Chapter 11 Violet "Bathed in?"

It's better to skip the GOLA New Year cover; accepting it would only benefit Chien Yi. For Chia-Chen, this cover would just increase her exposure, but for Chien Yi, it would be a step up.

She wouldn't do something that would be a losing proposition.

But the word "suffer a loss" doesn't exist in her dictionary; what she loses here, she'll get back elsewhere.

The night was chilly, and a thin mist hung in the air, obscuring the view. The cruise ships on the river still shone brightly, but were not clearly visible through the mist.

Ji Jiazhen leaned against the window, lighting a cigarette. She wore a silk nightgown under a beige knitted cardigan. Her usually curly hair was straightened and draped smoothly over her shoulders. Her face was still fair and her skin was flawless. Her demeanor was much more restrained than usual, and the word "gentle" was rarely associated with her.

The first puff of smoke went straight into my lungs. I inhaled and exhaled slowly, holding my breath and letting the smoke drift out in wisps. My gaze was casually fixed on the void, as if I were looking at the smoke, or at the distant scenery, or as if I were looking down on everything.

She gripped her phone tightly, her thumb tapping the screen, switching back and forth between two contacts. When the cigarette had burned down to a third of its length, she dialed the number.

The call was answered after a long time. The person on the other end didn't speak, but Ji Jiazhen's eyes were smiling and her tone was friendly.

"Luca, good morning. Your art class should have just ended, right? I've been a bit busy lately and haven't talked to you on the phone in a while. I hope you're not upset with me."

There was still no response from the other end. Ji Jiazhen pretended to be sad, "I'm very sad that I can't get a response from you. Aren't we good friends? If you're angry, please tell me, okay?"

After a few seconds of silence, the reply came from the other end: "No..."

The innocent voice of a child.

Upon receiving the reply, Ji Jiazhen's voice was filled with joy, "I miss you a bit. I'll be quite free for the next two months, so how about I come and keep you company for a while? Would you like me to come?"

"……hope."

"See you the day after tomorrow. I'll bring you a gift, and I'd also like to see the results of your art class. Perhaps you'd like to give me a painting."

There was no reply from the other end, but Ji Jiazhen knew that he had agreed.

"Goodbye Luca, say bye to me."

Of course, there was no response, but Ji Jiazhen was used to it and replied to herself, "OK, I hear you. Although your voice was a little soft, you will definitely say goodbye to me loudly next time."

After saying that, wait for the other party to hang up first.

The moment the call ended, the smile on her face vanished instantly, as if she hadn't been the one speaking just moments before.

Duan Qiyin always said she was impulsive and reckless, but she just didn't have the same patience for him. She was an actress, an excellent actress, better at acting and better at pretending than anyone else.

Just now, she was willing to humble herself to coax a six-year-old boy.

Luca is Feng Mingqiao's son.

To win someone over, you must first win their heart. The key to her deep friendship with Feng Mingqiao was her son.

This is a child with autism.

Two years ago, Feng Mingqiao and her ex-husband were going through a divorce. The way these two respectable people handled the matter was rather unseemly. During their argument, no one noticed Luca was in the room; everyone assumed the nanny had taken him out to play. Luca was so upset that he ran away and was found by Ji Jiazhen, who had just moved to the neighborhood, and taken home.

Don't get me wrong, she's not someone who likes children. She brought him back because she knew whose son he was.

She went to great lengths to move closer to Feng Mingqiao, to get to know her better.

In addition, she actually studied how to interact with autistic children, making Luca her plan B for her comeback.

When Feng Mingqiao first joined Tingun headquarters, he was parachuted into the position of director, which aroused the envy of many people. However, his ability was convincing, and he was able to sit firmly in this position and climb step by step to where he is today.

To outsiders, she is a powerful woman with ruthless methods. Only Ji Jiazhen knows that she is a woman whose career is on the rise, whose marriage and friendship have been betrayed, and whose child is lonely and withdrawn.

Her career and her children are her life.

Ji Jiazhen was spared from death.

It wasn't until the entire afternoon that Feng Mingqiao realized her child was missing. As she frantically searched for him, Ji Jiazhen led Luca to her.

The result was obvious: Feng Mingqiao was grateful to her, recognized her, and thanked her.

She asked Ji Jiazhen what she wanted, and said she was willing to repay her.

