Chapter 79: Daily — A kiss is always the most heart-stirring thing.
“That’s right.”
Zhi Yu looked at her clueless expression and couldn’t help but frown. Coldly, she scoffed, “No girl in our family will get married just like that. This wedding has to be held. Call Jiang Qi over. I want to ask him myself.”
“No, brother.”
Zhi Qi quickly stopped him, and under Zhi Yu’s gaze, she braced herself and said, “I’ll… I’ll talk to him myself.”
Actually, she was the one who first suggested not having a wedding.
There wasn’t any particular reason, mostly just that… it seemed like a hassle.
Zhi Qi had always been naturally low-key, and just the thought of mingling with people and wearing a wedding dress and a reception gown, acting like some ’emotionless photo machine,’ made her annoyed.
Marriage is really just between two people, so why make it such a public affair?
But under Zhi Yu’s pressure, she didn’t dare say anything and hurriedly ran off.
Now, as she accompanied Jiang Qi on set, she belatedly remembered the matter.
“Qi Qi, your kissing scene with Jiang Qi really turned out beautifully.”
Ji Liang’s voice snapped her back to reality. She clicked her tongue in admiration, “It’s a pity that outside the storyline, this can only be used to stir up some rumors… Honestly, the people online who criticize him are so ridiculous.”
Ji Liang scoffed, “They act like righteous crusaders, saying Jiang Qi’s ‘devoted husband persona’ has collapsed. Just wait until they find out the person in the leaked photos is actually you. That would be such a slap in the face.”
The thought seemed to please her, as her eyes brightened and she couldn’t help but chuckle.
Even Zhi Qi found the idea of such a twist amusing.
— No wonder people love stories where someone’s ‘true face’ gets revealed.
Those who believe they stand at the pinnacle of righteousness often become the most interesting when reality pulls them down from their ‘pedestals.’
“Jiang Qi has a wirework water scene this afternoon. I need to head over.”
After sitting for a while, Zhi Qi checked the time and stood up, smiling at Ji Liang. “Sister Liang, are you going to watch?”
“Oh, the handsome Jiang’s water scene…”
Isn’t that an underwater fight scene? Ji Liang’s beautiful eyes sparkled, and she also stood up. “I should go check it out.”
After all, Jiang Qi’s action scenes have been praised by quite a few directors for their ‘authenticity.’ It’s said he’s even more skilled than martial artists, so of course, she’d want to watch.
By the time Zhi Qi and Ji Liang walked back to the set from the stylist, Jiang Qi was already strapped into the wire harness, preparing to dive from a high point.
This was a scene in the script where Liang Jieyu, on his way back to the capital after a victorious battle, gets ambushed by assassins sent by the third prince in the borderlands.
Jiang Qi first shot the scene where Liang Jieyu rolls around on the ground, fighting with the assassins, before moving into the studio to film the interior shots—since the plot had him tumbling off a cliff and into the water to survive, the crew couldn’t possibly arrange for an actual cliff and deep pool. It would all be done with green screens and post-production effects.
Now, his clothes were torn and tattered, and his wig had come loose, leaving him looking like a battered, half-dead wolfish youth.
Zhi Qi knew he still hadn’t fully come out of character, still immersed in the ‘killing intent’ from the outdoor shoot.
But as if they shared a tacit understanding, Jiang Qi lifted his head and immediately spotted her figure. From a considerable distance, he paused for a second before offering a gentle smile.
Zhi Qi smiled back, blinking in encouragement.
If it were her trying to do a wirework dive into water while fighting someone, she’d probably die, but for Jiang Qi, Zhi Qi knew it was nothing.
Sure enough, after securing the wire around his waist, Jiang Qi stood at the high point and leaped into the water without hesitation. His fight with the stuntman was executed smoothly, without the need for a double or showing any signs of hesitation.
Zhi Qi watched Jiang Qi intently as he reached the ‘shore,’ when Ji Liang, standing beside her, murmured in admiration, “Incredible. How does someone so young get so skilled at action scenes?”
Usually, when new actors shoot action scenes, especially high-altitude jumps like this, no matter how mentally prepared they are, they still feel scared when reality hits.
Ji Liang, as a dance instructor, had once been a stunt double herself, working with wire harnesses. She knew all too well how uncomfortable it was—at least, she thought it was unpleasant.
When you’re rapidly falling with something tied around your waist, it feels like your insides are getting twisted together. Meanwhile, you still have to ‘act’ and convey the emotions you’re supposed to express. Is that hard? You bet it is.
But looking at Jiang Qi now, it seemed like he didn’t find it hard at all.
Could he really be made of iron?
Ji Liang mused to herself in puzzlement.
Hearing her words, Zhi Qi let out a faint bitter smile but said nothing.
Because she knew, for Jiang Qi, this was nothing. Others might not know, but how could she not know how Jiang Qi had honed his ‘skills’ so naturally?
No one knew how much hardship he endured during those years in prison.
Unfortunately, every time she asked, Jiang Qi would always avoid the topic, unwilling to speak about it.
