Chapter 114: Busy, Busy, Busy
In her previous life, “Divorce, So Be It” had taken several episodes to gain a loyal audience, its popularity growing steadily. This time, airing on a popular channel with high viewership, it quickly attracted a large audience and generated buzz on Weibo after just two episodes.
However, Weibo was mainly for young people. “Divorce, So Be It,” with its nostalgic and family-oriented themes, appealed more to middle-aged viewers. Although it generated some discussion on Weibo, it didn’t have the explosive virality of current idol dramas.
Ji Junxin woke up and anxiously browsed Weibo, but she still didn’t repost anything. Mi Hongdou’s official Weibo account, which Mengguan was supposed to create, still hadn’t been set up, even after the drama’s premiere. Ji Junxin figured that Mengguan was also waiting, like her, waiting for the right moment to promote Mi Hongdou.
Thinking this, she vaguely realized that she hadn’t fully detached from Miao Qianye. Her old self wouldn’t have overthought it, she would have just reposted it without considering the timing. In fact, she probably wouldn’t have even thought of promoting the drama…
Ji Junxin didn’t realize that this change… was actually growth.
Previously, after filming ended, she would just spend some time alone, not dwelling on the drama or contacting her co-stars, and she would naturally detach from the role. But this time, even after a month, she could still feel Miao Qianye’s influence, her calculating and cautious nature.
It seemed that the immersion this time was deeper, she needed more time to recover, to truly say goodbye to Miao Qianye.
Usually, after a drama ended, if she didn’t think about it, she would eventually forget. But this time was different. Although she hadn’t contacted Mi Hongdou, she thought of her often, especially during meals, when waking up, and before going to bed… almost all the time. And thinking of Mi Hongdou brought back memories of filming… She figured that was why she couldn’t detach from Miao Qianye.
I can’t… contact her, can’t even think about her, for now! Ji Junxin decided.
Then she picked up her phone and texted Mi Hongdou.
Since I’ve decided not to contact her, I might as well send one last message before I start, she reasoned, having not received a reply to her previous message.
Mi Hongdou, yawning, was in the chauffeured car on her way to Shudian. Yes, after a month and ten days, she was going back!
[What are you doing?] Sender: Ji Junxin.
Mi Hongdou’s heart pounded. Although it was just a five-character message, even shorter than the previous one, it felt much more… normal!
Ji Junxin was lounging in bed, sleeping late, enjoying her time off. Although she loved acting, doing nothing was also great. As she waited for a reply, she figured Mi Hongdou was probably still asleep.
But Mi Hongdou’s reply came quickly.
[On my way to Shudian, “Divorce, So Be It 2” starts filming today.]
Ji Junxin sat up abruptly.
[Weren’t they waiting for the first season to air and generate buzz before starting the second?]
They were… Mi Hongdou yawned, glanced at Yang Lianyi, who was sleeping soundly with an eye mask, and then at Bai Tang, who was dozing off. This sudden change in schedule surprised everyone.
Ji Junxin sat cross-legged in bed, frowning.
[They’re running out of time, it will clash with later projects.]
Ji Junxin wasn’t a professional, she couldn’t judge the best timing for filming. But the point was, Mi Hongdou had left Jiang City, was on her way to Shudian.
So, after a month and ten days in the same city, without even meeting, Mi Hongdou was leaving again!
In “Divorce, So Be It 2,” Mi Hongdou was the female lead, carrying the entire drama, it wouldn’t be as easy as playing a supporting role. This kind of urban drama revolved around the main couple, so Mi Hongdou would probably be even busier than during “Imperial Secrets.” Ji Junxin figured that once she went back, she would be stuck on set, unless something happened.
Leaving for months without even meeting! Mi Hongdou is the worst!
Ji Junxin angrily got up, washed up, and ordered takeout. She had to have sticky rice balls today! And red bean pastries!
By the time she finished eating, Mi Hongdou had already arrived in Shudian. Then she received Ji Junxin’s reply.
[Good luck.]
That period at the end… so frustrating! Couldn’t she have used an exclamation mark?!
Mi Hongdou held her phone, hesitated, sighed, and decided not to reply.
She frowned and went to prepare for the filming.
Ji Junxin, full and satisfied, looked at the empty takeout containers, her mood slightly improved. Takeout, the taste was mediocre, but… at least the portions were large. When she couldn’t have Mi Hongdou’s cooking, quantity was the only comfort.
Why am I thinking about Mi Hongdou again… She shook her head.
Having not received any further replies, Ji Junxin felt it was time for a decision!
She had to detach from the role… she didn’t want to be influenced by Miao Qianye and look at Mi Hongdou with those same eyes when they met again. She was Ji Junxin, not Miao Qianye. And Mi Hongdou… was Mi Hongdou, not the young Empress, not anyone else. They hadn’t shared Miao Qianye and the young Empress’s experiences, their sacrifices, their revenge. All that belonged to the characters. Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou were friends in real life, although their shared experiences were limited, they had similar values, common interests, a mutual appreciation for each other’s acting, and a shared love for food. Ji Junxin hoped to detach from the role and interact with Mi Hongdou normally, not with such intensity.
