reject
Backstage at the premiere of "Ice Heartbeat," Lin Jingming grabbed Xia Zhitang's hand and asked, "Are you really not going up with me?"
"You go by yourself." She pried Lin Jingming's hand away. "I just enjoy the process of making the film."
"Xia Zhitang, you're just a fool." Lin Jingming sighed, "If you live under others, you'll be bullied."
"That's because I can choose now." Xia Zhitang moved behind Lin Jingming and pushed him. "Okay, great director, go on stage and accept the honor that belongs to you."
She watched Lin Jingming walk step by step towards the brightly lit front desk, greeted by the flashing lights that flashed like stars, then silently turned around and walked down the stage to sit next to Gu Zian.
The one who stepped onto this stage was destined to be a lonely king, but she chose ordinary happiness.
"Thank you all for coming to the premiere of the documentary 'Iceland Heartbeat'. I am the director Lin Jingming."
On the stage, Lin Jingming spoke with ease, talking about everything from the original intention of the documentary to some interesting things that happened during the filming and some small episodes that happened behind the scenes.
During the final thank you ceremony, Lin Jingming read out the usual list of thanks, then suddenly smiled and said, "Finally, I hope my producer, cameraman, editor, and voiceover artist, Xia Zhitang, will do me the honor of standing on this stage with me."
Standing on the stage, with the spotlight bright, he couldn't see where Xia Zhitang was, but he still wanted this cunning woman to stand next to him.
"We filmed Yak's Tears together, shared hardships on the icy plains, and racked our brains over how to edit this film together," Lin Jingming said, lost in memory. "She gave so much to this film, but she wasn't willing to stand on stage with me."
He smiled slyly: "I don't want her to be lazy off the stage."
The audience began to whisper, and Gu Zian, who was in the crowd, looked a little nervous.
Xia Zhitang took off his coat expressionlessly and stood up, walking towards the stage step by step amid the cheers of the confused audience.
Lin Jingming walked towards Xia Zhitang with a smile to welcome her back.
The live broadcast barrage instantly filled with slogans about the strong couple of Xia Zhitang and Lin Jingming. It was a lively carnival, and every audience member was imagining the unspeakable love story between Lin Jingming and Xia Zhitang.
The carnival of the crowd directly brought the atmosphere of the premiere to its highest point. Lin Jingming held Xia Zhitang's hand and ended the entire premiere ceremony amid everyone's cheers.
In the backstage where the camera could not capture it, Xia Zhitang slapped Lin Jingming in the face.
"Lin Jingming, I don't want to, I don't want to, why don't you listen to me carefully?" Xia Zhitang said, tears rolling down her face, "I don't like and don't enjoy the feeling of standing on the stage."
Lin Jingming touched his face in astonishment: "You obviously don't mind being on a variety show..."
"That's work." Xia Zhitang grabbed Lin Jingming's collar, "Lin Jingming, don't use your director's authority on me."
"I just think you should stand by my side." Lin Jingming felt a little lonely, "Why wouldn't you like it..."
"I like making films with you, and I like it to be recognized by the audience." Xia Zhitang's eyes were a little broken, "But I don't like standing in front of the stage. That's why I can't become a director, because I don't have a strong desire to perform."
"Xia Zhitang, you haven't been in a good mood lately." Lin Jingming remembered how Xia Zhitang often looked at him with a melancholy face after the recording, and the uneasiness in his heart grew little by little. "Are you hiding something from me?"
"Yes, I'm very tired." Xia Zhitang nodded, "So after this film is over, can you let me rest for a while?"
Lin Jingming subconsciously grasped her fingertips: "How long do you need to rest? A month?"
"I don't know." Xia Zhitang slowly pulled out his fingertips. "It took a lot of effort to make this film. I'm really tired."
I chose Gu Zian, to stay by your side and experience the constant pulling back and forth, this kind of pressure can tear me apart.
"I'll give you a month." Lin Jingming said in a low voice.
Xia Zhitang sighed and stopped arguing. She knew that Lin Jingming was not going to listen to her in his current state.
After coming out from the backstage, she got directly into Gu Zian's nanny car.
When Gu Zian came in holding her coat, Xia Zhitang was curled up in her seat crying silently.
He said nothing, silently put his coat on her and handed her a tissue.
Although Gu Zian was angry and jealous when Lin Jingming just carried Xia Zhitang to the stage, but when he saw her current appearance, Gu Zian understood that he had never lost this battle.
Even if he cannot lead Xia Zhitang to grow and experience, he is still the one Xia Zhitang firmly chooses.
Although she wanted to rest, Xia Zhitang just didn't want to see Lin Jingming. She knew in her heart that it was time to fulfill her promise to Cheng Shubai and cut ties with Lin Jingming.
During this month, she went to work and came home every day. When she had nothing to do, she would stay at home with Gu Zian to watch a movie or go back to have dinner with the old man.
Lin Jingming also fulfilled his promise and stopped bothering her. She slowly began to get used to not having to face him every day.
