I'm Rich - 17
Chapter 17
He hadn't seen her since the New Year, now another month had slipped by. Guan Zhiyi had thought she'd mostly steadied her heart by now, but the moment her eyes found him, that tangled, contradictory joy surged back and she could feel every bit of progress undone.
"How much longer do you have to shoot?" Qi Chengyan asked.
Guan Zhiyi's conscience pricked at her. She kept her head bowed, unwilling to look at him. "About a month left for my scenes."
"Mm. Oh, right. Grandpa's birthday banquet is next week."
She had already heard of it from Guan Yuanbai. "I know. I'll take the day off and come back for it."
"You needn't, if you're busy."
"It's fine. My schedule isn't so full, and I didn't return for his birthday last year. This year, I must."
The two of them traded words, idle and unhurried, while the crew nearby watched in dumbstruck. Guan Zhiyi's affairs with Zheng Yitong had been matters of the upper crust, so none of them knew Qi Chengyan had once pulled strings on her behalf. That the two not only knew each other but seemed close struck them like a thunderclap.
And with the shock came a quiet realization: the one person on this set you must never cross was, apparently, the one who looked the easiest to trample. Guan Zhiyi.
After the meal, Guan Zhiyi was taken to have her makeup done for the afternoon shoot.
It took the better part of an hour. By the time she emerged and made her way to the set, Qi Chengyan was nowhere to be found. She supposed he had left, and did not trouble herself to reach out.
A few minutes later, she arrived at the day's location: the Shen residence.
"Zhiyi's here, is she? Come, come, over here." The director beckoned her with a wave.
Guan Zhiyi gathered the hem of that pure white robe and went to him. Xiao Ran was already present. He was to play a dead man in this scene, and the makeup had already drained every last drop of color from his face.
"This scene begins like so…" The director launched into his explanation, though most of it was aimed at Guan Zhiyi, for Xiao Ran had only to lie still.
After a long while, the director clapped her on the shoulder. "My demands for this one are high. If I don't get a take that satisfies me, we'll keep retaking. Ready yourself."
"Understood, Director."
"Good. Go on, then." He lifted his walkie-talkie. "Is everyone ready? Clear the set. All who have no business here, out!"
The crowd stirred to life. Guan Zhiyi walked to the gates of the Shen estate and prepared to begin.
In this scene, she enters bearing a forged imperial edict, demanding the coffin be opened.
Zhaoyang was the emperor's own sister, and Shen Sibo had attended the emperor since childhood, so the two had, in a manner of speaking, grown up side by side. And over the years, her heart had long since taken root in him. Now, faced with Shen Sibo's inexplicable death, Zhaoyang could not and would not accept it.
His death was a knot of mysteries.
In life, he had fought for his country. In death, for a hundred reasons, he bore the crime of having caused the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. So though he was a general, his funeral was so bare it was desolate.
Not a soul dared come to mourn. The emperor would not even permit Princess Zhaoyang to attend.
But come she would. And not merely come. She brought with her an imperial edict. For she knew that nothing under heaven, save an edict, would make any man dare reopen Shen Sibo's coffin.
All on set was ready. Guan Zhiyi closed her eyes. At the director's "Action," she entered the role.
The great gates swung open. Through drifting white silk and falling leaves, a woman in white stepped in from the threshold. Shen Sibo was a criminal now, and soldiers kept watch over the estate. Seeing someone enter, they moved at once to bar her way.
"Who goes there! The Shen estate is forbidden without leave. Get out this instant!"
"I would look upon him." Princess Zhaoyang's eyes held no ripple, her voice calm as still water. Her whole being was like a pool gone dead. She wore no expression at all, and yet, for reasons none could name, those watching felt an unnamed weight settle upon their chests.
"The Ministers has decreed! None is permitted to mourn Shen Sibo!"
"His name is not yours to speak!" Zhaoyang's gaze turned sharp as a blade, and she kicked out.
The soldier went down. The others surged forward at once. The air hung on the edge of violence, and just as they moved to seize her, Zhaoyang raised the silk scroll in her hand.
"The imperial edict is here. By the emperor's command, you are ordered to open the coffin!"
"How can this be… Who are you, to dare forge an imperial edict!"
"Forge?" A glimmer of scorn passed through Zhaoyang's eyes. "I am Princess Zhaoyang. The emperor is my own brother. There is scarce a woman in this world more noble than I. Do you think the edict I bear could be false?"
…
Off set, not a breath was heard. The crew and actors watching were struck dumb by how wholly Guan Zhiyi had grasped Zhaoyang. Behind the lens, the director watched her in silence, inwardly astonished as well.
Before this scene, all her parts had been set before Shen Sibo's death. So until now, everyone had seen her as a lively, darling, willful, bold little princess. And Guan Zhiyi herself was fair and sweet, so such scenes had cost her nothing.
