Ling Xi was taken aback by Qi Jianyi's sudden advice. She stared blankly at the filming crew downstairs before turning back to Qi Jianyi. "If that's the price I have to pay, what about you?" she asked, curious about what Qi Jianyi might have sacrificed.
"Losing someone…" Qi Jianyi said, turning her gaze away, looking off into the distance.
"Someone I once cherished deeply," she whispered softly, her voice tinged with sadness.
Ling Xi's eyes widened in surprise. "Why did you have to lose someone?"
Qi Jianyi let out a bitter chuckle. "Because of greed. Because I used to be too greedy."
For a moment, Ling Xi was at a loss for words. Although she had been friends with Qi Jianyi since high school, she had never realised that her friend harbored such deep feelings for someone. Ling Xi made a silent promise to herself to pay more attention to Qi Jianyi from now on.
"Anyway, life as an actress can be quite uncomfortable. You have to be constantly careful about what you say and do, or else you risk being hated by the public. Tsk." Qi Jianyi quickly tried to redirect the conversation. Refused to dwelled on the topic.
Ling Xi chuckled softly, "I know. I'm just interested in trying out acting, that's all." Her tone carried a hint of wistfulness.
They both tacitly agreed to set aside the previous topic and move on to other subjects. As they debated where to have lunch, a gruff, authoritative voice interrupted them, calling out to Qi Jianyi.
"Jianyi." He Zeqing's voice cut through the conversation as he approached, accompanied by Song Chengfeng.
Qi Jianyi turned to face the two men with a look of surprise and mild skepticism. "Cousin, Young Master Song, what brings you two here?" she asked, her curiosity evident in her voice.
He Zeqing glanced at the filming crew downstairs and said, "I'm here to visit them."
Qi Jianyi was taken aback by this revelation, while Ling Xi could barely contain her excitement at the chance of stepping onto a film set. She eagerly shook Qi Jianyi's arm, urging her friend to help make her wish come true.
Qi Jianyi was struck by the coincidence. He Zeqing had invested in a new drama, and it just so happened that Xia Ning was the female lead. She wondered if she would have to witness their public displays of affection in the future.
"What's the matter?" He Zeqing asked, noticing the lack of response from his cousin.
Qi Jianyi shook her head to clear her thoughts and quickly responded, trying to seize the opportunity for Ling Xi. "If you're the investor, could we come in with you and watch the filming?" she asked cautiously.
He Zeqing's tone turned disapproving. "Are you interested in this field?" he questioned. He would be against Qi Jianyi if she decides to pursue a career in acting.
As if she heard the biggest joke in her life, Qi Jianyi chuckled and shook her head. Become an actress? Even if the producers offered her tens of millions, Qi Jianyi would never step into that field.
"You're talking nonsense. It's Ling Xi who wants to see the filming up close," Qi Jianyi clarified, dismissing He Zeqing's concerns.
With a more agreeable expression, He Zeqing nodded. "In that case, let's go downstairs. Have you had lunch? We can eat together," he said, motioning for the two women to lead the way.
Song Chengfeng remained silent as he felt there's no place for him to interfere. Nonetheless, the young master's attention remains on a certain woman to the point of not realising the sceptical look from Ling Xi who was behind Qi Jianyi.
Before Qi Jianyi could respond, Ling Xi quickly took her by the arm and said to He Zeqing, "Alright, let's have lunch together, Brother Zeqing." With that, she enthusiastically pulled Qi Jianyi downstairs, her excitement barely contained.
At last, although she couldn't use her background to step into the filming set, she still could use her friend's cousin's identity. Ling Xi smiled in satisfaction as if she just won a big lottery.
"Slow down. Why the rush?" Qi Jianyi said, gently pulling her arms free from Ling Xi's grasp. She adjusted her hair before making her way slowly toward the set.
Ling Xi turned around, took Qi Jianyi's face in her hands, and gave her cheeks a playful pinch. "We finally get to see it up close! Oh, Jianyi! Have I ever told you that you are the best person I've ever met?"
Her enthusiastic declaration earned her a light smack on the arm from Qi Jianyi. "Get a hold of yourself, Ling Xi," Qi Jianyi said, her tone a mix of annoyed and disdain.
Worried that Qi Jianyi might suddenly change her mind, Ling Xi quickly fell silent and trailed closely behind He Zeqing.
He Zeqing, the young master, strolled leisurely across the bustling set, his gaze drifting lazily over the scene. His eyes eventually settled on a middle-aged man with a beer belly. "Director Lu," He Zeqing greeted calmly.
The Director Lu mentioned was the one who had brought Xia Ning to He Zeqing's birthday party. Qi Jianyi had a vague impression of the man, but she hadn't paid much attention to him. After all, their paths were unlikely to cross again.
Director Lu, who had been intensely focused on arranging the sets, turned around, irritation evident on his face. Who dared to interrupt his work?
However, the scolding words that were about to escape his lips caught in his throat when he recognized the man standing before him.
"Yo—Young Master He, you're here!" Director Lu stammered, a shallow, nervous smile stretching across his lips.
He wiped away the non-existent sweat on his brow, anxiously aware that the sole investor might find his appearance displeasing.
He Zeqing watched the nervous director without saying a word. He was used to people acting like this around him, and he knew it wouldn't be the last time someone did.
"I heard you're shooting at this university, so I decided to drop by," He Zeqing remarked as he casually picked up a manuscript from the table.
"When will you start? My cousin and her friend want to see the acting up close." He continued calmly, handing the manuscript to Qi Jianyi, in case his cousin might be interested.
Without hesitation, Qi Jianyi accepted the manuscript and passed it to Ling Xi, who was practically bursting with excitement. Qi Jianyi shook her head, silently lamenting over her overly enthusiastic friend. Sometimes, she really considered disowning her.
With a broad smile, Director Lu eagerly nodded. "That's great! That's great! We're just about to start. Young Master He and your friends are very fortunate!" he replied with enthusiasm.
Of course, it was a lie. They weren't ready at all, but how could he possibly admit that to the investor? No, that would never do.
With a wave of his hand, Director Lu shouted at the staff, "Quickly, let's start shooting!"
The crew immediately sprang into action, hurrying to their positions.
As fate would have it, the scene they were about to witness featured the female lead, Xia Ning, stepping into the spotlight.