Cloud Top Cafe.
Luo Cheng clenched his fists lightly and sat nervously opposite Director Gong Hanrou.
She wanted to interview the abducted female college student, so she didn't wear too much makeup or dress up. She just put on some sunscreen, combed her hair into a neat high ponytail, and wore simple and plain clothes.
But the 20-year-old girl was spoiled by her family and had never suffered any hardship. Even without makeup, she still has the graceful beauty unique to her age.
It fits the theme of youth campus or urban idol, but it is undoubtedly far from the role positioning of the documentary.
Gong Hanrou came here to sit only because of the invitation from the son of an old friend.
"That's it." The middle-aged female assistant in a professional suit was very polite and returned the file to Luo Cheng, "Little sister, I'm sorry..."
Seeing that the other party was about to decline, Luo Cheng said anxiously: "Please wait a moment!"
The assistant stopped talking and looked at her suspiciously.
"Can you give me a chance?" Luo Cheng clenched the corner of his clothes tightly, "I really like this story."
Luo Cheng mustered up his courage and said, "I can sign the agreement... I've talked to Brother Chen Bai about this."
As she spoke, Luo Cheng couldn't help but turn around quietly and glance at Ren Chenbai who was not far away.
She really couldn't help feeling aggrieved at this moment.
Luo Cheng originally thought that her father was just going to make some adjustments to the family company, and if she helped her second brother get rid of the troublemakers, there would be no more troubles or setbacks.
But who knew that things would not be as simple and smooth as imagined.
Jian Huaiyi has always been Luo Jun's assistant. Huaisheng Entertainment is the first company he officially manages. He is so busy every day that he is nowhere to be seen. The team and resources he promised to provide to Luo Cheng have been delayed again and again.
The people at Huaisheng Entertainment were also strange. The department managers were extremely cold to her. They would never arrange anything without President Jian's instructions. Their attitudes were impeccable, but they were also polite and distant, which outsiders could see.
Even Brother Chen Bai, who had promised to help her, had been busy these days. When he came, he just lowered his head to drink coffee and send messages. Apart from greeting Teacher Gong, he didn't say another word.
Luo Cheng lowered her head, bit her lower lip, and had to continue speaking: "I heard that Teacher Gong's crew has a kind of agreement..."
The assistant guessed what she wanted to say: "Are you trying to talk about the waiver agreement with the group?"
Luo Cheng nodded quickly: "Yes, that's it."
As a director, Gong Hanrou has always been known for her documentary films, and the most important thing about documentaries is authenticity and restoration.
Of course, what has happened can no longer be recorded by the camera, and can only be re-enacted and filmed by the actors. In order to find the most suitable state, the actors who play some important roles must follow the crew in a closed manner throughout the whole process, semi-immersedly witnessing or even personally experiencing all the tragic or cruel truths.
There was once an actor who was unable to leave the role for a long time after filming ended, which caused a lot of trouble and even went to court. After that, there was an additional agreement that had to be accepted by both parties in advance.
"I fully accept that whatever went wrong is my own responsibility."
Luo Cheng quickly assured: "I'm ready."
The assistant did not answer immediately. He turned around to look at Gong Hanrou, then turned his gaze back to Luo Cheng.
"Okay." The assistant nodded. "What preparations have you made?"
Luo Cheng was stunned for a moment, and then a secret surprise arose in his heart.
She quickly seized the opportunity and recited in one breath: "I have read a lot of information and consulted the acting teacher at school. After learning and understanding, I have a full understanding of the nature of this crime-"
The following content was hastily interrupted by an exclamation.
Luo Cheng pushed the table hard in panic, and backed away in fear, accidentally knocking over the coffee on the table.
…
The assistant rolled down his sleeves to cover the hideous and horrifying scars on his arms.
She seemed to be accustomed to this kind of thing. She calmly nodded and apologized to the waiter, and asked someone to help clean up the mess.
Luo Cheng's mind went blank for a while before he finally realized what had happened. He whispered, "I'm sorry..."
The assistant did not respond to her words, but just said: "You are well protected by your family."
"Okay." Gong Hanrou spoke at this time and waved her hand gently, "It's almost time."
As a director of leading level, she speaks in a unique crisp and clear rhythm. If it weren't for her short gray hair, you would hardly know that she is over 60 years old.
