11 Conditions

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Chi Xing finally received the complete script of "The Tremor of the Earth." She spent an entire day reading it, so engrossed that she forgot to eat. Zhou Mang brought her coffee with milk and a salad, sitting across from her.

Chi Xing looked up. "Is there something you want to say?"

"...Lin Shuchuan’s conditions are too harsh and unfavorable to you," Zhou Mang said. "I can't lie to you."

Chi Xing didn’t respond immediately. There weren’t many people around her who would speak so candidly about what was good or bad—Chang Xiaoyan was one, her longtime close friend another. She hadn’t expected Zhou Mang to become the third.

She sensed the distance between them narrowing.

When had this started? What had changed in him, and what remained the same?

These questions dropped into her mind like water droplets falling into a lake, quickly disappearing.

She didn’t want to dwell on them; she just wanted to savor this rare moment of peace.

"You heard what Lin Shuchuan said," Chi Xing picked up some lettuce and bitter chrysanthemum from her salad bowl while speaking. "I’m not new to lying."

Zhou Mang watched her quietly.

His gaze seemed to pierce through Chi Xing’s armor.

"Why are you so obsessed with 'The Tremor of the Earth'?" Zhou Mang asked bluntly. "Is it related to your mother?"

Lin Shuchuan’s harsh condition was that if Chi Xing wanted a chance in "The Tremor of the Earth," she must work on overlapping projects.

Since entering the industry, although Chi Xing’s workload was intense, it was far less dense than that of first- or second-tier stars. She approached each job steadily and seriously. Most productions wouldn’t allow actresses of her caliber to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

Lin Shuchuan demanded that Chi Xing keep her participation in "Brilliant and Sweet You" confidential from the "Tremor" crew.

Likewise, Chi Xing was prohibited from revealing anything about "The Tremor of the Earth" to anyone involved in "Brilliant and Sweet You" except Yuan Qiushi.

Chi Xing was aware of the hidden risks in these terms, but Lin Shuchuan followed up with an even greater temptation.

If Chi Xing won an award for "The Tremor of the Earth," Lin Shuchuan promised to grant her the most urgent request she had ever made: to sign a new, fairer contract, and even, with partial funding from Fengchuan Media, to establish an independent studio for her.

Conversely, if Chi Xing failed to complete shooting for either "The Tremor of the Earth" or "Brilliant and Sweet You," even a single slip-up would mean she had to obediently follow the company’s arrangements without objection.

To outsiders, these terms might seem unreasonable, but to Chi Xing, they were a huge temptation.

First, she genuinely wanted to act in "The Tremor of the Earth." Second, although she had been nominated for several awards, she had never won a significant trophy.

The overall setup of "The Tremor of the Earth" was clearly aimed at winning awards, especially since the director was Pei Yuan, who had just returned from Berlin with an award—making victory even more likely.

Lastly, Chi Xing was eager to break free from Lin Shuchuan. His controlling nature had gradually worsened.

Chi Xing agreed to Lin Shuchuan’s conditions.

Zhou Mang said, "You're walking a tightrope."

Chi Xing nodded in acknowledgment. "I’m gambling."

Zhou Mang asked, "Do you have a sure win?"

"No," Chi Xing leaned back in her chair, frowned while eating bitter chrysanthemum, and smirked slightly. "But watching gossip more often is quite useful."

The "Tremor" crew was extremely efficient. The day after Chi Xing finished reading the script, Chang Xiaoyan received a meeting notice from the production team.

Another script reading session was scheduled. Chi Xing focused all her energy, mapping out her character’s storyline and emotional arc. The three-thousand-word script was covered with translucent sticky notes.

Unexpectedly, early the next morning, Chi Xing was still studying with her hair messy when Chang Xiaoyan burst in breathlessly. "Brilliant and Sweet You is having its costume photo shoot."

Chi Xing was shocked. "Isn’t it tomorrow?"

Chang Xiaoyan pushed her into the bedroom. "It starts in an hour. Wash your hair—hurry!"

Chi Xing glanced at the time and thought, “This is bad.” By past experience, events starting at ten o’clock usually lasted until two or three in the afternoon.

And the "Tremor" script reading began promptly at two.

She had already gone back on her word once; today she absolutely could not be late.

They rushed to the studio, only to wait another hour for Yan Yan and Yuan Qiushi.

Chi Xing didn’t lose her temper. She was so gentle and kind today that even Chang Xiaoyan was stunned, especially when Chi Xing waved cheerfully at the late-arriving Yan Yan.

