It was almost midnight, and chatting with Sun Tiantian felt effortless, so time flew by quickly.
Seeing that Qin Wei seemed tired, Sun Tiantian suggested ending the conversation, but Qin Wei stopped her.
"Help me buy some books and have them shipped to me. I can't buy them myself because Li Yao would find out, and I'm tired of his nagging."
Sun Tiantian agreed without hesitation:
"Send me the book list. You've piqued my curiosity. What kind of books are they? Buying a few books shouldn't hinder our child's progress... Oh, this book list is quite intriguing. I'll use a pseudonym for you."
The next morning, Qin Wei returned from her morning run and was informed by her assistant that she had a training session scheduled for the day.
After having breakfast, Qin Wei went to the meeting room on the same floor accompanied by her assistant and staff.
The tables and chairs were pushed to the side, and the room was filled with props simulating horses.
"Sorry, I'm late."
As soon as Qin Wei entered, someone followed closely behind. The voice sounded familiar, and when she turned her head, she was surprised to see a familiar face.
"Sheng Lin, you're here!"
Although she knew he was coming, seeing him in person still brought her joy. Qin Wei approached him and greeted him warmly.
Sheng Lin smiled, reserved as always, but this time, he spoke a little more since he was meeting an acquaintance:
"Hi, long time no see. I received the gift from Teacher Qin. The oranges were delicious, and everyone at our company praised them. And also, thank you for this time..."
The last time they met was when he and Li Hanming saved her and waited for her to wake up in the hospital.
Since then, they hadn't seen each other, and she heard that the company didn't think highly of him. His introverted personality made it difficult for him to shine in variety shows, but fortunately, he had good looks and was diligent, which gave him an advantage in acting.
Qin Wei couldn't think of any specific way to help him, but when she heard that he was also striving for a role in this drama, she secretly recommended him, and unexpectedly, he got the part.
Although he didn't explicitly say it now, she understood without further explanation. There was no need for many words; he knew who helped him.
"We're friends, no need to be so polite..."
"By the way, do you know what we're going to train today?"
Sheng Lin nodded and walked to the prop horse. He took hold of the reins with one hand and stepped on the stirrup with one foot, gracefully mounting the horse. Sitting on the horse's back, he said to her:
"Like the others, we'll train our posture, but the difference is that we'll do it on horseback.
I'll be the one teaching you today. I volunteered with the director. Don't worry, I'll give it my all."
His mounting and dismounting movements were smooth and handsome, even though it was just a prop at the moment. Qin Wei, who had some equestrian experience, could tell that Sheng Lin truly knew how to ride.
He assisted her in getting on the horse and then taught her some techniques, while also giving her tips on how to appear more impressive while on horseback.
After a brief training session, Sheng Lin let her practice on her own. Once she felt she had grasped it, Sheng Lin said to her:
"The prop team will bring the horses to the set in a few days, and then you can practice. Some of the techniques are hard to achieve for beginners, but once you master them, it's just a matter of proficiency."
After receiving guidance and contact, which proved to be effective, Qin Wei easily dismounted from the prop horse and casually asked him,
"It seems like you're familiar with this. Have you learned it before?"
Sheng Lin didn't deny it and replied to her,
"I grew up on the northern grasslands before moving to the city, so riding horses is a daily thing for me. It's just that many people are unaware of it.
When we go to the grasslands for filming, I'll teach you how to ride horses and shoot arrows. I can't guarantee that you'll be as skilled as those who grew up on horseback, but you'll definitely be the most elegant one on horseback."
Qin Wei joked with him,
"With your refined appearance, it's really hard to associate you with the rough image of a man on the grasslands."
Sheng Lin could also sense it and casually replied,
"That's a stereotype.
But it's true for my ancestors—they endured wind and sun while herding horses and sheep, so they were a bit rugged.
In our generation, we have more choices. We went to the city for education and work, and by chance, I became an actor. I couldn't change my introverted personality, but appearance is still something to consider."
"Do you also know archery?"
"I do."
Qin Wei felt lucky. She didn't expect her friend to be such a hidden talent. The techniques he taught so far were very practical, and she couldn't wait to put them into practice.
With him helping, she would accomplish more with less effort.
"Considering this, it's a bit of a waste of your talent to play such a small role. After all, there are very few opportunities in the drama to showcase horse riding skills. If you were to play Da Zhe, you might become famous because of it."
Sheng Lin just slightly lifted the corners of his mouth and said to her,
"I'm easily satisfied. There are no small roles in a play. Each character's existence has its reason. I want to be an actor, so as long as there's a role to play, it's fine. If I can come across a good script, that would be fantastic.
Being famous has its own troubles. You're constantly watched, and every word and action are magnified. Even a frown would be endlessly interpreted. In this regard, you have experienced more than I have."
Indeed...
...
After the morning practice ended, Qin Wei returned to her boring life. In the afternoon, the other actors went to attend some "noble etiquette and demeanor" training, but she was asked by the director to go back and look after the child.
Speechless...
She might as well go back to her room, read the script, and go to sleep.
When she returned to her room, Li Liang had already placed a package on the table in the living room. Qin Wei asked Li Liang to go rest in her own room, but as soon as she opened the door, she saw the teary-eyed child standing at her doorstep.
"Wu..."
As soon as the door opened, Hong Dou, like a distressed little train, started sobbing.
"What's wrong, Douzi?"
Qin Wei took a deep breath, walked to the doorway, and hugged the child into her room. While comforting him, she asked,
"Who bullied you? Tell your sister. We may not be able to dominate the other groups, but we can still dominate Group A. Speak up, and I'll support you!"
Qin Wei's gentle reassurance made him even more upset. He grabbed onto Qin Wei's collar and leaned against her, crying loudly,
"Wu, wu, wu... I want to eat candy!"
Qin Wei hesitated and to make sure she didn't mishear, she asked again,
"Candy?"
"I really want to eat candy!"
"That's easy. Candy is available everywhere..."
Qin Wei searched the room, feeling a bit embarrassed as she looked at her assistant Li Liang, who was still standing by the door.
"Could you go buy a pack then?"
Li Liang shook his head.
"Li Yao just returned to the company and specifically told me not to let you have any snacks. Besides, Qiao Teacher also said..."
"Li Liang, is Qiao Teacher's team short-staffed?"
"?"
Qin Wei glanced at Hong Dou, whose emotions had calmed down a bit, and continued speaking.
"You listen to what she says, right? She wouldn't secretly give you a salary, would she?"
"Qin Jie, I'll go buy it now, but you must keep it a secret. If they find out, I'll lose my job..."
Half an hour passed.
Li Liang still hadn't returned, and Hong Dou was tearing up paper in frustration while Qin Wei boredly opened a package.
During this time, Qin Wei didn't dare to provoke Hong Dou at all. Even when he was tearing up property certificates, she didn't interfere, afraid of disrupting this peaceful tranquility.
Another five minutes passed.
Li Liang came back, empty-handed and looking hesitant.
"What about the candy?"
Li Liang pointed to Hong Dou, who was sitting in the corner.
"Their bodyguard took it away, saying that their young master shouldn't eat candy."
"Wahhh—"
Qin Wei exclaimed, "Ah!!! Hong Dou, you damn well tore up my script!"