While the assistant was talking to Luo Cheng, Gong Hanrou was listening quietly, glancing at Ren Chenbai thoughtfully from time to time.
The Ren family once invested in the film and television industry for a period of time. Gong Hanrou and Ren Chenbai's mother met at an award ceremony. They hit it off at first sight and later became pen pals regardless of age difference.
Although we rarely meet, we only communicate in professional fields. But the two have similar personalities and common interests, and their relationship has always been very good.
Ren Chenbai's mother passed away suddenly. It was only half a year from the diagnosis to her death, and no one around her had time to prepare.
After that, apart from greetings during the holidays, Ren Chenbai rarely contacted her on his own initiative.
Gong Hanrou could certainly understand this emotion. She also didn't know how to comfort her best friend's only son, and the relationship between the two families gradually faded. Later, Ren Chenbai took over the agreement between his mother and Director Gong and continued to provide documentary materials, and some communication was resumed.
Perhaps because he heard Gong Hanrou's words "It's almost time", Ren Chenbai finally put away his phone, stood up, and walked towards the few people.
Luo Cheng could tell that her hope was slim. She pursed her lips and looked at him, her eyes red with grievance.
Ren Chenbai just walked up to Gong Hanrou and said, "Aunt Gong."
Hearing how he addressed her, Gong Hanrou recalled many old memories. Her expression softened, and she stopped and nodded.
She also had something to ask Ren Chenbai, so she motioned for her assistant to wait aside: "After all these years, is it still inconvenient to tell us who 'Huo Miao' is?"
After asking this question, Gong Hanrou shook her head and smiled helplessly: "Forget it, just pretend I never asked."
This type of subject matter is too sensitive and any victim will have wounds that are difficult to heal.
Some people choose to face this matter head-on, some gradually accept it, and some choose to avoid and forget it. None of these choices can be commented on by outsiders.
Ren Chenbai's mother told him a story in the letter, but never mentioned the boy's identity. Gong Hanrou did have some vague guesses, but she also stopped at the point and never asked her friends to verify them.
Later, due to some coincidences, I no longer had the opportunity to verify it.
Out of respect for her old friend, Gong Hanrou decided not to ask further: "He is doing well now, right?"
Ren Chenbai smiled and said, "What if there isn't one?"
Gong Hanrou was startled, then speechless: "Xiaochen, are you kidding me?"
Ren Chenbai didn't say yes or no. The smile in his eyes faded away after a short while. He was silent for a moment, then took out an envelope and handed it to his assistant.
This was an appointment made with Gong Hanrou's studio. Although the protagonist's true identity is hidden, the relevant materials will be sorted out as a reference for the documentary filming.
The documentary will continue to follow the reality until it is synchronized with reality. Since "Flame" is about to be officially formed and prepared for filming, this is probably the last set of materials accepted.
"Teacher Gong," Ren Chenbai asked, "Does a documentary have to completely restore the truth?"
Gong Hanrou was still confused, but couldn't help laughing when she heard this: "Of course. It has to be both real and detailed, otherwise what's the point of calling it a documentary?"
"So there is indeed a detail that has not been provided."
Ren Chenbai seemed to be waiting for this sentence and nodded: "He later killed his adoptive mother."
As the words fell, the air seemed to become quiet.
The one who reacted most intensely was the assistant behind Gong Hanrou. She frowned and took a step forward: "How is it possible?! He can't be that kind of person--"
Gong Hanrou raised her hand to stop the assistant from continuing.
"Her name is Zhao Lan, the female college student in your mother's story."
Gong Hanrou briefly introduced herself to Ren Chenbai: "You are my assistant now."
Ren Chenbai was listening to their conversation nearby, and had already made a guess. He nodded and said, "Nice to meet you."
"What you just said." Gong Hanrou motioned for everyone to sit down first, "Do you have any evidence? What does the police say?"
Ren Chenbai spread out his hands.
He had never mentioned this to anyone before, but now that he spoke of it, he realized that the hatred and contempt seemed to have been buried deep inside his body, emitting a chill all the time.
No wonder Luo Zhi was afraid of him and tried every means to escape.
Luo Zhi's disappearance in the past few days, the accidental destruction of his mother's belongings, Luo Cheng's stupidity and cold-bloodedness... one after another of the same annoyances accumulated in Ren Chenbai's heart, and finally completely aroused the colder old hatred that had never been eliminated or faded away.