Later, Zhi Qi realized that he was afraid she’d worry and feel upset if she knew, so she stopped asking.
But now, watching him perform the fight scenes again stirred those memories, and she couldn’t help but feel a little melancholy.
Finally, when Director Lin called “cut,” the staff instantly relaxed. Zhi Qi took the large towel from Qiu Mi’s hands and hurried over, rushing to Jiang Qi, who was half-kneeling in the middle of the lighting setup.
As the towel softly landed on his head, the young man looked up, and upon seeing Zhi Qi, a gleam of surprise and delight flashed through his glassy eyes.
“I asked Assistant Qiu to get you some milk tea.”
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The girl smiled gently, not minding the fact that Jiang Qi’s tattered costume was still soaking wet. She bent down, wrapping her arm around his to help him up, her voice sweet and soft: “I heard…”
“He said you like red bean flavor.”
As Zhi Qi said this, she shot a sly glance at Jiang Qi.
He froze for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed, and pressed his lips together.
In reality, Jiang Qi didn’t even like red bean-flavored milk tea—he wasn’t fond of sweet things at all. But every time Qiu Mi asked him what he wanted to drink, he’d subconsciously think about what the girl liked, and he’d end up ordering the same thing.
This little thought had now, of course, been discovered by Zhi Qi.
“When it arrives,” Jiang Qi paused, looking at her, “you can have it.”
Tsk, how obedient he was.
Zhi Qi squinted her eyes and smiled, “Sure.”
Actually, Jiang Qi had meant for them to share a cup.
But, clueless as ever, Qiu Mi bought several cups.
—
Jiang Qi had a major night scene to shoot today—after Liang Jieyu returned to the capital, the atmosphere in his mansion was filled with lurking dangers, and he had to navigate carefully at every step.
This scene had to be filmed at night to capture the right mood, so in the late afternoon, Lin Qihang let the crew rest so they could be fully energized for the evening shoot.
It was the sixth day that Zhi Qi had been on set with Jiang Qi. The day after tomorrow, she’d have to end her leave and return to work, meaning she’d have to head back to Linlan tomorrow.
Because of that, she was reluctant to leave and wanted to stay with Jiang Qi during the night shoot.
However, the girl wasn’t used to staying up late, and as she sat on a small stool watching the filming, her vision began to blur with drowsiness. She stubbornly held her head up, almost like a wobbling doll trying not to fall over.
During a break, Jiang Qi noticed and couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“Qi Qi.”
Seizing the opportunity during the break, he walked over and leaned down to wake her.
“Mm… mm?”
Zhi Qi drowsily opened her eyes, and before she knew it, Jiang Qi was beside her. He was dressed in a moon-white ancient costume, looking like a tall, handsome youth, his eyes full of affection as he gazed at her. “Go back to sleep.”
No, his beauty instantly made her awake.
Zhi Qi shook her head, feeling more energetic again.
“No, I want to stay with you.”
The girl rested her chin on her knees, curling up like a little squirrel, pouting as she complained, “Otherwise, I’ll have to go back to Linlan tomorrow, and then I won’t see you for five days.”
Her internship at the rescue center only gave her weekends off, so she could only drive over on Saturdays and Sundays.
Zhi Qi wrinkled her nose in frustration and even raised her small hand to show the number five.
She was so adorably exasperated.
Jiang Qi couldn’t help but laugh, patiently reasoning with her, “But you’re not used to staying up late. Staying here with me will make you really tired and sleepy.”
“But I want to stay with you.”
Zhi Qi still shook her head. “You’re just as tired and sleepy.”
If she stayed with him, then they would be enduring it together.
“…Be good, go back to sleep.”
Jiang Qi’s eyes softened slightly, his heart aching and warming at the same time because of her. He couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle her fluffy hair. “Otherwise, when you drive back tomorrow, I’ll be too worried.”
This shoot could very well go on all night.
Driving back to Linlan from the outskirts of the city would take several hours, and if Zhi Qi really stayed up all night with him and then drove back, Jiang Qi wouldn’t be able to focus on filming at all.
The girl clearly knew this too. She blinked a few times, and after a moment, mumbled reluctantly, “Fine.”
Hmph, if he didn’t want her to stay, then she wouldn’t.
She left the set feeling a bit indignant.
—Until she felt a slender hand grab her wrist, followed by a light kiss on the corner of her lips.
It was that familiar cold, pine-like scent that belonged only to Jiang Qi.
Even though they had done everything together, kissing was still the most heart-fluttering thing.
In an instant, the girl’s mood was lifted.
Zhi Qi smiled, kissed him back, and turned to leave.
—
Zhi Qi went to bed late, so it wasn’t until late morning that she finally woke up.
When you’re tired, the cramped space of the rest area and the noise around you don’t seem as bothersome. Half-asleep, she rubbed her drowsy eyes and turned her head, seeing Jiang Qi’s face up close.
The boy had a high nose bridge, and his chiseled features were illuminated by a sliver of sunlight streaming through the window, casting a striking contrast between light and shadow.
He was sleeping deeply—who knew when he had returned last night?
