She sighed softly, feeling that the delicacies her assistant had packed for her didn't taste good anymore.
Words once spoken are like water spilled; besides, she, Ji Lanruo, was never one to admit defeat easily.
Thus, Ji Lanruo dialed Jiang Mian's number again.
Her tone was serious, "Mian, you're the only one who can save me this time."
Jiang Mian was startled, thinking something had happened to her, "What's wrong?"
Ji Lanruo said, "Good news, 'Jade Night Sinking' passed the initial selection. Bad news, my acting was a mess in the second round of auditions."
In truth, she wasn't unaware of her shortcomings, having sought private tutors for years.
But it seemed they had no effect!
Jiang Mian breathed a sigh of relief, "I thought something serious had happened to you."
Then she sounded a little troubled, "I'm in London right now. Even if I wanted to help, I'm powerless."
Ji Lanruo turned on her camera, her face full of eagerness, "Guide me remotely."
"I know someone who can..."
Jiang Mian meant to say she couldn't help Ji Lanruo, but there was indeed someone who could.
If she remembered correctly, Actor Song was in Hengdian right now.
Before she could finish speaking, Ji Lanruo interrupted, "Tell me, how's the audition scene where Jiang Yuer later turns to darkness for revenge?"
Jiang Mian could only follow her lead, "It's possible, but it's very difficult for you. It's like a novice challenging an NPC in the beginner village."
Ji Lanruo held her phone and collapsed onto the bed, wailing, "Why is it so hard? Should I just go home and inherit the family business?"
But the thought of her fans who still supported her made Ji Lanruo feel she couldn't give up so easily.
Jiang Mian was also at a loss. This sort of thing was useless just by talking about it.
Moreover, she always felt Ji Lanruo had a natural talent.
Her personality was also well-suited for this profession; being unbothered by external distractions was her greatest asset.
They communicated across screens for an entire night.
The next audition was in half a month. For others, this was a long time.
For Ji Lanruo, wanting to improve her acting skills in such a short period was no different than a fool's dream.
Ji Lanruo became even more insistent that Jiang Mian give her extra tutoring, and as for President Ji, he could only be apologized to.
For three consecutive days, Ji Lanruo stayed holed up in her room, and her assistant worried she would go stir-crazy.
On the morning of the third day, Ji Lanruo emerged from the hotel like a wandering spirit.
She couldn't take it anymore; she needed to see the outside world's sun.
She took a few breaths of fresh air outside, then returned to the hotel with bags full of food.
As she stepped out of the elevator, she bumped into a man, and the soy milk she was holding instantly flew out.
Ji Lanruo didn't look up, repeatedly saying, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. How much is it? I'll pay you back?"
She mentally estimated that the suit looked expensive, not like a brand-name item but more like bespoke tailoring.
It should be more expensive.
Hmm, her meager salary probably wouldn't be enough to cover it.
Ji Lanruo instantly became despondent.
She hadn't taken a single cent from her family since leaving home.
She had filmed so many dramas, but few were profitable.
She was already poor, and now she was even poorer. It was truly sad.
While lost in thought, a pleasant and familiar voice descended from above, "No need, as long as you're alright."
Ji Lanruo froze and abruptly looked up.
Three years had passed since they last met. All those buried, hidden feelings erupted in that instant.
Not mentioning them didn't mean she had forgotten.
Ji Lanruo's expression turned cold, "I can afford this small amount of money. Please name your price, Actor Song."
She didn't want to owe this man anything!
Song Xingjia sighed inwardly. It was just a suit; if it was ruined, it was ruined. Why such a cold expression?
They remained at an impasse.
Song Xingjia looked at Ji Lanruo, who was deliberately avoiding his gaze, "If you really want to compensate me, just transfer it to my WeChat. Oh, and remember to unblock me."
Three years ago, they parted ways.
Song Xingjia had messaged Ji Lanruo three months later only to discover he had been blocked.
At that time, a well-known pineapple pastry shop from Hong Kong was opening a branch in Kyoto, and Song Xingjia had instinctively thought of Ji Lanruo, wanting to share the good news with her.
Then he received a red exclamation mark.
He hadn't expected Ji Lanruo to be so resolute, but then again, it made sense.
Young girls could be shy, and it was quite normal.
However, a certain inexplicable frustration would occasionally surface in his heart.
Seeing her now, Song Xingjia finally understood that some people held grudges more fiercely than he did.
Ji Lanruo pursed her lips, looking down at the marble floor, "Alright, I'll head back then."
With that, she brushed past Song Xingjia and entered the room without looking back.
It was precisely because she didn't look back that she didn't notice Song Xingjia watching her leave from behind.
Back in her room, Ji Lanruo found her heart pounding uncontrollably.
She felt a pang of annoyance. Three years had passed. She thought she had moved on, so why was she reacting like this?
She raised her hand and pressed it against her cheek. Feeling the burning heat, she
murmured to herself, "Ji Lanruo, can't you be more spirited? He hasn't even done anything yet. You can't be as foolish as you were three years ago."
After calming down, Ji Lanruo opened WeChat and found Song Xingjia in her block list, unblocking him.
Then she sent a message, "How much for the clothes?"
A reply came back instantly, "Designed by an Italian personal tailor, custom-made, took two months, one of a kind."
Ji Lanruo bit her lip. Who asked him to say all that?
What? Was he trying to make her feel guilty? She could afford to pay!
Ji Lanruo: "Just tell me the price."
Song Xingjia: "Fifty million."
Ji Lanruo's eyes widened. She really wanted to ask if he wasn't robbing her.
All the cards she had combined didn't even add up to fifty million.
Was Song Xingjia really overcharging her?
Thinking back to the craftsmanship and material of the suit she had glimpsed earlier, Ji Lanruo fell silent.
Besides, Song Xingjia wasn't that kind of person.
She sighed softly, feeling utterly unlucky.
Why did she have to drink that cup of soy milk?
Seeing her delayed response, he sent another message: "You really don't need to compensate me."
Upon hearing this, Ji Lanruo immediately said, "No! I can afford it!"
She absolutely refused to take any advantage of this man!
The next second, Ji Lanruo timidly asked, "Can I pay in installments?"
If she pooled all her money together, it might be barely enough, but she still had employees to pay!
She had to pay salaries!
Her assistant, housekeeper, driver...
Of course, she could ask her family for money, or even just ask one of her brothers to spoil her.
But Ji Lanruo couldn't bring herself to do it.
She had vowed to make something of herself!
How could she yield to such a small setback!
Song Xingjia did not reply for a long time.
Ji Lanruo poked her phone screen, her mind wandering.
This man, he wouldn't disagree, would he?
It was just fifty million yuan, was he in urgent need of it? Or was he deliberately making things difficult for her?