Chapter 285: Chapter 285: Back to 20 Years Ago (20)

Ever since returning from that party, Shen Qingtang had become distracted, even making mistakes with some of the simplest lines during filming.

After Shen Qingtang’s NG (no good) takes a few times, she was scolded by the director and then taken aside by her manager to rest.

“Take a break for now and continue filming after you’ve calmed down,” her manager handed her a bottle of water.

“Thank you, Sister Han,” Shen Qingtang said, head bowed, not daring to look up at her, fearing the disappointment that might be written across her face.

Even Shen Qingtang herself knew her recent performance had been particularly poor, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t help but remember the gentle gaze Ji Zeqiu had given someone over the phone that night, his eyes shining with a myriad of glints.

The person on the phone with Ji Zeqiu must have been very important to him.

At that thought, Shen Qingtang’s eyes dulled even further.

Seeing her like this, the manager narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone sharpened with a hint of severity, “Don’t tell me you’ve turned out like this because of Ji Zeqiu.”

Shen Qingtang’s body froze imperceptibly, her gaze flickered.

The manager stretched out a finger, poking her forehead with frustration, “Losing your soul over a man–how pathetic! What a lack of ambition!”

“What you should be focusing on now is your career. Once you make it big and earn some money, what man can’t you have? By then, Ji Zeqiu, Ji Zechun, Ji Zedong… they will all be at your disposal.”

Hearing this, Shen Qingtang’s face showed a trace of embarrassment, “That makes it sound like I’m picking out male models at a club.”

“I’m just telling you, your direction should be on your career, not here fretting about romance,” the manager said as she curved her finger, tapping on Shen Qingtang’s head, “While you are marking time, he might already have climbed to the next level. All you’ll see is his back, not his side.”

Shen Qingtang paused momentarily, lips tightly pressed as if deep in thought.

The manager watched her contemplation and refrained from further disturbing her.

She only hoped that Shen Qingtang could figure this out.

On the other side.

Under Ji Tingyang’s investment, Ji Zeqiu had received his first film role in his acting career.

He excitedly ran to Lin Xu with the script, “Mother, I’m going to be in a movie, and you’ll be able to see me on the big screen.”

“Our Zeqiu is wonderful. When the movie is released, I will definitely go watch,” Lin Xu smiled warmly with joy in her eyes.

Mother was going to watch his movie.

Ji Zeqiu’s smile grew even prouder, his expression like a taunt as he raised an eyebrow at Ji Tingyang.

“Mother, it’s probably best not to have too high expectations, just in case someone’s poor acting spoils your eyesight,” Ji Tingyang said nonchalantly.

“You’re not talking about me, are you?” Ji Zeqiu ground his teeth.

“Got some self-awareness, have you?” Ji Tingyang looked at him.

“Where is my acting inferior?!” Ji Zeqiu slammed the table and glared at him furiously, “I’m consistently in the top ten of actors with the best acting skills chosen online!”

Even Lin Xu spoke out in defense of Ji Zeqiu, “How can you belittle your brother like that? I’ve seen every one of Zeqiu’s dramas, and his acting has always been on point. His performance in a movie surely won’t disappoint.”

This was also the case when he was reborn twenty years later; even it as his first movie, Ji Zeqiu displayed not a shred of timidity or constraint on the screen, his acting in no way inferior to those of veteran actors.

He was then met with exceptional acclaim.

It surely wouldn’t be any different this time. After all, Ji Zeqiu was her son.

Hearing his mother’s exaggerated praise, Ji Zeqiu’s smile almost reached the heavens, and he giddily hugged Lin Xu’s wrist, “Exactly, exactly. Ji Tingyang just knows how to belittle me. Mother, you must scold him. He’s nothing compared to your discerning eye.”

“Your brother definitely has high hopes for you,” Lin Xu said. “It’s just that he’s too shy and stubborn to compliment you openly.”

Ji Zeqiu suddenly nodded, his voice dripping with thick sarcasm, “Oh~so that’s how it is?”

“…” Ji Tingyang looked away.

Just as Ji Zeqiu was about to continue teasing, he received a call from Shen Qingtang.

He composed his face and walked to the side to answer, “What’s up?”

“You invited me to Ji Entertainment last time, and I’ve thought it over,” Shen Qingtang bit her lip.

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for the invitation, but I am not planning to switch companies at the moment.”

“Alright, I got it.” The expression on Ji Zeqiu’s face remained unchanged.

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, then the clear, gentle voice spoke again, “My agent has helped me apply for an opportunity to study abroad; I’ll be leaving for overseas in a few days.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Zeqiu’s face finally showed a flicker of emotion, a hint of surprise crossing his eyes.

A few days later.

Shen Qingtang truly hadn’t expected Ji Zeqiu to come to the airport to see her off. As she looked at the man before her, her pupils trembled slightly.

“You…” Her throat caught, “Why are you here?”

“I happened to have some free time, so I came to see you off,” Ji Zeqiu answered matter-of-factly.

Shen Qingtang’s eyes instantly filled with a sourness. She hastily bowed her head, not daring to let him see her reddened eyes, “Thank you.”

“Is everything arranged for you overseas? Do you need any help from me?” Ji Zeqiu asked again.

Even toward an ordinary friend, he remained so considerate.

“Sister Han has arranged everything; it’s just…” Shen Qingtang felt a bit embarrassed, “I can’t pay you back so quickly for the hospital fees you loaned for my grandmother.”

“Do I look like I’m short of money?” Ji Zeqiu cracked a rare joke, “Don’t feel burdened.”

“Thank you.” Counting up, Shen Qingtang didn’t know how many times she had thanked him already.

As time passed, and with the boarding time approaching, Shen Qingtang hesitated, glancing at Ji Zeqiu with unresolved feelings.

“Qingtang, it’s time to board,” her agent reminded her.

“Okay.” Shen Qingtang dragged her luggage and followed her agent away.

However, after walking just a few meters, she suddenly dropped her luggage and ran back to Ji Zeqiu.

“Did you forget to bring something?” Ji Zeqiu was surprised.

“Ji Zeqiu, do you have someone you like?” Shen Qingtang cut straight to the chase, voicing the question she had suppressed for a long time.

Ji Zeqiu was startled by her boldness, “No… I don’t.”

Her anxious heart finally settled, and Shen Qingtang’s eyes sparkled with faint light, “When I return from abroad, once I have the strength to stand beside you, I will definitely make you fall for me!”

After speaking, she didn’t wait for Ji Zeqiu’s response, turned around, and ran back to her agent, pulling her luggage and walking away.