Chapter 59
Luo Mingxiu's vacation was forced to be extended, which meant that she had originally planned to spend two days with him before returning to the company to practice singing and shoot commercials.
As a result, he wouldn't let go, and the short holiday was spent in a state of debauchery.
Degenerate, too degenerate.
Shen Li rebuked him and also examined herself. She was never one to indulge in such things, but Luo Mingxiu's vigorous enthusiasm brought her too much novelty.
The unexpected compatibility made her feel reborn, wanting to escape while willingly drowning in the most primal sea of desire.
"What are you dressed like that to cover up? It's so hard to guess." In the office, Cheng Qingqing stared at Shen Li in the swivel chair opposite her.
During the sweltering heat of the dog days of summer, Shen Li wore a turtleneck sweater, long sleeves, and trousers, covering herself completely.
It's easy to guess how wonderful her life has been since that day she met Luo Mingxiu, and how beautiful she has become.
Shen Li felt a little awkward and smiled at her: "Can we reschedule the bra ad for this afternoon?"
Cheng Qingqing sighed: "Let me see how conspicuous it is. If you can cover it up with makeup, then do so."
Shen Li lifted her clothes up.
Cheng Qingqing glanced at it, picked up her phone, and said, "I'd better contact the advertiser directly to change the time."
After coordinating with the sponsor's mother, Cheng Qingqing looked at her again, clicked her tongue in admiration, and couldn't help but say, "As expected, the younger brother is really something else. You two are really exciting."
"Do you know about Luo Mingxiu's schedule?" Shen Li asked.
Cheng Qingqing raised an eyebrow and smiled: "What, you're already missing me after just breaking up?"
"Get out," Shen Li gritted her teeth. "I want to know how busy he will be afterwards. It's best if he doesn't have any rest time."
"Hahahaha—" Cheng Qingqing laughed so hard she could barely hold her phone, and only spoke after she calmed down.
"Don't worry, he has a magazine shoot abroad with E-family, so the time can't be changed. After he comes back, there's only one meet-and-greet for you two, and then he'll be joining a film crew. You won't be able to spend many days together."
Shen Li breathed a sigh of relief.
"But didn't you leave any marks on him?" Cheng Qingqing asked. "He shows them in magazine shoots too."
“I’m nothing like him. He’s like a dog, so reckless. He’s fine as long as he doesn’t show his back,” Shen Li said, getting angry again. “We should really buy him a bite stopper.”
“Stop,” Cheng Qingqing said, rubbing her forehead. “Doing this will only excite him more.”
Hearing Cheng Qingqing say that, Shen Li imagined the scene and her face flushed.
.
Shen Li has been practicing at the company these past few days, except for her external work, because she will be singing at the fan meeting on Sunday.
There's no problem with the chorus; among the four main actors is Sun Qi, a music student, and Yuan Haoxuan, who has participated in talent shows. As long as we don't sing off-key with them, we'll be fine.
She needs to practice her individual character song in advance, because she keeps cracking on a high note in the chorus, and she's afraid of embarrassing herself.
“Yes, think about when you’re practicing your lines. To avoid tiring your throat, using your diaphragm to produce sound is the most effortless and also the best-sounding.” In the rehearsal room, Sun Qi was teaching her high-note techniques.
The day after tomorrow is the rehearsal. As the lead singer of the main cast, she will go over the songs she will be singing when she arrives.
Shen Li sang the song completely as she was told, and not only did she not crack, but her high notes were also not as sharp.
"Thank you so much, you've been a great help," Shen Li said, putting down the lyric sheet. "I hope we can achieve this effect at the fan meeting."
"Yes, you will. Remember my method. Don't practice tomorrow. Protect your voice so you won't crack if you don't rush."
Sun Qi sighed and said, "The rehearsal is the day after tomorrow. I wonder how well Luo Mingxiu is practicing his singing."
Shen Li: "Is it okay? He doesn't have any character songs to sing. His solo performance is swordsmanship. He and Yuan Haoxuan did a good job practicing swordsmanship on set before."
