Chapter 729: Xi Sister Meng Ze

The film *Returning to Youth* was shot in a rather convoluted manner.

The script was set from the beginning, but during filming, the director discovered its shortcomings and carried out drastic revisions, which forced the actors to adjust their acting styles on the fly.

However, the upside was that because long-form dramas are limited by budget and location, they are often shot with many scenes taking place in a single location.

Whichever plot point required that location would be filmed entirely while they were there.

But short dramas are different.

First of all, short dramas don't use many locations, and time constraints make it impossible to provide many settings.

Plus, short dramas are filmed quickly; even a high-quality horizontal-screen short drama can be finished in a little over a month.

Therefore, this crew's filming wasn't based on how many scenes could be shot per location, but rather followed the script's plot chronologically.

This also allowed the actors to better grasp their characters.

Precisely because they were thinking through the script as they went, they discovered that some character settings were inappropriate, so they thought about making some changes.

Once the director discovered the problem, the changes were major.

For the actors, these changes actually allowed them to better align with their characters and act more smoothly.

Yu Guanmingzhu said, "Let's stick to the previous model: release it on horizontal screen first to see if it can gain traction.

If the horizontal screen takes off, the vertical-screen short drama will delay its release time, letting the horizontal version build up traffic first. Once the horizontal performance stabilizes, we'll launch the vertical one."

Seeing Jin Li pondered for a moment and nodded, "That works too. Launching the horizontal version first also allows us to help advertise it."

Both of them were A-list stars who had invested in *Returning to Youth*, so naturally, they wanted to help promote it.

Besides, this traffic was free.

They had the status, so they didn't mind being hitched onto by a project they had invested in.

If they didn't promote it and it failed to gain traction due to a lack of exposure, that would be a huge loss.

There is a barrier between stars and internet celebrities, and another barrier between internet celebrities and streamers.

Although good internet celebrities and streamers now earn as much as second-tier stars, there is still a huge gap between them and A-list stars.

This gap lies in popularity and influence.

Internet celebrities and streamers focus on a specific niche, while stars are different.

Stars face the general public.

If two A-list stars were to promote a vertical-screen short drama, their agencies might not allow it, and fans might feel they were lowering their status.

But if it's promoting a high-quality horizontal-screen short drama, that's acceptable; many famous directors promote them too.

After finishing their discussion, the two began to care about each other's romantic lives.

Yu Guanmingzhu thought of some gossip she had seen recently and couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure about choosing Gu Cheng?"

Seeing Jin Li nodded, "Mm, he treats me very well."

Qi Guan Mingzhu sighed: "I never expected that among us few, you would be the one to settle into a romantic relationship first."

Seeing Jin Li smiled and said, "Maybe it's because I'm often ill, so I cherish everything in front of me more, and I cherish the people who appear by my side.

Once my heart is clear, I won't refuse, because my future has no tomorrow, so I'm more inclined to go crazy when I meet someone I like.

Even if tomorrow is the end of the world, I'm happy and content today, and that is enough."

Yu Guanmingzhu said enviously, "I don't have your open-minded attitude."

She hesitated and said, "I'm always very hesitant about the beginning of a relationship.

I'm afraid of getting hurt, afraid that the result won't be as good as I think, afraid that all kinds of changes will appear in the future, and afraid that even the most loyal feelings will be worn away by the passage of time."

"Am I too timid?" Yu Guanmingzhu asked insecurely.

Seeing Jin Li shook her head; this kind of performance is the normal state of love, because one is afraid of losing, one becomes anxious.

Having this mindset proves that Yu Guanmingzhu is already in love.

Although she is very afraid of the beginning of a relationship, she has already fallen deep into it without realizing it.

Seeing Jin Li said, "Don't be afraid of the future, don't be afraid of starting; every experience is a scenic line in our lives.

Some people may not be able to accompany you for long, but the experiences they bring you can become a part of your life.

Being too afraid of losing and therefore unwilling to start proves that you value this relationship very much and don't want to lose it.

But have you thought about it? If you always choose not to possess, then this relationship is destined to end without a result.

Possessing might not lead to a result, but if you don't choose to start, you don't even have the qualification to give up."

Seeing Jin Li hugged Yu Guanmingzhu and whispered, "I hope we can both be happy."

Yu Guanmingzhu's eyes flickered, and a glimmer flashed through them.

At this moment, she thought of a lot, including fear and anxiety about the future.

But she discovered that if she were asked to choose to give up the impending relationship now, she would actually feel regret.

