Chapter 406 (Combined with 4062)
406:
Ye Qingxi nodded, "Of course, you have no idea. The day Zhong Yan came to see me, we were sitting on the sofa. He looked desperate, and I was completely confused. We looked at each other, not knowing what to do."
"If it were anyone else confessing their feelings, it would be easy to handle; just reject them directly. But it's a childhood friend like Pei Liang. How do you deal with this? You can't just never see each other again, can you? But once you meet, can things be the same as before? If you're still as close as before, that would be too much torture for Pei Liang. But if things aren't as close as before, then Zhong Yan is essentially losing an important friend."
“So,” Ye Qingxi concluded, “friends should always be good friends, otherwise, it’s just too much of a headache.”
Qin Cheng: ...
At this moment, Qin Cheng's earlier surge of courage and desire to try all subsided, returning to the dormant volcano within his heart.
He said, "Hmm."
Ye Qingxi's voice was light and pleasant, "I've told you about this, just keep it to yourself. Don't tell anyone else, including your parents. Zhong Yan doesn't want too many people to know yet."
"Okay," Qin Cheng replied.
He chatted with Ye Qingxi gently and patiently, as if he hadn't thought about anything or that anything had happened before.
Qin Cheng didn't put down his phone until Ye Qingxi got sleepy and wanted to sleep.
He sat in front of the computer and sighed silently.
Ye Qingxi doesn't like people close to her suddenly breaking the existing relationship and taking a step forward.
He treats his friends this way, and he will treat himself even more so.
At this moment, Qin Cheng inevitably felt a little sentimental.
But he quickly adjusted his mood.
It's okay, he told himself. There are plenty of people in this world who never fall in love or get married, and he could be one of them.
Not every relationship needs to be made public. From the moment he realized he liked Ye Qingxi, he was prepared to bury this feeling deep in his heart for the rest of his life.
He will always be Ye Qingxi's brother.
She was his best friend and his eternal support.
It's his, his family.
With Zhong Yan and Pei Liang's issues resolved, the group of four returned to normal, resuming their previous routine of small gatherings every three days and large gatherings every five days.
Kang Cong looked at his friend in front of him and still found it unbelievable.
So you two are boyfriend and girlfriend now?
"Not necessarily," Zhong Yan said proudly. "He's still in his internship phase, and it's not certain he'll be promoted to a full-time position."
Pei Liang nodded in agreement.
Kang Cong: ...
Kang Cong turned to look at Ye Qingxi, "So out of the four of us, only the two of us are straight men."
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi felt that this statement might not be entirely correct.
He doesn't have anyone he likes right now. What if the person he likes in the future is also a man?
Essentially, Ye Qingxi did not impose gender constraints on her love.
Whether it's the same sex or the opposite sex, as long as he likes it, that's fine.
However, he did not refute Kang Cong's words.
No, and no one says he can't like girls in the future.
The four of them enjoyed their meal and then returned home.
Ye Qingxi's birthday was just a few days away.
He always celebrates his birthday at home, so Ye Qingxi gave the film crew a special day off.
The crew and actors on set already had a good relationship with him, and Zhong Yan had done him a favor, so much so that before the holiday, they secretly ordered a big cake for him to wish him a happy birthday.
Ye Qingxi was overjoyed, her eyes crinkling with laughter as she watched the colorful ribbons falling from above.
He took a cake knife, cut the cake, and gave a piece to the crew members and actors.
Huo Zinan and Chen Xiang took advantage of the time after he returned to the RV to give him his birthday present.
"Happy birthday," Huo Zinan said.
Chen Xiang also said, "I wish Director Ye great box office success."
Ye Qingxi happily accepted their gifts.
However, he had just put the gift down when Du Xiang came to knock on his car door.
Seeing that there was no one else in his car, she quickly gave him the gift she had prepared.
"This is my first time playing the female lead, and I'm really grateful to you, Director Ye, so please accept this gift."
Seeing the sincerity in her tone, Ye Qingxi did not refuse.
Not long after, the second female lead, Ruan Xing, also arrived.
"Director Ye Qingxi, I really appreciate you choosing me to play the second female lead. If it weren't for your generous salary, I don't know how I would have paid for my mother's medical expenses. So please don't refuse this gift. My mother knitted it for you."