"Hmm?" Sun Qi tilted her head. "Sister Li, didn't you know he can't sing? In the chorus, each of us has a part, and he was asking me yesterday how to sing his part."
"Can't sing?" Shen Li said. "How can you say he can't sing? Isn't it enough to just have a mouth? Does that mean he sings terribly?"
Sun Qi released their chat history: "Let me find the voice message he sent me a few days ago. You'll understand once you listen to it, sis."
I still remember the dream of you riding a horse amidst the flowers.
"I will never regret fighting with my sword beneath the city gates."
After the audio playback ended, Shen Li nodded, still unaware of the problem: "Hmm, the lyrics are finished, but what about the singing part?"
“…That’s what he sang.” Sun Qi suppressed a laugh. “He just doesn’t know how to sing.”
Shen Li froze, searching her memory of Luo Mingxiu singing. She had heard him humming songs when she was a child, but the memory was so long ago that she didn't know if he was still in tune.
But upon closer reflection, it seems I haven't heard him sing since his voice changed.
That shouldn't be the case. He usually speaks and recites lines with great emotion and a beautiful voice. How come he sings like a robot? It's simply unbelievable.
“Oh, another one has arrived,” Sun Qi nudged her. “Sister Li, come and listen to the results of his practice.”
Shen Li leaned closer. This time, he sent her a recording, singing all the parts he needed to sing. She listened intently, holding her breath.
The good news has been tuned, but the bad news is so off-key it's better to have no tune at all.
Is there any hope?
Music mentor Sun Qi chuckled twice and said, "It would be great if this song had rap."
We're doomed.
Sun Qi was carefully choosing her words to reply when a message came from the other end.
Luo Mingxiu: Is there anything else that needs to be corrected?
Luo Mingxiu: I think I sang pretty well.
Where can I find this information? Do tone-deaf people really not realize they're singing off-key?
Shen Li's eyes twitched, and she took out her phone and sang his part of the lyrics. Sun Qi, who was listening nearby, applauded for her.
Shen Li sent the recording to Luo Mingxiu: Hurry up and practice, you're even worse than me.
The other end replied instantly: How did you hear that?!
Shen Li smiled: Sun Qi and I are practicing singing together.
Shen Li: Is it embarrassing that I heard you?
Pear's Little Dog: I was planning to secretly practice until I was fully prepared, and give you a surprise at the rehearsal...
Surprise? More like a shock.
Shen Li chuckled, nearly knocking her phone over. She looked up and saw Sun Qi staring at her with a probing expression.
Oh no, I forgot there was someone next to me.
"Well, it's getting late, you should go back and rest." Shen Li stopped smiling and stood up.
Sun Qi's eyes darted around, and she said, "Sister Li, are you and Luo Mingxiu talking?"
Shen Li paused, turned around guiltily, and pretended not to have heard clearly: "Huh? What did you say?"
"Dating Luo Mingxiu," Sun Qi whispered in her ear again.
"Don't worry, sis, I won't tell anyone."
Shen Li's face flushed slightly: "How did you find out?"
"When we were filming Detective, I felt that Luo Mingxiu liked you. I didn't know your attitude at the time, so I didn't tell you. Recently, judging from the movements of your two teams, I guess it's a done deal."
The two walked to the underground parking lot in hushed tones. Before getting into the car, Sun Qi couldn't help but tease her: "Congratulations, Sister Li, on the arrival of your new love."
"Bye-bye!" Shen Li pushed her inside and helped her close the car door.
Sun Qi guessed that this was expected, after all, Sun Qi had been signed with Qingli for three years, and usually, apart from her manager and assistant, she was only familiar with her and Cheng Qingqing.
This girl is quick-witted and knows what she wants. She's not the kind of person who's particularly nosy about things outside her life, so it doesn't bother her if she knows.
So when she guessed that Shen Li was right, she simply admitted it.
My phone rang once; it was a recording from Luo Mingxiu.
Pear's Little Dog: I sang it again with you. Are you feeling any better now?
Shen Li opened the recording and listened to it. To be honest, she sang a little better, but not much better.