Yan Yan looked uncertain and hesitant, unsure whether to acknowledge Chi Xing.

Chi Xing waved with the hand still wrapped in gauze—though the bandages had actually been removed yesterday. No one understood why she had pretended to wrap it again before leaving today.

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Seeing that hand, Yan Yan couldn’t pretend to ignore it.

"Still not healed?" Yan Yan asked with concern. "I saw on Weibo’s trending that you went to the hospital to have stitches removed."

"Those were cosmetic stitches, no removal needed," Chi Xing smiled. "I checked the wound again—still swollen, even had a fever last night, 38 degrees Celsius. Almost couldn’t make it to the studio today."

She warmly pulled a chair over. Yan Yan sat down, and the makeup and styling began immediately. Chi Xing sat beside her, chatting.

Chang Xiaoyan listened closely, though Chi Xing’s words were mostly aimless chatter. Yan Yan responded politely but distractedly.

"Xiao Zhou told me about his ordeal—terrifying. Stalker fans even sneaked into his house," Chi Xing sighed. "Men are like that; us women are even more scared."

Yan Yan felt uneasy too. After all, those were her fans. What if the person was after her?

Chi Xing seemed to sense her thoughts and said, "If someone messes with me, at least I know how to handle it. But if they’re obsessed with you and sneak in... Oh, what am I saying? Scary."

Yan Yan was about to reply when Chi Xing patted her arm. "Yan Jie, really, I’m still scared. You should be careful. When you have many fans, there are always irrational ones. The world’s full of all kinds."

The hairstylist curling Yan Yan’s hair asked, "Sister Xing, do you have such fans?"

"Who knows," Chi Xing’s hand stayed warmly on Yan Yan’s arm. "I think this can’t go unaddressed. We should issue a statement, right?" She turned to Yan Yan. "Yan Jie, let’s release a statement together, condemning such behavior and reminding fans to behave."

Yan Yan doubted, "Will it help?"

"It will. Don’t fear offending fans. We’re still human." Chi Xing was earnest. "We don’t rely on fans; we got here by our work."

Chi Xing’s manner was comforting, secretly encouraging Yan Yan. Yan Yan was somewhat moved.

"Get more people to share it... Yuan Qiushi! Zhang Ling!..." Chi Xing seemed full of energy about the matter, calling out to actors in the studio who responded enthusiastically.

She smiled at Yan Yan. "We’re women. Only women understand what scares us."

After Chi Xing smoothly finished her performance, Chang Xiaoyan pulled her aside. "What are you doing?"

"Taking this chance to smooth things over with Yan Yan." Chi Xing popped a peach-flavored candy. "Isn’t Chen Luoyang her mysterious boyfriend?"

Chang Xiaoyan blinked. "You know?"

Chi Xing grinned. "Of course. What dirty secrets in this circle don’t I know? I just keep quiet and listen."

"Brilliant and Sweet You"’s executive producer was Chen Luoyang; "The Tremor of the Earth"’s director was Pei Yuan.

They had once been married, a brilliant match of talent and beauty, family backgrounds aligned, their wedding a fairy-tale event.

Six months later, Chen Luoyang had an affair with Yan Yan, discovered by Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan quietly transferred assets, gathered evidence, and on the first anniversary, filed for divorce.

Chen Luoyang spent a fortune suppressing Yan Yan’s scandal, giving Pei Yuan nearly half his wealth. He begged Pei Yuan to let go, kneeling before her, crying, slapping himself, reminiscing about their sweet past.

Looking up, he found Pei Yuan filming his humiliation with her phone.

Chen Luoyang came from a scholarly family. When his father heard about his affair and divorce, about him kneeling and slapping himself, he fainted and was hospitalized, still unconscious.

The video went viral, making Chen Luoyang a joke in the industry. He harbored deep hatred for Pei Yuan ever since.

Neither would associate publicly with anyone friendly to the other or mention each other’s names in public.

Pei Yuan had directed two successful female-themed films, becoming a top-tier director; Chen Luoyang made a comeback in TV dramas, securing his own domain.

Chi Xing no longer recalled who told her this, but the industry had no secrets.

Only the matters between Yan Yan and Chen Luoyang were never revealed by Pei Yuan or Chen Luoyang.

In recent years, Chen Luoyang and Yan Yan began appearing together publicly, gradually allowing others to piece the story together.