Ji Junxin’s hopes were beautiful, as if all her recent eagerness and intensity were solely due to Miao Qianye’s influence.
A brief separation, for a better reunion!
She took out her phone and deleted everything related to Mi Hongdou, including her number.
No contact, no reminiscing, until she returned to normal. Of course, if Mi Hongdou contacted her, even if it was just a number on the screen, she would recognize it!
So.
Mi Hongdou immersed herself in the new drama, her days filled with filming. In her previous life, “Divorce, So Be It 2” had taken about six months to film. This time, they were given three and a half months. Needless to say, it was Qiao Rubai’s doing…
Even having filmed it once before, this accelerated schedule was challenging. Fortunately, the male lead, although a newcomer, was a good actor. He had quickly risen to fame in her previous life, becoming a popular idol. So, despite the tight schedule, the long hours, they were still able to keep up with the filming, thanks to the leads’ dedication.
Ji Junxin hadn’t texted again. Mi Hongdou often found herself typing messages, then deleting them.
I’ll wait… until I’m stronger, more worthy.
People had different values and perspectives. Mi Hongdou, when she first entered the industry, had become a fan of Ji Junxin. She had quickly become a promising newcomer, but she hadn’t tried to approach her idol. She had waited, working hard, building her career, until she felt she was good enough.
Some people were just… sentimental. The more they liked someone, the more they wanted to be worthy of them.
I like you so much, so I have to become a better version of myself, to meet you. I like you so much, so I’m willing to spend years getting closer to you, hoping that when you finally see me, you’ll see my worth, you’ll like me.
That had been Mi Hongdou’s mindset in her previous life. And even after being reborn, her nature hadn’t changed. Although, thanks to Qiao Rubai, she had met Ji Junxin earlier and even gained her favor with her cooking, their time together during “Imperial Secrets” felt like a beautiful dream. Ji Junxin’s sudden departure, without even a proper goodbye, had been a blow, sending her back to her previous life’s waiting game.
While Mi Hongdou focused on her work, Ji Junxin was trying to detach from her role, not even watching “Divorce, So Be It,” just asking Zhong Yin to repost it on Weibo when Mi Hongdou appeared.
Mi Hongdou’s character appeared in episode 42. The day before, Yang Lianyi finally created an official Weibo account for her.
The next day, when Mi Hongdou’s character appeared, Zhong Yin reposted the drama on Ji Junxin’s Weibo, tagging Mi Hongdou.
[Recently discovered a great drama called “Divorce, So Be It,” check it out, everyone. The actress playing the daughter, Lin Qiao, Mi Hongdou, is very talented. Newcomer, fighting! @MiHongdou] Ji Junxin’s Weibo had over thirty million followers, while Mi Hongdou’s was brand new. With Ji Junxin’s repost, Mi Hongdou’s follower count skyrocketed.
Millions of followers in just a few hours.
Ji Junxin rarely used Weibo, mostly for promoting her own projects or Qiong Yu’s productions. This endorsement of a completely unrelated drama was unusual, and her fans were intrigued. Many, curious, clicked on Mi Hongdou’s tag.
And then, their memories were jogged. Wasn’t this the little empress who made fried rice in that trailer Ji Junxin reposted? A good cook always garnered goodwill. And the fans who came from Ji Junxin’s Weibo were mostly loyal fans, it was natural for Mi Hongdou’s follower count to increase.
Mi Hongdou’s Weibo account, created just the day before, had only one post, a generic greeting message. Now, the comments were flooding in.
Most were from Ji Junxin’s fans, some remembering the fried rice and asking for recipes, others asking if she and Ji Junxin were friends, and why Ji Junxin had reposted her post.
Many hadn’t even seen “Divorce, So Be It,” they were just there because of Ji Junxin.
Yang Lianyi called and told Mi Hongdou to “hug Ji Junxin’s thigh,” or rather, to respond to Ji Junxin.
Mi Hongdou looked at Ji Junxin’s Weibo post. The tone was formal, a generic endorsement of the drama and Mi Hongdou, without any personal touch. It didn’t seem like something Ji Junxin would write, more like a standard company post, similar to her previous promotional posts.
But she still had to respond. Mi Hongdou reposted Ji Junxin’s Weibo and replied formally.
[Thank you for the praise, I’ll continue to work hard!]
She added a smiling emoticon at the end. Still very formal. She pressed send.
Although Ji Junxin had decided to give herself time and space to detach, even deleting Mi Hongdou’s number, one couldn’t completely control their thoughts. She was just… trying her best.
She had told herself not to watch “Divorce, So Be It,” even asking Zhong Yin to repost it on Weibo for her. But when Zhong Yin called to inform her that the post was up, Ji Junxin couldn’t resist watching the drama.
