Chapter 64
Two minutes after the call.
"Knock knock," came a knock on the door. "Mr. Cheng, we're here."
"Come in," Cheng Qingqing replied.
Liang Jin entered first, followed by Luo Mingxiu. He raised his eyes, who had been looking down, and looked at the woman sitting on the sofa.
Shen Li sipped her coffee, her expression revealing no sign of life or death.
After finishing her coffee, Shen Li put down her cup and glanced at Luo Mingxiu: "Come here."
Luo Mingxiu walked over.
The atmosphere was slightly heavy. Cheng Qingqing coughed lightly, walked over and sat down next to Shen Li, patted her, and said, "Well, there are two issues now. Let's deal with them one by one. The first is about you not filming kissing scenes, Xiao Luo. Explain your thoughts to Shen Li again."
"The second thing is that Tianye has a movie that wants Shen Li to play the female lead. Shen Li and I both think that you are capable enough to try playing the male lead, so this movie wants you to play the male lead. In other words, you will be working together on your first male and female lead drama."
Hearing this, Luo Mingxiu looked at her, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Cheng Qingqing: "But coincidentally, when we were negotiating with Tianye Productions to cast you as the male lead, they said they had considered you first, but because you can't film kissing scenes, so..."
“I can take pictures,” Luo Mingxiu looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Shen Li, “as long as it’s with my sister, I can.”
Shen Li snorted again, sounding annoyed.
Cheng Qingqing looked at her and then said, "Okay, before you talk about the movie, you two should discuss it first. Because if you decide to make it, in the eyes of the fans, Luo Mingxiu, you broke your own principles because of Shen Li, which would be equivalent to you two officially announcing your relationship. So you need to think this through."
“That’s roughly the situation,” Cheng Qingqing said, then walked to the other side and pushed open the door. “You two talk here alone first, and then we’ll talk about the movie.”
“Okay.” Shen Li got up and went inside, with Luo Mingxiu following behind her. The door closed.
He immediately said, "Sister, I won't do kissing scenes with anyone but you."
Shen Li: "Should I praise you? Do you know that this will severely limit the roles you can take on in the future?"
“I know, but I can’t accept kissing someone I don’t like. Even if it’s acting, it’s still a kiss, a real kiss. If we have to fake a kiss, it’s better not to film it at all for the audience,” Luo Mingxiu said, his voice lowering. “Just like you, when have you ever faked a kiss in a scene?”
“You see, I was afraid you would mention me,” Shen Li said. “Acting is a job, and I don’t mind filming kissing scenes for work. I also hope my boyfriend won’t mind this.”
“I don’t mind you doing kissing scenes. I’ve never thought of restricting you,” Luo Mingxiu said firmly. “After seeing so many of your kissing scenes over the years, I’m immune to it. Although I still feel uncomfortable, I know it’s the work you love. You’ve never been an actor who doesn’t do kissing scenes, so there’s no need for you to change for anyone.”
“But I’m different. I thought it through from the beginning. I can’t film kissing scenes with other people. There are male actors in the entertainment industry who are like me but have a very successful career.”
“This is my principle, Shen Li. I respect you, so please respect me as well.”
Aside from saying she liked him, this was the first time Shen Li had seen Luo Mingxiu with such a determined look in his eyes, and her heart softened a little: "You really won't try?"
"You previously stated publicly that you wouldn't film kissing scenes, but now you want to be with me. It's not something you can guess at a glance."
Seeing that Shen Li's expression was moved, Luo Mingxiu stepped forward and took her hand: "Before we started dating, I had already anticipated this day would come. I wondered how the outside world would view and judge me as your leading man. But we are now boyfriend and girlfriend, and we will have to make it official sooner or later. Are you going to keep me hidden forever, sister?"
“Yeah, right,” Shen Li joked.
Luo Mingxiu hugged her, his voice low and chuckled: "You're not angry anymore?"
Shen Li glared at her: "I'm not a pufferfish, why am I so angry? Explain yourself clearly, do you think I'd force you to film a kissing scene with someone else?"