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi could only accept it, "Then thank you, Mom."
"You're welcome. I'm already very happy that you accepted her."
Then there's the second male lead in the drama.
Ye Qingxi: ...
Well, they really haven't missed a single one.
Ye Qingxi quietly put away all the gifts that everyone had given him in the car.
He looked at the various gifts beside him and couldn't help but smile.
Although he never expected the crew to celebrate his birthday, he didn't need them to.
However, everyone remembered his birthday and spontaneously celebrated it for him, which made Ye Qingxi feel that he was still very happy.
It feels like walking home and unexpectedly discovering wildflowers blooming by the roadside.
It was unexpected, but it was refreshing and delightful.
In a good mood, Ye Qingxi walked home under the moonlight.
On her birthday, Ye Qingxi slept until noon.
Mu Shaowu and Feng Que had already prepared a loving lunch, and Ye Qingxi ate quite a bit, praising their excellent cooking skills.
Afterwards, the family of three went to Mu Feng's villa.
Grandpa Feng, Mu Shaoyan, and Duan Yi had already arrived.
Right now, Mu Shaoyan is playing frisbee with Aristotle.
Grandpa Feng was holding the cotton candy and scratching its chin.
Upon seeing Ye Qingxi, Aristotle immediately ignored Mu Shaoyan and ran towards Ye Qingxi.
Ye Qingxi smiled and hugged it, giving it a big pat on the head.
Then he saw the cotton candy running towards him.
Ye Qingxi quickly picked her up and kissed Cotton Candy's fluffy face.
Just as they were kissing, Qin Cheng and Qin Luan arrived.
"Your uncle is still busy and won't arrive until before dinner," Qin Luan explained.
Ye Qingxi nodded, indicating her understanding.
As in previous years, this birthday celebration was only attended by the Mu family and Zhong Yan and her family.
When Grandpa Zhong and Grandpa Pei arrived, they heard Grandpa Feng calling "Xiao Mu" while he was busy. The two of them were stunned for two seconds, and then burst into joyful laughter.
"Xiao Mu, Xiao Mu, hahaha."
Mu Feng: ...Is it funny?
Soon, their smiles faded as Grandpa Feng began calling out "Little Zhong" and "Little Pei."
Given his age and seniority, and the fact that he was related to Mu Feng by marriage, even Grandpa Zhong and Grandpa Pei couldn't say anything and could only obediently act as Little Zhong and Little Pei.
"Sigh, it's been so many years since anyone dared to call me that," Grandpa Zhong sighed.
Grandpa Pei nodded in agreement. "That's right."
Mu Feng: That's true.
As they were talking, Kang Cong and Grandpa Kang arrived. As soon as they met, Kang Cong rushed to the side of Ye Qingxi and the other three.
"Does your grandfather know about the two of you?" He glanced at Grandpa Pei, who was having a pleasant conversation with Grandpa Zhong.
Pei Liang shook his head.
Zhong Yan also shook her head.
"So when are you two planning to tell each other?" Kang Cong asked.
Zhong Yan: ...
Pei Liang: ...
That is indeed a good question.
Zhong Yan said with a headache, "Let's talk about it later."
Pei Liang also said, "There's no rush."
“That’s true,” Zhong Yan said. “You haven’t even been officially hired yet, so it’s not like you’re not in a hurry.”
Pei Liang: ...So when exactly will he be able to get a permanent position?
Pei Liang was anxious.
Qin Cheng looked on, a rare hint of envy in his eyes.
"Brother Cheng, didn't you talk to him?" Kang Cong suddenly asked.
Qin Cheng: ...
"Of course not," Ye Qingxi answered for him.
Kang Cong looked at him, then at Qin Cheng, "Now, out of the five of us, only the two of you are still single."
Zhong Yan raised her hand, "I'm not even sure if it will work out."
"Forget it." Kang Cong knew him well enough to know, "You've already agreed to give it a try, how could it not work?"
"Trying doesn't guarantee success."
"Then why are you trying it with him? If you're willing to try, aren't you aiming for success?"
Zhong Yan: ...
Enraged, Zhong Yan raised her foot to stomp on Kang Cong.
