Chapter 130 Clear Mirror [VIP]

Chapter Summary: Looking at the boss's worthless appearance...

My first day back in Beicheng.

Ji Binghe did not arrange any schedules for Mu Zhi, letting her rest at home for a day.

The last time I stayed at home was more than a month ago when I went back to Beicheng to attend the movie's release date announcement.

Mu Zhi gave her agent a key card for her home.

Two days before her return, her agent personally came over and arranged for cleaning staff to clean the place.

So Muzhi can move in right away as soon as she gets back, without having to bother with cleaning herself.

I arrived home at noon, had lunch with the team members, and then went home separately.

After returning home, Mu Zhi fell asleep immediately and slept until the afternoon.

After half a month of promoting the film in more than a dozen cities and dozens of cinemas, Mu Zhi, as the lead actress, still hasn't had time to see "Countdown." Taking advantage of some free time today, she plans to go to a nearby cinema to watch it.

She found a green short-sleeved floral dress in her closet and changed into it. Instead of sunglasses, she chose a pair of black-rimmed glasses, carried a small black bag that you could easily spot on the street, and wore a pair of white sneakers.

After thinking for a moment, I found a black hair tie and tried to tie up my short hair. I was able to tie it into a short bun at the back of my head, and then I used clips to hold back any loose hairs that fell out.

Mu Zhi stood in front of the full-length mirror and examined herself. She had never worn clothes with floral patterns before. This outfit was very #un-Mu Zhi#, so she shouldn't be recognized.

I put on a light blue face mask and went out.

The cinema we visited was located on the 8th floor of a large shopping mall, less than a 10-minute drive away.

It's Saturday again during summer vacation.

Mu Zhi took the elevator up from the parking lot. She was the only one in the elevator at first, but the elevator stopped at each floor and two or three people got in until it was full.

Although Mu Zhi wore a mask to cover her face, her beautiful eyes, fair skin, and tall figure were still visible, making her stand out in the crowd.

This caused the two girls standing in front of the elevator to turn around frequently, their eyes curiously scanning Mu Zhi, whispering to each other.

The elevator arrived at the 8th floor.

Mu Zhi, who was standing in the corner, waited until almost everyone else had left before stepping out of the elevator.

As soon as I came out, I saw the two girls standing not far away.

Mu Zhi sensed something was wrong and quickly quickened her pace, trying to get past the two of them and head towards the movie theater ahead.

Suddenly, a frantic shout came from behind: "Are you Mu Zhi?"

The shout was extremely loud, as if a spell had frozen Mu Zhi in place.

Mu Zhi instantly felt several probing gazes directed at her from all directions: a few young girls buying milk tea to her right, two men sitting on a bench to her left, and a group of young men and women at the entrance of the cinema 50 meters ahead.

"I heard someone calling Mu Zhi, where is she?"

"Is that the girl in the green floral dress? She looks a bit like her."

"How about we go over and ask for an autograph?"

Mu Zhi: "..." She noticed that the two little girls behind her were also walking towards her.

If she keeps walking forward, it won't be her watching the movie; everyone will be watching her cause trouble. It will also affect other passersby's viewing experience, so it seems this movie won't be watched.

Mu Zhi had no choice but to turn around quickly and brush past the two girls.

She lowered her voice and said, "You've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not Mu Zhi."

Then I jogged a few steps to the elevator, got in, pressed the close button, and the elevator doors closed...

However, this incident was captured on video by a quick-thinking passerby and posted online.

The movie "Countdown" is still in its promotional period, but the production company has already arranged for it to trend on social media.

The hashtag #Muzhi was recognized at the movie and fled in panic# quickly rose to the top of the trending searches.

"Haha, the way Mu Zhi turned and ran away when she was recognized was kind of funny."

"Taking away the adorable Zhi Bao, just whispering: Our disguise skills need improvement; she's still quite easy to recognize, Mu Zhi."

"Regarding the incident where my idol dressed up for the movie theater but was still recognized at a glance, everyone, don't hold back, I'll be the first to burst out laughing!"

"My wife's hair has grown a little longer! It's her first time wearing a floral dress, she looks so cute and sweet, so soft and cuddly [hehe]"

"In a previous interview, Zhibao mentioned that she watches every one of her works. She spent several months filming in seclusion, and after wrapping up filming, she did a promotional tour for half a month. She must have had a lot of work piled up, so she probably only had time today. So, ladies, hurry up and go to the cinema for a second or third viewing, and maybe even bump into her!"

......