Monsters who are naturally mean, selfish and greedy have always been the most sensitive to this kind of threatening hostility.
Otherwise, he would not have escaped alive from the place where he was abducted.
The thorn in his heart was triggered by that word. Ren Chenbai's eyes showed some sneer, but he remained calm and composed.
...Luo Zhi is really good at escaping.
"No way, there is no evidence."
Ren Chenbai said: "His adoptive mother fell ill late at night, and he was frightened and failed to find medicine in time... When someone came the next day, it was too late."
Ren Chenbai muttered the words "scared" lightly, but it seemed as if there was no special emotion at all.
But among the people present, even Luo Cheng, who had only read the plot outline and had no idea what they were talking about, knew very well what the boy did when he was abducted.
A seven-year-old boy, on his way to being sold, actually managed to find an opportunity to let his sister, who was kidnapped with him, run away.
Even after being beaten so many times and almost dying, he still had the courage to plan his escape.
Together with an unarmed female college student, the two dared to start a fight in the village, escaped during the chaos and called the police.
…
Being able to do these things has nothing to do with being "scared" by his adoptive mother's illness.
"He wouldn't be that kind of person." Assistant Zhao Lan still shook her head, "Mr. Ren, is there any misunderstanding here?"
Ren Chenbai nodded: "In your impression, what kind of person is he?"
Zhao Lan wanted to speak, but stopped.
She looked back at Gong Hanrou, and found some courage in the old man's clear and sharp eyes, and continued: "I have no impression... I just feel that he is not the kind of person who would do such a thing."
The experiences of those years were like a nightmare with no end. After being rescued, her brain's spontaneous protection mechanism helped her block out the memory.
Despite the careful care and companionship of her whole family, and the fact that they later formed a happier family, it still took her more than ten years to finally get out of the shadow of this period.
At that time, director Gong Hanrou was preparing to shoot this documentary. She wanted to try to find herself during that period, and with the encouragement of her family, she applied for the position of Gong Hanrou's assistant.
"I'm ashamed to say... When I was resisting that memory the most, I even deceived myself into believing that it was my sister who was abducted, not me, and that I was there to protect and take care of her."
Zhao Lan's expression was somewhat self-deprecating: "My sister didn't defend herself either. She felt that if this could make me feel better, then it was okay."
Luo Cheng was moved and reached out to hold her hand: "Sister, this is not your fault. You are just in too much pain. If it were me, I would protect you too..."
Zhao Lan smiled at her and took back her scarred hand: "That's a bit off topic."
"Mr. Ren, I really don't remember much about that time, but I don't believe that Xiao Huo Miao is that kind of person."
Zhao Lan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Can I meet him? I'll go talk to him and find out what happened."
"Unfortunately, I was looking for him too." Ren Chenbai shook his head, "He ran away."
Zhao Lan couldn't help but frown: "What?"
"Because of him, something very valuable was damaged."
Ren Chenbai bypassed the issue of the car and continued to explain: "We had a big argument. During the argument, I asked him about what happened back then and whether he deliberately killed his adoptive mother."
Ren Chenbai said: "He escaped from the hospital the next day and has not been found yet."
Reacting at this time is indeed too suspicious.
Even though Zhao Lan still absolutely refused to believe it, she didn't say anything right away. She just frowned and lowered her eyes with a heavy heart.
Luo Cheng started to feel uneasy when she heard the word "hospital". She was still worried about the fact that she had concealed Luo Zhi's illness. She listened to Chen Bai's last words, but she widened her eyes in surprise.
...Before coming here today, he just heard Second Brother Jian say on the phone that Luo Zhi couldn't be found anywhere.
Luo Cheng seemed to have guessed an answer.
She was so nervous that she could hardly sit still. She took a few deep breaths before carefully tugging at Ren Chenbai's clothes: "Brother Chenbai, that person is..."
Ren Chenbai nodded.
Luo Cheng couldn't help but scream, then raised his hand to cover his mouth tightly.
"These are things of the past. Words alone are not enough to prove anything. Perhaps what I saw was just my subjective conjecture... It is indeed not suitable as material for a documentary. Just pretend I never said anything."