Having watched the drama, checking Weibo… was also fine. Ji Junxin, thinking that one bite was as good as a feast, opened Weibo, saw Mi Hongdou’s new account… why hadn’t Zhong Yin or Mi Hongdou told her!
She didn’t read the comments on her own post, but clicked on Mi Hongdou’s tag.
And saw Mi Hongdou’s formal reply: [Thank you for the praise, I’ll continue to work hard!] Hmph! So formal! Not even a text message! I’m not playing with you anymore! Ji Junxin closed Weibo and started browsing takeout menus. She would order five or six bowls of red bean soup! It was early July, she wanted it iced, iced, iced! She would write it three times in the special instructions!
Yes, it was early July, “Imperial Secrets” had wrapped two months ago, and “Divorce, So Be It 2” had been filming for over half a month.
At Qiong Yu’s request, “Imperial Secrets” had been edited during filming. Although Director Pan hadn’t understood Qiao Rubai’s rush, he had cooperated. Since he filmed chronologically, it wasn’t difficult for the editing to keep up.
By the time “Imperial Secrets” wrapped, most of the post-production for the estate scenes was already done.
In early July, Mi Hongdou’s character in “Divorce, So Be It,” after just four episodes, was receiving positive reviews. And with the drama’s increasing popularity, her Weibo follower count also increased rapidly. And just then, the post-production for “Imperial Secrets” was completed, and they began the promotional campaign.
It wasn’t until post-production was completely finished that Director Pan realized Qiao Rubai had been aiming for a summer release. He was stunned, just over a month for review and promotion, Qiao Rubai was really pushing it.
And Qiao Rubai not only dared to think it, she also dared to do it.
“Imperial Secrets” was scheduled for release at the end of August, catching the tail end of summer, perhaps even extending into October.
With “Divorce, So Be It” airing, “Divorce, So Be It 2” filming, and the upcoming release of “Imperial Secrets,” along with the promotional campaign, Mi Hongdou, like a rising star, appeared on TV, in entertainment news, on Weibo, on posters… although the focus of these projects, except for the currently filming “Divorce, So Be It 2,” wasn’t on promoting her, she still garnered considerable attention.
So, Mi Hongdou’s life was now defined by one word: “busy!” Busy filming, busy with interviews, busy dealing with jealous colleagues. Fortunately, Mengguan prioritized filming, only accepting essential interviews, otherwise, Mi Hongdou would have collapsed from exhaustion.
The film industry wasn’t as over-the-top as it would be ten years later, with months of pre-release hype, endless appearances on entertainment news, TV shows, variety shows, press conferences everywhere… Mi Hongdou had initially thought Qiao Rubai would bring the future’s marketing tactics to the present and launch an explosive promotional campaign for “Imperial Secrets.” She had been prepared to sacrifice sleep and work around the clock.
But… that didn’t happen.
In early July, after post-production, they started a low-key promotional campaign for “Imperial Secrets.” In late July, after passing the review process, the campaign intensified, but it was still just trailers, posters, TV commercials, and magazine features. There were no press conferences. Mi Hongdou waited and waited, then couldn’t help but ask Yang Lianyi.
Yang Lianyi told her to focus on filming and not worry about such trivial matters. Press conferences everywhere, how tiring and pointless, we’re not doing that! Mi Hongdou was speechless… she couldn’t tell her that’s exactly how it would be done ten years later.
Not having to travel for promotions was a relief for Mi Hongdou, who was already sleep-deprived from filming. But… she wasn’t entirely happy. Firstly, she wouldn’t have a legitimate reason to see Ji Junxin. And secondly, Qiao Rubai had been avoiding her questions about the past, she also wanted to see Qiao Rubai!
Unfortunately, having missed her earlier opportunities, Mi Hongdou was now trapped on set, unable to leave.
Perhaps heaven heard her prayers. In mid-August, she finally had a chance to see both Ji Junxin and Qiao Rubai.
Because… “Imperial Secrets” was premiering.
Mi Hongdou hadn’t expected Qiao Rubai, with her future knowledge, to limit the promotional appearances to just the premiere.
But it didn’t matter. After months of being stuck in Shudian, Mi Hongdou finally had a day off and returned to Jiang City.
Since their Weibo exchange in early July, Mi Hongdou had only texted Ji Junxin twice. Both times, she initiated the conversation. Once, about Jiang Lingling’s increasingly successful restaurant, but Ji Junxin’s replies were unenthusiastic, so she stopped. The other time, about food, she had gone to a restaurant Ji Junxin liked and texted her about it, but… Ji Junxin’s replies were also lukewarm, so she dropped the topic.
It seemed that if Ji Junxin didn’t even want to talk about food, then… there was nothing left to talk about.
The two failed attempts made Mi Hongdou apprehensive about the upcoming premiere.
Apprehensive, yet also expectant…
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