Kang Cong quickly dodged, but as soon as he moved to the right, he felt someone push him from behind, shoving him right in front of Zhong Yan.
Zhong Yan smiled smugly and stepped down.
Kang Cong let out a "woof" and turned to look at Pei Liang behind him, "What's wrong with you?!"
Pei Liang, hands in her pockets, said nonchalantly, "If my boyfriend wants to step on you, do you think I'd just sit idly by?"
"So this is how you treat your male friends?!"
"As you know, I'm currently in my internship."
Kang Cong: ...
Kang Cong turned to Zhong Yan, "Yan'er, listen to me, if that bastard really gets promoted, you'll be in for a world of hurt. Have you forgotten how he used to seduce us when we were kids? Have you forgotten how he used to show off, always hanging out with Kong..."
Pei Liang grabbed his collar, ready to teach him a lesson.
Kang Cong struggled frantically, shouting as he struggled, "Yan'er, listen to me! Would I ever harm you? He's been our class enemy since we were kids."
"Kang Cong, you're finished today." Pei Liang gritted his teeth.
Kang Congcai was not afraid of him and continued to offer advice to Zhong Yan.
Zhong Yan: ...
Ye Qingxi: ...
"How about we go outside and have some fun?" Ye Qingxi asked Zhong Yan.
Zhong Yan nodded.
The three of them walked outside together.
Once Aunt Zhang had prepared the meal, the birthday banquet officially began.
Looking at the cake in front of her, Ye Qingxi closed her eyes and made a wish: She hoped that everyone around him would be healthy and safe, and that their love and marriage would go smoothly; she hoped that his grandfather, great-grandfather, and other grandfathers would live long and healthy lives; and she hoped that their relationships with family and friends would last forever, just like today.
He opened his eyes and blew out the candles on the cake in one breath.
At the end of August, Qin Cheng and Pei Liang were about to fly abroad again.
They still have some coursework to finish, and their internships will be with companies abroad.
Ye Qingxi has finished filming the scenes on campus and is preparing to move on to the indoor scenes that have been set up.
It was at this time that Mu Shaoting gathered her family together and announced some good news to everyone—she was pregnant.
Ye Qingxi was shocked, "Really?"
“Of course,” Mu Shaoting said with a smile, “It’s been three months already.”
"Then wouldn't the baby be due next March?" Mu Shaowu calculated.
Mu Shaoting nodded.
Mu Feng said happily, "Then take care of yourself. Do you want me to borrow Xiao Zhang?"
“No need,” Mu Shaoting said. “I’ve already hired a team to take care of me. After the baby is born, I’ll hire a team of postpartum nannies. That way, the nannies will take care of the baby, and this team will take care of me. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Mu Feng nodded, "That would be best."
Ye Qingxi was also very happy; he was going to be a big brother.
Although I had cousins in the past, our relationship was just so-so, unlike now.
Ye Qingxi didn't even need to think to guess that once his aunt's child was born, they would definitely have a very good relationship.
He will take care of his younger brother or sister just as Qin Cheng took care of him.
No, Ye Qingxi thought, given their current age difference, they were actually more like his uncle and him.
Thinking of this, Ye Qingxi's heart softened even more.
He will definitely take good care of his younger cousin when the time comes.
He happily shared the news with Qin Cheng.
Qin Cheng and Mu Shaoting had a casual relationship, so he wasn't as happy as Ye Qingxi.
However, he could hear the joy in Ye Qingxi's tone and feel her anticipation for the new life that was about to arrive.
This makes me increasingly feel that Ye Qingxi would prefer the opposite sex to the same sex, and would be more willing to have a complete family in the universal sense and have her own children.
He put down his phone after Ye Qingxi hung up.
Once again, she resolutely buried her feelings deep within Ye Qingxi's heart, where Ye Qingxi could not see them.
After another month of filming, Ye Qingxi's movie was finally finished.
He showed the footage he had shot to Feng Que, who was increasingly amazed by it. He chatted with him for an entire afternoon, until evening, when Mu Shaowu returned home, and the two father and son still hadn't finished talking.
The next day, Feng Que spent the whole evening chatting with Ye Qingxi after get off work.
Three days later, after finally finishing her conversation with Feng Que, Ye Qingxi officially began her post-production work.
