Actresses

Chapter 85 Memories

This problem really stumped Shi Jiahe.

The core idea behind the initial proposal was for He Yuran to be the main controller and lead actress—this was an absolute premise. However, when conceiving the content, Shi Jiahe added the limitation of an entertainment industry background. While searching for scripts, she unexpectedly encountered Zhao Cai, a screenwriter who actually possessed an original script, thus leading to the current situation. But honestly, none of this content is the type of material Shi Jiahe genuinely wanted to create. If it were truly like an open map, with all permissions granted for free exploration, she wouldn't know where to go next.

Shi Jiahe remained silent for a long time, unable to utter a single word.

"Don't you have any ideas?" Ren Jie asked.

"...That's not it."

"Then it seems you dare not say it."

"Pretty much, I don't think I'm qualified."

"Do you know how many producers didn't have much experience before taking on a big project? They just had to bite the bullet and take on the role."

"Others are others, and I am me. I am not so blind as to think that just because others have done many things in this industry, I can do the same things."

"You have the right mindset. But I still want to tell you one more thing: when an opportunity arises, you should seize it decisively."

Shi Jiahe smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Ren. I would have preferred that this opportunity was one I had been striving for myself. But your appearance was so dramatic, like a benefactor descending from the heavens, that I'm now hesitant to step forward, afraid of letting you down."

"Haha, is it that exaggerated? You're making me feel like I made the wrong choice and misjudged the person." Ren Jie laughed it off, but his expression was tense.

Shi Jiahe understood what this meant; it was essentially an ultimatum, telling her not to be ungrateful. However, giving an answer now was too early.

She put down her chopsticks, since she wasn't planning on eating anymore. "Mr. Ren, I need time to hand over my work and figure out my own needs. I'm not prepared for any changes to come so hastily, even if it means missing some opportunities, I won't regret it. I'm willing to take responsibility for my choices. I don't want to make any more decisions before I've thought things through, please understand."

"Alright, alright!" Seeing that Shi Jiahe didn't back down, Ren Jie sighed. "Actually, the way you put it, I'm even more interested in you now. I like people who are loyal and righteous. Whether it was you standing up for that screenwriter just now, or what you said to me tonight, it all makes me look at you in a new light. Once you've thought it through, feel free to send me a WeChat message. Then we can talk properly, okay? I'll be waiting for your reply."

Shi Jiahe was actually a little touched, but deep down she still felt that this invitation might just be a polite formality.

It wasn't that she lacked a sense of worthyness, but her years of experience at work told her that people who approached her too eagerly were rarely doing anything good. Perhaps it was a test set up by the other party. It's like someone asking you for a favor; if you agree too readily, they probably won't appreciate your help. There's no need to compare it to Liu Bei's three visits to Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage—that showed immense sincerity and a precise target. They had only met by chance; she simply couldn't believe in good things that were so highly random.

However, Shi Jiahe didn't hesitate to pay the bill. Ren Jie was definitely much richer than her.

It was barely ten o'clock when they left the Japanese restaurant. Ren Jie turned around and said, "Do you need a ride?"

Shi Jiahe smiled politely: "Thank you, Mr. Ren. I still need to go to the hotel to talk to my friend about something."

"Oh! The friend you're talking about must be Wei, Wei—" Ren Jie paused for a moment, seemingly not very familiar with Wei Ning.

"Wei Ning. We used to be colleagues, and later we worked on that drama together."

"Oh! If you leave He Yuran's team, can this drama still move forward? Why don't you bring it to our company to work on together?"

Shi Jiahe thought to herself, "Is this some kind of maze? How did we end up back here again? I didn't even go to your company, why should I bring the project there? Besides, this project isn't even mine."

"I'm afraid that won't work. Uh, Mr. Ren, you go ahead with your work. I'll go find her." Shi Jiahe said, turning to leave.

But Ren Jie remained standing there. "Don't forget, I meant it when I said I'd wait for you."

Shi Jiahe stopped and glanced back. The two looked at each other from a few meters away, seemingly trying to decipher each other's thoughts. But Shi Jiahe felt that Ren Jie was probably not thinking anything at the moment. He was just focused on expressing himself. She shook her head inwardly, but couldn't say it aloud, so she forced a smile and said, "I understand, thank you, Mr. Ren."

After that, she never stopped because of the shouts behind her.

Shi Jiahe had already arranged to go to Wei Ning's house tonight to see Zhao Cai, but she was still more concerned about this matter.

For some reason, Shi Jiahe had a feeling that something had happened to Zhao Cai—although she shouldn't think that way, since everyone should hope for the best for their friends—but she felt uneasy and had a chill run down her spine.

Upon arriving at the hotel lobby, Shi Jiahe glanced at her phone. Wei Ning hadn't sent any new messages, so she proactively messaged him, asking, "Are you done?"

Wei Ning replied shortly after.

"I'm still with the boss. I don't know how late it will be. Are you sure you want to wait?"

"Are you scared?" Shi Jiahe asked, frowning.

"What am I afraid of? I'm just worried about you. You weren't feeling well earlier."