Ji Jiazhen said no, and that she would let her know when she did.

For the next two years, she did not slack off and continued to focus on spending time with Luca. The child grew closer to her, and Feng Mingqiao trusted her more and more.

Upon learning that Feng Mingqiao was about to be promoted to President of Tingun Asia Pacific, she said, "I want to make a comeback and I want to be the spokesperson for Tingun's jewelry line."

The opportunity to repay this kindness has arrived.

The collaboration between the two intelligent women was thus reached. She was willing to give her the sharp sword to break through the encirclement and lend a helping hand on her road to comeback. In return, she was willing to give back and let her bring more profits to the brand.

While everyone else was waiting for endorsements to fall into their laps, Ji Jiazhen had already secured them.

As for why I called Luca today after much hesitation...

It's very simple.

Duan Qiyin said he would really give her a two-month break, which means that she will not receive any scripts, endorsements, or filming offers for the next two months.

She will be sidelined for two months.

But she has just made her comeback, and she can't just sit here and wait for her fate.

Feng Mingqiao is the only person who can help her; she has a wealth of resources and connections.

But contacting her directly would seem too hasty; going through Luca would be more sincere.

She asked Luca to give her a painting because she knew her place in the child's heart, knew he would take the painting seriously, and would most likely start preparing it today. And someone as loving of children as Feng Mingqiao would definitely notice, would definitely ask him why he painted it, would definitely ask who he wanted it for, and would definitely call Ji Jiazhen after finding out the reason, asking her what happened and why she went back to the United States.

By then, the terms will be much easier to negotiate, and it won't even be what she wants anymore, but what Feng Mingqiao wants to give.

A cold wind blew in, and the cigarette burned out. Ji Jiazhen felt the heat on her fingertips, closed the window, turned around and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray on the table, then leaned back on the sofa to look at the plane tickets.

Feng Mingqiao called twelve hours later, which shows that Luca really likes her and is very attentive to her painting.

Ji Jiazhen was packing her luggage. She had bought a flight for 2 PM today. After answering the call, she put the phone on speakerphone and placed it on the ground.

"Luca said you're coming to America?"

Ji Jiazhen smiled and replied, "Yes, I just happened to have nothing to do, so I went over to keep him company for a while."

Feng Mingqiao's voice was full of doubt, "You're still in the heat of your comeback, how could you be doing nothing?"

“I’ve offended the higher-ups again, and they’ve made me take two months off. I’ll treat it as a vacation. I also miss Luca, so I’ll go see him.”

Feng Mingqiao told her to stop, "If you rest for two months, all the momentum you built up before will be ruined, and all your efforts will have been in vain, you know that?"

Ji Jiazhen's tone was also quite helpless, "Sigh, the higher-ups want to sideline me, there's nothing I can do."

“Your fighting spirit seems to have waned.” Then the other person said, “Don’t come. I have some business to attend to back home. I’m taking Luca back with me tomorrow, and I’ll take you to meet someone in a few days.”

Ji Jiazhen paused in packing her luggage, then smiled with her eyes lowered.

The objective has been achieved.

The person Feng Mingqiao is going to introduce her to must be a big shot in the industry.

She was really looking forward to it.

*

Feng Mingqiao returned to China and spent two days on important business, leaving Luca in the care of Ji Jiazhen. The little boy was very quiet and obedient, and Ji Jiazhen spent two days drawing with him, which also helped her calm down.

That evening, Feng Mingqiao came to pick up Luca and told her, "I'll pick you up at six o'clock tomorrow night."

Ji Jiazhen asked her, "What do you need me to prepare?"

Feng Mingqiao scanned her from head to toe, then replied, "Do your best to showcase your personal style."

This is a bit abstract, but Ji Jiazhen understands it.

She didn't hire a stylist, and did her own makeup. Her hair was styled in a low bun, with not a single strand sticking out, a hairstyle that maximized the display of her facial features. Her makeup was extremely light, with just drawn eyebrows and her signature red lips. There was no foundation, and nothing else superfluous, but this simple makeup had a unique and distinctive charm.

It's rare to see someone with Western bone structure who also possesses Eastern charm; Chi Chia-Chen is one of them.

At six o'clock in the evening, during the blues hour, the world was bathed in a dim blue light, a cool breeze blew, and the night lights came on.