Feng Que was a great help in this regard. He conducted a professional analysis of every editor he knew and, based on Ye Qingxi's film style, recommended the editing master Zou Ren to him.
Having reached Zou Ren's level of fame, he no longer cares about youth films. He has many film offers, and he only chooses big-budget productions.
But Feng Que called him. They were all old acquaintances, and Ye Qingxi was the one making the movie, so Zou Ren didn't even ask about the price and flew over with his assistant.
Ye Qingxi followed behind Feng Que and greeted him, "Hello, Uncle Zou."
Zou Ren looked at him and said in surprise, "You've grown so much."
He had also seen "Summer". In his memory, Ye Qingxi was only six or seven years old, a small, cute and beautiful girl.
Feng Que laughed heartily, "What are you saying? You're already this old, how could he still look like he did when he was a child?"
Ye Qingxi just smiled and didn't say anything.
Zou Ren nodded, "That's true. You've been out of the entertainment industry for so many years, shouldn't he have grown up by now?"
He looked at Ye Qingxi and said with emotion, "Like father, like son! You make movies, and now your son makes movies too. You two are directors in one family!"
Feng Que laughed again, saying proudly, "Once you see what Xiao Xi filmed, you'll know what it means to surpass one's teacher. Our Xiao Xi is truly talented."
"Oh?" Zou Ren didn't believe it.
He had seen Ye Qingxi's acting before. Although she was young at the time, her acting skills were indeed good.
He had heard the song he sang before—it was from the opening ceremony of the World Championships, it was impossible not to hear it, his singing was heavenly.
It's already rare for someone to be good at acting and singing at the same time, but now, he can also direct a decent movie?
Zou Renzhen didn't quite believe it.
He felt that this was purely Feng Que boasting, after all, it was his own son, how could he not praise him?
However, they were all old friends, and Zou Ren was prepared. No matter how bad Ye Qingxi's photos were, he would try his best to turn the situation around and make them look good, so that it wouldn't be in vain that Feng Que had specially called him to ask for help.
However, when Zou Ren saw the footage shot by Ye Qingxi, he was stunned on the spot.
Ye Qingxi's shots are clean, fresh, and natural.
But that didn't surprise him; what surprised him was his obvious talent for camera work.
His shots are well-composed, and the camera work is deliberate.
This doesn't seem like something a first-time filmmaker would produce. For a new film director, it's already difficult enough to tell a story clearly, let alone design the composition and use of light, shadow, and color.
Zou Ren stared for a long time, and finally couldn't help but ask Feng Que in a low voice when Ye Qingxi went out to answer the phone, "This... really was filmed by him alone?"
"Give me the truth, were you involved or not? Was this a joint filming by the two of you, or was it filmed by him alone?"
Feng Que said smugly, "Wasn't it a great shot?"
"My first film wasn't even this good!"
—That's just modesty, of course.
Hearing his words and seeing the pride on his face, Zou Ren asked in surprise, "So it really was filmed by him alone?"
"That's right."
"He's got potential!" Zou Ren exclaimed. "He's definitely a promising talent for film!"
"Right! I think so too!"
Zou Ren laughed, "You're pretty good."
He raised his hand and patted Feng Que on the shoulder. "So many directors want their sons to go down this path, but the result is so terrible that it's unbearable to watch. In the end, they can only let their sons become actors, and their acting is... well, their fathers have to get old and come back to help them create roles. But you, your son not only acts well, but also directs quite well. Impressive, Old Feng!"
Feng Que said proudly, "The main reason is that this child is talented and hardworking. You have no idea how serious he is when he's filming. Sometimes he doesn't sleep all night long, which makes my heart ache."
"Isn't that good? He's talented and can stay focused; if he doesn't succeed, who will?!"
"I hope so," Feng Que said with a smile.
When Ye Qingxi came in after finishing her phone call, she saw her stepfather and Zou Ren laughing heartily.
He asked curiously, "Daddy, what are you laughing at?"
“Your Uncle Zou is praising you,” Feng Que said.
Ye Qingxi: ?
Zou Ren smiled and looked at him, "Don't worry, Xiao Xi, Uncle will definitely cut your hair nicely and make you a sensation."
