Chapter 37

After the New Year, Zhu Xinyue was going to join the crew to start filming.

Following her role in “One Moment, One Scene,” Zhu Xinyue received more and more scripts handed to her due to the popularity of the national explosive variety show.

Among these scripts were some future hit TV dramas and movies she had read about in the novels. However, she generally only invested in them without participating in filming. Instead, she selected good scripts and crews from other TV dramas and movies not mentioned in the novels to join.

Like the low-budget suspense web drama “The Wall” she filmed before, which was not mentioned in the novel as a hit, but it had an excellent reputation in some small circles. Many uploaders of film and dramas would mention this drama when summarizing the best dramas in mid-year.

The drama Zhu Xinyue was filming this time was a drama called “Illusion Moon” mentioned in a novel.

In the novel, the protagonist of this drama was later banned for illegal reasons, so the drama was never aired before it was canceled, and there was no news of the drama until the end of the novel.

After reading the script and knowing the crew, Zhu Xinyue found that the script was good. The production team had shot many well-received dramas. If this drama could be broadcast smoothly, it might also become a masterpiece.

After comprehensive consideration, Zhu Xinyue participated in the audition for the leading role.

During this time, Zhu Xinyue had also been honing her acting skills with acting teachers. She spent time studying in the acting class recommended by Xie Zhuguang. Now her acting skills were much more mature than during “Peach Blossom Spring.”

Zhu Xinyue passed the audition successfully, so she joined the crew after the New Year.

This drama was an ancient power struggle drama, and Zhu Xinyue played a female assassin with many action scenes. Fortunately, she had practiced martial arts in “Peach Blossom Spring” ,had a good foundation, and her action scenes were clean and passed the test of the lens. No matter how she shot, it fit the aesthetics.

As long as Zhu Xinyue stood in front of the camera, a cinematic atmosphere came over her. Coupled with the good production crew of this drama, nothing could go wrong no matter how it was filmed.

However, after Zhu Xinyue joined the crew, there were many black PR articles against her.

It was said that she brought money into the crew and snatched the role of Yi Shan—this “Yi Shan” was the bad reputation artist who would be banned for illegal reasons in the future in the novel. There were also makeup test photos of Yi Shan and Zhu Xinyue playing the same role circulated online.

Zhu Xinyue did bring money into the crew, and almost all the dramas she filmed had investments from Jinhuan. She was also an artist of Jinhuan, making it easy for people to associate her with some other transactions.

“Um… First of all, I didn’t snatch her role. I joined the crew through normal auditions. Secondly, what does it matter if I brought money into the crew? I didn’t ask the director or screenwriter to give me more scenes.” Zhu Xinyue didn’t quite understand why these people wanted to blacken her. 

When she saw these black hot searches and PR articles, she was puzzled, not angry.

Brother Hu called her to ask if she wanted to lower the heat, and Zhu Xinyue communicated with the crew to ask if they could release the audition clips and let the audience judge who had better acting skills.

“Yue ah, now it’s not about who has better acting skills, but who should get this role more. Yi Shan’s current fame is much bigger than ours, and the drama she played last year was very popular, with fans more than ten times yours. Our voice is easily buried in her fans and water army.” 

Brother Hu always felt that Zhu Xinyue’s ideas were too idealistic, with a kind of childish innocence. They, as adults, should consider reality more.

“Do you still need to compare fame and qualifications? I thought as long as the acting skills were good, the actors should just do their job.” Zhu Xinyue was somewhat melancholy. 

In that case, what’s the difference between this and the time when she was bullied by her seniors in the company? It’s still the employees who are capable and working hard being exploited, while the old foxes are taking advantage of the situation, but they are promoted faster than the employees who are doing the real work.

Really unfair.

Brother Hu was worried about Zhu Xinyue’s unstable mentality, so he reported the matter to the big boss the next day.

The big boss sent an afternoon tea to the crew the next day.

Zhu Xinyue got a cup of hot milk tea with a cute avatar cup holder. After asking the assistant, she found out that it was Ji Linyu’s arrangement.. There was also cake in addition to hot milk tea.