But today's scene stood plainly at odds with her own nature. So before they began, the director had already braced himself to shoot many takes.
Yet now, watching Guan Zhiyi through the lens, he was caught off guard. He had not expected her to hold that born-noble, above-the-world bearing of a princess so precisely.
"Good. One more for safety." When the scene had played out, the director spoke into the walkie-talkie. "Zhiyi, you're doing well."
Guan Zhiyi drew her emotions back in, nodded toward that direction, and returned to her mark.
The second take went smoothly. Then came the next shot. While they prepared, the director chanced to look back and found Qi Chengyan standing behind him, silently watching the monitor.
He started, and motioned for someone to bring him a chair.
Qi Chengyan lifted a hand. "No need."
The director nodded and turned back to his lens.
In truth, Qi Chengyan had arrived before Guan Zhiyi began. He had meant only to take a casual look, which was why he had not told her he was still there. But now that he had come, watching her act, he suddenly felt the trip had been worth it.
In his heart, she had always been an adorable little sister. But today she made him feel something different, even if it was only acting.
On the monitor, Guan Zhiyi's Zhaoyang had deceived them all and made them open the coffin.
Within lay the great general, played by Xiao Ran, lying still and soundless.
Zhaoyang stood to one side, gazing quietly at the general who lay within. After a long while, she smiled, suddenly, and bent down, her hand reaching out to touch him.
"Princess." The Shen estate's old steward stopped her, tears in his eyes. "This old servant knows not why the emperor bid you open the coffin, but whatever sins the general bore, he has already given his life. You… you must let him rest."
"Rest… He cannot rest." Zhaoyang slowly drew back her hand, her gaze wandering. "I have not yet married him. How can he rest…"
The words fell, and all in the estate went still.
Marry?
Never mind that Shen Sibo was a criminal now. Even if he were not, no one had ever heard of Princess Zhaoyang being betrothed to him.
"Princess, you…"
Whoosh.
In that instant, Zhaoyang tore away her white outer robe. White flashed across the lens, and the next second, the princess who had stood there all in white wore a phoenix-embroidered bridal gown.
Red robes, bare hands. That burning color, against an estate of snow, was wounding to behold.
"Shen Sibo, I have come to marry you… I told you long ago. Whatever becomes of you, I will marry you."
Off set, none who watched made a sound, especially when the lens pushed in and Guan Zhiyi's face filled the frame entirely.
The girl who seemed so sweet and fair by day, how could she now wear so wholly different an air? Beautiful to the point of heartbreak, impossible to look away from.
"Bring her back."
The scene shifted. The emperor had come in plain robes.
A palace maid was sent forward to bring Zhaoyang back, but Zhaoyang's hand gripped the coffin's edge, white-knuckled.
Emperor: "Zhaoyang! Come here at once!"
Zhaoyang would not leave. Her eyes were red to the point of frightening. "No…"
The maid dared not use force. She hesitated, glancing back at the emperor.
By now, the room was full of those on their knees, every head bowed. The emperor drew a deep breath and commanded, "Bring her back to me this instant!"
With the emperor's word given, the two maids finally dared to pull her in earnest.
Originally, the scene was to end with Zhaoyang weeping as the two maids bore her away. But Guan Zhiyi struggled too fiercely as she was pulled, and on the steps she pitched forward, her knee striking the stone hard. Even to those watching, it looked like it must've hurt.
The director froze, instinctively about to call cut. But the next second, he saw Guan Zhiyi slowly crawl forward a little and go on, still weeping.
The director's eyes stayed fixed on the monitor. He did not interrupt.
Despair and desolate beyond measure, Zhaoyang wept so bitterly it seemed all the grief she had suppressed since entering was now bursting forth at once. All off set held their breath. Who could have guessed Guan Zhiyi's first crying scene would brim with such empathy, drawing tears to the eyes of all present.
And Qi Chengyan, watching Guan Zhiyi sob upon the ground through the lens, felt his chest tighten. It was only acting, yet seeing her weep like that made him ache.
"Cut!"
It was over at last. The director rose, looked at Guan Zhiyi in the distance, and spoke into the walkie-talkie: "Pass."
The director of The Imperial Court was renowned for his severity. Takes that passed in one were rare as phoenix feathers. Even Li Xuan, famed for his craft, often needed a safety take. Yet Guan Zhiyi had passed in one.
But startled as they were, none could deny the scene was truly fine. That desperate weeping, hearing it, made one wish to weep as well.
**
The scene was done, but Guan Zhiyi was plainly too deep in grief to leave it behind so soon. When the crew helped her up, she was still trembling with sobs.
