Villainous Movie Star (16)
Within four years, star in eight different types of films.
This is Song Xuyi’s request to Zhao Qingyu.
Song Xuyi knows that Zhao Qingyu is extremely picky about scripts. Four years and eight films, excluding the time spent selecting scripts and necessary business activities, means that Zhao Qingyu will need to be on set almost all year round. During these four years, Zhao Qingyu will undoubtedly be unable to fully devote herself to dealing with Song Jun.
On the other hand, different films represent different life experiences, different worlds, and perspectives on life. Song Xuyi hopes that after experiencing these different roles, Zhao Qingyu will have a completely new understanding of life.
Song Jun’s father has already passed away, and his grandmother has also become senile. Those who have wronged Zhao Qingyu and her mother have more or less faced retribution. Song Xuyi does not want the remaining years of Zhao Qingyu’s life to be spent in hatred.
Zhao Qingyu actually deserves a better life.
Perhaps… there will be other turning points in these four years…
And in the event that Zhao Qingyu still firmly seeks revenge after four years, Song Xuyi will persuade her to compete fairly with Song Jun, without resorting to underhanded tactics behind his back. The two of them will rely on their own abilities…
This is Song Xuyi’s entire plan for Zhao Qingyu’s future.
……
When Zhao Qingyu saw the message sent by Song Xuyi, she paused for a moment.
Zhao Qingyu didn’t expect Song Xuyi to make such a request.
But after a while, Zhao Qingyu replied with a single word, “okay.”
Starring in eight different films within four years, Zhao Qingyu naturally understood the intensity of the work involved.
(Originally translated on littlepandatranslations.com, let's go!)
However, few people knew that Zhao Qingyu actually enjoyed acting.
Life on a film set could be incredibly dull, with little entertainment besides delving into scripts, and the irregular schedules that often disrupted day and night. For many people, it was a form of torment.
But it made people remember her.
If Zhao Qingyu really couldn’t live past thirty years old, then the existence of these films and TV shows would prove that Zhao Qingyu had once been in this world. Thirty or forty years later, there would still be people looking back at the footages, sighing and saying, “So there was an actress like Zhao Qingyu in this world…”
What’s more, among those who loved her performing, there was Song Xuyi.
Zhao Qingyu actually understood that Song Xuyi only liked her face, which matched her aesthetic preferences. That’s why when she was ill, Zhao Qingyu didn’t dare to meet Song Xuyi, afraid that she would see her haggard and dim face.
“Four years and eight films wouldn’t be so bad…”
Despair and happiness intertwined in Zhao Qingyu’s thoughts: “When watching these movies and TV shows, Song Xuyi’s gaze will be on me. In that version of myself, radiant and dazzling, embodying the highlights of each character, I would be the appearance Song Xuyi likes the most.”
“And in the event that I leave this world, in thirty or forty years, in someone’s mobile phone or in old programs on the movie channels… in many unsuspecting moments, Song Xuyi would still be able to see me. She would remember that there was once a woman named Zhao Qingyu in her life, a woman who, in the prime of her youth, promised her to shoot eight films in four years…”
“But she would never know the extent to which the woman named Zhao Qingyu, with such cautious yet eager emotions, left a mark on her life…”
Song Xuyi didn’t expect Zhao Qingyu to agree so easily.
Zhao Qingyu’s simple “okay” response seemed as if she had agreed to something ordinary.
On the day after Zhao Qingyu agreed to Song Xuyi, the most prestigious film awards ceremony in the country began. The ceremony announced the winner of the Best Actress award, and everyone already knew that Zhao Qingyu was a nominee. However, no one expected that the newcomer Zhao Qingyu would actually win the award!
When the award ceremony was broadcast live, Song Xuyi had just returned to her dormitory from the library. She was greeted by the uproarious cheers of her roommates, almost shaking the entire floor. Song Xuyi saw the disheveled Zhao Qingyu on her roommates’ tablets and phones. Zhao Qingyu was still wearing a coarse linen costume, but there was no hint of awkwardness in her demeanor. It created a strange harmony between her and the glamorous award stage.
“That’s her costume for her next film,” Huang Juanjuan happily explained to Song Xuyi, her excitement causing her words to become incoherent. “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I knew Qingyu wouldn’t let us down. She quietly joined the production without making a fuss. It seems like she forgot about attending the award ceremony and rushed back in the middle of it…”
“Did you see it? My wife, even in rough linen clothing, is still a stunning beauty…”
“Qingyu, don’t overwork yourself. Although she still looks beautiful, she has dark circles under her eyes…”
……
Song Xuyi ignored Huang Juanjuan’s chatter and looked up at the screen. On the screen, Zhao Qingyu was holding the award trophy and giving her acceptance speech.
Zhao Qingyu was always tactful in her interactions with others, and her acceptance speech was flawless. After the customary thanks to the director and the audience, Zhao Qingyu suddenly paused and smiled at the camera.
“I actually want to thank someone,” a hint of tenderness appeared in Zhao Qingyu’s gaze. “That person is my lifesaver.”
“She loves watching me act, and the only request she had after saving me was for me to challenge myself by shooting eight different types of films within the next four years after completing this project…”
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“I agreed to her request.”
