Chapter 23

Ah Ci, I feel the pressure.

What's wrong again?

Every day after work, Da Mi Mi would call on time.

Even though we're both in Jingcheng, we live like a long-distance couple.

Chen Ci was also rather speechless, but fortunately the budget from the Olympic Organizing Committee had already been approved.

Preparations for shooting the promotional video have begun, and soon we won't need to communicate through the phone line.

You don't know, today the crew brought in a little girl under seven; she's really pretty and a great actor.

And then?

If we gave her another ten years, I can't even imagine what she'd become; by then I'll be old...

Chen Ci couldn't help laughing; ten years is nothing—you could still be popular for another twenty years, and few could shake your position.

That's perfect; by then you can relax and be my wife, have a pretty daughter, and let her feel some pressure too.

Improper; who would want to give birth to you… uh, why a pretty girl, don't you like boys?

After all, she almost became a 'child's mom' herself, so Da Mi Mi had already done the mental preparation for that.

But saying it out loud, even facing Chen Ci, was the first time.

Chen Ci seemed to be considering seriously, paused for two seconds, and said: 'It's not that I don't like it, just if the child turns out mischievous, if a son makes a mistake I worry I won't be able to resist hitting him.'

And what about the daughter—if she makes a mistake, you won't discipline her?

How could a pretty girl be wrong? If she's wrong, it's the world's fault.

You…" Da Mi Mi was speechless, "What kind of worldview is this? Hopeless."

The meaning is that as long as you have a daughter, Chen Ci won't care what mistakes she makes; then it's better to have a son.

Let him deal with it himself; let him have a headache.

How can you be sure the daughter will be a pretty girl? What if…?

No 'what if'; just look at her mother and you'll know.

Tsk…

A sweet warm current surged to her heart, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

After a while, she again asked Chen Ci: 'Ah Ci, what are you up to? Writing another script?'

No, I'm preparing the materials.

What materials?

The script is almost done; it's time to submit it for registration.

Really!

Da Mi Mi exclaimed in surprise, 'Chen Ci, your progress is so fast!'

Here she was out of her depth; for script topic registration, which is the preliminary review, you don't need an overly complete and detailed script.

As long as you prepare the materials fully, then submit a plot outline of a thousand or so characters, explaining the theme, ideas, and worldview, that's enough.

Otherwise, if you have to change lines or the script midway through filming, would you have to resubmit for review each time?

The real difficulty is the final review after the film is completed.

However, nowadays domestic film and TV censorship is actually relatively lenient; many shows that would be impossible to film if you waited a dozen years.

Moreover, the plot of 'Sewing Machine Band' highlights striving for dreams, has correct values, is full of positive energy, and doesn't even have a conventional villain, so there shouldn't be major problems.

Why are you so happy?

Of course I'm happy—I haven't acted in a movie in a long time.

Gate…

Don't say it!

Da Mi Mi had finally buried that dark history deep in her memory, forbidding anyone to bring it up again.

Alright, you're so sure—you think you can land the female lead?

Da Mi Mi couldn't help furrowing her brow: 'Huh? What do you mean…'

Just as she was speaking, suddenly two knocks on the door interrupted her: 'Who is it?'

From outside the door came Xiao Zhao's voice: 'Mi Mi, come out for a moment, someone is looking for you.'

Oh.

Da Mi Mi picked up her phone: 'Let's not talk now, I have something to do.'

Hmm…

After the call ended, Chen Ci put down his phone and then picked up a document from the table.

He glanced at it twice, then set it down, unconsciously tilting his neck slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile: 'Kind of interesting.'

The document in his hand was exactly the list of ethnic performers participating in the recording of the new version of 'Beijing Welcomes You'.

And in the Uyghur performers column, he saw a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar name: Gu Li Na Zha'er·Baihemuti'er…

Shanshan? How did you get here, coming to check on my shift?

As soon as Da Mi Mi opened the door, she exclaimed in surprise, never expecting the person looking for her to be Yuan Shanshan.

At this moment, Yuan Shanshan's reaction was a bit strange—she nodded expressionlessly, then shook her head.

Mi Mi, let me introduce you—this is our school's senior from year three, Chen Xu.

Huh? Oh, hello senior, I am…

Only then did Da Mi Mi react, about to greet Chen Xu, but he gave her a once‑over, nodded, and said: 'Come with me, my aunt wants to see you.'

Aunt?

Da Mi Mi looked bewildered, while Chen Xu had already turned and walked away, and Yuan Shanshan immediately followed.

Just as she was feeling puzzled, Xiao Zhao also walked over, looking at her with a complex expression.

"Yao Yao, what's going on?"

As soon as she stepped out, she felt the atmosphere was weird; now even Xiao Zhao had that expression, as if only she knew nothing.

"Let's go see; speak as little as possible, and absolutely don't talk nonsense."

"Nonsense..."

Xiao Zhao also followed the two ahead; Da Mi Mi was still completely bewildered, but having no clue, she could only choose to follow……

Following them all the way out of the hotel's main gate, a brand-new black extended business car was parked at the entrance.

Just wondering who was inside the car, Chen Xu opened the door and invited: "Get in."

Strange people, strange car; Da Mi Mi naturally hesitated.

She turned her head to look at Xiao Zhao; although she had no expression, she slightly nodded.

Xiao Zhao's reaction like that meant there should be no problem.

Da Mi Mi lifted her leg and entered, looking around, noticing the interior lighting wasn't good.

Chen Xu closely followed her into the car, then swiftly closed the door.

This made Yuan Shanshan, who also wanted to get in, look even more complicated; she turned her face and glanced at Xiao Zhao.

She saw that the latter was gazing up at the starry sky, seemingly unaware of anything.

The light inside the car was already dim, and after Chen Xu closed the door it became even darker—how could such a luxurious car not have its lights on? …Just as she was thinking, the corner light on the car's interior edge lit up.

Although the brightness was still weak, at least she could clearly see everything inside the car.

Only then did Da Mi Mi realize that, besides herself and Chen Xu, on the long leather seat in the front center of the car sat a middle-aged woman with a round, full face—likely the "Gu Ma" Chen Xu had mentioned.

Wearing black clothes, black pants, and black high heels, it's no wonder she hadn't noticed her earlier—she was practically the perfect camouflage against the night.

The middle-aged woman wore a solemn expression, her right hand pinching a short-stemmed glass for drinking brandy.

Although she looked somewhat aged, her skin against the black attire appeared unusually fair, and her features were very delicate; just sitting there, an elegant aura emanated from her.

Finally, Chen Xu was the first to break the silence: "Gu Ma, she's here."

"Hmm, have a seat."

Gu Ma calmly nodded her head; only then did Da Mi Mi realize she had been hunched over, standing in the car……