"Thank you very much, Uncle Zou."
"polite."
Feng Que was very happy all the way home.
He first spoke with his grandfather, and then spoke with Mu Shaowu after Mu Shaowu returned home.
"You have no idea how surprised Zou Ren was after seeing the footage Xiao Xi shot. He even secretly asked me if I was the one who shot it."
"Really?" Mu Shaowu exclaimed in surprise, "He also thinks Xiaoxi took good photos?"
"It's not just well-made, it's absolutely fantastic! He also said that the other directors' kids are all no good—they can't direct, they can't act, unlike our Xiaoxi, who acts well and is now directing quite well too. She'll definitely be a great director someday!"
Mu Shaowu was overjoyed. "I think so too."
Ye Qingxi stood through the door, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Forget it, he'd better not go in, lest he ruin the wonderful atmosphere of his dad and stepfather praising him.
But is he really that good?
A great director of his generation?
Uncle Zou knows how to coax people.
Ye Qingxi finalized the editing and prepared to record the theme song and interludes, as well as some background music (BGM).
For this reason, he went into seclusion for a month.
A month later, Ye Qingxi went to see Master Kang with the background music she had composed.
After listening, Old Kang stroked his beard and nodded, "Not bad."
"But I always feel like something's not quite right," Ye Qingxi said. "Grandpa, can you help me see how to fix it?"
"Okay," Old Kang said with a smile, "Is this for your movie?"
"Mm," Ye Qingxi replied.
Even now, he visits Mr. Kang once a week, and when he's busy, he visits at least once a month.
Old Kang's son was already married and had a son and a daughter. Right now, Old Kang's granddaughter, Kang Zhao, was sitting in Ye Qingxi's lap.
She is only three years old this year, lively and cute. She had heard Ye Qingxi call Grandpa Kang before, so she always felt that he was the older brother in the family. She would ask her grandparents from time to time, "When is brother coming? Brother hasn't come for a long time."
Old Kang chuckled, "Isn't your brother at home?"
Kang Zhao pouted, "It's not my brother, it's my older brother. Big brother is nice. When he comes, he tells me stories, plays with me, and brings me snacks. Unlike my brother, who only knows how to play with his racing cars."
Therefore, as soon as Ye Qingxi arrived, Kang Zhao, who had just woken up, ran to his side and sat on his lap.
As early as when Kang Lao heard that Ye Qingxi was going to make a movie and read his script, he composed the corresponding background music for him.
He took out his recorded demo and played it for Ye Qingxi.
Ye Qingxi suddenly felt the summer breeze blowing in her face, carrying sunshine, fresh and bright.
"It sounds nice."
Kang Zhao also clapped and said, "That was great to listen to."
"Do you understand?" Old Kang asked with a smile as he looked at his granddaughter.
“If big brother says it sounds good, then it must sound good,” Kang Zhao said cleverly.
Ye Qingxi laughed, "It really sounds great, but your compositions have a much stronger feeling."
Old Kang waved his hand, "Yours is not bad either. I'll help you revise it and send it to you when it's done."
Ye Qingxi nodded, "Okay."
"And what about your theme song? Have you written it yet?" Old Kang asked him.
"I've finished writing it, but I haven't filled in the lyrics yet," Ye Qingxi said. "I plan to finish the lyrics this week, and then I'll record one song and have my aunt help me record another."
"Alright." Seeing that he had a plan in mind, Old Kang was relieved.
Although he now has his own grandson, Ye Qingxi is, in a way, the first person to make him feel like a grandfather, so Old Master Kang always misses him and worries about him a lot.
As they were talking, the door opened, and Madam Kang returned with her grandson.
As soon as six-year-old Kang Ying entered the door, she called out to her grandfather and ran into the study, wanting to show him her little red flower.
Then he saw Ye Qingxi and Kang Zhao sitting on his lap.
Kang Ying: !!!
Kang Ying quickly ran to Ye Qingxi's side, pushed Kang Zhao with both hands, and looked at Ye Qingxi expectantly, clearly wanting to sit on his lap as well.
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi had no choice but to quickly move to the sofa, with Kang Ying sitting on her left and Kang Zhao on her right.
There was no other way; his legs simply couldn't support two children!
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