When Mu Zhi got home, she went online and found out that she had been photographed and was trending on social media.

Looking back, if I had insisted on denying it on the spot, fans or passersby definitely wouldn't have been able to confirm it.

She opened the video taken by a passerby, which only captured a side profile and a figure from behind; the features and build were somewhat similar...

The next second, I saw a Weibo post from a marketing account. The white sneakers she wore today were exposed. She had worn them before, and they were the same style. There were also comparison photos of her ears, which were exactly the same. It was confirmed that it was Mu Zhi herself.

Mu Zhi: ...Luckily, I cleverly "fled in panic".

Mu Zhi received a message from her agent, who sent her the address of a movie theater and asked if she wanted to go there to watch a movie. The agent suggested booking a small theater for 10 people and using the staff entrance so she wouldn't be recognized.

It's the same theater where I watched a movie with my agent, boss, and director Wan Zhou last time.

It would take half an hour to drive there, so Mu Zhi replied to her agent: No need.

Mu Zhi untied her hair and went back to her room to change her clothes.

It's almost dinnertime, and we're out of ingredients. I'm going out again anyway.

She didn't want to go too far, so she went to the same movie theater.

The most dangerous place is often the safest place.

No one probably expected Mu Zhi to make a surprise return. She waited until the movie started before getting her ticket and going in. She chose a large theater that could seat 100 people.

I didn't buy a seat in the last row, but rather a seat in the fourth row near the aisle, so I won't attract attention when I come in.

Upon entering, Mu Zhi quickly found her seat.

Sitting in the movie theater watching "Countdown," looking at Asang on the big screen, it felt as if she and the character had crossed time and space and intertwined once again.

I felt all of Asang's emotions again, laughing, getting angry, and crying together.

The scene where Asang argues with Youqu in the deserted area, pulls her suitcase by herself, and sits on it, crying bitterly.

Ling Muzhi couldn't help but recall the time she was hospitalized in Tibet with pulmonary edema.

In her dream, she came to the film set where she was shooting during the day, and became Asang, wandering aimlessly with her suitcase. She empathized with all of Asang's emotions, perhaps because she was sick, she also had a vulnerability, which she released through this crying scene...

I could vaguely hear sobbing coming from the seats next to me and behind me.

Mu Zhi was pulled out of her thoughts.

The large theater was specially chosen so that we could watch the movie together with the audience and hear their feedback during the screening.

It is very important for an actor's performance to evoke empathy from the audience.

Watching a movie is also a way of examining one's own performance.

The end of the movie.

After Asang died, she donated her corneas to Youqu's sister.

A year later, Youqu brought his sister, whose eyes had been restored to sight, to Namtso Lake. Looking into his sister's eyes, he seemed to see Asang again.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The camera zooms out, revealing devout believers holding prayer wheels as they circle Namtso Lake, prostrating themselves with each step, their chanting echoing in the distance, the lake shimmering under the sun.

The film's end credits roll, and the cast list scrolls down.

Mu Zhi, who was sitting in the front row, got up and rushed out before the crowd.

Each time I finish watching my own work, it's also a farewell to the character.

Goodbye, Asang.

So far, the movie "Countdown" has performed very well at the box office. The production company, director, and actors are all quite satisfied with the box office results and trend. Mu Zhi has also completed her promotional work.

Next, I threw myself into the work of "paying off the debt".

The fans are right, she does have a lot of work piling up...

The following day, at Lanxing Media, in the office of the brokerage director.

Ji Binghe handed the prepared documents to Mu Zhi.

"On the fourth day after the release of 'Countdown', we received offers for endorsement deals."

Mu Zhi took the document and listened to her agent's brief introduction as she flipped through it.

"The first is a national brand of home appliances. Their air conditioners are well-known. At least 3 out of 10 households have this brand of air conditioner installed. They invited you to be their global brand ambassador."

"The second is a spokesperson for a milk tea brand, who also enjoys high public recognition..."

Although Mu Zhi's national recognition is average, she has a high public image. She is a good actress with strong professional skills, popular yet low-key in her career, inspiring and ambitious, and has good professional ethics. Moreover, she is a "lucky star," not only achieving good results in her works, but also seeing a significant increase in the sales of the products she endorses.

Therefore, it is highly favored by brands.

Mu Zhi currently holds over 20 high-quality endorsements, making her one of the top female celebrities in terms of endorsement count.

This number of endorsements is based on strict control over the quality and reputation of the partner brands; otherwise, it would have already exceeded 40+.