The puppy was so anxious that it made a voice call: "What should I do? I compared my singing with yours and it sounded really weird. I'm going on stage the day after tomorrow, and I'm afraid I'll embarrass you."
"You're much better now. Focus on practicing your solo lines and your signature sword dance. We're not singers, so as long as you prepare diligently, the fans won't be too critical," Shen Li comforted him.
"Don't be afraid, I don't sing very well either."
Luo Mingxiu: "What's wrong with it? It's simply heavenly music."
Shen Li chuckled: "Stop flattering me. Is your work over there finished? The rehearsal at the Grand Theater is at nine o'clock the day after tomorrow. What time are you going to arrive?"
"We landed at seven o'clock. Did you miss me, sister?" Luo Mingxiu's voice softened again, making Shen Li's ears go weak.
Do you want to?
Yes, a little. We've been apart for a week. At first, I was so bothered by him that I didn't want to see him anymore, but after just two days, I started looking forward to our meeting.
"It's alright, you've only been there for a week."
Shen Li's words and actions were not what they seemed, but Luo Mingxiu's longing for her could not be concealed.
"I miss you so much."
He spoke sincerely and enthusiastically, managing to elicit Shen Li's true feelings.
"Yes, I miss you too."
On the day of the rehearsal.
The theater is located in a tourist town in H City. Some fans who bought tickets had already been waiting at the theater exit for a day in advance.
When the car arrived at the gate, there was a huge crowd outside the surrounding fence.
After removing her makeup and costume, Shen Li got out of the car, and screams erupted from all sides.
"Ahhhh, Xie Huaixi!"
"Lord Xie, I love you! My wife Lili is so beautiful, I love you so much!"
"Holy crap, he's so handsome, honey!"
Hearing the monkey-like shouts of "wife and husband," Shen Li's face flushed again. She turned around, smiled, waved to the fans, and followed the staff into the theater.
Inside the venue, the main creative team had already arrived. When Shen Li walked backstage, the director was saying something to everyone.
Luo Mingzheng straightened up and their eyes met in the air, his gaze fixed on her.
The costumes they changed into at the meet-and-greet were the same ones they often wore in the drama. His bodyguard outfit and her light purple ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) were the same outfits they wore on the day they reunited when they joined the cast.
Time flies by.
Back then, he didn't dare to look at her, but now he can gaze at her from afar, and when she smiles at him, she is all he sees and thinks about.
As if ignoring the people around him, Luo Mingxiu involuntarily wanted to step forward, but Shen Li caught his movement and quickly glared at him, causing Luo Mingxiu to pull his foot back.
Sun Qi laughed to the side; thankfully, no one else saw this strange scene.
"Director Liu, Director Zhang." Shen Li walked over to greet them, and as she got closer, she saw the screenwriter next to the director and shook hands with her. "And Editor Wang, hello, long time no see."
"Hello, Teacher Shen." Editor Wang responded politely, feeling a little shy at being so close to Shen Li all of a sudden.
Shen Li smiled and nodded at her, her smile friendly. Wang Bian seemed more relaxed than before.
Then the host's voice came from outside, and she called them to the stage according to the procedure.
The rehearsal theater, which was supposed to be a large-scale event with a thousand attendees, is now empty except for the two rows of people sitting at the very front as audience members.
Besides staff, there were also investors, the original author, and directors and producers who came to learn and exchange ideas.
After Shen Li finished singing, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face in the first row.
Jiang Mingyi?
Is that her? The stage lights make it hard to see clearly.
After all the steps were completed, Shen Li stepped off the stage and saw that it was indeed her. She was wearing a red dress and had exquisite makeup, looking like she had just walked the red carpet. She was different from the Shen Li who always wore no makeup in her memory.
As they walked, Jiang Mingyi seemed to notice Shen Li's gaze. Shen Li quickly went over to greet him, but upon getting closer, she found that Jiang Mingyi wasn't looking at her.
Her gaze remained fixed on what was behind her, a cryptic smile playing on her lips.
What's the meaning?
Shen Li followed her gaze and looked behind her. Behind her was Luo Mingxiu, who had his head down and was completely unaware of what was happening.
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