Rebirth: I Am the Wealthy Family (GL) - Chapter 13

“Gently I leave, as gently as I came; I gently wave my hand, bidding farewell to the clouds in the western sky…”

Chen Qianyǔ silently recited “Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again,” going back in time ten years. At that time, Chén Ruănruăn and Chen Qianyǔ were both first-year students at Tianyi High School. They were twin sisters, good students, and good-looking. They received a lot of attention as soon as they entered school, mostly from boys.

“Sister, what are you reading? Let me see too!”

In the evening after school, the two sisters were heading home, but Chen Qianyǔ was reading a letter, neglecting Chén Ruănruăn. Chén Ruănruăn leaned in and saw words written on the letter. The handwriting was arrogant and unrestrained, clearly a boy’s handwriting: “Tsk, tsk, isn’t that cheesy? Sister, so you like this kind of thing? This man is too unsophisticated. He didn’t even put effort into writing a love letter; he just copied ‘Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again’!”

It turned out someone had written a love letter to Chen Qianyǔ. At that time, they were fifteen, the age of first love.

“What’s wrong with ‘Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again’? I quite like Xú Zhìmó.” Chen Qianyǔ didn’t mind, just casually throwing the love letter into a nearby trash can. This caused Chén Ruănruăn to look sideways, “Sister, since you like it, why did you throw it away? It’s a shame!”

Chén Ruănruăn was about to pick up the letter from the trash can. As long as her sister liked it, even if she disliked it, she would fulfill her sister’s wish.

“I just like the poem ‘Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again’; as for the rest, this man’s handwriting is too ugly. Much worse than mine, and of course, still a little bit worse than yours, Ruănruăn!”

Every memory of spending time with her sister now was sweet.

“Qianyǔ, Qianyǔ, what are you thinking about? Here’s the script for you. You’re playing Zhāng Yòuyí this time. Study the role’s psychology well. If you don’t understand anything, you can contact Hán Dōng’ér. Your sister was close to her when she was alive, and they often met for afternoon tea!”

Ā Hé couldn’t help but give her a few pointers.

“Hán Dōng’ér, is she the one who participated in ‘The Queen’s New Clothes’ last time? She and my sister were good friends?”

Chen Qianyǔ didn’t know anything about her sister’s past, and she was even less clear about her friends in the entertainment industry. If Ā Hé hadn’t reminded her, she would have forgotten.

“Yes, very good friends. They often collaborated. She played roles in your sister’s two most popular dramas, ‘The Legend of Princess Píngyáng’ and ‘The Legend of Princess Tàipíng,’ which you should have watched. She played Wèi Zǐfū and Shàngguān Wǎn’ér, respectively. She’s a very excellent actress. However, it’s widely known in the industry that she is a lesbian. Of course, your sister and she were not that kind of relationship!” Ā Hé told Chen Qianyǔ everything he knew.

“Lesbian?”

Chen Qianyǔ suddenly recalled what happened in the restroom earlier—the confrontation between Gu Míngzhū and Ān Xī, and her closeness with Jǐng Báiyè. It seemed Gu Míngzhū had come specifically to target Ān Xī because of Hán Dōng’ér. She claimed that Ān Xī had deceived Hán Dōng’ér’s feelings and used her to advance her career!

“Yes, she’s a lesbian. She recently came out, and everyone in this circle knows. It’s not a big deal to be gay now. Qianyǔ, you’re not prejudiced against homosexuals, are you?” Ā Hé looked at her with a very strange expression.

Chen Qianyǔ rubbed her forehead, looking helpless: “Ā Hé, no. Why would I be prejudiced against homosexuals? By the way, is there something going on between Hán Dōng’ér and Ān Xī…” Before Chen Qianyǔ could finish her question, Ā Hé covered her mouth.

“You, why do you say everything? Fortunately, Ān Xī didn’t hear it. If she found out, you’d be in trouble. You should just focus on studying the script.”

Ā Hé was clearly unwilling to discuss such a topic, and his attitude made Chen Qianyǔ realize that there really was something going on between Ān Xī and Hán Dōng’ér.

“Alright, let’s not talk about it then. But can you tell me what the relationship is between Gu Míngzhū and Hán Dōng’ér? Were they also very close before?”

“Gu Míngzhū, Hán Dōng’ér… I don’t think so. I’ve never seen them together. However, Hán Dōng’ér’s contract seems to be expiring soon. Gu Míngzhū is planning to start a company, right? She might be approaching Hán Dōng’ér. How about I ask Hán Dōng’ér to meet up after the meeting today? Then you can seek her advice on whether to join the company Gu Míngzhū is starting. Hán Dōng’ér is an industry veteran with a wide network and extensive connections. You should listen carefully to her opinion!”

Ā Hé suggested.

Chen Qianyǔ thought for a moment: “Okay, then please arrange a meeting for me. I should really meet her!”

Afterward, Ā Hé went to contact Hán Dōng’ér. Coincidentally, Hán Dōng’ér was also free this afternoon, so they agreed to meet at Yīdù Coffee Shop.

They waited for over an hour before the meeting continued. Gu Míngzhū remained present throughout. Near the end of the meeting, Bái Guǎnghán, who was sitting next to Chen Qianyǔ, suddenly turned around: “I look forward to working with you, Miss Chen Qianyǔ. My mother is your fan; she really loves your portrayal of Princess Tàipíng. I’m very happy to be able to collaborate with you this time!”

Bái Guǎnghán was a popular young actor in mainland China. He had previously starred in martial arts dramas, and this was his first Republican-era drama. He was playing Liáng Sīchéng this time, the lucky one who ultimately married Lín Huīyīn. Although not as handsome as Sū Báiyè, he had a unique charm. Facing his sudden show of goodwill, Chen Qianyǔ was a little flustered. After a moment of reaction, she smiled: “Thank you, it’s also an honor for me to collaborate with you!” Just as Chen Qianyǔ was about to continue talking to Bái Guǎnghán,

“Guǎnghán, can you come here for a moment? Are you free tonight? I’d like to chat with you about the script. You know we’re playing a couple, so we need to discuss it thoroughly!” Ān Xī smiled as she walked up to Bái Guǎnghán. Bái Guǎnghán exchanged a few words with Chen Qianyǔ and then left with Ān Xī.

“Mr. Sū Báiyè, I would also like to ask you to study the script together. You are Xú Zhìmó, and I am Lù Xiǎomàn, we are also a couple.”

Sū Báiyè smiled, throwing his jacket over his back. He was already handsome, and his smile made him exceptionally elegant: “Sure, I’m free. When a beauty asks, how can I refuse? Let’s go.”

Only Cóng Kūn, who was playing Jīn Yuèlín, and Chen Qianyǔ, who was playing Zhāng Yòuyí, were left at the scene.

“It seems, Miss Qianyǔ, we two are truly left alone. How about we also go out and study the script together, even though we don’t have scenes opposite each other?” Cóng Kūn was very humorous, which made Chen Qianyǔ laugh.

“I’m sorry, I already have an appointment, so I must excuse myself.”

“Oh, it seems I really can’t play Mr. Jīn Yuèlín; he never married in his life. See? I haven’t even played him yet, and my first attempt to ask a girl out failed. Alright, Qianyǔ, I wish you a pleasant outing, and I hope we have a successful collaboration on the new drama. Also, your acting skills are not inferior to Ān Xī’s, really! I have faith in you!”