Ji Jiazhen walked into the twilight wearing a well-tailored black suit. The low-cut V-neckline revealed a stunningly beautiful bust, exuding both sexiness and coolness. She went braless yet showed no signs of lewdness—that too is a skill.

Feng Mingqiao gave her a thumbs up after she got on the bus.

Is it stylish enough?

"This perfectly encapsulates the character of Ji Jiazhen."

She possesses a cool and aloof charm, a unique style, and an unforgettable face. Her demeanor is always poised and graceful, never pandering or flattering.

She is the coldest thorn in the thicket, the hottest flame in the raging fire, and a metal song that is a climax from beginning to end.

Ji Jiazhen laughed.

Tonight, she'll return home with a full load.

Feng Mingqiao brought her to a private residence, a Chinese-style courtyard with a Japanese-style landscape design, where the sound of flowing water could be heard as soon as you entered the courtyard.

She lagged behind Feng Mingqiao by a step, her eyes scanning the surrounding corners, memorizing the details, and inferring the owner's identity and personality preferences from these designs.

Not young, prefers quiet, has good artistic taste, works behind the scenes.

This is her speculation.

Passing through the hexagonal pavilion, the view brightened, and the indoor lights reflected on the water. Ji Jiazhen looked at the people inside; the men and women were all well-dressed, giving the impression of a high-society gathering.

She thought tonight's meeting would only involve the three of them, but it seems she was mistaken.

While Feng Mingqiao engaged in social interactions, she merely nodded and smiled. She encountered two familiar faces—producers from her previous two films—and exchanged a few polite words, her curiosity growing ever stronger about who Feng Mingqiao was introducing her to.

Someone offered her a drink, which she accepted with a smile, and then she and Feng Mingqiao leaned against the high table.

At that moment, everyone's eyes turned to the stairwell. A person slowly walked down from the second floor, leaning on a cane. But the cane was clearly just for decoration. His steps were very steady, and he didn't put any force on the cane.

Ji Jiazhen's eyes followed him, her gaze reflecting the light from the crystal chandelier, a light that revealed an almost frenzied excitement.

She knew this person and admired him.

Wei Xikai, a titan of his field, directed his only film, which was also Ji Jiazhen's favorite. Meng Xu was the female lead, and it was this film that helped her win the Best Actress award. However, directing was merely a hobby for Wei Xikai, a passing fancy. His primary identity was that of a writer, and not long ago, his novel won an international award, a highly regarded and prestigious one.

Because he has been working on this project for years and has not been involved in the entertainment industry for a long time, Ji Jiazhen has not really believed the rumors circulating online recently.

—Wei Xikai's award-winning novel "Sacrifice" is being adapted into a film and television series.

Wei Xikai has never sold his copyrights. If the film adaptation is indeed happening, it won't even need a lead actor; the show's popularity and buzz will be unprecedented.

Since we've come to this point, let's think about the lead actor again...

She had finished reading the novel and was very familiar with the plot.

One woman is central to the entire story; all the ups and downs and twists and turns revolve around her. The five highlights of the book all revolve around this woman, who appears only five times in the book.

Every time she appears, it's a climax in the plot.

If it were made into a movie, she wouldn't be considered the lead in terms of screen time, but all the highlights would be her.

Ji Jiazhen's fingers, gripping the wine glass, suddenly tightened.

If the film adaptation is true, and if she gets the role... then Meng Xu's glory will be her future.

Wei Xikai started making polite remarks, but Ji Jiazhen put her hand to her lips and leaned closer to Feng Mingqiao, asking, "Is the person you're taking me to see him?"

She had even thought of her next question, but Feng Mingqiao's answer was not what she expected.

"no."

Ji Jiazhen's eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked down at Feng Mingqiao's profile, only to find that her gaze was not in Wei Xikai's direction.

“It’s him, Zhuang Yan, Wei Xikai’s nephew.”

She looked in the direction Feng Mingqiao was facing, and the man in the white suit only turned his side to face them.

"Him..."

Hearing Ji Jiazhen's murmur, Feng Mingqiao raised an eyebrow and turned around, "You know her?"

Ji Jiazhen smiled again, a smile that Feng Mingqiao recognized, so he asked her in a teasing tone, "Have you ever soaked in one?"

Ji Jiazhen took a sip of wine, already planning his next move.

"Not really."

But it's about the same.

A note from the author:

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Wishing everyone a successful June.