“Therefore, I’m destined to be a regular on film sets in the coming years. If directors have good scripts in their hands, I hope you will consider me…” Zhao Qingyu bowed again as she spoke.
“This award is an unexpected joy for me, and it affirms my previous film.”
Amidst the warm applause from everyone, Zhao Qingyu smiled once again. In the industry, Zhao Qingyu was known for her gentle temperament, but this time, it seemed a bit different. Her smile remained as tender as ever, but her words carried a sense of confidence and conviction. “But this is just the beginning! I have many more films to come, and in the future, I will receive more trophies…”
“Oh my goodness! Who is so heartless to demand that my Qingyu shoot so many films?” Before Zhao Qingyu could finish her sentence, Huang Juanjuan excitedly hugged Song Xuyi. “Four years and eight films!! Oh, my Qingyu must be working so hard! But… I also feel that person did a great job! My Qingyu is so beautiful, she should act in more films, otherwise it would be such a waste…”
The “heartless” Song Xuyi lowered her head.
She didn’t expect Zhao Qingyu to go this far.
In fact, if Zhao Qingyu hadn’t achieved it, Song Xuyi wouldn’t have blamed her because the demand was indeed extremely challenging.
However, Zhao Qingyu spoke about it in such a grand occasion.
That was equivalent to issuing a military order, as if she was directly handing over a handle to the world.
Countless eyes would be on her afterwards. If she failed to fulfill it, under the deliberate instigation from her opponents, she would face endless criticism and condemnation…
Zhao Qingyu was smart, and she couldn’t be unaware of this. Yet, she still chose to make it public…
Song Xuyi sighed with mixed feelings. She felt that she was truly starting to understand Zhao Qingyu less and less.
But compared to the previously feigned gentleness and calmness, Song Xuyi preferred the Zhao Qingyu standing on the award stage right now: the confident and even somewhat arrogant Zhao Qingyu, who appeared to shine brighter than any gem…
In Song Xuyi’s mind, the matter concerning Zhao Qingyu had also come to a close.
Although Zhao Qingyu still occasionally contacted her, as Song Xuyi had expected, Zhao Qingyu often stayed on the film set and didn’t have enough time to expand her business ventures.
At least for the next four years, Zhao Qingyu and Song Jun would maintain a peaceful coexistence in public.
With a huge burden lifted from her heart, Song Xuyi once again immersed herself in her studies.
In her sophomore year, after the school started, Song Xuyi realized that “Black Mountain Demon” Huang Shuo was no longer teaching her class. Upon inquiring, she found out that he had recently begun the process of retirement.
Although Huang Shuo had strict demands, it was because of his presence that this group of students quickly adapted to the medical profession, possessing the rigor and dedication that medical students should have. Although they were afraid of Huang Shuo during class, most of the students felt a bit reluctant upon hearing the news of his retirement.
Time flew by, and soon the Double Ninth Festival arrived. Huang Juanjuan responded to everyone’s request and organized a group hiking activity. At the same time, the teachers from various subjects in the class were invited to join the hike…
Song Xuyi didn’t expect the busy person Huang Shuo to take the time to hike with them.
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Huang Juanjuan whispered in Song Xuyi’s ear, “I went to the Student Affairs Office to pick up some documents and overheard the teachers chatting. It turns out that Teacher Huang has quite a pitiful story…”
“He used to be solely focused on saving lives and treating the injured, rarely caring about his family. He always thought there was still plenty of time and that he was young. But one day, his wife fell asleep and never woke up again. It was then that he learned that his wife had a condition called ‘Sleeping Syndrome.’ Huang Shuo deeply regretted it, and for nearly thirty years since then, he has remained unmarried, living a solitary single life…”
It’s “Sleeping Syndrome” again!
Song Xuyi sighed softly.
Sleeping Syndrome is the most tormenting illness in the world. Every person afflicted with it dies before the age of thirty.
Some patients inherit it within their families, while for others, it suddenly strikes one day, with no discernible pattern.
Those with the illness appear completely normal, indistinguishable from healthy individuals, and existing medical instruments cannot detect whether someone is affected. However, one day before their thirtieth birthday, they will suddenly pass away in their sleep, hence the name “Sleeping Syndrome.”
So far, no one in the world has discovered any preventive measures or diagnostic methods for Sleeping Syndrome.
Song Xuyi lowered her head, and she seemed to understand why Huang Shuo gave her a zero for the last question back then.
Song Xuyi didn’t expect Huang Shuo to approach her.
When they reached halfway up the mountain, Song Xuyi’s delicate body couldn’t continue climbing any further. She had to sit by the side of the road and rest. Unexpectedly, Huang Shuo walked over to her.
“How has life been lately? Is there anything you don’t understand in your studies?” Huang Shuo was actually quite calm when not in class.
Song Xuyi answered each question. Huang Shuo nodded and looked up at Song Xuyi. “Are you planning to take the postgraduate entrance examination? Have you thought about which field you want to pursue in the future?”
“I plan to take the postgraduate entrance examination,” Song Xuyi smiled as Huang Shuo widened his eyes in surprise. “I have already planned my research prospects. I’ve been preparing for it since the beginning of my freshman year.”
“I want to study ‘Medical Genetics,’ or to be more precise, I want to research ‘Sleeping Syndrome’…”
LP: Re-translated on January 14, 2024