"Don't use me as an excuse. Since I'm here, I can accept it. I'm even prepared to stay at your place tonight."

"Alright, alright, you just wait!"

After their verbal sparring session, Wei Ning disappeared again. Shi Jiahe, having no other option, went up to the third floor and wandered around. Actually, it was clear from outside the banquet hall that people were starting to leave, and no one was stopping people at the entrance anymore. But after observing for a while, Shi Jiahe felt that most of those remaining inside were social butterflies, not many respectable people. Those who wanted to discuss serious matters had mostly moved elsewhere, so there was no need to waste time going in.

So Shi Jiahe turned around and walked towards the stairs. As she passed the restroom, she bumped into a familiar face—it was Sister Dong again.

Shi Jiahe didn't try to hide it, and greeted her with a smile like a seasoned veteran: "Sister Dong."

"Hey, Xiao Shi, you're still here?"

"Okay, let's talk to Wei Ning about something."

Dongjie looked around and said mysteriously, "Can I ask you something? Is it a good time?"

Shi Jiahe wondered, "Why does this woman also have something to do?" Unable to refuse, she could only follow her to a corner.

Sister Dong asked in a low voice, "How's Xiao He's schedule lately? Has he got a role in his next film?"

Shi Jiahe suddenly remembered the play that Tao Ye had mentioned to Sister Dong at the villa last time. "Damn, could this be for real?" she thought. She immediately emphasized, "I'm not in Sister Ran's team anymore. You should ask Sister Ran directly."

Sister Dong smiled and said, "Stop fooling around, I'm asking you something serious."

Shi Jiahe was furious. She thought to herself, "What? Does nobody take what I said today seriously? Why does everyone act like they didn't hear it at all?"

"I really resigned!" she repeated.

"Oh dear, how could an agent and an artist hold a grudge overnight? I've seen plenty of these arguments. I know you just wanted to stand up for that kid and didn't want to drag Xiao He into it, so you came up with this whole thing, right? Don't worry, I'm not Zhou Chun, you don't need to put on an act for me."

Shi Jiahe suddenly felt as if she had fallen into an echo chamber, where no matter what she said, it would only echo back into her ears.

Although the words were meant for others, these people seemed to only consider things from their own perspective, or from the perspective of the artists Shi Jiahe had served, without caring about her own thoughts. It was as if Shi Jiahe couldn't be an individual with her own will, which was what angered her the most. In the eyes of people like Sister Dong, once you've worked as a talent agent, you become the artist's mouthpiece, and it's difficult to separate yourself from them.

The more this happened, the more rebellious Shi Jiahe became. This matter no longer had anything to do with He Yuran; it was her turn to rediscover herself.

Sister Dong might have intended to exchange a few more pleasantries, but Shi Jiahe said with a straight face, "Sister Dong, I have something to do, why don't you go ahead and do your work?"

As she spoke, she walked away without looking back towards the social scene she had just avoided.

This time, she did nothing. She found a stool covered with a white cloth in a corner of the banquet hall and sat down, watching the lights change and people disappear one by one. Suddenly, she felt as if she were witnessing everyone in the arena of fame and fortune gradually leaving, but no new people were coming in. The hustle and bustle was rapidly fading away before her eyes.

Shi Jiahe recalled her younger days on film sets, when she was just a lowly worker who didn't even know which department she worked for, sitting in a corner of the crew organizing materials thrown at her by various parties. If someone called her, she'd go; if no one called, she'd just sit on her own board—because there weren't any chairs. And she couldn't sit for long; being seen working while seated on set by a supervisor was a major taboo. She had to keep moving around as much as possible to appear busy, or stand to make it seem like she was working hard. But in reality, the work she was doing required working on a computer.

Several such moments will always flash through my mind meaninglessly. Perhaps some experiences are meant to be extracted by the brain and turned into music videos later.

She didn't know how long she had been lost in thought, but the stage setup was completely dismantled. The venue was empty, and all the lights were off. Only then did she slowly stand up. If she didn't leave soon, she'd be locked up here tonight.

Looking at her phone, Shi Jiahe still hadn't received any messages from Wei Ning. She walked towards the lounge again and saw that the doors were all closed, confirming that the platform staff had probably all left.

Good heavens, Wei Ning didn't run away, did she?! She made a frantic phone call.

Wei Ning answered quickly, sounding quite angry, and immediately asked, "Where are you?!"

Shi Jiahe was taken aback. "Where are you?"

"I told you to wait at the main gate, but I didn't see you!" Wei Ning said angrily.

Shi Jiahe was completely confused. When and with whom did she say that?

Holding her phone, she spoke to Wei Ning as she quickly ran down the stairs. Wei Ning's intermittent, cursing words came through the receiver, and Shi Jiahe felt a crackling sensation run through her mind. Through the hotel's revolving door, they both saw each other.

Shi Jiahe seemed to see in a concrete form that she had indeed missed a fragment in her mind, and it was as if a sentence she had forgotten was coming from a very distant place.

See you at the main gate in a bit.

She was jolted awake.

This just seems to be something I said. Wei Ning wasn't making it up.

But why don't I remember anything at all!