Didn’t expect Mr. Ji to be so thoughtful.

Zhu Xinyue raised her cell phone and took a selfie of herself and the support food truck, and posted it on the social media platform.

【@ Zhu Xinyue: Heart ~ I will do well in filming! (Support food truck photo.jpg)】

Zhu Xinyue’s fans were all worried that Zhu Xinyue’s mood would be affected by these black PR articles. Now seeing her selfie, they also felt relieved, and they gave her likes and comments one after another.

【My wife looks so beautiful! Wear more layers, it’s cold in X city!】

【When will they organize the fan support? Did I miss something?】

【Baby, focus on your acting! I’ll handle the rest! Anyone dares to criticize you, I’ll fire back!】

…

Ji Linyu retweeted her Weibo post.

There are many speculations about Zhu Xinyue’s “mysterious boyfriend”. Some guessed it might be Ji Linyu, but there’s no concrete evidence. Also, they seem to have a big age gap, and Zhu Xinyue’s family background has not been exposed. It’s only rumored that her family is well-off, so most people think they are unlikely to be a couple.

Just after Ji Linyu retweeted Zhu Xinyue’s Weibo, Zhu Shilang also retweeted it.

Previously, Zhu Xinyue removed all followers who might expose her family background because she didn’t want to attract controversy that could affect her family when she debuted.

Later, Zhu Shilang and Zhu Xinyue had a disagreement. Zhu Shilang has only quietly followed her recent activities. This is the first time he has reposted or liked anything related to her, probably because the “role-stealing controversy” reached his ears. It shows how powerful those black fans and water armies are.

Zhu Xinyue noticed Zhu Shilang’s retweet but he didn’t call her to advise her to leave the entertainment industry this time, probably because he now takes her career seriously. So, as a gesture, she liked his post back, indicating “seen”.

However, their interaction was magnified by some people with ulterior motives, and gossip netizens started linking Zhu Shilang to Zhu Xinyue’s “mysterious boyfriend”, digging up information about Zhu Shilang.

【Who is Zhu Shilang? Executive director of Zhuchang Group… Do I know this Zhuchang Group?】

【I used to love snacks from this brand when I was a child! It’s the most famous local enterprise in Qingyang City! Everyone who comes to Qingyang has to bring back some specialty products from Zhuchang brand!】

【Students say Zhuchang Group’s stationery is super useful!】

…

Zhuchang Group is engaged in industry and usually keeps a low profile, but its brand names are widely known.

【Zhu Shilang’s father is Zhu Hengnian, chairman of Zhuchang Group.】

【Is Zhu Xinyue going to be the spokesperson for Zhuchang Group?】

【Does Zhuchang Group still need celebrity endorsements?】

【Could Zhu Shilang be Zhu Xinyue’s mysterious boyfriend?!】

Rumors and gossip always spread the fastest, especially about wealthy people and celebrities. In less than an afternoon, it was rumored that Zhu Shilang and Zhu Xinyue were a couple.

After finishing work, Zhu Xinyue saw Zhu Shilang trending because of her, and also saw Zhu Shilang’s post denying the rumors.

【@Zhu Shilang: Of course not! //@Onlooker xx: Could Zhu Xinyue’s mysterious boyfriend be Zhu Shilang?!】

He used exclamation marks, showing his feelings on the matter.

Zhu Xinyue found it amusing. Didn’t he anticipate this outcome before reposting?

She called Zhu Shilang.

“Brother, are you okay? Didn’t expect me to become this famous, did you?” Zhu Xinyue asked him with a smile.

Zhu Shilang chuckled, “Indeed, I didn’t expect internet users to dig up even my favorite color of socks.”

Zhu Xinyue grew up in Nancheng and rarely appeared in gatherings of their circle, so not many people knew that she was the eldest daughter of the Zhuchang Group.

Zhu Xinyue chuckled on her phone.

“I did warn you earlier, it’s best not to be associated with me.”

Zhu Shilang heard her teasing tone and couldn’t help but feel sorry.

His feelings were complicated. Families always hope for the safest path, one that many have walked before and proven to be the best. The path she’s chosen has not only brought her a lot of criticism but also affected those around her.

