Against the Light - Chapter 15
Chapter 15: A Graduate of the Central Academy of Drama
Bai Yilan had just fallen asleep when she heard her phone ring.
She tried to open her eyes, but her head felt groggy and her body was exhausted. She struggled for a while before feeling a bit better.
Reaching for the phone on her nightstand, she touched a soft, warm hand, which jolted her awake. Looking up, she saw Ming Zhen tiptoeing like a thief to grab her phone.
"It's still early. You should sleep a little longer."
Bai Yilan breathed a sigh of relief. "Who's calling?"
Ming Zhen glanced at the screen. "Sister Yan."
"Okay." Bai Yilan sat up, leaning against the headboard and rubbing her temples. After composing herself for a moment, she answered the call.
"Sister."
"Hm? Why do you sound so listless? Still not awake?"
"I'm fine, just woke up. What's wrong?"
"When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me? If Mom hadn't seen your photo on Weibo, we wouldn't have even known you were back."
Bai Yilan froze, suddenly wide awake. In the period right after her divorce, she had been in such a terrible state. Not wanting her family to worry, she'd lied and said she was traveling to clear her head. During that time, she had basically shut herself off, rarely contacting them.
"I…"
"Come home tonight, okay? Mom said she's going to make you something delicious, and I get to benefit from it too."
Bai Yilan smiled faintly. "Okay."
"Are you going to the set today? I can pick you up after work."
"No need. I'll come find you at the hospital later."
"Alright, I'll hang up then. You get some rest."
"Okay."
"What's wrong? Sister Yan saw you?"
"Yeah, I'm going home tonight. You've been running over here all the time lately. Isn't it about time you went home and pretended to be a good girl for a few days?"
"Fine. You should sleep a bit more. We'll go out to eat later, and then I'll drop you off at the hospital before I leave."
"Okay, thank you."
After Ming Zhen left, Bai Yilan lay back down on the bed. She glanced at her phone and, without thinking, opened the livestream for the show Escape from Death.
The sun was high in the sky, and the refreshing morning coolness had long since evaporated under its scorching rays. Despite the blazing sun, no one in the group was complaining about the heat or fatigue. Instead, they were chatting with exceptional enthusiasm.
Gu Xinran and Huo Jie had hit it off as if they'd known each other for years. Shen Can had also come to see her in a new light. The other staff members, to varying degrees, had also been captivated by Gu Xinran, becoming her secret fans and sneaking extra shots of her.
In contrast, Luo Bing's trio, who had been the center of attention just yesterday, were now… while not exactly getting the cold shoulder, their situation was a far cry from the day before.
Zhang Tingting was grinding her teeth in anger, glaring at Gu Xinran. "How much money did the production team take from her? They're desperately trying to whitewash her!"
"Exactly! Whitewashing her is one thing, but they're even stepping on Sister Bing to do it. Look at the disgusting expressions on those staff members' faces, especially that Fang Jinghai!" Zhao Jia's face was also full of contempt. She had come on the show to ride Luo Bing's coattails for screen time, but now Gu Xinran had stolen all the thunder.
At the mention of Fang Jinghai, Zhang Tingting grew even more furious. Last night, it was this little camerawoman who had instigated Gu Xinran to sing and show her up. For a mere camerawoman, she sure had some nerve. She probably didn't want to work in this industry anymore!
"It's fine. At least the show wasn't broadcast. All her painstaking efforts were for nothing this time," Luo Bing said.
"That's true, but I really don't get it. How did Gu Xinran suddenly become a completely different person? If it's an act, then her acting skills are just too good, right? And she can actually sing, and so well…"
Luo Bing shot her a glare, and Zhang Tingting immediately fell silent.
Amid everyone's laughter, time quietly slipped by.
"Hey, is that the finish line?" Shen Can suddenly exclaimed, pointing to a flag in the distance with the words "Escape" written on it.
"Looks like it. We're here already?" Huo Jie was also a bit surprised. She looked up at the sky; the sun was still high, so it was probably just past noon.
"This is the first time I've ever been so reluctant to reach the finish line," Huo Jie said with a laugh.
Gu Xinran also chuckled. It was an unexpected bonus to meet such compatible people on this show. Oh, and that little camerawoman, too. Gu Xinran turned her head to look. Fang Jinghai was, for once, working with great seriousness, looking quite the part.
The group strolled to the finish line, where the director's team had been waiting for some time. Seeing them, they immediately broke into applause.
"You've all worked hard. Although we encountered an unexpected situation along the way, you all handled it very well. Especially Xinran and Sister Huo, you set a wonderful example by leading everyone safely through the difficulty. On behalf of the production team, I thank you both." The director, a slightly chubby middle-aged man, bowed to the two of them.
"Hey, didn't we lose signal after the storm?"
"Ha, only the communication system was disrupted. All the camera footage was broadcast," Fang Jinghai answered with a smile. She had only heard this from the director today. She had been lamenting that no one would get to hear Sister Ran's beautiful singing, so when she heard the news, she was ecstatic!
"What!?" Zhang Tingting was startled. Realizing her outburst, she quickly composed herself.
Fang Jinghai glanced at her, grinning from ear to ear. Surprise! Didn't see that coming, did you!?
