Chapter 34 Cat Raising Guide: Resignation?!

The footsteps behind her were hurried and somewhat familiar. Mo Ningzhi turned around and saw Qin Weijin, dressed in a black and red half-sleeved cross-collar shirt, still wearing the cold and gloomy look he had adopted while playing Duan Yunfei. He was walking over in a hurry, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

"For Brother Jin." Yang Lian's eyes lit up as soon as she saw him. "You're here. Did you come especially to pick me up?"

Mo Ningzhi raised an eyebrow.

Although he had already guessed about the private relationship between Qin Weijin and Yang Lian, he lacked real evidence and it might not be true. Everyone makes mistakes, and he was wrong about it sometimes.

“No,” Qin Weijin said.

Yang Lian's expression froze.

Mo Ningzhi looked at the two people with great interest.

"Brother Jin, you're really joking. I saw you walking over here in such a hurry." Yang Lian smiled sheepishly and walked to Qin Weijin's side. "You look really good in this outfit. I just took Li Yun's makeup photos this morning, and one of the outfits goes really well with this one. No wonder we're childhood sweethearts."

Having been on set for a while, Mo Ningzhi has gained some understanding of the script and the actors. The role of Li Yun is neither too important nor too minor. In the drama, she and Duan Yunfei grew up together and were betrothed since childhood. If the massacre of the Duan family had not occurred, their wedding would have been held after Duan Yunfei came of age.

In the drama, Li Yun has liked Duan Yunfei since childhood. After the tragedy, she voluntarily left her family to help her childhood friend avenge the tragedy. However, due to her young age and lack of experience, she made a mistake and was eventually overwhelmed by the treacherous officialdom of the capital. In the end, she died protecting Duan Yunfei from a sword.

Judging from Yang Lian herself, the role of Li Yun is quite fitting.

"Now that you've got the role, just do your best in filming. As for the production team, Zhan Linzhou will help you secure the best possible outcome. I promised your brother I'd help you establish yourself, and I will definitely keep my word."

As soon as Qin Weijin finished speaking, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the assistant pause for a moment, then turn to look at him with a somewhat complicated expression.

Qin, for the sake of Jin, refrained from turning around.

Yang Lian seemed even happier, her eyebrows dancing with excitement as she said, "Thank you, Brother Wei Jin. I knew you wouldn't refuse to help me. Oh, right, I just remembered that I went to the coast last week to take photos and brought back several kinds of local specialties. My parents were just saying the other day that they wanted me to invite you to their home for dinner. Brother Wei Jin, when are you free? I'll have my parents arrange it."

As if afraid that Qin Weijin would refuse, she immediately added, "It's not just about having a meal, but also about discussing my brother's condition. Is that alright?"

Hearing this, Mo Ningzhi roughly understood.

Qin Weijin's special treatment of Yang Lian was probably due to a favor owed to him. Yang's brother likely had done him a great favor, and now that he was seriously ill and incurable, Qin Weijin could only repay the favor by doing so to Yang Lian.

As time went on, Yang Lian, who had been "cared for" by Qin Weijin, gradually developed feelings for him and planned to make their fake relationship real. Qin Weijin was probably also very troubled during this time, and could only avoid her at every turn, hoping that Yang Lian would give up on her own.

However, judging from the girl's current enthusiasm, it will probably be a long time before she gives up.

In some ways, Qin Weijin is quite similar to Mo Ningzhi in this respect. Both of them are constrained by others and limited in every step because of some unspeakable favor or guilt.

As someone who has been through it all, Mo Ningzhi knows that gratitude is harder to repay than guilt, and Qin Weijin probably has no choice but to attend the banquet this time.

"I'll call the doctor at the hospital and ask them to thank your aunt and uncle for their kindness. I won't go; you all can have a good family reunion," Qin Weijin said unexpectedly.

"Brother Jin, my parents miss you so much. They've been talking about you so many times. Aren't you going to take some time to see them?" Yang Lian asked anxiously.

In that instant, Mo Ningzhi seemed to see the shadow of Zhou Yaozheng in Yang Lian, and Qin Weijin was another version of him.

From an outsider's perspective, Mo Ningzhi really wanted to criticize Yang Lian. It was her brother who had shown kindness, not her. Using her brother's name to take advantage of the situation was truly despicable. But he had no right to do so; he was just an assistant.

After thinking it over, Mo Ningzhi could only use work as an excuse to say, "Brother Jin, the next scene is about to begin."