In that case, could she still have her own friends and social life?

“Tell me honestly, does your boyfriend really exist? Is it because of your unusual career that he doesn’t want to go public? I don’t want a brother-in-law who lacks courage.” Zhu Shilang feared Zhu Xinyue might be unfairly treated, especially after her comment earlier about not wanting to be associated with him. It sounded oddly sad, as if entering the entertainment industry meant she couldn’t have friends or family, otherwise she’d be exposed like him.

Zhu Xinyue’s career is now on track, so there’s no harm in telling him.

“You go ask Ji Linyu.”

Zhu Shilang sensed something unusual in her tone but hadn’t figured it out yet, thinking maybe Ji Linyu’s relationship with Zhu Xinyue’s boyfriend was closer.

“She asked you to ask me?” Ji Linyu received Zhu Shilang’s message, raised an eyebrow, and stopped his work.

Zhu Shilang didn’t understand why his friend was smiling so happily until he said, “Shilang, I’ve been dating Xinyue for six months, with marriage as the goal. She plans to go public after her career stabilizes.

“I’ll follow her lead on when to announce our relationship or get married.”

Zhu Shilang was shocked. After finally figuring it out, he felt very conflicted, unsure whether to be happy to find a good match for his sister or angry that his own cabbage had been stolen by a friend. He said with a mix of anger and amusement, “I asked you to take care of my sister, not to this extent.”

“The one who is closest to the water gets the moon first.” Ji Linyu rarely speaks harshly, but today he was in a good mood, and his true nature was exposed.

Later, Zhu Xinyue laughed so hard that her stomach hurt after listening to Zhu Shilang’s retelling. She didn’t expect that Boss Ji had such a side to him.

The one who is close to the water gets the moon first…

Zhu Xinyue remembered the night she moved into Lishan. She mistook him for someone else that night and confessed her feelings to Ji Linyu. It was like the story where there was no silver under the tree, she told Ji Linyu she didn’t like him anymore. She wondered if Ji Linyu had thought she was just someone who wanted to take advantage of him?

Maybe she didn’t mistake the person after all.

On the day when Zhu Xinyue finished filming, Zhu Xinyue held the bouquet given by the crew and took a group photo with everyone. In the distance, she saw a black car parked there, and a slender figure stood beside it, looking at her.

The sunlight was just right, people were coming and going around them, and despite the distance of several tens of meters between them, Zhu Xinyue was sure that person must be him.

Ji Linyu sent her a message.

【Big Boss: Congratulations on wrapping up. Shall we have dinner together? I’ll wait for you at the Golden Pavilion】

Every time she finished shooting a drama, the first meal she had was always with Ji Linyu. No matter which city she was in, Ji Linyu would fly over to have dinner with her.

Zhu Xinyue knew Ji Linyu didn’t want to go public because of her, so even if he came, he would just watch her from afar.

Seeing his lonely figure, Zhu Xinyue’s heart ached.

He didn’t have to suffer like this. It was just because she had been stubborn.

【Zhu Xinyue: Wait for me.】

Ji Linyu looked down at his phone, about to reply to the message, and looked up to see Zhu Xinyue in her costume, holding the bouquet, running towards him.

Instinctively, he opened his arms and caught his girl securely.

Zhu Xinyue wrapped her arms around Ji Linyu’s neck, plunged into his embrace, and the petals from the bouquet in her hand scattered all over the ground as she ran. It seemed as if they were paving a flowery path for her.

Ji Linyu was filled with a smile as he looked at Zhu Xinyue, who was radiant with happiness, embracing him without reservation in front of the crew members. Delighted that his wish had been fulfilled, he couldn’t help but kiss her lips.

“Are you willing to go public with me?”

The surrounding crew members, as well as the director and actors in the distance, looked over in surprise, curious but hesitant to look further, showing a desire for gossip.

Zhu Xinyue held Ji Linyu’s hand, bouncing around in place, her beautiful eyes crescent-shaped, as happy as a child.

“Yes! Let’s go, let’s date openly!”

In broad daylight.