Ji Binghe: "Several endorsement deals haven't expired yet, and they've already offered to renew them. Oh, and Yao Nai'er is going to upgrade your title; you'll be their Asia-Pacific brand ambassador..."

"Oh." Mu Zhi nodded, indicating that she understood.

What she's more concerned about is: "How many offline events from various brands do I need to attend? Are they scheduled until the beginning of next month?"

"We're scheduled for 23 appointments a week, until mid-September."

During this period, there were also magazine cover shoots and advertisement shoots for new endorsements...

It's going to be a month of frenzied business.

Brands are eager to take advantage of the current popularity of Mu Zhi's movie to quickly arrange events, but Mu Zhi is only available from late August to mid-September.

In late September, I plan to do promotional tours for "Role Models of the Times," and then I need to join the cast of a martial arts film early for martial arts training...

Mu Zhi: This year has been a year of high-intensity business operations.

Speaking of magazine shoots, Ji Binghe mentioned something: "After the release of 'Countdown,' many netizens shipped you and Tai Feng as a couple. One of the top five magazines, [Fedona], wanted to invite Tai Feng to shoot a cover with you. The issue was scheduled for October."

Fedora is the most difficult of the five major magazines to get published in.

The peak sales season of September and October still provided excellent cover scheduling.

"Zhizhi, what do you mean? Is it the same as before?"

After the broadcast of "The Bell Ringer" and "The Edge of the Blade", Mu Zhi and Ning Yao, and Mu Zhi and Yin Xiuran were approached for CP collaborations, such as appearing on magazine covers together and joint endorsements.

Following Mu Zhi's wishes, Mu Zhi's team politely declined all offers.

This time, Ji Binghe had reservations. Tai Feng was a movie star and mainly focused on developing his career in the film industry, so there was no harm in Mu Zhi appearing on the cover with him.

After appearing on the cover of Fedora, Muzhi achieved a grand slam of the five major magazines.

Mu Zhi is not in a hurry to achieve a grand slam of fashion magazine covers.

"Same here, I politely declined."

She'll be on it sooner or later; I'm confident I'll be on Fedora's cover alone again someday.

She has another movie to work with Tai Feng later, and she doesn't want to be associated with him too early and be discussed. They don't need to rely on the topic of being a couple to gain popularity and discussion.

Let's focus on ourselves.

As the work meeting was about to end.

Ji Binghe's assistant called to report:

"Director Ji, the boss is here."

"The person is right at the door, they need to talk to you."

Ji Binghe: ? Wasn't the boss out? When did he come back? Hearing that the boss needed to see her, she had her assistant invite him in.

Immediately afterwards, He Zhiyue walked in, dressed in a high-end champagne-colored bespoke suit.

It was rare to see the boss wearing a suit of this color. As Ji Binghe watched He Zhiyue walk in like a male model, four words flashed through her mind: "Peacock spreading its tail feathers".

She got up and went over, about to ask her boss if something urgent had happened that made him come to her office.

But the boss didn't look at him; his gaze fell on Mu Zhi, who was sitting on the sofa.

With a slightly exaggerated expression revealing a hint of surprise, she asked in a light tone, "Teacher Mu, you're here too?"

Mu Zhi turned to look at He Zhiyue and responded with a polite smile: "President He."

"Director Ji and I are discussing the upcoming work arrangements."

Seeing this, He Zhiyue nodded, looked at Mu Zhi, and unconsciously smiled: "Then you can continue with your work. I just came to give a document to Director Ji."

Then he turned to look at Ji Binghe.

He handed over a package containing documents, saying, "Director Ji, please continue with your work."

He lowered his voice and said three words: "You're welcome." Then he turned and walked out.

Ji Binghe glanced down at the information on the courier document. It was a contract sent by a brand. Delivering documents was the receptionist's job; when did the boss have to personally deliver it?!

This is truly Sima Zhao's intention!

Mu Zhi: "The boss seems to be in a good mood?"

Ji Binghe: "...The company invested in 'Countdown,' and the film's box office performance is pleasing. The investment has made money, and as the female lead, you have also reaped a lot of benefits. It's a double celebration. Boss, you must be in high spirits when good things happen."

But he knew perfectly well that his boss had personally run errands to deliver a document to him so that he could openly see Mu Zhi.

It's highly likely that he saw Mu Zhi, which is why he couldn't suppress the joy on his face.

Seeing the boss's dismissive attitude, she was both amused and exasperated.

[Author's Note]

This chapter update wasn't easy; the power went out, so I'm typing by flashlight... (sheds a tear)