Regret that it never started.

Yu Guanmingzhu took a deep breath, "You're right. Without a beginning, where would the end come from?

The future may not necessarily be better than the present, but if we never possessed it, then there is destined to be no future for the two of us."

Seeing Jin Li thought for a moment and said, "And perhaps the person you chose has feelings even firmer than yours?"

Since passing the university entrance exam, the divine power in her body had been sufficient, and the rate of loss was not as fast as before.

This also meant that the abilities attached to her could last longer.

For example, the skill of physiognomy had always been there.

She looked seriously at Yu Guanmingzhu's face and discovered that this was her best chance for romance in the next five years.

If she didn't seize this opportunity, her future marriage path would be bumpy, or even lead to no marriage, remaining single for a lifetime.

And from her physiognomy, the object of this romance was her true match, someone she could be with for a long time.

She thought back to chatting with Gu Cheng a few days ago, when Chen Lin snatched the phone to ask about her recent situation.

At that time, she had also seen Chen Lin's physiognomy, which was consistent with Yu Guanmingzhu's current one; both would have romantic luck recently.

Likewise, the object of his affection was also his true match.

The two did not appear in front of her at the same time, so she couldn't see the red thread of fate connecting them.

But from their similar facial features, one could also tell a thing or two.

Basically, it was definitely these two.

People often talk about "couple faces" because once they become a couple, their fates and feng shui overlap, so many details tend to align.

Yu Guanmingzhu and Chen Lin really had "couple faces."

But Seeing Jin Li didn't really care whether she could facilitate their union.

She hoped more that when Yu Guanmingzhu grew old, she wouldn't regret not starting this relationship.

The future self and the past self, including the self in childhood, have different thoughts at every stage.

In the elderly, tolerance is higher, and the happiness index is also higher.

Those embarrassing things one once thought were shameful, when looked back upon, are actually precious memories.

What is scary is not the embarrassing things, but fearing that when looking back on the past, one finds their life was like a pool of stagnant water—besides work, there was only work, without even a single profound impression.

Having nothing to say when mentioning the past—that is the most regrettable thing.

Seeing Jin Li rarely acted as a relationship master, and while sleeping at night, she was still thinking that if Yu Guanmingzhu wanted to talk to her tomorrow, she could share her own experiences.

Anyway, the development of her relationship with Gu Cheng was natural, without any melodramatic catalysts, just silently guarding and accompanying each other.

But she didn't expect that the next day, Yu Guanmingzhu would get up early and leave the apartment.

She left in a hurry; at that time, Seeing Jin Li was out running, and when she returned, she only saw the note left by Yu Guanmingzhu.

【Something to deal with, leaving first, let's meet again next New Year.】

Seeing Jin Li thought to herself that Yu Guanmingzhu was probably busy dealing with her relationship issues, and she wondered if she would hear other news next New Year.

She originally thought she could spend two days leisurely, but not long after Yu Guanmingzhu left, Xi Sister Meng Ze also moved into her apartment.

But unlike Yu Guanmingzhu, Xi Sister Meng Ze came here for a vacation and would stay until after the New Year.

But like Yu Guanmingzhu, Xi Sister Meng Ze also had relationship issues.

Before she even said anything, Seeing Jin Li couldn't help but be stunned when she saw her physiognomy.

Her brows contained a curse, yet her cheeks were like a spring breeze, and the corners of her mouth held a smile.

Good heavens, this was a peach blossom curse.

Who had she provoked to form such a heavy curse?

Seeing Jin Li asked, "What wind blew you, a busy person, over here?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze said with a grin, "Can't I just come over to hang out with you?"

Seeing Jin Li: "It's possible, but definitely not now.

The end of the year is our busiest time. As the lead singer of Chenxi Entertainment, the company must have booked a bunch of gala performances for you.

You're not busy making money at the end of the year, but instead came to me; you must be seeking something else."

Xi Sister Meng Ze's mouth twitched, and her expression slumped.

"Nothing can be hidden from you. Fine, I came here to take refuge, to avoid a star."

Seeing Jin Li asked curiously, "Who?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze said a name, and Seeing Jin Li couldn't help but be stunned.

She had an impression of this male star because he had won Best Actor.

He had quite a lot of seniority in the industry, but he wasn't much older than them, at most a five-year difference.

Because he debuted as a child star, he had deep seniority.

"You and Huo Sichen... one is a singer, one is an actor, and you've never acted before, how did you end up together?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze said helplessly, "A few months ago, I went to the TV station to record a show, and he happened to be recording one too. Our studios were right next door.