Life is somewhat calm, but also somewhat uneventful.
Occasionally, looking up at the blue sky outside the window, Xia Zhitang felt that the magnificent filming in Tibet seemed a little distant. She eventually returned to her peaceful daily life. It was a bit boring, but also revealed a hint of happiness.
As the one-month appointment draws closer, Xia Zhitang occasionally feels a little worried, fearing that this is the calm before the storm.
But she thought again and found it a little ridiculous. In this world, how could anyone live without anyone else?
Lin Jingming can attract a large number of people just by holding the title of a well-known director. As long as she stays away, newcomers will soon seize the opportunity to climb up.
Cheng Shubai should have also arranged for talented graduates to be with him at the same time. There are many talented people, and it must be very fulfilling to teach newcomers who are like blank slates.
Xia Zhitang took a sip of coffee and suppressed the bitterness hidden deep in his heart.
When the appointed time arrived, Xia Zhitang was a little anxious.
It was past 12 o'clock in the evening and there was no message on the phone. Xia Zhitang couldn't tell whether he was relieved or disappointed.
Two days later, she was discussing a project with her assistant in the office when Lin Jingming, looking haggard, pushed open her office door with a stern look.
Xia Zhitang's eyebrows twitched, and he felt a sense of nervousness in his heart mixed with complicated thoughts that should have been the case.
Lin Jingming stared at Xia Zhitang like a cheetah. Haha, it had been three days and she seemed to have forgotten him.
"Xiao Min, please do as I just discussed."
Xia Zhitang sent the assistant away and took out a set of coffee cups to pour water for Lin Jingming.
"You just bring me some water?" Lin Jingming grabbed her wrist.
"Add two wolfberries?" Xia Zhitang wanted to pull his hand away, but was held tightly by Lin Jingming.
"We agreed to take a month off. What about you? If I don't look for you, you'll have forgotten about the agreement, right?"
"You scratched me and it hurt." Xia Zhitang sighed, "I'll treat you to a meal and we can talk while we eat."
"Farewell dinner?" Lin Jingming squinted at her.
"Are you going?" Xia Zhitang said in a very steady tone, "I'll take you to eat private dishes and drink stewed soup."
Lin Jingming shook her hand off: "Producer Xia condescended to invite me to dinner, how could I not go?"
Two off-road vehicles were parked one after the other in the Chinese-style courtyard. Xia Zhitang took Lin Jingming and shuttled between the courtyards familiarly.
"Your taste has become more sophisticated after being with the young master of the Gu family." Lin Jingming couldn't control his sour tone. After all, Xia Zhitang had tried her best to avoid contact with him other than work for so many years.
Xia Zhitang pretended not to hear and took him into the private room across the courtyard.
"What do you want to eat?" She picked up the tablet for ordering and scrolled through today's menu.
"Whatever." Lin Jingming took out the business plan. "I've updated the business plan I gave you last time. See if there's anything you're interested in."
"Let's talk about it after dinner." Xia Zhitang pushed his plan back.
Lin Jingming stared at her for a while, then sneered and said, "Why don't you give me a quick death, Xia Zhitang? How many years have I known you?"
"Eight years." Xia Zhitang looked a little dazed. "Lin Jingming, you know, sometimes I feel like all this is just a dream."
The staff knocked on the door and brought them appetizers and wine.
Xia Zhitang poured a glass of wine for Lin Jingming and himself: "Sometimes I am afraid of waking up from a dream, and all this is an illusion."
"Xia Zhitang, all this is fate." Lin Jingming looked at her sharply, "You are destined to be by my side and be entangled with me."
Xia Zhitang clinked glasses with Lin Jingming: "Why do you always feel that we are destined to be together?"
She gulped down the spicy wine: "Lin Jingming, are you scared?"
Xia Zhitang coughed lightly a few times as he choked on the wine, his face flushed. "Who do you like, me or the heroine of your imagined destined story?"
She clinked Lin Jingming's glass. "You imagined her going through conflicts and misunderstandings with you, and finally realizing her own feelings for you?"
As she spoke, she laughed: "What a cliché story."
"I just want to ask you what documentary you will choose for your next documentary?" Lin Jingming's face turned pale.
"Shh, eat well." Xia Zhitang took advantage of his drunkenness to put his fingertips on his lips, "The world is big, but eating a full meal is the most important thing."
Lin Jingming took out a lighter, looked at Xia Zhitang deeply, and put it back.
He patiently accompanied Xia Zhitang for dinner and finally waited until she put down her bowl and chopsticks.
"Lin Jingming, thank you for your guidance over the years." Xia Zhitang looked at Lin Jingming with a clear expression, "I'm sorry, I can't continue to cooperate with you."
Lin Jingming picked up the plan and put it down again and again, feeling both angry and amused.
He just felt that he was ridiculous, like a jumping clown.
"reason?"
"Yes, I am attracted to you."
When Lin Jingming's expression turned into surprise, Xia Zhitang continued mercilessly: "But, I choose Gu Zian, this is my answer."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