Ren Chenbai smiled and said in a gentle voice, "Let's talk about today's matter. Teacher Gong, I actually recommended Xiao Cheng because she not only knows the client, but also has a good relationship with him."
He took the tea brought by the waiter, bowed slightly, and offered it to Gong Hanrou personally: "If she joins the crew, filming will be more convenient, and many details can be more accurate."
Gong Hanrou just listened to the conversation quietly without saying a word.
She didn't take the cup of tea. Her eyes fell on Luo Cheng, who was secretly delighted by Ren Chenbai's words. She paused for a moment, thinking: "Can you bring the person involved to the crew?"
This time, before Ren Chenbai could speak, Luo Cheng blurted out, "Yes!"
After she responded, she realized her impoliteness, lowered her head quickly, and explained in a low voice: "He...he won't refuse. If I ask him, he will definitely agree..."
"You agreed on behalf of the client?" Zhao Lan finally couldn't bear to listen any longer and couldn't help but interrupt, "What if he doesn't want to recall what happened back then? What if this incident is very painful for him?"
Luo Cheng hadn’t thought about this, her face turned pale, and she bit her lower lip.
"Okay." Gong Hanrou interrupted, "If you can bring people here, you can consider joining the team."
Zhao Lan turned around and said in a lost voice: "Teacher Gong!"
Gong Hanrou had her own plans. She held her arm and shook her head slightly: "Go and see Miss Luo off."
Zhao Lan swallowed her words and looked at Luo Cheng, who seemed to be pardoned, thanking Gong Hanrou with suppressed excitement and surprise. Her brows furrowed even more tightly, but she still stood up without saying a word and escorted him out of the cafe.
Ren Chenbai watched the two people leave, and suddenly heard Gong Hanrou calling him from behind: "Chenbai."
Ren Chenbai retracted his gaze: "Aunt Gong."
"Call me teacher," Gong Hanrou asked, "Who is the adoptive mother of that child? Is she your mother?"
Ren Chenbai paused for a moment, took the coffee and smiled: "How is that possible?"
He paused, as if trying to convince himself: "If that were the case, how could I have taken care of him until now?"
"I also always thought that you were the one who took care of him until now, so I am relieved about the ending of this story."
Gong Hanrou looked at him: "But I am a little worried now, maybe something went wrong."
Gong Hanrou said: "It may not be too late to correct it."
Ren Chenbai slowly held the coffee cup.
The walls of the cup were very hot from the freshly poured coffee, but he seemed unaware of it and continued to apply pressure with his fingers.
He held the cup of coffee as if he wanted to crush the delicate white porcelain completely.
"Chen Bai." Gong Hanrou reminded him, "Don't do anything that you will regret."
Ren Chenbai smiled and said, "Don't worry, it won't happen."
The more irritated he was, the more gentle and polite he looked. He put down his coffee, stood up, and saw Gong Hanrou off.
The waiter carried a plate of exquisite pastries and looked at the table that was almost empty. He hesitated and said, "Sir..."
Ren Chenbai took out his mobile phone and scanned the code to pay the bill.
The waiter was inexplicably frightened and didn't dare to say anything. He put down the pastries and ran away.
Ren Chenbai sat there motionless for a long time.
He stared at the plate of cakes in a trance, and suddenly seemed to remember something from the distant past. He picked up a piece of cake and put it in his mouth, chewing it slowly.
Sesame filling.
Too sweet.
Ren Chenbai took a sip of coffee and swallowed the snack.
For some reason, what kept appearing in his mind at this time was Luo Zhi's drooping eyelashes.
…
The last time they met, Luo Zhi slowly closed her eyes in his hands.
It's like the puppet we used to play with in our hands as children, but it can only be moved by twisting the strings.
The string that was pulling at his body came to an end, and his hands and feet, which had been pulled loose long ago, dropped silently, and even his head and neck fell down powerlessly, no longer responding to him.
…
"Chen Bai." Gong Han's voice was gentle, "Don't do anything that you will regret."
…
Luo Zhi closed her eyes very slowly in his arms. The light in her eyes was finally dampened and her eyelashes drooped down under the heavy burden.
Like a farewell without warning.
Luo Zhi couldn't hear him and no longer looked at him.
…
"How could that be?"
Ren Chenbai laughed sarcastically, not knowing who he was answering: "How could I regret it?"
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