With the familiar form of address returning, Qin Weijin knew that the misunderstanding was finally over. He nodded and said to Yang Lian, "We're both in the same film crew now, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to visit you at this time; it would have a bad influence."

Yang Lian quickly replied, "I don't mind."

Qin Weijin's voice deepened: "I mind."

"..." Yang Lian paused, her eyes slowly reddening.

Qin Weijin left with only the words, "Have your assistant come and take care of you," before turning and returning to the set. With a little time before filming began, he only needed to glance back to see Mo Ningzhi obediently following beside him. From that moment on, the unease that had plagued him for three whole days suddenly subsided.

"Ning Zhi?" Zhang Yuyu looked at the scene that hadn't appeared for three days with a strange expression. "You're finally back. You've been busy on the periphery these past few days, and Brother Jin has been asking about your whereabouts several times a day."

"Yu Yu." Qin Weijin coughed lightly. "I'd like some water. Could you get it from the car for me?"

Zhang Yuyu paused for a second: "Brother Jin, you have some right here."

"..." Qin Weijin firmly changed his mind: "I want it iced."

“That bottle is the one I just took out…” Zhang Yuyu glanced at Qin Weijin, then at Mo Ningzhi beside her who had a half-smile on her face, as if she understood something. “Oh, okay, then I’ll go get another bottle. You two chat.”

No sooner had Zhang Yuyu left than Mo Ningzhi handed Qin Weijin a small fan. Qin Weijin looked up: "What are you doing?"

"Isn't Brother Jin hot?" Mo Ningzhi smiled slightly, looking quite pleased. "The ice water will take a while, let's use the fan to tide us over."

"..."

This was the first time Qin Weijin realized that a boomerang of wrong words would immediately pierce back.

However, Qin Weijin liked Mo Ningzhi's current appearance very much. Like a cat that had had enough of being in the wild, she walked with proud steps over the courtyard wall, crawled into the open window, and lay down in her favorite bed, basking in the sun, sleeping with her soft belly exposed.

Peaceful and serene.

Qin Weijin relaxed, leaned back in his chair, and took the electric fan. "Didn't you say you were going to ignore me?"

"No, I don't think so," Mo Ningzhi said, feigning ignorance.

"..."

Mo Ningzhi boasted shamelessly: "Maybe a little? Not much."

Qin Weijin was almost laughing in exasperation, but after so long, he gradually figured out how to get along with Mo Ningzhi—he would raise a cat the same way he would a cat.

Perhaps the topic he brought up wasn't suitable for casual conversation, so the cat stretched out its paw and scratched him lightly. "It's just a little way to avoid scumbags."

Scumbag?

Qin Weijin pointed to himself: "Me?"

"Otherwise what?" Mo Ningzhi asked matter-of-factly.

Often, the main reason misunderstandings can't be resolved is that both parties are tight-lipped and unwilling to say a word. Even after the misunderstanding is cleared up, they try to avoid bringing it up again to avoid embarrassment. Qin Weijin didn't expect Mo Ningzhi to be so direct in asking, "Then why did you come back?"

Mo Ningzhi raised her head: "I'm happy."

Qin Weijin suddenly felt like scratching his chin.

Perhaps because he was too relaxed, Qin Weijin realized that he had slowly reached out towards Mo Ningzhi's chin when he came to his senses... Just as he was about to touch her, he suddenly woke up and tried to pull his hand back, but the movement was too fast, and the action he originally wanted to "scratch" turned into "pick".

Mo Ningzhi looked up, prompted by his provocation.

Qin for Jin: "..."

Mo Ningzhi: "..."

Mo Ningzhi was stunned for a while before raising his hand to touch his chin. He slightly raised his head, his jawline taut with a sharp line: "...What are you doing?"

He blinked rapidly a dozen times, still unable to pull himself out of his reverie.

...Did Qin Weijin just lift his chin?

Mo Ningzhi's heart first jumped lightly, then suddenly sank heavily. He looked relaxed, but his whole body was tense, and his heart was beating faster than usual.

And perhaps because of the hot weather, Mo Ningzhi felt that her chin, earlobes, and cheeks were burning hot.

"Wei Jin, are you ready? We can shoot the next scene." The assistant director called out from a distance.

Qin Weijin was just thinking of an excuse to get rid of the awkward situation when the assistant director came to his rescue. He quickly got up, but in his haste, the fan on his leg fell to the ground. Without bothering to pick it up, he turned and left.

Mo Ningzhi silently picked up the fan. Zhang Yuyu returned just as filming was about to begin, only to find an empty chair in front of her. She stood on tiptoe and looked into the distance. "They've started filming so soon? I just got some ice water..."