"Thank you for understanding, sister." Luo Mingxiu lowered his head and kissed her forehead, then hugged her and pulled her close to his chest.
A strong, clear heartbeat came through her, and Shen Li tilted her head slightly to look at him: "Luo Mingxiu, are you feeling very smug and happy right now?"
"Yes, my second wish, and you've granted it for me so quickly, sister." Luo Mingxiu looked down at the woman in his arms, then lowered his head to kiss her.
"No," Shen Li stopped her with her hand, "Qingqing and the others are still waiting outside. Let's go out and ask about the start time of the movie."
"Okay." Luo Mingxiu smiled.
Pulling Shen Li to open the door, the two, who were bending over to eavesdrop, fell forward due to inertia as soon as the door opened.
"What are you doing—" Shen Li said, feeling ashamed and indignant.
Cheng Qingqing laughed awkwardly twice: "You've discussed it, that's good. Come here quickly, let's talk about when you should officially announce it if you want to act in this movie, and we also need to do a good job of ideological work."
The four of them sat down in the sofa area. Luo Mingxiu didn't want to be separated, so he didn't sit with Liang Jin, but pulled her hand and sat on the other side.
Liang Jin rolled his eyes. He couldn't sit with President Cheng, so he pulled up a chair and sat down next to him.
Cheng Qingqing cleared her throat and said, "Regarding when filming will start, the director team designated by Tianye still has a key project that hasn't been finished. So we'll have to wait until after the New Year to start filming. We expect to finish filming this movie in 3 to 4 months."
"What are your thoughts on the official announcement? This movie has two intense kissing scenes, and Luo Mingxiu's acceptance of the role will definitely spark speculation."
Liang Jin raised his hand to speak: "What I was thinking was to let some rumors out before filming started, to give the fans a heads-up, and then gradually transition to the wrap-up."
By then, Xiao Luo will probably have been talking with President Shen for about a year. If both parties still decide to continue, they will make an official announcement during the film's promotional period or after its release, trying not to affect the audience's viewing experience.
“I think this is feasible,” Cheng Qingqing nodded in agreement, looking at the two people holding hands opposite her.
"However, you all need to be mentally prepared, especially Shen Li. Many of your career-oriented fans will not be able to accept it, just like when you suddenly got married. These fans don't care who the man is. In their hearts, you are a goddess who cannot be touched by men. You will definitely lose a wave of fans in the future."
"Of course, the same goes for Xiao Luo. Although he's not an idol, he still has quite a few female fans. A large-scale loss of fans is something you two will definitely have to go through. But there are gains and losses. Those who remain are fans who don't care about the relationship and focus on the work. As long as you two don't have any major problems later, and your careers and love lives are stable, in the acting industry, to have a long career, the work speaks for itself. The fans will be attracted back slowly."
"Alright, that's settled for the movie. If there are no problems, I'll go through the contract with Tianye tomorrow." Cheng Qingqing said, taking a sip of water.
"Filming won't start until after the New Year, why are they contacting me so early?" Shen Li asked.
“Yes, they heard that you don’t have any projects planned for the rest of this year, and they were worried that someone would book your slot for next year, so they came to talk to me as soon as possible to secure your spot and then use your name to attract investment,” Cheng Qingqing replied.
"Filming will start after the New Year. There's still plenty of time. I happen to have a spy film I'm working on that I'm looking for Luo Mingxiu for. If it gets approved, we can finish filming before the New Year, and our little Luo will start playing the male lead next year." Liang Jin stood up and rubbed his hands excitedly.
He then glanced at his phone and said to Cheng Qingqing, "Well, Ms. Cheng, I'll take Xiao Luo with me now. We have an advertisement shoot later."
“Okay, you guys go ahead and get busy.” Cheng Qingqing nodded.
Luo Mingxiu glanced at Chen Li, then squeezed her hand, his voice reluctant as he said, "Then I'm leaving."
“Oh my,” Cheng Qingqing tilted her head, “this stickiness is just amazing.”