Xiao Ran climbed from the coffin. Seeing Guan Zhiyi cry, he too was moved. He walked over and patted her shoulder. "Zhiyi, it's over now, it's over."
Guan Zhiyi turned her eyes to him, paused, and cry harder still.
Xiao Ran: "…"
The crew member said helplessly, "Ran-ge, perhaps give her some space. Seeing you, she likely wanted to cry all the more."
Xiao Ran scratched his head, at a loss. "I suppose…"
Guan Zhiyi was afterward led into the rest room and sat on the sofa to settle herself.
Qi Chengyan had watched her go in. When he followed to the door of the rest room, he glanced at Xiao Ran, who lingered outside. "Has anyone applied medicine for her?"
Xiao Ran: "Huh?"
Qi Chengyan frowned. "She fell just now. Have someone fetch medicine."
Xiao Ran had played the whole scene with his eyes shut, so he had not seen Guan Zhiyi fall. Only now did he exclaim, "Where, where is she hurt?"
"Her knee."
"What?! Hold on. Xiao Yang! Xiao Yang, fetch the first-aid kit!"
His assistant Xiao Yang hurried to answer. "Yes, right away!"
Guan Zhiyi had come to the set alone, without a manager or assistant, so when she was hurt, no crew member came to tend to her. Qi Chengyan took the kit from Xiao Ran's assistant at the door, then turned and entered the rest room.
Xiao Ran, uneasy, quietly followed him in. But he did not go up to Guan Zhiyi, fearing that seeing this "dead man" would only make her cry more.
Now only Guan Zhiyi was in the innermost part of the rest room. When she come in, she had sent the two crew members who brought her back out so she could gather herself. Hearing footsteps now, she thought it was the crew that came to check on her again. Without turning her head, she said, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me now."
"You fell that hard. You're truly fine?"
Guan Zhiyi went still. Then she turned in disbelief.
Qi Chengyan saw her eyes swollen red with tears. His face showed nothing, yet his chest felt strangely constricted.
When had this girl ever cry so bitterly?
"Let me see your knee. Is it swollen?" Qi Chengyan sat down in the chair beside her and gestured for her to draw up her skirt. "Has Liu Yun still not arranged an assistant for you? She—"
His words stopped short.
For the one before him let out a sob and suddenly flung herself into his arms.
Qi Chengyan was caught off guard. He raised a hand to draw her away, but felt her arms tighten about his neck. She seemed to cry again. No sound, yet he felt a cool dampness at his neck.
His heart gave a strange, sharp pull. He abandoned the thought of drawing her away and instead patted her back, comfort and concern alike. "Does it hurt?"
"It hurts…" Guan Zhiyi's choked voice came out muffled.
"Then we must put medicine on it. Stop crying."
Guan Zhiyi had already been wretched. When she saw Qi Chengyan appear just now, it was as though all her pain and sorrow had found something to lean upon, and she had flung herself at him without a thought.
Now, breathing in the faint scent of him, she felt at peace.
Qi Chengyan continues to soothe her. "You acted beautifully. The director praised you just now."
"Really?" Guan Zhiyi released him, eyes blinking up at him, her lashes still wet.
Qi Chengyan smiled. "Really. He said your performance exceeded his expectations."
Guan Zhiyi sniffled, and the gloom in her heart slowly scattered. "That's good… I was so worried."
"Passed in one take. That says it all." Qi Chengyan said, "I was surprised as well."
Hearing this, Guan Zhiyi felt a little sheepish. "I only did my best…"
"Mm. Put some medicine on first." Qi Chengyan took the medicine from the kit. "Still no assistant? Looks like Liu Yun no longer wishes to keep her job."
Guan Zhiyi blinked. "No, no. Yun-jie said she's looking. Someone should be here in a day or two."
Qi Chengyan said "oh," but was plainly not pleased with Liu Yun's efficiency.
Guan Zhiyi dared not say more. She only lowered her head and drew up her skirt. Two slender, delicate calves were revealed, glowing white against the red dress.
Qi Chengyan glanced at them, paused, and turned his eyes away.
"Can you apply it yourself?" He suddenly felt it was not fitting for him to do it for her.
Guan Zhiyi was focused on the red swelling at her knee. She nodded. "I can. Gege, help me open it."
"Okay."
Everyone outside was busy preparing for the next scene. Only Xiao Ran lingered nearby, keeping his distance.
After watching from afar a while, he rubbed his chin, puzzled.
It was only natural for Qi Chengyan to look after Guan Zhiyi. Their families had always been close, and they had grown up together. But for some reason, though he knew the two were not like that, he still felt there was a rapport no outsider could enter between them.
Like now. Watching Qi Chengyan and Guan Zhiyi together, he suddenly felt he had best not go over.
**
After that crying scene, many of the actors saw Guan Zhiyi with new eyes.