Before she could finish speaking, the bottle, still damp with moisture, was snatched from her hand. Zhang Yuyu initially thought Mo Ningzhi was also thirsty, but when she turned around, she saw the person pressing the ice bottle against her face and neck. When she saw her looking over, he blushed and took the time to say thank you.

Zhang Yuyu: "..."

It's normal for some people on the team to act a little strange because of the hot weather.

After Mo Ningzhi recovered, she went to watch Qin Weijin filming. The early part of the drama had a lot of action scenes, which tested the actors' physical fitness and martial arts skills. If they didn't do it well, they would have to start over.

"No, this take isn't good." Hou Qing called for a stop again. "It's afternoon now, the light is from the west. Adjust the camera position and shoot from position seven. We couldn't see Qin Weijin's left hand movement clearly from the previous angle. Also, the wind wasn't strong enough, we need to add more. Let's do it again."

"And what are the stagehands doing? Can't they see that huge wooden stick on the ground? Who's responsible if the actor falls? Take it away right now!"

Mo Ningzhi was watching Hou Qing directing a group of people back and forth with a megaphone when Xiao Guo walked by carrying a pile of miscellaneous items. As he approached, Xiao Guo suddenly stumbled.

Mo Ningzhi, no longer caring about the commotion, quickly took his hand and said, "Be careful, there's a lot of debris on the ground."

Xiao Guo was also startled by the stumble, his eyes widening and his breathing becoming rapid. "Thank you, Ning Zhi, otherwise I would have almost bumped into the scaffolding."

Mo Ningzhi noticed he was drowsy earlier: "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

"Hmm..." Xiao Guo said, yawning in a very cooperative manner, "Recently, Brother Jin has been filming a lot of night scenes, and I haven't slept well for several nights. I come home with bags under my eyes every day. If it weren't for the high salary, my parents would have forced me to quit my job."

Mo Ningzhi asked, "So, do you want to resign?"

"No way," Xiao Guo shook his head decisively. "This job is a bit tough, but the pay is high. A high pay is everything. Anyone who quits would be a fool."

Mo Ningzhi couldn't help but chuckle and took most of the miscellaneous items from his arms, saying, "I'll help you move them."

"good."

Filming continued until 8 p.m. The continuous overtime left the crew and actors exhausted. Xu Mingtiao rushed to the director with a small mirror in hand, wailing that her eye bags had fallen to the ground.

"Director Hou, this schedule is so illogical! You're cramming all the night scenes together. Are you afraid I won't get old? Look at the skin around my eyes, I'm getting fine lines. Do you know that staying up late is a killer for your skin?"

Hou Qing knew he was in the wrong and surrendered, saying, "There was nothing we could do about it. The initial plan was to finish filming this segment in half a month, but it dragged on for so long and we still haven't finished. The location has been rented for so long, so we had to speed things up to meet the deadline."

Xu Mingtiao gritted her teeth: "How much longer do we have to work overtime?"

Hou Qing shakily extended three fingers, then, under Xu Mingtiao's murderous gaze, reduced them to two: "..."

“If this continues, my team will all leave because of excessive overtime!” Xu Mingtiao is a generous person who doesn’t like beating around the bush and is well-liked on set. As soon as she spoke, the staff also sighed and groaned softly, “Director Hou, look at me, do you think I can still play the role of a stunningly beautiful princess?”

"Okay, okay, I got it, stop howling."

Qin Weijin watched them bickering from afar, casually tightening the cap of the empty bottle. In a good mood, he couldn't help but turn his head and smile.

Xu Mingtiao immediately turned around, her face flushed with anger, and snapped, "What are you laughing at? Who are you on? If you keep adding like this, aren't you worried about getting a few resignation letters tomorrow?!"

Qin remained unmoved by Jin's stance and calmly replied, "He wouldn't."

Xu Mingtiao: "...?"

who?

It wasn't until Qin Weijin removed his makeup that he realized Mo Ningzhi wasn't around, nor was Xiao Guo; only Zhang Yuyu was tidying up her personal belongings on the dressing table.

His eyes had been searching too frequently lately. Zhang Yuyu noticed as soon as his gaze had turned halfway around: "Is Brother Jin looking for Ning Zhi?"

"Hmm, you saw him?" Qin Weijin looked around while taking another sip of water.

"I just saw him. He and Xiao Guo were together, and it seemed like they were talking about resigning," Zhang Yuyu said.

"Cough cough cough..."

Qin Weijin choked, letting out a rapid cough: "...What?"

Resign? !