Luo Mingxiu blushed slightly. Liang Jin, who was waiting outside the door, turned around and whistled, urging him, "Let's go!"
"Let's go, good luck." Shen Li pushed him.
"Bye-bye." Luo Mingxiu stood up.
After the door closed, Cheng Qingqing sat back down next to Shen Li, clicking her tongue and winking, "Oh my, so sweet."
"Is it sweet?" Shen Li nudged her. "Then you should go find a younger brother too."
"I think I'll pass. My mom sends me blind date profiles every day. I've given up on men. I'll just stick with my projects and money." Cheng Qingqing put her arm around her shoulder.
"Sigh, thinking about all the messy things that have happened this month, finally closing the deal with Tianye feels like the sun is shining through the clouds. National Day is coming soon, I want to go on a good trip."
"What about you? What are your plans? Do you want to go on a road trip together?" Cheng Qingqing asked.
Shen Li shook her head: "You really have to make plans with someone else this time. I'm going home to be with my parents during the National Day holiday, especially my mom. She's retired now and spends most of her time at home with nothing to do. She's been nagging me about it in the WeChat group non-stop."
Cheng Qingqing: "Where's your dad? I remember your dad should be much older than me, right? Hasn't he retired yet?"
Shen Li: "He is semi-retired. He is training people to take over the company's affairs, so he still has to go to the company and can't be with my mother every day."
“Okay,” Cheng Qingqing nodded, then suddenly remembered something, turned around and patted her, “Hey, do you want to tell your parents about your relationship with Luo Mingxiu beforehand? It would be so heartbreaking if they found out about it online and then asked you about it.”
“I also wanted to say it, but,” Shen Li turned around, looking embarrassed, “I don’t know how to say it, you know? Luo Mingxiu came to my house when he was very young. My parents recognized him as their godson. He lived in my house for more than eight years. Not to mention that I used to treat him like a younger brother, my parents also treated him like their own son.”
"Are you embarrassed to ask?" Cheng Qingqing asked.
Shen Li nodded frantically: "Yes, and ever since my divorce, my mom has been nagging me to find a boyfriend again. She loves shipping me with other people. Whenever I'm in a popular drama, she hopes I'll fall for someone else. Like that Yuan Haoxuan recently, she's really into him and can't wait for me to bring him home."
"Hahahaha," Cheng Qingqing laughed out loud, "Auntie is quite cute."
“What’s so cute about it? I’m depressed,” Shen Li said. “So you know why I don’t dare to speak up now. If I take Luo Mingxiu back now and tell her, ‘Mom, you’re into CPBE! I’m dating your godson,’ she’ll be scared to death.”
Cheng Qingqing laughed so hard she almost choked: "That's all in your imagination. She's your mother, of course she'll prioritize your feelings. She's just nagging you about shipping couples because she wants you to date again, afraid you'll be lonely."
Shen Li sighed: "I hope so."
"What about Luo Mingxiu's mother? What's her attitude? Does she know about your affair?" Cheng Qingqing asked.
Shen Li: "I didn't let Luo Mingxiu tell Aunt Luo about our relationship, but she found out when Luo Mingxiu had a crush on me before, so she has always known that Luo Mingxiu likes me."
“That makes things easier for her. One of the key factors in Luo Mingxiu’s entry into the entertainment industry is you. She must have wanted her son to win you over for a long time. The most important thing is your parents’ side,” Cheng Qingqing said after thinking for a moment.
"Actually, I have a plan. If Luo Mingxiu hasn't joined the crew yet during this National Day holiday, you can take him back to meet them first. During the days you're back, subtly show him more affection and give him a hint. See how they react."
"Wouldn't it be better if they figured it out than if you just told them directly?"
Shen Li: "What if we can't guess it? What should we do then?"
Cheng Qingqing frowned and patted her: "Do you want them to know or not? Anyway, this is a task I gave you. You have to get it done before it goes public, otherwise your parents will blame you even more."
"Alright, Mr. Cheng." Shen Li raised her hand, making a gesture of obedience.
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