"Because of the special circumstances this time, we won't be ranking who finished first or last. You all did a great job. Also, I really didn't expect Xinran to be such a survival expert. If you're interested, come play again next time!"
Gu Xinran was a little flattered. She nodded and smiled. "Okay, but can you make it a little harder next time?"
"Hey, no, no, no! Aren't you just making things harder for the rest of us!?" Shen Can immediately protested.
Everyone burst into laughter.
The director stepped forward with the clapperboard, signaling the end of the livestream. The host took the microphone and led everyone in a review of the episode's highlight reel.
"Director, you should have the medics look at Sister Ran's hand first," Fang Jinghai reminded him in a low voice.
"Right, I almost forgot. Hey, Xiao Liu, get over here quickly. Xinran sprained her hand. Take a look at it first. After we eat, we'll head back. The production team has prepared some delicious food for everyone. You've all worked hard these past two days, so go get something to eat!"
"Alright—"
Everyone happily enjoyed a barbecue feast before heading back. After a long journey, they returned to the initial meeting point, the farmhouse in the suburbs.
As they got off the bus, they saw several minivans parked in a row by the side of the road. They must be the managers here to pick up their respective artists.
Gu Xinran and the others had just stepped off the bus when Luo Bing's assistant came jogging over. Before Gu Xinran could realize what was happening, she felt an intense gaze on her. Following the feeling, she saw a woman in a black professional suit and a short skirt, her hair pulled up high, looking extremely sharp and capable. She was sizing Gu Xinran up.
She had some memory of this person. It was Luo Bing's manager, Su Cen, who was always at odds with her own manager, Qu Qi, at the company. The original host's downfall had become a weapon for Su Cen to suppress Qu Qi.
Gu Xinran gave her a faint smile before looking away.
Huo Jie's and Shen Can's assistants had also come to greet them, leaving only a fawning little camerawoman standing by Gu Xinran's side.
"Xinran, didn't your manager come? How about I take you to the hospital?" Huo Jie asked with concern. The medic had only given her hand a simple dressing and advised her to get it checked at a hospital.
"No need to trouble you. I can just grab a cab."
"Where are you going to find a cab out here? Just come with me."
"Oh, Xinran, I'm so sorry I'm late." When this voice rang out, not only was Gu Xinran a bit stunned, but even Luo Bing's manager, who was about to get in her car, was taken aback. Everyone turned their heads in unison to see Qu Qi dressed in a wine-red, slim-fit suit with a black shirt underneath. Her black, curly hair was draped over her shoulders, and she wore light makeup. With her suit jacket draped over her forearm, she walked to Gu Xinran's side and naturally placed the jacket over her shoulders.
"…" Gu Xinran opened her mouth, the word "hot" stuck in her throat.
"Wear it even if you're hot. If you embarrass me, I'll bite your head off," Qu Qi said with a gentle smile, her low voice a clear warning.
"…" Gu Xinran forced a smile. "Thank you, Sister Qi."
Qu Qi smiled back at her, then turned stiffly to look at Su Cen.
"Well, well! Isn't it Sister Cen? Oh? Luo Luo is here too. Oh, right, I forgot, Luo Luo was on this show too~ Sister Cen, really, you should have just told me. I could have picked up Luo Luo for you. Why come all the way out here yourself in this heat~"
The moment Su Cen saw her, she started rolling her eyes, her fake smile dripping with perfunctory politeness. Qu Qi forcibly engaged her in small talk and pleasantries, nearly making her fume with anger.
"This is… your manager?" Huo Jie's expression was grim. Was it really okay for managers from the same company to be so sarcastic and confrontational the moment they met…??
"Ahem." Gu Xinran gave a helpless smile. This manager of hers must have graduated from the Central Academy of Drama.
"Since your manager is here, I can rest easy. I'll get going then?" Huo Jie said.
Gu Xinran took out her phone. "Let's add each other on WeChat. It'll be easier to stay in touch."
"Okay."
"Ahem, Sister~" Fang Jinghai sidled over secretively.
"Yes?"
"Can I add your WeChat, too?"
"Of course." Gu Xinran was more than happy to. This girl was interesting and quick-witted. If she had the chance, she'd really like to have her by her side.
"Sister Ran, I have…"
"Xinran, let's go," Qu Qi called out.
Fang Jinghai stopped mid-sentence. "Um, I'll tell you next time we have a chance. You should get to the hospital."
"Hm? Okay." Gu Xinran smiled at her and nodded goodbye.
The moment they got in the car, Qu Qi's true colors showed. She rolled up her sleeves and unbuttoned her collar. "This damn weather, I'm dying of heat."
Gu Xinran chuckled. "You dressed up so formally just to piss off Su Cen?"
"What do you mean, just to piss her off? I wanted to make her furious! She's always badmouthing me to the boss, stealing my resources, and suppressing my artists. You finally won me some face, so if I don't rub it in hers, she'll really think I'm a pushover she can mess with whenever she wants!"
"Hey, why didn't you tell me you could sing so well? And what about all those talents like catching fish in the river and knocking down birds from trees? Why didn't you mention any of them?? We missed so many publicity opportunities!!"
Those? Talents?
"Right, how's your hand? I'll take you to the hospital first." Qu Qi didn't wait for a reply, making an executive decision. After all, this girl had really done her proud this time!
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