Because the recording times were similar and we stayed at the same hotel, we always ran into each other when going out.

After running into each other many times, he added my WeChat and asked me out to dinner.

I thought that everyone going to dinner were stars in the industry, including actors and singers, and it was a public gathering, so I agreed out of politeness.

At that time, my performance was quite mediocre; I didn't communicate actively with anyone, just ate quietly."

When Xi Sister Meng Ze mentioned this, she couldn't help but frown, her expression puzzled.

She really didn't understand what Huo Sichen saw in her.

Her looks weren't top-tier in the industry; only her singing voice was passable.

But her personality wasn't lively; instead, she was a bit quiet and very lazy—she wouldn't move unless she had to.

She liked to play and travel everywhere, and didn't like working.

But Huo Sichen was different; he was a recognized workaholic in the industry.

Her personality was the polar opposite of his; logically, they shouldn't be together.

"Since that dinner, he frequently asked me out to dinner. At first, it was gatherings with many people, but later it became solo dinners.

Once, I didn't know it was just the two of us, and after I arrived and found out, I immediately found an excuse to leave.

Since then, he still frequently asked me to dinner, and I'm a bit annoyed."

Xi Sister Meng Ze's voice was pleasant; even her complaining tone sounded like coquetry.

"I kept finding excuses to refuse. As an adult, I've refused to this extent; he should understand by now, right?

But he just doesn't get it and keeps chasing me. Whatever announcement I go to, he follows.

My schedule clearly isn't public, but he always has a way to get it. I suspect someone in the industry is leaking it to him."

Xi Sister Meng Ze was very distressed, "Just this time, I participated in the New Year's Eve Gala, and he chased me here too, and our programs were even scheduled next to each other."

"Many people here know he's chasing me, and when they see me, they tease me and ask how we're progressing. What progress? I wish I could stay as far away from him as possible!"

Seeing Jin Li: "So to avoid him, you didn't even participate in the Spring Festival Gala and took an early vacation?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze nodded, "Yes, yes, yes."

Seeing Jin Li shook her head, "This isn't a long-term solution; you can't never participate in announcements.

And your announcements are already very few. Although he has more announcements than you, his influence is great, and the organizers are willing to give him face.

As long as they know your schedule, it's very easy for them to move his schedule to participate with you."

Xi Sister Meng Ze said speechlessly, "Then what can I do? I've run away to the point where I don't want to work anymore."

Seeing Jin Li looked at her physiognomy; this peach blossom curse wasn't just brought by one person.

Being able to form a curse meant she was entangled with several people.

She asked, "It's not just one person pursuing you, right?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze was shocked, "You know this too? How did you see it?"

Seeing Jin Li said leisurely, "Best Actor Huo chasing you in the industry is all the rage; isn't it normal for me to know some news about you?"

Xi Sister Meng Ze thought that was true, and her shoulders slumped again, "Fine."

She raised her hand and swore to the heavens, "I really didn't flirt with those people, but I don't know what's going on; they just set their sights on me."

"Besides this persistent Huo Sichen, several other stars have confessed on WeChat that they like me. I don't know what's going on.

Sometimes I really want to find a master to calculate if my peach blossom luck has been particularly prosperous in the last few years."

Seeing Jin Li thought to herself, it's more than prosperous; it's prosperous to the point of forming a curse.

If one thing isn't handled well, she might become a star who collapses due to scandals.

"Then have you thought of a solution?" Seeing Jin Li asked.

Xi Sister Meng Ze shook her head and looked at her eagerly, "I just don't know what to do, so I wanted to ask you."

Seeing Jin Li pondered, "Does Sister Fang know about this?"

"She knows, but not the full picture. She only knows Huo Sichen is pursuing me; she doesn't know other stars are pursuing me too."

Seeing Jin Li spoke slowly, "I do have a method, but this method is a bit unconventional. Once used, it will also affect your reputation."

Xi Sister Meng Ze's eyes lit up, "Tell me, what method?"

Seeing Jin Li said meaningfully, "Since there are so many flies, why not find a real boyfriend to block them?

If you have a legitimate partner, those stars will have some scruples; they don't want to be scolded by netizens for liking to be the 'other man'."

?? Best Actor Huo has appeared, the original plot is flashing, does everyone remember? Seeing Jin Li transmigrated into a book, and Xi Sister Meng Ze is the real female lead in the book. ===== CHAPTER 730 =====