She shot four more days with the crew. On the fifth, she took leave and hurried home for Old Master Qi's birthday banquet.
In the past, her agency had not valued her, and her manager wouldn't have paid much mind to why she asked for leave. But since her variety show had gained some fame, she had made a point of reporting her leave to Liu Yun, lying that something had come up with her father and she must go home. Only then did Liu Yun consent.
Old Master Qi's birthday banquet was a modest affair held in his own courtyard. The guests were all close friends and family.
Guan Zhiyi went home first, meaning to go to the banquet with Guan Yuanbai at six. But before the hour came, she received a call from Hua Hongxi.
She had been on set all this time and had not seen Hua Hongxi at all, though the two occasionally chatted on WeChat, trading news of their families.
"Hello?"
Hua Hongxi: "Zhiyi, I hear from my brother that you're coming to my grandfather's birthday banquet today too."
"That's right."
"I'm at Grandpa's already. Where are you? Should I come fetch you?"
Guan Zhiyi heard he would be there too and felt a headache at the thought of putting on another act. "I'll come a bit later…"
"Fine, just tell me when you arrive. And listen, Grandpa's been talking about you all day. I'm about to faint."
Guan Zhiyi expressed deep sympathy. "My condolences."
"It's not so bad. Anyway, just let me know when you get here. See you later."
"Sure."
At six, Guan Zhiyi and Guan Yuanbai arrived at the banquet with gifts. After entering, they handed the gifts to the steward and went to greet Old Master Qi.
Besides the elders, many young people also came today. Some were the old master's grandchildren, and some his daughters' sons. Since Qi Chengyan was the only one who had grown up at Old Master Qi's side, among the Qi family's generation, she truly knew only him well.
"Zhiyi!" Just as she and Guan Yuanbai finished their greetings and headed for the back courtyard, Hua Hongxi came over from the front.
"Hello, Yuanbai-ge." Hua Hongxi greeted him properly.
Guan Yuanbai grunted. "You two talk. I'll go over there."
Hua Hongxi: "Okay, Yuanbai-ge!"
After Guan Yuanbai left, Hua Hongxi slung an arm around Guan Zhiyi's shoulder. "Long time no see. Why do I feel you've grown even cuter?"
He reached to pinch her cheek, but Guan Zhiyi caught his wrist and slipped out from under his arm. "Don't you dare!"
Hua Hongxi grinned at her. "Yep, even cuter when you're angry!"
Guan Zhiyi shot him a look. "Save the flattery."
"It's a sincere feeling, not flattery."
"Sure it is—" She was about to tease him again when her gaze suddenly fixed.
Hua Hongxi followed her line of sight, and his face said it all. "Didn't expect that, did you? You get to see my brother's blind date right here today."
Guan Zhiyi was not certain the woman was her. She only felt she looked somewhat familiar, and that the woman had come out with Qi Chengyan, so she had a vague guess. Now that Hua Hongxi said it… it truly was her.
"Miss Yang arrived before my brother even came home, and she spent a good while talking with Grandpa." Hua Hongxi said, "And get this, Grandpa invited her especially. I can tell Grandpa is very pleased with this one."
Guan Zhiyi watched quietly. She supposed it made sense that Grandpa Qi was satisfied. This Miss Yang had a good family, good education, and from the look of her now, good looks too. Elegant and gentle, with the air of a mature woman.
Completely different from her own style.
So this was what he liked…
"Come on, let's go over and chat with them."
"I'm a bit hungry. I want to eat something." Guan Zhiyi turned and walked the other way.
"Ah… okay, okay. I'll come eat with you then."
Guan Zhiyi did not answer. She only felt a sudden weight in her chest.
After that, the two of them sat by the pastries, eating, drinking, and chatting.
Hua Hongxi was a total chatterbox, gossip incarnate. Within no time, he had dished on half the people there.
"Who's that girl? You know her?" Hua Hongxi pointed at a woman in a long dress not far off. She was tall and slender, especially sexy.
Guan Zhiyi shook her head. "Probably some family's young lady."
"Damn, she's hot."
Guan Zhiyi asked around her straw. "She's your type?"
Hua Hongxi said cheerfully, "Not bad."
"Then why don't you go talk to her?"
"Tch… what talk? I'm here with you right now. I'm not that kind of guy."
Guan Zhiyi glanced at him. "Drop the act."
"You're making me sound like a scumbag. With my official girlfriend right here, I wouldn't go flirting." Hua Hongxi grinned, asking for a beating. "At most, after you leave, I'll secretly ask for her WeChat."
Guan Zhiyi raised an eyebrow, immediately catching on. "Got it. I'll go inside and chat with Grandpa. You go flirt."
"So polite?!"
Guan Zhiyi said perfunctorily, "Only proper."
---
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