Chang Xiaoyan listened intently, calculating, "Chen Luoyang and Pei Yuan dated three years, married one year. Chen Luoyang and Yan Yan have been together at least five years. Who is the true love?"

Chi Xing: "None of my business."

Chang Xiaoyan: "You plan to smooth things over with Yan Yan so she might speak up for you later?"

Chi Xing: "Exactly."

Chang Xiaoyan sighed. "That’s a terrible move."

Chi Xing pretended to pinch her. "It’s the only move I have. Can you help me?"

"Of course, we’re like one."

Chang Xiaoyan paused. "Then, can you tell me why you’re so obsessed with 'The Tremor of the Earth'?"

Chi Xing fell silent as usual.

Before she could speak, the director and Chen Luoyang arrived. Chi Xing squeezed Chang Xiaoyan’s hand. "I’m going to work."

Her palm was sweaty, leaving a chill on Chang Xiaoyan’s fingertips.

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As Chi Xing expected, there was a delay.

By 2:30, Chang Xiaoyan’s phone kept vibrating; Chi Xing grew anxious.

Yan Yan changed five looks, Yuan Qiushi six. Chi Xing wanted to leave early but lacked a proper excuse.

Zhou Mang and Chang Xiaoyan exchanged a glance, then approached Chi Xing. He leaned close and whispered loud enough for Yuan Qiushi, who was chatting with Chi Xing, to hear: "Your appointment time has arrived."

Chi Xing turned to him. Yuan Qiushi quickly asked, "Are you going to the hospital again?"

Zhou Mang said expressionlessly, "Last night the wound got wet and inflamed, 38 degrees. Sister Xiaoyan booked it."

Chi Xing protested sincerely, waving her hand. "No, no, the fever’s gone..."

Yuan Qiushi interrupted hurriedly, "That won’t do!"

Chi Xing tried to hold him back. "I’m working, can’t leave now. I can go after filming."

But Yuan Qiushi still went to talk to the director and Chen Luoyang.

Chi Xing felt slightly guilty. Though Yuan Qiushi was a bit annoying, he truly cared. Besides, he was so handsome...

She stared at him talking to the director and producer, her gaze suddenly blocked by Zhou Mang’s figure.

"Better safe than sorry. I’ll take you there," he said.

With Yuan Qiushi’s support, Chi Xing was able to leave.

He accompanied her outside the studio. Chi Xing sincerely thanked him.

"I owe you a favor for 'The Tremor of the Earth.' I’ll repay it," she smiled. "One dinner won’t do—at least ten."

Yuan Qiushi: "Just dinner?"

Chi Xing: "And a movie."

Yuan Qiushi: "Your movie or mine?"

Chi Xing shrieked, "Not mine! Someone else’s!"

Zhou Mang drove up, honking, breaking their laughter.

Yuan Qiushi glanced at Zhou Mang. "Your bodyguard doesn’t seem to like me."

Chi Xing waved at him. "I like you, that’s enough. Bye!"

Zhou Mang sped recklessly, arriving at Guangcai Theater by 3:30—an hour and a half late.

The reading session was held at Guangcai Theater, reportedly at the writer’s request: this was where the writer had risen to fame and worked.

In other words, Chi Xing was about to meet the secretive scriptwriter today.

She had no time to wait for the elevator and hurried up the stairs. Outside the meeting room, she tidied her hair and clothes and knocked carefully.

—"Please come in."

Zhou Mang entered with her. The meeting room was surrounded by actors—some Chi Xing recognized.

They knew her but weren’t familiar, and didn’t nod at her. The atmosphere was tense.

Chi Xing greeted everyone and explained the delay: "There was some delay with work..."

"Enough wasting time," a woman spoke. "Who is this?" She looked at Zhou Mang.

Chi Xing: "My bodyguard."

This caused several people to laugh openly.

The woman who spoke didn’t smile but looked at Chi Xing quietly.

Chi Xing felt embarrassed under her gaze and continued explaining, "There were some previous incidents..."

"Enough nonsense. Let me introduce myself first," the woman said. "I’m Pei Yuan."

She pointed to a bald, lean middle-aged man beside her. "This is our scriptwriter for 'The Tremor of the Earth,' Maizi."

Maizi nodded at Chi Xing and smiled. "Chi Xing, hello. Seeing you in person is better than your reputation—truly well-deserved."

Chi Xing suddenly remembered.

"White Camellia."