Zhi Qi leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss like a kitten, then quietly climbed out of bed.
It would take her a few hours to drive back to the city from the outskirts, and since she didn’t drive fast, she had to leave quickly.
As for Jiang Qi, who had probably pulled an all-nighter… well, she’d let him sleep for now.
After a quick wash, she grabbed her bag and left the set, sending Jiang Qi a message on WeChat to let him know she had left—just as expected, he didn’t reply, surely still asleep.
It wasn’t until three hours later, when Zhi Qi was approaching the tollbooth at the entrance to Linlan, that her phone pinged with a WeChat message from Jiang Qi. She opened the voice note and heard his cool, slightly hoarse, and sulky voice—
“You should’ve woken me. I would’ve taken you home.”
Nonsense, was he trying to wear himself out?
Zhi Qi couldn’t help but laugh. As she stopped at the toll booth, she sent him a quick text: [Focus on your filming, I’ll see you next weekend.]
It seemed that driving over to see her ‘husband’ every weekend had already become the most anticipated part of her life.
This visit had been totally worth it, and Zhi Qi was in high spirits for the whole drive. After getting home, showering, and lying in bed, she couldn’t resist bragging a little about her ‘cameo’ to Meng Chunyu during their chat.
“Wow, wow, wow, are you serious?”
Meng Chunyu’s voice exploded with excitement on the other end of the call, chattering away non-stop. “When *Junlin City* is released, I’ll be able to see you and your husband sharing the screen on the big screen, right?”
“Uh, probably?”
Zhi Qi wasn’t entirely sure. “I was wearing a veil.”
Besides, the veil gets ripped off and her character dies soon after, so there wasn’t much screen time…
In truth, Zhi Qi secretly hoped her scenes showing her face would be as few as possible.
Apparently, cameras and the big screen were brutal when it came to appearances, and she had no idea if she looked good or not. If she looked bad, it would be so embarrassing.
“Ahhhh, I have to go to the premiere! When is it? I’m definitely going to the premiere!”
Meng Chunyu’s excitement couldn’t be contained. “Qi Qi Qi Qi, you’ve got to ask your husband to pull some strings and get us into the premiere!”
That was definitely something Jiang Qi could handle, so Zhi Qi laughed and agreed.
As they were chatting happily, an incoming call interrupted their conversation.
Zhi Qi thought it was Jiang Qi, but a glance at the screen showed that it was her brother calling.
“Chunyu, my brother is calling me.”
Zhi Qi quickly explained to Meng Chunyu, “I’ll call you back later.”
With that, she answered Zhi Yu’s call.
However, before she could even get out a greeting, her brother’s blunt voice cut straight to the point: “Did you talk to him about what I reminded you about last time?”
…
Zhi Qi knew exactly what he was referring to.
When did her brother turn into such a ‘marriage pressure monster’?
Feeling both annoyed and guilty, she mumbled, “Not yet.”
“What?”
Zhi Yu’s voice grew stern. “Speak up.”
Zhi Qi instinctively straightened up and muttered, “I haven’t told him yet.”
“Haven’t told him? What’s going on with you?”
Zhi Yu frowned, his voice turning cold. “Does Jiang Qi not want to have a wedding?”
As if! Since when had her brother gotten so clueless?
Jiang Qi was eager to have a wedding, and that was precisely why she hadn’t told him.
If Jiang Qi found out her family was already urging them to have a wedding, he would drop everything to plan a lavish event right away… but she didn’t want that.
Zhi Qi puffed out her cheeks and, after a moment, seriously explained, “Brother, I think weddings are too noisy and a waste of money…”
“Don’t give me that nonsense. Can’t our family afford it?”
Zhi Yu cut her off, his tone stern. “Just tell me, is it Jiang Qi who doesn’t want it?”
“Of course not.”
Zhi Qi braced herself and finally admitted the truth: “I don’t want it. I think it’s too much trouble.”
…
Zhi Yu suddenly felt like all those articles he’d read online about ‘every girl dreaming of a grand wedding’ were absolute lies, pure nonsense. How did his sister’s brain work so differently?
“Are you serious?”
“Of course, I am, Brother. Stop pushing me on this. I’m swamped with work.”
Zhi Qi grumbled, and to add a final blow, she casually remarked, “Besides, wouldn’t it be embarrassing for you if I got married before you? You’re three years older than me, practically thirty already. Shouldn’t you be worrying about yourself?”
There was one particularly harsh truth she didn’t even mention—Zhi Yu, the workaholic, didn’t even have a girlfriend yet.
But what she had said was already enough to anger Zhi Yu, who banged on the table. “What kind of nonsense are you talking?”
“Hehe, in any case, I’ll have the wedding when you get a girlfriend.”
Zhi Qi was delighted at having annoyed him. Resting her chin on her soft pillow, she lazily added, “Seems fair, right?”
“Brother, I’m hanging up now.”
Before Zhi Yu could explode, she quickly hung up the call.
Teasing a tiger required just the right balance—something Zhi Qi had already mastered to perfection.